We Come Alive 4

Playoff Game Three

Friday night came and instantly the Jaguars were ready for the game of their lives. Their future riding on this four quarter game. It was the third playoff game. Against who? The Dallas Tigers. Their old rivals. It was an away for the Jaguars and a home game for the Tigers.

Before the game even started, Clover was sitting in the infirmary just finished getting dressed. She kicked her legs as she sat on top of a table with an envelope in her hands. Across the room was Kiara who was watching over her since Manny was to sore from giving birth to come and didn't want to leave Esmerelda yet.

Clover flipped the envelope around in her hands with a deep sigh. It was one of the letters Dante wrote for their one year anniversary. One of the open when... letters, this one was the when it's game day letter, so she opened it and read over it:

Dear Baby Girl,
Baby the truth is you're the most courageous woman I've ever met in my entire life. You're willing to put everything on the line every game day to show your skills and prove that you're just as good as they say you are. That's one of the MANY things I love about you.
But I know it's gonna be hard. You're gonna wanna give up or quit, but the truth is the beginning and end are the hardest parts. You'll always have the middle, though. All the accomplishments and the fun with your friends, your family.
Years from now, you're not gonna remember if you won or lost this game tonight. You will remember the fun and the feelings you felt though.
Lil Mama, you can't be scared. You just have to go out there. Put you're all into it; that's the beauty of it, you don't know what's gonna happen. I know that's the scary part, but that's also the greatest part. You're gonna be okay, it's gonna be alright. I know you're afraid, but I know the moment you start playing you're going to be okay.
There isn't always a tomorrow to play, so just go out there and continue your legacy.
Just go out there and have fun, baby girl. I'll see you play when I get back.
Win or lose, I'll always be proud of you.
I love you.

Clover sniffled and wiped beneath her nose before tucking the letter into her football bag that was on the floor.

"He here?"

Clover looked up at Kiara who was watching her. She nodded softly as she got her emotions together. "Front row." She breathed. "First game since his accident. Thought his first game he'd see of mine would be in college after his deployment. Life is crazy that way."

Kiara smiled to Clover as she got down off the table and put on her helmet. "Go make him proud." She encouraged.

Clover went off to the away locker room where she saw her teammates waiting on her. After a quick pep talk and Mateo giving them some encouragement, he lead them onto the field. Clover lead the boys to their sidelines where she smiled and saw her boyfriend in the front row of the bleachers with her sister and her mom. His wheelchair was parked at the end of the row with Destiny sitting right next to him.

Clover climbed over the fence and dropped her helmet down as she gave Dante a kiss. He graciously kissed her back before smiling at the rest of the Jaguars watching them. All 52 boys took off their helmets and kneeled down in front of them. A respective sign of thank you for almost taking the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Clover kissed Dante's cheek before hugging her sister and mom quickly. She hopped over the fence and landed in front of her boys.

"At ease." She smiled.

The boys all stood to their feet while Dante gave them a quick salute which satisfied them as tears were building in his eyes, threatening to come out.