Chapter 21

January 21st represented the end of my one year term of office as my troop's Senior Patrol Leader. I wasn't allowed to run for the office again. Mr. Clark appointed me to be the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for our troop.

I originally expected either Paul Abbott or Mark Good would succeed me. Ed felt he was too busy preparing for quarterback next season. Jeremy wouldn't run since he was running the Venturer Crew this year. A couple weeks earlier Hal unexpectedly decided he wanted to run for SPL. Hal beat Paul with Mark coming in a distant third. Hal tried to get Jeremy to accept the position of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, but Jeremy said no. Hal settled for having Paul be his assistant. It was for the best. Paul and Mark needed to get prepared to run the troop when my friends and I weren't in scouts anymore.

Football team members celebrated after the January School Board meeting. They approved construction of the new Stadium. The bid request would go out immediately. The contractor would be selected in February. Construction would begin by the end of March, weather permitting.

Ed and I got a hall pass from Coach Caffrey for our lunch period on Tuesday. It gave us permission to go the middle school cafeteria. We wanted time to sit down and talk with Logan Mitchell, who quarterbacked the JV team last season. We needed him to make it to our film study sessions. We checked with the teacher on duty in the cafeteria so she knew why we were in the wrong cafeteria.

Ed and I got a few confused looks from the younger kids. Dave Mitchell (no relation to Logan) and Cody Stevens gave us a big hello when we passed their table. Ed and I spotted Logan sitting with some other JV and middle school football players.

We made our way over to Logan's table. I said, "Hey Logan, could we sit with you? We'd like to talk with you."

Logan looked shocked. "Huh? What do you want?" I had a couple of the kids slide down a seat on either side of Logan. Ed and I sat down on either side of Logan. Logan didn't look to comfortable.

"Relax, Logan. We want to talk. That's all," I explained. "You know the film study sessions Ed and I run each Wednesday after school?"

"Yeah," he answered hesitantly.

Ed said, "Kyle and I wanted to talk to you and explain how important these sessions can be. They can help you a lot."

I asked, "Did you see Penn State play in the bowl game a few weeks ago?"

"Yeah," Logan answered.

"You know Zack Hayes threw three touchdowns at the end of the game and that Zack went to high school here?"

"Sure. Everyone knows that."

I continued, "You know Ed was first team all-state at quarterback this year?"

"No, I didn't," Logan replied.

Ed said, "I was. Do you know how I learned to play quarterback well enough to do that?"

"Uh ... film study sessions?" Logan answered hesitantly.

"Exactly. Zack Hayes helped me learn how to break down film; how to read defenses," Ed said. "He helped me learn to do what I do now."

I asked, "Ed, how many colleges have sent you recruiting information?"

Ed smiled, "Twenty-three."

I continued, "Ed is probably going to get a full athletic scholarship for college. Do you know how many tens of thousands of dollars that is going to save Ed's parents?"

"No," Logan answered.

"College can cost any where from $40,000 to 100,000. An athletic scholarship would be worth a lot of money." I said.

Ed continued, "Logan, Kyle and I want to help you learn how to be a top quarterback in our league. Zack Hayes taught Jake Kring and me. I want to help you learn what I was taught."

I added, "Ed and I have busted our balls over the last two or three years to turn our team into one of the best in the state. We want Jake and you to keep this tradition of excellence going after we leave. That is why we want you to come to the film study sessions."

Ed looked directly into Logan's eyes. "What do you think? Do you want to be the best quarterback around some day?"

"Do you think it's possible?" Logan asked hopefully.

Ed answered, "Sure. I wasn't anything special three years ago when I was in eighth grade. Zack helped me. I worked hard, practiced and studied. I'll help you do it too, if you are willing to put in the effort. What do you say?"

"I'd like to Ed," Logan answered. "I'll talk to my parents."

"Good. We'll see you tomorrow, Logan," I said.

Logan started asking questions about quarterbacking the rest of the way through lunch. Ed and I seemed to have made an impression on Logan. Ed and I exchanged high fives after lunch when we headed back to the high school side of the school complex.

Wednesday afternoon's film study session was well attended. We had 23 guys ready to learn more about football and one very unhappy girl. Mom said that Liz couldn't stay home alone when Andy and I were doing the film study. She sat in the back and tried to do her homework over all the noise we made. Logan asked lots of questions. He was paying attention.

I had a few bad moments as we watched the Greg Harrison score his touchdown in our game last fall over the Coventry Warriors. I looked around the room and saw a lot of the other guys trying to hide tears too. Ed, Jeremy and I were going to have to discuss this. We couldn't have a bunch of football players crying every film session.

Penny and I settled into a nice routine now that her play was finished. We studied together after school most days. We frequently took advantage of no parents being home in the afternoon. It was great to be able to make love to your girlfriend regularly. It wasn't unusual for Dave and Liz to work on homework downstairs while Penny and I made love in my room and Andy and Shannon did the same in his bedroom.

My scout troop went to the district Klondike Derby the last weekend in January. We camped out at Muddy Creek Park for the weekend. Saturday the senior scouts in our troop helped run stations. The patrols from the fifteen southern Lancaster County troops pulled "dog" sleds around the park and competed at the stations in first aid, knots, lashing, map and compass, and teamwork skills. Ed and I ended up running the lashing station for the day.

Andy's Fox Patrol placed third among the 32 patrols that competed in our district's derby. We headed back to our campsite after the awards ceremony Saturday afternoon. The patrols started dinner.

Our scoutmaster, Mr. Clark called me and the other assistant scoutmasters over to talk before dinner. Mr. Clark said, "I wanted to talk with you to discuss ideas for who will be the next troop guides. Any thoughts, gentlemen?"

Mr. Good suggested, "What do you think of Troy Smith?"

I said, "I think Troy is doing a good job as patrol leader for the Flaming Arrows."

Mr. Huber agreed with my assessment. Mr. Clark asked, "What do you think of Andrew Martin?"

Andy? I hadn't thought he would be considered. Mr. Good said, "I think Andy would be good."

Mr. Huber added, "Andy's experience on camp staff last summer seemed to improve his leadership skills. I could see the difference when he got home from working at camp."

"Andy has worked out well as patrol leader for the Foxes," Mr. Clark said. "Kyle, do you think your brother would be up to the task?"

"Um ... I guess." I hesitated for a few seconds. "Should we be looking at older scouts?"

Mr. Clark answered, "Normally the troop guides are 14-15 years old and in ninth grade. That fits Andrew doesn't it?"

I admitted, "Yes, he fits. Would any of the other ninth graders be a better selection? What about Eric Connell or Devin Schreffler?"

Mr. Good said, "They haven't been a patrol leader or assistant patrol leader. I think Eric's too quiet. Can you imagine Eric working with the patrol you had two years ago, Kyle."

"No, I can't," I admitted. "I guess you're right about Eric."

Mr. Huber asked, "How many new scout patrols do you think we'll have, Charlie?"

Mr. Clark, who's first name is Charles, answered, "It looks like two patrols. The pack has 13 second year Webelos."

Mr. Good said, "That's two patrols. So Charlie, is it Troy and Andy?"

Mr. Clark said, "I think so. Kyle, you seem to have reservations about your brother. Why?"

"I'm not sure if Andy is ready for such an important job," I answered.

"I've heard that said before. Your brother Will said the same thing two years ago about you before you were appointed as Troop Guide. I think Andrew is ready. Kyle, would you get Troy and Andrew? I want to discuss this with them."

I got my brother and Troy. They spent fifteen minutes talking with Mr. Clark. Andy had a big grin on his face when he went back to his patrol for dinner. He accepted the job for the next year.

The temperature dropped down to twenty degrees Saturday night. Hal had the senior scouts visit every tent to check to make sure all the scouts had changed into clean clothes before bedtime and that everyone had sleeping bags and blankets to keep them warm overnight. It was a cold night, but everyone survived it. Hot chocolate tasted great first thing in the morning. Our Klondike Derby/Winter campout was a great success.

Mom called me downstairs on Sunday afternoon after I got home from the camping trip and had showered. She was part of the committee organizing our troop's banquet in two weeks. Mom went over the guest list to confirm the guests I wanted to invite when I received my Eagle award.

My list included my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I insisted that we had to invite Justin and Sherry Baer, Matt Horn, Trent Wilson and Christian Hunsecker. I would have invited Zack Hayes too, but Ed Fritz had Zack on his guest list. Confirmations came in throughout the next week. The only people that couldn't make it from my guest list were my Uncle Mike and Aunt Julie and their kids.

The 1st of February brought changes to my rehab. Matt Horn finally felt my knee had improved to the point where I could do open chain exercises. I could do my entire weight lifting routine like I did before my knee injury. Matt teased me that I was also approved for all sex positions now. I was allowed to bowl and golf. The only restrictions were no running and jumping.

Ed, Jeremy, Hal and I decided to take our girlfriends bowling on Friday night, the night before our banquet. Penny, Lindsey, Kathy and Tammy approved of our plan.

Things improved slightly at the next film study session. The younger guys who didn't know Greg Harrison paid close attention as we reviewed our game with the Trojans. This was the game Ed missed when he had the flu. Ed complimented Jake on his performance as quarterback during the first three quarters of the game.

We got to the part where Jake got knocked out. The video showed me jogging over to the sideline for directions from Coach Caffrey and then calling the play in the huddle. We lined up and Adam Diem snapped the ball to me. I dropped back five steps. Andy had a step on the defensive back but I overthrew the ball.

Ed commented, "Nice, Kyle."

On the next play the Trojans blitzed six people. I hadn't noticed that during the game last fall. I watched as Andy came open. Joey Keller slipped and the defensive end came loose. I streaked out of the backfield chased by two defensive linemen. I pulled away from them quickly and wasn't tackled until the strong safety hit me fourteen yards downfield.

Ed laughed out loud. Jake joined him. I scowled at them and growled, "What?"

Still laughing, Ed spit out, "You looked like a scared chicken on that play. Way to go, Kyle."

I protested, "I made the first down!" I tried to keep from laughing along with the rest of my friends. "Hey, I did get better as the game went on."

We continued on with the remainder of the game. When we were done dissecting the plays on both teams Ed admitted, "You really didn't do too bad, considering you're a wide receiver."

"4 for 7 passing for 72 yards and a touchdown is pretty good. I went on-line after the game to check my QB rating. It was 132.1. How often did you beat that rating?" I protested.

Ed laughed and brushed that comment aside. He said, "I'm glad I got to see this video, Kyle. I heard you tell me about it, but your description didn't do it justice. I think I'll stick to quarterbacking and you stick to catching the ball."

"Deal!" I said enthusiastically. I knew the teasing was all in good fun. It helped keep the mood of the group lighter than the previous couple of film study sessions. I hoped we could find some way to keep the spirit up in the future.

The group date on Friday night to the bowling alley with our girlfriends was an excellent idea. The eight of us ended up bowling six games that evening. We competed as couples. Hal and Tammy beat our asses. Ed and Lindsey came in a distant second. Jeremy and Kathy were a close behind for third. Penny and I took the rear. Even though we lost badly, Penny and I had fun.

I felt great while I was bowling. My knee was OK until the last game. It started to stiffen up a little. I still was happy to start to do normal things again instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching the way I had been doing for 3 1/2 months.

Will and Abby came home from Philadelphia on Friday night. They spent the day Saturday shopping for better furniture for their apartment. They were going to meet the family at the banquet.

On Saturday Mom and Dad were busy nearly all day helping with preparations for the troop banquet. I got to sleep in and relax until late afternoon. I showered and shaved for the evening. I was making progress at growing hair on my chin, cheeks and above my lips. I needed to shave nearly every day now, unlike a year or two ago. The blond hairs were still too light for most people to see, but the little bit of stubble bothered Penny when we kissed.

I dressed in my newest scout uniform. I carefully rolled my troop neckerchief, put it on and added my merit badge sash. Mom and Dad were already at the church helping set up the room. I loaded up Andy and Liz in my Golf, drove three doors down the street and picked up Penny. I drove us over to the church.

The Fellowship Hall was really decked out for the banquet. Red and green streamers were strung across the ceiling. Gorgeous flower arrangements were in the center of every table. Penny and I wandered around the room looking over the displays. They had pictures from camping trips in the past few months. The banquet committee had a large cake decorated for the Eagle banquet. It had an Eagle emblem on one side and "Congratulations Ed Fritz, Hal Long, Kyle Martin and Jeremy North" on the other side. Granddad had to take a bunch of pictures of Andy, Liz, Will and me with the cake.

My relatives made a big fuss over me and Penny. Penny and I had a few minutes to talk with Justin and Sherry Baer. Sherry's belly was getting large. She still had another three months before the baby was due. Justin talked about the new house they had just purchased a couple days ago. It was only 1/2 a mile from his parent's home. Justin said they were planning to move in the beginning of March. Penny and I promised to help them when the time came.

Zack Hayes and I found a few minutes to talk before dinner started. Zack regaled Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me with his triumph at the Capital One Bowl. Zack told us about the time at the beach that the team had. He also hinted at all the girls that hung out with the team. Zack tried to be circumspect about his liaisons with the girls, but it sounded like he had a different one in bed every night.

Hal went to the front and held up the Scout Sign to call for quiet. He announced it was time for everyone to find our seats. The Rev said the blessing. The church ladies served a fruit cup appetizer, ham, turkey, stuffing, green beans, corn, and garden salad. As always, the church ladies outdid themselves with the meal.

Hal and Mr. Clark started the program after dinner. Mr. Huber handed out merit badges that the kids earned in the fall and winter. Mr. Clark asked me to help him hand out the rank advancements to the dozen scouts who advanced in the last few months. I was proud that the group included my brother Andy and his friend Eric Connell. Both of them earned their Life rank. They only had one more rank to go, Eagle. I was confident that the two of them would make it.

The lights in the room were dimmed when Andy, Eric and I had seats. Mr. Clark lit the candles at the front table for the Eagle presentation. The screen dropped down from the ceiling and the ceremony started.

Mr. Clark intoned, "I am the voice of the Eagle.

"I speak for The Eagles whose summit you have struggled so hard to reach.

"We remember well when you first came to the base of our mountain, and how you looked up with ambition and determination."

The slide projector showed slides of Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me through our six years on Boy Scouts. The slides were cued to the script so the pictures fit what Mr. Clark was talking about. The Call of the Eagle Ceremony talked about the four of us earning our Tenderfoot our first summer in Boy Scouts. They showed a picture of the four of us at the pool at summer camp with Will life guarding in the background. We could never have been that small. The younger scouts giggled at our pictures.

They showed pictures of the four of us on our first backpacking trip on the Horseshoe Trail when we were eleven. The backpacks were impossibly big for us. It had been a hard five mile hike.

Mr. Clark talked about our climb to the summit of scouting, the Eagle rank. He described the metaphorical peaceful meadow we reached when we attained the First Class Rank at our second summer camp. They showed slides of me and my friends goofing around at the lake at the scout camp on my twelfth birthday.

Mr. Clark talked about us continuing to climb towards the Eagle summit. Slides of my friends and me hiking with younger scouts on a hike a couple years ago appeared on the screen. Mr. Clark continued, describing how the trail to Eagle got steep. He showed the four of us on a rock climbing trip last year.

Mr. Clark said, "And now, that you are standing at the summit of the trail, in the glory of sunshine and wind and cloud at the threshold of your goal, WE, your Fellow Eagles applaud you and welcome you, for you have done your climbing in a true Scout-like manner." The slides showed us with younger scouts watching the eagles soar above the Pinnacle overlooking the Susquehanna River.

Mr. Clark said, "Would the Eagle Scout Honor Guard please escort the Eagle candidates and their families to the front." Will escorted my parents, Andy, Liz and me to the front while Joe Baer, Justin Baer and Doug Chapel escorted the Fritzes, the Longs and the Norths.

Mr. Clark invited Joe Baer to the front to speak. Joe said, "I have the honor to give the Eagle Scout charge on this occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in scouting. The Boy Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most meaningful and significant movements on world's history, and you have been found worthy of the highest rank in its membership. All who know you rejoice in your achievement. Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man.

"As an Eagle Scout, you assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your fellow scouts, and others. This is a great undertaking. You will live up to these obligations and bring honor to yourself and your brother scouts. You cannot fail and bring down the standard of all others. Your responsibility goes beyond your fellow scouts, to God and your country. America has many good things to give you and those who follow you, but these good things depend, for the most part, on the character and leadership abilities of her citizens. You come to help her in all she needs most. You are here to make her future greater.

"I charge you to undertake your citizenship with solemn dedication. Be a leader, lead only toward the best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the highest level of service. By your doing so, all may live better." Joe stepped aside and Mr. Clark stepped to the front.

Mr. Clark handed an Eagle Medal to Ed's mother. Mrs. Fritz grinned as she pinned the badge to Ed's uniform. The room erupted in applause. Ed beamed.

Hal's turn came next. Mrs. Long pinned the ribbon to her son's uniform while Hal teased about being careful not to stick him with the pin. The assembled crowd applauded loudly when she finished.

It was my turn. Mom was shaking a little as she took the medal from Mr. Clark. I understood. I was too. I whispered, "You've done this before. This should be easy."

"It doesn't get easier with practice, Kyle," Mom answered." She grinned as she undid my shirt pocket button so she could pin the badge on me. It took Mom a couple seconds to fiddle with the clasp and finish pinning the badge on my chest. I straightened up and proudly displayed the Eagle badge on my shirt pocket to loud applause from my friends, fellow scouts and their parents.

This moment was the proudest of my life. I had worked for almost six years to achieve this rank. Two out of every one hundred scouts made it to the Eagle rank. I hoped I could live up to the charge Joe had given us a couple minutes earlier.

Focus shifted to Jeremy immediately. Jeremy's mom received the Eagle badge, wiped a couple tears from her eyes and pinned the badge on Jeremy's shirt. The applause for Jeremy was just as loud and long as it had been for Ed, Hal and me.

Mr. Clark thanked Joe Baer for his assistance. Mr. Clark then handed out commendations that had been received from our state representative, state senator, congressman and U. S. Senators. He concluded by reading the letters we received from the President.

Mr. Clark called for all Eagle scouts in the room to congratulate us. He closed the Court of Honor with the Scoutmaster's Benediction. Ed, Hal, Jeremy and I were swamped by well wishers.

Penny gave me a hug and a kiss when we finally managed to meet. She stayed at my side as I accepted congratulations from the crowd. I finally got time to talk with Trent Wilson and Christian Hunsecker. I knew Trent had received his Eagle about a year ago. Christian's uniform still displayed the Life Badge.

I asked, "Are you going to finish Eagle sometime Christian?"

"Oh yes. I finished my project last month," Christian explained. "I'm going to finish the write up next weekend. I plan to get my Eagle rank before summer."

Trent, Christian and I talked football for a few minutes. Christian asked how my knee was doing. He had noticed that I was limping. I explained about overdoing it the previous evening bowling with my friends. Trent, Penny and I talked about getting together for another double date. I thanked Trent and Christian for coming before they left.

Ed, Hal, Jeremy and I had to put up with a long photo session for the troop leaders so they could get our photos in the newspapers.

When the photo shoot was over Jeremy said, "This has been some night."

Ed said, "It was. I think it's been as special as the night we won the state championship."

"You're right, Ed," Jeremy replied. "Tonight's been awesome."

I added, "We've been friends forever. I'm glad we could get our Eagle award together."

"You got right, Kyle," Hal said. "The four of us together made it all possible."

The four of us shook hands and went to meet our families. Mom handed me cards people had given her for me. The biggest surprise of the night was inside all the congratulations cards I received. I didn't find out until I got home that most of them had cash gifts in them. I had no idea that people did that. The infusion of cash was welcome. I now had enough money to keep my girlfriend happy for a couple more months.

Before we left the church Penny pulled me aside for a quick word. "Can you come over tomorrow afternoon for a little, Kyle?"

"Sure honey, what's up?"

"My parents are going away for long weekend next weekend to a bed & breakfast in Cape May. I have the house to myself."

"Oh, we can have some fun next Saturday evening."

"No, Kyle. I want more than a few hours of fun. I'm working on my mom and dad to get them to allow you to stay overnight with me."

"Really? Do you think this is a good idea, Penny? You remember what happened two summers ago when we tried this, right?"

"I think I have mom convinced. I want you to help mom and me convince dad."

"We can give it a try. What can it hurt to ask?" I said. "What time should I come over?"

"Come around 1:30, OK?"

"I you got it, lover," I said. I gave Penny a kiss before she headed home with her parents.

I headed down the street for the Edwards' house after church and lunch on Sunday. Penny must have been watching for me. She met me at the front door. "Good. I'm glad you're here, Kyle. I think mom and I have dad ready to talk about you staying overnight with me. Let's go."

I didn't feel totally comfortable. I remembered how mad Mr. Edwards had been at me two summers ago. He didn't speak to me for six months. I followed Penny to the living room. Mrs. Edwards followed us in and had a seat beside Mr. Edwards.

Penny started, "Daddy, I would like to have a sleep over next weekend while you and Mom are in Cape May."

Mr. Edwards looked wary. Non-committally he asked, "How many girls do you have in mind? I don't want you having a party here while we are gone." He glanced over to his wife for confirmation. Mrs. Edwards didn't indicate yes or no.

"It isn't a group, Daddy. I only want to invite one person to keep me company while I'm home alone." Penny answered.

Mr. Edwards stared at me. "One person?" he said, laying the accent on 'person'.

Penny redirected her father's attention back to her. "I'd feel more comfortable if Kyle helped me look after the house, Daddy."

"Kyle?!?!" Mr. Edwards exclaimed. "No!" Mr. Edwards paused for a few seconds and then glanced over at his wife. He did not find support.

"Jim, you know Penny and Kyle are trustworthy and careful. I think it would be nice if Penny had company while we are away. It can get awfully lonely in this big old house. I can make the guest room available for Kyle."

"Marilyn, are you sure about this?" Mr. Edwards replied. "I don't know if this is a good idea."

"I'd feel better if Penny isn't home alone. Kyle can help look after things. I'll make up the guest room. It will be fine." Mrs. Edwards said soothingly.

Mr. Edwards' face went blank for a few seconds then he stared directly into my eyes. I returned his gaze. After a few seconds Mr. Edwards said, "Are you going to take good care of my special girl?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Edwards. Penny deserves the best. I'll do my best to take care of her." I promised.

"I have ... certain reservations about this, Kyle. I remember the two of you sneaking around behind my back two summers ago. You took advantage of her back then. You broke her heart when the two of you broke up," Mr. Edwards said.

"I hope Penny and I have grown up a lot since then. We did a poor job of communicating with each other back then. We are working at doing better talking with each other now. I think we can handle some bumps in our relationship now that we couldn't handle two summers ago. I love your daughter and promise to do my best to look after her." I said as sincerely as I knew how.

Mr. Edwards sighed. "I suppose you can help Penny look after the house next weekend. I expect the two of you to be on your best behavior."

Penny squealed and gave her father a bear hug. "Thank you, Daddy! Thank you! Thank you!"

I added, "I think my parents will probably call yours to confirm these arrangements. Thanks you for trusting us, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. We appreciate your confidence in us."

Penny and I headed out to the kitchen. We talked for a few minutes before I went home. The whole thing staggered my imagination. I was going to spend the weekend with my lover with her parent's knowledge and permission.

I talked about my plans for next weekend with my parents when I got home. They spoke with Mrs. Edwards and then gave me permission to spend the weekend with Penny. It was going to be great. It was President's Day Weekend, so we would have three whole days together.

Wednesday afternoon brought our next film study session. We were studying our regular season game with Central. I rubbed my left knee involuntarily as I watched Nick Zeimer and Christian Hunsecker fall on me on my final catch of the season. No wonder my ACL blew out. My foot had caught in the turf while I twisted and the two guys landed directly on my knee.

Ed noticed my reaction. He asked, "You OK, Kyle?"

"I will be eventually," I said as I straightened up. "THAT is not going to be my last play in football."

Our group went back to reviewing the Central film after that. I found out just how close to losing our team had come after I got injured. Christian dominated Nick Zeimer and Seth Vogel after I was gone. We were lucky that Central left enough time on the clock for Ed to score one more time at the end of the game. We brought the younger kids up to speed on how we had managed to beat Central.