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Sailor
Iorder some nachos and a Coke and head toward the bleachers to find Logan’s parents. Although he tried to act all macho, I’m pretty sure Logan is a nervous wreck about tonight’s game. It’s the first game of the season, and everyone expects greatness. If his team loses, people will wonder if he’s the right man for the coaching job.
All week, the practices ran late, and when he got in, he reviewed game film until after midnight. When I wasn’t coaxing him in to at least eat supper, I was reassuring Campbell that his crush will be here tonight. I hope I’m not wrong on that part.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Logan’s mom greets me as I take a seat beside her.
I say hello to his dad as well, and we settle in for what we hope to be a good game. Maybe after this one, Logan will relax a bit. I know Liam has improved a lot under his guidance, so I have no doubt that the team will be good. They don’t have to win every game to prove to me what kind of job he’s done with them.
“Here they come,” I say, and we cheer for the team as they run out onto the field.
I feel like the proudest person on the planet as I watch Campbell and my nephews play ball. I cheer just as loudly for Campbell as I do for Quinton and Liam. I root for him when it’s fourth down and yell until my voice is nearly gone when he runs one in for a touchdown. I even scream at the refs when they don’t call a personal foul on the defense for tackling him after the play.
I am yelling like he’s my son. It dawns on me that this is what Hannah and Holden had together. Something I didn’t think I would ever have. We have it. Me, Logan, and Campbell. We’re a family.
When the game is over, and we’ve won, I walk down to the field with Logan’s parents to wait on Logan and Campbell to come out of the field house. They did their fair share of yelling also. I guess I’m not surprised. They were always supportive of Logan.
“I see my nephews. I’ll be right back.”
I rush over to tell Quinton and Liam how well they played and how proud I am. They are both drenched in sweat but have changed out of their football uniforms and are, of course, hungry. I give them both hugs, despite how sweaty they are, and tell them I’m going to find Logan and Campbell.
I make my way through the crowd, smiling at the comments people are making about the team. They’re excited to see what else they can do this season. I spot Logan and Campbell in the distance, Logan’s parents hugging Campbell. Then, a woman approaches and she’s hugging Campbell. And Logan.
I’m instantly taken back to high school. Back to that shy, timid girl. Back to that girl Jolene used to intimidate and belittle. She looks beautiful. The same blonde hair sweeping down her back. The same slender figure, only more voluptuous with age.
I tell myself I’m not the same girl I used to be. Jolene can’t intimidate or belittle me again. I’m stronger now. Won’t tolerate it now.
I slowly approach, feeling out the situation. Praying I’m reading everything completely wrong. That this isn’t some warm welcome to Coree Harbor. Back into their home. Back into their lives.
“Sailor, my mom came!” Campbell announces excitedly. “I didn’t think she was going to be able to!”
“That’s great! Jolene, I’m glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t have missed my son’s first game,” she says, her arm around Campbell’s shoulders. “Or my husband’s coaching debut. Are we ready to go celebrate?”
“Jolene ?” Logan starts, but his mom interrupts.
“We are going to leave you to it,” Logan’s mom says, hugging both him and Campbell. She leans over to give me a hug and whispers, “Don’t let her scare you off.”
“Where are we celebrating?” Jolene persists as the Deckers slowly walk off. “It’s not every day I come home to my husband and son.”
“Stop it, Jolene. We’re divorced,” Logan says, his tone firm.
“Stop what? Telling the truth?” she replies. “We both know it isn’t over between us. That’s why Campbell sent me that letter, begging me to come here.”
“Dad, I sent that letter before,” Campbell explains. “When I was still angry.”
My heart goes out to him. He looks so torn. Torn between a father he knows loves him and a mother who is suddenly back in his life.
“It’s all right, Campbell. Go catch up with your grandparents and walk them to their vehicle. We’ll meet you at the truck in a few minutes.”
“That’s right, baby. We’ll be along to celebrate very soon,” Jolene assures Campbell as he walks away, catching up with the Deckers. “And we have lots to celebrate.”
“If I’d known you were coming, we could’ve made some visitation arrangements.”
“Since when do I need to make arrangements to see my son?”
“Since that’s what you agreed to in our divorce papers.”
“About that,” she says with a smile. “I never signed those. I thought about it, but decided a divorce is not what’s best for Campbell.”
Logan is not divorced. Logan is a married man. That knowledge hits me like a ton of bricks. The sick feeling in my gut is familiar. He’s going to choose her again.
“You two obviously have some things to discuss,” I say, my voice shaky as I back away from the two of them. “Tell Campbell I’m so proud of him.”
Logan starts after me, but I stop him. I don’t want to do this here, not with so many people around. Not where there would be so many witnesses seeing me cry.
“We can talk later. Figure things out with Jolene.”
