Page 10 of Fallen Cowboy
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Two days later, I sat on the cold bleacher seat, MaryBeth right next to me, her little legs bouncing in sheer joy and excitement.
“She’s going to bring the whole thing down.”
I glanced over at Troy as he walked up the steps, Markus right behind him with snacks and drinks.
“You think you can get her to stop?”
“Why is she all giddy anyway?”
“She loves football,” I told him, pointing to Markus who came up on MaryBeth’s other side. “Thanks to him and the few times he’d help out the coaching staff, she was hooked. So, every home game, like clockwork, we’re here. I don’t think I’ve missed a game since she was almost two. And even sometimes for practice if we’re slow at the ranch.”
“She likes football?”
“No, she loves football,” I corrected him, smiling as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Footballs is fun! Loud! Crazy!” she giggled, throwing her hands up in glee. “I going to plays when I older!”
“Oh, you are, young lady?” he said, resting his boot on the seat in front of us and leaning on his leg. “Gonna be like your uncle and throw the ball around?”
“No, I going to runs.”
“She thinks her legs are going to stay little enough so that she’ll be the fastest player on the field,” I told Troy who couldn’t contain his smile.
“I ran last year, mama. The ‘eams let me.”
“They did, baby. In their final home game, the coach let MaryBeth on the field with the kids. They love having her and it was the highlight of her life. They tossed her the ball, which she caught, and had the guys chasing her as she ran it down the field. Come to think of it, there were a couple of guys who were running pretty hard after her and couldn’t quite catch up.
“Anyway, it was endearing, and she was talking about it for weeks. The coaches adore her, and the guys find her to be great moral support. And I’m all for anything that makes her happy.”
“You’re a good mom, Anelise.”
“No, I just want my baby happy and healthy but not spoiled. She might like football, and might even play it when she’s older, but she also likes her nail polish and Barbie dolls. She’s a gal who just enjoys life to the fullest, I guess.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him nod but his gaze was on the field as the team took it. They warmed up while the cheerleaders and the band hyped up the crowd.
“Does she ever ask about her dad? Or do you think about him?”
“No, she doesn’t. At least not now. The hands, my dad, and Markus give her enough male attention to replace a dad. I know it won’t always be the case, but I’ll deal with that later. As for me, nope, he doesn’t cross my mind.
“He was a ranch hand when I was in school. He’d flirt with me, then he asked me out when I graduated. One thing led to another and within a few months, I was pregnant. Asshole didn’t even pick up his last paycheck, that’s how quickly he left town.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, Troy. It was him that missed out on a good thing. MaryBeth is the highlight of my life, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
I glanced over at her, already talking it up with her uncle and I couldn’t help but smile. She was my pride and joy, and I loved her beyond anything.
“Excuse me, I need a walk,” I told him, walking past his legs.
“Sure.”
I rooted for the guys, loved watching the kids play, but right now, I need a moment to myself. Did I think about the asshole?
Yes, I did. More than I should. But it was moments like now, when I knew he’d be proud of her, that I wished he had at least tried to stay in her life.
I walked past the snack bar and then under the bleachers, hearing the people holler for their kids. It would be nice, one day, if MaryBeth did make it on the team. I’d cheer so loudly for her.
