24 Part 19

"Well…. Uh…. I don't want to…..never mind.", she answered.

"No, tell me, what is it ?", I inquired, once again.

"I feel terrible asking this…..but… I would really like to have one of your jerseys for myself.", she said softly, looking down.

"Oh, well it's ok then, you can have this one. I still have two more from the regular season in my bag, I will give him one of those.", I told her.

"No, no… I can take one of those for myself, you give him that one, it will mean a lot to him.", she said smiling.

"You sure? I want you to get the one you want, I really do.", I coaxed.

"I am sure, I will, take one of the others, thank you Brian.", she said.

I then bent over the jersey and inscribed the following words inside of the two large gold number nines on the back of the shirt.

"National Championship Game Issued - Brian Stevens #99"

I took the shoes as well and inscribed the following :

"Game-Worn - National Championship - Brian Stevens #99"

I handed the marker back to Ashley and left the items to dry properly on the kitchen table, I would go see Mr. Timmons tonight if he was not busy. I would call him later in the day to see what his schedule was. I ate a small lunch then laid down to take a nap, it was about noon. I woke up sometime around three that afternoon, the house was very quiet. I got up and looked around, Ashley was out. I took a shower, got dressed then decided to call Mr. Timmons to see if he would be home later this evening. The phone rang several times before someone picked it up.

"Hello.", said the soft voice, it was Courtney.

"Hey Court, it's Brian, how are you ?", I asked.

"Hi Brian, I am doing ok, how about you ?", she answered, cheerfully.

"I'm good, thanks.", I replied.

There was an awkward pause, the kind of one that goes on between two people who were very close at one time, now being worlds apart. I finally broke the silence.

"Is your Dad there by any chance ?", I asked.

"Uh, no. He and my Mom are out, he will be back in a few hours.", she answered, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"Oh alright, I just have something for him, no big deal.", I said.

"Oh my God Brian, he watched the National Championship game over here with his buddies. They were absolutely insane, my Dad was screaming at the TV, cheering you guys on. When you made that last play, when you hit the guy's arm, he was crying. He was so happy for you.", she said.

"I'm glad he got to see it, I wish he could have been there.", I replied.

"So, you coming over tonight ?", she asked.

"Yeah, if it's ok.", I asked.

"Sure, I will tell him to call you later.", she answered.

About an hour and a half later the phone rang, it was Courtney's Dad. I asked if I could come over later, he said absolutely, he was looking forward to it. He quickly asked if he could call a couple of his buddies to come over as well, I couldn't say no. I told him I would be by around seven o'clock in the evening and hung up.

I ate dinner with Ashley then watched a little TV before I left for Courtney's house. I sensed Ashley wanted to say something to me but she never did. I pulled in Courtney's driveway right after seven o'clock, there were at least a half dozen cars there. I knew I was in for a long night of questions, it always happened. I rang the bell, Courtney opened the door very quickly, almost like she had been waiting. She looked amazing, very different from the last time I had seen her. Her long hair had been cut very short and was now very blonde. She had lost a few pounds as well, her figure was incredible in her tee-shirt and shorts.

"Wow, look at you. You look so different.", I said smiling.

"Different good? Or different, different ?", she asked.

"Different good. Very good.", I answered.

"Well then, come on in.", she giggled, taking my hand.

She held on to my hand tightly as she led me towards the family room. I couldn't help but look at her ass as she walked in those tight little shorts. She had definitely undergone a serious transformation, it had to be for a guy, no doubt. As I rounded the hallway corner into the family room, Mr. Timmons was seated on the sofa with three of his friends, all of which I had met before at one time or other. He jumped up quickly when he saw me, extending his hand.

"Brian, good to see you son. Congratulations on the National Championship, you played a hell of a game.", he said excitedly.

"I don't know how you do it Brian, but he never jumps up that fast when I come into the room.", Courtney whined, "You sure you're not my brother ?"

"Uh, no.", I said.

Everyone erupted into laughter, as Mr. Timmons reached out and pulled Courtney to his chest, hugging her gently.

"Aw, sweetheart, you know I love you. You just can't play D-Line like Brian can.", he answered her.

Again everyone roared in laughter, Courtney pulled away from him a frown on her face. She put her hands on her hips and looked up at her Dad.

"Yeah but can he give you grandchildren like I can ?", she said smiling.

He thought, but only for a quick second before he replied with a devilish grin.

"Oh, I hope so, you two getting back together? Please say yes.", he said softly.

Courtney opened her mouth wide and put her hand over it in embarrassment, she was mortified, her eyes shifting to mine. I had no idea what to say, I didn't know what the latest was on the home front. She reached out with her left hand and smacked her dad across the shoulder.

"You are an evil man, I will get you for that one.", she said, smiling.

We all sat down on the sofa and began to catch up on what everyone had been doing, what was upcoming. Courtney was noticeably quiet, judging from what I had heard, her life lately had become quite uneventful, just working for her dad, not much else. Finally, the topic of the game was brought up, it was inevitable.

"So when do you guys get your National Championship Rings ?", one of the men asked.

"I think in a few months sir, we have already been measured for them.", I answered.

"I hope I get to see it the next time you come home.", he replied.

I reached over and opened the bag I had brought with me, opened it up and reached inside pulling out the items slowly, I could see the other men staring intently. I handed both the jersey and pair of shoes to Courtney's Dad. It took him a second of reading the inscriptions before he realized just exactly what he had.

"This is from the game? You wore these ?", he asked in amazement.

"Yes, those are the shoes I wore in the game, that is the jersey I practiced in before the game, it was my backup.", I answered.

All of the other men just stared at the items in a sense of disbelief. To be honest, I had never understood the fascination of collecting sports memorabilia like these men did. The price for the real authentic items was astronomical, to say the least. Unless you got something right from the source, you always had to question its origin.

"Brian, I don't know what to say. This is….. I mean these could eventually be very valuable.", he said.

"Well look at it this way sir, if they ever become really valuable, that means I am playing in the pro's and I get paid really well, so I don't mind.", I answered.

"Great, more items for the Wall of Fame at the office.", Courtney laughed.

We sat there talking for a while, after about an hour, I think I had relived every single play of the last game, at least it felt like it. The other three men all left about nine o'clock, Courtney's Dad excused himself from the room for a few moments just Court and I alone together. Again that awkwardness set in, it happened every time.

"Uh, so what are your plans for the next few weeks ?", Courtney asked.

"Nothing really, just hanging out, relaxing, trying to figure out what I am going to do about the draft.", I answered.

"You're thinking about leaving school early ?", she inquired.

"Yes, I am. I have been told it might be better for me this year than waiting until next.", I replied.