Page 42 of Dangerously Yours

I tried reaching the safety of the sidewalk but I mis-timed my step. As the front of my shoe hit the raised concrete, I toppled forward, falling right on top of our dinner. Looking over my shoulder, the car had come to a complete stop. I was sure it was to see if I was okay, but when no one rolled down their windows or got out of the vehicle, a frisson of fear raced down my spine.

Did this person purposely try to hit me?

I shook my head at the very ludicrous thought. I continued to stare at the car for a few seconds, but because the windows were tinted a shade so dark, and one I doubted was legal, I couldn't see who was inside. The car remained still, just as I saw the window begin to slowly lower. At that exact moment, I heard my name.

“Mrs. Davis. Are you okay?”

Turning toward the voice of my doorman, I was about to respond but the sound of squealing tires had me looking back at the car once more. The sports car made a quick U-turn before speeding off down the street. I had no clue who it was, but at this point, I didn't even care. It was likely an accident, so I allowed the man to help me to my feet.

“Do I need to call anyone for you?”

I looked down my body, and outside of a skinned knee, I was no worse for wear. Shaking my head, I then noticed dinner. I was sure the pizza was unrecognizable now, so I would need to order another one, only this time it would be delivery.

“No, I’m fine. My pride is the only thing wounded unless you count this pizza.”

“I’m glad you’re okay. There are so many maniacs on the road nowadays. That car came out of nowhere.” He then extended his hand, and after allowing John to help me to my feet, I bent to pick up the crushed pizza box. “Maybe we should call the police. I can?—”

“No, that’s not necessary. There’s no need to involve them over my own clumsiness.”

“It didn’t look like?—”

“I’m sure the car just lost control. You know today’s youth and their flashy cars. Most can’t drive your average car, much less something with so much power. I don't want to file a report or anything. I just need to go home.”

John looked like he wanted to argue, but then thought better of it. “Let me at least get this from you,” he said, taking the pizza box from me.

“Thank you,” I told him, then hurried inside the building. A few minutes later, I was staring into the disappointed faces of my children. “I can order you all another one, or perhaps even make something. I need to head to the market this weekend, but I can probably find something to throw together.”

“Pizza,” they all answered in unison.

I went to grab my purse, immediately feeling a throbbing in my wrist when I reached inside for my cell phone. I called back the same place I had gotten the first one from, and was given a forty-five minute estimated time of delivery. I paid for everything over the line, then looked at Amanda.

“I’m going to take a shower.” I then got up and went into my bathroom.

Once inside, I looked at my wrist which was actually starting to bruise. It was also more swollen than it had been when I had picked myself up off of the sidewalk. Pain still afflicted it, and I sighed. After my shower, I would need to ice it. My knee looked bad too, but not to this magnitude. A bit of alcohol and a band-aid would be all I needed for it. I went to find something else to change into, and after undressing, I returned to the bathroom.

About twenty minutes later, I was out of the shower and fully dressed. The pizza still hadn’t arrived, not that I thought itwould. While we all waited, Leslie took it upon herself to play hairdresser, and I was actually appreciative of her brushing my hair as I watched one of the national sports channels with Zachary. They were talking about this last week of the preseason, and of course a good portion of it was focused on our local team. My interest in them was completely different from that of my son, but we still both had our eyes glued to the screen as we watched the team warming up on the field.

Noah was in street clothes still which meant he would likely not see the field tonight. I knew how much he had wanted to prove his worth to his coaches, but I didn’t think that was necessary. He was a consecutive MVP award-winning quarterback, and any team in the league would be thrilled to sign him.

My thoughts were confirmed when his coach was briefly interviewed, and the first question had been about Noah’s availability. “Hey, Noah has more than proven what he can do on the field over the course of his career. His lack of playing time in the preseason has nothing to do with doubts over his talent. We’re simply trying to keep our stars fresh, and more importantly, injury-free. We have a big game week one against a divisional rival. Noah is our starter, unequivocally.”

The topics then turned to scheme, and even the mood of the locker room after last year’s early playoff exit. I was not envious of having to regurgitate the same thing all off-season, and into the upcoming one. The only things I had to repeat over and over again in my line of work were to caterers, florists, or other hired vendors.

“Noah is going to win the championship this year,” Zachary told me.

“Is that so?” I had no doubts that he had the talent and drive to do so, but I was curious as to why my son was so adamant.

“Yep. Ricky’s uncle plays on the offensive line, and he has told him that there is no one more determined to win than Noah.”

I knew all about his determination, both on and off the field. Thankfully, I didn’t have to think about it because the doorbell cut into my thoughts. I got up, retrieved the pizza, then changed the channel to something all the kids would enjoy. We ate and were halfway through the Disney movie when Amanda’s ride came to pick her up.

NOAH

I had made the roster which everyone kept telling me was a lock, so I could finally breathe easier. After the ACL tear for a west coast quarterback, I thought I might be headed to Seattle, but all’s well that ends well, and I was staying here in the city. I hadn’t heard the actual news until I was at Lulu’s place. Her kids were off with their father, so it had been just the two of us.

“You’re our starting quarterback, Capshaw, so we’re keeping you. Practice starts on Monday,”my coach had told me.

The phone had been on speaker, and I could see Lulu smiling from ear to ear.“I told you,”she had mouthed to me.

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