Burreaux

Game Dey

Bengals Home Opener

Joe had given Jane and Mia tickets to the Bengals 2023 home opener game and they were all super excited to go. Karleigh was required to be there just in case there was an injury. She hadn't been to a football game in person since Joe's last game at LSU...she was feeling quite nostalgic about it. She went to every game he had from Ohio State and LSU even when he wasn't playing she was there. She had kept a beaded bracelet she had made to match his Burreaux Jersey and decided to wear it to this game. She had convinced herself she was wearing it for "luck" and not just because she wanted it to feel like old times.  The three girls made their way to the stadium together but when they reached the entrance Karleigh had to say goodbye to be two.

"Let's take a picture of the three of us in our Bengals gear for Joe. I'm sure he would love to see his daughter sporting his number before the game." Karleigh said pointing her phone camera at them and snapping a picture. She kissed Mia on the head and told her she would see her after the game. She walked towards the locker rooms hoping she could catch Joe before he went in. As she was walking she ran into Sam.

"Hey sweetheart," he said pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek.

"Hey Sammy," she said smiling as she hid her arm behind her back not wanting him to see her bracelet.

"I have to go but you will come see me after the game yeah?" he asked with a smile.

"Of course! But don't forget I'm supposed to be on the sidelines," she said.

"Oh that's right I forgot. Well, I'll see you out there. No staring while I stretch..." he winked. She just giggled and waved him off.

Thinking that she had missed Joe she started to walk over to a bunch of her co-workers to wait for the start of the game. She looked down at her phone and ended up running right into someone's chest. Their arms quickly wrapped around her stopping her fall.

"Kar you can't keep falling for me like this." he joked.

"I'm so sorry," she said looking up at the man. "Oh! Joey...hi.." she said blushing slightly from embarrassment.

"Hey... you okay there you seem focused."

"Yeah I'm fine just you know how I get before games... all nerves," she said tucking some hair behind her ear.

"You still get nervous?" he asked

"I mean yeah... what if you get hurt I mean look what happened last year with Damar... what if something happens to you our daughter is in the stands and I just."

"Hey hey hey.." he said grabbing both of her hands. "I promise I'll be careful. I have some good guys protecting me and if something happens you will be there to take care of me."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, your calf is already strained."

"Karleigh, I promise I will be careful... I didn't think you would have kept this," he said running his fingers over the beads.

"I almost didn't but when I found out I was pregnant I kept everything of yours I had so she could have a part of you... and I figured it was pretty lucky back then maybe it would be good luck now.." She said smiling up at him shyly.

"Now I'm gonna go out there and I'm going to win it. When I walk out of those locker rooms I want to see you and Mia standing there okay."

"What about Jane?"

"Of course."

"Oh I have something to show you before you go." she pulls out her phone to show him the picture of Her, Mia, and Jane. "I figured you might want a picture of Mia at her first game."