He nods once, decisive. “Alright then.”
We head back to the house. Amy’s eyes search my face immediately. I give her a small nod to indicate it will be okay.
Relief softens her posture.
Dessert is delicious and languished over. Her parents share amusing stories from her school days. Her mother breaks out a few pictures—just enough to make Amy groan, “Did you have to show him the one with me and the goat?”
“It was your senior prank, Boots,” her father teases her.
“I just want to know how you dyed the goat’s hair.”
Her eyes are dancing. “We used Critter Color. Safe for animals.”
The table bursts into laughter.
When we leave, our goodbyes are warm. Hugs exchanged. JoAnn sends me home with a ton of leftovers and a gentle, “This should hold you both over for a few meals,” like she accepts we spend as much time together as we can.
Amy murmurs she’ll meet me at my place after saying goodbye to her parents.
When she arrives, the first thing she says is, “That was great.”
I release the tension I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “That went better than expected.”
Kicking off her shoes, she leaps into my arms. “Thank you for putting up with Dad. I’m curious about what he said.”
“That’s between us.”
She snuggles closer, resting her forehead against my chest. “He didn’t scare you off?”
I smile into her hair. “Not a chance.”
She looks up at me, eyes warm and happy. I cup her face and kiss her—full of everything I’m not sure she’s ready for me to say aloud.
I did it because I love her.
This time, I plan to keep doing it.
37
SHOT BLOCKING: INTENTIONALLY GETTING IN FRONT OF A SHOT
After the new year, I receive an invitation in my inbox that makes my nerves tingle like a live wire. I reread it for the third time even though I know exactly what it says.
Subject: You are invited…
To: Brennan McCallister
From: Simon Reynolds [Oklahoma Plains, Athletic Director]
Brennan—
I wanted to take a moment to personally invite you and a guest to a charity fundraiser we’re having at OPU.
The charity is Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. Their mission is dedicated to researching and improving the treatment of pediatric head injuries, including the Concussion Care Fund to support young athletes.
Considering your personal ties to the university and your own experience, we hope you will be able to make it.
Please find the formal invitation attached.
