Page 50 of A Game as Old as Time

“Remember,” Tony yelled as he headed toward his tent, “you get whatever you want---on me today! My treat!”

Gunner flashed a thumbs-up before a hand on his back spun him around.

“Mom, Peyton!” he exclaimed, hugging them both.

“Baby, look at this!” His mother was smiling ear to ear. “Everyone came out!”

They sure did.

Gunner rested his arms on their shoulders, kissing his sister on the forehead as they peered out at the fundraiser.

“Yeah,” he agreed, taking it all in.

The large parking lot was already full of people. Smells of pizza, popcorn, and cotton candy were everywhere, reminding Gunner’s stomach that he had forgotten about breakfast.

“And what is this that I hear?” His mother had a sly grin that she directed his way. “You are going to be the star in the musical now?”

Stop.

Gunner shook his head.

“And you got your sister and all your friends in it, too?”

He kicked the asphalt in front of him.

“I’m not the star, Mom.”

Peyton squeezed her arms around his back.

“Of course you are! And the male lead in this musical is perfect for you!” She laughed. “I always thought you resembled a monster.”

Right.

He knew she was joking, but the words still hurt. The way he had acted over the last five months made him feel like a monster. One game was not going to change that, and he knew it.

“Well actually, Hailey Bianchi is playing the lead, I’m just---”

Peyton jumped and jabbed his chest.

“You mean the coach’s daughter?!” Gunner squinted up at his mom, who was still grinning. “Now I know why you got us all to do this.”

Enough.

His face was on fire as he stuttered through his response.

“Listen, it’s not that, it’s just…Ms. Summers said dad…and I---”

His mom rubbed his forearm.

“Your father would be so happy, Gunner. About all of this. I loved the theatre growing up, and we never missed one of Ms. Summers’ musicals.”

Stay strong, Mom.

He could see a hint of sadness in her eyes as she spoke about his father,the grin fading from her face.

“Yeah, well, Mrs. Weston, I hope he would be proud of us too!” Andy joked as he made his way over with JT and Emilio.

“Boys!” his mother shouted, a smile lighting up her face. “He would be so proud of all of you!” Gunner nodded to the approaching group. “I heard you have all joined in on the musical this year!”

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