Page 43 of The Summer of ’98

“Hey, Momma.”

“Hello Ellie. How are you? It’s been a while.”

“Momma . . .”

“You said every other day—”

“I know,” I tried to keep the impatience out of my tone. “But come on. I’m having fun and it’s not free to make these calls.”

“As if it matters for those people.”

“Don’t be like that, Momma,” I murmured.

She was quiet for a moment, and I heard her inhale a deep breath. “How are things? Having a good time?”

“I am, I’m having fun, like I said. The Laheys are great, and I’ve made friends already.”

“Staying out of trouble?”

I thought about it and bit down a grin, almost afraid that she’d be able to hear it or sense it in my voice. I couldn’t really say that I’d been staying out of trouble. Not truthfully. But I assured her that I was behaving.

“Of course. I’ve watched Leroy at practice most mornings. We spend time with his mom and dad, and I’ve been doing some cooking.”

“Cooking?” Her voice rose and octave with the shock. “Doesn’t sound like the Ellie I know.”

“Maybe I’ll cook for you when I get home.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Well, I’d better get going, Momma. I don’t want to rack up the phone bill too high.”

“Call me again soon, ya hear?” She wasn’t really asking.

“Love you, Momma.”

The sun was merciless later that morning. It shone down on the school football field, burning hot while I sat on the grass and watched the beginning of the warmups. A group of cheerleaders practiced at the other end of the green, being thrown through the air and chanting cheers. It was fun to watch them as well as the football team. There was a lot of team spirit here. It was clear that this school took their game seriously and I understood that—it was the same back in Waco. I’d just never paid as much attention at that time.

A light breeze blew, push the scents of the air around. The smell of fresh-clipped lawns, melting tar from the roads, and the hint of male perspiration from the football players.

The heat must have been getting to them because before a play was made, Leroy straightened up and pulled his T-shirt over his head, leaving him in just his shorts. He clapped his hands together and leaned over again, calling the directions for the play. I watched the sun glisten on his damp, tanned skin. His broad shoulders and biceps flexed as he raised his arms and caught the throw—perfect.

“I knew it,” Cass’s voice startled me, and I turned to spot her strolling over with her shades on and a pair of overalls over a white tank top. “It’s so hot today. I knew the shirts would be coming off.”

She sat down and gave me a wide smile. “Love that outfit.” She glanced over my spaghetti-strap denim dress that I’d slipped over a black T-shirt. It was nothing special, but I loved how she was always quick to compliment my clothes.

“Damn, just look at him,” Cass bit on her lip and sighed. “I would lick the sweat off his abs. And I’d enjoy it.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Robbie,” she pointed out a tall guy with shoulder-length brown hair. He did have a nice body. “We used to chat a little here and there, but he’s got a girlfriend now.” She stuck out her tongue. “As gorgeous as he is, I don’t mess with a taken man.”

“I’m sure she’d appreciate that.”

I watched her and waited for her to ask me why Noah hadn’t shown up on Saturday night.

“Wanna go for a walk into town with me?” she asked.

I picked at the grass beneath me and shifted my legs, so they were folded. “What’s in town?”

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