"That happens. You make friends in high school and it's such an intense period of your life in so many ways, it's like you work at your friendships so hard and you promise each other and yourself that you're going to be friends forever and then you graduate and maybe have one last summer together and then-y'all go off in different directions, to different schools, in different states, sometimes on different continents. And you meet a whole bunch of new people and there are all these new experiences. And a lot of people use college as a way to make a fresh start, to reinvent themselves. People only know what you tell them, well not so much these days with Facebook and blogs and such. But you have people who were football players in high school who made it a daily thing to torment someone from the drama club every single day and by their second semester in college they had declared a theater and dance major. It's a cliché, but it's true, you really can find yourself in college.

"As for Tyra," Tami sighed. "I don't know, right now, she's focused on her grades and studying, which-is good, but she needs to get out sometimes too. Skipping a class or sleeping in isn't the biggest crime in the world. Tyra and I are always going to be close, and she and you may drift apart for a while, but I have the feeling you'll get pulled closer together down the road, if only because of me. Does it bother you that you don't have many friends?"

"I don't know, I mean you and dad never hang out with other couples, the only time dad ever went out was if Buddy Garrity wanted to talk his ear off about some new scheme that he'd cooked up. You've gone out a couple times with people from school, right?"

"Yeah, I've had my bunko nights. Your dad isn't friendly. I mean he is, but he's not one to go and seek out people to hang out with or talk to. And he does have a lot of work to do being head coach, although I can't even imagine what it's like to be a head coach in the NFL. Your dad is polite and respectful and gracious, but he also doesn't suffer fools, well not for long. He is so absorbed with football that he doesn't have time for a lot of the stuff," Tami waved her hand in the air, "about popular culture, like Charlie Sheen or the Oscars. And that can hurt him because that's what ends up getting talked about a lot these days, and if you don't know about it, people look at you funny. I've already got some cocktail parties and get-togethers lined up at Braemore and your dad and I have argued about how many of them he's gonna go to."

"Let me guess, he started out at 'I've got game tape to watch and game plans to draw up so the number is zero' and now he's very grudgingly agreed to go to three of them. And even then he's going to mutter and grumble and end up standing off in the corner by himself."

Tami smiled. "Four, we settled on four. There's one at the beginning of the school year that's a welcome party for me and he knew it'd look bad if he wasn't there. There are more in the fall but most of them are in the afternoon, so he actually does have the excuse of being in school or at practice. And high school football isn't nearly as big a deal in Pennsylvania, well at least not in Philadelphia as it is in Texas, so he doesn't have to spend the whole offseason looking at tape and making game plans and such.

"Does Matt have any friends besides Landry?"

"He's friendly with the people at the gallery, he said they hang out once a week or so and he's hung out with a couple of people from one of his classes, but if you're asking if he seeks people out, I'd say no. Do you see that as a problem?"

"Well, it could be, but it could be fine, I don't have enough information to say one way or another." Tami stood up. "C'mon, let's see how Gracie and Tim are doing."

"How many times do you think Tim got stung? I think at least three."

"Really?"

"Mom, it's Tim Riggins."

"Hmmm, I say he got stung twice."

Eric winced. "God dammit."

He looked at the corner of the bleachers and there was Buddy Garrity walking over to them. Eric looked at Matt. "C'mon, let's go." He started to walk off the field away from Buddy, who started jogging after him.

"Eric, hold on a minute. I've got something for you." Eric sighed and stood with his arms crossed and a frown in his face. He didn't take a single step towards Buddy making him come to Eric.

Buddy put his hand towards Matt. "Matt Saracen! How are you doing son? I don't think I've seen you since the State game last year."

"Lucky you," Eric muttered under his breath.

"I'm doin' pretty well in Chicago, working at an art gallery. I hear your bar is doing good."

"Yeah, I'm thinkin and looking into expanding, add a few more pool tables, and hopefully open another location in Dallas or Austin."

"Why not both?"

"Well, I do have some long range plans, but I'm gonna make sure the finances are in place and stable first. The liquor distribution will help out, but I'm not gonna get ahead of myself."

"Buddy, I know you'd love to stay and find out what Matt has been doing the last six months but we need to get back home and help finish packing up for the movers." Eric held his hands up in front of him. "And please don't start asking or pleading me to take the head job at Dillon or ask if I'd be interested in consulting from Philadelphia. It's gonna take a while for us to settle in, Tami finding her feet and me figuring out what I've got in terms of players at my new job. And I'm also gonna be teaching a couple classes, so…"

Buddy shook his head and smiled. "No, I've asked you and begged and pleaded and offered you the moon to come back to Dillon, you would have been the highest paid high school football coach in Texas history."

"And you'd have moved into my house so you wouldn't have to call me every half hour, you'd just start talkin' through the wall."

"I love football. We both love football, but in different ways and for different reasons. You're really good at coaching and I'm a really good booster and supporter. Now, sometimes those two things don't work well, they butt heads. And I did keep some things from you that hurt you and the team, and I'm sorry for that, but it's because I love Dillon and what football represents in Dillon.

"Anyway, I have something for you and I wanted to give it to you before you and Tami and Gracie moved, rather than ship it and risk damaging it."

"What is it?"

"A surprise and I'd really like Tami to see it. I have it in my truck, but I'd really like to give it to you at your house."

Eric's jaw clenched for a few seconds, then he smiled. "And I suppose you'd also like to stay for dinner as well."

"Only if you let me buy it. You've gotta have Ray's BBQ one last time."

"A'ight, just make sure you get some veggie lasagna and bread for Julie. I'm gonna call Tami and let her know the plan."

Eric pulled out his phone and called home. It rang three times then a male voice said, "Taylor residence, how can I help you?"

"Tim, why are you answering the phone? Where's Julie?"

"She and Mrs. Taylor are out front, I'm-I'm handling Gracie Belle. What's up?"

"Tell Mrs. Taylor that we're on our way home and that Buddy Garrity is coming with us and he's gonna be having dinner with us and he's getting' Ray's BBQ. He's calling in the order now so we should be home in about twenty minutes."

"We'll see you then."

"Hey, how'd you do with that nest?"

"I got stung five times, but it looks like most of 'em are dead. You're supposed to give it about an hour and a half, but I haven't seen any of them flying around."

"Five times? You okay?"

"Yeah, I mean it hurts, but, I'll be fine."

"Well you let Tami help you out, you hear me?"

"Yes sir."

"Ai'ght, we'll see you in a few. Thanks for doing that Tim."

"You're welcome."