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“My parents have been fighting that battle for the last three years,” Georgia said, now looking up at the bunk above her. “I think after this summer it’ll be time for me to give up. Some of the kids at school make fun of me, and there’s no use causing drama if we have no chance of changing anyone’s mind.”
“Is it the same for you, Grace? Where are you from?”
Grace sat on the side of Georgia’s bed and nodded.
“Yes, I’m twelve now, so this year will be my last year of rec ball. We don’t go above age twelve like they do where Georgia’s from. I live in Boise.”
“Would you want to try out for the middle school if they let you?” I asked.
“Not really,” Grace replied, then looked at Georgia and explained, “Right now we play two-hand touch. The middle school is tackle. I don’t think I could try out against the boys and win. I’m a lot smaller, and I think I’d be more afraid of getting hurt.”
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Grace,” I said, when she looked worried that Georgia would be disappointed in her. “You can still love football and support your friends and the team, even if you aren’t on it.”
“Being tackled doesn’t worry me, I just wish I’d be given the chance, you know?” Georgia said from under her arm, which was now covering her eyes.
Grace put her hand out to pat Georgia on the arm, then brought her eyes to mine and asked, “Are you coming to the scrimmage?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
A knock at the door had us both swinging our heads toward the sound. I was about to get up and see who it was when the door opened and Christopher peaked his head around.
“Hello,” he called out.
“Chris,” I admonished. “You can’t just barge in. Knock first.”
“I did,” he said, walking into the room and lifting his chin at Georgia and Grace.
“Wait for someone to call out or answer the door. This is a female cabin. Someone could have been changing.”
He held up his hands in surrender, causing my no-nonsense tone to be ruined by my indulgent smile.
“What’s up? Is it time to go to the scrimmage?” I asked, saving my document and powering down my laptop.
“Yeah, but, um, I was actually coming to see if Grace wanted to walk over with me,” Chris said, his voice a little shaky.
I watched as Grace closed the mouth that had dropped open at his words and stood slowly, almost as if in a trance.
“Um, yeah,” Grace replied, then turned to Georgia and asked, “See you there?”
Her friend smiled and nodded, then looked to me and wiggled her eyebrows.
I bit back a smile and I watched my sweet nephew hold the door open for my painfully shy roommate, then shoot me a grin and say, “See ya there, Aunt Z.”
“Be good,” I called out, not really sure what to say, or if Chloe would even be okay with what had just happened.
“Yes, ma’am,” Chris said with a wink, then took Grace’s hand and led her away.
Chapter Twenty-Five ~ Gabe
I snuck up behind Zoey, who was currently talking with Jenny, our female counselor. I put a finger to my lips so Jenny wouldn’t give me away, then wrapped my arms around Zoey’s middle and hugged her close.
She started for a second, then turned to me with a happy smile and said, “Hey.”
Unable to resist, I dropped a kiss on her nose and replied, “Hi.” Then added, “How’s it going, Jenny?”
“Great, Coach,” Jenny replied, beaming as she watched Zoey and me. “I’ll catch up with you later, Zoey.”
“Okay, see ya, Jenny,” Zoey answered, then swiveled her head back to me and asked, “What are you up to? Want to have lunch?”
