The stadium darkened, and a spotlight beamed onto the newest banner.
The spotlight moved to the family on the field. Vee held a microphone. I swallowed the concoction of emotions I didn’t expect to feel.
Sadness for the loss of never knowing Reid Hubbard.
And immense pride in the woman facing the sellout crowd.
“Thank you,” Vee said, addressing the crowd. “I’m Maeve Hubbard.”
The crowd cheered.
“Thank you for honoring the man, the owner of the Coopers, who was also a father, brother, husband, and uncle. My father had a vision that I believe will one day come to fruition.” Her voice got louder. “The next banner we hang in Crystal Light will say Super Bowl winners.”
A smile curled my lips as everyone cheered, the decibels reaching a fevered pitch.
The lights brightened around the stadium as the Hubbards and Marshes walked off the field, and a large flag was unfurled.
The Big Hurt spoke. “Today, we have the honor of having members of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services with us. These brave individuals are the heroes who responded to Reid Hubbard’s accident and hundreds of emergencies daily. We thank them for their service.” The crowd cheered. “Now, let us welcome Juliette Skyes from Mr. Hubbard’s alma mater, the University of Kentucky, as she sings our national anthem.”
The crowd remained standing as the singer’s voice reverberated throughout Crystal Light. As she belted out the high notes, my dad’s mantra filled my thoughts.
Learn something—anything.
Never give up.
Play your absolute best, better than your last game, but not as good as your next.
Troy Dennison and Kai Flores walked onto the field for the coin toss.
Chapter 32
Vee
* * *
I fought shock as Daphne stopped, turned, and hugged me once we were beyond the sideline.
Her voice brimmed with emotion and moisture glistened in her eyes. “This was good. Reid would have liked it.”
Nodding, I held back the words I wanted to say about her ability to move on. Instead, I simply replied, “I agree.”
“Vee, I loved Reid and he loved me.”
My only response was to feign a smile. As Daphne walked away, Leigh stepped closer and hugged me.
“Hayden and I will wait for you upstairs after the game.”
“Thanks.”
“Go Coopers,” she said.
Swallowing my mix of emotions, I smiled and repeated her chant. “Go Coopers.”
The official’s voice came through the speakers. “The Jaguars choose heads.”
On the jumbotron I watched the coin flip into the air and land on the field.
“It’s tails.” The official turned to Troy and Kai. “The Coopers will decide. What will you do?”
