She couldn't see the sky.
The roof was closed at the University of Phoenix stadium, as Robert and Giselle tiptoed throught the crowd to their seats. She was disappointed not to see the sun shining down, but if Super Bowl weekend had taught her anything, it was that you can't expect life to go perfectly.
It all started after the ball dropped in Times Square (no dragon crashed that party, thank goodness). Giselle kept hearing about a big to do with football in February, but she was too busy learning how to start a clothing business to give it much thought. Almost by accident, she found herself, Robert and Morgan watching the New York Giants play in the wild-card round on TV, and something inside her clicked. It reminded her at first of those jousts Edward mentioned where he and the other knights of Andalasia showed off their fighting skills. But no horses were slamming into each other this time, just men. She both shuddered and thrilled at the sound. She was impressed by the teamwork it took for players to move the ball forward (or stop it in its tracks). Something told her Edward wouldn't have done well at this game unless he could figure out a way to catch his own passes...
During the division round, Robert told Giselle what the Super Bowl was like for him as a college student at Stanford in the 1980's. It was the best of both worlds: he could root for the 49ers (as he lived near San Francisco), or he could cheer on the Giants (as he grew up in New York). He had fond memories of parties and crashing on a friend's cousin's couch in Pasadena before seeing the Giants win at the Rose Bowl. Back then, Robert mused, you could get tickets to the Super Bowl for less than tickets to a Broadway show now.
Giselle never thought anything could be as cold as the wind whipping through Manhattan in January - until the broadcasters mentioned the temperature at Lambeau Field.
"Why don't they put a roof over it?", she asked Robert during the frigid conference final between New York and Green Bay.
"Well, fans like to think they can put up with what Mother Nature has to offer same as the players", he replied.
"Like the ones with F-A-V-R-E spelled on their chests?"
The phone rang during halftime, and Robert seemed so surprised by what was being said that he started to nod, forgetting that the caller couldn't see him. "Oh, right! Well Pat, that's quite an offer. I'm honored that you'd think of me just now. Actually, Nancy and I have split up. It was best for both of us. But someone else has found me in the meantime. Anyway, can I run this by Giselle and get back to you after the game?...Ha ha, no she is not Tom Brady's girlfiend. I'll call you back, and thanks again." Click.
"What was that about?" Giselle asked, her curiousity piqued.
"You remember my friend in college who's cousin's couch I crashed on? Patrick Coyne. We run across each other in court from time to time. He got tickets to see the Giants in the Super Bowl back then, and he may have for this year too."
"May have?"
"He has four tickets to the big game, but his brother-in-law broke a leg skiing in Aspen. So that frees up two seats, and he's offered them to me."
"Oh Robert, I'm sure you and Morgan will have a great time."
"Morgan? I meant for the two of us to go."
"Why not me too?", Morgan asked.
"Because, young lady, a Super Bowl party is no place for a 6-year old, as I recall. Besides, it wouldn't feel right dragging you all the way to Glendale, Arizona just to bribe some hotel usher to keep an eye on you come game day."
"Would you want to go even if the Packers win tonight?", Giselle asked.
"To see the Packers and Patriots? No. We could order takeout from Bella Notte and watch the game here. It would be fun. But that's just it, Giselle. Most people get their tickets before the winners are decided. If their team loses beforehand, they can still go to parties and hang out with royalty before the game. We'd actually have someone to root for."
"Royalty?", Giselle asked. "So what was all that I heard from the park ranger about the Battle of Brooklyn? I thought Americans fought to get rid of them."
"Oh, we still have princes and princesses, in all but name. They're the rich and famous. So, do you want to go to the Super Bowl, Giselle?"
"With you I will", she said with a smile.
The three cheered and hugged each other after the Giants won the game in overtime on a field goal. Robert called his secretary Sam, and worked out a deal with vacation time in return for her taking in Morgan on Super Bowl weekend. One more call to Pat Coyne sealed the deal. Robert cautioned Giselle that rooms would be hard to find in AZ at such a late date. "Even the couches may be all taken by now. We might have to sleep in a tent out in the desert, with nothing but the prairie dogs for company."
"I'd like to meet them".