Page 63 of A Chance at Forever
“I think it’s more than that. Coach doesn’t look well.”
Rusty failed to come to dinner that night and sent Victoria a vague text message. An uneasiness settled in her, so on Saturday afternoon she headed next door with a large container of homemade vegetable soup she’d prepared earlier that morning. When he didn’t answer her knock or cheerful greeting, she let herself into Rusty’s immaculate kitchen. Setting the soup on the counter, Victoria searched for him. A moment later, to her shock, she found him slumped over his desk in the den.
“Rusty?” He didn’t stir or acknowledge he’d heard her. Frowning, she moved closer and shook his shoulder. “Rusty.” He groaned and tried to lift his head. Victoria saw his flushed skin and reached out to touch his forehead. “You’ve got a fever, my love. Can you try to sit up?”
Raising his head, Rusty mumbled, “I’m okay.”
She glanced down at the open book on his desk. He’d been reading about unidentified autoimmune diseases. “No, you’re not. Let me help you over to the couch.”
He leaned heavily upon her. It took all of her strength to support him. “You stay right here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Victoria checked Rusty’s medicine cabinet, found a fever reducer, and brought him a tray with it and the vegetable soup. “Eat every bite. I’m not leaving until you do.”
Rusty managed a feeble grin. “You’re bossy.”
After he finished the soup, he stretched out on the couch. Victoria covered him with a throw blanket and checked his temperature with a digital thermometer. It was still high. “Get some rest, Rusty. Call me if you need anything, no matter the time.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Thanks for the soup.”
“You’re welcome.” She smoothed back his golden hair and kissed his hot forehead before she left him alone.
After church the next day, Victoria thought about visiting Rusty but decided he needed his rest, so she sent him a text message instead. The last week had taken its toll on him mentally and physically, and he needed to be prepared for the upcoming challenge.
She experienced some confusion, though, when she glanced toward Lake Ellis and watched Rusty run at top speed toward his house. “What in the world? What is he trying to prove?” Victoria opened her kitchen door and stepped onto the back porch.
Rusty didn’t look in her direction. She heard him wheeze, “God, help me,” before disappearing inside his house. His plea echoed in the chilly air.
*
“No, Kaylee. Thetempo is all wrong.” Snapping her fingers, Victoria demonstrated the correct timing. “Try that and see if it doesn’t sound better.”
Kaylee followed Victoria’s instructions. “You’re right, Ms. Lockridge. Hey, why don’t you ever play for us?”
“Too busy attending to other things. Keep practicing. It’s coming along great.”
Victoria moved from group to group as the auditorium hummed with activity. Some of her students worked on props and costumes, others painted backdrops, and the rest ran through their lines.
Amidst the hubbub, Troy tapped on Victoria’s shoulder. “Ms. Lockridge, I think Coach wants to speak with you.”
Searching the auditorium, Victoria spotted Rusty standing near the main entrance with his hands thrust into the pockets of his navy dress pants. At the moment he appeared so physically fit, she couldn’t tell he’d been the least bit ill over the weekend.
“Troy, please keep your eye on things while I speak with Coach.”
Rusty’s smile dazzled her. “Hi. How are you feeling?”
“Never better. Your soup did the trick.”
“Why were you out running yesterday? When I saw you on Saturday, you were as weak as a kitten.”
He grew solemn. “I had to sweat it out somehow, Tori. This week is too important.”
“I’ve been thinking. Let’s come home after the game Wednesday night instead of traveling to Colorado. We could have Thanksgiving dinner here.”
Rusty started to shake his head even before she finished her sentence. “No. I need to go to my cabin. And I want you with me. Please try to understand.”
Victoria let out her breath. “I do. I’m only concerned about how hard you’ve been pushing yourself.”
His eyes held hers. “The season is almost over, Tori, and then I can concentrate on more important things.”
