Last Chance Hero Read online

  “Hi, hon, it’s me again. I’m thinking the game must be over now, and I’ll bet you’re worried about it being too late to call. Well, don’t worry about that. Aunt Barb just made us a big bowl of popcorn and The King and I is fixing to come on TV. We’re going to be up for a long time yet, so you call us, you hear? We won’t be able to sleep a wink till we hear from you. Love you! Hang on . . . Aunt Barb sends her love too.”

  Andy felt a flash of annoyance. He could picture his mother and his aunt sitting in their robes and slippers eating popcorn and watching the old musical with the phone in easy reach. And he had not the slightest doubt that they would wait up until he called. Mom always waited up. He hit Call Back and dropped his head against the back of the sofa.

  “There you are! We were starting to get worried.”

  Andy hadn’t been able to get his mom to use the mobile phone he bought her, but he had been able to get caller ID on her landline.

  “Hi Mom.”

  “Ooh. I don’t like that tone. I guess things didn’t go like you hoped?”

  “Nope.” How did she get so much from two words?

  “Oh, I’m sorry. What was the score?”

  “Six to 31.”

  “Oh, dear. Well, you’ll do better next time. Was it a good game? Everyone played well and no one was hurt?”

  “I don’t know that I could call a 6 to 31 loss a good game, but no, no one was hurt.” Andy was more than ready to let his mom get back to her popcorn and movie, but she seemed to be settling in for a good chat.

  “Well, that’s good. We’ve been praying for safety for everyone. We even asked for prayer at church Wednesday night. We’ll call in our praise report first thing tomorrow.”

  “Praise report. Okay then. I guess you didn’t think to pray for a win.”

  There was a long pause on the line, and Andy could almost hear his mother carefully choosing her words.

  “Well, honey, that just doesn’t seem right. I know those other boys wanted a win just as much as you did. But we did pray that it would be a good game where everybody did their best and no one got hurt and that the Lord would rest his favor according to his will.”

  “Apparently that was on San Ramon.” Andy really wanted to get this phone call over with before he said something he’d wind up having to apologize for.

  “Andy, you just don’t know how the Lord is going to use this game. Don’t let this get out, or I may find myself banned from at least four states I can think of, but I really don’t think the Lord puts much store in who wins or loses football games. I think he cares a lot more about how the game affects people’s character and what they need to grow closer to him. That’s why I always feel such peace putting it all in his hands.” She gave him a moment or two to respond if he felt like it, which he didn’t, and when she spoke again her voice was warm. “Darlin’, I know you’re disappointed. Believe it or not, I’m disappointed too. I’m so disappointed I could cry. But I do believe the Lord had his hand on this game, however it ended. And we can have faith that good is going to come from it.”

  A wave of tenderness swept away the irritation that had been chewing at him since he first realized he was going to have to call his mom, and he felt the tension slide from his shoulders. Personally, he didn’t see the harm in praying for a win, especially if his mom did the praying. Her conversations with God were as easy and natural as his were with Kev, and he was pretty sure that all she’d have to do was ask. And he was just as sure that she wasn’t going to do that. Mom was always going to be Mom.

  “Okay, I’m going to let you get back to your movie now. I’m ready to call it a night, even if you two party animals are still going strong.” He smiled into the phone. “When are you going to come see me? I’m getting the old place all fixed up. I’d like for you to see what I’ve done.”

  Silence grew, and in the background Andy could hear someone singing.

  “I just don’t know about that, honey.” When she did speak, her voice was carefully measured. “But we’d love it if you were to come see us. When can you come? Thanksgiving?”

  “I can’t promise Thanksgiving. We might still be in the playoffs, not that tonight is any indication of that.” Andy recognized a subject being changed when he heard it. “But what about Christmas? I can spend about a week at Christmas. How would that be?”

  “Christmas? You mean that? Hang on.” Andy waited while she imparted the news to Aunt Barb. In a minute she was back. “We are just beside ourselves, but can’t you stay longer than a week? We just never get to see you.”

  “We’ll see.” Actually, Andy had planned on getting some serious work done on the house during Christmas break, but going into that now with his mom might mean another forty-five minutes on the phone. “Right now, though, I’ve got to get to bed. Love you, and give Aunt Barb a hug for me.”

  “I love you too, honey. Christmas! I just can’t wait. I think we’ll have to get ourselves a real tree this year.”

  After he hung up the phone, Andy leaned back against the sofa and looked around. There had not been a lot of money to keep the place in good repair when he was growing up, and after he left, it really started to fall apart. The various renters and caretakers he had found over the years only slowed the process, but now, as he found the rare block of time to work on it, it was slowly becoming the home he intended to live in for the rest of his life. And when it was beautiful again—when not even the most careful observer could find where a fist-sized hole in the wall had been patched or a door had been kicked in—maybe he and his mom could both finally forget.

  “Things always look better when the sun comes up.” How many times had he heard his mom say that? Well, it wasn’t the only thing she was usually right about. Andy finished his stretches and headed down the dirt road at an easy run. The sun had yet to crest the mountains and a light wind still held the cool of an early autumn dawn, but as the landscape lightened, so did his outlook. In a few hours, when he met with his team, they could talk about last night’s game with an optimistic look to the future.

  He hadn’t been running long when he spotted another runner ahead on the trail that skirted town, and even if, as far as he knew, Jess wasn’t the only other adult in Last Chance who ran every morning, the sheen of copper in her hair would have given her away. He quickened his pace until he pulled alongside her.

  “Mornin’.”

  Jess’s cheeks were red and damp curls framed her face, but she smiled a greeting through even puffs of breath.

  “You got a head start on me, I see. Mind if I join you?”

  Still no words, but she smiled again as she shook her head, and he shortened his stride a little to match hers.

  The dawn wind died as the sun finally found its way over the top of the San Ramon range and flooded the valley around Last Chance with light. Except for the occasional flutelike song of a meadowlark or the melancholy call of a mourning dove, the only sound was the soft and rhythmic thud of their feet on the dirt path, and though at that moment Andy felt as if he could run forever, it wasn’t long before he felt the sweat trickle down his back and his own breaths were deep and measured.

  Andy could probably have run another mile or so by the time they reached the vacant lot in the cul-de-sac and walked through to Elizabeth’s street, but Jess was clearly ready to call it a morning, and Andy decided he’d rather cool down with Jess than take off and leave her behind.

  “Whoo, that was good.” Jess stretched her hands over her head and laced her fingers before dropping them again and rolling her shoulders. “Sometimes I have to just about kick myself out the door in the mornings, but I’m always glad I do.”

  “Still go every morning?” Andy inhaled deeply to regulate his breathing.

  “Just about. Elizabeth and I keep each other honest.”

  “Elizabeth Cooley?” Andy laughed. “She’s the only Elizabeth I know.”

  “And she’s the one I’m talking about, smarty. We walk for a while after my run. I’ll be stopping
off at her house when we get there. Want to come with us?”

  “Wish I could, but I’ve got a team meeting at 10:00. We need to look at video and talk about last night’s game.”

  “Oh, yeah, the game. How’d it go?” Jess pushed her fists into the small of her back and arched.

  “Not so good, thanks for asking. We took a loss.”

  “Bummer.” Jess swung her arms in big circles. “Well, here’s Elizabeth’s house. Thanks for the run. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Bummer? Yeah, I guess you could call losing the opening game of the season to San Ramon a bummer.

  “Okay then.” Jess started up Elizabeth’s walk. “See you.”

  “Wait.” Andy wasn’t quite ready to see her disappear in the house. “What are you doing later?”

  Jess shrugged. “Laundry, grocery shop, the usual.”

  “Have lunch with me. My meeting won’t last much past noon. Meet me at the Dip ’n’ Dine at about 1:00?”

  “The Dip ’n’ Dine?” Jess seemed hesitant. “I don’t know. I think I got on the wrong side of the waitress when I was in there last night. In fact, that seems to happen a lot. I don’t think she likes me.”

  “Juanita? I’m sure she likes you.” Andy grinned. “If she didn’t, you wouldn’t be wondering about it. Believe me, you’d know. She takes great pride in being known for speaking her mind.”

  “I had noticed she didn’t seem to hold much back. It seems like that would drive away customers. How does she get away with it? I mean, isn’t the owner even a little concerned about it?”

  “He tries to keep her reined in, from what I hear, but Juanita is just Juanita. He pretty much has to take her as she is or let her go.”

  “And? It seems like a pretty obvious choice to me.”

  “You mean he should fire her? Believe it or not, that would be the worst thing he could do. Juanita may get under everyone’s skin, but she’s one of ours. And even though she can be a pain, and everyone loves Chris, the town would line up behind Juanita in a heartbeat. Chris has only been here a couple years, and Juanita was born here.”

  “Wow. Makes me wonder what I’ve got myself into.” Jess was starting to look worried, and Andy wanted to erase those little frown lines that had appeared between her brows.

  “You picked a good place full of good people; I can promise you that. And there are worse traits than loyalty. Just give them a little while to get to know you.”

  “And don’t do anything that would make them choose sides.” Jess didn’t look all that reassured.

  “I can’t see that happening.” Andy glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get going. Lunch at 1:00?”

  “Okay.” Jess’s smile finally broke through, and it made Andy want to smile too. “As long as you sit between me and Juanita. She still scares me.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re going to have to protect me. She’ll have plenty to say about last night’s game. And it won’t be ‘Bummer.’ See you later.”

  As Andy started back the way they had come, the front door opened and Elizabeth came out onto the porch. He called “Good morning” and picked up his pace. If he allowed himself to be drawn into conversation with Elizabeth, he’d be late for his meeting for sure.

  Les Watson’s pickup passed him before he got to the end of the street, and Les slowed down to lean out the window.

  “Better step on it, son. They’re gaining on you.”

  Andy grinned and raised a hand in greeting as he ran past the slow-moving pickup. Nope. It never gets old.

  “I’m so sorry I missed Andy.” Elizabeth made her careful way down the ramp from her porch to the front walk. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him. I guess he’s been busy, what with football practice and school starting and all. I just wish I could have given him a hug and told him there’s a lot more football to play yet.”

  Jess raised an eyebrow as she held the gate open for Elizabeth. “Don’t tell me you were at the game too.”

  “Oh, no, honey. I haven’t been able to manage those bleachers in years. But I heard all about the game when Ray and Lainie got home last night. I don’t mean to be telling Andy his business, but it sounds like his defense could use a lot of work. And with two missed field goals, he may need to rethink his kicker too.”

  “Really.” Jess was staring, but Elizabeth was too busy navigating the sidewalk to notice. “I had no idea you were so knowledgeable. How do you know so much about football?”

  “Oh, I must have seen a hundred games right here in Last Chance, and then we took in all the road games when the boys played. And of course, between dinner table conversations and having the boys and their friends talking about it all the time, it was hard not to pick it up.”

  “The boys? That would be Ray and who else?” Jess took Elizabeth’s elbow to steady her when she faltered a bit.

  “Well, both my boys played—that would be Joe Jr. and Jerry—and all my grandsons. And of course boys I knew from church, and sons and grandsons of my friends. There was always someone I knew to cheer for.”

  “Were they all there at that Parade of Pumas last night?” Jess hid her smile. This was a side of Elizabeth she had never seen.

  “Most of them. Joe Jr. was there, and his boy Justin, and of course Ray. Steven’s still at the academy, or he would have been there too.”

  “What about Jerry? Does he not live around here?”

  Elizabeth’s eyes grew misty and her smile a little sad. “Jerry never was in the parade. He enlisted in the Marines the day after he graduated from high school, and, well, he was killed on patrol in Vietnam. It was June 17, 1973.”

  “Oh, Elizabeth, I’m so sorry.” Jess slid an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder and squeezed. “I didn’t know.”

  “Of course you didn’t know, dear. Why should you?” Elizabeth patted the hand that still held her shoulder. “He’s always in my thoughts, of course, but especially at this time of year. He did love his football, and he was good too. Maybe not quite as good as Andy, but still better than anyone else our family has produced. Don’t tell anyone I said that, though.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Jess gave Elizabeth’s shoulder a final squeeze and dropped her hand. “But listen, anytime you feel like talking about Jerry, I’d be happy to hear some stories. He sounds pretty amazing.”

  “I might take you up on that sometime.” Elizabeth smiled up at Jess, and her eyes were still misty. “I just hate acting like Jerry never existed, and it only upsets my family when I try to talk about him. Joe Jr. won’t even stay in the room, and most of the others never even knew him.”

  Her steps grew slower, and she seemed lost in her thoughts. Finally, she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and blew out a deep breath. “Well, enough of that. Please excuse an old lady for getting all caught up in the past. Sometimes it seems like a hundred years since Jerry left, and at the same time I almost expect he’ll be coming in looking for something to eat, all of eight years old.”

  “There’s nothing to excuse, believe me.” Jess wondered at the tears stinging her own eyes. “I was serious. I’m not going to push it, but I really would like to hear about Jerry anytime, and I mean that.”

  “All right. I’ll keep that in mind.” Elizabeth took a few more firm steps before she stopped and her shoulders drooped again, ever so slightly. “But I’m finding myself a little tired this morning. Would you mind if we cut our walk short today? I could fix you a cup of coffee.”

  “Of course we can call it a day, although I’ll have to pass on the coffee. I’ve got a lot to get done today, and I guess I’m meeting Andy at the Dip ’n’ Dine for lunch.”

  “Oh, really?” Elizabeth smiled. “Well, I’m sure he can use the support. Give him my love.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  They reached Elizabeth’s gate, and she stopped with her hand on the gate’s latch. “Thank you for the walk, dear. I’ve so enjoyed our times together and I hope you’ll still come see me, but I’
m afraid it’s going to be getting too dark and cold here pretty soon for me to take my walks in the morning. My little friend Olivia and I will just have to do that after school.”

  “That sounds like a good decision. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do when the days get real short, anyway.” Jess tried to hold the gate for Elizabeth, but she was waved away. “If there’s anything at all I can do for you, just let me know. Promise?”

  “I will do that.” Elizabeth had already started up the walk but stopped and turned to look at Jess. “You know, if you mean that, there is something you can do.”

  “Of course I mean it. What do you need?”

  “Well, I could use a ride to church tomorrow. Ray and Lainie left for Santa Fe before dawn this morning because he’s part of a show that’s opening in a gallery up there, and Sarah and Chris had made plans for a quick getaway themselves after the Dip ’n’ Dine closes this afternoon. Of course, when they realized they were both going to be away this weekend, they tried to change their plans, but I wouldn’t hear of it. I had about made up my mind I was going to stay home tomorrow, but if you really don’t mind . . .” Her voice trailed away.

  “Of course I don’t mind. I’d be happy to take you to church. What time shall I come by?” It had been years since Jess had been to church on a Sunday morning, but going tomorrow with Elizabeth just seemed right somehow.

  “Ten-thirty should give us plenty of time. And I do thank you.” Elizabeth’s smile was warm. “I do hate missing church, and the worst thing about getting old is having to depend on others to get me there.”

  Jess stood on the sidewalk watching Elizabeth carefully making her way up the walk. She knew better than to try to help. That issue had been settled quite firmly on the first day she and Elizabeth walked together.