“Oh, Mom.” Kendall dug through his bag with a spoon hanging out of his mouth. “Miss Debbie said you signed up to chaperone our first few games, but you didn’t respond to her emails.”
I frowned.
“I didn’t sign up for any games. I’d prefer to watch you, not the whole bus.” I took the paper from Kendall and sighed at the outlined dates on the page that werenotin my handwriting. “Looks likesomeonesigned me up during band camp.”
Kathryn whistled and looked around the room.
“Well, would you look at the time!” She kissed Hayley’s cheek. “Gotta go bring home that bread. See you all later. Have fun. Don’t get into any trouble.”
“I hate you!” I called after her as Kathryn rushed toward the doorway. “You could have warned me!”
“I’m bad under pressure!” Kathryn yelled back, disappearing out the front door.
Hayley tapped the side of her coffee cup.
“That bitch doesn’t have work for another three hours.”
CHAPTER 10
Before I heard the drum cadences coming from the high school practice field, I felt them. Kendall was already bouncing up and down to the familiar spirit songs, having practiced with his team all summer to shadow the high schoolers at home games.
I was excited for him. It was a big step before taking on the frightening transition of high school next year. The colorguard high school coach spent the summer with these kids from sunup to sundown, searching for the few that would feed into Lakeside High with enough talent to walk on without a try out.
Kendall was one of the four in St. John’s Middle School that would feed into Lakeside. While I’m sure the entire colorguard was excited to work with the high school team, Kendall had more of a reason to be pumped with close eyes on him.
“Ready?” I asked.
The bag of flags over his arm swung toward the vehicle beside us, nearly hitting it, before he gained control and walked toward the crosswalk.
“Ready!” He grinned.
I followed Kendall a small step behind, giving him a chance to show me the way.
Lakeside wasn’t new to me. Kathryn, Hayley, and I all went to high school at Lakeside, and knew over half of the ancient staff from when Hayley, and Parker were in band together. Kathryn had been on the colorguard.
“We have to check in with Miss Debbie.” Kendall informed me.
“Sounds good.” I smiled, a twinge of pride in my chest.
Kendall led us down the sideline where most of his team already waited. The other chaperone parents had ridden the bus across town, while I volunteered to take Kendall and the flags to avoid joining the chaos of makeup shenanigans on a moving vehicle.
Miss Debbie spotted me as the crowd of girls cleared.
“It’s been a while, Miss Eloise.” She chuckled. “I think last time I saw you, Kathryn threw you her competition shoe through a bus window.”
“She hasn’t changed.” I laughed.
Miss Debbie chuckled.
“Bless that child’s heart.” she muttered, skimming her eyes over the clipboard.
She had aging lines, and a small dip to her posture, but the southern belle of a woman was still as there as she had been years ago. I doubt Kendall would know an inch of the strict woman she once was.
“Looks like you’ll be helping Coach Thatcher on the sidelines. You’ll sit with the shadowing students in the stands.” Miss Debbie said. “Have you met Coach Thatcher yet?”
“I don’t believe I have.” I leaned to get a peek at where Kendall ended up, then focused back on where Miss Debbie was pointing.
“Oh, I’ll—Coach Thatcher!” She called through the many band kids and colorguard students moving around. “Can you come meet a shadowing parent?”
