Chapter 47

We were seated with the coaches at the head table. I was seated with Bob at a table to one side with two Lions players across the circular table. I didn’t recognize either one. Others joined us at the table. One was a very pretty young woman about my age who took the seat next to me.

“I’m Joyce Westerbrook. Aren’t you Jerry Short?”

“Yes, I believe so. Hello, Joyce.”

“You didn’t play in the second half, why not?”

“We didn’t want to run the score up and I hurt from being speared.”

From across the table, I heard, “You couldn’t have run the score up.”

After a moment, I said, “It didn’t matter. The Lions couldn’t score even against our second string defense.” I looked up at his angry face. “You guys got beaten badly. It was no fluke and we could have made it look much worse than it was. I played quarterback and don’t even have a scholarship but did lead the ‘Cats to four unanswered scores. You need to give up the braggadocio.”

He stood up to be flanked by Steve, one of our offensive linemen, and by Doug, one of our defensive linesman. In his quiet voice that was lower than the bottom of a well, Doug said, “You need to sit down and stay down. Even hurt, Jerry could’ve gone out there and put another four TD’s on the board quite easily. Maybe, we should have done that.”

He and Steve pushed him down at his shoulders until he resumed his seat rather firmly.

We were served our meals and I ate. Bob had watched and was grinning. Joyce tried to involve me in a conversation twice more to be politely rebuffed. At the third attempt between our meal and dessert, I decided to say something different. I said, “Miss Westerbrook, while I appreciate your advances, I am in love with a girl at school. We plan to marry.” She looked a bit surprised. “I will spend the evening talking to her by phone.”

Our desserts were served. After the table was cleared, there would be some speeches. I composed my mind in neutral. Finally, it was time for the most valuable player to be named. I was hoping for Bob. The chairman of the organizing committee called my name. I rose and went up to accept that trophy to loud applause. Coach Marshall led the ‘Cats in standing followed by everyone else.

I accepted the trophy and just said, “Thank you. Our entire team earned this award and I accept it on their behalf.”

I was kept up there as Bob and Trevor were called to join me. We were awarded the championship trophy for winning at this level of college play. Coach Marshall was standing with us. He went to speak. “These three young men led the team this entire year and are due the honors they are now receiving. I appreciate the opportunity to coach them.”

The championship trophy stayed at the head table. I carried the MVP trophy back to my table and set it down before I did. Once seated, the man next to me said, “Jerry, you deserved this. I watched your play and your involvement with the defense at the beginning of the third quarter.”

“Thank you. I just try to contribute. My usual position is linebacker. I’m just a stand-in after our team’s quarterback was killed in an accident as we returned from a game.”

The man smiled. “I’m aware of the history of the ‘Cats for this year and of the parts you have played in that success. My real surprise is that you are unlikely to turn pro.”

I grimaced. “That’s true. I plan to become a professor of mathematics at some point.”

“I understand. I think you will do well at that, also.”

He grinned. “I also noticed that the ‘Cats informal cheering section didn’t make the trip. I missed them. I enjoyed the special that was done on you folks earlier this year.”

Bob grinned. “They want to do another, longer one before Christmas. Alice and Jerry have agreed to do it. They just have to work out the details.”

The man said, “I will look forward to seeing that special.”

I said, “I guess,” pointing at the trophy, “that there will be one more thing to talk about now depending upon the focus the interviews might have.”

The banquet was over and we headed to our rooms. Bob carried my trophy for me noticing that my side was still sore. We arrived in our room and I stripped down and lay on the bed.

Bob said, “Jerry, do you have any pain pills?”

“No. Just some Aleve or similar in my shaving kit.”

“I’ll get them for you. I think you’re hurting and some relief will help along with a good night’s sleep. Get under the covers while I get your pills. We might just sleep in tomorrow. There aren’t any plans for church of which I’ve heard.”

I got under the covers. Bob brought the pill which I took. I went to sleep.

I didn’t wake in the morning until shortly after nine thirty. Bob had made the in-room coffee when he saw me wake up. He served us both. I felt better and said so. Bob said, “I’m glad. You slept hard last night.”

We drank our coffee and watched the Sunday local news on the TV. The reporter talked about the game. Both Bob and I received mention about our play. We even made the no caffeine version of the in-room coffee!

We watched the televised church service which came on after we had showered and dressed. When the service was over, we packed. We went down to the lobby looking for lunch. We found it. We joined the rest of the team and were served. The Lions were there but were subdued. Bob and I greeted them in a friendly manner just like we had before the game. I could tell some of the Lions’ players were surprised. However, no one asked questions. When the meals were finished, Coach Marshall announced that we would meet in thirty minutes to load our buses.

Bob and I went to our room, closed our cases, leaving the room for the lobby. Bob was carrying my trophy again. I had just taken another Aleve before we had left the room. We went through the line and boarded our bus. I slept through the trip.

Once off the bus, we went to the academic dorm where the dining hall was open for us to have a late, light supper. Coach Marshall announced that breakfast would be served in the morning but that the dorm would then be closing for the holiday break after that.

Bob and I ate and went up to our room. We called our girls. To our surprise, they were together and had made plans for our immediate future.

Alice explained it to me. “Jerry, you will bring Bob to the farm where Marilyn awaits him. She will take him to her home from there. We will spend the night here and then go to your parents’ house for the week. We’ll negotiate the rest of the holidays during the week. Grace is here with Mitch and will stay here.”