Chapter 20

I talked with Zack Hayes a few days after the game. Zack was delighted with his success at the bowl game. He also confirmed that the commentators were correct about Coach Hall. He accepted an offer to coach at the University of Kentucky. Zack didn't know who was going to replace him.

Greg Harrison crowed about his upcoming weekend at lunch a couple days after New Year's. He was doing his final official visit. This weekend he was going to visit Purdue.

Greg Harrison greeted me with a smile at lunch on Monday when he returned from his trip to Indiana. Greg asked, "Can you keep a secret, Kyle?"

"Sure."

"I've made up my mind. I enjoyed my trip to Purdue. They have a good program but I like Boston College better. I called Coach Davis last night when I got home. He is flying down here for a press conference on Wednesday," Greg said.

"That's great. I'm happy for you, Greg."

"The press conference is in the auditorium here after school is over. I hope you'll stop by to watch."

"I wouldn't miss it, Greg."

Ed, Jeremy and I started our after school film study session on Tuesday of that week since we wanted to see Greg commit to B.C. the next day. We had almost half the varsity team with us along with fifteen kids from the JV team. It was a productive session.

I was disappointed with one thing. Logan Mitchell missed it. Logan was in eighth grade and had started as quarterback of the JV team. Logan was expected to lead the JV one more year and then join varsity to back up Jake Kring when Ed and I graduated. He should have a couple seasons as the varsity starter if he learned what he needed to be successful. I cared because I expected Logan to be the starter for my brother's senior season. If Andy wanted an opportunity to get recruited by a top college, he would need a good QB to throw passes to him. We needed to work on Logan some more.

Wednesday after school Ed, Jeremy and I slipped into the back of the auditorium to watch our close friend commit himself to play for the Boston College Eagles. I was a little disappointed for Greg. Half a dozen reporters covered the announcement. No one from the local TV stations came. I guess all-state tight ends don't have as big an impact as all-state quarterbacks like Zack Hayes a couple years ago.

When the press conference was over Greg introduced Ed, Jeremy and me to Coach William Davis, head coach of Boston College. Coach Davis was well briefed. He knew exactly who we were as soon as Greg mentioned our names. He couldn't try to recruit us, but he did leave his card with us in case any of us wanted to give him a call. He did say that he might give us a call in a few months when we were eligible for recruiting.

Greg excused the coach and himself. Coach Davis was going to dinner with Greg and his family to celebrate. I hoped everything turned out well for Greg.

Thursday evening's newspaper announced that Coach Robert Burton was being promoted to be the offensive coordinator for Penn State. I thought it sounded like a good idea. Zack Hayes loved Coach Burton and his offensive game plans.

Friday was opening night for Penny's play. After school I gave Penny a good luck kiss before I headed home. Penny was staying at school to do final preparations for opening night that night. My car was in the garage that Friday so Greg Harrison and his date had agreed to give me a ride to opening night and give Penny and me a ride home when the play was over.

I finished up my homework when I got home so I would have the rest of my weekend free. I ate supper, showered and dressed up. I was the escort for one of the leading actresses for the evening, so I needed to look good. Greg and his date, Chelsea Walters, picked me up after dinner. Chelsea was a junior like me. She was in a few of my classes. She was an acquaintance, but not a close friend. This was Greg and Chelsea's fourth date in the past month. They insisted they weren't going steady, but something was definitely going on between them.

Greg drove us the six miles to the school. We hung out in the hallway outside the auditorium for awhile, talking with Ed and Lindsey; Jeremy and Kathy; and Hal and Tammy. We went inside about fifteen minutes before it was time to raise the curtain.

Our high school was noted for our top notch drama department. Mr. Hurley, head of the drama department, was known throughout Lancaster County for the quality of the plays he produced with the students. The curtain went up right on time. I had seen "Arsenic and Old Lace" on Turner Classic Movies years ago and had enjoyed it. I knew virtually all the lines from drilling Penny as she learned them. The Wolverines Performing Arts Society brought the play to life.

I couldn't believe how convincing my gorgeous girlfriend was as an old lady. The near capacity audience howled and laughed throughout the performance. The play flew by. The audience gave the performers a standing ovation when the play was over.

I said good bye to my other friends as they departed for home when the performance was over. Greg and Chelsea kissed and made out a little while we waited for Penny to get cleaned up and changed. Penny finally arrived in the hallway to meet us.

I gushed, "You were fantastic, Penny." I gave her a kiss.

Greg teased, "You better watch out if 'Aunty Martha' decides to serve you drinks in the future, Kyle."

Chelsea added, "You were fabulous, Penny. I loved the play."

"Thank you, everyone. Thank you. I can't believe how much fun this was. Do you guys want to go out for sodas or something?" Penny asked.

"Sure that sounds good. How about the Dairy Queen in Gap?" Greg asked.

Everyone agreed. Greg drove us to Gap. We enjoyed swirls and sodas. We talked and joked for an hour before we headed for home. Penny and I took advantage of the time in the back seat to make out a little on the way home. Greg dropped Penny and me off in front of my house. I said, "Thanks for the ride Greg. I'll see you on Monday at school." We shook hands.

"See you Monday, Kyle," Greg answered before he pulled away to take Chelsea home.

Penny and I kissed good night and headed for our houses. I told Mom and Dad about how great Penny was in the play and headed for bed. I fell asleep after watching the 11 O'clock news.

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking hard on my door. It was dark. I checked my clock. It was 12:30 in the morning. I grunted, "Huh, what?"

My dad answered, "It's a phone call for you, Kyle."

"Huh ... Uh, OK." I said as I slipped into my robe. I staggered to the hall and took the phone from Dad.

"Hello?" I stammered.

"Kyle, this is Coach Caffrey. I'm sorry to tell you this, but Greg Harrison was in a serious accident this evening."

"What? Greg just gave me a ride home earlier this evening."

"It happened about an hour and half ago. Greg was the intersection of Route 30 and Ronks Road. He was pulling out at the green light when a SUV ran the red light and smashed into his car."

I tried to compose myself. "How is he? Where did they take him? Can I help?" I stammered as thoughts flew through my head.

"I don't know how he is yet. I'm at Lancaster General with his parents right now. The doctors haven't told us yet. He is in surgery. Can you help pass the word on? Please call Ed Fritz, Jeremy North, your brother, Karl Weaver and Tim Showalter." Coach answered.

"OK. I can do that," I said. I was operating on auto-pilot now. "Anything else?"

Coach said, "No, not right now. All we can do is pray for Greg and his family."

"I'll pass the word for you, Coach. Thanks for calling."

"Good bye, Kyle."

"Bye, Coach." I said.

Dad asked, "What is it, Kyle?"

"It's Greg. He... [sniffle] ... he... " I started to cry. Dad hugged me.

"Ssshhh ... It's alright Kyle. You can tell me." Dad said soothingly. I managed to pull myself together after about thirty seconds.

"Greg ... Greg's been in ... a bad accident. He's in... [sniffle] surgery now."

"Oh no, I'm sorry to hear this, Kyle," Dad answered.

"I've got to ... to call around. Coach wants me to pass the word," I explained.

"Kyle, it's quarter to one in the morning. This will have to wait for the morning."

"NO! I have to do this now! Greg's my teammate and we have to stick together. I'm calling now," I declared as I picked up the phone.

I passed the word to Tim Showalter and Karl Weaver. When I finally got Ed on the phone, he asked, "Should we go to the hospital? Isn't that what we should do?"

My eyes lit up. "That's it. That's what we should do. We should be with Greg's parents and with Coach Caffrey at the hospital."

Dad declared emphatically, "NO! It's much too late. You should get some sleep."

"I'm not going to be able to sleep, Dad. Greg's my friend and teammate. I need to go. Please?" I begged. I badgered Dad for almost five minutes before he relented and agreed to drive me to Lancaster to keep vigil with Coach Caffrey and Greg's parents. I called Ed back. He had just gotten off the phone with Jeremy. Both were going to meet Dad and me in ten minutes.

The three of us were lost in thought as Dad drove us to the hospital. How could something like this happen to our friend? Would Greg be all right? Why did something like this happen to such a nice guy?

The lady at the front desk pointed us to the correct waiting room to meet with Coach and Greg's parents. Tim Showalter, Dustin Robbins, Nathan Yuninger and George Reynolds were already there when we arrived. The four of us went straight to Coach Caffrey to find out what was happening.

Coach explained "I don't really have much more information, guys. Greg went into the operating room about an hour ago. Apparently Greg was heading for home after he dropped his date of at her house."

"That sounds right. Greg gave my girlfriend and me a ride home after the play tonight," I said. "He dropped us off around 10:30."

"This idiot ran the red light just as Greg was starting through the intersection. He smashed into the driver's side of Greg's car. Greg was unconscious when the ambulance brought him in to the hospital. The doctors expect that Greg will be in surgery for another hour or two."