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"He really is special." She said it low enough I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hear it.
I smiled down at the players rushing on the field. I cheered at a rather high volume for the man on the field wearing the same number that I had on this hoodie I borrowed from him because it was his. I was wise to do that because every one of his female family members had on some visual display that number 17 was who they came to support. Essie included. Small talk continued inside the large space where hot foods and cold beverages were brought in by cart and upon request, they got more.
I stepped out to the seating beyond the glass window that was essentially a wall facing the field because I wanted to focus on the game, on him. Essie stepped out a moment later. The game was in progress and Ripley scored one for our team. I puffed out a breath and took a seat since the defense would be coming on next. Essie sat two seats over from me and said as she looked at her nails done up in school colors, "Ugh. Dane annoys me."
I didn't know who Dane was. I also remained quiet. I didn't trust her.
"You know I went out with him for a while. My parents were really happy. It's why I came out here to watch the game. In there, it's all about who I should be with now that I'm single and Tor is bringing someone home for the holiday." I saw her turn her head to glare at me because I had turned my attention to her.
"Well. I like spending time with him." I looked back toward the room and the people clearly not paying attention to the game while they talked to other people that were not there before the game. "I'm excited to try the peach pie your grandmother was raving about."
She snorted and said, "I'm sure you are."
I tried to tamp down the surge of anger building inside me, but the truth was simple. I wanted to toss her right over this rail in front of us but when no one would be down there to catch her. Right then, there were a ton of people, and we were not so far up that she would break anything significant. Like her stupid neck.
I focused on the field again and stood up, clapping as the offense got into position. I stepped forward, holding the rail, and watching him take off down the field. They had Ripley covered this play and Stormy was wide open. He turned to grab the ball and I was already screaming and celebrating as he caught it. Then I lost my air, my sound, as someone crashed into him on the way down. It was such a hard hit I could hear it from here. The touchdown was bittersweet as all eyes were on Stormy. Ripley extended a hand down to him as Titus made the last few steps to get there. The relief I felt in my bones when Stormy's hand reached back was enough to breathe again.
I cheered with everyone else and didn't take my eyes off of him until they had him at the sidelines and the doctor was checking him out. I heard Essie say, "He's okay."
I looked over at her because she sounded about like I would if I had the ability to voice those words. I wiped the tear on my cheek and nodded. She looked at the room of people behind us, totally oblivious to anything on the field. Before I voiced the question, she had the answer. Essie said, "Don't bother. See. He's going to the bench, so he will probably be in for the next play. They don't actually support this. They just have to act like they do. Just like I have to act like I have a sprained ankle to avoid cheering tonight.”
She shrugged and added, “It's a great way to get some business done. Everyone comes to the games, right?"
I blinked at her. "Right."
He had mentioned that I would probably have more fun watching the game with Winston and the frat guys, but he appreciated me hanging out with his family. His grandma's age and comprehension showed the moment I met her since she thought I was someone else before we were even introduced. His mom had turned the television from the game to something else and that is what she and his grandma were watching as they enjoyed the beverages provided.
His dad and Essie's mom seemed to be conducting business during this game since the people in that room now, were not the same people who had stopped by earlier. I asked out of sick curiosity, “So, are you here to watch the game or did you come just because your family is in town?"
"Both." She shrugged and then looked back toward the field. She smiled brightly and waved. I turned my head and then I also waved, but not in the same excited way Essie was waving at him. He probably thought I missed the whole thing while paying attention to her. I groaned as he turned to speak to a teammate, and I turned to look at Essie who is now looking at me. She said, "I like supporting the team. I'd be down on that sideline in my cheerleading uniform if it wasn't for the sprained ankle."
I looked at her feet. She is in heels. "Uh?"
"Old injury, but.” She sighed and looked over toward her mother. “No more pom poms for this girl." She shrugged and continued, “I have enough on my plate with the house anyway. If I knew it was going to be worse than the dorms, I might have voted to stay where we were until I graduated. Sheesh."
I didn't know what to say.
She didn't need me to say anything to continue telling me about herself as though I should know, care, something. I wasn't sure of her tactic at that point. I listened and occasionally said things like, oh and wow, and hmmm. Then she asked, "What about you?"
"I'm a freshman. I have an amazing boyfriend. What else is there to tell?" I asked and then focused on said boyfriend back on the field.
Storm
"Congratulations, Son." My dad slapped my back and that only reminded me that I had a headache. My ribs hurt enough that I might go get them checked if it didn't ease up by tomorrow.
"You did amazing, Sweetheart." My mom hugged me. In the distance, I heard my grandma ask, 'where are we going?' and my mom nodded at me and said, "She's having a good day so far."
Right.
My aunt, Essie's mom, was next with the hugs and she whispered, "Maybe bring someone along so Essie doesn't look so…lonely, yeah?"
Fucking seriously? I didn't think anyone was asking Essie to drag a date for me when she was bringing Ripley around. Fortunately, I had no problem with Ripley, and he made those visits easier rather than worse for me so I loved when she brought him with her because she left me alone, for the most part.
I smiled as she moved on and there was no mistaking my joy as Holly broke away from Essie's side and finally hugged me. She said against my cheek, "Do you need anything? Are you hurting?"
I hugged her a little bit tighter because she said the right things at the right time with those questions. I turned, catching her lips with mine for a brief and gentle kiss, and said, "I took something. I'm okay for now. Just…easy on this side."
She moved to put her body on that side as if to protect me. My head, my heart. Neither could be trusted, but both were in a tug of war over this woman. Both my head and heart were in agreement about my cousin. Essie seemed disappointed as I just gave her a head bob of acknowledgement and did not say her name as I did. Wasn't sure how I was going to avoid ever saying her name in Holly's presence when family was around, but I would do my best. I ensured that Holly was my driver this evening. My aunt made my peaceful time a bit more challenging by saying, "Essie, you should ride with them."
