Page 199 of Made Better Together

This is a critical development as the Waves start their playoff run in two weeks, although Head Coach Rich Houston declined to confirm that Battle will continue to start.

“Connor did great, and we appreciate him jumping in,” Houston told reporters afterward. “We’ll go home and evaluate our options for the playoffs.”

To win the Super Bowl, the Waves will need to get past their second-round game and the Conference Championship first.

Battle has been the backup placekicker for over two months, after a standout career at Princeton University. With starter Jeremy Lisk out for the playoffs, the Waves brought Battle off the practice squad for this game.

“It was exciting to have both my brothers out here,” Landon Battle said during his post-game press conference. “I’m proud of Connor for showing what he can do.”

Connor Battle was not given media time with reporters.

56

EDEN

Connor got back home at one a.m., so I try not to wake him the next morning as I lie in his bed, playing on my phone. I have a Zoom call with Aiden at ten to discuss some updates, but that’s two hours away.

My Instagram notifications are, as always, out of control, so I switch to email. Four new ones have landed in my inbox in the last couple of minutes. Sheesh.

The first two are spam, but…oh wait, the third says: “Tolliver University Fall Grades.”

Dear Student,

Your fall semester grades have been loaded into your academic portal. Please log in to check your results.

Okay, here’s the moment of truth. Did I survive the term, despite everything that happened?

I log into my portal as quickly as possible, click like seven buttons, and finally get to my grades.

Advanced Sociology: A

Capstone Seminar: A

Art History: A-

Genetics: A

Oh frick, yes! I did it!? No B’s again, and a totally acceptable A- in Art History.

Connor’s breathing peacefully, so I resist the urge to wake him.

Instead, I write Mom. Even though it’s five in the morning there, she’ll want this news.

EDEN: MOM! Straight As again (well, an A- in Art History, but that’s fine)

It takes her four minutes to respond, but then three dots appear.

MOM: This is the best news to start my day! So proud of you!

MOM: Sorry to be slow, I was just in the shower.

EDEN: No worries, I’ll call you later??

MOM: Yes, perfect. Any time after six here :)

I need to tell Dad too. All that fretting he was privy to, and it turned out just as I hoped.

EDEN: Dad, I got my grades! Straight As (basically)! Woohoo!