Fifteen
THE EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT LYLE, INDIANA, WAS SO PALPAble Cody could feel it in the air … see it on the faces of the guys hanging out together in front of TJ’s Hardware and Feed store on Main Street … hear it in the voice of Hank who pumped gas for Meijer’s at the corner of Franklin and First. Already signs hung in the windows of the Curl and Cut and Sandy’s Diner: Go Buckaroos!
Look Out World … Lyle Football’s Back!
Several stores had information at their front counters about today’s barbecue, the official kickoff of the Lyle football season. From what Ms. Baker had told Cody, the barbecue had fallen by the wayside in the last few years. Coach Oliver hadn’t thought it was important. Didn’t see that a losing season was worth celebrating after the fact, and couldn’t imagine anything exciting enough about the future to convince an entire town to come out for a barbecue under the sweltering July sun.
Cody disagreed. A few minutes talking with Ms. Baker and he had permission to reinstate the barbecue. “It’s going to be a great year,” he told her. “I mean … the kids are capable of big things. I really believe that.”
Her smile told him much about the relief she felt with Cody in charge. “Thank you, Mr. Coleman. The kids … the town … we all appreciate your efforts. You may never know how much.”
While he was in her office, Cody asked about Coach Oliver. Apparently the man was getting counseling for his anger issues, and feeling happier without the burden of coaching and teaching. “It was time for him to step down. A good move for everyone.”
Now it was the day of the barbecue, and Cody had gotten out of bed at six in the morning, unable to sleep. He did pushups and sit-ups and ran three miles through his neighborhood, and still made it back in time to whip up a batch of pancakes for DeMetri. As it turned out, his roommate moved back home for good a few weeks after DeMetri moved in. The rent was a little steep for Cody to handle on his own, but he’d worked out his budget. DeMetri needed to focus on school and football. And since the kid didn’t have a car there was no way he could get a job. Instead he made it his personal goal to keep the apartment spotless. Together they were making it work.
Cody wasn’t much of a cook, but he’d learned a lot this past year. Cooking was something he needed to know — especially since DeMetri’s arrival. He could handle a few basic breakfast menus now — scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes … and a small assortment of chicken and beef dinners. Enough for him and DeMetri to get by. He’d gotten the okay from Ms. Baker and the administration to have DeMetri live with him, and the boy’s mom had signed over guardianship from prison a week ago. DeMetri was seventeen, but he was still a minor. The paperwork needed to be in order and now it was.
From the back room Cody heard DeMetri get up and make his bed. Again the situation reminded him of his place in the Flanigan house years ago. He flipped the pancakes and thought about the cycle of life. He wasn’t doing much, really. Just giving DeMetri a place to live, a way to be safe and successful in school and sports.
He smiled to himself. All his life he had wanted to thank the Flanigans for what they’d done for him, the way they’d taken him in and showed him what it looked like to live a life for God … to work hard and be successful. Now he understood. The best way he could thank the Flanigans was to do that very thing for someone else. Someone like DeMetri.
Through breakfast DeMetri asked Cody about a number of plays they’d learned. They had playbooks now, and DeMetri had told him that the guys were more excited about football than they’d ever been. The kid was chatty, which Cody liked. So many high school boys didn’t talk much. He had a feeling DeMetri would be a part of his life for a long time. His mother was serving a five-year sentence, and he had no one else.
They picked up Cheyenne on the way out of town, but Tara couldn’t come. It was a Friday, and she was still at work. Chey took the middle seat, since Cody’s truck didn’t have a back row. Cheyenne was moving around easier now. The walker was gone, and she wouldn’t need her cane for long.
As they set out, she situated herself and buckled her belt. “So this is a big deal, huh? The barbecue kickoff?”
“It used to be.” DeMetri was still a little shy around her.
Cody liked DeMetri’s maturity, how he didn’t blame the loss of the picnic on Coach Oliver. No reason to bring up the coach’s name now — especially in light of the fact that he was suffering from a stress disability. He kept his eyes on the road. “Ms. Baker thinks the whole town will show up.” The chamber of commerce had provided burgers, hot dogs, and a dunk tank.
“Sounds perfect.” Chey seemed comfortable close to his side.
On the way there they talked about tomorrow’s football camp. The team would meet at Lyle early in the morning and head for Butler University, where they would stay in dorms and compete with other high school teams from around the state. Butler was on the map lately because of its crazy successful run in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and the football program was strong as well. It was another part of Lyle football that had been dropped during Coach Oliver’s tenure.
“The guys are a little worried.” DeMetri leaned over his knees, looking at Cody. “About camp. I mean, no cell phones? A lot of guys have a hard time with that.”
“They’ll be fine.” Cody had every hour of their time organized. Jim Flanigan had helped him figure out the best drills and workouts for their time away. “Camp’s always tough. But it’ll be fun.” Cody intended to live by the standards he’d set for the guys. No cell phones except for an emergency. Even where Cheyenne was concerned.
“I guess it’s not really the cell phone thing.” DeMetri sat back against his seat again. “They don’t know how they’ll do against the other teams. They don’t wanna let you down, Coach.”
The words hit Cody straight in the heart. That the guys cared that much now, from where they had started out when Cody took over … he was deeply touched. Somehow … despite his inexperience and the tough place the kids were in when he arrived, a change was happening at Lyle. They didn’t show up expecting to lose. They actually cared.
“Well … thanks for letting me know, Smitty. I’ll have to talk to them about that.”
“Don’t tell ‘em I said so.” He didn’t want the guys thinking he had an advantage because he lived with Cody.
“I won’t.” Cody peered over Cheyenne at him. “You know me better.”
“True.” A grin spread across DeMetri’s face. Cody captured the picture of the kid smiling, driving to the picnic with them. A few weeks ago he was living in the school’s wrestling room. Now he was happy and a lot more adjusted.
Cody fell quiet for the rest of the ride, enjoying the feel of Cheyenne beside him, the presence of DeMetri. He’d learned something about himself these past months. He had a purpose again. His counselor agreed that was the reason the flashbacks had all but stopped. Between Cheyenne and DeMetri, he felt needed now. More than Cody had realized, he lived to help others. It was one more reason things hadn’t worked out with Bailey. She didn’t need him.
He let that thought slide loosely around the floor of his heart. Okay, she might’ve thought she needed him, because she had feelings for him. But Bailey could have whatever she wanted. She had the perfect family, the perfect life … and now she had a dream job and a relationship with the nation’s hottest young actor. What could she possibly need him for?
Enough time had passed, that he understood their breakup better. Subconsciously when he realized a few months ago that Bailey didn’t need him, he’d withdrawn from her — blaming it on the situation with his mom. Sure, there was danger because of the drug dealer his mom had dated. But still he could’ve stayed with Bailey … told her they needed to see each other less, and wait the situation out until the man was arrested. He didn’t have to walk away from her the way he did.
But deep down he knew she didn’t need him — and that had triggered his decision to run, which in turn led to his nightmares and flashbacks. Because without Bailey he had been without purpose.
He felt the urge to reach for Cheyenne’s hand, but he held back. DeMetri had asked about her, whether they were dating … and Cody had told him no. It wouldn’t set a very good example if he held her hand now — when they were supposed to be only friends.
The picnic was set up at the fairgrounds — since the football field wouldn’t have been large enough for so many people. Cody guessed just about every retired guy in a ten-mile radius showed up to flip burgers and hand out hot dogs. He wasn’t good at estimating the number of people in a crowd, but it felt like Ms. Baker was right — the whole town had shown up. Not only that, but they’d each brought a friend.
An hour after the picnic’s official start time — just before dinner was served — the Lyle mayor took his place on a makeshift podium and asked everyone to move to one side of the field. “It’s now my pleasure to introduce to you this year’s Lyle High football team!”
The entire crowd broke into loud applause and cheers, a show of support that amazed Cody and continued through the introduction of every boy on the team. When Cody’s name was announced, the crowd grew louder still. The mayor also welcomed two teachers — Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Braswell, both of whom would assist the Buckaroos this year.
When the team was lined up, facing the crowd, the mayor asked for another round of applause. Cody blinked, not quite believing the response. How had God been so good to bring him here and allow him to take over a team with so much love and support? He had a feeling that they could win one game this year and the town would be thrilled. Ready to welcome them back at the barbecue next summer.
“These boys leave tomorrow morning for camp,” the mayor told them, his voice rich with hope. The sun beat down on them, and sweat beaded up on the man’s bald head. He didn’t seem to mind. “So now I’d like everyone to bow their heads and join me in a prayer for our team. That they’ll find something special while they’re at camp.” He paused. “Something that’s been missing for a few years.”
That was as close as the mayor came to talking about the dismal winless seasons Lyle had recently suffered. Cody watched, mesmerized as the entire crowd quieted. Men and boys removed their baseball and cowboy hats, and everywhere he looked, families and small groups held hands as they bowed their heads. When the mayor was satisfied that the picnic crowd was ready, he began, his voice booming across the fairgrounds.
“Dear Lord, we bring to You our Lyle High football team, and we ask that You bless their efforts while they’re at camp.” His voice rang with unabashed sincerity. “This team is capable of much … and our town believes in them. Now, Father, we ask Your blessing not only on their time at camp, but on their season … May they dedicate every game to You out of gratitude for how You’ve blessed us all. And may Lyle’s season be so successful that people everywhere would know about us, and how at least here You still reign in small-town America.” The mayor’s prayer was as simple as it was profound. It was met with a roaring applause that was greater than anything yet that afternoon.
Cody felt a shiver of awe run down his spine. Did they know what they had here in Lyle? How out of the ordinary it was that a small-town mayor might rally his people to pray for the football team? The mayor was going on, talking about the upcoming season and how he hoped to see the stands packed for every game.
He caught himself gazing down the line at his team, the ragtag group of guys who hadn’t believed in themselves whatsoever until a few months ago. Yes, they struggled with grades and girls, and the sort of partying that had nearly destroyed Cody when he was that age. But one by one, Cody was meeting with the guys, talking to them, and confronting them with evidence and alternatives. For many of them he’d issued ultimatums: Quit partying … quit climbing through windows at girlfriends’ houses … get the grades up. Otherwise they would lose their place on the roster. And the guys were responding better than he’d imagined.
Dear God,… I’m not worthy of the challenge ahead, he prayed silently. But with You … with You all things are possible. So let us play for You this year … like the mayor said. And let everyone, everywhere know that where Your name is called upon, Your people can win battles they never should’ve won. Thank You, Father …
I am with you, son. You will do great things this year in My strength … watch and see …
Thank You, Father … if that’s You … thank You. Despite the muggy heat of the late afternoon, a chill ran through Cody again. He liked to think in moments like this that the voice he had heard in his heart was really that of the Lord. But it seemed hard to believe that he might take the Buckaroos from two winless seasons to anything truly noteworthy in his first year as head coach. A few wins, yes. A better attitude, of course. But great things? He tried to believe the possibility.
All around him people were crossing the field, coming up to him and the team. “Coach, … we’re pulling for you.” And, “This is your year, Coach.” Cody shook more hands than he could count and held the same conversation over and over again. The townspeople wishing him well, and Cody thanking them for their support.
Cody must’ve held a hundred conversations like that before he saw Cheyenne walking his way. She used her cane, but she walked faster than she had last week. Their eyes met over the crowd, and she smiled, as if to say she was proud of him. When she reached him, she waited nearby until every townsperson had welcomed him, and when they had returned to their picnic blankets and lawn chairs, she walked up and gave him a quick hug. “Wow … I didn’t know you were famous.”
“Faith, family, and football.” Cody slid his hands in his pockets and chuckled. “That’s Lyle — the town and the school.”
“I love it.” Cheyenne walked beside him as they returned to their chairs — set up near the barbecue tent and close to the players. “I didn’t think there were still places like this.”
“Me either.” He breathed in deeply through his nose, imagining the challenge ahead. “I hope they’re this supportive if we don’t win a game.”
“I get the feeling it’s not about winning for these folks.”
“Oh, they care.” He chuckled, remembering what a few dads had told him. How the town had its hopes on Cody. “They think I can rebuild what they once had.”
Her eyes told him she had no doubts. “Maybe you can.”
“We’ll see.” They stood in line for burgers and then found seats. When the meal was over the guys gathered round and talked him into playing catch on the adjacent field. Cheyenne watched and after an hour, when Cody’s T-shirt was damp with sweat, Cheyenne called him over.
“Time for the dunk tank.” Cheyenne took his hand. She whispered close to his ear. “The mayor put me up to it. Bribed me with one of his wife’s homemade cupcakes.”
Cody laughed. “Oh, really.” He noticed the rest of the football team falling in around them.
“Come on, everyone,” his quarterback Arnie Hurley shouted above the sound of the crowd, waving at the people to follow them. “Coach is getting in the dunk tank!”
It took a few minutes, but most of the picnic goers moved to the place where volunteers had set up carnival games and a classic dunk tank. Once again the mayor took the microphone. “Just so you know, we asked Miss Betty from the Chamber of Commerce to toss all the extra ice in the dunk tank water!”
A cheer came from the crowd, and the players hooted and hollered. “Yeah … you’re going down, Coach!”
Cody laughed and gave Cheyenne an exaggerated look of helplessness. Then he turned to the crowd and shook his head — playing with them. “No dunk tank,” he shouted. “I hate cold water.”
That started a chant from his players. “Dunk tank … dunk tank … dunk tank …”
Finally when Cody had gotten them appropriately worked up, he waved them off. “Fine … you got me!” He threw both arms in the air in mock surrender and walked to the tank. The mayor met him there and helped unlatch the top chamber.
“You’re a good sport.” The mayor’s eyes were kind, his words this time for Cody alone. “Breath of fresh air for this town. A real answer to prayer.”
“Thanks.” Cody hesitated long enough to look at the man’s eyes. He wanted the mayor to know how much his words meant. “I’m glad I’m here. I love these kids.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” The mayor laughed. “I haven’t seen this much excitement in Lyle for a long time.”
“Well …” Cody grinned and looked at the ice water below him. “I guess that means there’ll be a long line of people trying to dunk me.”
“Yes.” The mayor raised his brow. “I don’t think it’ll take long.”
A few of the players went first, and the mayor took the mic again. “Rise to the challenge, men,” he shouted. “Back up ten yards. Take the high road.”
But not one of them hit the target hard enough to knock Cody into the water. It was Cheyenne’s turn, and the mayor moved her up to the line where most people would throw from. She set her cane down as the team gathered around, cheering her on.
With the softball in her hand, she looked at the crowd, clearly enjoying the moment. Then she reared back and threw the ball dead on target. Cody caught a quick breath as he plunged into the ice-cold water. His laughter came so hard and fast he barely noticed the shock to his system. In a hurry he scrambled back to the trapdoor and down the ladder, where he made a grandiose bow for the cheering crowd. He caught Cheyenne’s full-faced grin, the way her eyes held his, and he wondered if his racing heart was because of the ice water … or because of his feelings for the girl across the field.
Long after the picnic was over, after he had taken Cheyenne home and brought DeMetri back to the apartment so they could finish packing for camp, Cody replayed the day in his mind. Every wonderful detail about it. The way the town supported him and the team, the look in Cheyenne’s eyes … and the quiet words of support from the mayor.
You’re a breath of fresh air for this town. A real answer to prayer. Cody felt the man’s approval to his core. Like his counselor had told him a week ago, the position at Lyle was better for him than any therapy. Whereas Bailey no longer needed him, as coach at Lyle High, Cody had a purpose. The kids needed him and Cheyenne needed him. And somewhere in his brain those single truths caused his time in Iraq to be worthwhile. Which meant he didn’t need to think about the past or dwell on it or relive it. Very simply those days had led him to this.
Where maybe God had planned for him to be all along.