Page 97 of A Game as Old as Time

“He’s in! He’s in!” The referee was next to him, shouting and throwing his arms into the air.

Touchdown.

Gunner exhaled, and the stadium exploded. The ground shook underneath him like a tremor after an earthquake.

“G!” JT was standing over him. “You did it!”

He tried to speak but was still gathering air in his lungs.

“G! You crazy ass!” Emilio picked Gunner up. “I knew you could do it! I knew you could do it!”

The force of his friend ripping him off the ground brought another wince of pain.

“Be careful with him!” Andy was screaming as Emilio lifted Gunner higher, almost throwing him into the lights.

“I’m fine, AG!” he finally shouted, the sideline emptying as the whole team ran onto the field.

I am so fine!

“WE’RE GOING TO THE STATE SEMIS!” Ty was yelling by his side, repeating the phrase over and over.

“Damn straight!” Gunner’s lungs finally filled as he screamed, throwing his head back.

His whole body began to ache, but as he collapsed into Emilio’s arms, he felt a wide grin stretch across his face.

That was for you, Dad.

**********

Hailey waved to Gunner as he pulled out of her driveway. The headlights of his car slowly disappeared as he rounded the corner. There was no question what was going on now, and it was getting harder and harder to say goodbye to him each night.

Originally, she was worried about her father and how he would handle the time they spent together. However, he hadn’t brought it up, and he even seemed to trust that Gunner would have her home by curfew each night. And while this was something she appreciated, it also appeared that Gunner really wanted that trust and would do anything to keep it. They were always together, but he was taking things slow.

So slow…

That thought made Hailey pull her coat tight. The hug of the leather helped slow her heart rate. While she knew Gunner was still piecing his life together and needed time to figure it all out, when they would practice close, she could not help but be a little selfish and want more.

By the time she got to the door, her pulse had normalized. She took one more final breath to steady herself before entering, and she let her mind settle back on that day’s practice. It was amazing how far they had all come. The musical was falling into place perfectly, and even though the boys continued to win football games, they never missed a day on the stage.

I guess it’s all up to me now.

Focusing on the rest of the cast was a nice distraction. However, as the performance approached, it was becoming harder for her to envision herself right in the middle of it all.

She fidgeted with her keys, thinking about the lights. She could feel their heat gleaming down, could imagine all eyes settling on her the first time she stepped onstage. She pictured the young girl from the drive-in.

Are you going to wear the dress?

Hailey tried to push the memory away. She unlocked the door and stepped inside to a warm greeting from Ellie, who jumped on her leg. Even though it was late, she figured her father was probably still at school, preparing for the game. It was, of course, the state semifinal.

Melissa?

Hailey inched in. The reflection in the TV showed her sister sitting on the couch.

She is still up.

Hailey laid her keys down softly and dropped her backpack by the door, wincing at the accidental thud against the hardwood.

“Hey sis,” she said, as quietly as she could, while removing her coat. “What are you doing up so late?”

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