Here we are at chapter 50. Wow. It's been not quite 6 years (one month and 13 days shy of six years) and I've only posted 50 chapters. Makes me feel bad when I once wrote 63 chapters in 8 months. (See Giving Back). On the other hand, I wrote this one in just over three weeks. Maybe that's a good thing. Thanks to everyone who continues to read this and Future Skulljockey for your review of the last chapter. I hope you all like this one just as much.

Chapter 50: Duck Dinner

Come Friday, Lizzy was called into Dean Buckley's office and told she would indeed be graduating as Valedictorian with Adam as a close second. He also mentioned that she would have to give a speech at graduation. "Is there anything we can do to make these last few days easier on you?" the dean asked.

"Not really. Adam and the Ducks have covered practically everything. I want to be there when the baseball team wins State but other than that, no, I don't think there's anything you or the school board can do. Please, reassure Mr. Riley that my father has no intention of blaming or suing the school. He knows these things happen," Lizzy answered.

"I will make sure he knows that. If you do need something, please reach out. We'll help the best we can."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. I will let you know." She reached out with her left hand as they both stood and he shook it before thanking her and letting her leave.

Though Nat had been hesitant about letting Lizzy ride the bus from Eden Hall to Stillwater High for the last game that Saturday, she relented when Lizzy pleaded her case, especially since it was the last game of Lizzy's high school career. They finished warmups and the announcer's voice came over the speakers. "Good afternoon, Minnesota baseball fans. Welcome to the Minnesota State High School Baseball Championship game brought to you live from Stillwater High School. Today's match up will bring you the 23 and 5 Eden Hall Ducks who will be the home team against the 20 and 8 White Bear Lake Bears. Also, the Stillwater Ponies coaching staff and athletic department would like to take a moment to honor a Stillwater native. Eden Hall Captain Lizzy Jacobs grew up just down the road here in Stillwater and is the younger sister to Alums Matt, Chris, and Ben Jacobs. The coaching staff would like to express their deepest sympathy to Ms. Jacobs for what happened and we wish you a speedy recovery. Both teams are dedicating today's game to Lizzy and she has graciously agreed to sing the national anthem. Without further ado, please stand and remove your hats for the presentation of our nation's colors as well as our national anthem."

After the anthem, he introduced the teams and the game started. Lizzy hated watching the game from the bench but it was better than not being there. Every time Gary gave up a hit, she couldn't help but flinch. Her outfielders though were on top of it, getting to the ball quickly and keeping the score from growing too high. The seventh inning was upon them faster than she hoped but they were down 2-1 and it was their turn up. If they scored two runs, they'd win, any less and they'd lose the game and the championship. With a double to left field, a single to right, and a walk, it was soon bases loaded and a full count, three balls, two strikes, and two outs. The clutch situation of the year. The right fielder was up to bat and though he wasn't a power hitter, he could hit decently. After two more foul balls, he straightened out and blasted it, deep to left field.

"It's back, it's deep, it's ... it's ... going, going, it's out of here. With a walk-off grand slam, Eden Hall wins the game at 5-2 and recaptures the State title." After the fielder finished running the bases, the Ducks flooded the field in a way she guessed they did after the hockey team had won their state title. She stood on the edge of the field, watching her team and their fans celebrate. They had come a long way from just two years ago when they struggled to win even just a game without her.

"Great team you built," Charlie said, stepping up beside her.

"Thanks, but it wasn't just me. They're great and Coach is awesome," she answered. She bumped his shoulder with her good one.

He smirked and slung an arm around her waist. "At least take credit for the fan base. If you hadn't gotten us to come, word wouldn't have spread and it'd still be just parents in the stands."

Lizzy looked at the Ducks on the field, both players and random students, then at the stands where the community was gathered. "Ok, I'll take that," Lizzy agreed. When she had seen the low turn out during her first season, as compared to the packed stands at hockey games, she had reached out to the Ducks and they had shown up in force eventually bringing their friends and then the rest of the community. Of course, winning games definitely helped that.

After a few more minutes of celebration, the Minnesota State High School League, who ran the state tournaments, stepped out onto the field calling both teams to the infield. They presented the second-place trophy to the Bears then turned to the Ducks. "On behalf of the Minnesota State High School League, we present the trophy for the State High School Varsity Baseball Championships in the AAAA class to Eden Hall Academy," the head of the league said. Lizzy nodded to John, who was the alternate captain, and they both stepped up to collect the cup. John took it as she shook the hand of the head of the league. They took a few pictures for the league and for the school yearbook then they were off back to the school.

Knowing that graduation was the next day and then the following would be the day before her surgery as well as Memorial Day, she went to her dorm room to begin packing. It was difficult to do it one handed but she got most of her clothes into her suitcase and notebooks into her bag. She also shut down her laptop and unplugged it before tucking it into her backpack. There was a knock on her open door. She turned to look. "Matt?" she asked.

"Charlie let me in. I can leave if you want me to but I'd like to help you," Matt said. Her oldest brother stood there in jeans and a Stillwater High t-shirt; his hands tucked deep in his pockets.

"Thank you," Lizzy said. Matt smiled and started clearing out her desk. Once everything was all packed, she got Matt move it out to her car which Fulton would be driving back to the house in Stillwater. Ashley was upstairs getting in time with Dwayne. She looked around the room she had spent the last two and a half years in. It was filled with memories from her sophomore year all the way up through the current day. So many memories in that room.

"You ok? I know it's tough to move," Matt told her.

She looked at her brother. "I don't know, I never thought graduating would feel …" she thought it over. "Bittersweet I guess."

"Yeah. When I graduated, it wasn't so tough, I mean yeah, I was leaving high school, but I didn't quite have the same bond with my teammates and friends that you do. Plus, I was going on to play with the minors, so I was pumped for that. I know that you're worried about leaving the Ducks, but with technology these days it's not really leaving them, is it?"

"No, I guess not."

"Is part of you scared about the surgery?"

"Wasn't till you brought it up."

Matt rubbed his sister's good shoulder. "I'm going to be there for you no matter what. I'll even sit in that uncomfortable hospital waiting room chair the entire time you're in surgery, if you ask."

She stared up at his big green eyes seeing nothing but love and care in them. "I couldn't ask you to do that." She wasn't trying to push him to do something or to guilt trip him into it, she honestly just meant that she wasn't going to ask him to put himself in an uncomfortable position for hours for her.

"You know what? Not if you ask, I'm going to be there anyway. You're my kid sister and though you're not going to be alone, I want to be there, even if it's just sitting in an uncomfortable chair."

"Nat and Dad said they'd be there too," Lizzy answered, leaning against her brother. Matt carefully wrapped an arm around his little sister. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Are you getting sappy in here?" Charlie asked.

"Char—lie," Lizzy whined, dragging out his name.

"Way to break the moment," Matt deadpanned.

"We're … The Ducks are all going down to the diner as sorta a last hurrah before graduation. You want to come?" Charlie asked, looking more at Lizzy than Matt.

"I don't know, Charlie. It's a lot to ask," she answered.

"It's dinner with the Ducks," Charlie said plainly. "Come on, you know them and it's no big deal."

"Go, you'll have fun," Matt prodded.

Looking between the pair, she knew there was no use fighting them, besides they were all friends and it was usually a good time when they got together. "Okay, fine." They were headed for the parking lot when they came across Lex. "Oh, hey," she said.

"Hey," Lex answered. "You heading to dinner?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Great, I'll walk with you." He smiled broadly.

"Um actually, the Ducks were going to get dinner at the diner. I'll make it up to you."

His eyes darkened for a moment and he frowned. Then he sighed. "Lizzy, you'll see the Ducks all summer. I'm your boyfriend and I'm not going to see you much after graduation unless you come out to visit. Don't I deserve more consideration than the Ducks? You love me, right?" He looked at her earnestly.

"Of course I do, Lex, but we're talking about—" she started.

"We're talking about friends who don't like me, don't want to get to know me, not even your best friend. Come on, Liz. It's just dinner, they'll understand." He stared her down and Lizzy backed down.

Lizzy looked at her brother and her cousin. "Sorry, Charlie."

Charlie frowned but let her go with Lex. "I'll tell the guys," he answered.

They were nearly to the cafeteria when Dwayne and Goldberg appeared. "Hi," Goldberg said.

"Gentlemen," she answered, giving them a short nod.

"You don't want to have dinner with us?" Goldberg asked hurt.

"What? That's not it at all. I just … I can't ditch Lex every time you guys decide on an impromptu dinner or hang out," Lizzy said.

"No one expects you to every time, just sometimes. Lately we've—" Goldberg was cut off by Lizzy's squeak when Dwayne picked her up.

"Put me down," she squealed.

"Can't do that," he cackled, turning and fleeing. Lizzy was too shocked to fight it. Though she was sure he wasn't intentionally trying to bounce her shoulder around as he ran, it happened and she winced every time it bounced the wrong way. She glanced back to see Goldberg following along behind them. Dwayne was still cackling like a mad man when he stopped next to the rest of the Ducks. "All Ducks present and accounted for," Dwayne said. Several of them looked between her and Dwayne stunned.

"Cowboy, you shouldn't have done that," Charlie complained.

"Did you kidnap her?" Luis asked. "I thought we had a no kidnapping policy here."

"She wasn't cooperating, what did you expect me to do? Can we get dinner now?" Dwayne asked.

"Will you put me down, Tex?" Lizzy asked.

"No. You'll run away and I'll be sad because then I won't get to see you." He pouted.

Lizzy felt bad. She rolled her eyes. Though part of her did realize this was one of the last nights of the school year and that she'd get to see Lex before summer vacation, it was also dinner with the Ducks and she hadn't really spent a whole lot of time with them lately, instead spending it with Lex. Maybe she needed tonight to be about the Ducks. "Alright, let's go."

"You're sure?" Charlie asked.

Portman tossed an arm around his neck. "If Mav says let's go, then let's go. Mav would never screw with the almighty Captain," Portman said.

Charlie pinned him with an incredulous look. "You know my cousin about half as well as you think you do if you think she wouldn't screw with me because she could."

"Unless it's about food. Now, please?" Lizzy asked. Charlie didn't question it any further and Dwayne dropped Lizzy gently into Fulton's passenger seat. The rest of the Ducks climbed into assorted cars and they were off to the diner.

While the Ducks enjoyed their last dinner before graduation, none of them knew this would be one of the last times the entire team would be gathered in one place together for close to three years. "Hey, Liz? "Connie asked.

"Yeah?" Lizzy asked.

"Are you scared?"

"Scared?"

It went quiet at the table; everyone waiting for her answer. "For Tuesday, the surgery," Connie clarified.

"Oh. I could lie and tell you it's going to be fine and spare your feelings." Lizzy told them.

"That's what you usually do and it's not fair to you," Guy said. Lizzy tried her best not to roll her eyes. She really didn't like being the center of the team's attention, that was what her cousin was for. Guy went on before she could brush it off. "Look, we're all Ducks and I know I'm not the only one who thinks you're a Duck for life. That means there is always someone who will listen. We all care about what you're going through. You know most of us live pretty quiet lives. We aren't saying that we watch your life like a soap opera, but we do like hearing about your life. And if you need support, we want to be there for you."

Lizzy looked around. Everyone was watching her carefully but they were all interested, so she decided to give in. "Am I scared? Yeah, one wrong move and I can't move my right arm and I'm right-dominant, so that would suck. But then again it could be worse. All surgery comes with that final risk. The one you can't come back from."

"Don't talk like that. You're going to be fine," Fulton insisted.

"Yeah, you'll be under a few hours and then you'll come through with flying colors," Portman added.

"And when you do come out of it, we'll all be waiting for you," Kenny said.

"Then next year we'll watch you kick butt for UM," Guy finished.

"Women's softball," she scoffed.

"I know softball is different from baseball but it will keep you active. It's also not the first time you've played softball," Dwayne said.

"Yeah, about that," she said slowly. "I called UM last night. I told them that I appreciate the offer but I don't think I will be able to attend next year. Now, before you try to convince me I'm wrong here, I want you to know what the doctor told me. Realistically, it will be at least six to eight months before I can use it normally then another three at the least to get playing again. I'd rather not have to try to juggle classes and P.T."

"So not at all?" Charlie asked. He looked so sad and she wondered if it was because he had again gotten used to having her on the same campus in the same school.

"Chris put off college for a year, this isn't all that different." Lizzy shrugged.

"You do what you have to, we won't armchair quarterback for something we only see half of," Adam told her. Lizzy looked around the table. Every one of them was nodding or looked in agreement with what Adam said. Even Charlie, even if he didn't like it.

"Thanks," she said. The subject turned to graduation the next day and Lizzy sank into Fulton's side. He ruffled her hair. There really was nothing like a pep talk from the Ducks.

"You'll be just fine," he told her softly.

"With you by my side, how could I ever not be?"

"I will always be there when you ask. Always."

"And never expecting a thank you for it," she said.

"Because even if you don't say it verbally, it's always right there," he answered.

"But would it kill you to say it out loud sometimes?" Portman asked across Fulton.

"Thank you," she said sincerely, looking up at Fulton.

"Really, dude?" Fulton asked, rolling his eyes at Portman. Portman rolled his eyes back and drained the rest of his cola.

When he didn't say anything to her, she repeated herself. "No, seriously, thank you, Fulton. You've done so much for me. I could never repay you."

"You've been my friend for almost 19 years. My best friend, even when no one else wanted to be. That's all I need," Fulton answered.

"Hey, this is a non-sappy table. Save it for tomorrow," Russ interrupted.

"Stepping on the moment." Lizzy rolled her eyes. "But speaking of tomorrow, is everyone leaving right after graduation?" Lizzy asked. The Ducks began looking at each other, not her and not answering her. She looked at her cousin but he was very interested in his drink.

"You know, from what I understand, your dad and granddad are paying to fly our families in for graduation," Kenny said.

"Sounds like something he'd do but that doesn't answer my question." Again they avoided her gaze.

"Goose?" she asked, turning her gaze on her other close friend. Portman looked away. "Russ?" He too looked away, which was unusual for the mouth of the team. She frowned.

"They," Adam started, causing several heads to jerk up. "That is to say, we as a team, decided to stay at least until you're out of surgery."

"Guys," Lizzy protested.

"You'd do it for us. We owe you the same consideration," Kenny said.

She looked around and saw they all had the same look of conviction. Despite her reputation of being able to talk anyone into anything, she decided not to try this time. "Ok. Charlie lives closest to the hospital so why don't you all go over there first thing Tuesday morning and Nat or my dad will call when I'm out of surgery and ready for visitors," she suggested instead.

"Can any of us be at the hospital for you?" Julie asked.

Lizzy looked around at each of her teammates. Her eyes settled on Charlie. Her cousin looked hopeful but like he was trying to hide it. "If I say no, you're gonna be there anyway, aren't you?" she asked her cousin.

Charlie swallowed. He was quiet for a few moments before answering. She could practically see the wheels turning in his head. "No. You don't want me there; I won't be there. I'll stay with the team," he answered reluctantly.

She turned to Fulton. She asked him the same question. "If I say no, you're gonna be there anyway?"

He didn't even pause to think about it. "I'm gonna be there anyway," Fulton answered.

"Goose?"

"You say no, I'll stay with the team."

"Ads?"

"I want to be there, but if you say no, I won't push it."

Lizzy nodded as she looked around at the rest of the team. "I appreciate you guys wanting to be there for me. It really means a lot. However, this surgery is supposed to take upwards of three hours. I don't want to ask you guys to sit in uncomfortable waiting room chairs for that long. I think Fulton and Adam will be enough. I'll see the rest of you after." Everyone seemed to agree with that even if some were more reluctant than others.

After dinner, which Portman paid for, and well wishes from the staff both for graduation and the surgery, Liz said good night to the Ducks and Fulton drove her up to Stillwater.