Between Sundays

  Aaron willed himself to draw a breath, and he realized how amazing the timing was. Because if hed gotten this news before his talk with God, it mightve sent him over the edge. It was difficult enough now. He didnt want to read another word, but he lifted the paper, anyway.

  I have to tell you about what happened to me, because Im afraid that somehow you know. Not that anyone wouldve told you. But maybe you know instinctively. Maybe the last time we talked you sensed something different in my voice. And maybe thats why youre acting different. Thats why I have to be honest. I want no secrets between us, Aaron. Ive never been with anyone but you. If I have my way, I never will again. Not until the day you marry me. Okaynow you know. Because I believe you, Aaron. That someday youll come back and marry me. I love you.

  Amy

  His hands shook as he folded both letters and placed them carefully back in their envelopes. He knew without a doubt that Amy had kept her promise. She was that type of girl, no matter what lies Bill Bond had told about her. If he was right, then she had died loving him, waiting for him. The truth was bigger than all his other poor choices combined. Aaron trembled as he gripped the steering wheel. His breaths came shallow and fast, and he felt a layer of sweat bead up across his forehead. How could he be such a creep, believing Bill Bond over his precious Amy? Had the glare of fame and fortune been that blinding? The truth was unbearable, and he grew sick to his stomach.

  But thengradually, a greater truth dawned on him.

  He didnt have to carry this sort of pain anymore. First, because Amy was safe now. In heaven with Jesus. And second, because he could ask God to take away his guilt.

  Lord, I messed up so bad. I didnt watch my little boy grow up, and I lost the chance to tell his mother how much I loved her, how wrong I was. No matter what my agent said. Forgive me, Godplease forgive me. I cant bear the guilt otherwise.

  It took a while, but an otherworldly peace came over him. A peace that was not without deep sadness. An urgency built in him, then, and he grabbed the small photograph, rushed out of his truck and back upstairs to the sparse apartment Megan shared with Cory. He knocked on the door and when Megan answered it, he launched into an explanation.

  Hes telling the truth

  She searched his face, trembling. He told me. Is itis it really possible?

  Look at this. He handed the photo to Megan. Amy was my first love. I wasI was going to marry her. He couldve cried, but his excitement had the upper hand. Whats his last name?

  Briggs. Megans words were fast and anxious. She was as blown away by the turn of events as Aaron was. Cory Briggs.

  The reality was still sinking in. Hes my son, Meganhe really is. There would be much to talk about later, notes to compare. But for now all that mattered wasCory!

  The boy came running up to the door. His smile held none of the drama and intensity both Aaron and Megan were feeling. He simply looked into Aarons eyes. Do you believe me now?

  Something amazing and marvelous was happening in Aarons heart. He stepped past Megan, touching her hand without looking at her. Then he dropped to his knees for the second time that week, and he held out his arms. Cory Happy tears choked his voice, but he didnt care.

  The boy hesitated for only a second, then he ran the few steps that separated them and landed hard in an embrace that was eight years coming. So Cory sounded small, still not quite sure. Youre my dad, right?

  Yes. Aaron held him to his chest, stroking his small back and rocking him. Something inside him told him to be careful. Tests would be needed before he could know for sure. But he and Megan would take care of that right away. Not that he needed tests. They would be merely a formality. Cory really did look just like him, something he hadnt seen before today.

  Aaron squeezed his eyes shut. Im sorry He pressed his sons face to his heart and managed the most precious words hed ever said. Im your dad, Cory. I never knew until today.

  They hugged for a long time, and Aaron stayed and tucked him in when it was bedtime. Aaron rubbed Corys back for a minute or two. Hed missed so much, but tonight was the first of many times when he would be with his son before he went to sleep.

  He and Megan would work out details of a paternity test in the morning. Aaron would look into it. When he left, he hugged Megan and his feelings for her came back in a rush. Can I ask you something?

  Anything.

  Did Amyas long as you knew her, did she have someone special, a boyfriend? The question made things somewhat awkward between them, but Aaron needed to know.

  No one. Megans answer was quick and heartfelt. She never even dated. Said she didnt have time because Cory needed her.

  Aaron reacted physically to the news, hunching slightly and struggling for his next breath. Everything Amy had told him in the letters was true. She had waited for him until her dying day. Aaron took Megans hand and held it for a beat. I have a lot to think through.

  Her eyes danced. I cant believe it.

  Me neither. There was something else he was only now realizing. Megan wanted to adopt Cory. Shed told him so. But now that Aaron had found him, he couldnt possibly let him go. The fairytale ending was obvious, but so far, Megan hadnt wanted to think of him that way, as someone shed date. They had much to work through.

  For now, it was enough that they parted with smiles and promises to talk tomorrow. He walked slowly back to his car, playing over the nights events. They were so far beyond unbelievable, even he couldnt quite grasp his new reality. But the sad truth about Amy was what stayed with him most as he drove home. He would always regret the decisions he made surrounding his breakup with Amy. And he needed to have a much overdue conversation with his agent. But there was something he could do now, while there was still time. He glanced at the photo once more. He might not have gotten the chance to tell Amy he was sorry.

  But he could spend the rest of his days loving their little boy.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  M ore than 70,000 fans packed the newly renovated Superdome for the NFC championships the third Sunday in January, but Derricks attention was on just one person. His teammate, Aaron Hill. The pageantry of the contest caused the pregame to be drawn out an additional half hourmore time to focus on the task ahead.

  Before the coin toss, Derrick found Aaron on the sidelines and grabbed his arm. You play with the power of God today, understand?

  No other way. Aarons eyes held a fire Derrick hadnt seen since he joined the team.

  Derrick slapped Aarons helmet and then walked down the line, yelling encouragement at players and groups of players. This is it, boysthis is our day! He stopped at Jay Ryder and spoke a few inches from his face. Whether you play a down or not, youre a winner, Ryder, you understand me?

  Jay nodded, but he wasnt quite focused, his feet antsy. The teams two punters were questionable, and Coach had told them Jay might have to step in. Jay, who hadnt punted in a game since high school. Derrick slapped Jays shoulder a few times as the announcers voice echoed through the building, driving the fans into a frenzy.

  You hearing me, Ryder? Derrick shouted above the roar of the crowd. Youre a winner, man. You get the whole between Sundays thing. He gripped the back of Jays helmet and met him straight on. When the seasons over were gonna change some lives, but right nowright now were taking no prisoners!

  This time Jays eyes were clear and intense. He nodded and then he smacked Derrick on the arm. Im readyready, man. Lets get it!

  Already they had made history. No wild card team since 1989 had even made it to the NFC championship game. But here they were. Derrick moved closer to the field and watched as his team won the coin toss and elected to receive. They would have the chance to draw first blood. Derrick bounced on his toes. His knee hurt but not as much as before. If Aaron needed him, hed be ready. His eyes moved up to the seats of the packed stadium, to the vast sec
tions of red and the handmade cardboard signs that said, 49ers Faithful and We Believe! and Its Our Turn!

  The Superdome rocked with noise, roaring with the excitement. The marching band competed with the announcer, and TV cameras were everywhere. Derrick eyed the roof of the structure. This was the first time hed been here since the stadium reopened after Hurricane Katrina. He smiled. The city had done a great job on the storied building, improving it in record time so that it stood as a beacon of hope and determination to all who passed by. The city would rise again. The way the 49ers might win today and also rise again. And with the changes in Aaron

  Be with him, Godguide his hands.

  Derrick stretched his arms one at a time, and then rattled off twenty high-knees. The nervous energy and noise in the building was infectious, and up and down the sideline Derrick could tell his teammates felt the same way. Antsy, anxious, ready to get the show on the road. The San Francisco offense was on the field ready for their leader. A few more seconds with Coach Cameron and Aaron jogged to the middle of the huddle. Even the way he carried himself was different than earlier in the season. The story was on all the sports news shows, the change in Aaron Hill and how it couldnt have happened at a better time for the 49ers.

  Derrick grinned in the direction of his friend. If his sense about the game was right, the sports anchors would have more to talk about after today. Come on, Hilltake it to em! He shouted the words as loud as he could, not that Aaron could hear him. In the Superdome, noise had nowhere to go. Aaron would have an almost impossible time calling plays today. But that was okay too. Coach Cameron had worked on hand signals all week, not just with Aaron but with the entire team.

  Aaron took the first snap, danced around the pocket for what seemed like forever, and then fired an eighteen-yard bullet to one of the rookie receivers. Derrick jumped along the sidelines, high-fiving his teammates and smacking shoulder pads. They could do thishe could feel it. He stopped and bent over his knees watching as the next play started. Aaron handed off and the rusher dodged two tacklers for a five-yard gain. Derrick paced a few steps in either direction, clapping his hands, hard and intense. Keep it going, boyskeep it going!

  The drive didnt stall once. From the New Orleans twelve-yard line, Aaron took the snap and tossed a floater into the end zone. The receiver had no one near him, and he reeled it in for a touchdown. San Francisco 7, Saints 0, and only two minutes had fallen off the clock. But the Saints werent about to be outdone. Theyd gone most of the history of the franchise without playoff success. They battled back, nicking away at the yardage and using up seven minutes to notch a twenty-four-yard field goal.

  During the Saints drive, Aaron came up to Derrick and grinned. I feel great, man. I can see the field, every player. He shook his head, amazed. I just wish I wouldve listened to you sooner.

  Yeah, ya dummy. He smacked Aarons shoulder pads. Thatll teach you.

  A TV timeout, and then Aaron and the offense were back on the field. Aaron threw beautiful passes and with first and nine, goal to go, he took the snap and watched his pocket collapse, watched the Saints defense move into the end zone to cover the receivers, and suddenly the only thing in front of him was green. Without the slightest hesitation, he tucked the ball to his side and ran toward the goal line.

  At the same time, the star linebacker for New Orleans realized what was happening. He ran to stop Aaron, and at the last minute the linebacker left his feet and grabbed at the quarterback. In the process, their two helmets made a sickening crash, and Aaron fell limp into the end zone. The officials had their hands raised straight in the air, signaling the touchdown. But already Coach Cameron was waddling out onto the field, his face stricken.

  A hush fell over the crowd, and people rose to their feet. Derrick wanted to run out, too, but he couldnt. Coaches needed to assess injuries first and thenif the player was down for several minutesother players might be allowed out to offer encouragement or to pray. Derrick moved along the sideline as far as he could, so he was parallel with his friend. Aaron was motionless, Derrick could see that better now. His legs were sprawled out just the way theyd been when he first collapsed.

  Get up, manget up! he shouted, his voice tight with fear. Hed seen hits like this before, and once in a while a guy never got up again. A shudder ran through him, and he shouted again. Get up, Hill!

  The linebacker was already up, his hands on his hips, head hung, pacing dizzy circles a few feet from where Aaron lay. One of the New Orleans coaches ran out to meet him, and the two walked off the field to the Saints sidelines.

  On the JumboTron screens, the network was showing the replay in slow motion. Derrick didnt want to look, but he had to, had to see how serious the hit was. At the point of impact, Aarons head reacted violently, snapping sharply back. As the replay ran, a horrifying gasp came from the crowd. Derricks eyes darted back to his teammate on the field. Get up, man!

  But Aaron still hadnt moved. Coach Cameron was surrounded by other coaches and a host of trainers, and now Coach waved frantically at the paramedics on the opposite sideline. His message was unmistakable. Get here. Fast. The paramedics pushed a stretcher between them as they jogged out to the place where Aaron lay. One of them had his arm tucked around a backboard and a brace.

  God, pleasenot Aaron. Wake him up, Godthis cant be happening!

  Aaron had told him earlier that hed invited Megan, the woman from the youth center, and Cory, the boy. There was more to the story, Aaron told him. Theyd have to talk about it later. Now Derrick looked into the stands, wondering where they were, knowing they were also praying for Aaron.

  Finally, after several minutes, the paramedics lifted Aaron and strapped him to a backboard. Carefully, they lifted him onto the stretcher and as they did, Aaron moved his feet. As if he wanted to get the message out to everyone in the stadium, he flexed his toes and then pulled his knees up.

  Derrick bent halfway over and exhaled. Thank you, God. The hit hadnt done permanent damage to his spine, that much was obvious now. Derrick straightened again, just as Aaron raised one thumb into the air. Slowly at first, the shocked fans began to clap and cheer, and over the next few seconds their show of support for Aaron grew into a thunderous roar. Aaron Hill might be down, but he wasnt out.

  Only then, as they wheeled Aaron toward the tunnel, did Derrick snap back to reality. They still had a little more than three quarters to play, and Aaron was out! Derrick was so worried about his friend that he hadnt remembered until just now that suddenly he was the quarterback, the one the entire team would be looking to.

  Derrick sucked in a quick breath and jogged in place for a few seconds. He was ready. Never mind the pain in his knee, hed been playing on it all season. And back home in San Francisco, Denae and the kids would be pulling for him, cheering him on, covering him in prayer.

  He was stretching his arms again when Coach Cameron yelled for him.

  The game was in progress, the Saints offense on the field, but it was stalling fast. The 49ers defense was fired up, determined to pay back New Orleans for its debilitating blow to their quarterback. Derrick jogged closer. Coach? Derrick could see desperation in the mans eyes. Even getting this far, if the 49ers lost today, Coach Camerons job in San Francisco was likely over.

  As they stood facing each other, their eyes locked, Coach Camerons fear turned to sheer determination. Warm up, Anderson.

  Yes, Coach.

  Derrick grabbed a couple of receivers and a ball and moved to a clearing on the sidelines. On the field, the Saints punted and the network called a TV timeout. Derrick ran his tongue over his lower lip. This was his moment, the one hed come to San Francisco to play. He had time for just six warm-up throws and a few words with Coach before he ran out onto the field.

  He expected to see wide eyes in the huddle, and thats exactly what he found. But it wasnt the big-eyed look of fear and uncertainty. The offensive line, the r
eceivers, the tailbacksall of them were intent on victory for one reasonthey trusted Derrick Anderson. Most of them were young enough that theyd probably grown up watching him play on TV. If Aaron Hill was out, Derrick could lead them. There wasnt a San Francisco player on the field who didnt believe that.

  Derrick took the snap and straightened in the pocket. Whatever pain his knee had felt all season, faded in the rush of the moment. He was playing the game, his game! He had a chance to make good on a promise hed made six years ago, and nothingnothing was going to stand in his way. He dominated through the second quarter, but three drives fell short of a score. The Saints, having collected themselves, rallied for ten points, giving San Francisco just a four-point lead going into halftime.

  Derrick wasnt worried. Hed found his rhythm. After more than a quarter on the field, he could see the weaknesses in the Saints defense. The long ball was open, and after halftime, Derrick planned to connect on a handful of dramatic passes. He jogged toward the tunnel and into the locker room, where the team was given a report on Aaron. He had a concussion, and hed been taken to the hospital for tests.

  A murmur ran through the players huddled around Coach Cameron, and the coach raised his hand. Listen, hes okay. I talked to him before he left. The tests are only for precaution. Ive been contacted by hospital personnel, guys. He may be out for the season, but hell be back here in the locker room before the game ends.

  Relief came over Derrick like a burst of sunshine. Thank you, GodYoure beyond merciful. Derrick could picture Aaron, hurrying the technicians up, wanting the tests to be finished so he could get back to his team. When he did, Derrick wanted the victory well within hand.

  He ran out onto the field for the second half feeling as good as hed ever felt. God was carrying him, holding his knee together for this, his last season. With that in mind, he tore into the third quarter and had an easy time in the fourth, despite a couple touchdowns by the Saints. As time ran out, Jay Ryder was called onto the field where he booted a forty-eight-yard punt that put the ball on the one-yard line. Half the team embraced him as he ran back to the sidelines, and moments later the 49ers won the game and the NFC championship, 3225. Derrick looped his arm around Jays neck, and he raised the ball to the stands with one hand and pointed to God in heaven with the other. All around him, the San Francisco crowd went crazy. Never mind the 97 regular season. The 49ers were in the Super Bowl, and the miracle Derrick had believed would happen was on the brink of coming true.