Chronicle 6
“The Big Man On Campus: Waiting”
1980,
Provo, Utah Province, Republic of Cascadia
Thomas Rydell had decided his ankle was fine.
Nobody else agreed.
“It feels fine.”
Chloe looked at the enormous swollen thing sitting on two
pillows at the end of his hospital bed.
“No, it doesn't.”
“It feels better.”
“That isn't the same thing.”
“It barely hurts.”
“You screamed when the nurse touched it.”
“She surprised me.”
Joey looked at Keisha.
Keisha looked at Joey.
Neither said anything.
Thomas frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing,” said Joey.
“You're both looking at me.”
“We're looking at your ankle,” said Keisha.
Thomas looked at it too.
His right ankle was wrapped tightly and elevated on several
pillows. It looked considerably less impressive than he thought a football
injury should look.
There were no wires.
No pulleys.
Nothing hanging from the ceiling.
He had been expecting something more elaborate.
“Why isn't it hanging?”
Chloe looked at him.
“What?”
“My leg.”
“What about it?”
“Shouldn't it be hanging?”
“From what?”
“The ceiling.”
Joey started laughing.
Thomas pointed upwards.
“You know what I mean. They put your leg up and there's
wires and stuff.”
“Wires?” said Keisha.
“Yeah.”
Chloe stared at him.
“Tommy, where have you seen this?”
“TV.”
That made Joey laugh harder.
“What?”
“You think the hospital forgot to hang you from the ceiling
because you saw it on TV?”
“I don't know how hospitals work.”
“Apparently.”
Thomas folded his arms.
“I think I could play.”
All three girls looked at him.
Thomas looked back.
“What?”
Chloe leaned forward in her chair.
“You're in the hospital.”
“So?”
“Your ankle is the size of a grapefruit.”
“It is not.”
Keisha looked at it.
“Small grapefruit.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn't helping you.”
Thomas looked back towards the television mounted against
the wall.
“I could play.”
“You couldn't walk into the hospital,” said Chloe.
“I was tired.”
“You were in a wheelchair.”
“Exactly.”
Joey laughed again.
Thomas had accumulated considerably more stuff since
arriving.
There were flowers from his parents.
Flowers from Chloe's parents.
A gift basket from several Crestview players.
Another basket from the cheerleaders.
Three balloons floated beside the window.
GET WELL SOON!
YOU'LL BE BACK!
The third said:
WALK IT OFF!
Someone had crossed out WALK and written HOP.
Thomas suspected Keisha.
Keisha had denied everything.
Poorly.
There was a knock against the open door.
Thomas looked over.
Cody Dampier stood there holding an enormous basket.
“Oh, good,” said Thomas. “The enemy.”
Cody smiled.
“Can I come in?”
“No.”
“Tommy,” said Chloe.
“Fine.”
Cody entered.
He was no longer wearing his Christ the Savior uniform. He
had changed into jeans and a Broncos shirt, although he still looked almost as
tired as Thomas felt.
He put the basket on the table.
Thomas stared at it.
“What is all that?”
“Reading material.”
Thomas looked inside.
Comic books.
Football magazines.
Car magazines.
A couple of newspapers.
Something Cody quickly pushed underneath everything else.
“…and some magazines no one needs to know how you got.”
He winked.
Chloe immediately leaned towards the basket.
“What magazines?”
Cody pulled it away.
“No.”
“What magazines?”
“Nothing.”
Joey got up.
“I want to see.”
“No.”
Keisha got up too.
Cody backed away.
“They're for Thomas.”
Thomas grinned.
“I like him.”
Chloe pointed at him.
“You're injured. Don't make me injure you again.”
Thomas stopped grinning.
Cody shoved the basket safely beside the bed.
“There. Private property.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
Thomas pulled the blanket slightly farther over himself.
“How's the ankle?”
“Fine.”
“No, it isn't,” said Chloe.
Thomas sighed.
“Better.”
Cody looked towards the pillows.
“They say anything?”
“No fracture.”
“Oh, good.”
“I think.”
Cody frowned.
“You think?”
“They said there's no fracture.”
“That's good.”
“That's what I thought.”
Thomas looked at Chloe.
“See?”
“You still can't play football.”
“I could.”
“No.”
Cody laughed.
Thomas pointed at him.
“You're supposed to be on my side now.”
“I intercepted you. I was never on your side.”
“Fair.”
Someone appeared in the doorway behind him.
Cody stopped smiling.
Thomas noticed.
Then Chloe did.
Xavier Dickinson stood in the hallway.
For several seconds, nobody said anything.
Xavier wasn't smiling.
He wasn't wearing his uniform either. He had changed into a
button-up shirt and jeans. His hands were shoved into his pockets.
He looked at Thomas.
Then Chloe.
Then Cody.
Then back at Thomas.
“Can I come in?”
Thomas hesitated.
Chloe looked at him.
Thomas looked towards his ankle.
Then back at Xavier.
“Yeah.”
Xavier stepped inside.
He had an envelope tucked beneath one arm.
Nobody offered him a chair.
Xavier didn't ask for one.
He took the envelope and held it out towards Thomas.
“This is for you.”
Thomas accepted it.
The envelope was thick.
“What is it?”
“An apology.”
Thomas looked at the envelope.
Then at Xavier.
“You wrote me an apology?”
“I wrote everybody an apology.”
Xavier swallowed.
“I figured I should come say it too.”
Nobody spoke.
“…but I wrote it down in case I screw this up.”
Joey sat back down.
Xavier looked towards the floor.
“...and nobody made me come.”
Cody leaned against the wall.
Xavier noticed.
“I mean it.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“I know.”
Xavier took a breath.
“I'm sorry.”
Thomas waited.
Xavier apparently had more.
“I was a very, very, very stupid idiot.”
Keisha raised an eyebrow.
“That's a lot of verys.”
“I know.”
“You might need another one.”
“Keisha,” said Chloe.
“What?”
Xavier nodded.
“No, she's right.”
Keisha hadn't expected that.
Xavier looked at Thomas.
“I shouldn't have hit you. Especially from behind. That was
cheap.”
Thomas didn't respond.
“I was mad and I was embarrassed and I wanted to hurt you.”
He looked at the ankle.
“…and I did.”
Thomas shifted slightly.
Xavier looked towards Chloe.
“...and I shouldn't have bothered you either. You said no. I
should've left you alone.”
Chloe's expression softened slightly.
“You really should've.”
“I know.”
“You were being an ass.”
“I know.”
“You wouldn't stop.”
“I know.”
“…and I was joking about the date.”
“I know that now.”
“I told you that then.”
Xavier looked embarrassed.
“I know.”
Chloe nodded.
That apparently settled her portion of it.
Xavier turned towards Cody.
“…and I'm sorry to you too.”
Cody blinked.
“Me?”
“You had to get involved.”
“You were beating up a freshman.”
“I know.”
“You started a fight after we won.”
“I know.”
“You made all of us look like idiots.”
“I know.”
Cody paused.
“Okay.”
Xavier looked down again.
“I'll take whatever happens.”
Thomas frowned.
“What happens?”
“School suspension. Team suspension. Whatever Coach does.”
His shoulders dropped.
“I probably deserve all of it.”
“You probably do,” said Cody.
“Cody,” said Chloe.
“What? He said it.”
“I do.”
Xavier looked towards the window.
“I don't even know if I should be allowed to wear the Christ
the Savior jersey anymore.”
Cody stared at him.
“Okay.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
“I don't know if I'm worthy of being a football player.”
Thomas glanced at Chloe.
Chloe glanced at Thomas.
Xavier continued.
“God probably has a very poor opinion of me right now.”
Cody closed his eyes.
“Xavier.”
“What?”
“You tackled a guy after a football game.”
“I know.”
“You didn't murder anybody.”
“I know that.”
“God probably has other things going on.”
Joey covered her mouth.
Thomas tried not to laugh.
He failed.
Xavier looked at him.
“Sorry.”
“No. It's fine.”
Thomas laughed again.
It hurt considerably less than his ankle.
Xavier finally smiled a little.
Then the smile disappeared.
“There isn't an excuse.”
Nobody interrupted.
“I just wanted to have some fun and I took it too far.”
Chloe watched him.
Xavier rubbed the back of his neck.
“I've been kind of messed up lately.”
Cody straightened.
“Because of Monique?”
Xavier looked at him.
Thomas looked between them.
“Who's Monique?”
“My girlfriend.”
Cody shook his head.
“Ex-girlfriend.”
Xavier's face fell.
“Yeah.”
Chloe frowned.
“When did you break up?”
“Summer.”
“How long were you together?”
Xavier thought.
“Since pretty much the beginning of freshman year.”
Joey's eyebrows rose.
“You've been dating her for two years?”
“Almost.”
“…and she broke up with you this summer?”
Xavier nodded.
Thomas looked at him.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Chloe frowned.
“What do you mean you don't know?”
“She didn't tell me.”
“She just broke up with you?”
“She said she didn't want to do the relationship anymore.”
Chloe stared at him.
“That was it?”
“Pretty much.”
Xavier shoved his hands back into his pockets.
“I asked why. I asked if I did something. I asked what I
could fix. She just kept saying she didn't want to do it anymore.”
His voice had gotten quieter.
“She won't answer my calls now.”
Nobody said anything.
“I wrote her.”
“Did she write back?” asked Chloe.
Xavier shook his head.
“I miss her every day.”
Thomas watched Chloe's expression change completely.
She felt sorry for him.
Of course she did.
Thomas knew that expression.
He had seen it since they were six.
Xavier looked at Chloe.
“I think maybe that's why I got so stupid about you.”
Chloe blinked.
“What?”
“I don't mean because I like you better than her.”
“Good.”
Thomas smiled.
Xavier noticed.
“No offence.”
“Some taken.”
“Tommy.”
“What?”
Xavier continued.
“I think I just wanted a girl to look at me again.”
That wiped the smile from Thomas's face.
Xavier looked embarrassed saying it.
“I wanted you to say yes. Then when you didn't, I kept
pushing because I wanted you to say yes even more.”
He shook his head.
“Which is stupid.”
“Yes,” said Chloe.
“I know.”
“...and creepy.”
“I know.”
“...and then you attacked my boyfriend.”
“I know.”
Chloe folded her arms.
Xavier waited.
Then Chloe sighed.
“...but I'm sorry about Monique.”
Xavier looked at her.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“You don't have to be.”
“I know.”
Xavier nodded.
“Thanks.”
A nurse appeared in the doorway.
“All right.”
Everyone looked at her.
She pointed towards Thomas.
“I need him.”
Chloe frowned.
“For what?”
“More tests.”
Thomas looked at his ankle.
“More?”
“Yes.”
“...but there's no fracture.”
“We're still checking everything else.”
Thomas sighed.
The nurse wheeled a chair into the room.
“You can all wait here, but we're probably going to be a
while.”
Joey looked at the clock.
The nurse noticed.
“Cafeteria's still open.”
Keisha immediately stood.
“Food.”
Joey stood with her.
“You ate like an hour ago.”
“I've been emotionally supporting people.”
“That burns calories?”
“It does when I do it.”
Cody grabbed the basket before Chloe could investigate it.
“I'm coming.”
“You're leaving that,” said Thomas.
“No.”
“Those are mine.”
“I'll bring it back.”
“You better.”
The nurse lowered Thomas's leg carefully from the pillows.
He winced.
Chloe immediately looked at him.
“I thought it barely hurt.”
“Shut up.”
She smiled.
Xavier started towards the door.
“Hey.”
He stopped.
Chloe walked over and hugged him.
Xavier froze.
Completely.
His arms remained at his sides for several seconds before he
awkwardly hugged her back.
“I'll buy you dinner,” she said.
Xavier stared at her after she released him.
“What?”
“Come on.”
He looked at Thomas.
Thomas stared back.
Xavier pointed towards Chloe.
“Is that allowed?”
Thomas blinked.
“What?”
“Her buying me dinner.”
Chloe put her hands on her hips.
Thomas looked at her.
Then at Xavier.
Then back at Chloe.
“I'm not going to tell Chloe what she can and can't do.”
Chloe smiled triumphantly.
Thomas raised a finger.
“However.”
Her smile disappeared.
“Keep it friendly.”
Chloe stuck her tongue out at him.
Thomas smiled.
Xavier laughed.
“I can do friendly.”
“You better.”
“I learned my lesson.”
Cody opened the door wider.
“Come on before the cafeteria closes.”
They began filing out.
Chloe stopped beside Thomas long enough to kiss him.
“I'll be here when you get back.”
“Okay.”
She kissed him again.
Then followed the others.
Thomas watched Xavier walking beside her.
Xavier glanced back.
Thomas pointed two fingers at his own eyes.
Then pointed them at Xavier.
Xavier laughed and raised both hands.
The nurse saw the entire exchange.
“Are you done?”
Thomas settled back into the wheelchair.
“Yeah.”
She started pushing him into the hallway.
Thomas looked back towards his hospital room.
Flowers.
Balloons.
Gift baskets.
One suspicious basket of magazines Cody had apparently
decided required armed protection.
His football uniform was folded on a chair.
His swollen ankle rested in front of him.
No fracture.
Whatever that meant.
Thomas looked down at it.
“So when can I play football again?”
The nurse kept pushing.
“Ask the doctor.”
“I did.”
“What did he say?”
“To wait.”
The nurse smiled.
Thomas frowned.
He was beginning to hate that word.
The hospital cafeteria wasn't very busy.
Chloe walked down the hallway with one arm wrapped around
Xavier.
Xavier still seemed unsure what to do about this.
He had eventually put his arm loosely around her shoulders,
but every few steps he glanced down at her as though expecting her to remember
what he had done and move away.
She didn't.
Joey noticed.
She leaned towards Keisha.
“Is that too friendly?”
Chloe heard her.
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Chloe looked up at Xavier.
“He needs to know his friends love him.”
She emphasized the word.
Then she gave Xavier a small squeeze.
Xavier's face turned red.
Cody noticed.
“Oh, by Jove.”
“What?” asked Xavier.
“Nothing.”
“I'm sorry,” said Xavier.
Chloe stopped walking.
“What are you apologizing for now?”
“I don't know.”
“Then stop.”
Xavier nodded.
“Sorry.”
Joey laughed.
Xavier closed his eyes.
“Right.”
Chloe squeezed him again.
“Come on.”
They reached the cafeteria.
It was still open, but only barely. Several of the tables
had already been wiped down and most of the people inside appeared to be
hospital employees.
Chloe grabbed a tray.
“What do you want?”
Xavier grabbed another.
“I can pay for myself.”
“No.”
“I have money.”
“I said I'd buy you dinner.”
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
Xavier stared at her.
Chloe stared back.
“I can buy my own dinner.”
“No.”
“Chloe.”
“Xavier.”
He looked at Cody.
Cody immediately turned away.
“Nope.”
“What?”
“I'm staying out of this.”
Xavier looked at Joey.
Joey shook her head.
“You're not winning.”
Keisha grabbed her own tray.
“You should've learned that already.”
Xavier sighed.
“Fine.”
Chloe smiled.
“What do you want?”
He looked over the cafeteria selections.
“A hamburger.”
“Okay.”
“...and fries.”
“Okay.”
“...and a Coke.”
“Okay.”
He hesitated.
“Can I get dessert?”
Chloe laughed.
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
He picked up a slice of chocolate cake.
Chloe looked at him.
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Xavier looked at the tray.
Then at Chloe.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
Keisha appeared beside them carrying a plate of tacos.
Joey stopped.
She looked at the tacos.
Then at Keisha.
Keisha looked at her.
Joey grinned.
“Think those are gonna sit better than the last ones you
had?”
Keisha immediately started giggling.
Joey did too.
Cody frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing,” said Keisha.
“What happened with the last tacos?”
“Nothing.”
Xavier looked between them.
“Were they bad?”
“No,” said Joey.
That made Keisha laugh harder.
Cody stared.
“I don't get it.”
“You're not supposed to,” said Keisha.
“What happened?”
Joey and Keisha looked at each other.
Their smiles widened.
“Nope,” said Joey.
“Never,” said Keisha.
They walked away.
Cody watched them.
“What the hell happened with the tacos?”
Neither answered.
Xavier shrugged.
“Girls.”
Chloe slapped his arm.
“Ow.”
“You deserved that one.”
“Probably.”
They found a table.
Chloe sat beside Xavier.
Joey and Keisha sat across from them. Cody pulled another
chair over and sat at the end.
For the first few minutes, everyone ate.
Xavier ate quickly.
Chloe noticed.
“Hungry?”
“Yeah.”
“Didn't you eat before the game?”
“Hours ago.”
He took another bite of his hamburger.
Chloe looked at Cody.
Cody was already halfway through his fries.
Apparently football made everyone starving.
She looked back at Xavier.
“Why do you play?”
Xavier stopped chewing.
“What?”
“Football.”
He swallowed.
“Why do I play football?”
“Yeah.”
Xavier looked at her as though the answer were obvious.
“NFL.”
Chloe laughed.
“That's it?”
“Pretty much.”
“You want to play in the NFL?”
“Of course.”
Cody nodded.
“Everybody does.”
“Tommy does.”
“See?”
Chloe stole one of Xavier's fries.
He noticed.
He didn't object.
“Do you obsess about football games like Tommy does?”
Xavier smiled.
“Yes.”
Chloe sighed.
“...but nobody obsesses like Cody.”
Cody looked up.
“What?”
Xavier pointed at him.
“This guy can watch the same game four times.”
Chloe blinked.
“The same game?”
“Yep.”
“In a row.”
Joey stopped eating.
“Why?”
Cody shrugged.
“I miss things.”
“Four times?” asked Chloe.
“Different things.”
Xavier nodded.
“First time he watches the game.”
Cody sighed.
“Here we go.”
“Second time he watches the defence.”
“I don't-”
“Third time he watches blocking.”
“Sometimes.”
“Fourth time I don't even know what he's watching.”
“Everything else.”
Xavier pointed at him.
“See?”
Keisha looked at Cody.
“That's weird.”
“Thank you.”
Cody went back to eating.
Xavier smiled.
“I don't know if I'll make it.”
Chloe looked at him.
“To the NFL?”
“Yeah.”
He shrugged.
“I think I'm good.”
“You are,” said Cody.
“I'm not that good.”
“You returned the opening kickoff.”
“Yeah.”
“...and almost had another one.”
“Yeah.”
Xavier took another bite.
“...but there's lots of guys better than me.”
He pointed at Cody.
“He'll make it.”
Cody rolled his eyes.
“No.”
“You will.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know you're really good.”
“So are you.”
“Not like you.”
Cody shook his head.
“Stop.”
Joey looked at Cody.
“He did kind of know everything Tommy was going to do.”
“Almost everything,” said Cody.
“You intercepted him.”
“Once.”
“You were watching him all game.”
“That's my job.”
Xavier laughed.
“He does this.”
Cody looked at him.
“What?”
“Pretends he's not good.”
“I don't pretend I'm not good.”
“You're really good.”
“I know I'm good.”
Everyone stared at him.
Cody paused.
“…but I'm not that good.”
Xavier pointed at him again.
“That.”
Chloe smiled.
“Tommy's thought about what happens if he doesn't make it.”
Xavier looked at her.
“What does he want to do?”
“He doesn't know.”
“Oh.”
“He knows he wants to play football. He doesn't know what
happens if he can't.”
Xavier nodded.
Chloe took another fry.
“What about you?”
Xavier looked down at his hamburger.
“I've thought about it.”
“What would you do?”
“Wrestling.”
Nobody spoke.
Xavier looked up.
Everyone was staring at him.
“What?”
Joey blinked.
“Wrestling?”
“Yeah.”
Keisha frowned.
“Like wrestling wrestling?”
“Yes.”
Cody leaned back.
“You want to be a wrestler?”
“Professional wrestler.”
There was another silence.
Xavier looked around the table.
“What?”
Chloe tried to understand.
“So you'd wrestle people?”
“Yeah.”
“For money?”
“Yeah.”
“In front of people?”
“That's usually how it works.”
Joey looked at Keisha.
Keisha looked at Joey.
Xavier frowned.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Cody laughed.
“Because you want to be a wrestler.”
“So?”
“That's a carnival sideshow.”
“It is not.”
“Name one wrestler.”
Xavier stared at him.
“What?”
“Name one wrestler right now.”
Xavier put down his hamburger.
“Ric Flair.”
Blank faces.
“Hulk Hogan.”
Nothing.
“Bruno Sammartino.”
Nothing.
“Andre the Giant.”
Chloe frowned.
“Is he actually a giant?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
“Dusty Rhodes.”
Nothing.
“Harley Race.”
Nothing.
“Bob Backlund.”
Nothing.
“Jimmy Snuka.”
Nothing.
Xavier looked around the table in disbelief.
“Are you serious?”
Cody shrugged.
“Never heard of any of them.”
“Ric Flair?”
“No.”
“Andre the Giant?”
“No.”
“Bruno Sammartino?”
“No.”
Joey shook her head.
Xavier looked genuinely offended.
“I am going to be on a lunchbox one day.”
Cody laughed.
“A lunchbox?”
“Yes.”
“With your face on it?”
“Yes.”
“Why would anybody want a wrestler on their lunchbox?”
“Because I'll be famous.”
Cody shook his head.
“You'll be wrestling in a barn somewhere for twelve people.”
“No, I won't.”
“Carnival sideshow.”
“It's not a carnival sideshow.”
“Do they have a bearded lady too?”
Xavier pointed at him.
“You're gonna want free tickets one day.”
“To the carnival?”
“To my matches.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You'll be begging me.”
“I won't.”
Xavier looked around at the others.
None of them appeared any more convinced.
He shook his head.
“Y'all need to get out more.”
Chloe laughed.
“You really want to do that?”
“If football doesn't work.”
“Why?”
Xavier thought about it.
“It's fun.”
“You've done it?”
“Not professionally.”
“That would be difficult,” said Cody.
Xavier ignored him.
“I like the whole thing. The wrestling. The crowds. Talking
trash. Being somebody everybody knows.”
He smiled.
“...and I'll be good at it.”
Cody ate another fry.
“Carnival.”
Xavier kicked his chair.
“Hey.”
They stayed until the cafeteria workers began cleaning
around them.
Eventually Joey looked towards the clock.
“We should probably go back.”
Chloe nodded.
“Tommy's probably complaining.”
“He was complaining when we left,” said Keisha.
“He's probably complaining more now.”
They gathered their trays.
Xavier stayed behind for a moment while Chloe threw away the
garbage.
“Chloe?”
She turned.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“For dinner?”
“For everything.”
Chloe smiled.
Xavier looked down.
“Tommy's really lucky.”
Her smile softened.
“To have you.”
Chloe didn't say anything.
“I hope…”
Xavier hesitated.
“I hope my next girlfriend is as nice as you are.”
Chloe immediately stepped forward and wrapped both arms
around him.
This time Xavier didn't freeze.
He hugged her back.
“You deserve a good girl,” she said.
Xavier swallowed.
“...and you deserve somebody who's going to treat you way
better than Monique did.”
Xavier was quiet.
His arms tightened slightly around her.
“Thanks.”
Chloe squeezed him.
“You're welcome.”
Joey watched from a few feet away.
She leaned towards Keisha.
“Still too friendly.”
Keisha smiled.
“Probably.”
Chloe released Xavier.
He wiped quickly at one eye before anybody could get a good
look.
Cody saw it.
Cody said nothing.
“Come on,” said Chloe. “Let's go see Tommy.”
They headed back through the hospital.
Xavier walked beside Chloe.
He wasn't sure he deserved any of this.
The dinner.
The hug.
The forgiveness.
The friends.
He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do with any of it.
So he walked with them.
Back to Thomas Rydell's room.
Thomas was reading.
Very intently.
So intently, in fact, that he didn't notice Paul Ritter
standing in the doorway.
Ritter watched him for a moment.
Thomas turned the page.
Ritter cleared his throat.
Thomas looked up.
His eyes widened.
The magazine disappeared beneath the blanket.
“Coach.”
Ritter stared at him.
Thomas stared back.
“What're you reading?”
“Nothing.”
“You looked pretty interested in nothing.”
“I was just reading.”
“I gathered that.”
Ritter stepped into the room.
Thomas adjusted the blanket.
Ritter looked towards the basket Cody had brought.
Several perfectly respectable magazines remained inside.
Football.
Cars.
Comics.
Then he looked at Thomas.
“Where'd you get it?”
Thomas turned red.
“Get what?”
Ritter laughed.
“The magazine you just shoved under your blanket.”
“Oh.”
Thomas looked down.
“That.”
“Yes. That.”
“It was in a basket.”
“What basket?”
“A gift basket.”
“Who gives that kind of gift basket?”
Thomas didn't answer.
Ritter laughed again.
He walked over and patted Thomas's good ankle.
“It'll be our little secret.”
Thomas relaxed.
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Don't thank me.”
The door opened again.
A doctor entered holding Thomas's chart.
“Thomas?”
“Yeah.”
The doctor looked at Ritter.
“Family?”
“Coach.”
The doctor nodded.
Ritter stood.
“How's he doing?”
“Overall, he's doing well.”
Thomas smiled.
Ritter pointed at him.
“Don't get excited yet.”
The doctor stepped towards the bed.
“The good news is that the radiographs don't show any
fractures.”
Thomas looked at Ritter.
“See?”
“I heard him.”
“There is, however, significant swelling around the ankle.
He has a fairly substantial sprain.”
Ritter nodded.
“How substantial?”
The doctor began explaining.
“There appears to be considerable soft-tissue trauma
involving the lateral ligaments. We're concerned particularly about the
anterior talofibular ligament and possibly the calcaneofibular—”
Ritter held up a hand.
The doctor stopped.
“I don't know what any of that means.”
Thomas laughed.
Ritter pointed towards the ankle.
“When can he play football?”
The doctor smiled slightly.
“That was going to be my next point.”
“Good.”
“This isn't going to resolve quickly.”
Thomas' smile disappeared.
“How quickly?”
“We need to give the swelling time to subside and allow the
ligaments to heal.”
“How long?”
“We can't give you an exact return date yet.”
Ritter sighed.
“Give me something.”
The doctor thought.
“In four weeks, we'll re-evaluate.”
Thomas stared at him.
“Four weeks?”
“Re-evaluate,” the doctor repeated. “That doesn't mean
you're automatically cleared to play in four weeks.”
Thomas looked horrified.
Ritter rubbed his forehead.
“Great.”
He looked at Thomas.
“We gotta wait.”
Thomas sank farther into the bed.
“I hate waiting.”
“I know.”
“Can I practice?”
“No,” said the doctor.
“Can I throw?”
“Not standing.”
“Can I-”
“Thomas.”
Thomas stopped.
The doctor smiled.
“Rest.”
Thomas looked at Ritter.
Ritter shrugged.
“You heard the man.”
The doctor made another note on the chart.
“I'll be back later.”
“Thanks,” said Ritter.
The doctor left.
Thomas stared at his ankle.
“Four weeks.”
“Maybe.”
“That's forever.”
“No, it's four weeks.”
“Same thing.”
Ritter pulled a chair towards the bed.
Before he could sit down, voices came from the hallway.
Chloe entered first.
Joey followed her.
Then Keisha.
Then Cody.
Then Xavier.
Ritter looked at them.
They stopped.
“Coach,” said Keisha.
“Hello.”
Cody noticed Thomas.
Thomas noticed Cody.
Thomas' eyes immediately widened.
Ritter noticed that too.
He looked at Thomas.
Then Cody.
Then the basket.
Then Thomas again.
“Okay.”
Cody frowned.
“What?”
Ritter pointed towards him.
“Who gave him the naughty magazines?”
Nobody spoke.
Cody's face changed.
Only slightly.
It was enough.
Ritter pointed at him.
“You.”
“What?”
“You gave them to him.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You didn't have to.”
Cody looked at Thomas.
Thomas looked away.
Ritter laughed.
“Of course it was you.”
“Why of course?”
Ritter looked Cody up and down.
“Because you look old enough to buy them.”
Everyone laughed.
Cody shook his head.
“I didn't buy them.”
Ritter raised an eyebrow.
Cody paused.
“…necessarily.”
Ritter laughed harder.
Thomas shifted in the bed.
“I wasn't looking at the pictures.”
Everyone looked at him.
Thomas realized this had not helped.
“I was reading the articles.”
Ritter nodded solemnly.
He walked over and patted Thomas's good ankle again.
“Good answer.”
Thomas looked relieved.
“My wife believes me when I say that too.”
Joey burst out laughing.
Keisha covered her mouth.
Cody turned away.
Even Xavier laughed.
Thomas looked at Ritter.
“Really?”
Ritter stared at him.
Thomas nodded thoughtfully.
“Okay.”
Chloe stared at him.
Thomas noticed.
“What?”
“Give me the magazines.”
Thomas' eyes widened.
“What?”
“The magazines.”
“They're mine.”
“No, they're not.”
“They were given to me.”
“Tommy.”
“I'm reading them.”
“I know.”
“The articles.”
“Give.”
Thomas looked towards Ritter for help.
Ritter immediately looked away.
“Coach?”
“I have no idea what's happening.”
“You said it was our secret.”
“...and then you announced you were reading the articles.”
Thomas sighed.
He reached beneath the blanket.
He pulled out one magazine.
Chloe held out her hand.
Thomas reluctantly gave it to her.
She continued holding out her hand.
Thomas stared at it.
“What?”
“The other one.”
“There isn't another one.”
Chloe stared at him.
Thomas lasted approximately three seconds.
He reached beneath the blanket again.
Joey laughed.
Thomas handed Chloe the second magazine.
Chloe looked at both.
Then handed them to Ritter.
Ritter blinked.
“Why am I getting these?”
“Take them.”
Ritter looked at the covers.
Then at Chloe.
Then at Thomas.
“I'm not getting involved in this.”
“Take them.”
Ritter tucked them under his arm.
Chloe pointed at Thomas.
“Don't make me break your other ankle.”
Thomas pulled his good leg slightly closer.
“Yes, ma'am.”
Ritter shook his head.
Then he noticed Xavier.
His expression changed.
“Dickinson.”
Xavier straightened.
“Coach.”
Ritter looked towards Thomas.
Then Chloe.
Then Xavier again.
“What are you doing here?”
“Visiting.”
Ritter waited.
Xavier swallowed.
“I came to apologize.”
Ritter nodded slightly.
“To Tommy...and Chloe...and Cody.”
“I see.”
Xavier stepped forward.
“Coach, I wanted to apologize to you too. What I did after
the game was-”
Ritter held up his hand.
Xavier stopped.
“You don't need to apologize to me.”
Xavier blinked.
“...but-”
“You hurt Tommy.”
Ritter pointed towards Chloe.
“You treated her badly.”
Then towards Cody.
“You dragged him and the rest of your team into a fight.”
Xavier looked down.
“They're the people you owed an apology.”
“I apologized.”
“I know.”
Xavier looked up.
Ritter nodded.
“You came here on your own?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Nobody told you to?”
“No, sir.”
“You apologized to them?”
“Yes.”
Ritter glanced at Thomas.
Thomas nodded.
Chloe did too.
“So did he,” said Cody.
Ritter looked back at Xavier.
“Then you've already told me what I need to know.”
Xavier relaxed slightly.
“I still feel bad.”
“You should.”
Xavier nodded.
Ritter folded his arms.
“I imagine you were going to tell me you lost your temper.”
Xavier nodded.
“You were embarrassed.”
Another nod.
“You did something stupid.”
“Yes.”
“You regret it.”
“A lot.”
“You'll never do it again.”
“I won't.”
Ritter shrugged.
“See? Saved us both five minutes.”
Xavier smiled faintly.
Ritter's expression remained serious.
“Doesn't mean Christ the Savior is going to forget what
happened.”
“I know.”
“Your coach might suspend you.”
“I know.”
“School might suspend you.”
“I know.”
“They might decide an apology isn't enough.”
Xavier nodded.
“I know.”
Ritter watched him.
Xavier took a breath.
“I'll accept whatever they decide.”
Ritter's expression softened.
“Good.”
Xavier looked surprised.
Ritter nodded towards him.
“That's the part I wanted to hear.”
Nobody said anything for a moment.
Then Ritter checked his watch.
His eyes widened slightly.
“By Jove.”
He looked around the room.
“Do any of you people have homes?”
Joey smiled.
“Yes.”
“Parents?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Joey,” said Chloe.
“What?”
Ritter shook his head.
“It's late.”
He looked at the group.
“Anybody need a ride?”
Keisha raised her hand.
“Me.”
Joey raised hers.
“Me too.”
Cody nodded.
“Yeah.”
Xavier hesitated.
Ritter looked at him.
“You?”
“If you don't mind.”
“I wouldn't have offered if I minded.”
“Thanks.”
Ritter looked at Chloe.
“What about you?”
“I'm staying.”
Thomas smiled.
Ritter looked between them.
“Are you?”
“My parents already said I could.”
“They know you're staying here?”
“Yes.”
“They're okay with it?”
“Yes.”
Ritter nodded.
“Fine.”
Thomas smiled wider.
Ritter pointed at him.
“Don't make me regret that.”
“What am I going to do?”
Everyone looked towards the magazines beneath Ritter's arm.
Thomas frowned.
“Those weren't mine.”
“They were literally in your bed,” said Keisha.
“Temporarily.”
Ritter headed towards the door.
“All right. Say goodbye.”
Keisha went first.
She leaned over carefully and hugged Thomas.
“Don't die.”
“It's a sprain.”
“You never know.”
“Thank you, Keisha.”
Joey hugged him next.
“Get better.”
“I will.”
“You better.”
Cody stepped forward.
Thomas held out his hand.
Cody looked at it.
Then ignored it and hugged him.
Thomas laughed.
“Oh.”
“You almost beat us.”
“Almost.”
“Next time.”
Thomas smiled.
“Next time.”
Xavier approached last.
He hesitated.
Thomas opened his arms.
“Come here.”
Xavier laughed.
He leaned over and hugged him carefully.
“Sorry again.”
“I know.”
“Really.”
“I know.”
Xavier pulled back.
“Get better.”
“I will.”
“...and don't read those magazines.”
Thomas stared at him.
“You brought them.”
“Allegedly.”
Ritter laughed.
Chloe began making her way through everybody too.
She hugged Keisha.
Then Joey.
Then Cody.
Cody accepted it with considerably less confusion than
Xavier had earlier.
Then Chloe reached Xavier.
She wrapped her arms around him again.
Xavier hugged her back.
“You're gonna be okay,” she said.
“I know.”
“Good.”
She pulled back.
Xavier smiled.
Chloe remembered something.
“Oh.”
“What?”
She pointed at him.
“You're worthy of being on a lunchbox one day.”
Xavier stared at her.
Then he smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Cody groaned.
“Don't encourage him.”
“I believe in him.”
“He wants to be a carnival act.”
“Professional wrestler.”
“Carnival act.”
Xavier looked at Chloe.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
She hugged him one more time.
Ritter opened the door.
“Come on, future lunchbox.”
Xavier laughed.
The four students followed Ritter into the hallway.
Xavier glanced back at Chloe.
She waved.
He waved back.
Then he followed the others.
A lunchbox.
He smiled to himself.
Worthy.
That was a good word.
Xavier Worthy.
Xavier Worthy.
He tried it again in his head.
That might sound cool one day.
The room became very quiet after everyone left.
Thomas looked towards the door.
Then towards Chloe.
Then towards the magazines Coach Ritter had taken with him.
He frowned.
“I don't think I'm getting those back.”
“No.”
“You didn't have to give them to Coach.”
“Yes, I did.”
“They were a gift.”
Chloe didn't answer.
Thomas looked at her.
She was standing beside the bed.
“What?”
“Move over.”
Thomas looked down at himself.
“Where?”
“Over.”
“My ankle.”
“Your other side.”
Thomas carefully shifted as far as he could without
disturbing his injured ankle.
Chloe climbed onto the bed.
It wasn't really designed for two people.
She didn't care.
She curled up beside him on his good side and immediately
wrapped both arms around him.
Thomas smiled.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Chloe pulled herself closer.
Then closer again.
Thomas put an arm around her.
Chloe buried her face against his chest.
Thomas's smile faded.
He knew this.
Chloe could be affectionate almost constantly.
She hugged everybody.
She leaned on people.
She held hands.
She had apparently spent the evening adopting Xavier
Dickinson.
This was different.
When Chloe felt insecure, she got clingy.
Not normal Chloe clingy.
Clingy clingy.
She held onto Thomas like somebody might take him away if
she loosened her grip.
Thomas rubbed her back.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Chloe.”
“I just want you to hold me.”
“I am holding you.”
“Then hold me.”
Thomas tightened his arm around her.
Chloe squeezed him harder.
Thomas waited.
A few seconds passed.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Chloe.”
She sighed.
“I don't want to talk about it.”
“Okay.”
Thomas waited another few seconds.
“What's wrong?”
Chloe lifted her head.
“You're annoying.”
“I know.”
She put her head back down.
Thomas rubbed her shoulder.
“Tell me.”
Chloe was quiet.
Then she looked towards the door.
“Those magazines.”
Thomas immediately understood.
“Oh.”
Chloe's arms tightened around him.
“I know it's stupid.”
“It isn't.”
“It is.”
“No, it isn't.”
“I started thinking about the girls in them.”
Thomas said nothing.
Chloe stared at his shirt.
“...and what they look like.”
Thomas waited.
“...and then I started thinking about what I look like.”
Thomas frowned.
Chloe continued before he could interrupt.
“...and they're all…”
She struggled for the word.
“Perfect.”
Thomas' frown deepened.
“They're not.”
“They look perfect.”
“They don't.”
“Tommy.”
“They don't.”
Chloe finally looked at him.
“They're in those magazines because boys think they're
pretty.”
Thomas knew better than to deny that one.
“So I started thinking…”
She stopped.
Thomas waited.
“If you're looking at them…”
She swallowed.
“…then maybe you think they're prettier than me.”
Thomas stared at her.
“No.”
Chloe looked away.
“No.”
He touched her cheek.
“Chloe.”
She looked back.
“You're the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Chloe's expression changed.
“Tommy.”
“You are.”
“You don't have to say that.”
“I'm not saying it because I have to.”
“You really think none of them are prettier than me?”
“Yes.”
“None?”
“None.”
“Not one?”
“Not one.”
Chloe studied his face.
Thomas was completely serious.
“Bar none.”
That finally made her smile.
“Bar none?”
“Bar none.”
Chloe pulled herself against him again.
Thomas kissed the top of her head.
“You're the most beautiful woman in the world. There's no
one better.”
Chloe closed her eyes.
Thomas held her.
A few quiet seconds passed.
Then Thomas smiled.
“Besides.”
“What?”
“I don't get upset every time you tell me how much you love
Fonzie.”
Chloe opened one eye.
“I don't tell you that much.”
“Yes, you do.”
“He's cool.”
“I know.”
“...and handsome.”
“I know.”
“...and he has a motorcycle.”
“I know.”
“...and-”
“Okay.”
Chloe smiled.
Thomas looked offended.
“Or James Bond.”
“Oh.”
“Every James Bond.”
“Not every James Bond.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You like all of them.”
“I have preferences.”
“That doesn't make it better.”
Chloe laughed.
Thomas continued.
“Even that ridiculous one with Lazy Boy.”
Chloe immediately lifted her head.
“Lazenby.”
“That's what I said.”
“No, you said Lazy Boy.”
“Same thing.”
“George Lazenby.”
“He was barely even James Bond.”
“He was James Bond.”
“For one movie.”
“It still counts.”
Thomas shook his head.
“...and now there's that new guy in the suit in that soap
you're watching.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
“Victor?”
“Yes.”
“Victor Newman?”
“Whatever his name is.”
“Eric Braeden.”
Thomas stared at her.
“You know his real name?”
“Of course I know his real name.”
“Why?”
Chloe grinned.
Thomas narrowed his eyes.
“See?”
“See what?”
“You know his real name.”
“So?”
“I don't know his real name.”
“You just said it.”
“Because you told me!”
Chloe laughed.
Thomas pointed at her.
“...and I don't get insecure.”
“You do too.”
“No, I don't.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No.”
Chloe settled her head against him again.
“Jane Fonda.”
Thomas went silent.
Chloe smiled.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Jane Fonda.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Barbarella.”
Thomas looked towards the door.
Chloe laughed.
“You stayed up when you weren't supposed to.”
“I couldn't sleep.”
“You watched the whole thing.”
“It was already on.”
“...and ever since then, you suddenly have a very serious
interest in Jane Fonda movies.”
“I like her acting.”
Chloe lifted her head.
Thomas looked at her.
She stared.
“What?”
“Her acting?”
“Yes.”
Chloe continued staring.
Thomas lasted several seconds.
“…she's a good actress.”
Chloe burst out laughing.
Thomas tried not to smile.
“...and who kept that little adventure secret from your
parents?”
“You.”
“For years.”
“Yes.”
“You're welcome.”
“Thank you.”
Chloe kissed his cheek.
“...and Marcia.”
Thomas groaned.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Chloe sat up slightly.
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!”
“Stop.”
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!”
“That's not why I watch The Brady Bunch.”
“You are in love with Marcia Brady.”
“I am not.”
“You've been in love with Marcia Brady for years.”
“She's pretty.”
“Oh, she's pretty?”
Thomas realized the trap.
Chloe grinned.
Thomas pulled her back down.
“You're prettier.”
“Good answer.”
“It's true.”
“Linda Carter.”
“Lynda.”
Chloe froze.
Thomas froze.
Slowly, Chloe looked up at him.
Thomas realized what he had just done.
“You corrected me.”
“No.”
“You know how she spells her name.”
“No, I don't.”
“You just corrected me!”
“I've seen the credits.”
Chloe started laughing.
Thomas shook his head.
“Wonder Woman is a good show.”
“It's ridiculous.”
“It is not.”
Chloe gave him a long sideways stare.
Thomas stared back.
“It's not.”
“She spins around and changes clothes.”
“That's not all she does.”
“She has an invisible airplane.”
“Jet.”
Chloe's stare intensified.
“Invisible jet.”
“Thank you, Tommy.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“It's a good show.”
“Of course it is.”
“It is.”
“I'm sure you really appreciate the storytelling.”
Thomas frowned.
“I do.”
Chloe kissed his cheek.
“Sure.”
Thomas tried to remain offended.
He couldn't.
“Besides, some of those crushes worked out.”
Chloe frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“The Love Boat.”
Chloe smiled.
“What about it?”
“You wanted to watch it because of all the cool guys.”
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“Maybe.”
“...and I wanted to watch it because of…”
Thomas stopped.
Chloe waited.
“…the storytelling.”
Chloe burst out laughing.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“It's a good show.”
“It is.”
“...and now we watch it together.”
Chloe nodded.
“We do.”
Thomas smiled.
“Same with Grease.”
Chloe's face lit up.
“John Travolta.”
“Exactly.”
“You like Grease too.”
“I do.”
“Olivia Newton-John.”
Thomas paused.
“…I like the music.”
Chloe laughed.
Thomas started singing.
Badly.
Chloe immediately joined him.
Also badly.
They bounced from one Grease song to another,
remembering pieces, getting others wrong, interrupting each other whenever one
of them jumped ahead.
Thomas attempted Danny.
Chloe attempted Sandy.
Neither was particularly convincing.
By the time they finished, Chloe was laughing against his
chest.
Thomas smiled down at her.
Then he became quiet.
Chloe noticed.
“What?”
Thomas shrugged.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You've asked me that about six times tonight.”
Thomas looked at the ceiling.
Chloe poked him.
“What?”
He sighed.
“Why do you love me so much?”
Chloe stopped.
Thomas immediately felt stupid for asking.
“I mean…”
He shrugged again.
“You like all these cool guys.”
Chloe smiled.
“Tommy.”
“Fonzie.”
“Yes.”
“James Bond.”
“Yes.”
“Victor whatever.”
“Newman.”
“Exactly.”
“John Travolta.”
Thomas nodded.
“John Travolta.”
Chloe waited.
Thomas looked down at himself.
“I'm not exactly any of them.”
Chloe stared at him.
“You don't have to be.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Thomas shrugged.
Chloe shifted carefully so she could look directly at him.
“You don't have to be The Fonz.”
“Okay.”
“You don't have to be James Bond.”
“Okay.”
“You don't have to be anybody.”
Thomas looked at her.
“You're cool because you're you.”
He smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Cooler than Fonzie?”
Chloe hesitated.
Thomas' smile disappeared.
“Chloe.”
She laughed.
“You're different.”
“That means no.”
“It doesn't.”
“It means no.”
Chloe kissed him.
Thomas stopped complaining.
She pulled back.
“You're Tommy.”
He smiled.
“That's enough?”
“More than enough.”
Thomas pulled her closer.
Chloe rested her head against his chest again.
A moment passed.
“Although…”
Thomas groaned.
“What?”
“John Travolta does Danny Zuko better than you.”
Thomas considered this.
“Yeah.”
Chloe laughed.
“I can admit that.”
“Good.”
“I have a better arm.”
“Than John Travolta?”
“Probably.”
“You don't know that.”
“I have a really good arm.”
“You also have one really bad ankle.”
Thomas frowned.
Chloe kissed him again.
Then she curled herself as tightly against his good side as
she could.
Thomas wrapped his arm around her.
This time, when she squeezed him, he understood why.
So he squeezed her back.
Somewhere along the way, Thomas and Chloe fell asleep.
Neither of them intended to.
Chloe was still curled against Thomas's good side, one arm
wrapped across his chest.
Thomas had his arm around her shoulders.
Their heads rested together.
Thomas's injured ankle remained safely elevated at the other
end of the bed.
Neither moved.
Lily Summers stopped in the doorway.
She smiled.
She had come to collect her daughter.
That had been the plan.
Walk into the hospital.
Find Chloe.
Take Chloe home.
Very simple.
Then she saw them.
Lily leaned against the doorway.
Chloe looked completely peaceful.
So did Thomas.
They were still holding onto each other.
Lily's heart melted.
She didn't want to wake them.
They'd had a long day.
A football game.
A fight.
A hospital.
Probably more teenage drama than Lily knew about.
Chloe could sleep for another few minutes.
Maybe ten.
Maybe Lily could sit down somewhere and-
“LILY?”
Lily's eyes widened.
She spun towards the hallway.
“LILY?”
She hurried out.
Scott Summers was walking down the corridor.
“LILY, WHAT ROOM IS-”
“Shhh!”
Scott stopped.
“What?”
“Shhh!”
“Why?”
Lily pointed furiously towards the room.
Scott lowered his voice.
“What?”
“I said shhh.”
“I heard you.”
“Then shhh.”
“I don't know what room I'm going to.”
“This one.”
“Oh.”
Scott looked towards the doorway.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I thought you were behind me.”
“I was.”
“You weren't.”
“I stopped.”
“Why?”
“I was looking at the numbers.”
Lily closed her eyes.
Behind them, something moved.
Chloe opened her eyes.
She blinked.
Thomas opened his.
Neither seemed entirely certain where they were.
“Mom?”
Lily turned.
Chloe lifted her head from Thomas's chest.
Thomas blinked towards the doorway.
“Hi.”
Lily slowly looked at Scott.
Scott looked at Chloe.
Then Thomas.
Then Lily.
“What?”
Lily stared at him.
“What did I do?”
Chloe rubbed her eyes.
Thomas yawned.
Scott finally understood.
“Oh.”
Lily continued staring.
“I didn't know they were sleeping.”
“I know.”
“How would I know?”
“You wouldn't.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you were yelling through a hospital.”
“I wasn't yelling.”
Thomas and Chloe stared at him with identical groggy
expressions.
Scott looked at them.
“…that loud.”
Lily shook her head.
Then she smiled at Thomas.
“How are you feeling?”
Thomas tried to sit up slightly.
Chloe moved with him.
“Better.”
“That's good.”
“No broken bones.”
“Oh, good.”
Thomas nodded.
“They did X-rays.”
“What did the doctor say?”
“No fractures.”
Scott smiled.
“That's great.”
“...but my ankle's still really swollen.”
Lily looked towards the pillows.
“I can see that.”
Thomas frowned at it.
“They said it's a pretty bad sprain.”
Scott's expression changed slightly.
“How bad?”
“I don't know.”
Thomas shrugged.
“They used a bunch of words Coach didn't understand.”
“Did you understand them?”
“No.”
Lily laughed.
Thomas continued.
“They're gonna re-evaluate me in four weeks.”
Scott nodded slowly.
Thomas smiled.
“So hopefully I'll be playing again by then.”
Scott's smile became slightly more complicated.
He looked at the ankle.
Then at Thomas.
“Yeah.”
Lily noticed.
She knew that look.
Thomas didn't.
“What?”
Scott hesitated.
“I did something pretty similar when I was younger.”
Thomas looked interested.
“You did?”
“Yeah.”
“Playing football?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
Scott paused.
“That isn't important.”
Lily smiled.
Scott ignored her.
“I sprained my ankle pretty badly.”
“How long did it take?”
Scott looked at Thomas's hopeful face.
He chose his words carefully.
“Well…”
Thomas waited.
“They'll look at it again in four weeks.”
“Yeah.”
“...and then they'll know more.”
Thomas frowned.
“...but I could play.”
“If they clear you.”
“Right.”
Scott nodded.
“Right.”
Thomas smiled again.
Scott looked at Lily.
Lily smiled.
Scott had done his best.
He wasn't about to tell the boy that four weeks until
re-evaluation was not the same thing as four weeks until football.
Not tonight.
Chloe yawned.
Lily looked at her.
“Come on.”
Chloe frowned.
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
“You said I could stay.”
“For a while.”
“I thought you meant all night.”
“I did not mean all night.”
Chloe looked at Thomas.
Thomas looked at Chloe.
Lily smiled.
“You'll see him again.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
Chloe considered this.
Apparently tomorrow was a very long time away.
She carefully climbed out of the bed.
Thomas immediately looked colder without her.
Chloe noticed.
She leaned over him.
“Call me.”
“I will.”
“When you're awake.”
“Okay.”
“...and able.”
“Okay.”
“Don't call me if you're asleep.”
Thomas smiled.
“I won't.”
Chloe put one hand behind his head.
Then she kissed him.
Scott watched.
Lily watched.
The kiss continued.
Scott looked at Lily.
Lily looked at Scott.
Neither said anything.
Chloe continued kissing Thomas.
Scott glanced towards the ceiling.
Lily smiled.
Eventually Chloe pulled back.
Thomas smiled at her.
Chloe cradled his head in both hands.
“You're gonna be okay.”
“I know.”
“Promise?”
Thomas nodded.
“Promise.”
Chloe kissed his forehead.
Then his cheek.
Then his lips again.
Scott looked at Lily.
Lily quietly shrugged.
Thomas put his arm around Chloe and pulled her closer for
another kiss.
Lily's smile grew.
Scott folded his arms.
He wasn't angry.
He was beginning to wonder how long goodbye took.
Chloe finally pulled away.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Call me.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Chloe kissed him one more time.
Scott looked towards the hallway.
Lily gently touched his arm.
“Let her.”
Scott sighed.
Chloe finally stood.
She took Thomas' hand.
Then slowly let go as she stepped away from the bed.
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
She made it two steps.
Then turned around.
Thomas smiled.
Chloe ran back and kissed him again.
Scott closed his eyes.
Lily laughed quietly.
“Okay,” said Chloe.
She stepped back.
“Now I'm going.”
“Okay.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Chloe walked towards her parents.
She stopped at the doorway.
Turned.
“Call me.”
Thomas laughed.
“I will!”
“Okay.”
Lily put an arm around her daughter and guided her into the
hallway.
Scott followed.
Thomas watched them disappear.
A moment later, Chloe's head reappeared around the doorway.
Thomas stared at her.
Chloe smiled.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Chloe.”
She disappeared again.
Thomas smiled.
From the hallway came Scott's voice.
“Are we actually leaving now?”
“Dad!”
Lily laughed.
Their voices faded down the corridor.
Thomas settled back against his pillow.
The bed suddenly felt considerably bigger.
...and considerably emptier.
Thomas' heart, though, was considerably fuller.
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