CHAPTER 15

We arrived back at school at twelve thirty Saturday night, it looked like the entire town was there to meet us. There were people everywhere, cars lined the streets for miles. As we pulled up and stopped, everyone rushed the bus to greet us. One by one the players filed out, I waited until last with the trainer to exit the bus. As I stepped down I saw Ashley standing near the front of the bus. I moved over to her, I could see she had tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close to her.

"Your Dad is so proud of you Brian. You played like you were possessed, I have never seen an effort like that in my life.", she whispered in my ear.

"Ashley, please don't be too tight, my ribs are broken.", I softly said as I winced in pain.

"Broke ? You played the game with broken ribs ?", she asked loudly.

"Shhhhhhhhh. It's not bad, I am just really sore. It was my decision to play. They wanted me to sit out. Just please don't say anything to anyone.", I begged.

I could tell by the look on her face she was not overjoyed but she promised she would keep quiet. Several people walked over to us all congratulating me for my effort and on the state record. It had been a long day, I was tired and hurting, I asked Ashley if we could leave. She agreed and pointed in the direction where she was parked. Before we could head that way Courtney and her parents walked up to us. Courtney ran up to me and jumped into my arms, wrapping hers around me. The impact doubled me over, I almost went down to one knee.

"Brian , oh my God, what's wrong ?", she cried out, stepping back.

"It's ok Court, I am just really sore.", I answered.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know.", she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

I reassured Courtney I was ok and hugged her gently. Her father stepped up and extended his hand.

"Great game Brian. You were head and shoulders better than anyone on that field. I can't remember watching someone dominate a high school game like you just did.", he boomed.

"Thank you Mr. Timmons.", I replied, shaking his hand.

As we spoke for a few minutes it was clear he was as excited about the win as we were. He had been an athlete in high school and college, he loved football. Before we parted he informed us that the entire town was putting on a huge celebration in a few weeks at a large open facility just outside of town. The entire town was going to be there. We excused ourselves and headed to Ashley's car which was a few blocks away.

We arrived home quickly, I went into my bedroom and undressed, getting ready for bed. I went to the kitchen to get a couple of pain relievers and ran into Ashley who, since I wasn't wearing a shirt, saw the bruises on my side.

"Oh God Brian, you're hurt badly. I need to take you to the hospital right now, "she exclaimed.

"It's ok Ashley, I had two sets of X-Rays, they are fractured but not broken. I will be fine.", I replied.

I went back in my room and laid down in my bed trying to unwind from the long day and all of the excitement. I laid there for a few minutes, the pain seem to intensify, my side was now throbbing. I sat back down and after a few minutes the pain did ease up a bit. I grabbed a blanket and a pillow and made my way to the family room. I sat down in the large recliner and tilted it back a little. I was able to sleep on and off for a while, mostly waking whenever I moved. Early the next morning, I felt someone's arms around me. I opened my eyes and looked up to see Ashley looking down on me from behind the chair.

"How are you feeling?", she asked sincerely.

"I'm ok, I just feel better sitting up then laying down.", I replied.

Even though Ashley had been married to my Dad, the fact that she would be twenty eight a few days before I would be nineteen, in my mind every now and then, I couldn't help but think of her as just a woman. She was always stunningly beautiful, her body was flawless and she always smelled so good. Now her hands were rubbing my shoulders and chest ever so gently, I could not help but think of things I shouldn't.

"How about some breakfast ?", she asked.

"Sure, sounds great.", I answered.

We had just sat down to eat breakfast when the phone rang. Ashley got up and answered it, a strange look crossing her face. As she was talking on the phone, I heard my cell phone ringing in my bedroom. I got up and walked down the hall and picked it up. It was a long distance number which I didn't recognize so I just ignored it. By the time I got back to the kitchen the phone was ringing again. After the second call Ashley sat down, a smile on her face.

"The first call was from Alabama, the second from Texas, they both are sending someone out here to talk to you hotshot.", she stated.

"I just got a long distance call on my cell phone too. I wonder who that was from.", I answered.

For the rest of the day and night the phone rang constantly, recruiters trying to set up an appointment to come out and talk to me. I had no idea what to do, I was relying heavily on my Father to handle this situation, without him this was going to be a mess. I decided to call Coach Mike and try to meet with him to get some guidance.

I met with Coach Mike after school on Monday for several hours. We laid out all of the criteria that I was looking for in the next phase of my football career. First and foremost was a great education, the chance of playing football past college was a very long shot. I also wanted to play if not close to home, near enough that coming back home was not a problem. Lastly I wanted to play hopefully, at a major college and for a program that would push me as hard as possible.

All week recruiters were filing into school in hopes to get a chance to talk to either me, Jason or Devon, all expected to get major college offers. By the end of the week it had gotten so bad, Ms. Carter decided to shut it down. She set aside our lunch period as the only time we could meet with recruiters or coaches. I had somewhat narrowed my choice down to schools in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas. All had great programs and all four had expressed a possibility of offering me a full or partial scholarship.

By the time Friday rolled around, I seriously needed a weekend off. I was physically and mentally exhausted, as was Ashley. We decided to unplug the house phone for the weekend, we would only answer personal cell calls. Courtney and I were just going to go out Friday night and take it easy, maybe a movie or something. When I arrived at her house to pick her up, there were cars everywhere. I had to park down the block and walk up to the house. I rang the bell and Courtney's mother answered the door.

"Hi Brian, nice to see you honey, come on in.", she greeted, waving her hand behind her, "Please ignore my husband, he has one of his famous all guy parties going on. They do this once or twice a year."

"Thank you Ms. Timmons, nice to see you too." I replied.

I followed her to the family room where several dozen men were either sitting or standing around, all drinking beer or eating. Courtney's Dad jumped up and quickly crossed the room.

"Brian, hey come on over and meet the guys.", he cried out.

He grabbed me by the arm and drugged me into the middle of the family room excitedly, like I was his new toy.

"Guy's this is Brian Stevens, Courtney's boyfriend, and defensive end from our State Championship Team.", he exclaimed.

I waved to everyone, somewhat embarrassed by my introduction, and stood quietly next to Mr. Timmons. One guy who was standing right next to us spoke up.

"Jesus H. Christ son, you're only in high school ? I find that hard to believe.", he stated.

"I'll be nineteen in a few days sir, I will graduate this year.", I answered calmly.

Everyone started asking questions all at once, I did my best to try and answer them one by one. Courtney's mother came to my rescue after a few minutes.

"Ok, that's enough. Brian is here to see Courtney, not entertain you old geezers.", she said.

She grabbed me by the hand and pulled me out of the crowd and into the kitchen. She told me Courtney would be down in a few minutes, to make myself comfortable. Less than five minutes later, Courtney came down ready to go. We started out passing through the family room when her Dad called out to me.

"Wait before you go Brian, come here for a minute.", he called out.

I looked at Courtney and shrugged my shoulders, what could I do ? I walked over to where he was standing with another man, apparently they were engaged in a friendly argument. He pulled me over to where they were standing.

"Brian, this is Steve Donnelly, he graduated from Parkview High, years ago, we made a bet. You have to settle it for us." he roared.

"I'll try sir.", I answered.

"He doesn't believe you played the entire game hurt, he says you were one hundred percent for four quarters.", he stated.

I really did not want to get into this conversation, much less have to settle a bet. I gave some lame excuse about just having the wind knocked out of me, that it was no big deal. No one outside of our locker room and Ashley really knew the true extent of what happened.

"Brian, I know better. You're a very polite and well mannered young man, so don't lie to your possible future father-in-law. And do not cost me money.", he shot back, "I know for a fact, one of your teammates told me."

I didn't know what to say, I really did not want to cause any problems for the school, coaching staff or the trainers. I figured I better at least try to settle it with the least possible detail I could.

"Ok, I did play three quarters with bruised ribs, no big deal.", I answered.

Before I could say anything, Courtney's dad reached over and pulled my tee shirt up, exposing my bruised upper torso. By now the bruising was extensive, wrapping around my chest and back.

"Oh my God.", Courtney cried out, her hands covering her face.

"Oh damn Brian, I am so sorry son.", Mr. Timmons said softly.

"It's ok really, I am fine.", I replied, pulling my shirt back down.