“You don’t get it. Her mom went out with a needle. This is a deal-breaker for her.”
“All you can do is plead your case.”
“That’s all I seem to fucking do with this woman.” I’m busting from the inside out. “The cap was on. It didn’t touch him. He’s fine.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah. If I weren’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I saw him pull it out of the bag, and then it was in my hand.”
“Then go. You’ll sort this shit when you get back.”
“What the hell am I going to do?”
“Go to camp, man, it’s all you can do.”
“I can’t leave it like this!”
“You’ve got no choice. This is what the league will be like. The game doesn’t give a shit about your personal life. This is your chance, man, don’t blow it.”
“I don’t know,” I scrub my jaw. “You should have seen her. I think she believes it was mine. Fuck, she was supposed to drop me at the airport.”
“I’ve got you.” He pulls up his phone and shoots off a text.
“She’ll come around. You need to go.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You’re going. Your boy is alright. I’ll go and check on them both in a bit. I swear to you. I’ve got this handled. Go.”
“Fuck, Lance, if I lose her…” I grab my duffle and head downstairs as an Uber pulls up. The driver, who looks a hell of a lot like a bald Carrot Top, introduces himself as Dave and takes my luggage as I scan Clarissa’s house. A house that encases the whole of my fucking heart.
“I’ve got this,” Lance assures me from where he stands on the porch. “This is just as much for them now as it is for you. You’ll work it out when you get back.”
“Right,” I linger at the open door of a Taurus. “Please, baby,” I whisper as I stare at her front door, praying for a glimpse of her. All my hopes evaporate when the house stays lifeless.
“You gotta go, man,” Lance calls out as I linger.
“Text me?”
“Go.”
Nodding as my heart cracks, I climb into the back seat and shut the door before the car speeds away from the curb.
Sharon’s Broccoli Rice Casserole
PE Teacher, Louisiana
Makes 10-12 servings
1 hour
1 Stick Butter – Melted
½ Cup Chopped Onion
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 10 oz. Package Frozen Chopped Broccoli