Chapter 34.

I know I may be loosing some readers because of everything that's going on in this story. I've shuffled up the deck a lot and this story jumps around a lot, but stick with me, I promise it will be worth it in the end. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it and of you would please leave some feedback because I'm doubting some of my plot points right now.

*Make sure to read Ch 33!*

"Good morning Buddy!" A football booster greeted Buddy as he walked into church. "Good morning to you too Lyla," He added after seeing Buddy's daughter Lyla walking next to him with her two young children holding her hands. Lyla's three year-old daughter, a spitting image of her, was on one side, and her four year-old son, who strongly resembled her late husband, was on the other.

"Good morning," Lyla replied with a warm smile.

"Morning Robert," Buddy greeted the man with a handshake.

"So how did that call with Coach Taylor go?" Robert asked.

"Dad, the kids and I are going to find a seat," Lyla dismissed herself.

"Ok, I'll be in there in a minute," He replied as Lyla led her son and daughter into the church to find a seat. "Well Robert, I got him called, but that's about as far as I got. The first call, he didn't answer. When I tried again a little while later he said it was getting late and he had had a crazy day. He told me he would call me back, so I'm just waiting on the call from him."

"Did he seem interested in coming back?" Robert inquired.

"I really couldn't get a read on if he would take it or not. He got off the phone pretty quick," Buddy answered.

"Okay, just keep me posted," Robert told him.

"Will do," Buddy stated as he made his way into the church and took a seat in the pew beside his daughter and grandchildren.

"Gracie, are you ready for church?" Eric asked Gracie who was sitting cully dressed for church in the living room.

"Yes, but we don't have to leave for twenty more minutes," Gracie replied.

"You, your mom, and I are going to leave a little but early. Julie and Jason you can get yourselves to church right?"

"Yeah, we can," Julie answered from the bathroom where she was putting on her make up.

"Ok, Gracie, Tami, let's go." Gracie, Tami, and Eric all piled into Eric's truck and began making the drive to church.

"Why did we have to leave so early dad?" Gracie curiously asked.

"Well, your mom and I want to have a little chat with you," Eric explained.

"Can't you just tell me my punishment at the house?" Gracie sighed, not wanting to hear the lecture she could feel coming on.

"We want to talk," Tami butted it. "Just you and us." Gracie groaned in the back seat.

"We are worried about you Gracie Belle," Eric stated.

"Dad, I'm not 12," Gracie whined.

"And you're not 18 either, so start acting your age," Tami scolded.

"Tami, I thought we were going to be civil."

"I'm sorry hun, I didn't mean to be so harsh," Tami apologized to both her daughter and husband.

"But your mom has a point. You are 14 years old. That is too young to be sneaking out and partying and drinking and what not. What if you would have gotten into a wreck last night or gotten kidnapped or something? We would have had no idea because we thought you were safe in your bedroom," Eric told her.

"As your parents, it is our job to make sure you are safe. I know it seems like we are 'fun haters,' or whatever you want to call us, but we are looking out for your safety," Tami explained.

"I'm sorry," Gracie apologized.

"We've heard that a lot recently. We are tired of hearing it, we want to see it," Eric stated sternly.

"You will have the same punishment you had last time. You are a good kid, a smart kid, but you aren't acting like the Gracie I raised. We need to see some improvement," Tami told her.

"Yes ma'am," Gracie replied.

Let me know what you think, and as always thank you all for sticking with my though this crazy story!