One month later, March 2006
After the doctor appointment, it became all the more real for Jason and Lyla. The sonogram image made it hit them: They were really going to have a baby. However, shortly after the appointment, the rumors started.
"Jason, we need to make the announcement soon," said Lyla. "It's inevitable, anyway, so we may as well do it sooner rather than later."
"Yes, we should," said Jason. "We've been trying to put it off as long as we can, but I don't think we can put it off much longer."
"When do you want to make the announcement?"
Jason thought for a minute and said, "Every week, they have a Panther Talk segment on the radio. It's my turn to do it this week. I'll make the announcement then. That way, it'll get out in the open and everyone will find out at once."
Although the time had been set, Jason was still nervous about making the announcement. That night, he asked, "What am I supposed to say?"
"Just tell them the truth," said his mother. "And I'm proud of you for handling this as well as you have."
"Thanks, Mom," said Jason.
***
Soon, it was Jason's turn to do the weekly radio show. As he sat down, ready to start answering questions, he suddenly felt very nervous. He didn't know how to bring it up or the words to use. Thankfully, he didn't have to bring the topic up himself.
"Street, there's been some rumors lately, as I'm sure you're aware. Care to comment on them?"
Jason opened his mouth, closed it, sighed, and finally said, "Yes. The rumors are true. In six months, Lyla and I will be having a baby. We're keeping it, and I'm staying by her through this."
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
"Yes," said Jason. "To all the kids in this town who look up to me: Lyla and I made a grown-up decision, and this is the result of that. And because of that, it's a decision that we have to live with. But, like my mother told me, just because I made one mistake doesn't make me a bad person. No one is perfect. Your mistakes are what make you human."
"Thank you for your honesty and not shying away from the topic, Street."
"Thanks, yourself," said Jason, feeling much better. "Now, let's talk football."
***
Soon, March turned into April. Jason was glad that there hadn't been too much of a backlash. People had been surprisingly supportive. One day, Lyla said, "Look out how many diaper and formula coupons we've been getting in the mail!"
Jason joked, "At this rate, we may never have to buy diapers or formula for a year."
"Well, everyone cares about us and wants to make sure our baby will have what he or she needs."
"Speaking of," said Jason, "do you want to find out if it's a boy or a girl? The doctor said we would be able to in a couple of weeks."
"Are you kidding?" asked Lyla. "Of course I do!"
"Okay," said Jason. "Now, I have to get the team gathered up. The Easter egg hunt is tomorrow."
"Bet that'll go well," said Lyla sarcastically.
***
"Okay," said Jason. "You're probably wondering why I brought you here. Every year, the football team runs an Easter egg hunt for the kids in town."
The whole team groaned.
"I don't want to hear that. Not a word of it," said Jason. "This is not about you. It's for the kids. And I don't care if you're a starter, back-up, third-stringer or walk-on. This is a team event. Team, as in T-E-A-M. We're a team on the field, and we're going to be one off of it. Football field. 10:00 A.M. tomorrow. Be there." Jason then narrowed his eyes and added, "Or else."
"Yes, sir," said the team.
Tim went up to Jason and asked, "Or else what? What's the big or else?"
"Actually, I have no idea," said Jason. "I've never had to get that far. The ambiguous threat always works."
The next day...
Kids were gathering on the football field, getting ready for the Easter egg hunt. Before the event, Jason had assigned out duties.
Matt Saracen, a freshman third-string quarterback, asked, "What am I supposed to do?"
"Supervision and clean-up, Saracen."
Matt rolled his eyes and said, "That's not an Easter egg hunt. That's my life."
"Except you get a bag of jelly beans afterwards."
"Whatever. Sometimes, I think half the team and most of this town pretends I'm invisible," said Matt.
"You are definitely not invisible," said Jason. "You're like an oyster. You know, oysters have a pearl inside them? That's you. You've got a lot of untapped potential, Saracen. That's your pearl. We've just got to tap it somehow. And with a little work, I'm pretty sure you could get moved up to second-string."
"Thank you," said Matt.
As the Easter egg hunt started, kids were running and pushing and even fighting. "Smash" Williams, the sophomore running back, blew his whistle.
"Enough!"
The kids all stopped and ran over.
"The Smash doesn't like to see you acting like us. This isn't football; it's an Easter egg hunt."
"We have to go through this every year," said Jason. "I see it every year, and I've had it. So, I'm making a brand new rule. If there is any more running or fighting, I am going to call the cops."
Tim whispered, "That new rule seems a bit harsh, Street."
"I think it's working, though," said Jason. "They're all behaving now."
One little boy went up to Jason and said, "Mr. Street?"
"Yes?" asked Jason.
"Do you know if your baby is going to be a boy or a girl?"
"Not yet," said Jason, smiling. "But we'll find out soon."
"Are you going to marry Lyla?"
"Hopefully, I will someday," said Jason. "But I don't want to rush into it."
"Okay," said the little boy, and the Easter egg hunt continued. "Happy Easter, Mr. Street!"
"Happy Easter to you too," said Jason.
***
Soon, the day of Lyla's second ultrasound arrived.
"Wow!" said Jason. "Two months ago, the baby was about the size of a peanut, and now it looks more like a normal baby."
"Yes, it does," said Lyla. "I can see the head. And there's an arm."
"If it's a boy, he'll certainly have a great throwing arm," said Jason with a grin.
"Well," said Lyla, "can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?"
The doctor looked and said, "It's pretty clear that it's a girl."
"We're having a girl? That's great!"
"Hey," said Jason, "if she looks anything like you, I know she'll be beautiful."
"Thank you," said Lyla.
