The Walk to Soccer Practice: A One-Act Play

Cast of characters:
Mom, a stunningly attractive early-thirties woman
Michaela, an adorable five year old and soccer player
Jenna, sweet-natured two year old sibling of Michaela dragged to soccer practice

Setting: A suburban Town Park complex of soccer fields, baseball fields, swimming pool,etc. The distance between the parking lot of the Park and the actual practice field is about one quarter of a mile, past three softball fields, a pavilion, and two small soccer fields. It is a cool and breezy day, but sunny. Late September, late afternoon.

(Mom, Michaela and Jenna exit their car in the parking lot. Michaela is holding her soccer ball. Mom gets out Michaela's water bottle, the stroller to push Jenna, a fold up chair to sit in during practice, a sweatshirt for Michaela, a sweatshirt for Jenna, a fleece for Mom, Jenna's Princess backpack filled with toys to keep her occupied during practice, Jenna's Boy Baby, and Boy Baby's bottle. Mom attempts to balance all items while keeping an eye on Michaela and Jenna in the parking lot.)
Mom: Jenna, get in the stroller so you can ride.
Jenna: No.
Mom: You want to walk?
Jenna: Yes.
(Mom, Michaela and Jenna begin walking.)
Jenna: Ohhh... it's windy.
Mom: Do you want to put on your sweatshirt?
Jenna: Yeah. And zip it.
(Mom and Jenna stop the procession to zip sweatshirt. Continue walking.)
Jenna: I don't want it zipped.
(Mom and Jenna stop walking to unzip sweatshirt. Continue walking. Michaela, who has asked Mom to carry her soccer ball and has been refused, reluctantly carries the ball but is not walking next to Mom nor really towards the practice field, instead starting to go out onto one of the softball fields.)
Mom: Why don't you try kicking the ball in front of you?
Michaela: No, I don't want to do that. Watch. I'm going to dribble it like a basketball.
(Michaela stops at edge of parking lot to attempt to dribble ball. Loses control of ball, chases after it, and returns to edge of parking lot. Dribbles ball again.)
Michaela: Mom, watch me. Watch. Mom.
Mom: I see you. Michaela, please pick up the ball and start walking. We're going to be late.
Michaela: No we won't.
(Jenna stops walking to touch a handicapped parking sign and stays for closer inspection of said sign. Continues walking. Jenna and Mom reach gravel pathway to practice fields and Michaela continues to wander out onto the grassy fields.)
Jenna: Ohhh... a puddle.
Mom: Please don't go in the puddle. Your shoes will get dirty.
(Jenna stops just short of puddle, bends down and inspects puddle. Continues walking.)
(Jenna and Michaela starting walking together on the field and discover dandelion stems with seeds on them. Both girls stop to pick. Mom continues walking.)
(Just as Mom thinks she's going to start yelling about getting to practice, Michaela presents Mom with a small handmade bouquet of dandelion stems.)
Michaela: Look, Mom, I picked these for you.
Mom: Thanks!
Michaela: Blow on them.
Mom: I don't think there's much on them to blow, honey. Let's keep walking.
(Jenna stops in field to blow dandelions, then continues walking.)
(Mom realizes this is good fodder for a blog entry, calms herself, and continues walking. Mom notices that Jenna is behind her and stops to turn around to see her. Jenna has bent down to pick up gravel and see how far she can throw it.)
Mom: Don't throw the rocks, honey. Let's get to practice.
(Mom, Michaela and Jenna continue walking in the general direction of the fields. After a few minutes, they approach a port-a-potty. Mom desperately hopes that Michaela has gone to the bathroom before leaving for practice.)
Michaela: Mom... I have to go to the bathroom.
Mom: Uhhh... okay. Go ahead in.
Jenna: I want to go with her.
Mom: No, stay out here with me.
Michaela (climbing into port-a-potty): Don't close the door!!
Jenna: I want to go in!!
(Jenna slips through open door and watches her sister pee. Michaela and Jenna exit potty. Continue walking towards field.)
Jenna: Mommy, carry me.
(Mom puts on her own sweatshirt, picks up Jenna, pushes stroller, chair, sweatshirts, backpack, baby, and baby's bottle.)
Jenna: Ohhh... you're heavy!
Mom: No, you're heavy... I'm the one carrying you. Why don't you ride in the stroller so I can push you?
Jenna: Nooo...
Mom: I will carry you for a little bit and then you have to walk.
Jenna: Otay.
(After a few minutes, the field is in sight. Mom, Jenna, Michaela and their stuff makes it to the sidelines. Michaela runs onto field to start practice. Jenna gets out Boy Baby and starts to nurture it. Mom sets up chair so she can rest and get ready for the return walk back.)
The End.