* * *
Because Cathy rode with me, Benjamin and Elizabeth agreed to meet me in the parking lot of the opponents school and we would go in together. That would also give me time to let Cathy in on the surprise. I pulled up in front of Cathy's house right on time.
"Hey," she said as she climbed in the car. "What?"
"Uh, well, I've got a little surprise I need to let you in on."
"Cool, I like surprises." She seemed to pickup on my uncertainty. "But?"
I took a deep breath and spilled it. "My parents are coming to tonight's game."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah, I hope you're okay with that."
"Where are they? Are we picking them up?" She glanced around the tight confines of the interior of my car as if they could be hiding or something.
"No, I figured it'd be best if they met us there."
"Thanks for that. I think it's pretty cool they would put themselves out there like that for you."
"Yeah, it is, and I know Jason will be thrilled."
She put on the radio and half an hour later, we pulled into the North Hagerstown school parking lot. If my family was there, I knew they would be discrete, so I drove to the far end of the parking lot.
"Is that them?" Cathy said, pointing out the front window toward the darkest spot along the edge of the parking lot.
I pulled in a few spots away from them and shut off the engine and then hopped out of the car. "Tink, Melanie, I didn't know you were coming."
"Didn't want to miss all the excitement." Melanie said.
I gave them both a big hug and then turned back to the car. Cathy had gotten out, but was standing right against the side of the car.
"You okay?"
Cathy nodded.
"Would you like to meet my family?"
"Sure." Her voice waivered like she was anything but sure.
I turned to my family. "Slowly, one at a time."
They nodded that they understood and Melanie followed me over to the car.
"This is my sister, Melanie." Tink approached, "This is Tink, and my mom and dad, Elizabeth and Benjamin."
Cathy did a half curtsy. "Nice to meet you."
"Well," I said, we should head over to the stadium, I don't want to be late."
"We will follow your lead." Benjamin said.
Cathy and I led them across the parking lot to the gates. Fortunately I glanced down before Benjamin presented the money for our tickets—he had Confederate bills. Between us, Cathy and I had enough to cover our admission. Since we were the visitor's we were on the far side of the stadium. I kept looking back at my family as they took in the spectacle. Their expressions were priceless, even timeless. We were a few minutes late so we arrived at the gate to the field just as the team started toward the field for warm-ups.
"You mind waiting for a minute?" I said.
"Not at all." Benjamin said.
As I started toward the gate, I heard Cathy say, "It's kind of a ritual she does with the team—for luck."
As with previous games, each player ran past and brushed his helmet against my palm. Jason pulled up when he saw my family.
"You didn't tell me they were coming." he said.
"I didn't know until I got home."
Jason looked over at Coach. "Be right there, Coach."
Coach looked annoyed until he saw my family—the group that didn't quite fit the scene. He seemed to realize who they were.
Jason walked me over to where they were standing. "Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, I'm very honored you would come to one of our games."
Benjamin clicked his heals. "It is our pleasure. We all look forward to seeing your prowess on the field."
"Izzy," A voice came from my side, "are these your folks?"
"Coach! Mom, Dad, this is Coach Singleton, he's Jason's football coach."
"Nice to meet you." Coach nodded toward Elizabeth. "Ma'am." And then extended a hand toward Benjamin.
Benjamin shook hands with a gloved hand.
"Quite a young lady you have there. She's something special. You both must be real proud."
"Very much so," Elizabeth replied.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. Jason, we need to get this show on the road." Coach turned and headed back to the team.
Jason took my hand in his, and then bent down and kissed it. "Ah, who am I kiddin'?" He pulled me up against him and gave me a big kiss. "For luck!" he yelled as he ran back to join the team.
"This way." I said, and led my family up the aisle in the bleachers. Just my luck, Jason's mom was sitting next to the aisle about halfway up. She stood as we approached. This was not what I had in mind. All I wanted was for us to sit together in a remote section of the bleachers so they could see Jason play and not have to be uncomfortable around so many people. I had no choice, but to stop.
"Mom, Dad, this is Jason's mom."
"Nancy," she said, "I'm so pleased to meet you. Would you like to join me?"
"We were going to sit—" I started.
"How very gracious of you." Elizabeth said.
Jason's mom scooted down the row.
"We usually sit at the top." I said. "Jason looks for me there."
"Well," Jason's mom said, "I understand."
"If your offer still stands," Elizabeth said, "I would like to join you."
"Certainly." Jason's mom said.
"Are you sure?" I looked at her closely to see if Elizabeth realized what she was committing to, but also noticed there weren't that many people around. A stiff breeze toward the face of the bleachers had kicked up and should take care of any thirst issues, but it still left Elizabeth and presumably Benjamin in the clutches of Jason's mom.
"You kids go ahead and sit where Jason can see you." Elizabeth said. "Benjamin." The two of them slid in the row with Jason's mom.
"Okay if Tink and I sit with you?" Melanie asked.
"Sure." I gave Elizabeth a pleading look and led the way to the top of the bleachers. After my talk with her, this had to look like an all out onslaught to Jason's mom. Why else would I bring my mysteriously distant adopted parents? There was absolutely no doubt this was going to make things worse.