Lisa Schroeder - The Bridge from You to Me

Its benny and me, tossing the football around in my front yard, like weve done at least a thousand times. But this is the first time weve done it before the first day of practice our senior year.

This is our last chance.

Our last chance to bring home a high school championship.

I look at my best friend standing across from me, sweat glistening on his muscular black arms, and I know for him, we have to win. Taking state may be the only chance he has at catching a scouts eye.

Its been a lot easier for me. How can he not hate me for that?

Youre so good, you dont even need to go to practice, do you? Benny jokes as the football spins toward me. I bet you just show up so Coach will make the rest of us work harder.

Its like he can read my mind. Maybe thats what happens when youve been best friends for what feels like forever.

You know if there was any way I could skip out on two-a-days, I definitely would, I say as I take a couple of steps to make the catch.

Drink lots of water tonight, he says. Gotta stay hydrated, man.

I throw the ball back. Aw, isnt that sweet. Big ol Benny actually cares about me.

He walks toward me, half a grin on his face. Just dont want you passing out. Remember that one time last year when about half the team went down? That was crazy.

Yeah, I think it was about a hundred and ten degrees that day. I hold out my arms and look up at the clear summer sky. Weather-wise, this is about as perfect as it gets in Willow, Oregon. Not too hot, a light breeze now and then, and no rain for days. Itll be all right tomorrow. I got a good feeling.

Well, that makes one of us.

We walk up to the front steps of my house and take a seat. What are you worried about? I ask. You got that guard

spot cinched.

Ill tell you what Im worried about. Two words: Coach Sperry.

I think his bark is worse than his bite. Especially right now. Hes just trying to show us whos boss. You know, establish an order.

What other order is there? Hes the coach and were the players. The end. We know where we stand. Hes got an amazing team that almost made it to the championships last year. He doesnt need to do much except keep us on track. Let us do what were good at.

Colby, Gram calls. Dinners ready.

You staying? I ask Benny as we get to our feet.

He hands me the football. Cant. Mas expecting me home. Making my favorite tonight. Ribs and mashed potatoes.

Jesus. You make it sound like its your last meal or something.

We got a new coach, man. Who knows whats gonna happen tomorrow.

Well, arent you Little Miss Sunshine. He shrugs, and I slap him on the back. Its gonna be all right.

Yeah. Ma always says when life hands you lemons, you gotta try your best to make lemonade. Nothings ever perfect. Theres always gonna be bad stuff to go with the good.

Benny, Coach might be a great guy. I mean, maybe hell lead us to the best year weve ever had. We dont know yet. We dont know anything. We just gotta wait and see, right?

He waves as he walks toward his motorcycle. Right. See you tomorrow. Bright and early!

Yep. You can count on that!

Benny didnt want to stay? Gram asks. Hes more than welcome. We have plenty.

No, his mom was expecting him home. Thanks, though. I know he appreciates the offer.

I take a seat as Dad comes in. Smells delicious, Mom, he says.

Spaghetti with meatballs. Have to make sure the athlete gets lot of protein and carbohydrates for tomorrow.

We start passing plates around, and I think about how Dad and I used to spend our Sundays. Hed go out and get a bunch of Chinese food. We never ate at the table. Instead wed kick back in the family room and eat in front of the television, watching ESPN.

Since Gram and Grandpa moved in a couple of months ago, things have been different. Gram loves to cook, or maybe she just loves seeing us eat, Im not sure. I have to say, its pretty nice having home-cooked meals all the time now.

After my mom died when I was two, Gram and Grandpa begged my dad to let them move across the country and help him. But he didnt want that. He said he could manage things on his own. I had a nanny until I was twelve, and after that I took care of myself. None of it ever bothered me, its just how it was. It was my normal, I guess.