How to Love Again

Chapter Five: Game Day

Today was one of the biggest days in Logan’s football career. At tonight’s game, there will be several college coaches on hand to evaluate and critique every move he makes both on and off the field this could either make or break his chances for playing football after high school.

            That morning Logan woke up after sleeping surprisingly well trying to avoid thinking would be happening in less than 12 hours.

            “Your dad left before you woke up and he was hoping we could talk with you,” Logan’s mom Bethany said. She prepared Logan’s good luck breakfast, of pancakes and scrambled eggs. It was the same breakfast that she made on game day since he was 6. “You have to know that your dad and I are very proud of you no matter what happens tonight.”

            “Thanks mom,” Logan said as he poured himself another glass of milk before devouring the large stack of hot cakes in front of him. “By the way, you know that Michele will be at the game and I wanted you guys to meet her.”

            “Really, I would love to; did you tell her anything about me yet, I hope you didn’t I really want to explain in person.”

            “No, I didn’t, I thought it would be better if it came from you,” Logan said. “But Mom, please don’t make a big deal about it, you know how much I like her and even Michele knows it too, that’s the problem, I don’t want to make it even more uncomfortable than it already is,” Logan said wiping the last bit of syrup off of his top lip with his tongue.”

            “Okay, I won’t, but this is a big deal to me at least since you have never wanted us to meet your girlfriend before,” she said with a smile.

            “You know she isn’t my girlfriend, well, I think she is, but I don’t think that she likes the label, but we are pretty much together, I guess.”

            Helping to adjust his tie, Bethany took a step back from her only child with a look only a mother could take in.

            “I just can’t believe that my baby is all grown up,” she said wiping away a tear. “Just think this time next year you’ll be in college.”

            Not wanting to see his mom cry, Logan threw his arm over her shoulder and held her tight in his embrace whispering into her ear.

            “I love you mom.”

            Game day had never been a monumental thing for the high school during football. The last time the team won a game was a far and distant memory. However, this year with the arrival of Logan McKenzie there was a new air of excitement.

            “Well, don’t you look very handsome today,” Michele said as she eyed her new best friend walking into the room complete with his gray pin-stripe suite and royal blue tie.

            Since their dinner outside the library last week, Logan and Michele were nearly inseparable. Logan walked Michele to every class despite the fact that his classes were on the opposite side of campus. For Michele, it was nice having Logan around. He understood her in a way that not even her best friend Nicole did. But she was still hesitant to reveal how she was starting to fall for Logan.

            Hiding his pleasure of her comment, Logan tried, but failed to mask his now rosy cheeks.

            “I tried to look good as you always do, but I guess today I was again outdone,” he said as he took off his coat throwing it over his seat.

            Why did he always have to do that? He’s driving me nuts, can I go through just one day where I don’t have to blush so much that I feel that my face is going to melt into a puddle onto the floor.