Charlotte Browne - Morgan

Jenny and Jeri Morgan both gazed proudly down into the cot, staring at the peaceful face of the sleeping baby.

Welcome your new baby sister to the world, said their mother Pamela.

Shes so beautiful, Mom, said Jenny.

Jeri looked up at her father Michael. Shes so cute! she said. But its just too bad you didnt get a boy. Thats what you wanted, right?

Michael laughed. It doesnt quite work like that, Jeri!

So you wont send her back, Dad? Mom?

They both looked at Jeri and smiled.

No way! replied Michael. Shes perfect.

Our little Alexandra, said Pamela.

Alex an dra. At four years old, Jeri struggled a little to pronounce the name.

You can say Alex too, said Pamela.

Im glad youre not sad, Dad, said Jeri. I want us to keep her.

Hey, said Michael, were delighted. I promise Ill only ever send her back if shes not a baseball fan!

They all laughed. That would be impossible in this family! said Pamela.

And in this state! said Michael. Home of the Angels the best baseball team in Los Angeles!

*

Alex beamed as she felt the wind in her hair and heard her dad shouting from the sidelines: Go Ali Cat!!!

It was a typically warm Californian day at her school and shed just taken off from the starting line, in a race to support a local homeless charity in Diamond Bar. She was running against the fastest boys in her class at Maple Hill elementary school. But she wasnt fazed for a second. Shed already earned the nickname Mighty Mouse at the age of five, because when she ran she went so fast her chest puffed out. She knew she could beat them, just as she beat them at tetherball, one of her favourite games.

Keep your eye on the finishing line, she told herself, run it three seconds faster this time, three seconds.

Alex was always setting goals for herself and although she knew she could outrun her opponents, she always wanted to beat her personal best. She was used to her older sisters being better, faster and stronger. So she always strove to keep up with them. Above all this though, she loved the feeling of running, feeling the world whizz past as she accelerated, and the joy of speeding past the other runners as they struggled to keep up with her.

Yay! she threw her hands up in the air as she crossed the finishing line and heard the crowd cheer. She was sure shed beaten her previous time.

But if there was anything she loved better than running, it was running after a ball. Shed recently joined the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and enjoyed it immediately for the chances it gave her to run around the field and play on mixed teams, where she regularly outplayed the boys too.

Her speed amazed the coaches and the parents in the crowd.

Michael, shes just so fast its incredible!

I know, he nodded proudly. But you should see her catch, shes brilliant at that too.

He added: Since I first taught her at three, her skill was obvious then.

Well I dunno Michael, I think shes gonna want to stretch those legs.

Michael laughed. Oh, shes very athletic, she can play volleyball and soccer really well. But shes destined for baseball. I just know it.

*

It was a Saturday and Alex and her sisters, plus dad Michael, were all off to an Anaheim Angels baseball game, one of the biggest teams in the American league. Alex was dressed in her green Oakland Athletics T-shirt and shorts with matching cap.

Baseball was Michaels favourite sport (along with the rest of America) and he encouraged all of his three daughters to build their skills and excel at the game, coaching them in a team called the As.

Alex always loved the atmosphere in the stadium and knew how much the game meant to her sisters and her dad. For years, shed gone to watch them play in their leagues and though she admired how good her sisters were, she got a little fed up with always being seen as the baby and Jeris little sister, always one step behind them in strength and skill. She just wanted to be Alex, in her own right.

When she protested, her mother would say: But youre the baby, Alex, our little Ali Cat, of course youre not going to be as strong as them, and thats okay.

Michael, who loved to encourage healthy competition in every game not just baseball, but from Monopoly to cards would chuckle at this and say:

Ali Cat dont forget the glove now!

No, Dad!

You never know when you might catch a foul ball! Youve got to show your sisters how good you are!

I am as good as them, she thought to herself defiantly. And theres one thing Im definitely better at.

Before they got in the car to leave, Alex turned to her sister.

Hey Jeri lets race! To the bottom of the road!

Jeri sighed as they stood at a makeshift starting line, ready to take off.

Alex, come on now. Youre like nine. Im thirteen. Youve got no chance.

Just you watch me!

Fine! Im not going easy on you no head starts!

Their dad shouted from the car: On your marks, get set go!

Alex sped off down the road as Jeri flailed behind her, easily crossing the finishing line way before her. Jeri finally caught up, out of breath and spluttering. Alex did a little dance for joy in a circle.

Told you! Told you!