Chapter 15
"You guys never get tired of this, do you?" Isabelle asked, her nose and ears turning crimson from the brisk, crisp cold Virginian fall. She crossed her arms and looked up at her friends.
The Titans were due to play for the national title in two weeks, and despite the extra long, extra draining practices they had five days a week, they were all still just as fervent about the sport as ever. Despite the chilling weather, they were now all decked out in sweats, sweaters, and sweat, their bodies caked with mud and dirt, but happy grins on their faces, as they played a pick up game in a nearby park. Petey spun the football on his nimble fingertips and chuckled.
"We never do, Isabelle, so you better get used to it."
"Well, fellas, as much as I do love football, I love to eat, too," Julius announced. He puffed up into a stiff, upright position and resumed a menacing glare that mimicked Coach Boone's, and in a loud, huffing voice said, "I better get home for dinner, or Pa'll kick my John Brown hind parts." He exhaled and chuckled with his friends before grabbing his sweater and other belongings. "I'll see you boys later."
"Ahem."
Julius smiled and laughed. "Sorry, Isabelle. I'll see you later, ladies and gentlemen." He bowed to Isabelle and began walking home, and soon all of their friends had left for their warm houses as well. She buried her frozen fingers in the deep corners of her coat pockets and shivered as Gerry picked up his sweater and collected his belongings.
"How are wedding plans going, Miss Maid of Honor?" he asked, as he watched her sit down on a bench.
"It's total pandemonium at my house and Coach Yoast's house, especially with Mom and I moving in and all," she answered. "I can't believe they're pulling this wedding off so quickly-- and with nationals right around the corner. They must really want that honeymoon. But, wait, that can't be it. Coach refuses to go out of town before nationals. Why they're in a hurry is beyond me."
Gerry laughed and sat down. "Just because they don't go away doesn't mean … well, I'll leave it up to that active imagination of yours," he replied, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.
Isabelle winced. "Gerry . . . don't touch me. No offense, it's just that you're sweaty and dirty and disgustingly smelly." She pushed him away and sat on the other end of the bench, but he began inching closer to her in all his muddy glory. "Gerry, not now-ahh!"
He had slid down the bench and tackled her to the ground, then pulled her up with him and laughed at her. "Now I ain't the only one who's muddy."
"You're evil, you know that?" Isabelle dusted her pants off, arching an eyebrow at him. "But, now that we're both dirty . . ." She let him circle his arms around her waist as she clasped her hands at his neck.
He brushed his lips against hers and asked, "Since it's total pandemonium at your house, do you want to come over for supper?"
She shook her head. "No thanks. I only came by to visit because I haven't seen you in a couple days. Where have you been?"
"Going to practice, doing homework, looking for a decent suit that fits me to wear to the wedding, and mostly football practice. Anyway, I'm glad you stopped by-I was going to swing by your place before heading home." He looked behind her into the nearly empty parking lot only to see his own car. "Did you walk here?" She nodded. "It's freezing outside, Isabelle, and you live kinda far. What would possess you to walk here?"
"I felt like it. It was a whole lot nicer when I started walking." She looked around her to find the sun setting as quickly as the falling leaves behind Alexandria's great trees and modest homes. She shivered again and smiled. "Besides, if I drove here you wouldn't be able to accompany me home."
He shook his head and laughed as he took her hand and led her to his car in the small, deserted parking lot. "Come on, get in my car before you freeze and get sick. If you do, you won't be able to sit on the bleachers and watch me at nationals."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss seeing you run in those tight white pants for anything."
"Where is she?" Coach Yoast muttered, pacing the front of the church.
"Quit your worrying, will you?" Coach Boone grumbled. "You've been worrying all the live long day. Everything is going to be fine."
Gerry stood up from his spot in the front row pew where he and his friends were sitting. "He's right, Coach. Take it easy. Get your mind off the wedding for a moment."
He watched Coach Yoast nod slowly. "Okay, I will. So, now that Isabelle's going to be my new step-daughter, I have some questions for you, Gerry."
Coach Boone laughed heartily as Gerry rolled his eyes. "Coach," he groaned, "that's not what I meant." He turned to hear a few snickers come from behind him and found Julius, Blue, Louie, Petey, Rev, Alan, Ray, Ronnie, and a few other teammates with wicked grins on their faces.
"Tough. So, exactly how serious are you two?" Coach Yoast continued. "Now, I mean it, Gerry, I ain't foolin' around here." Gerry squirmed uncomfortably and scratched his head.
"Gee, Coach, well, we're thinking of eloping."
Coach Yoast smiled and chuckled. "Clever." He opened his mouth to ask more questions when he spotted Isabelle slip through the doors of the small chapel. "Well, speak of the devil . . ."
Gerry twisted around to find Isabelle walking briskly down the aisle, a serious expression hugging her face. He stood up to greet her, but she walked right past him to Coach Yoast.
"Coach, Mom's getting cold feet. I don't think she's going to go through with the ceremony. I turned around to get you and when I turned back, she was leaving the chapel. I'm sorry." She, Gerry, and Coach Boone watched the color drain from his face, when Isabelle suddenly smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. She's ready and waiting, don't you worry."
Coach Yoast heaved a sigh of relief and clutched his chest. "Don't scare me like that!"
Isabelle laughed and turned to Gerry. "I'll see you in a little bit." He gently squeezed her hand and let her return to the front end of the church. When he watched the doors close behind her, Gerry turned to see Coach Yoast looking at him with a highly arched eyebrow, but still trying to catch his breath.
"What?"
Coach Yoast shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just not used to seeing you like that, gooey eyed and all. I only see you when you're serious, angry, or having fun with your friends, not like this . . . all sappy. That lovey-dovey business you've got there better not touch my field, Bertier, or you'll have hell to pay."
"Yeah," Boone agreed. "In the form of wind sprints."
Later that night, the new Mr. and Mrs. Yoast happily mingled with their guests at the small reception that night. After the hubbub of the post-wedding festivities, such as dinner, cake cutting, bouquet throwing, and spotlight dancing, the newly married couple was able to relax and enjoy their moment. Across the room, lost in a sea of guests, Gerry and Isabelle danced closely to a slow song.
The ballroom was filled with friends and family, as they roamed around the crowded dance floor. Overhanging chandeliers and glowing candlelight from the tables dimly lit the room, giving the reception an intimate, romantic feel. Every table was decorated in white linen and white candles, while wildflower arrangements bursting with color were crammed into every crevice of the room.
Gerry looked down at Isabelle who was intently staring off into space as he gently swayed her to the soft, slow music that was being played. She laid her head on his chest and sighed deeply, still staring off. He followed her gaze and smirked; Isabelle was staring at their joined hands, which Ryan held close to them as they danced.
"You're not going to let go of that thing are you?" Gerry laughed, indicating to the bouquet of flowers in Isabelle's hand.
She lifted her head up, and looked up into his twinkling eyes and couldn't help but smile widely. "Look, Gerry, you've seen how bad I am when it comes to playing sports, and this is probably the only thing I'm ever going to catch, so let me have my moment."
He smiled down at her and pulled her closer to him. "You caught ME, didn't you?"
Gerry laughed as Isabelle looked up at him with a strange expression on her face.
"Oh, geez, Gerry, don't go corny on me now."
"What can I say, I have a way with words."
She smiled and shook her head, her curly hair bouncing back and forth. "I can't say I'll vouch for that, but, you are, however, extremely light on your feet. I never would have thought a big hulking football player like yourself would be a great dancer. You haven't stepped on me once this evening."
"Why, thank you-"
"Ow!"
"Oops."
"You guys never get tired of this, do you?" Isabelle asked, her nose and ears turning crimson from the brisk, crisp cold Virginian fall. She crossed her arms and looked up at her friends.
The Titans were due to play for the national title in two weeks, and despite the extra long, extra draining practices they had five days a week, they were all still just as fervent about the sport as ever. Despite the chilling weather, they were now all decked out in sweats, sweaters, and sweat, their bodies caked with mud and dirt, but happy grins on their faces, as they played a pick up game in a nearby park. Petey spun the football on his nimble fingertips and chuckled.
"We never do, Isabelle, so you better get used to it."
"Well, fellas, as much as I do love football, I love to eat, too," Julius announced. He puffed up into a stiff, upright position and resumed a menacing glare that mimicked Coach Boone's, and in a loud, huffing voice said, "I better get home for dinner, or Pa'll kick my John Brown hind parts." He exhaled and chuckled with his friends before grabbing his sweater and other belongings. "I'll see you boys later."
"Ahem."
Julius smiled and laughed. "Sorry, Isabelle. I'll see you later, ladies and gentlemen." He bowed to Isabelle and began walking home, and soon all of their friends had left for their warm houses as well. She buried her frozen fingers in the deep corners of her coat pockets and shivered as Gerry picked up his sweater and collected his belongings.
"How are wedding plans going, Miss Maid of Honor?" he asked, as he watched her sit down on a bench.
"It's total pandemonium at my house and Coach Yoast's house, especially with Mom and I moving in and all," she answered. "I can't believe they're pulling this wedding off so quickly-- and with nationals right around the corner. They must really want that honeymoon. But, wait, that can't be it. Coach refuses to go out of town before nationals. Why they're in a hurry is beyond me."
Gerry laughed and sat down. "Just because they don't go away doesn't mean … well, I'll leave it up to that active imagination of yours," he replied, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.
Isabelle winced. "Gerry . . . don't touch me. No offense, it's just that you're sweaty and dirty and disgustingly smelly." She pushed him away and sat on the other end of the bench, but he began inching closer to her in all his muddy glory. "Gerry, not now-ahh!"
He had slid down the bench and tackled her to the ground, then pulled her up with him and laughed at her. "Now I ain't the only one who's muddy."
"You're evil, you know that?" Isabelle dusted her pants off, arching an eyebrow at him. "But, now that we're both dirty . . ." She let him circle his arms around her waist as she clasped her hands at his neck.
He brushed his lips against hers and asked, "Since it's total pandemonium at your house, do you want to come over for supper?"
She shook her head. "No thanks. I only came by to visit because I haven't seen you in a couple days. Where have you been?"
"Going to practice, doing homework, looking for a decent suit that fits me to wear to the wedding, and mostly football practice. Anyway, I'm glad you stopped by-I was going to swing by your place before heading home." He looked behind her into the nearly empty parking lot only to see his own car. "Did you walk here?" She nodded. "It's freezing outside, Isabelle, and you live kinda far. What would possess you to walk here?"
"I felt like it. It was a whole lot nicer when I started walking." She looked around her to find the sun setting as quickly as the falling leaves behind Alexandria's great trees and modest homes. She shivered again and smiled. "Besides, if I drove here you wouldn't be able to accompany me home."
He shook his head and laughed as he took her hand and led her to his car in the small, deserted parking lot. "Come on, get in my car before you freeze and get sick. If you do, you won't be able to sit on the bleachers and watch me at nationals."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss seeing you run in those tight white pants for anything."
"Where is she?" Coach Yoast muttered, pacing the front of the church.
"Quit your worrying, will you?" Coach Boone grumbled. "You've been worrying all the live long day. Everything is going to be fine."
Gerry stood up from his spot in the front row pew where he and his friends were sitting. "He's right, Coach. Take it easy. Get your mind off the wedding for a moment."
He watched Coach Yoast nod slowly. "Okay, I will. So, now that Isabelle's going to be my new step-daughter, I have some questions for you, Gerry."
Coach Boone laughed heartily as Gerry rolled his eyes. "Coach," he groaned, "that's not what I meant." He turned to hear a few snickers come from behind him and found Julius, Blue, Louie, Petey, Rev, Alan, Ray, Ronnie, and a few other teammates with wicked grins on their faces.
"Tough. So, exactly how serious are you two?" Coach Yoast continued. "Now, I mean it, Gerry, I ain't foolin' around here." Gerry squirmed uncomfortably and scratched his head.
"Gee, Coach, well, we're thinking of eloping."
Coach Yoast smiled and chuckled. "Clever." He opened his mouth to ask more questions when he spotted Isabelle slip through the doors of the small chapel. "Well, speak of the devil . . ."
Gerry twisted around to find Isabelle walking briskly down the aisle, a serious expression hugging her face. He stood up to greet her, but she walked right past him to Coach Yoast.
"Coach, Mom's getting cold feet. I don't think she's going to go through with the ceremony. I turned around to get you and when I turned back, she was leaving the chapel. I'm sorry." She, Gerry, and Coach Boone watched the color drain from his face, when Isabelle suddenly smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. She's ready and waiting, don't you worry."
Coach Yoast heaved a sigh of relief and clutched his chest. "Don't scare me like that!"
Isabelle laughed and turned to Gerry. "I'll see you in a little bit." He gently squeezed her hand and let her return to the front end of the church. When he watched the doors close behind her, Gerry turned to see Coach Yoast looking at him with a highly arched eyebrow, but still trying to catch his breath.
"What?"
Coach Yoast shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just not used to seeing you like that, gooey eyed and all. I only see you when you're serious, angry, or having fun with your friends, not like this . . . all sappy. That lovey-dovey business you've got there better not touch my field, Bertier, or you'll have hell to pay."
"Yeah," Boone agreed. "In the form of wind sprints."
Later that night, the new Mr. and Mrs. Yoast happily mingled with their guests at the small reception that night. After the hubbub of the post-wedding festivities, such as dinner, cake cutting, bouquet throwing, and spotlight dancing, the newly married couple was able to relax and enjoy their moment. Across the room, lost in a sea of guests, Gerry and Isabelle danced closely to a slow song.
The ballroom was filled with friends and family, as they roamed around the crowded dance floor. Overhanging chandeliers and glowing candlelight from the tables dimly lit the room, giving the reception an intimate, romantic feel. Every table was decorated in white linen and white candles, while wildflower arrangements bursting with color were crammed into every crevice of the room.
Gerry looked down at Isabelle who was intently staring off into space as he gently swayed her to the soft, slow music that was being played. She laid her head on his chest and sighed deeply, still staring off. He followed her gaze and smirked; Isabelle was staring at their joined hands, which Ryan held close to them as they danced.
"You're not going to let go of that thing are you?" Gerry laughed, indicating to the bouquet of flowers in Isabelle's hand.
She lifted her head up, and looked up into his twinkling eyes and couldn't help but smile widely. "Look, Gerry, you've seen how bad I am when it comes to playing sports, and this is probably the only thing I'm ever going to catch, so let me have my moment."
He smiled down at her and pulled her closer to him. "You caught ME, didn't you?"
Gerry laughed as Isabelle looked up at him with a strange expression on her face.
"Oh, geez, Gerry, don't go corny on me now."
"What can I say, I have a way with words."
She smiled and shook her head, her curly hair bouncing back and forth. "I can't say I'll vouch for that, but, you are, however, extremely light on your feet. I never would have thought a big hulking football player like yourself would be a great dancer. You haven't stepped on me once this evening."
"Why, thank you-"
"Ow!"
"Oops."
