Kristine March Minnix
Windows rolled down, driving Virginia's interstate 81 South bound. The air is of dirt and grass the pleasant scent of fresh cut country. The interstate divides both to the left and right, rolling pastures of green, speckled with cows, horses, old barns and plantation houses.The mile marker board reads; Roanoke 60 miles. Kristine March Minnix exhales "Hhhhh" looking behind her through the rear view mirror, that moving truck carries all their belongings.
She couldn't believe this was the highway she was on, leading her back to the place she bailed out of 25 years ago. Her thoughts were intense, tension vibrates down her shoulders, all the way to her fingers gripping that steering-wheel. This big U Turn her life has taken, taking her back to her parents, back to her hometown. At the end of her three hour drive she will arrive at the destination of starting over at the age of 44.
25 years ago, when she left Roanoke for College, she was seventeen and fun with a head full of hope and love ready to explode to become a woman. Wherever she went there was a friend. At seventeen she thought she knew what love was, but innocently found out that a heart can't hold dust forever.
For the past five years Kristine March Minnix was known in the City of Richmond Va; in the professional world of Real Estate as Kris Minnix; solid negotiator 100% closer in sales. She had had her best two years in the business, producing 3 million in closings. Real Estate was something she stumbled on, now that Brian her only son was older, she needed something for herself; to identify her as someone more then Ben Minnix's Wife and Brian's Mother. She believes it was only by the Grace of God she got through this last year both professionally and personally.
To Brian, her son he's only known her as mom. Kristine lugged him around every football field from pe-wee, rec club, middle school and now high school for the past 11 years. Kris had been team mom countless times, sat through the coldest practices and drove to games that took them all over Historical Richmond and beyond. Mrs. Minnix was indeed her son's biggest support in Football.
Her passenger has his ear buds in, listening to his own tunes; hanging his head out the window, the interstate wind tangles his locks. Kristine looks over to her Son. She craved for the boy he once was. This past year has matured him, not just emotionally but physically too. No longer was Brian her chubby kid.
He took all his emotions and poured them into lifting weights with his high school football team. Transforming him. Brian chose to become an athlete with a trim physique and shaggy locks. No longer did he look like a boy. He changed over the summer. He looked more like his dad.
Her heart breaks for him. It was not by any good will did they have to take on a move like this. Kris stretches out her arm to run her fingers through his hair. Brian only looks at her and then darts his vision back to the road in front of them. Last year Ben, Brian's father and Kristine's husband of 18 years died of lung cancer. Ben never led on to his wife and son exactly how sick he really was. By the time Kris found out it was past any point of possibilities.
It has been a year full of personal hardships for Kristine. Since last year, after the passing of her husband Ben, she's been traveling back and forth from Richmond to Roanoke taking care of her aging parents. The drive was becoming grueling for her, she was riding back to her hometown twice a week. Kristine knew she could never get her parents to leave their residence of 40 years. On this very highway a few months back she'd come to a difficult decisions. One that she would have to discuss with Brian. One that would rock his 16 year old world, even more then it already has been.
Moving his Sophomore year of High School was nothing to be excited over. Brian had best friends from pe-wee football. He had roots. He had a home with many wonderful memories with his dad. The discussion was not handled lightly, how was Brian supposed to handle another loss. He hadn't spoke much to his mother through all the packing and selling off a lot of their home's big items; Kris had it set in her mind she was going to down size as much as she could. Taking as few things possible in the move. To Brian this was painful, watching her sell his fathers things. Seamed as though for her letting go was easy which enraged Brian's heart. He was unable to talk to his mother.
Kris was thankful for the one card she had played out for Brian. She had called the High School her son would be attending, she spoke to the Principal, asking if Brian could still join the football team even though two games of the season had already been played. The Principal said it wouldn't be a problem.
2
Kris promised Brian they would only be at her parents house temporary. Until she could find somewhere for them to rent or something to buy. It had been two weeks that Kristine and her son set up their necessary belongings in the house Kristine and her sister Katherine March grew up in. Kris took the large guest room downstairs, while Brian moved just clothes in his Mothers old room. He didn't feel the need to make it feel like home, not by any means could his grandparents house ever feel like home, or a second home for that matter.
Brian was struggling to be pleasant towards his mother. After losing his Dad and then having to leave the only place that would keep him close to his father, their house. Her didn't have much of anything to say these days, he was lost outside of playing football.
Kris was grateful that the Coach was allowing Brian to be on the team, after the season already started. She knew Brian needed to surround himself with something he loved and was good at.
It was Monday after school and early before dinner time. Kris knew exactly where football practice was being held,. She parks her car to to observe. Seeing Brian talking to teammates and the Coaches talking to him, re leaves some of her anxiety of him making friends.
Back at home Brian Minnix was an aspiring football player moving up from secondary school to the JV team, he proved himself worthy, this being his sophomore year, his old Coach was moving him up to Varsity. In all the years he's played ball the coaches always said he had a natural instinct of the game.
Kristine opens her car door to feel September's heat, affirming summer's not over. There, the sound's of football season rang on the field; helmets clashing together, the whistle from a dry mouth, cleats carving into the pavement. The team was dismissed.
Kristine Minnix wanted to personally thank the Head Coach and have a minute to talk about Brian's football experience. Knowing very well her son would not offer any kind of self indulgence to gloat. She wanted to do it for him, she felt she brought him all the way down here, she owed Brian that much.
The Sun's rays are broken through the trees around Cave Spring practice field. Kristine, plants her full coverage sunglasses on her face, marching across the track to the green covered ground, her stiletto pumps sink into the grass. Cool and confident in her perfectly pressed knee length skirt and her best navy blazer; the attire of a professional. She ask the grown men, "Who is the Head Coach?" The men were different ages some older, some younger then her. They were to busy grabbing equipment themselves. One burly man points to the direction of the Head Coach.
Kris walks over to the singled out man, his back was toward her. The man is unidentifiable with his ball cap pulled low over his sunglasses. Polite she introduces herself, expecting a hand shake, she says "Hello Coach." the man didn't turn around, he wasn't interested in who she was or what she wanted. " I am Kristine Minnix." The man's head shook in a 'no' ways directions. He continues to throw footballs into his gator. Tossing the last sports bag into the sports utility vehicle; he climbs into the drivers seat, finally looks to the woman "Your Brian's mom, I take it."
Kristine was confused, "Yes, I am. I wanted to thank you." She tries to get closer to the man.He startle the woman by turning on the engine of the green vehicle, its obnoxious rumble was like thunder . He still has his head shaking back and forth, The Varsity Coach had no intention of listening to her. "Nice to meet you. I am Head Coach Rodney White." He presses the gas petal and drives away.
Back at the locker room Brian comes out with his gear. He gets annoyed seeing his mother down on the field. A tiny redheaded girl stops beside him, she too turns to see whats transpiring on the field.
Infuriated by him and his rudeness. Kristine thought of all the lousy pigheaded people in the world. Her foot went up, along with her temperature so did her navy stiletto, she was hot, she was bothered, she had no regrets in what she was about to do. It over came her like she was seventeen and got a chance to say something, this time. Kris chucks her high heel, it lands with a ruckus in the back of that gator. Catching Coach White's attention. He stops looks behind him seeing a broken heel among his football gear.
The thick man hops out of the vehicle, marches toward that crazy woman. Getting up in her face, like she was one of his players. She didn't flinch. His hands take position on the brim of his shorts, "Ma'am" his face was covered. Kris couldn't see a trace of him "Where I come from we don't throw things at grown ups!"
Kris wasn't afraid of him. She is fired up saying "Your lucky, I missed. Your big fat head." She wasn't backing down, she wasn't sorry. Coach was thinking by God this woman is crazy. "Well" she did her best to stand tall with one shoe on, She mocks the man with attitude saying his name "Coach, Rodney White!" she caught her breath after saying his name. "Where I come from we stop, look people in the eyes and shake their hand. Do a PROPER introduction!" She had good reason to be peeved at this man.
Frustrated at the new kid's crazy mother, Rod explains with a grind in his jaw "I really don't have time to meet and greet every football player's parent. If I do this for one I'll have to do it for all seventy five players." Rod's hands are moving around. " So if you don't mind Brian's MOM! I am a very busy man, trying to win football games!" he was huffing and puffing..
"Well! This doesn't surprise me! You were never good at good byes." Kristine pushes past him.
From the distance his football players and coaching staff are watching the event unfolding on the football practice field
"Excuse Me?" He watches her walks off. Thinking who the hell was she? Kristine marches as best she could in one pump back to him. Grabs his hand shaking it intrusively, almost yelling at him.
"Hi Coach, Thanks for giving my son this opportunity to play Football." her face covered in her sunglasses, with a fake smile. Rod claims she's certifiably nuts. Still shaking his hand, she tells him
"Brian is an excellent player, been playing football his whole dam life. His old Coach was going to start him this year on Varsity." finding him Appalling she goes on to tell
"His dad past away last year. So I mad the choice to move back home, here to Roanoke." She was about to let the cat out of the bag
"BY THE WAY!" she lets go of his hand. Removes her black sungalsses to reveal who she is "It's me Krissy March." with much sarcasm Kris dumps out the surprise.
"Hey good to see you!" Last time I saw you, You left me in a wind full of your Dust." Rod bites his bottom lip. Krissy spills "You Pampas Ass, It was always about you, your so self centered." She Never thought there would be a day of A "Krissy and Rod" reunion. He had hit a nerve of hers, trailblazing past him.
Rod's breath stops. "Krissy" His hands were back on his hips "Shit!" he cussed. Rod corrects her, throws back at her as she's walking away "That Story! Is twisted up your ass as your panties."" Rodney cusses "SHIT!" gets back into the gator to drive up to the field house.
Krissy stops. It could of been his rude way about him or the way he dumped her 25 years ago. Kristine had no tolerance for this Man. With fire coming up from the depths of her soul; she had no reasonable wit about her, her other heel went flying towards Rodney White this time nailing him in his back.
The kids in the parking lot were making cat noises. Brian was standing next some girl he had never met "Who's that woman?" asks the green eyed girl. Brian, embarrassed says "That's my mom."
The red head freshman questions "Is she some kind of PSYCHO Mom?"
"No" Brian stuck up for her. "Coach White must of pushed her buttons. He probably deserved it."
Quick and on the defensive side, Allie says "My Dad Didn't deserve That!"
Brian takes a step away from the girl, "Your DAD!" he laughs.
"Yeah!" Her green eyes lit up introducing herself. They shake hands. "I'm Allie White. Coach Whites only heir to the throne, so to speak." She jokes with him.
Brian moves quick to the car meeting his mother. Kris's pride was on the bottom of those $200 pumps, That are now trapped in the football coaches tractor. She marched to the car with bare-feet and a head swimming with painful memories. Quickly she gets in; her son concerned, asks "MoM! What was that all about?" Kris starts the car, pulls it in drive and says "Oh Bri, Don't ask me that right now. Please just don't ask." she says, sounding defeated.
Brian's lips pressed hard, he wanted to yell at her.' Why did she come? Why did she bring him here? He wanted to tell her how She ruins everything. He wanted to tell her to stay away! Most importantly he wanted to know Why did his dad have to die?' instead of saying what was yelling in his head he put his ear buds in and turns up the music.
The Coaching staff had seen it all. Rod pulls up to the field-house, in the gator. Leaving the shoes where they fell. His friend, Assistant Coach Matt asks "Coach, What was that?" Rod replies "That is." he gave a weak smile thinking about who it was. He finishes "The past coming back to hurt me." Matt asks, "Who?" Rod says "I guess the sweetest girl in high school does turn sour after 25 years." Rod says, disappointing in how that went down. Matt only knew her by the name Krissy March. Not Kristine, Not Kris nor in any way would he of known her last name was Minnix "Was that Krissy?" questions Matt.
Rodney only smiles.
Allie, his daughter who is always around, helps unload the gear from the back of the gator. She picks up Brian's mother's shoe, she studies it, it's a beautiful color of dark navy with a satin finish, a sparkling decorative jewel buckle in the front; something Allie her self has never seen.. To Allie's disappointment the pointed heal must of broken off in the collision. The 15 year old holds it up to her father, asking "What was this all about with the new kid's mom?" she's point blank with questions.
She could tell under that ball cap, behind those dark sunglasses he was annoyed. He grabs the broken dress shoe from his inquiring daughter putting the pair together on the seat.
Rod a large man, who kept a simple life and never really talked a whole lot, but when he did speak Allie was always listening. He advises her "Allie somethings are better left unsaid." which meant the subject wasn't open for discussion.
Now she was irritated. Allie jumps out and carries the equipment into the storage room following behind her father. She couldn't let go of it, she asks "Do you know her?"
Her dad didn't want to talk about it. "Allie" his tone was deep.
She couldn't stop prying "You do know her, don't you!" she couldn't stop.
To feed her something Rod tells his only child "It was a very long time ago. Back before your mother." that was the clue.
It wasn't enough for her, as she passes shoulder pads to him, again, she prys "Who was she?" Rod's breathing was turning into grunts "A girl friend from a life time ago." he stays to his chore. Allie stays on the subject "Did you love her?" she was still digging.
It was hard to keep her from turning into a woman. Allie would be sixteen this year. The same age Rod was when he met Krissy. Allie had been on the cusp of it for a while now, turning from his tomboy daughter to full blown Teenage Girl. Rodney knew it would be impossible to keep her from turning. He had hoped it would of happen later in life, like when she was in her twenties and out on her own.
It would be soon enough that some boy like Brian Minnix will come along and make all kinds of impractical promises to Allie. He couldn't stand by and bare the thought of another heart ache for his daughter or himself for that matter.
He fusses at his innocent red head daugther. "Allie! Somethings are better left in the PAST!" All these questions about this woman, Brian Minnix mother provokes her father's temper.
The trait of short temperament had been passed from father to daughter; The flesh on her cheeks is the same color of her hair. Red. Indeed there have been changes to her emotions, "You think I don't understand!" she was firmly loud to her dad. Her tone catches his attention, he turns to her green eyes bulging with tears. The room was warm but the steam from their tempers made both Rodney and Allie uncomfortable.
She wipes the fallen tears of frustration. She was stiff in her stand, "I DO! I understand! I still Love Mom. even though she's not with us." tears trace her freckles. Her fifteen year old heart was beating fast. For the first time in her life she was ready to talk about a subject that always seamed to be forbidden by her father.
Rodney was speechless as she stood in front of him pouring out a truth that she had been holding in for years. Allie audaciously spilled her feelings "I know my mother couldn't do it, be the kind of wife and mother we needed her to be!" Rodney hated hearing that from his daughter. "She my have left us. But I will always love her! I forgive her!" Allie began to shake all over.. His feet were heavy, with everything laid out between him and her he couldn't reach out to her, tense he throws down the last bag of gear. He knew there would come a time when Allie would have words to say about her mother. He just wasn't expecting it TODAY!
She had more to say "Just because you don't love does not mean I can't!" He trys to move towards her, cuts in with her nick name "Al" She moves a step back "NO! I'm not afraid to love!" she cry's "I will find someone to love and who loves me back." she was embarrassed to cry in front of him like a blabbering emotional mess. He tries to reach for her but Allies runs out as quick as she can. Rodney throws his fist up to the air growls "RRRR Women!!" "Allie!" He trips going after her.
Allie's feet lead her down the steps to a field of green Astro Turf. She caught her breath standing on the fifty -yard line. Rodney White chased he daughter down, falls to his knees catching his own breath; swinging her into his arms, embraces her tight. "Baby I do Love, I love you!" her father says sincerely. He looks to her wet eyes, they are the same deep green as her mother's. "I just don't think it's in the cards for me to love anyone else." restrained he confides to her. Allie separates from him extending her arms between them."Yes, Yes you do love something else." She says putting her hands out in the air. "Look around you dad. Besides me the only other thing you love is football." The two were standing in the middle of the schools home game field. Rodney on his knees looking at the life he has made for himself, his two great loves Allie who holds his heart in the palm of his hand. And the sport of coaching football, which consumes the emptiness instead of his meaningless relationships. He's at a loss for words. Allie questions him "Why can't you love anyone else, Daddy?" with a gate of tears, she roars "Why?" she was begging for answers. He comes to his feet. He puts his arm around her "Allie, I just can't lose another person again." I'ts to much pain for both you and I." he looks out to the stadium around them. "I won't put you through that again." In all her fifteen years he's never had such a conversation with her. Rod had always left the girl stuff up to his mother.
Allie looks up to him says "Id rather keep losing until I can get the right one!" He brings her into his chest. Shakes his head, he didn't know what to say to that. He gave her a smile asking "Al, are you alright? Are we done with all this girl stuff now?" He's patting her on the back. Pulling herself together she warns him, "I'm alright for now, but Dad I can't say all this girl stuff is over."
3
Dinner with the four of them; his mother, grandmother and grandfather was awkwardly quiet. Brian had questions for his mother and the scene on the practice field earlier. Krissy had deep unresolved issues with Coach Rodney White. The dinner talk was small.
Krissy dismissed herself early from dinner retreating to the basement, leaving Brian behind to do dishes.
Every dish was loaded with the help of his Grandparents. Brian had one thing on his mind and that was to get the truth out of his Mother.
Krissy was changed into her comfort clothes, sweats and a light v-neck t shirt. Her 16 year old son was in the foyer of the split stairwell of the house , "MOM!" her son barks for her.
"YEAH! I am down here." She answers. The sun has tanned his face and lightened his curly locks with strands of yellow and gold. It was hard to believe her boy was turning into a complete teenager.
Brian finds his mother in the basement. "MOM, what is going on? I still get to be part of the team don't I?" He was stressed about what they were arguing about.
Kris, shuffling things around to get to the back corner. Stops to look at her son. "Oh, Sweetie," she places a blanket in his hands. "Yes, I'm sorry You don't have to worry about that."
He lays the blanket on the back of a chair. "But You and Coach White," he comes right out with it. "Do you know him, How do you know him?" Brian wasn't leaving until he got answers.
Kris sought after the stack of boxes, in the corner of her parent's basement, the one that reads "KRISSY HIGH SCHOOL" She looks at Brian with a suspicious grin. Taking down the top box and then with a huff pulling out her's. With a strain in her voice she says "YES. Brian Help me with this." she hands him the box. Slapping the dust off her hands "YES, I do know Rodney White." she leads him to the den with the box.
"Coach White" Brian corrects his Mother. "Yeah That's not who he is in my storybook." She was sure of exactly who he was.
Confused, He lays the box on the coffee table asking "Are you going to tell me what the Hell is going on?"
At the cuss-word she takes her eyes off the box looks up at her son, saying "Hey watch your mouth, I'm your mother." with that pointed finger she tucks her hair behind her ears.
She knew what was in this box, all the answers young Brian wanted to know. She was going to show him the truth. Slowly she pulls the tape off telling her son. "Oh son, coming home brings you to people and places that you left behind for good reasons. But today all that has been stirred up."
He's watching his mother glued to this box, she's Careful to pick through it. Inside laying on top, perfectly persevered like it was brought home yesterday from the drug store print shop. A photo.
Her big hooped earrings and rave hair, entangled in her high school sweetheart. In his numbered 12 football jersey leaning on his car. It felt like yesterday they were hanging in the parking lot of their high school, telling her friend Beth Chapman to "Take their picture."
Kris smiles at one of her favorite photos. She hands it to her son, explaining "That's me and my high school sweet heart." She's smiling about it. Brian studies it trying to figure out what this has to do with His Football Coach. Kris could tell he didn't get it. She points to the teenage boy with red hair in her photograph, explaining "That's Rod White Class of 92 Star pitcher of the boys baseball team, a great quarterback and the one who left your mom in a cloud of dust a week after graduation." He looks at his mom "Wait. What? Are you saying my coach was your high school sweetheart?" The teenager's flesh on his face flushes. His eyes roll letting out a deep "Oh My God" Coming from a place of embarrassment.
His mother sits with a palm full of more photos, from the box which holds the evidence of her youth. Her son lays the photo on the table he then pulls out papers, some folded some envelopes and cards. Scanning a few letters Dear Krissy, My Love Krissy, Krissy. "What are these?" Brian asks. "Love Letters" his mother explains. "Before e-mail and text messaging we wrote with pen on actual paper." She puts down the pictures and takes the love letters out of his hands. "Oh My GOD. My Coach wrote you love letters!" Brian says with much distaste. "This is gross what am I supposed to do with this floating in my head now!"
She reads over one "Aww, he could express himself on paper so well."
She had forgotten how much Rod did adore her, "He could pour it on paper, but never in person." Kris recalls.
"So what happened to cause such a blow out today?" asks her son.
Krissy's eyes turned from happy to painful.
"Rod had two other passions besides me. One which we see it paid off for him, was Sports, The second was music. Then there was me, I was the third love of his life, well his teenage life." She pulls out her high school year book.
She had dog eared the pages her and Rod were on. Brian is quiet processing this. As his mother talks about her high school days. Flipping through the years, I invested four years with him, and all his ways and promises. I thought we were going to be together forever." 'Silly, she thought that was, at seventeen what does one know about real Love' "It was an unfortunate heartbreak."
She closes the book.
She, then recalls the last time she saw him. "Rodney White, wanted to be a musician." she's placing the book back in the dusty box. "His band packed up that van and were going to take a chance! I was standing at the end of his driveway. That driver pushed on the gas, the gravel dirt kicked up splattering all over my white skirt." there was a hint of disgrace for that. "That was it. No looking back."
Brian sensed the hurt from his mother's words. "It was that easy for him to be persuaded to think they were going to MAKE IT BIG! To leave me after all that time we had spent together, making plans." She was over, looking at the past. Piling everything back into it's grave. Folding back the cardboard. She says "He left me behind, I got a few payphone calls and cards, by the time summer was over, he had not come back. It was time for me to go off to college."
Brian had herd enough. But had one more question. "Are you going to be able to come to my games? And not want to throw something at my Coach?" She has a light-hearted laugh, "Oh! Yeah!Sure! that was a long time ago. I am over it! Today was just." she hesitates picking up the box to return it. "Shocking." Brian fills in the blank for her.
As they both walk away from the couch without either of them noticing, a letter got kicked under the couch.
4
He may not have a wife or steady girlfriend, But Coach Rodney White had a house full of woman. Ally, tugging at the straps of her bag around her shoulders pops through the living room door of their three bedroom brick ranch house,
Teasing about the best news of day, playful Ally says "Daddy's High School Sweetheart is BACK in town." Betty, Rodney's mother mutes her television show, by 8 pm she was on the couch downing her third cup of coffee.
Rolling his eyes he drops his school bags next to his mother on the couch
Rod directs his only child. "That's enough, go do your homework." Betty's round cheeks puff up as she smiles at her grown single son, Holding on to the remote she asks "Would this be Krissy, she's talking about?" Shocked that his mother could rattle off her name so quickly, her name stops his feet from going into the kitchen. He stands with his hands on his hips shaking his head. "Could this day be more complicated" he says to his mother.
Puzzled, Rod asks "How can your remember that?" Betty reminds him "the two of you were inseparable, when you were in High School." It pained Rodney to think of that time of his youth. His lips clamp tight as he inhales deep. Betty tells him of the last time she recalls seeing her. "That summer you left, she would come by from time to time to check and see if I had any news of you returning. That poor little thing, she was madly in love with you." Betty puts the remote on the table trading it for the worlds greatest grandma coffee mug heads to the kitchen.
"WHAT!" YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT!" He follows his mother in the kitchen, as if Rodney couldn't feel even more like a dirt bag, after today's episode on the practice field with Krissy throwing her shoes at him and Ally breaking down..
She laid the mug in the sink, quick she spun around crossing her arms over her chest giving him a stern look, "Well, by the time you got back she was gone. And we had so much going on with your father, that THAT must have slipped my mind."
His mind went to his father, agreeing with her,
" Yeah that was a tough summer, I can see how a detail like that could slip."
Betty pats her son's plump cheek, "Well, Son have you ever thought that maybe its never worked out with anyone else because you still carry something for Krissy, your soul mate?" Rodney says "My Soul Mate?" as if it was the first time he'd ever herd those words. Maybe you can see if its still there between the two of you." says his motehr, Betty. Rodney recalls "the sparks" earlier today.
Rodney was only thinking of Brian, the new kid on the team. From what little he has seen of the Minnix kid during practices, there was something unusually outstanding about the Minnix boy. The Coach thought if he brought old game film to him, of how they coach up here in the land of Cave High School Football, this would help Brian Minnix learn the calls of their plays.
The bald thick man holds disks of last seasons games in his hands. Rodney White finds himself standing in front of a familiar door, one he has knocked on a few times when he himself was in high school.
A vision of Krissy March answering the door brings a smile not only to his lips but his entire being lifts up.
When the door opens it's his high school sweetheart's son, his new player greeting him instead of the young girl who used to live here.
Brian had one ear bud in the other dangling, holding his I Phone, surprised to see his Coach, "Ah Hey Coach." the player was dumb as to why the man was at his door.
Once Brian opens the glass door, the aroma of spaghetti sauce burst's over the man's senses, stimulating not only his memory but also his taste-buds. Rodney is trying to keep himself in the moment of now, football. When Krissy came to the top of the stairwell asking "Who is it?" Looking as the mature woman she became. His vision of her vanished. Krissy was no longer the nice, girl who was madly in love with him. She was a single mother, who was confidant and sure of herself. The only thing she still had that was a resemblance of her youthful self, was her short fuse.
He couldn't stand still, as if he was drawn to her Rodney steps past the doors threshold, her son Brian is holding the door open. Rod marches up those steps right next to the Burnett. Krissy's arms are folded tight across her chest; as if she's shielding Cupid's arrows from a stake straight in her heart; she takes a step back from his intrusion.
He begins to explain why he was there."I thought Brian could use these. It's our last season.This could help him see our plays." He could feel how cold she was towards him. He went on to say, " If you study them." Krissy looks at her son to come take the disks. Brian says "Yeah. I'll take a look at them." Brian's Grandmother comes to see who's visiting. Krissy introduces them "Mom, this is Brian's Football Coach, Rodney White .Before she could disclose who else he was, to her mother." Mrs. March in her high voice "HOW NICE TO MEET YOU, Would you like to stay for dinner."
Krissy and Brian froze looking at each other, both thought how uncomfortable that would be. Krissy thinking surely he would have plans. Brian thinking his grandmother was overly nice. After a thirty second pause he answers "Well if you have room for one more I'd Love to stay for dinner."
The brawny man passes her in the hallway, to follow "Bev" Beverley March, Kristine's mother to the dinning room for dinner. Krissy's mother bluntly asks "Are you married, Coach" Annoyed the daughter cringes at this whole scenario.
IF her mother could remember who he was, she would remember that summer, the "ocean of tears" seventeen year old Krissy, shed; in her mother's lap over this guy. Surely she would toss him out of her house.
Harry, Mr. March had been sitting at the table when the guest came knocking at the door. He wasn't about to budge for anyone, his concentration was getting the butter on his slice of bread. Berverly gets another dish for there unexpected dinner guest.
The five people sit for an uneasy meal together.
Brian was in discomfort just being at his grandparent's house, away from his home, his friends and team. The fact that his mother had dated his new coach back when they were in high school, has Brian thinking life couldn't possibly get much worse then this.
Kristine, was nauseous even before they began to eat. She too was miserable, living back with her parents, the constant battle if she's made the right move, for her and her son. Leaving the life they lived comfortably, but without her husband..Agonizing over Pulling Brian out his Sophomore year of High School. Krissy has been living a whirl wind of emotions for weeks. Adding to her misery, finding out her son's Football Coach was the love of her life, when she was seventeen. This week Having to see him for the first time in over 25 years had never even played in her subconscious mind. She was ill, very ill...
Rodney answers Bev's question if he was married with "No, I have a daughter." Taking her place at the table the grandmother says "Oh, your are divorced then?"
Rodney, humbly tells his story "No, I've never had the pleasure to be married" his hands are folded on the table before they begun to use the utensils. Brian is fixing his dinner bread listening to his Coach talk. Kristine is falling over the mans life story. Rodney continues "My daughter, Allison's Mother wasn't that type of woman, nor was she the type to be a mother. She left Allison and I when Ally was four months old." Kristine was quiet, ' pondering what type of woman could leave her baby like that. Where did he find such a woman like that.'
Kristine asks "But she see's her mother on the weekends and Holidays, like that though, Right?"
Rodney sets her straight. "NO" We've haven't seen or herd from her since the day she walked out on us. it' been 15 years, now."
Kristine was at a loss, taking in his story. Bev says "You have raised your daughter by yourself?' Rodney picks up the fork, releasing their sympathy "We live with my mother, she's been my extra support with Ally all these years."
Mr. Minnix, Harry, who's hearing was particle and vision too, deteriorating. Which were just a few of the reason's why Kristine decided to move back home. Was eating his food, while it was hot. If he had herd Rod's story they wouldn't know. Harry asks "Are you from around here?"
Intimidate, Kristine answers her father's question lacking details of the truth. "Yes Daddy!" she had to be loud yelling across the dinner table, picking up her fork. "Rodney and I went to High School together, we actually were friends." she didn't want to relive the last summer, or the whole nine yards of their high school relationship at this table with her family. Nor did she want to elaborate on just how close they really were.
Rodney knew he was responsible for taking Krissy's virginity and breaking her high-school heart. He wasn't hurt by her denial of how close they truly were.
The meal was over, Krissy follows the out of place dinner guest, out of the house. The Coach was out the door first; she wasn't that far behind him. Her mind and emotions were all jumble inside. Rod telling the story of his daughter and how they were left. How she dodged the bullet of having to retell the truth of how they were truly involved in high school.
The evening mad her weak in wanting to know more, Kris asks "Why did you come here?" protecting herself, she crosses her arms over her heart.
He steps to her as a man, a teacher and coach giving her insight."Kristine, I honestly came for Brian. Something about him during practices, I've seen, that I actually have never seen in anybody else." He takes a second step closer to her, his voice was low and honest,"He's got real talent. He's got this "KNOW All" that comes as natural as nature about football." Tears of gratitude shine in her eyes.
She says as a mother does with love about her child. "Every Coach he's ever had, has always said the same thing about my Brian. He's got "It" in him. He's a good a kid." Kris exhales, it was relief that even though they may have had history, Coach Rodney White, wasn't about to let that get in the way of seeing her son's football potential.
Their words vanished as they stood on those steps of her mother's house, summers sounds of buzzing crickets is the only noise between them. Kristine was lost in everything that life had thrown at her even in this new moment with the story of Rodney's life, after high school.
Rodney's gaze was wishful in that he not only found something extraordinary in her son but that maybe there could be something left between them. With out any more words he smiles taking the high road, he says "Good night, thank your Mom again for the meal."
5
The perfect 80 degrees with a light breeze welcomes week 5 of her son's High School Football season. A bundle of nerves she walks down the concrete stadium stairs. It felt like the whole Cave Valley was there this Friday Night.
Her name,“Krissy! Krissy! Krissy!" was being call out in the middle of the crowd. Confused as to who would be calling her she tries to find the woman.
Kris sees a thin woman excitingly waving at her; she hasn’t a clue to who this spaz is? The woman's hair is long and black as night. Wearing a team spirit black t - shirt with white engravers lettering, spelling out Knights; her striking blue eyes look familiar but not a single name crosses Kris's mind.
The woman is surrounded by three little girls also in tiny black team spirit t-shirts and an older woman. "Kristine, I heard you were back.” she introduces herself, “I am Angie Black, well I was in High School." The overly friendly woman brushes by her position in high school, "I was quiet and shy. You probably don’t remember me." Her bony hands swish in the air. "But that's ok." She didn't stop there she went on to say, “I married Matt Lowe, Rodney White's friend. Matt coaches with Rodney." Kris's eye brow went up; she really didn't remember Angie Black. Now that she mentions him, she remembers Matt Lowe.
It was all new to Kris; she didn't know her small hometown's who's who and who's with who. Twenty-five years ago when she left small town Cave Valley she meant to forget, everything and everyone.
Kris was polite and took the invitation to sit with her. Angie swings her long locks over her shoulder; begins to introduce her crew. "Kristine, these are our daughters, Maggie Lowe, she's 11. Lisa Lowe 10 and this itty bitty one is Bethy Lowe, who is 6."It was like looking at mini clones of Angie Black Lowe, "And this" just by the way she introduces her family, Kris could tell Angie has much pride in her girls, including her mother, "This is my Mother Martha Black." All their blue eyes were inherited, Martha Black may have been about 60 something but her eyes were as blue as an Caribbean Ocean."Is this all of you?" Kris jokes. “No!" answers Angie. "My oldest Samantha is 15, she doesn't sit with us anymore it's not cool." Annoyed, Angie tells her.
"WOW! You have four daughters!" Kris was impressed, thinks back about how once upon a time they were all teenagers and hanging out in the parking lot of the local pizza den after football games until the cops would run the herd of teenagers off. "Matt has four girls." How was this possible? When she left all those years ago she never thought of anyone being forty something, her last memory of any of them were as teenagers. Never did she imagine the people she left behind would grow up too; becoming parents or teachers for that matter.
Kris was trying to refresh her memory. "How did you and Matt get together?" Angie has a happy tone about it as she recalls the moment when her and Matt met.Angie explains, “I had just got my first job as a hair dresser, at the Hairdo's." Kriss, interrupts her "I remember that place" Angie smiles, and goes on "That summer Matt came in, he was home from College and needed a Hair Cut he walks into the Hairdo’s. And the rest History, twenty years and four girls later." Kris's brown eyes sparkle with a hint of a tear. These days she was emotional about everything. "How truly blessed you have been." Angie, looking at her littlest daughter Bethy, “Yeah, it’s been amazing.”
Angie got still enough to mention how she herd Kristine was back, “Matt told me about the other week, your reunion on the practice field.” She crinkles her pointed nose knowing it wasn’t a celebration but more like an explosion. Kristine, blushed brushes her hair behind her ear, admitting “Yeah.” She hadn’t talked to anyone about it, her brows went narrow “What can I say, I wasn’t expecting to see him, it caught me off guard.” Angie tells her “I know Rodney was caught off guard too, he wasn’t expecting to see you either. I’m sure it was uncomfortable.” Kris was getting uncomfortable talking about it with a complete stranger.
Two out of breath girls approach Angie, they looked like twins one with strawberry blond hair, green eyes and freckled cheeks, the second was a green eyed spiral hair red head. They came asking for permission to walk to the other side of the stadium. “Mom!” Angie stops Samantha, before they interrupt her any father. “Sam and Ally I would like you to meet Ms. Minnix, Brian’s mother.” Sam, Angie’s daughter the one with the long spiral locks says “Hello” but Ally she didn’t say a word, she knew who she was, she only looked her over and gave a wave.
Angie explains who Ally is, “Samantha is my oldest, and Allie is my adoptive daughter who eats all the food in my house.” Ally comes back with “That’s because my dad never has anything good at our house.” Kris makes the connection; this must be Rodney’s daughter Allison.“Yes, girls you may go over there. Thanks for asking.” It wasn’t hard to see who the boss of this family is. As quick as they blew in the two teens flew out just as fast
After the girls left, Angie had a lot more to say about Rodney.“That was Rodney’s daughter, Allison.” Kris nodded and listened. Angie told her the whole story, how Rodney had met the woman whose Allison’s mother and how difficult it was for him after she left them.
By the third quarter Kristine had been caught up on Angie’s connection to Rodney and his daughter Ally. Kristine’s heart shifted a little knowing the struggle he’s had after high school, which is the opposite of Kristine’s life, she’s had a great marriage, money, love and a wonderful son, how could she feel anything but privileged to have been married to a wonderful husband and father like Ben Minnix.
The game was over, their team had won; before the woman parted ways Angie says one last thing “You should come out with Matt and I tomorrow night there’s a really good band playing.” Kristine was feeling good she agrees, telling Angie to messenger her plans.
6
Saturday night Krissy was going out, She and her husband Ben had been married for 18 years, it felt strange in every way to be going out without her handsome husband’s arm around her waist. She was marching on for the first time as a single woman.
Opening the doors to the first street restaurant, Rising Moon she squints to focus on the dark room, shuffled through the middle section of the dining room are round tables; booths surround the outline of the windows and a long bar is on a higher level. The band’s music vibrates through the room.
The same spaz woman, Angie Black Lowe from last night is flagging Krissy down. She has to pass every table to get to Angie and her husband Matt who are sitting in front of the band.
Angie made up in make-up and jewelry; dangling earrings and long necklaces has a slightly darker look then her mommy attire at the football game last night, tonight she was dressed for a night out with her husband. The black hair woman is thrilled to see Krissy, “I am so glad you came!” Matt stands to greet their guest. He smiles and hugs the old high school friend. Krissy is excited to be reunited with an old friend. “Matt” she says happy to see him, after they exchange a hug they all sit; Krissy’s sits with her back towards the band, talking as loud as they could over the band catching up on the last 25 years.
The band’s music is a southern tempo; they have an impressive female lead singer. Krissy turns to the band on stage enjoying the rhythm of a radio song, singing along glancing over each band member; the words of the song they were playing left her mind, when she sees one band member playing his famous blue base guitar. Krissy’s focus zooms on him, the room with everyone in it phases out. Watching him change cords on the neck of his base has her in a paralyzing spell.The music was over the lead singer announces the break in the set.
They would be back in 20 mins. All the band members scatter; the muscled man in the black t-shirt was headed in her direction. Kris still under a spell, unable to make her checks smile as he sits at their table; Rodney takes the empty seat next to Matt where a glass of water has been waiting. Rod guzzles down the drink. Angie was the ring leader of this mess. Krissy turns to the guest at the table. Angie breaking the awkwardness “You guys are great tonight Rod.”
He folds his arms on the table looking to Krissy he smiles asking, “Are you enjoying yourself Ms. Minnix.” Rodney calls her by her married name. Sulking, with a studer Krissy says, “I, I never would of thought” she pauses “you still played and were in a band.” Matt explains “Actually, he is the sub in for the base player, who’s had back surgery.” Matt pats his best friend on the back. Krissy’s tension let down a little, she tilts her head to Angie ‘thinking why she didn’t tell me?’ Rodney has Krissy’s brown eyes locked into his, it pleases him to have her here without any of the kids around. Rodney couldn’t do anything but smile looking at her, slowly she’s coming out of the numbness of surprise to see him here.
Rod’s more greener then hazel eyes are searching her expression, was she happy to see him, or was she still wanting to treat him like the black pelage. Even though this would be their third up close and personal encounter, Kris couldn’t describe how she felt about seeing him, Rodney White, her high school sweetheart who broke her heart. How was she supposed to feel?Rodney searches for some kind of emotion in her face. This forty something Krissy is a different person; then the Krissy he had known 25 years ago. He makes small talk, “Actually I was the original base player for this band, but when I had my daughter I had to stop, so I guess I am filling in for my sub.” Everyone at the table chuckles, but Krissy. “Do you still write songs?” For Krissy it was tedious to be asking him questions. Angie and Matt look at each other then look to Rod waiting for his answer. Rodney moves closer to Krissy questioning “You remember that I write.” He’s in her space. Kris didn’t break away she wasn’t impressed with the game he had been playing, trying to act all cute and funny tonight. She says “Yes. I do” Krissy looks across the table at her new friend and her husband, revealing something to them all, that she remembers “I believe that was one of the things I liked most about you.” Angie takes a swig from her glass. Matt has his one hand on his wife’s shoulder. Watching the couple, Krissy remembers how that feels, when Ben would make her feel like she was the only woman in the room. She wasn’t sure what was worse sitting at this table with Rodney White or craving her husband’s hand on her back.
The break was over. The band comes together.
Krissy says “I’ve got to use the ladies room. Suddenly, Angie gets up “I’ll go with you.” Angie follows Kris, the two ladies have to wait, Krissy has her hands folded in her arms, abruptly, stunning Angie she asks “What does he expect form me?” She goes into a rant “I mean, I can’t even think of him” Angie opens her mouth but before she can let a word out Krissy says “I had my husband for 18 years.” It was evident that Rod was under her skin, “I only had three years with Rodney,” Krissy was confused she felt like she had to flee before she became unglued, kindly she thanks her friend “I thank you for inviting me out tonight, but I am just not ready for any of this.” Shaking her hands in the air, “When I see you and your husband together, I crave that.” There was deep sadness of longing in her voice “I miss MY husband.” Again, Angie tries to get another word in but Kris begins to move “Tell Matt I said good night and thank you, but I have to go.” As if she had a fire under her feet Krissy leaves the bathroom, without using it, practically running out of the restaurant she heads into the chilly nights air, more confused, with a deeper aching to be back home in Richmond, in her house with her husband, but that was all impossible it was all gone.
Kristine hated where she was, she hated being back in Roanoke for the time living with her parents, she hated seeing Rodney, everything about home was foreign to her. She had never felt so out of place.
Pulling up to the drive way of her parents’ home, she comes unglued. She cry’s out “Lord help me! Why am I so dead inside?! Why can’t I smile or laugh?!” “Where are you God?” “Where are YOU?”
The band was finished, Matt and Angie were paying their tab when Rod comes over, “She didn’t stay.” He says to his friends. Angie places a hand on Rod’s forearm, she asks the question that Krissy had asked in the bathroom, “What do you want from her?”
“I just want her.” That truth rolled out from the deepest part of his core. The truth is the moment he said her name again on the practice field that day she came to introduce herself instead she threw her shoes at his head; he knew she was what he still wanted, everything he had ever felt for her came back from the dead place he had inside of him.
Like a surprise blowing wind to the face Angie was almost knocked over. Her husband smiles, like he had always known Rodney always loved Kristine March, and no one could ever replace her.
What Angie had to tell him would only make it harder now that she know his truth, gently Angie explains “Oh honey,” she pats his shoulder, “ she’s still grieving her husband, I don’t know if she’s ready to even think of the idea of dating anyone, especially you for that matter.”
Rodney didn’t care, he knew he waited 25 years he could wait a few more, if he had to. He smiles with winning sarcasm he says “Then my odds are at the very best!”
7
Her days were filled with work, Brian's days were filled with school and football. Both mother and son tried hard avoiding the loss and pain of the life they had left behind in Richmond.
It was game seven, Homecoming.
After a long day of seven house tours; The Real Estate company she works for does their weekly scheduled, Mandatory Monday tours. Kristine was grateful to be propping her feet up on the couch and mindlessly flipping through tv channels.
From the coffee table she hears vibrating sounds."BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ" its her cell phone. she's slow to answer it sitting on the couch. "This is Kris Minnix" she identifies herself professionally. "Yes this is her." Your kidding, what did I win?" OH! MY! THAT IS REALLY AWESOME!" she thanks the caller and hangs up.
Kris falls back on the couch, excited to find out she just won a weekend stay at the Grand Hotel Roanoke, in a President Sweet, including one spa day and 2 dinners. Her body begins to stretch out on the couch as if she had been awaken from a long dormant sleep, yelling out
"YES! YES! YES!" sounding a little nutty.
Inquisitive, Brian walks down the steps, "What are you happy about?" her son questions.
Thrilled, Kris quickly turns up right telling the first person she saw. "I just won a weekend get away!"
Brian says "That's cool, when do you go?" Excited, his mother says "THIS WEEKEND!" Brian reminds her "It's Homecoming weekend"
Kris tones down her excitement "Oh are you planning on going to the dance Saturday night?" she asks.
Brian wasn't thrilled, but says "I'm not going with anyone special, just a few friends."
Kris stands up, the couch is between them, her phone is in her hand; quick to solve it saying, "Well, I will just be at The Hotel Roanoke, for the weekend, I can come home and take pictures and then go back to the Hotel." she settled that.
Brian 16, is not very enthusiastic for her big win, or about anything for that matter.
"Are you going to miss my game."
She moves around to that side of the couch he was on; before passing him she answers, with on hand on his shoulder she says,
"I think missing one game out of the 100's I have been to, is forgivable."
Brian, shrugs his mother's hand and reason off his shoulders, moves to plop down on the couch takeing over the remote.
This Monday night, Allie was spending it at her best friend Samantha's house otherwise known as her second home. Sam's father, Matt the quarterback coach for Cave Valley High School and Allie's father, Rodney the head coach for the last 18 years at Cave Valley High school they have known each other since that summer day on Arlington Hills Drive when they were 6 years old, pulling up to each other riding the same green hulk big wheel in 1978. Making their History well over 20 years. If anyone knew the ins and outs of ol' Coach Rodney White, it would be Matt.
For her plans to work, Allie would need the big gun, the experience of an expert in love and whimsical scenarios, who better then Matt her father's best friend from dirt; better half, Angela, "Angie'" Samantha's mom and Allies adoptive mother.Whatever Matt knew about Allie's Father, it was definite that Angie too would know.
Sam her wavy blond locks and Allie her messy red curls, the inseparable 15 year olds, were sitting at the island in Angie's kitchen watching her cook dinner.The girls were whispering until Allie kicks Sam, Allie needs Sam to start the questions. Allie gives Sam a kick. Sam frowned at her friend then began.
"Mom, did you know Coach Rod and Ms. Minnix when you were in High School?"
Angie's bracelets jingle as she works her way around the kitchen. After placing a big pot of water on the stove she leans on the counter top, answering with," I knew OF them, I did not personally know either one of them." Angie had a great wide smile, she turns to get the noodles.
Ally looks at Sam and gives her another nod to ask something else. Again,Sam frowns at her pushy friend expecting her to do all the work, asks her mother,"Would you say they were in Love, Love ?"
After the sound of dry spaghetti noodles sliding out of the box and into the pot, Angie tosses the empty box in the trash. tells the girls."Well, I can't answer that, But I do know that they spent a lot of time together, you wouldn't see one without the other not far behind." Ally pipes in "Do you think if they loved each other once before, that they would still love each other, after all these years?"
Angie was beginning to see that there was something brewing between these two great minds; realizes, she's being grilled holds her breath, looks to sweet Ally, who desperately wants her father to find someone; being cautious explains to them;
"I would like to think that Love always exists even if there has been a great deal of time to separate two people, but the reality is people grow up, they change, they have different ideas and views of the how they see the world." She's honest with them. "IF two people have anything in common. Then they know if they will work out or not."
It wasn't what they wanted to hear.
They wanted her to say "YES" Love is greater then any space in time.!"
The girls look at each other disappointed and confused.
Angie's eyebrows narrow, she new she needed to tell the girls the truth. Angie knew how Krissy felt after their night out and Krissy's confession in the ladies bathroom. Angie had to swallow before she broke the news,
"Look girls, Krissy," she corrects herself. "Ms. Minnix, is still grieving over the death of her husband, she is not interested in being set up with ANYONE,'" she exaggerates her next point "ESPECIALLY YOUR DAD!" pointing her bony finger at Ally.
The mother continues to digs in a cabinet, opens a few cans of sauce dumping them in another pot; putting on the burner to cook it up.
Ally couldn't let go, she asks "Whats your opinion of every girl my father has dated, why it NEVER works out?"
Angie wasn't prepared for this, but she felt it needed to be said, it was ripping off a 20 year old band aid; finally letting air in the wound.
To bad it wasn't Rodney asking this question, shed really give it to him.
Angie, hesitated but said it anyway, "Because your father, still Loves his high school sweetheart."
Ally throws her arms up in the air agreeing "EXACTLY!"
Angie leans in real close, her long jet black hair falls over her shoulder, she grabs the girls hands in hers to explain it in another way,
"Sweetie, that young high school sweetheart is gone, she doesn't exist anymore, your daddy is holding on to something that has been just a warm memory. Ms. Minnix, Krissy, is not who she once was."
Ally's green eyes were confused, what was she talking about, sure she was still the same person.
Angie stirs the sauce placing the spoon down, again to explain. "Your dad left that girl, His high school sweetheart, brokenhearted with a bad taste of him in her memory. She went on to college, met another man, married him, raised a baby with that man, made plans with that man, had a whole map of dreams with that man. She devoted 20 years of her life to him, now that he is gone, she's trying to figure out, her way in this life without him."
Sam's mother was compassionate and even to both sides of the bitter love story, tenderly holding on to Ally's dream of true love, asking her, "Sweetie do you really think she would want to turn to someone who purposely flat out, left her, 20 years ago?"
Ally was soaking it all in, she had tears, she didn't think of it that way, she only thought of it from the innocent sight of a teenage girl, not a grown woman's opinion. Sam said what Allies was probably thinking but couldn't mumble a word out. Sam says it again, "But they loved each other once it's still has to be there. They just need a moment alone, together, a chance meeting to see if the spark is still there." Sam pleaded for her best friend and for the hope in true love.
It hurt Angie to see the fragile look, all hope is lost on Ally's face, and that she was the one who had to take that hope away.Sam wasn't going to give up on her best friends plan, "MOM!" Sam, gets our of her chair goes to her mother plants her long bony hands on her mother, begging,"Will you help us. We have to see, we have to try, for Ally, for Coach Rod." Angie, looks to her green eyed red head Ally, who's like her fifth daughter, she would do anything for; with a sunken heart, and for the glimmer of hope that these kids had she surrenders. "ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!" I will help you two, set something up! But if either of your FATHERS find out I will DENY I had anything to do with this."
The two girls jump for joy, run up the steps to figure out a way to make this happen. Angie runs her hands through her black hair, says "I'm going to regret this.
With the help of her best friend's mother, Angie; Ally had a plan in the works to reunite her father with his high school sweetheart having faith in that getting them alone in an adult place without any interruptions; would possibly (with a little push of wind) find one smoldering ember, left; resulting in a flare of burning love.
It was Homecoming week, the entire school's student body and staff was in a state of frenzy; the football team was in a winning streak 5-0. With the pep rally, costume days, floats to be made, the traditional selection of the Homecoming Court and the dance coming up. The atmosphere was whimsical.
Not to distracting for Coach, Rodney White who had his head on winning the game and his eye on his daughter.
Rodney had seen to much of Ally talking to his player, the new kid, also Rodney's ex girl friend's son, Brian Minnix. It seams as though every time he would turn a corner in the school his freshman daughter Ally was getting to personal with sophomore Brian, who has proved to be a talented asset to the team.When he saw this, he would rub his hand on the back of his bald head, feeling the wrath of Brian's mother's shoe hit the back of his head. He had never known that side of Krissy and never wanted to.
Rodney couldn't stand by and watch a train wreck happen. He had to figure out which one of them he should say something to. His delicate emotional daughter, who lives with him? Or the ex girl friend's son, who he really has grown to like as a student and player on his team." Rodney in his office grabs the tums, chews on a few. Rodney couldn't help but be overwhelmed, the timing for his daughter to finally turn from tom boy into a full blow girl was not ideal; (there wasn't ever going to be an ideal time) this only gave the man an upset stomach.
The week had gotten to Thursday night before the father could say anything to his daughter. It had to be tonight, Rodney put his school bag on the couch and headed to see Ally in her room, he lightly knocks on the door."Come in." she says, laying on her bed in her fuzzy emoji night outfit.
"Al, I need to talk to you about something." The father says. She stops scrolling through her cell phone. She sits up "Ok" she was annoyed.He sat at the edge of her bed cracks his knuckles and begins. "I don't like seeing you to close to that Brian Minnix boy." he was forthcoming with it "I think you are to young to be getting involved." irritated She questions her father. "Are you telling me I cant' talk to him?"
As a father, talking about dating with his teenage daughter this was uncomfortable.
He begins to stumble over his words. "Well, I, What I want." Ally drops her phone, it plops on her blanket,rolling her head and her eyes, cuts her father off. "YOU CAN"T TELL ME, MY HEART" She's pointing to her the racing beats of her heat, in her chest. "WHAT TO DO DAD! ITS NOT THAT SIMPLE. I AM NOT LIKE YOU!" his daughter was agitated the flesh on her face turns red, 'How could he, came to her, to talk about who SHE could fall in love with.' it made her temperature rise. When he himself wont even consider opening the door to love.' He irked her emotions in this subject.
She was clearly ready to go to the mat with him over this subject. With tears of anger and frustration with him, she pleads who she is
"I am not you! I wont shut people out when I have feelings for someone."
He had herd enough, but knew he hadn't said enough. Rodney beings to flee, as a father he didn't feel like he had to explain himself or his lack there of A LOVE LIFE to his 15 year old daughter.
Rodney stands tall, his hands on his hips, in a stern voice he says "YOUR TO YOUNG TO BE GETTING INVOLVED WITH BOYS" Her father storms out of her room. If a man could ever feel embarrassed and nervously upset at the same time, He was right now.
Ally falls into her pillow grabbing on, she buries her face screaming into the pillow.
It is Saturday Night, Brian went to the Homecoming Dance with friends from the football team.
Krissy came back to the hotel after running out to get pictures of her son, dressed up for the dance.
Her reservation were in the presidential suit at the heirloom Hotel Roanoke.
Her life, overwhelming these days, moving back home, living with her aging parents, a single mother to her only child, 16 year old Brian; the rebuilding a reputation in town as a Realtor, all of it was an exhausting new direction Kristine's life has taken.This tiny escape from it all was exactly what she needed.
After She enjoyed a dinner in the refined Regency Room, Krissy enters her into the presidential suit, through the foyer the room opens to a king size bed, gas fireplace, two sitting chairs and a doorway to a patio. Kris stands at the foot of the bed, her arms folded, thinking a dismal thought. 'I get all that to myself.' she puckers her cheeks and sighs, she was lead to the walkout patio with a view of the Star City, where the sky line's canvas is against Mill Mountain.
The night air was a perfect temperature of 65 degrees for a mid October's Night. Wrapped with a cream colored shaw, she looks to the full moon who is her only friend tonight, tighter she swaddles the material around her shoulders.
In the loneliness of her hour Kris thinks of someone other then her deceased husband, she thinks of the coach, the one she once knew; how different he looks from the boy she left behind. Now, a man, fuller, taller, more pronounced, more defined more dedicated to his team and his work.
Kris reflects on herself, acting altered in some ways, seeing him every Friday night after her son's games, how lately thoughts of him have been intruding her mind. Not only is Rodney her son's coach but he himself is also a single parent. She's recognized that she's putting on a little more lipstick, and how she has been smiling as she passes him in the night picking up Brian. She even caught herself watching for his reactions on the sidelines when plays are flagged.
Her only alibi, the moon as full as a bowl of milk, glistens in her brown eyes, she says
"Oh Moon so bright, you see everything. I wish I could see what you see under those stars every night." aching for a response, wanting advice from an unlikely source, she questions in the still night. "Am I a fool, for even having such thoughts of that man.?"
She inhales and exhales; her conscious begins to set her straight, 'He was a boy and you a young girl, just kids, we didn't even know what love was really about. How could I hold that against him." she collapses in the outdoor chair, her mind continues its reasoning, ' He is a man now and I am a woman, were adults. I have to let go of my childish pain."
Finally, her thoughts for herself. Her only companion tonight, No parents to tend to, no son trying to keep comfortable living at his grandparents, who desperately needs his own privacy. It was 48 hours of Kris on Kris, all to herself. Getting a grip on where she was, where she wants to be in a year; and to innocently wonder about a man she left behind. She realized she didn't really know Rod anymore.' Her chest exhales her mind says"Get to know the man."
Saturday night is Rodney's to spend any way he wanted. His mother who lives with him, was bowling. Allie his only child went to the Homecoming dance, it didn't bother the single father that she looked pretty all dressed up, with makeup and heals, almost like a young woman going to the dance.
Rodney felt Allie would be safe; he has spies, teacher friends and a special bonus his friends, Matt and his wife Angie, they lived for, well Angie lived for getting all dressed up and going out with her husband on Saturday Nights, even if it was Chaperoning a Homecoming Dance.
Rodney was at ease, especially knowing that there would be no Brian Minnix picking up his daughter taking her to the dance and pinning any flower to her dress for that matter.
It was Rodney's night to celebrate his win over a hefty competitor, he would celebrate the game 6 win, a Homecoming victory his way, the best way Rodney White knew how, escaping from work and football by expressing himself through, music.
Sitting under the stars and moon Rodney holds his Gibson Country Western acoustic guitar. The treasured rummage find his father gave tiny red headed tot Rodney, in 1975; when he was four years old. Back then his father paid ten bucks at a garage sale for the find. Proudly giving his son this gift, it was one gift Rodney kept up with all these years, keeping the Gibson close to his heart.
Mr. White must of known that his son, Rodney would have a ear for music, even at such a young age. Rod's passion for music runs deep, he had a natural talent, the ability to hear a song one time and play out the song on that acoustic. By the age of ten Rodney had taught himself how to play the classic instrument.
Entertaining, back then at family gatherings was a simple thing, Rodney would capture the families cheerfulness by playing back a song he'd hear on the radio. Always impressing all the family.
After he graduated high school he took off with his band to make something of it, but his band only made it as far South as the Carolina bars. They never crossed over to the Georgia State line, his music adventure was cut short.
Rod strums chords on the guitar, his hums turn into words, "She's home" softly the words come to him "She's Home" Home, Home." like they could be chorus words.
He strums off into something else, a classic Kansas song that every guitar player knows, "Dust In The Wind."Rodney sings to the moon and stars like he was at his own out door concert. the last verse of Dust in The Wind he finishes, when his cell phone glows in the dark. he answers
"Hey, everything all right?" concerned, it was unusual to hear from anyone at the dance."
Rodney." She sounds panic, the caller is Angie from the dance." I can't find Allison, I asked around, I found Sam and she confessed that She left with Brian Minnix."
The father was angry "WHAT!" Sam her best-friend, she knows everything. Rodney's Mind starts running
'I knew it! I knew there was something suspicious going on! DAM IT! WHY DIDN'T I SEE IT! ALWAYS TALKING IN THE HALLWAYS, PLOTTING AND PLANNING! DAM I SHOULDN'T OF LET HER GO!'
he was angry with himself.
Angry, he asks "WHERE DID THEY GO? DID SHE SAY!"
Angie stumbles over her words "Well, Um, I'm pretty sure" it was bad news she didn't want to say "Hotel, Hotel Roanoke." she squints her face, she knew it would hurt to tell him.
"Rodney couldn't believe it he yells
"Are YOU F n KIDDING ME!" in his rage he ends the call puts his guitar inside, on the kitchen table, heads to his truck speeds out of his driveway praying he can get to Hotel Roanoke in time!
The whole way he's thinking
'How this Minnix kid is now on his Shit list! No more Mr. Nice Coach with this kid, he would be benched all freaking season. How in the Hell could this kid take the Coach's daughter and think he could get away with something like this. This kids got balls! No! No! This kids is dead!"
Rodney may be a self made bald headed man, but the true temperament, of the color red is all there, his temper is flared beyond seeing straight.
The gold ford truck's breaks are slammed, Rodney tossed the keys to the valet parking person. he slows himself down at the front desk and ask for the Minnix room number. the young man asks, "Are they expecting you?" "Oh Yes she is" he's trying to keep his cool, pressing his lips tight, breathing heavy, for a thick man under extreme pressure.
The Front Desk clerk gives out the room number, with an oblivious smile, he tells the wild man "Oh, it's the Presidential Suite room 712"
Rodney slams his sweaty palm on the counter, "Thank YOU!"
"Ding!"
Like a mad dog on a fox hunt, on the seventh floor scavenging for the right room number, he comes to 712.
He starts banging on the door. "MINNIX!" he didn't give a dam where he was, he was loud. "OPEN THIS DOOR, I KNOW YOUR IN THERE! He bangs again. "MINNIX OPEN THIS DOOR BEFORE I BUST IT DOWN!"
Inside the room she was just about to step into her steaming hot bath. She pulls the hotel robe over her naked body and rushes to the door, she peeks into the looking hole and see's a crazy Rodney White on the other side of the door.
"What in Gods Good name is he doing here?"
He hears the latches and locks come undone, he pushes it open rushing through the threshold, passing her by, yelling,
"Minnix!! Where are you!"
Krissy shuts the door, folds her arms over her chest standing at the door she says "I'm right here."
Rodney confused expecting to see Brian and his daughter in the hotel room. He's looking around, "Where is he? Where is she?" it hasn't sunk in that they weren't there.
Krissy's thinking, its absurd that he is here, acting in this obnoxious manner "What are you doing here Rod?" she shrieks, pulling her robe tight, following him around, as he fiercely searches her hotel suite.
Rodney was moving to quickly, finally she stops following after him, fills her lungs with air and yells, his whole name "Rodney Dukeman White! What the HELL are you doing in my Hotel Room?!" She's demanding to know.
He stops, looks to her standing in front of him, her hair is pulled on top of her head, only wearing a bathrobe, realizing she was probably undressed underneath it. He blushes, She equally blushes. Calmly she asks. "Who are you looking for?" Rodney stumbles over his words he was confused, embarrassed trying to calm himself down, by catching his breath, he says "They told me Brian and Allison were here, in this hotel." Krissy looks over him like he was crazy. "No, that is not right, I am here, Brian is at the dance." She is convinced her son is where he says he is; she moves to the bathroom to get her cell phone off the counter. Coming back into the room, she says "I will call him."
The man tries not to notice how she looks beautiful in that white bathrobe, her dark hair up, out of her face; showing off her neck, and the out line of her jaw. Rodney has never seen a more desirable look on her then she looks tonight.
She calls her son. "Hey Bry, hows everything going?" Yeah, well that is fine, no girls over and everyone stays downstairs away from grandma and grandpa. Love you. See you tomorrow." the mother hangs up "Well, my son is at the dance."
Rodney aggravated, has one hand on his hip, the other runs behind his head.
Krissy questions, "Who told you our kids were together?" Rodney's heart rate was slowing down, his mind was tracing the steps back to what brought him here.
He recalls, "Angie called me from the dance." Kris suggests maybe you should call her.
"Angie." he calls and hears the music in the background. Angie still at the dance,
"Rodney, Where are you?" Angie has an audience of two looking at her probing her for information." You at the hotel, in Ms. Minnix room.!" She repeats what he said. "SNAP!" Ally was thrilled, the plan worked! Angie gave the girls a thumbs up, but now it was time to pay the price for lying. Angie quickly says. "OH! I found her. She's still here. at the dance." Angie, saw her husband coming over to her, she knew she better quickly get off the phone before her husband finds out exactly how she's involved in the girls love connection scheme.
Angie rushes off the phone, "Oh! I have to go, they are getting ready to announce the King. Sorry, Rod, Allison will stay right by my side the rest of the night.!" she cut the phone off.
Matt comes up to his wife and the two girls, "Did I miss something?" Angie's holding her breath in "NO!"
Kirssy waiting for his answer.
Dumbfounded and tense, his shoulders were riding up his neck. He looks at the situation, he thinks how he looks like a maniac banging on the door.
Stress-fully embarrassed, Rodney takes a surveillance of the room, 'he must be interrupting a date,' he thought. "I don't know whats going on, but when I find out whoever did this, they are going to be punished." Rodney looks around the room, he sees a cart of wine glasses and a few beers cooling in a bucket, he formally apologizes
"Ms. Minnix, I am truly sorry for this miss understanding, I'm sure, sorry I've interrupted your plans." Rodney. moves to exit the suite.
Krissy, moves towards his back side, "Wait!" sounding like a plea.
His feet stop moving.
"I think I may know whats going on." she says.
Rodney turns to her, "Please, if you could explain it to me, because I'm lost "
She takes a deep breath, she begins to explain how she got there. "I told Angie, about this weekend," She was weak saying it, looking almost sad, "I won this little get a way for two." Two and half years later it still bothers her to say she is one; she continues to explain to Rodney,
"Only, it's just me." she points to the cart, "I like to drink my beer in a wine glass."
She is alone tonight, as she is every night.
"Angie, has this ridiculous idea." She smiles, at him, then looks to the floor again.
Rodney questions "What?" his shoulders loosen and lower, twisting his neck, wanting to know what she has to say, in almost a whisper he says, "Tell me."
Krissy cuts her eyes to him "IF we" she waves her hands between them. "Had a moment alone, that something might happen."
Rodney was beginning to see how the story is supposed to end, he moves closer to Krissy, Krissy steps closer to him, face to face.
"Like a kiss," he says.
You had to be this intimately close to Rodney's face to know he has freckles, and to notice his speckled green eyes, his body was different, he'd aged well, he was a solid man. The evidence of who he once was twenty something years ago was still there, through his eyes.
His lips wanted to kiss hers, so much more needed to be said; for now the kiss was avoided. Rodney gazes upon the skin of her face, it was ageless and smooth, only a few strands of sliver tracing her crown, led you to believe that time had split them apart.
He looks into her brown eyes, remembers how he had to leave her, so naturally his thick arms wrap around her torso, pulling her into his chest; tightly embraces her. Her body was covered by the hotel bathrobe, her hands went up his back, while her cheek rested on his chest.
Holding on to one another, all the unspoken words that should of been said between them melts away, Rodney and Krissy Kristine once were more then friends, young lovers, they were soulmates.
No time between them could steel a love like that.
Earnestly, Rodney spoke, "I'm so sorry, you lost your husband." Krissy Kristine holding on to him, says "Thank you." and " I'm Sorry I threw my shoes at you."
8
Homecoming weekend came and went, leaving people confused but hopeful; of what could come next.After Coach Rodney White, had his interrogation with his daughter Allison, her best friend Samantha and Samantha's Mother Angie. Angie, the best friends mother pleaded guilty, taking the fall; her reasoning "It was all for the sake of a love."
Rodney had split emotions about the whole set up. He was pretty pissed that Angie used his emotions on such a subject, his daughter, as bait, it made him see that he is not prepared to be a single father of a daughter, his parental radar was off the charts.
Forcing him to open the gates to have a conversation with Allison about, never never never leaving any dance with any boy.
He told her he wouldn't be able to survive an reenactment of that night, again.
On the other hand he was pleased with how he and Kristine had un-threaded the tightly woven knot that was between them.
When Angie met up with Krissy, for coffee Angie knew she would have to beg for forgiveness from the woman.
Sitting at the mom and pop Coffee House, Krissy's hair was wilder then usual today. She seamed less up tight in her position as well, When Angie took her seat across from her friend, immediately Krissy opens on the subject at hand. "Angela she calls her by her real name, oddly I want to thank you, for sending Rodney to the hotel that night.."
Angie is shocked, her entire body was relieved, placing her hand over her heart to check if it was still beating. "OH Thank GOD!, I mean, I was coming with every intention of begging for forgiveness." She picks up two packs of sugar splashing them into her coffee. "Did anything happen.?" she's vigorously stirring her coffee with a straw.
Krissy's brown eyes, gleam as she begins to tell, "Well, it was sweet." Angie picks up two more sugars and pours them into her coffee, closely listening. "Sweet?" she stirs the added sugar."Yeah," Krissy flips the hair from her shoulders, "It was like, we said nothing at all but everything was understood between us."she tells her."AND!" Angie was impatient, waiting for the good stuff, wanting to know if they made out? Kris could tell, Angie wanted juicy details, she laughs at that, continues to say " We didn't even kiss. We just embraced. He said good night, and that was that."
Her coffee was ruined, not by the sugar but by the disappointment, she couldn't even drink it. Krissy could hear Angie's heart brake, in her voice, "He left, No Kiss? No anything?" Angie was deflated, all her efforts to get the two of them together, Alone! and it was a fizzle.Krissy had to cheer her up, "It's better this way," patting her disappointed friends hand, "what ever is supposed to happen, it will just be"; She didn't know what to say, because she didn't know WHAT if anything was ever going to happen, or Not.
Krissy finishes with "it will just be," Looking a little confused herself, she takes a sip from the cup in front of her, "One good thing, though," The single mother, stumbles getting a sentence out. " I, I am considering that I am ready, to meet someone." .
Angie, turns her head gives a half wink to her company across the table, asking
"ARE you SURE?"
Krissy holding her cup over her lips thinks for a minute, then nods, saying
"Yes!"
Angie would take that as something positive coming out of all this. "Alright! Then! Something to work with!" She smiles, finally takes a sip of her coffee. All the sugar in it, makes her face pucker up.
GAME 7 AWAY
No longer fair weather at game seven for the football team, who had a forty five minute drive out side of town to play this AAA team in the Blue Ridge District. Another win for the Valley making there record 7-0 for the season this far.
Tonight after most of the boys were on the bus, Brian's mother Kristine is at the bus door, saying goodbye to her son as he gets on; she begins to walk off. Head coach, Rodney; lags behind, all night he wanted to say something to Kristine, his old high school sweet heart.
After getting everyone on the bus, Krissy got past the bus, Rodney wearing his ball cap and team's sweats does a light jog, calling to her, "KRISTINE". She stops, to see him approaching her, she smiles "Yes?" she bundles up, a chill comes over her, her eyes catch his green eyes, striking her memory, 'a night as cold as this when he was playing and she was his biggest fan, calling out her name to kiss her goodbye before the ride home' she shivers at the thought of his lips to hers. His keen green eyes were once, the culprit making her weak in the knees. to see them now aged, was no different, in-fact, they had become more irresistible to her.
She was smiling, he was smiling; he looks to the ground before looking in her eyes, the lights reflecting from the stadium in her eyes were dazzling, he almost chokes seeing as how pretty she looks bundled up in her coat wearing a knitted hat, under the nights lights, making him swallow down a bunch of nerves, before he asks "Can, I call you sometime?"Surprised, that he would ask her, THIS, AND HERE after a game, in front of the entire football team and staff, she says "Yes, I think I would like that." Rodney says "Good, Ok,.." he hadn't thought about any other words but those. In a effortless way, Krissy says "You can find my number right," her hands are in her coat pockets, she halfway turns in the direction of the bus "Because, it would, look really obvious in front of a bus load of kids, that their coach was getting my number."He smiles and laughs showing all his teeth, looking to the bus. "Yeah , your right." he was smitten. He was pleased, at how well that went, before he walks off he says "I will find your number." he joins his team on the bus.
Her phone was on the corner of her dresser next to her bed, a notification "HARP" sound comes from it, she opens her eyes, thinking 'did i just hear my phone get a text?' looks to her alarm clock it reads 1:33 am. A second "HARP" notification, comes in.
Kristine's, First thoughts are 'where is Brian?' ' he's home upstairs' When she clears her sleepy eyes to read the texts, the first one reads"I FOUND IT!" Rod.
The second one reads"Have breakfast with me" Rod
Surprised and curious she laughs holding the glowing phone in her hands. She text back.
"Glad you found it! Breakfast? Tomorrow /Today?" Krissy
She waits for him to return a message, quickly he comes back with.
"Today, in seven hours, 7 am at the Waffle House......" Rod
"Where are you?" Krissy
"leaving the school now to get home to sleep." Rod
"Is that enough sleep?" Krissy
"YUP!" 7:00 at the Waffle House?...." Rod
She stairs at the blinking cursor Yes or No she taps her finger on the side of her smart phone, types three letters, but stairs before sending. She thinks Oh, Girl, what are you getting into.
SEND
"Yes, but make it 8, meet you there." Krissy
"Its a DATE! See You there!" Rod
She's in her bathroom doing the last minute touches on her hair, her mind can't help but be cluttered with their cherished past; as 17 year olds; Krissy and Rodney adored each other. When she was 17 getting ready to go on a date with him she had butterflies in her stomach, once again 25 years later they are still there.
Seeing his green eyes last night as he asked her if he could call her; the way they looked longing for her lips. She remembers how Rodney White's green eyes made her weak as a young girl and still to this day; they were just as spellbinding.
' What is it about this mans eyes?'
She recalls, last weekend; as they embraced in her hotel, how he his body felt different, thick filled out. How they both resisted the natural desires between a man and a women, because they had to much of a past, to jump into anything with out being cautious. She thought, 'How sweet, Rodney didn't be the opportunist, as he would of been; as a younger man. Instead he left the room.'
She flips her hair, over her shoulders; one more sharp look over herself in the mirror before she heads out of her room.
Krissy is coming out of her basement bedroom, he shocks her, "Brian!" a startled Krissy said. He is standing on the last step.
With a grim look on his face. she asks "Brian whats the matter?" Why are you up so early?"
Her tall 16 year old son holds up his phone, showing his Facebook page, "My Coach was in an accident last night?"
"Who?" Krissy, asks. "Brian tells her "Coach White."
She didn't think about it, she tells him "No, No I am meeting him now for breakfast, at 8, at the waffle house."
She opens their text from earlier this morning. "Look, see it was around 1:30 am when he text me to have breakfast with him." disbelieving that, he had had an accident.
"Mom!" he was in a car accident on his way home from the school. The whole team is going to the hospital, Will you take me?"
She takes his phone in her hand starts reading the news feed,
"Prayers for Coach White." "Coach White hang in there." "We Love you Coach White."
by the third message Kristine's heart sank, this couldn't be, he had just asked her to breakfast, they were going to talk, she was looking forward to seeing him, talking with him. They had so much to catch up on. NO NO NO!' This couldn't happen, This couldn't be the end. She had to see him.
Krissy does her best to hold back an explosion of emotions in front of her son, she looks to a disturbed Brian, tells him "Find out which hospital well go, now."
Hospital elevator doors open, walking through Krissy couldn't help but get a shiver through her body. Hospital hallways remind her of 2 and half years ago; the day she lost Ben, her husband to cancer.
His mother grabs his hand before they walk into the waiting room. Brian stops when he feels her touch. Neither one said anything, they both carry a heavyhearted expression. Each of them remembers a day similar to this.
The mood of the room is bleak and low, familiar parents from the football stadium are standing around, football teammates swarm together; the boys are gathered discussing how and when each one of them herd the news. Unmistakably, it is true; Coach Rodney White was in an accident.
This troubles Krissy's heart, she asks another parent, if they had any news. A father tells her, "All we know is that, he was hit head on and he is in critical condition." then she asks "Is anyone with him?" A another women knows that his mother and daughter are with him.
Taking a seat, Krissy couldn't stop thinking, 'I've known Rodney my whole life. He was my first Love.' tears corner her eyes, her nose begins to dampen. Keeping her eyes down to her phone looking over his text from early this morning. She beings to pray to God
' Well it's me again, I want to thank you for this man. He is my past, he is my first love, he is part of my youth, he is kinda a big deal to me, in away; and my son and all these other boys. Please if you can let him be alright. Oh God, Please.' She pleads with God.
As the hour past and the news broke through social media, the waiting room began to fill with more students, parents, teachers and even the principal of the High School.
No one new anything more; of their beloved head football coach Rodney White, in a accident driving home after the game last night. But Kristine did, it must of been moments after Rodney, text Kristine to have breakfast with him this-morning. Her heart was beating fast, rubbing her forehead, she wanted to see him, to tell him things, talk with her old friend, about where life had taken her, after he left her standing in his gravel of dust that summer they graduated high-school. She wanted to tell him how much she missed him and how she was hurt by the way he left her. Kristine wanted to explain how and why she move on. There was a pressing feeling in her to tell him these things. But now that this has happened, Kristine just wanted to see him, look into his eyes one more time and feel what Rodney White had always made her feel. Weak, Wanted and Loved.
When a crowd of women all having the same black as night hair comes through the door, shuffled behind them is the Assistant Football Coach, Matt Lowe. His wife, Angie is holding hands with their daughters, they all looked sleepless. Coach Lowe is holding 5 year old, Beth, his youngest daughter in his arms.
The family had been with Rodney all night. Brian moves to his mother's side. The rooms attention was now on Matt and his family.
Matt begins to give a update.
"I've been with Coach Rod's family" Matt is the spokes person for the family of three. "They want to thank you all for coming, and supporting Rodney at this time." Convincing the audience how grateful the family is to have their love and support. "They want me to tell you what happened." He gives the report the police gave them. "Rodney left the office around 1:40 am last night; after the game" Betty, Rodney's mother wanted the people to know from the source what has happen. "On his way home; a driver from the other side of the road crossed over, and hit his car head on." He swallows to wet his dry throat. Matt looks grim informing them, "The doctors put him in a coma because of the damage, We wont know for a few days the extent of this damage." The crowd was tight lip "The family says at this point their IS NOTHING we can do but wait." He pauses, then tells the dismal crowd "It would be best for you all to go on home and PRAY."
They were the last two to leave the waiting room. Matt stayed behind shaking everyone's hand, patting the kids on the back, thanking everyone who came to the hospital. As the crowd vanishes, Krissy and her son Brian were the last.
Matt takes her hand in his and offers to Krissy, "Would you like to see him." Her eyes watered down, a grateful smile corners her lips. "Yes" barely any air coming from her mouth, it was as if it the question was on the tip of her tongue to ask Matt.
Matt lead them the way, he explains. "His mother and daughter haven't left his side, we've all been here all night." Matt's gray shows in his facial hair, the lines around his eyes, thicker then usual reveal his restless night. Matt looks to the pair in front of him and warns. "Rodney doesn't look the same. It looks like someone else in there" Kristine looks at her son, she holds his face in her hand, she suggest, "You don't have to go in, you can stay out."Brian, agrees, to stay behind.
Matt let Kristine go in herself. Inside the small room sitting on the opposite side of the medical bed, is someone Kristine March Minnix hasn't seen in over twenty years, Betty, Rodney's mother. She's with Ally in her lap.
Both Ally and Betty are surprised to see Kristine, Rodney's high school sweetheart enter the room. They all three come together, Kristine reaches her arms around the women. "Hello" Says Kristine. Betty, holding strong for a weary Ally, is relieved to see a familiar face. Betty smiles, says "Kristine it's been a long time, thank you for coming." the mother says as brave and thankful as she could be in this moment. Ally, says "You came, to see my dad." The tiny redhead girl looks emotionally stressed. Matt had told her they had been here all night, Kristine whispers to Ally, "Brian is standing right outside the door." Ally looks at her grandmother, as if to ask would it be alright to leave the room. Betty assures the young girl, "Go on, you need a break."
Tiresome, Betty begins to explain her son's injuries. Kristine looks to the man in the bed, his shape was bulging out from that hospital bed, only his face, he didn't look familiar. It couldn't be, the man she saw last night standing in the parking lot, with his dancing green eyes; asking if he could call her. Where is the resemblance of the man the night before. she moves closer, to his face, she wanted to see if it was some body else, this couldn't be her Rodney White. She got even closer.
Betty can't remember it all, what she can recall all seams unfathomable, "his brain is swollen, his ribs broken, a collapsed lung." the old woman puts her hand to her chest, as it hurts to tell of all the things broken in her son, trying to remember, she continues "His shoulders were both fractured or something like that" Kristine could hear the fear in Betty's voice. Kristine study's his features on his face, see's the red tint on his facial whiskers and the freckles on the bridge of his nose, she recognized his jaw. In all disappointment, she drops her shoulders, Kristine couldn't bear the sight, his eyes swollen shut, her own eyes water downs her cheeks as she finally believes.
It was him, there was still enough of him to recognize, indeed Rodney White and Kristine would not have a second chance at love. Her heart sank. She felt if she could do anything she would be here by his side to the end.
Kristine looks to Betty, "I could stay. If you want to take Ally to get something to eat, I will sit with him."Ally was out side the room, embraced in Brian Minnix arm's. Just a few weeks ago both Brian and Ally had plotted to reunite her father and Brian's mother; the old high school sweethearts together. Never would anyone imagine that this would be the way or the day this would happen.
Brian new all to well what it was like to lose a father, all he could do was hold his friend in his arms and let her cry. Not a word needed to be between them.
Betty comes out of the room, she turns to Rodney's best friend, Matt; who's been there not just today in the families hour of need; but for, well Rodney's whole life, she says "Thank you for everything, you go on home and get some sleep, I will call you if anything changes." Matt embraces Betty before he leaves. Betty asks the kids if they were hungry, and takes them to get something to eat.
The day was atrocious for both Kristine, her son Brian and the entire community. The night was settling in everyone was staying update on their social media about their teacher, coach and friend.
Kristine had a nervous tick about her, she vacuums when things get out of focus. Downstairs in her parents house she uncovers the old sears upright vacuum, vigorously she stars in the den, vacuuming without thought, it was the motions of pushing something that gave her relief when things got nerving in her life. knocking the remote off the coffee table with the vacuum pushing it under the couch, "DANG IT" it was a word she says when she was bothered by a situation. She had to stop the vacuum, put it aside move the table, lay on the floor, her arm searches under the couch to find the remote.
She pulls a envelope from out under the couch. Its addressed to
Krissy March. Postage stamp date reads
SEPT 29 1989
The return address was Rodney's.
Kristine was mesmerized, how did this letter get here? It had never been opened. How did I miss this letter. she flips back to front and thinks back September 29th, she had already left for collage. Realizing this must of come after she left for collage, that was why it was never opened.
Flipping the 27 year old letter over, she opens it.
It is written in blue ink, Rodney's handwriting.
Kirssy remembers how in June she received weekly letters and how by July they stopped coming.
This one, was Rod's last love letter to her, sealed away for 27 years, a letter that she never knew of until now, today on the day Rodney's life teeters on living or dying. Closing her he eyes as the discovery of what his lost love letter will say.
Kristine, I know it's been a few weeks that I have written to you, I am sorry for that. My mother said my father is real sick and suggests I better come home. In a way I am relieved to hear that I am needed at home. I am not exactly sure what is going on with my dad but it must be bad if my mother needs me there. The band seams to be braking up anyway. No one wants to go any farther out, everyone is arguing, were all done with this.
Krissy, this time away form you has made me realize, how much I love you. I want to come home, I want us to be together. You are the one I want, more than any music dream. I don't want to spend another day living with out you. I don't need music as much as I need you.. I am sorry it took me this long to figure this out. I am coming home, I want us to be together in the end , till the end of time.
Please wait for me, I will wait for you forever.
Love you forever Rodney.
His last love letter was finally delivered, the timing was more perfect now then it would of been all those years ago. She cries reading his words, 'the thought of Rodney wanting to be together in the end. Was he saying he wanted to marry her? Was this the puzzle piece that was missing all these years, why; Rodney never married anyone. He has been waiting for Kristine, the girl he loved in high school, and possible been holding on to all these years?
This weighs heavy on her, more now then it would of 27 years ago. Coming home has not been easy for Kristine, opening the box of memories has flooded her heart with things she thought she left behind for good.
Sitting on the carpet, Kristine beings to pray loudly to God, "GOD I did love this man, And I might still Love this man. No, I take that back, I have ALWAYS LOVED this Man. IS there anyway we can keep him here with us? Please God." Cries Kristine.
Sunday Services all around the county were full. Everyone in the community must have gone to church to pray for the dearly loved coach, Rodney White. Who yesterday was in critical condition.
After her Sunday Service she was at Rodney's bedside, Kristine couldn't stay away. She had the room to herself, his mother Betty and his daughter Allison, Ally; they had been there all night they needed relief .
Staring at him, watching the breathing tubes. The sound in the room is that of a beep beep, monitoring his vitals. His eyes swollen, with bruises under them. It seamed unfair, that he was lying there unresponsive. The other night Rodney had surprised her, finding her number and texting her to have breakfast with him.
She wouldn't know if he could hear her bravely, she speaks to him, "Rodney, it's me Krissy." Tears fill the brims of her brown eyes, "Now you listen to me. You have a whole lot of people who need you. Ally, your mom, your team, your team needs you. That includes my Brian. The kids all need you Rod." Krissy takes his hand in hers. She puts her lips to his hand, "Please, Please don't leave."
It wasn't enough time, time alone with him Betty and Alllison returned to the room. Krissy stands up, wipes her eyes. Betty asks, "Kristine, would you mind coming back tonight so that I can take Ally home and do a few thing there?" the grandmother looks to her granddaughter, both looking exhausted. "We just don't want to leave him alone." Betty confides to Kristine.
Kristine, looks to Ally, who once had hoped that her father and Kristine could rekindle their romance. All of Ally's hope for her father to fine love, has suddenly fallen wayside, she was more concerned with her father waking up and having him come back home. She's been emotionally overwhelmed for giving him such a hard time these days. If she had known something like this would happen, she would of never been made at him.
Concerned for everyone in the room, Kristine says "Yes, Yes, I can do that, that would be fine. I would be happy to." She takes her pocketbook and leaves the room.
Ally follows her out, "Ms. Minnix." The woman turns around pulling the strap of her pocketbook over her shoulder, with much discomfort in her heart she ask "What is it, Ally?"
Ally, stands in her place, numb to whats going on around her in her 15 year old life, tells the woman. "It was me, I sent my father to your hotel room that night." his daughter confesses. "My dad has never let anyone in that close, I never knew why." Ally had learned of her father's truth, from Angie, Samantha's mother, "When he saw that you came back in town, I could see it." Ally uses the hospital wall to hold her broken heart before her legs give way and she crumbles.
Kristine, eases her way closer to the faint girl, asks "See what?"
Ally is looking to the ground, her hair has fallen around her face, hiding the tears. she sniffles and looks to Kristine; who is now standing in front of her. Ally's green eyes were like her fathers, Krissy's heart was aching, now she knew how much Rodney did love her; from the lost letter she found last night. Braking for this daughter who already didn't have mother, and possibly now might loose her father.
Ally tells her "I was wrong, there has been more then me and football that he loves," the girl wipes her wet face on her sleeve, "He Loves you and he has for a long time." he's happier"
Weak, hearing this from Rodney's daughter, Kristine embraces the child. Ally cries on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being mad at him." Ally cries, "I need him to know." Hugging the girl she calms her "You will, You can, He's still here. You can tell him." Ally cries again, "I can't loose him. He's all I got." Silently Kristine cries holding Ally. She breaks apart from the girl."Listen to me, He loves you very much. You are the world to him. He is still here, You go and tell him, tell him you love him. He can hear you."
Ally wipes her face, "Are you sure?" Kristine knew one thing, for sure Rodney hadn't checked out yet, as long as those beep beeps were going, that somewhere Rodney was in there.
"Alright," Ally put on a brave face for her grandmother. "I will." Before she goes back through the door of her father's hospital room, she looks to Kristine for courage; Ally heads into the room.
She was in the hospital Chapel, after that. Praying, believing God wouldn't leave Allison's side, giving her peace, courage and grace.. Praying for Rodney to come through this. Praying for her own restoration in God, criticizing him with how he already taken one man she loved away from her. Why would he need another man that so many people need, including her son Brian.
After dinner she went back to the hospital.
Krissy, made the time to sit beside Rodney tonight, giving his mother and his daughter a much needed break.
At the head of the bed she notices the swelling had gone down in his face, Rodney was recognizable. Her lips were so close to his ears, gently tells the unconscious man, "You are looking a lot better." stroking his forehead. Talking to Rodney like he is awake, "Your mom and Ally, went home. if you don't mind I am going to stay with you for a while."
Krissy, sees a cell phone on the small table next to his bed.Picking it up, the light came on. It surprised her to see it had battery left in it. She looks at him suspiciously asks, "Who's is this?" looking at him, wishing he could speak to her.
The woman's mind floods, so many questions, 'If they had kissed the other night, in the hotel, when he came pounding on her door. Why didn't he kiss her? Her stair, on his lifeless body. It pained Kristine to see, her highschool sweetheart's life in the balance, between life and death.
She see's them as teenagers, how once Rodney White was always on her mind from the moment she woke up until she fell a sleep talking to him on her phone, in her pink bedroom. Krissy remembers, how she loved Rodney when they were seventeen. Every teenage memory she has, has this man plastered in them all.
The best parts were how they would sneak out, to meet each other in the dark at the end of the street. She kept every one of his love letters, and the last one she found and opened 25 years, to late. She felt they have to much history, for it to end like this. It couldn't.
Their circumstances led them down different paths; life took them separate ways to suddenly U turn them, back together; would it be for only this brief moment, leaving everything unsaid, undone for their story? This is unfair Would there never be closure for them? This was painful.
Her fingers graze across the glass of the cell phone, it opens. Chills crawl on her skin, it wasn't locked. It was unbelievable; what she saw, HER name Krissy in text. IT WAS HIS cell phone; still open, to their text form the night before. She reads his words,"IT'S A DATE!"
Her heart sank, he body aches. He was excited to find her number, how he looked the last night she saw him, shy, a bundle of nervous, he almost chocked trying to ask her out. How could this happen, she thinks as the tears pour from her eyes, she leans over to his side of the bed, "Rodney," she begs him "you can't leave me a second time! You have to come back. We have to have that date. We have to talk, talk about the last 25 years. Rodney, Rod" She gasp for air looks up to the ceiling praying, in her mind 'God, Please let him be alright! Please let him stay with us.
She had to leave the room, she needed to step away, just for a minute, water, a sip of water was on her mind. Collecting herself, gathering her thoughts she looks for a water fountain or machine. She puts her two dollars in the machine, the staff was light at the counter, the cleaning crew was in the hallways.
Kristine stands waiting for the water bottle to be dispensed, rolling her neck on her shoulders. the water bottle is delivered, standing in front of the vending machine she breaks the cap's seal; takes one refreshing swig. A second rather long swallow, she opens her eyes, in her sight, holding the water bottle up, there is a cleaning person bopping and mouth singing, with his headphones in his ears, as he tosses sheets in his laundry basket.
Kristine hurry's back to the room. She picks up his phone, looking at the apps for anything music. She finds his play list of music, the life of the battery says 20% her mind was racing, racing against time, and battery life.....
With no headphones, she plays the first song on the list. It was something she wasn't familiar with. The singer sings how he loved her for 100 years. How he's been living with her in his dreams. It was a sad love song, a love song pleading how one man has loved one woman for all time. Kristine cry's amazed how the words of that song has grabbed her heart. The almost 4 minute song was over. She plays the next one, it was from the 80's she remembers, the lyrics singing along.
Playing his play list, for him; hoping, watching and wanting his music to be his trigger; getting him back, back home to his family, his life, his team, his friends and to come back for their date.
The music uses up the rest of the battery life of the phone. She places the phone back in the spot she found it.
From her own cell phone, Krissy text her son, Brian, an update on the teams coach.
Rodney's fingers begin to twitch, she didn't see it, going back over her text with Rodney the night of the accident.
When his fingers start jumping, the movement was big enough that the motions caught her eye. She waited to see if it was real.All five fingers, jump. It is real.
Her attention was to his bed side, she grabs his hand, "Rodney." softly she says. "Rodney, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand." she keeps her hand in his. She waits. Nothing.
Not giving up on him, their history, their second chance, she touches his face, pushing him "Come on Rod, it's me, Kristine, I am here. I am waiting for you. This time I am not letting go." her hand runs over the shadow of his beard; closer she gets to his ear, whispering
"Squeeze, my hand, if you still Love me, and want to go out on a date with me."
With her hand in his, he squeezes, HARD!.
Krissy has a deep sigh of relief come from her belly, laughing to tears she responds to him
"Me too. Me too." She kisses his hand.
THE END.
Kristine March Minnix By: JoAnne Robinson 2016.......
2016 Kristine March Minnix By JoAnne Robinson
