16 Part 11

"Oh I am sure of it. The only question is, would you move up into the higher rounds with one or two more years playing here. Let me do some digging, we can talk when you come back.", he ended.

I left his office in a state of disbelief, I couldn't imagine it. To be drafted as a professional after only two seasons, it didn't seem possible. It's all I thought about on the ride home, there was actually a chance that I could play pro football and possibly make a great deal of money. It was around noon on December 23rd when my friend dropped me off at home. I noticed that Ashley's SUV was not in the drive, I actually felt somewhat relieved. I went inside, unpacked my bags, starting two loads of laundry. I fixed myself a sandwich and was sitting at the kitchen table eating when Ashley came through the door.

"Hey, when did you get here ?", she asked, sitting the grocery bags down on the counter.

"Just about thirty minutes ago, a friend dropped me off here. I have off until January 2nd.", I answered.

"That's nice, I was hoping to have company over the holidays.", she told me, putting the groceries away.

While she seemed to be genuinely delighted to see me, for the first time in I can't remember how long, she didn't hug or kiss me. I just sat there eating as she put away the remainder of the groceries. I finished, got up and rinsed the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher. I went and laid down for a while, it had been a long trip home, I was up most of the night. I was startled from a dead sleep by the cell phone on the nightstand next to the bed. I picked the phone up, looked at the number, it looked familiar, so I answered.

"Hey Brian, how are you son ?", came the familiar voice.

It was Mr. Timmons, Courtney's Dad, in spite of what had happened between his daughter and I, we had become somewhat close in the past few years. It was always good to hear from him.

"Hey Mr. Timmons, I'm doing fine sir and you ?", I asked.

"Just great Brian. Look, I am having a really big Christmas Eve party tomorrow night at my house. If you're coming into town, I would love for you to stop in for a few minutes.", he asked.

"I'm in town now sir. I got in last night. But I don't know if it's a good idea I come by, I mean I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.", I replied.

"You won't make anyone uncomfortable Brian. Both my wife and I would love to see you, I don't think Courtney would mind either.", he shot back.

"Oh, she isn't seeing Darren anymore ?", I inquired.

"I don't know, I hope not, I can't stand that asshole. Anyway, forget about that, just please stop by for a few minutes.", he begged.

"Ok sir, I will come by for a few minutes, I promise.", I said.

Ashley must have been in her bedroom while I was on the phone with Courtney's Dad, she walked up to my door almost as soon as I had hung up the phone.

"Who was that ?", she asked.

"Mr. Timmons, he asked me to stop over at his house tomorrow night for his Christmas Eve party.", I replied.

"Oh... You're thinking of going ?", she inquired.

"I promised him I would stop by for a few minutes. He still calls me at least once a month at school, he has always been so nice to me. I couldn't say no.", I responded.

"Is Courtney going to be there ?", she asked, in an annoyed tone.

"I have no idea Ashley, I didn't ask.", I answered.

She turned and walked down the hallway toward the front of the house. For the rest of the day, you could feel the tension in the house between us. I tried my best to be cordial but it was difficult to say the least. I went to bed early that night just so I wouldn't have to deal with the situation any longer. I heard Ashley up several times during the night, I had no idea what she was doing.