How to Love Again

Chapter Ten: The Recruit

Just the last minute details remained for the college visit. Logan and Michele were excused from school and given homework assignments for the three days of school they would miss.

      Bright and early Wednesday morning, Michele was greeted by a loud honk coming from her driveway. Not knowing what to expect, she was surprised to see the very oversized motor home. She half-expected to see a little vehicle but this looked like something a celebrity would be using as their tour bus.

      “This is incredible,” Michele said as she walked outside. “I feel like a rock star.”

      “If we are going to make the five-hour journey, we might as well go in style,” Michael said as he leaned out the driver’s side window. “I think I can retire right now and travel the country in this thing if Bethany would let me.”     

      Inside, the motor home looked like a little apartment on wheels. It was complete with a full kitchen leading into a family area with a gigantic flat screen TV, two leather couches that converted into beds, a master bedroom and a full bathroom. It even had a washer and dryer, which was the biggest surprise.

      “I might get used to this,” Bethany said just low enough that Michael wouldn’t get any ideas.

      The pantry was stocked full of food and treats, Bethany was not a fan of fast food and if she was travelling in style they were going to eat healthy meals and not just burgers and fries.

      Making their way across the mountain pass proved to be a little more difficult than what Michael was expecting. The first snow of the season had fallen, leaving the roads very slick and he was having a hard time maneuvering the two-ton vehicle on the curvy narrow roads.

      Once they were over the pass, it was clear sailing as the sun was shining bright for the remainder of the trip. The trip to Pullman wasn’t the first for anyone, but it has been a long time for Michele. For Logan and his parents up until this year, they made the drive down to Pullman for every home football game until they moved to Tacoma.

      Pulling into the parking lot adjacent to the football stadium, Michele couldn’t help but look over at Logan as he pressed his hands to the window. He tried to take everything in all at once. This was more than a trip for a football game for him, this could be his future and hopefully he would have Michele by his side.

      It was early afternoon and their first stop was to meet with the football team’s head coach. Michele wasn’t sure if she should attend the meeting, she didn’t want to look like the girlfriend who was tagging along hoping to become a NFL trophy wife. After some reassurance that the whole family wanted Michele to be there, she reluctantly agreed.

      Walking out of the tunnel and onto the field, Logan knew that this is where he wanted play for the next four years.

      “Introducing for the first time, number three, your starting quarterback for the Cougars…  Logan McKenzie,” said the loud voice coming from the stadium speakers.

      Then flashing on the screen in front of them was Logan’s photo and football stats.

      “Well, that pretty much seals the deal for me,” Logan muttered to his dad.

      The meeting lasted a little more than an hour; the coach was very excited about Logan’s future for the school’s program and wanted to know what he had to do to make sure he would be attending WSU next year.

      “It’s all about getting my fair shot at starting next year,” Logan said with such confidence it inspired Michele.

      “I think you have a good shot at that son,” Coach Nance said. “We sure could use someone with your natural talent and athleticism.”