Chapter 40, enjoy!
Will and Sophie, Lyla's kids, were playing in the living room of Buddy's home, which Lyla had taken up residence in, while Lyla finished preparing supper and Buddy assisted her in setting the table.
"Ok kids, supper is ready," Lyla announced. They both ran to their spots at the table, ready to eat. Will began reaching for a roll out of the basket. "Will, we pray before we eat, remember sweetie," Lyla corrected him.
"Sorry momma," He apologized. They all bowed their heads while Lyla said a short prayer to bless the food. They dished up their food and began eating snd talking amongst themselves, or more, listened to three year-old Sophie's attempt to tell stories like her big brother and grandfather.
In the middle of their meal, a knock rang through the house.
"Can't have an uninterrupted meal around here," Lyla muttered when Buddy got up to answer the door.
"Hey Mr. Nelson! Come on in," Buddy greeted the man at the door, inviting him into the house. "We've got plenty of food, would you like me to get you a plate?"
"No, I'll make it quick, my wife's cooking at home," The man replied. "We need to talk about this football coaching situation."
"I've been working on Coach Taylor, but I'm not getting anywhere," Buddy responded.
"Caleb is wanting to quit," The man blurted out.
"You're kidding?"
"I wish I was."
"He's the best damn quarterback on the team!" Buddy exclaimed.
"I know," The man agreed. "He came to my wife and I this morning and told us he was wanting to quit. Said he was tired of being benched while the Coach Barnett's sorry excuse of a quarterback son was getting playing time. We've tried to talk him out of quitting, but he isn't backing down. I thought maybe you could talk to him, or talk to the coach about him playing favorites."
"I'm working on getting him fired, but it's not going very well. You tell Caleb that I am working on a new coach and to hang in just a little longer. Maybe Coach Taylor will change his mind if he hears good kids are quitting."
"And what if he doesn't change his mind? Are we stuck with this guy for the rest of the season?"
"I hope Taylor will decide to come, but if he doesn't the boosters and I will figure something out, because this isn't working."
"Well good luck with that, I will try to convince Caleb to stay on the team just a little longer. I'll let you get back to your supper," The man responded before shaking Buddy's hand and leaving.
"So this coaching situation is pretty bad?" Lyla asked when Buddy returned to the table.
"It's real bad," Buddy responded before taking a bite of his food. "But this food, this food is real good."
"Thanks Daddy," Lyla chuckled.
"Good food Mommy," Sophie repeated.
"Thank you Soph."
"Granddad, can we play catch in the backyard?" Will asked.
"Sure can," Buddy responded.
"After we finished eating and clean up the table though," Lyla interjected.
"Yes, after we clean up the table." They finished up their meal and Will helped his mom and grandpa clean up the supper mess.
"Now can we play?" Will excitedly asked.
"Yes," Lyla permitted. Will grabbed a football from the basket of toys next to the sliding patio doors. Buddy followed him out to the back porch where he and Will played catch while Lyla held Sophie and watched. "Way to go Will!" Lyla exclaimed when he through an impressive spiral into Buddy's arms.
"Future quarterback for the Dillon Panthers right here," Buddy boasted. His own comment reminded him of the conversation he had with Mr. Nelson just a little while ago. "Will bud, Granddad needs to go make a phone call. Can we play catch some other time?"
"Sure," Will answered, clearly defeated.
"I'm trying to make sure that you have the best football coach in the state of Texas," Buddy told him before returning inside the house.
Hope you all enjoyed, let me know what you think!