Chapter 26
“You got the job!” I launched myself into James’ arms.
“It’s only coaching junior high football,” he said apologetically, “but I’ll be helping with the high school team. It’s a good start.”
“It’s wonderful!” I enthused, “Your first coaching job.”
“You’re just happy I won’t be playing anymore,” he accused laughingly.
Pulling back from him, I frowned “Are you sorry? If you really want to play football…I mean you did so well last season…better than you expected…I don’t want you to resent me for taking away your shot at playing in the…you know…”
“Pros,” he supplied, grinning. “It’s nice to be wanted even if I was going to be way down the list of draft picks.”
“Of course they want you,” I said staunchly, “You even made it to one of those bowl things.”
“The Bluebonnet Bowl,” he supplied, amused. “We didn’t win it, though.”
“Still…I don’t want you to resent me for making you give up your chance.”
“I told you when we first met that I didn’t have the talent or inclination to make it in the pros,” he assured me. “My front line was directly responsible for my good year. They made holes for Antoine every time I called a running play and by giving me all the time I needed to complete my passes, I seldom got sacked…and Jason caught just about every thing I threw vaguely in his vicinity. Any decent quarterback could have done what I did with the weapons I had. A great quarterback would have blown every other team off the field and the scouts realize that. Spending a pro career as a second string, possibly even a third string quarterback just doesn’t appeal to me.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I’m sure,” he replied firmly. “I don’t plan to stop running, I enjoy that too much, but I won’t miss getting beaten up every weekend.”
“I won’t miss it either,” I said in relief. “Counting the scrapes and bruises on your body isn’t my favorite pastime.”
“I’m pretty sure I know what your favorite pastime is,” James teased.
“Not for another week,” I said mournfully. “I’m counting the days.”
“I think I have a better use for your time,” he suggested lightly. “The principal told me about a couple of houses that were for sale and I thought maybe we could drive up there and take a look at them.”
“Really…? That sounds like fun.”
The thought of owning a home was tantalizing.
“Do you think we could afford one?” I asked doubtfully.
“Well, since we’ll both be working…” he mentioned casually.
“What?” I practically screeched. “You found me a job, too?”
“Teaching junior high home economics,” he grinned triumphantly. “Are you interested?”
“Are you crazy?” I asked incredulously. “Of course I’m interested. You told them I was interested, right?”
“I told them I was fairly certain you would want it, but we would have to discuss what was best for our son,” he qualified.
“Oh,” I said, deflated.
As much as I loved being Mark’s mother, unlike Elsee, I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mom. I felt guilty about it, but I very much wanted to continue teaching. Elsee…Elsee…maybe she…
“What if we convinced your mom to go with us?” I asked hopefully. “She could stay home with Mark and we could both teach.”
“She’d have to live with us,” James warned. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Would you mind?” I asked doubtfully. “She’s your mother.”
“I’d hate for her to be here while we’re hours away,” James admitted thoughtfully. “We wouldn’t get to see her often and Mark wouldn’t get to know her very well.”
“I’d miss her dreadfully,” I offered soberly. “Do you think she’d go with us?”
“Only one way to find out,” he replied with false bravado. “We’ll go ask her.”