Milo releases me from his python-like embrace and spins around when he hears her sweet voice. “Blake, I heard you had transferred to this location!” He proceeds to give her the hug she asked for, albeit much gentler than the one he just gave me. Milo isn’t afraid to dole them out and turns to Mina to give her one as well. “Mina! Congratulations on such a wonderful finish in your last race.”
Mina grimaces. “I got last place.”
Milo continues to smile with his toothy grin. “Last place in yourfirstopen-wheel race! Finishing is half the battle! How many people even get to do what you do? You should be proud of your accomplishments, Mina. And what’s my motto?”
Mina’s face brightens at Milo’s infectious enthusiasm. “Which one? You have so many.”
Milo vigorously bobs his head up and down. “That I do, but I’m referring to the one about self-improvement.”
Trevor seems to know which quip Milo is talking about and interjects, “The only person you need to compete against is yourself. As long as you strive to improve, you’ll never feel the sting of defeat. The true loss is in giving up.”
Wrapping an arm around Mina’s shoulder, Blake says, “If you do that, the wins will come in due time.”
Mina’s eyes meet mine, and I see hopefulness in her gaze. “Ryder, have you ever been in last place?”
I chuckle. “More than I’d care to admit. Like Milo said, there were times I didn’t even get to finish the race. We all start somewhere, and it’s usually close to the bottom. Time, experience, and perseverance help build your inner strength, which will help propel you to the top.”
Trevor folds his arms and offers his two cents. “That, and a heap of faith. My mama always tells me that as long as you stay true to your beliefs, the Lord will lift you up when you fall down.”
Grinning, I rock back and forth on my heels. “Yep. He's one heck of a safety net.”
Blake
Milogreetseverypersonhe passes as Ryder and I escort him to the lobby. “So, what brings you by, Milo? You aren’t supposed to be here for another few weeks.”
“Funny you should ask. I was heading to Galveston because their event is this weekend. I got caught up in singing along to one of Joelle Summer’s latest hits on the radio and must have missed my turn. When I saw the sign for Shuckley, I knew I’d made a teensy mistake! Whoopsie-Daisy! Sometimes I feel as though I’m going Mach 2 through life and not slowing down. Did I ever tell you that breaking the sound barrier is on my bucket list? Too bad I can’t even bring myself to go above the speed limit. Rules are in place for a reason and….”
I interrupt his rambling because if I don’t, Milo will continue to veer away from the topic with more random tangents. I’ve never known him to finish a conversation without doing it at least once. “Speaking of Joelle Summers, her concert tour ends in Houston on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. She volunteered to sing a few songs at our event.”
“Really?” Milo asks. “How did you manage to score that?”
I gesture to Ryder. “I didn’t. Ryder knows her personally and introduced me. She’s all about worthy endeavors and has been a part of Cornhole for a Cause since she was a teenager. She and all of her friends have been and are champion Cornholers. They’re known as The Beanbaggers of Cornhole County, and they’ve volunteered to help us this year.”
Ryder hooks his thumbs in the front pockets of his cargo shorts. “My friend, Merdy, has a YouTube channel dedicated to events such as this one and will promote Play It Forward. My friend, Gabby, is an artist and will run a face painting station. Two of my friends, Hunter and Hayden, run a ranch and will bring a few of their horses to offer pony rides to the younger children. They’ll have a few of their trainers demonstrate barrel racing and saddle-bronc riding for rodeo competitions.”
Milo claps his hands with delight. “How marvelous!”
I can’t help but grin at his childlike excitement. “The group is also going to set up several cornhole boards for the kids to play with. We thought we would add a few backyard games that are also professional sports that anyone can compete.”
“That’s a great idea. I look forward to seeing how it all turns out,” Milo says as the doors to the lobby burst open and three women with fluorescent heads of hair barge in—The Baggersville Biddies.
Before I can ask why they’re here, Alma lights up when she sees Milo. She shuffles over to him and pinches his cheeks. “Well, you’re as cute as a bug and just as colorful!”
“There’s nothin’ cute about bugs, Alma,” Mabel retorts. “You’re makin’ the guy feel awkward.”
Milo stands there, taking it. There’s not even a hint of pink in his cheeks or a trace of embarrassment from the exchange. If anyone knows how to be awkward, it’s Milo. Once Alma releases him and gently pats his cheek, he holds up a finger and says, “Actually, bugs are quite cute if you see them up close. I’ll take it as a compliment.”
Ryder gestures toward the three women. “Milo, these effervescent ladies are the Biddies. Meet Mabel, Lettie, and Alma. I forgot they mentioned that they would be stopping by to get a tour of the facility and see where I’ve been spending my free time lately.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Milo says. “Why don’t I show you ladies around?”
Instead of accepting the invitation, Mabel briskly rubs her arms. “What temperature do y’all keep the air conditionin’ at? It’s like a refrigerator in here.”
For the record, it’s 72 degrees and I’m a bit warm and on the verge of getting sticky from the humidity. However, I don’t bother to mention that to Mabel. I haven’t spent much time with her—other than a quick introduction at the prison and dinner at her place—but even in that short amount of time, I’ve learned that there’s very little use in arguing with her.
Milo offers his arm, and Alma quickly accepts the gentlemanly gesture. He begins the tour, “Ah, it can be a bit chilly, but not as cold as the time I got stuck in a walk-in freezer.”
“Fascinatin’,” Alma says, not only hanging on Milo’s arm, but on his every word. “I’d love to hear all about it.”
