AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Only a quick bob of her lashes breaks her stare. I don’t get it. I—
Idiot.She’s missing her son’s game on the one night she actually has off.
“For crying out loud, you’re not sticking around for me, are you? You got the night off, Hollie. Go.”
Her lip curls in. “My car won’t start.”
I blank stare. Of course, it won’t. “What’s wrong with it?”Besides sinful ugliness?
“It’s been slow to start all week, and now it’s dead.”
“Sounds like the battery.”
She nods.
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
Her mouth opens, no doubt with one of her canned protests. But it closes without sound. “Thank you.”
I open the cabinet by the sink and pull out a plastic cup with a logo on the side, pressing it to the dispenser in the door of the fridge. The window over the sink reflects Hollie’s movement in the living room. I guzzle half the cup’s contents, watching. Poor thing, having to miss her boy’s game. What a—
Idiot times two.I dump the rest of the water and toss the cup into the sink. “Get your shoes.”
She wheels toward me.
I roll my wrist and check the time. “Shoes. Fast. Let’s go.” I tack on a prompting hand clap that narrows her eyes.
Yes, I’m bossy—but all for a good cause.
“Game’s starting soon, right?”
Her loose hair shimmies. “No, John.”
“Yes, Hollie. Chop-chop, woman.”
Dilemma wavers in her eyes. Yield to an overbearing jerk—or watch your son play in one of the last games of his senior season? “But the chicken…”
“We’ll save it for later. Go now. I still have to change clothes.”
Hollie
Texas high school football. It’s an institution, especially here in the heart of the state.
I haven’t been able to partake in ages, even though I have a player on the field. Why? Because I’m working. Always working. Working to keep a roof over my son’s head. Working to make certain he has everything he needs and a few of the things he wants. I’ve done what I can to make sure he isn’t the most deprived student at Chandor High. I’m sorry for the one who is, but it isn’t my child.
Tonight is special. If this ticket line will hurry up, I’ll see the kickoff. Jacob will graduate in a matter of months.How can that be?That’s the question moms have asked themselves throughout the ages.
With the marching band keeping time in the background, I tap my foot and take in the scene. John’s warmth at my side both draws me and rattles me.
The line creeps forward.Yes!If this person will just get his card back into his wallet—
I hear my name squealed and barely contain the flinch when a hand wraps my elbow. “Hollie Carpenter, is it really you!”
I whirl toward the vaguely familiar voice. My mouth drops. “Ginny?”
My old friend squeaks with excitement and throws herself at me, dragging me out of line. “Oh, my goodness! I haven’t seen you since, what? Tenth grade! One day, you were just gone!”
Joy fills my heart even as my stomach revolts. I return her hug as quickly as I can and then separate. Still, she clutches my hands. “I can’t believe it! It’s really you! What are you up to these days? Where did you go to school? Are you married? Kids?”
