106

Colby

A mild heart attack. After tests and more tests, that’s what they called it. With medications, a good diet, and regular walking, the doctor says Gram will be fine.

She stayed at the hospital a couple of days for monitoring, and then they sent her home.

Dad took the week off from work so Grandpa wouldn’t overdo it, taking care of her. The doctor said Gram would be tired the first week, but she should still get up, get dressed, and should not lie in bed all day.

I’m pretty sure when he said that he didn’t know that lying in bed all day is about the last thing my gram would ever want to do.

With everything going on, Dad doesn’t mention the big “college decision,” and I certainly don’t bring it up. I’m thankful for the reprieve. My plan is to get through the final game, and worry about the rest later. Cross that bridge when I come to it, so to speak.

By the second week, Gram seems back to her old self, though we only let her cook dinner for us, while we take care of our  own breakfasts and lunches. We’re also doing our own laundry, which bugs the crap out of her, because none of us does it the “right” way.

I honestly don’t care if I pull my wrinkly jeans out of the dryer after they’ve sat there for two days, but Gram cares. And she lets me know it.

I just smiled when she told me how I should have been doing it, and when she finished giving me my laundry lesson, I said, “I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Gram.”

She replied, “Well, honestly, I’ll be glad when I can do your laundry again, so it’s done right. You deserve better than wrinkled pants, Colby!”

I gave her a big hug as I laughed about it.

Now it’s Thursday, and we’re dressing for our last practice of the season. Tomorrow night, we’ll be up in Portland, in a big fancy locker room, getting ready for the game of our lives.

I jump when I hear Coach holler, “Gather round!”

“What’s this?” Derek asks. “The big motivating speech comes tomorrow night, doesn’t it?”

Coach smiles. “Yes. It does. But this afternoon I have some good news to share. I just got off the phone and wanted to tell you we’ll have some special guests at the game tomorrow night.”

We look at one another, question marks floating over our heads.

“There’s no way you’ll guess, so I’ll just tell you. Your teammate, Benny Lewis, is flying in tomorrow for the game.”

The room erupts in cheers. I’m sitting there in shock, wondering why Benny didn’t let me know about this.

“Lewis has made incredible progress,” Coach goes on. “His mom told me the overseeing physician says it’s nothing short of a miracle. Anyway, I’ve been checking in with his family on a regular basis, and it was my hope that I could help to make this happen for you boys. His team of medical staff agreed to let him fly home, just for the weekend. On Sunday, he’ll return to Atlanta, because his work there certainly isn’t finished.”

Coach looks around at us for a minute before he says, “I know this has been a challenging season for y’all. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you fell apart; if you couldn’t muster the strength and courage week after week like a winning team needs to. But you did it. And I am so damn proud of each and every one of you. And I know whatever happens tomorrow night, you’re gonna make Benny proud too.

“Now let’s get out there and have a good practice. I’ll see you on the field in five.”

107

Lauren

She wants us back together. “I want us to be a family again.” That’s what she told me. Now I’m trying to tell Erica and Josh this. When I told them I’d just talked to my mom, they ushered the kids to the playroom, like a flock of ducklings, then took me into the family room. “What did she say?” Erica asks as I sit back on the sofa, trying to digest the brief conversation. I stare at the coffee table, the rings left there by glasses of juice because kids aren’t careful about things like coasters. “Lauren?” Josh says. I look at him. “She wants me to come to North Carolina. Just for a while. Then we’re going to go back to Seattle. She wants to fight for shared custody of Matthew.” Josh and Erica look at each other. I can tell they’re not sure what to say. “She says she needs me. That she can’t do it without me. I don’t know the details, why she didn’t get shared custody in the first place, but she said she regrets that she didn’t fight harder. She said she misses him.” I stare at the rings again and think of Andrew, Henry, and Demi. Those are their rings. On their table. In their family room, where they watch SpongeBob and laugh, like a family does. “And that was it?” Josh asks. “She told me she was sorry,” I reply. “For everything.” Erica talks slowly. “Lauren, it’s a big decision. Nothing has to be decided right now. Think on it for a while, okay?” “But they’re my family,” I say. “I belong with them.” “Let me call her,” Josh says. “I want to talk to her about this.” I stand up. “Fine. But I’m going to pack. I have money saved. I’m going to buy a ticket.” Josh stands. “Of course we’ll help with whatever you need. But let’s wait a few days. You know, think on it awhile.” I shake my head. They don’t understand. I can’t wait. She might change her mind.

108

Colby

Benny must have wanted to surprise me. He didn’t tell me because he wanted me to be surprised along with everyone else.