For The Love Of The Game

Chapter 13

We were playing again tonight, another win would get us closer to that goal.  Tonight though I felt nervous, and I didn't know if it was because of the game, or because it was the start of the Thanksgiving break and we would be leaving for her parents house tomorrow.

Tonight's game wasn't even fair, the team we were playing hadn't won a game, but all their district opponents had forfeited so it put them in the playoffs.

Coach didn't play his starters very much, the weather hadn't improved, and the field was in bad shape. He didn't want any of the starters getting hurt, so the younger guys played most of the game.

It was over at half, and my nerves were growing so I was sure now it was because I was meeting her parents.

I didn't sleep much that night, and had everything packed and ready when Emily came down stairs. I was pacing in the kitchen when I saw her, "how long have you been awake?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, "I don't know if I ever fell asleep to be honest."

She just rolled her eyes, she knew I was nervous, "RJ just stop, my parents will love you I promise. They already know about you, and you can tell them as little or as much as you want them to know."

The drive went by way to fast, and before I knew it we we're pulling up to a an old log looking cabin, with a beautiful view of another lake.

"Y'all must really love the water."

I was trying to break the ice, but that sounded corney as hell, she chuckled, "come on Rj let's get this over."

I took a deep breath before stepping out of the truck, I followed Emily up the stairs, and waited for someone to open the door.

I was picking at my fingers when the door swung open followed by yelling and screaming. I looked up to see a short lady running out towards Emily.

The two women embraced as a man stepped out, I smiled at him sticking my hand out, "I'm RJ sir."

He looked down at my hand before looking back up at me with a stern look on his face, I swallowed hard as my hand stayed extended.

Finally his face broke into a smile before his arms wrapped around my neck, I was shocked at first but I hugged him back. Soon it was time to switch, "it's nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Connors."

She laughed, "no need for all of that dear, call us Edward and Susan, or mom and dad either way."

I looked quickly at Emily before returning my attention back to Susan, "yes ma, uh Susan I can do that."

The next hour was spent thanking me for the money, and how there was no way I was only 17. I even saw her mom whisper something in Emily's ear causing her to blush.

Me and Edward talked about football, and any other sport he tried to quiz me on. Her mom decided it was time to fix something to eat, and I think Emily could tell I was getting a little over whelmed. "Mom while you do that, I'm gonna take RJ outside and show her around."

Everyone nodded and I didn't hesitste to jump up and follow her to the back door. Once outside and away from eyes view, I leaned against a tree with my eyes closed taking in the air.

Everything was so different with her family, they loved her you could see how much the did in their eyes, and I couldn't help but feel jealous.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as I felt a soft hand on my shoulder, when I opened my eyes her hands were on my face wiping away tears. I never even realized I was crying. She didn't speak, she just stood there looking at me.

"Maybe a little to much, a little to quick."

She smiled softly as she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dock. When we got closer she sat down and patted for me to sit beside her.

"When I first got here this is where I stayed. When I would get scared or overwhelmed they would always find me here.

Just sitting here looking out at the water. For some reason it's calming so when I moved away I had to find house with a water view."

I looked out over the water, the sun was setting, and it cast a beautiful glow over the water. I looked over at Emily and realized the glow was also reflecting from her eyes, "I got jealous. I mean I'm glad you found parents who would love you, and you got out of the situation you were in. It just reminded me of how my parents use to be about me.

That's exactly how they were with their friends, telling stories, loving me like parents should. Sometimes I wish I would have never told them."

Her arm wrapped around my shoulder as she pulled me over to her. She didn't say anything, but she didn't have to. We had both been through hell in our lives, it just happened at different ages.

We stayed there for a few more minutes, before she wanted to show me the rest of the house. She showed me my room and hers, before we were called down for dinner.

I was the last to sit, I didn't want to take anyone's seat. I could say one thing about Susan that woman could cook, it smelled amazing and I hadn't tried it yet.

I watched as she reached over and grabbed Edwards hand, and he extended his other hand towards me, I was confused at first then it hit me, they say grace before meals.

I was in there home so I would not disrespect them, but I had lost my faith a long time ago. I felt Emily squeeze my hand, I knew it was an attempt at comfort, and an apology for not warning me. 

We we're enjoying our meal making small talk along the way, and then it started. "I'm sorry about your parents RJ."

I continued to chew my food and I felt Emily's gaze on me, this was it. Was it time for a moment of truth, or listen to sympathy about sorry people that didn't deserve it.

I looked up at Susan before clearing my throat, "I was trying to decided what to do here, but honestly I'm not sorry. They we're not good people and I would like to leave it at that. I will give Emily permission to tell you when I'm not around, it's just not something I prefer to talk about."

I looked down at my plate, "do you mind if I be excused please?"

Susan of course said yes, and I stood quickly as did Emily, "please just let me be for a minute Emily please."

I walked outside and ran down the dock where me and Emily sat earlier. It was dark now so I laid back looking up at the stars. I'm not sure how long I laid there until I heard footsteps. Well she gave me longer than I thought.

"The stars are beautiful huh," I sat up quickly realizing it wasn't Emily, it was Edward.

He sat down beside me, "I'm sorry for leaving dinner, it's still just a little fresh."

He continued to look out over the lake, "there is no need for an apology RJ, we are just sorry for what you've had to endure."

I knew then by that comment Emily most have told them. "I know being here is most likely difficult. You have experienced pain from the people who are suppose to care about you, so I know when you see us with Emily it must be hard.

She was just like you once, the night we got her she was so fragile, and scared to death of me. It took months for Emily to even talk to me, but she took up to my wife straight away.

So I'll tell you like I told her, there are bad people in this world, people who will do things that no one can ever explain, but we are not those people. Over time you will realize it, we are full of love and joy. It doesn't matter your color, or your sexual orientation, we will always have a place for you."

I hadn't had a man talk to me this way. When my father was never that sweet, I looked at the man, "Emily is lucky to have y'all."

He smiled, "see that's where you are wrong Rj, we are lucky to have her."

Right then I knew I needed to let all my fear go, to try and trust Susan and Edward, and that was what I planned on doing.