CHAPTER 44

For the next twenty minutes I followed him around the huge home as he introduced me to all of his friends, both male and female. About half of the people I met knew who I was, several had mentioned they watched me play. We finally made our way back to the family room where I found a seat on the end of the sofa. I was just sitting there drinking a Coke when I realized I had forgotten to give Mr. Timmons his gift. By now he had once again disappeared into the crowd, I decided to stay put until I saw him again. I had been sitting there for about ten minutes, when I saw Courtney walk through the family room and into the kitchen. I know she didn't see me through the maze of people, I slumped down a bit on the sofa, hoping she would be leaving soon.

Finally Mr. Timmons made his way back over to where I was sitting, he had two of his friends with him. He introduced me to both of them, as I stood to shake their hands. It's tough to not be noticed in a crowd when you're almost six foot, seven inches tall. As I stood to talk to the two men, I saw Courtney out of the corner of my eye, turning her head in my direction. I was glad to be engaged in a conversation at that point, I really didn't want to talk with her.

"Brian, are you ready for the big game ?", Mr.Timmons asked.

"Yes sir, I am. I just hope we play well, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.", I answered.

"I'm not too sure, with the talent you guys have, you could make another run at it next year.", he fired back.

"Maybe, but I would rather get it done this year sir.", I replied.

The three men burst out laughing, I'm not sure why, I wasn't trying to be funny. I know how much work, and to some degree how much luck it takes to go unbeaten in college football. It doesn't happen every season, you have to grab the situation in hand when you can.

"Oh by the way Mr. Timmons, my coaches have told me that scouts are talking about where I would be drafted if I declared myself a hardship this year and entered the draft.", I stated.

"You're kidding. That's fabulous Brian, I always knew you would make it.", he said, slapping my back.

"I doubt I will declare this year, my coaches think another year and I could possibly be an early second round pick. I am pretty sure I will come back at least one more season before I make my decision.", I answered.

We talked for a few more minutes, then I remembered the jersey that I had brought him. I turned and reached down on the sofa and picked up the bag, handing it to him. I could tell once again, he was excited to see what I had brought him. He opened the bag and pulled the white jersey out of the bag. He opened it up and looked carefully at it, taking a while for it to register just what it was. After seeing the grass stains, tears and rips that had been repaired, and dried blood on the lower front, he knew what it was.

"This is your game jersey ? You wore this in the game ?", he asked incredulously.

"Yes sir, last season," I answered.

For the first time since I had been introduced to Courtney's Dad, he was at a loss for words. I could see tears well up in the older man's eyes. He had to take a deep breath to compose himself in front of his friends.

"Brian, I don't know what to say. You should keep this, it could be quite valuable one day in the future.", he said, extending the jersey back to me.

"No sir, I want you to have it. And if God is willing and I do play in the pro's, you will get one of those as well.", I answered.

Still quite choked up, he yelled over the top of the crowd, asking everyone to be silent for just a few seconds. He once again introduced me to everyone, then held up the jersey, explaining what it was and that I had just given it to him. With the guests whispering to each other he turned back to me, once again extending the jersey back to me.

"Would you do me the honor of signing this for me Brian. I would love to frame it and hang it in my office.", he asked politely.

"Of course I will, sir.", I answered, taking the jersey.

As he disappeared in his office for a marker, I took the jersey over to the kitchen table and laid it out flat, with the back panel up. Mr. Timmons reappeared quickly, a black sharpie marker in his hand. I took the marker from him and bent over, trying to think of an inscription. I smiled thinking this was already twice today. Someone wanted my autograph, a naive kid who grew up in a small town. I placed the black sharpie inside one of the two number nines on the jersey. Inside the first number I wrote the inscription:

"Game Used - Florida"

Inside the second number nine , I wrote the following inscription :

To : Mr. Gerald, Thank you for the kindness & friendship -

Brian Stevens # 99

I handed the jersey back to Mr. Timmons as a few of the people in the room applauded. He once again thanked me for the generous gift telling me how much it meant to him. He told me by the time I would come back to town next summer, it would be framed hanging in his office. He walked across the kitchen to show his wife the item up close. I looked up at the clock, saw it was close to nine o'clock, I decided I would soon thank everyone and head home. I walked back to where I was sitting to wait on Mr. Timmons when Courtney cornered me, I had no place to go.

"Hey.", she said, a weak smile on her face.

"Hi Court, how are you ?", I asked.

"I'm ok, I guess. How about you ?", she replied.

"Doing ok too, just really crazy up at school, with us being in the National Championship this year. I barely have time to breathe right now.", I responded.

"Yea, I can imagine. You must be excited huh ?", she inquired.

"Yea, I am ready to play now, I wish the wait wasn't so long.", I laughed.

We talked for a few more minutes, mostly just things in general, I could sense maybe she had something in mind. I was extremely anxious to leave, I guess it showed.

"You have any plans for the holidays ?", she asked, averting my eyes.

"Nope, not at all. I have to be back at school in a little over a week for practice. I don't plan on doing anything other than just laying around.", I answered.

"Oh…. Ok.", she responded, "Well if you get bored, give me a call, maybe we can do something."

I guess the look on my face must have immediately told her what my mind was thinking, because she quickly spoke up before I could.

"Oh, I mean, you know…. Just hang out and stuff.", she answered.

"Honestly Court, that might be nice, except I don't need any of Darren's bullshit while I am in town. He's already been in my face several times in the past few years. One of these times, it might get ugly. I just don't need the aggravation.", I replied.

"Oh, we're not dating anymore. We broke up a few weeks ago. He already has another girlfriend.", she confided.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that Court, but honestly I never understood what you saw in him anyway. Thirty years from now he will still be in this town trying to relive his high school days.", I told her.

"I know, I know. My Dad gives me the same speech all the time. I screwed everything up, I really did.", she said, looking down at her feet.

We talked for a few more minutes, then I wished her Merry Christmas, thanked her Mom and Dad for inviting me to the party and left quickly. It was almost eleven that night when I finally arrived back at home. The lights were all still on, there was a car in the drive I did not recognize. I parked my truck, unlocked the door and went into the kitchen. I heard Ashley immediately yell out from the family room.

"Brian, can you come here for a second ?", she asked.

I went to my room, tossed my jacket on the bed, and walked back down the hall to the family room. Upon entering I saw Ashley was seated on the sofa with a very young, extremely attractive blonde lady, they were both drinking wine. They both stood up when I walked into the room.

"Brian, this is Stephanie Jenson, she is a new teacher at school.", she began, "Steph, this is Brian Stevens.

The blonde woman immediately extended her tiny hand to mine, a smile crossing her face. I reached out and took her small hand in mine.

"Nice to meet you Miss Jenson.", I said.

"Where in the heck have you been keeping him ?", Stephanie laughed, "Oh my God, what a man."

Both women laughed out loud, I felt really uncomfortable as they shared the moment.

"I go to school in another state, I am never here.", I answered Ashley quickly.

"Please tell me you're engaged, have a steady girlfriend, hurry quick", Stephanie said laughing.

"Actually, no mam, I haven't seen anyone, haven't in a while.", I answered.

"Oh my God, come sit with me honey.", she squealed, grabbing my arm and pulling me down on the sofa.

I sat down next to her out of sheer courtesy, it was obvious both of them had been drinking for a while. While neither was drunk, they were both rather giddy, I guess you can call it. For the next few minutes I answered questions about school, football and anything else she could throw at me. It seemed she was just out of college herself, this was her first year teaching. She would be twenty four in a few months, making her barely older than me. As the conversation progressed I could sense maybe Ashley was becoming a little uneasy with her new friend. I decided to call it a night.

"Well ladies, I am exhausted, it was nice to meet you. I am going to bed.", I stated.