Page 31 of Scored

I sent her my best grin. “I’m good, Mom.”

“You scared me to death. And you,” she said to Vee. “You were right there. How did you do it? I would have run onto the field.”

Vee shook her head. “It’s a blur. I remember being paralyzed. I couldn’t move. And then when he put himself back in the game…” Vee exhaled. “I wished I had a fifteen-minute delay.”

“Honey, that didn’t help. Fin didn’t call until an hour later.”

I signed the pad. As the young man handed me our keycards, I turned to Mom. “I was a little busy having my shoulder pushed back into place.”

“No fifteen-minute delay tonight,” Ashley said, her keycard in hand.

The entry was filled with patrons. Mom led us to a cluster with a sofa and two chairs, right in front of a fireplace.

Dad stood. “Your mom made me hold this grouping.” He first looked at Vee. “Thank you, Vee, for arranging this amazing night.”

She started to say, “Fin⁠—”

“It was her, Dad,” I interrupted. “I could finagle tickets, but they were outside.”

“Those were what Zane could get too.”

Dad patted Vee’s shoulder. “My guess is this young lady has more pull than either of my boys.”

“Your boys are very accomplished, Theo,” Vee said.

We all took a seat. Dad and I in the chairs and Mom, Ashley, and Vee on the sofa.

Mom laid her hand on Vee’s knee. “I didn’t know what to pack. I’ve never been in a stadium suite before.”

Vee smiled. “What you’re wearing is perfect.”

Mom had on a pair of jeans, boots, and a purple sweater—Vikings color.

“Are you sure? I brought some nicer slacks.”

Vee giggled. “It’s winter in Wisconsin. Unless those slacks are wool and lined with thermal, I’d recommend you stay with the blue jeans.” She looked down at her own blue-jean-clad legs. “This is what I’m wearing.”

“Me too,” Ashley said, “except I have Zane’s jersey in my suitcase.” Her eyes widened. “Or can’t I wear a Vikings jersey in a Packers suite.”

Vee shook her head. “You can most definitely wear a Vikings jersey. You’ll be seeing a lot of green and gold.”

Theo turned to Fin. “Is it bringing back memories, being here?”

I nodded. “I didn’t expect them, but it is.”

“Fin,” Dad said to the ladies, “played here for six seasons.”

Mom pressed her lips together. “We all know that, Theo.”

“Well, maybe Ashley didn’t.”

“Did you like playing here?” Ashley asked.

“I did. I had some great years wearing the green and gold.” I winked at Vee. “I’m happy now in the amber.” I stood as an unexpected thought came to mind. “Why don’t we all go to our rooms and meet down here? The car will be here at a quarter to five to take us to dinner.”

Everyone stood.

Dad laid his hand on my good shoulder. “Dinner is on us, son. We really are happy that you and Vee organized this.”