An Exchange

Chapter Twenty - State

Penny

Game night arrived, and the air at the football field felt electric. I sat with Maria and Marty who insisted I join them for the last time. At halftime, I rushed down to meet Ray as he left the field. He paused and waited for me to approach to give him an Ensign magazine. Then he asked, "Can I go with you guys to church on Sunday, and my mom too?"

I was pleasantly surprised. "Sure. Do you need Giles to pick you up?"

He nodded and we quickly made the arrangements before he changed the subject. "Has Marty asked out Maria yet?"

"What?" I almost squealed with excitement.

"Didn't he tell you he wants to ask her out?"

"No! When, how, what...?" I couldn't help hugging him. "This is so wonderful!"

Ray shrugged with a scowl. "I would like to think so, too."

The coach called to Ray and he rushed after the team. Ray was only being protective of Maria, but I wanted him to be as excited me. Maria was crazy about Marty, and that piece of information made me very happy for her.

When I returned to the stands, I couldn't help grinning at them both ridiculously. Marty kept giving me odd, confused looks, and Maria whispered in my ear, "What's up with you?"

"Nothing," I answered and glanced at Marty.

He raised an eyebrow and looked away, shaking his head.

I turned my attention to the cheerleaders doing their halftime entertainment. Dylan kept glancing my direction whenever she could. I tried to ignore her.

The teams kept alternating the lead. Tension was high with some bad calls made by the referees, and rough play on the field.

At one stage, a fight broke out in the crowd. Preston Fisher yelled all kinds of profanity at a group of church members, including Pat and Alma. I felt partially to blame for it because he didn’t approve of me. He was not alone in the abuse either as several others joined in with him. Security soon settled things down, but as he sat, he locked eyes with me. I turned away quickly, terrified by the fierceness I saw.

*

Ryan

I couldn't believe it when Dad abused one of the other guy's parents for a fumble. Just because they were Mormons and Penny's host family was with them. Jonas looked at me with a worried expression which I returned. Dad was trying to find a way to break up Penny and me, and he was itching for a reason to abuse the Taylor's so they would encourage her to end it.

There was no doubt in my mind that he knew she was a Mormon as only the day before he said to me, "Son, don't date Mormons. They are no good, self-righteous, and intolerant." Then he interrogatied me about Penny. If that wasn't telling me he knew, nothing would.

I knocked a guy from the other team hard to the ground. The crowd 'ooed' sympathetically as he crunched loudly down.

He pushed me off as he stood. "Get off me!"

"Sorry, man. I didn't mean to hit you that hard," I answered, offering him my hand.

He ignored my gesture and stood on his own. "Sure you didn't. You better watch yourself, pretty boy."

He spat at my feet before we returned to play.

I was soon running for the pass. I caught it and began to run. Smack! Someone hit me hard from the side into the ground.

The same guy glared down at me. "That's just a little one."

What a jerk!

Ray helped me back onto my feet as we got back into position.