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“It’s been a long day.” I admit.
“Is this a normal thing?” He asks with concern.
“It is during the season. Sometimes, I’m crawling in here and heading straight to bed. But during the off-season, I’m home a lot more and doing minimal team activities. My biggest thing that I do is work-out since I need to remain in shape.”
“My, that doesn’t sound good. How do you two find time for each other?” Mrs. Valentine asks.
“We make the time. Stolen moments in between all the chaos. We usually have a break We text during the day, we sometimes sneak in dinner if I’m not eating with the team and I always come home at night.” I say.
All those things happen, that’s not a lie. But the fact that it has been platonic until recently is something that I leave out. We both have a routine that works for us. We never fight and we still manage to hang out together.
“And you’re okay with this kind of schedule?” Mrs. Valentine asks Kaley with concern in her voice.
“It’s a sacrifice, but Dean loves playing football and it’s only for a few months a year. It actually really works for the both of us.” Kaley says with a smile.
“Football is a weekend sport, sure we have a lot going on during the week too, but during the off-season, my schedule is a lot… less.”
“How long is a season?” Mrs. Valentine asks.
“We go right up to the holidays, football is a one semester sport. Occasionally it goes through the holiday break, but that’s only if we play in any of the holiday bowls. This year, we’re not playing, but we have in the past.”
“So this crazy schedule of yours, only goes until November?” her dad asks.
“Yes, sir.” I say.
“Good, so we can expect the both of you to come to our home for Thanksgiving.” Mrs. Valentine gushes as Kaley groans.
“Mooooooooom!” she whines.
Kaley
My family has been here for two weeks. Maddie has said nothing to them, and she’s been a little distant from me. She talks with Dean, but she doesn’t talk directly to me. There’s a five-year age difference between us, but we never have had any arguments that would lead us to not speaking.
I don’t know how to repair whatever is torn between us, or how to at least begin to mend it. She won’t give me any clues or chances. She keeps her eyes on me, and she’s like a hawk over Dean and I whenever our parents leave.
Dean tells me to not worry about it, but he has it easy. His parents don’t have the same views as mine does. If my parents find out that I’ve lied to them…who knows what they will do. I know one thing is that they would stop paying my rent and I would be without a place to live.
I’ve got grants and scholarships to pay for all my schooling. The only piece that I needed help on was paying for rent. The agreement was that I kept my grades above average, despite my parents not agreeing with my choice in school and major.
“You look lost.” Dean breathes in my ear. My parents are sitting on the sofa, my sister sits on the floor and we sit on the love seat all while watching some movie on HBO.
“Just a lot on my mind.” I reply.
It’s true. I wouldn’t even be able to put it into words with all the fear that I’m feeling.
“Want me to kick them out? I can if you want me to?” he offers.
“No. I know you have to be up early tomorrow, you can go ahead and go to bed, though. I’m okay.” I am okay, if anything I’m okay.
He looks at his watch and throws his head back. “Fuck, I didn’t realize it was so late. Are you sure? You don’t want me to get everyone out for you?”
“Go to bed. I’ll find you tomorrow on campus.” I kiss his cheek as he smiles.
“Okay.” He squeezes my hand and the gets up. “Folks, I must retire for the evening. I have to be up and out of here before sunrise. Goodnight and see you guys tomorrow.” He half waves.
“Good night, son.” My father says, eyes on the television still.
Everyone else says their good nights and I’m wishing I let him kick everyone out, so I could escape to the bedroom with him.
