Hit Hard

“Filler drops back and lets it fly. Adams catches it in the endzone! Touchdown Tigers!” The announcer started. “There’s only two seconds on the clock, and the Tigers are going to go into halftime with a fourteen to zero lead on the Wilson Eagles.”

“Not a bad start.” Claude smiled as he sat down next to Charlene on the bleachers. It was warm out, but the field lights made it even warmer. The half had ended and he could now sit without being mocked. Apparently no one really sat down for games here.

“Yeah, let’s hope we can keep it up.” Charlene sat down next to him. “I remember the Eagles were a second half team.”

“They sure were.” Lila said as she sat down with Jason.

“They still are.” Lilian added.

“Dad knows what to do.” Jason laughed. “He’s been playing them for years.”

“Very true.” Charlene nodded. Claude out his arm around her.

“There’s a lot of people here.” He said to her.

“Yeah. Didn’t you see all the cars as we we're driving here?” Everyone in town loaded up and drove in a big caravan for away games like this. They all had blue and gold bumper stickers and flags. It was pretty cool to see.

“Yeah, but when you told me about it I thought you we're lying.” He laughed.

“Nope we’re pretty crazy about football here.”
...............................................................................

“Nice win, Coach!” Lillian called as the team walked out of the locker room and on to the bus. All the players’ parents waited for them to come out so they could see them off before they drove home behind them.

“Thank you, ma’am” Jonathan kissed his wife quickly before he walked off to usher the players on to the bus back home. “I’ll see you at home, Honey.”

“Let’s head on home.” Lillian smiled. “We need to get home so y’all can go home and get to bed. We don’t want anyone tired for the rehearsal dinner! You’re a bridesmaid, Charlie.”

“I’m aware.” Charlene smiled. “Thats why I flew down here.”

“You would’ve flown down for me anyway, Sis.” Jason said.

“Eh, maybe.” Charlene laughed.

“Alright, kids,” Lillian laughed, “Let’s go.” claude out his arm around Charlene and walked her to the car.

“I might fall asleep on your shoulder.” Charlene said as she looked up at Claude in the dark car.

“I wouldn’t mind.” He smiled. “Not even a little.” Charlene put her head on him and Claude began to play with her hair.

“So, Claude,” Jason started as he turned around from the passenger seat to talk to Claude, “how often do you fight?”

“Like one a year, man. I fight when I have to.” Claude laughed. “And only when I have to.”

“Good.” Charlene smiled. “No loosing any more teeth!”

“This gap is a battle scar.” He said.

“Its pretty freakin’ sweet.” Jason laughed.

“Don’t even think about it!” Lila laughed. “You will have all of your teeth in my wedding photos, Jason.” That was the last conversation Charlene remembered hearing before she fell asleep.

She woke up in bed in her blue dress she wore to the game. The lihs we're still on which meant Claude had carried her in and they had just gotten home. The bathroom door opened and Claude walked out. “Did I wake you up?” He asked.

“No.” She replied. “I was up on my own.” She stood up and changed out of her dress into an old t shirt and shorts. Claude and Charlene got into bed at the same time. “I’m so tired though.”

“Me too.” Claude said as he turned out the light.

Notes