“You did okay,” Austin said.
The muted laughs trickling onto the field from the team stung just a tiny bit. “I was horrible.” Even though I was embarrassed, I held my head high. I was proud that I hadn’t backed out. I dared not look at Train, though. Otherwise, I might have curled up on the field and begged the earth to suck me in.
Austin leaned in to me as we trekked over to Coach. “Don’t worry. Train isn’t laughing, but he is sizing you up.”
I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t help.”
Austin headed toward Train. “See you later.”
I would bet they would have a good laugh in the locker room.Whatever.
“All right, everyone. Showers. Get some rest tonight,” Coach said to the team.
Elvira walked up. I couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say.
With his car keys in his hand, Mr. Everly said, “Young lady, valiant effort in trying. Great throw.” His tone was polite and soft. “Coach, see you tomorrow night.” Then he was gone.
I was dying to know what Train thought.Maybe not.
Coach played with the whistle around his neck. “How do you think you did?”
“Horrible. Coach, I want to apologize. I only tried out because someone made me mad.” There was no point in lying. “I really didn’t think you would let me, anyway.”
He scrubbed a hand along his unshaven jaw. “I had every intention of scolding you for wasting my time, but honesty and an apology keep me from doing just that. Now, I will say that if you had practiced more in your younger years, you could’ve had potential, especially with your arm. Where did you learn how to throw a football?” he asked.
Stress oozed off of my shoulders. “Joey Dennison.”
“TheJoey Dennison?” Coach’s voice rose in pitch. “The guy who played quarterback for the Naval Academy then was a first-round draft pick for the Saints?”
“You know him?” I asked.
“Who doesn’t? He blew his knee during a summer tour with the military overseas. Came home, and the doctors said he needed a lot of therapy. So the Saints let him go.”
I wiped the sweat from my forehead. “He seemed fine when he was dating my mom. Again, I’m sorry if I stirred up trouble.”
“I was hoping you could kick a football.”
Elvira hung close, listening. I didn’t mind. I wasn’t hiding anything, anyway.
“Yeah, that didn’t go well. Just to be clear, I’m not on the team?”
He began gathering his clipboard and a gym bag. “I’m afraid not.”
I scanned the field. Train was gone, as was the entire team.
I sighed. I didn’t have the energy at that moment to banter with Train. “Was everyone laughing at that kick?” I asked Elvira.
Her sparkly eye shadow glinted in the sun. “I think the guys were relieved you couldn’t kick.”
“I was too. Are we still on for a trip into Charleston later?”
She bobbed her silky head of hair.
After I quickly showered and changed, Elvira and I drove into the city. The sun dipped behind the buildings in downtown Charleston as we strolled along the Battery, a historic defensive landmark that stretched along the Cooper River. The purpose of our trip was that she wanted to take me on a tour and I wanted to fill out job applications, which I’d done at two local art galleries.
“Do you think you and your mom will stay in town after you graduate?” Elvira asked.
Two weeks ago when Mom and I had gotten there, I would’ve said no way. Quiet towns, small towns, and claustrophobic places weren’t my shtick, but Mom and I were finding that the sun, the ocean air, and the plantation-style living were rather nice. The area wasn’t as small as I’d originally assumed. The city had a lot to offer, including a college right in the heart of Charleston, and I was digging the friendship that was blossoming between Elvira and me and even Reagan.
