Page 16 of Fall Fake-Out

“First home game vs. the Winooski Vikings.”

“Yeah, I know what a football game is, but why do I have to come?”

Because that’s where I’ll be.

Instead of showing my cards, I answer, “You’re selling tickets during the first half. You’ll love it.” Defeat crosses over her face. “We’re all sacrificing, remember?”

“Yes, I can see that.”

“Have a good day, Miss Langford,” I call over my shoulder.

Ari, reining in her smile, is the last thing I see before I escape into the office.

Ari

I forgot how much I love Friday Night Lights.

It’s been almost a decade since I’ve been to a high school football game, but the second I step into the stadium, the excitement and the tradition come rushing back.

Nothing feels more like a new school year and the beginning of fall than football does.

There’s just something so great about the background noise of the marching band, the entire town dressed in maroon to show school pride, the faint sound of coaches’ whistles as the teams stretch, the smell of popcorn and cheap hot dogs, cheerleaders with ridiculously huge bows, the overhead hum of field lights, the announcer’s voice coming in and out of old stadium speakers, and the crisp night air that forces the first hoodie of the fall season.

It’s magical.

The stands begin to fill up as I take money and stamp hands. When I agreed to sell tickets for the first half of the game—not that Wade gave me much of a choice—I didn’t think about how many people in town I’d run into.

There are the same regulars, just like I remember. Officer Roy still volunteers to patrol the games. Farmer Joe arrives early, wearing an Autumn Ridge hat; football games are the only time he removes his straw one. Mayor Monroe stops and talks to every single person before he arrives at his usual seat at the top of the stands.

It’s crazy how nothing changes. It’s almost comforting in a way—the stability that my life has lacked the last four years in my relationship with Andy.

“Ari!” Rosie Harper gasps when she steps up next in line and sees me. Rosie was older than me in school, but we became good friends on the cheer team my sophomore year of high school, when she was the senior captain. Her energy just matched mine. I was sad when she graduated. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here. I moved home this week. Took the English teaching job at the high school. I’m actually going to be working with you on the fall festival for the high school booths.”

“Oh my gosh! I didn’t know.” She leans over, giving me a clumsy hug above the cash box. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

“We knew she was here.” Two heads pop up behind Rosie.

The Ednas.

I thought these two women were knocking on death’s door ten years ago, but not only are they alive and well, they’re also spry enough to be at the high school football game on a Friday night.

To be honest, the Ednas are like twins I can’t tell apart.

Even though one has dyed yellow hair and the other has dark hair, I don’t know which one is Edna G. and which one is Edna B.

The lighter-colored Edna turns to Rosie. “If you’d come to monthly bingo last night at the church, you would’ve heard all about how poor Ari has no prospects and had to move home while Landrie is about to get married.”

“One Langford sister is up, while the other is down.” The darker Edna moves her index finger in a downward motion.

I don’t have to guess which Langford sister I am.

“Uh…” I smile at Rosie, trying to hide my embarrassment. “What are you up to these days?”

“I run the bed-and-breakfast in town. You’ll have to stop by so we can catch up.”

“I’d love that!” I take her money and hand her some change. “Plus, we can also talk about what you need from the school for the festival.”