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Where was May? She’d promised to show early so they could walk inside together.
The front door of Jay’s house opened. Mrs. Walker rested her hands on her hips. “Bebe, what on earth are you doing standing outside? Isn’t it a little chilly for that?”
Praying God protects me from your son!She offered a strained smile. “Waiting for May.”
“Humph. That child’s never on time. Come on in here before you catch a cold.”
Bebe sighed, tugging her knit cap lower.You can do this.Her short strides carried her across the yard and onto the Walkers’ front walkway in a matter of seconds.Short people are supposed to be slow walkers, Lord. I got here entirely too fast.
Though it wasn’t like the yard was that big anyway. Hadn’t been when they were kids and certainly seemed smaller now that she was an adult. Strange to think of all the times she’d played in the yard with Jay while their mamas had looked on.
“Where’s Hope?” Mrs. Walker asked.
“She’s at Rosa’s for a playdate.” Thank goodness for the kindness of others. Since her parents moved to Florida last year, Bebe no longer had ready babysitters. Then again, she didn’t go out much anyway.
“Oh, that’s good. Come in, come in.” Mrs. Walker motioned her inside, then quickly shut the white front door. “Barbara Ann is in the kitchen preparing some food for us.”
“Great.” Bebe gave a quick peek around the house, looking for signs of Jay.
“Jahleel’s in his room getting cleaned up from his therapy session.” Mrs. Walker smirked.
“How’s that going?” Bebe kept a straight face, hoping not to give away any signs of embarrassment.
Mrs. Walker’s mouth tugged downward. “I hate to see him in so much pain.”
“I’m praying for him.”
“Good.” Mrs. Walker paused, cocking her head to the side. “How long has it been since you two talked?”
“We talked Sunday, remember?”
“No, Bebe. I mean really talked.” The pointed look Mrs. Walker gave her sent flames up her cheeks.
She pulled her gray sweater tighter, wishing she could sink into a black hole. “High school.” For some reason, she couldn’t keep the truth from Jay’s mother.
“Y’all need to fix this rift, or whatever it is.” Mrs. Walker wagged a finger back and forth. “Y’all used to be the best of friends before...”
Exactly.Before she’d fallen for Jay and then had her heart trampled on.
“We’re fine.”
“Oh, really? Y’all used to talk to each other.Every single day.Then y’all go to college and act like you don’t know one another. Uh-uh, something ain’t right. Now, I’m not saying it’s all your fault. I know how stubborn Jahleel can be. He is his father’s son, after all.”
Bebe let out a low sigh as shame filled her gut. She certainly hadn’t tried to bridge the gap with Jay. Instead, she’d buried herself in college life. Then, when Will came along, her lonely heart had blossomed under his attention. Would she have fallen prey to his charms if she’d let go of the hurt and bitterness of the breakup with Jay?Something to think about later.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll give him a stern talking to as well. Just do your part, Bebe. You hear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Walker smiled, her brown eyes softening. “Good girl. Let’s go sit in the kitchen. Obadiah is probably there already.”
He would never play football again.
The pain of Ryan’s words crushed him. If it had been anyoneelse, Jahleel would have called them a liar. But Ryan had always been straight with him. His Tennessee drawl had borne no nonsense with his assessment. He’d studied Jay’s medical images and assessed the knee through touch. Instant relief had flowed through Jay’s knee when Ryan removed the immobilizer from his leg. Unfortunately, standing had been its own ordeal. Ryan’s goal was now to get Jay walking without a limp and to prevent any trouble with his left knee due to compensation. Apparently that was the best Jay could hope for.
It’s not fair, God.
He should have had four or five more years before retirement even became a consideration. Plus, this was his very first injury—first major one, at least. You couldn’t escape getting banged up playing football. Despite the uncertainty of his contract negotiations, his agent had assured him that getting re-signed was a done deal. Only now he couldn’t even stand without pain and certainly not without the aid of crutches. Was he supposed to accept the fact that his career was over?
