‘
“You might have used the word ‘special’ a few too many times,” I said.
“Huh?” he asked, confused because I hadn’t taken his head off.
“We also should talk to your English teacher about reviewing run-on sentences. Just because you’re sending a text doesn’t mean that the rules go completely out the window.”
There he went again, blinking his eyes with his mouth trying to work out the words he wanted to say.
“Did you actually send that, or was this a test run?” I asked.
His face got a lovely shade of pink.
“Dude,” I responded to let him know this was bad.
I suddenly had a thought.
“Is Chrissy aware of your ‘special’ relationship with Brook?” I asked.
If he could look any more miserable, I don’t know how.
“I’m impressed. This is some high-level shit you’re playing with. Two girls at once is hard to pull off and not have it blow up in your face,” I said.
I tried hard not to let my enjoyment of his epic fail show through.
“Fix it,” he begged.
“How am I supposed to do that?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Call the police and have them confiscate Brook’s phone before she reads the message.”
If they ever invented a way to pull back a text or email, it would be a billion-dollar idea.
My phone rang, and it was Brook. I showed Dare, and he scampered off.
“Told you,” I said triumphantly when I answered.
“Shut up, ‘stupid boy.’ I take it Dare showed you what he sent me.”
“He wanted me to call the cops and have them confiscate your phone. I guess he has buyer’s remorse.”
“Again, shut it,” she said rudely. “Is Dare okay?”
“He’ll be okay. I sometimes forget that he’s so young. Then he does something like this.”
“Well, tell him I think he’s special too, but …”
“How about we use the long-distance excuse and that he is already dating Chrissy?” I suggested.
“Just don’t be mean to him,” Brook warned.
“My mom says Dare needs to be toughened up.”
“Since when do you listen to your mom?” Brook asked.
“Good point. I’ll go and see if I can talk him off the ledge … and Brook?”
“Yes?”
“I told you so.”
“I heard you the first time. Yes, you were right for a change.”
I would take that as a win. I really missed her.
◊◊◊
When I arrived after last period, the field house was already filling up. They’d pulled out the bleachers on three sides and put folding chairs down the center facing the open end where the stage was located. The center was set aside for the press.
I saw Jeff Delahey with a cameraman from Sports TV setting up along with some other reporters. To one side in the front, an area had been reserved for friends and family. On the other were our teachers, coaches, and VIP guests.
The student body helped fill up the floor while the townsfolk sat in the bleachers. It was humbling to see so many fans had taken off early from work for our announcement.
There was a buzz of anticipation. Many of my classmates wanted a word with me as I made my way toward the front, where Tracy was orchestrating everything. Once she’d gotten her okay, she and Lexi had worked with Frank Ingram to organize everything. Delegation is wonderful once you learn to trust it.
When it was time, Tracy motioned for us to stand to the side of the stage. She first brought up the players that had signed in December: Ty Wilson, and Brock and Bryan Callahan. Tracy did an excellent job of highlighting their individual awards and where they would go to college. Tim Foresee and Wolf Tams received the same treatment, minus the college destination.
To this point, the crowd had been polite and sedate in congratulating the players. AC/DC’s
The crowd sang along as the lyrics began. I bounced up on stage and started to take my place at the table, but Tracy grabbed my arm and made me stand beside her.
“We have a surprise for David,” she announced as the music ended. “Gatorade gives awards to the best football player for each state. David is the first two-time winner of that award for our state. Last year, he was selected as the National Player of the Year for football, and to our delight, won the Male National Athlete of the Year for all sports. That only confirmed what we all knew: David was the best high school athlete in the nation.
