Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(53) Chains

Sophia

As the NFL season winds down here and the playoffs were about to start the Bears open up their facility to friends and family. Dad comes into town even though he still worked for the Broncos, they weren't going to the playoffs so their season was almost over anyway. Mom was invited but she politely declined to avoid any run inside with dad. So it was the three of us again as we take to the field. I grab a ball and Henry and I toss around the pig skin.

"I forget how good of a arm you have" he chuckles as he catches the ball. He was about thirty yards away as he takes another step back to increase the distance between us. This was a game we've played since we were kids. We take a step back each time we catch the ball until our arms run out of juice. Our record was like 55 yards back in the day. I'm sure we could beat that now without a problem.

"Someone forgot I played football in high school before you even got to step foot on the field" I remind him.

"You were a receiver not a quarterback" he recalls.

"Yeah, because the line was shit and I wasn't getting sacked five times a night" I chuckle.

"Or you were afraid that I would come and break all your records the moment you left" he accuses as he chucks the ball. I easily catch it before taking another step back to the next yard line.

"You were always going to be great Hank. No matter what I did out there you were always meant to come into my school and make it yours" I insist.

"What are you talking about? I spent all four years of high school living in your shadows. We spent just a year together and even after you were gone you were all anyone talked about. The moment I step of the field I was in your school. My teachers always compared me to you. My friends always asked what you were doing and if we could come with. Sure I was the jock but I was a jock in your school" he claims.

"You and I remember things very differently" I laugh as I throw the ball. Henry catches it and takes a step back.

"That's probably why we fell out then huh" he asks.

"I guess. I wish we never did though. I was so proud of you. You were a freshman quarterback on varsity and I was a senior receiver. We had one great year together and then it all went to shit. The moment I turned 18 dad was ready to have me move out so all his focus could be on you. All the distractions were gone and you made your mind up about the person you wanted to be" I explain.

"I still wanted you around you know. Even though we argued. Even though things got rough you were like my mom. My best friend. I never meant to push you away" he promises.

I catch the ball he throws before letting out a soft sigh. This thing wasn't really his fault, it wasn't mine either. For so long all we had was each other and eventually we didn't even have that. I wanted so bad to rival the attention he was getting, the love he had from dad. But who is a ant to a shoe?

"I'm sorry" I say softly.

"Soph it's not your fault" he tries.

"I know it's not. Not entirely. But I thought that you were my opposition. Some fearful defense staring me down in the face of a blitz. I was never prepared to face what you growing up was going to be life. You needed me and I was selfish and wanted to rival you instead of standing beside you. And for that I am so sorry" I say softly.

He stands there almost half a football field away as he lets out a sigh. "I'm sorry too. I knew dad favored me and I used that against you. I took advantage of knowing that I was the one to carry on this name and you couldn't. It was a shitty move and I should have kept you by instead of shoving you out the door" he says.

"Well I guess everything happens for a reason, right? Should things be different we wouldn't be here, in this amazing city both living out our dreams. Who would've thought" I say with a small smile.

"I like this timeline. I like knowing that even though we weren't always close we couldn't be closer. If things had happened different maybe you wouldn't end up here, maybe I wouldn't have either. Who knows where in this world you could be looking for something that was here all along" he says.

I smile as I nod my head. "I think you're right. I hope this is just the beginning for us. The Elway's take over Chicago" I smile.

"I sure hope so" he agrees.

We get out to 72 yards before my arm gives out but it was still a new record for us. Eventually people join us and I walk around. I knew all of the guys from covering them all season. The Bears organizing was one of a kind. They've had this business within one family sing the formation of the NFL. The Halas-McCaskey family founded this league, they built it and almost 100 years later they're still here. And I thought my dad was stuck in Denver...

"You know a couple of the guys on the team really want to ask you out" Henry tells me.

"Yeah I'm not so sure that's a good idea" I shake my head.

"Because you like someone else or because you don't want one of my friends to stop talking to me because you stomped on his heart again" he asks.

"A little bit of both" I laugh.

"If they did ask you out, what would you say" he wonders.

A soft sigh passes my lips as my shoulders shrug. "I don't know. That I'm single but it's complicated. I really like this guy and we're better off as friends but emotionally I'm not available. While we're not dating I don't want to think about being with someone else, you know" I ask.

"I honestly don't get it. Why don't you guys get over yourselves and date? You can't see other people but you can't tell him how you feel? Seems ass backwards" he accuses.

"It is. But it's what we know. We work because things are the way they are. Who knows what happens if things were to change? Things are good so if it ain't broke don't fix it" I defend.

"It might not be broken but what if it can be better? Why not take the risk to finally let yourselves free from the chain that are holding you both back" he asks.

"The chain keep us together too. Stops us from getting too far away from each other" I remind him.

"Maybe. Or maybe you both could fly wherever you want without it" Henry claims.