Page 54 of Second Down Scrooge

I nod. “They play Sunday, so it’s a regular week for them.”

“Is that hard on you?” He bounces Mia, and she giggles.

“It’s hard being away from him for Christmas, but I kind of know what I'm getting into in terms of his schedule.”

“I just want you to be happy, and I know it's been a tough road for you to get there with him. But if you’re willing to put in the work, I think you could have exactly what you're looking for.”

“But what doesput in the workeven mean?” I ask. “Does it mean traveling across the country two days before Christmas to get to him so I can tell him I believe him?”

“It might,” he says with a shrug. “But there's a kid to think about here too, so maybe it means being patient and trusting that he's on the other end of us waiting for you. But I don't think it means that you should sit around here with that sad look on your face anymore. You're here to celebrate Christmas, so enjoy it while you're here, and then you get back home to him and work it all out.”

I lean on his shoulder. “You’re pretty good at this advice thing.”

He chuckles. “I aim to please.” Mia starts rubbing her eyes, so I take her upstairs to get her down for a nap. The adults play a rousing game of Uno with my grandfather emerging victorious.

I check my phone but still don't have anything from Austin, and I try to remember my dad's words about being patient.

Maybe he’s right. I’ve spent far too much time since I met him not trusting him and believing the worst, which has amounted to a rather colossal waste of time.

And since I still don't have a call or text from him, I realize it’s okay for me to try again. I don’t have to wait forever for him to call.

Me:Hope practice went well today. Thinking about you, missing you, and thought I should tell you that of course I believe you.

And then I wait.

Chapter 26: Austin Graham

Delayed

Two Days Until Christmas

I stare at the message as I try to come up with the right response. I don't really have the words that could properly express how it means everything to me that she believes me.

And that's why I feel like I want to wait until I'm in person to properly thank her for that.

I'm also afraid if I call her and talk to her that I will blow the surprise. I’ll do something stupid like end the conversation withsee you soonor something equally dumb that would give away the fact that I have a ticket on a flight tomorrow after practice. It'll get in late, and I'm not even sure exactly where her grandparents live, but I figure I'll make up a story about wanting to send a gift so I can get their address ahead of time.

I decide to text back rather than call even though I want nothing more than to hear her voice and Mia’s. I glance at the clock and realize Mia’s sleeping by now anyway. I also realize that she doesn’t know that if I was in trouble because of the drug test, I wouldn’t be at practice.

Me:That means everything to me. I miss you both and I'm sorry I've been quiet. It's been a brutal week.

I leave it at that even though it’s vague, and I head to bed. I'm up and at ’em early in the morning for practice, and I see a reply from her.

Kelly:Sorry it’s been brutal. Wish I was there to help.

Sheishelping, and she doesn’t even know. She has no idea how just that one little text telling me she believes me was exactly everything I needed.

I have the trust and faith of somebody who means everything to me.

I head to practice, and I'm a little early.

Asher is in the locker room, the only one here as early as me. “Merry Christmas Eve,” he says.

I nod. “Same to you.” I sit on the bench inside my locker and start changing shoes.

“What are your plans for the holiday?” he asks.

“Kelly is in Chicago with her family, so I decided to grab a flight out tonight after practice to spend Christmas with them.”

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