Chapter 6

Darrel Kay Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium (present)

Tami had been watching Eric glide across the football field all night with nothing but pride in her eyes. Eric had completed every toss to his fellow running back, and the scoreboard was tied, with mere seconds left in the game. She remembered watching game film and going over plays with him, this was the biggest game of the pre-championship season, and she got butterflies as the players formed into a huddle. She covered her mouth with her hands, watching Eric call the play that would make or break their entrance into the Southwest Conference Championship game. Eric and the team needed to make the most of the 8 seconds and 46 yards they had.

"We're gonna go for it! Anderson, get in the end zone" Eric called out.

"You're nuts, that's never gonna work" countered another player.

"It's all we've got. This is our last shot, gentlemen." Eric replied, "Block everyone you can, I'll toss it to Anderson. Ready, break".

"Unbelievable!" the announcer was heard saying over the intercom.

Tami's eye-widened and her mouth dropped. "Babe, what in the world are you doing?" she said to herself, standing with the crowd. "LONGHORNS! LONGHORNS!" "TAYLOR! TAYLOR!" the crowd echoed around her. She watched as the team formed on field, Eric kneeling down with his hands stretched out, making the call for the last time. The timer on the board dialed down, Eric held both his hands out ready to catch the football. Tami locked her eyes on Eric as he caught the football and took a few steps back…

"There's the snap. Taylor pumps once, he looks left and sees Anderson open in the end zone…he throws it!"

"...Oh my God! Smith tackles Eric to the ground!" the announcer yelled over the intercom.

Tami watched in slow motion as the ball flew eloquently over the field and into the end zone.

"TOUCHDOWN! THE LONGHORNS ARE GOING TO THE SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE!"

The crowd cheered as the players congratulated each other on the field, Tami's eye line being lost in the sea of raised hands and high-fives.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! I CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT I'VE JUST SEEN! TAYLOR THREW A 46-YARD HAIL MARY PASS FOR THE WIN!" one announcer shouted through the microphone.

"Hold up y'all, Taylor isn't getting up…" the announcer was heard talking to the other.

Tami's eyes immediately focused on the field and spotted a non-moving Eric lying on his back. "ERIC!" She cried out, pushing her way down the row of standing onlookers who had grown silent.

"I don't believe this Joe, the kid just threw the biggest touchdown of his college career, and he gets slammed by Smith…" the announcer talked, but as worry fell over Tami, his words became white noise.

"ERIC! ERIC!" she shouted, running down the bleachers and onto the field. "ERIC!" she sprinted across the green turf with tears in her eyes across the field and fellow players. "BABE! WAKE UP!" she ran to Eric and fell to her knees. "Baby! Please wake up…" she cried, looking at an unconscious Eric, reaching for his hands and squeezing them.

Mo took his helmet off and watched Tami run across the field to Eric, confusion taking over his face.

"TAMI! TAMI! What in the hell are you doing?" he shouted from the sidelines, throwing his helmet to the ground and running over Tami and Eric.

"Tami!" he firmly stated, and grabbed her elbow, spinning her around to face him. "What in the hell is going on here?" he asked angrily.