Between Sundays (7 page)

She wanted to be careful how she handled this one. Honesty was everything to kids like Cory. “The news said a girl accused Aaron of doing something wrong. But she changed her mind yesterday, so everything’s okay.”

Cory made a face. “Probably a Raider fan.”

“Probably.” Megan wanted to change the topic. “How was school?”

“I aced my spelling test.” He stuck his chest out. “Mrs. West said she wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the smartest boy in third grade.”

“Of course.” Megan’s voice was ripe with teasing. “Look who’s helping you with your homework.”

“True.” Cory hugged her again. “Hey, my bike got a flat tire. I walked it all the way up the last hill.”

Megan thought about the money she didn’t have. “I think there’s a patch in one of the drawers in my office. Seems like someone donated a pack of patches a few months ago.”

“So…not a new tire?” Cory didn’t look disappointed, just matter-of-fact. As if he wanted to be sure about his options.

“Nope, buddy. No new tire this year.”

“Okay.” He skipped ahead of her a few feet and then turned around. “Let’s fix it later. The guys want you to ref the next game.”

Megan laughed. “Last time they told me I need glasses.”

“That’s only ’cause they love you.” Cory gave her a silly grin. “But I love you more, know why?”

This was the best part of her day, no question. The teasing and laughter she shared with Cory. Now if only he would let go of his insistence that Aaron Hill was his father. That way she could adopt him and he’d never again have to wonder where he belonged.

She played with the bill on his baseball cap. “Why do you love me more?”

“Because”—his eyes twinkled—“you’re going to take me to Derrick Anderson’s pizza party again this week.” He folded his hands, his eyes pleading with her. “Please, Megan?”

The organizers of last week’s party had already talked to her, and like before, she had promised that both she and Cory would help with cleanup. “Tell you what?” She took hold of both Cory’s hands. “Every time Derrick Anderson has a pizza party at the youth center, you and I will go. I promise.”

“Wow!” Cory’s eyes lit up. “You’re the best ever! I mean it.” He began turning in a circle, still holding her hands until they were both dizzy. Then he threw his fists in the air and danced around. “I can’t believe it!”

Megan watched him, and her heart filled with love. Sometimes Cory seemed so old for his age, so worldly and wise. He was only eight, but on his bike he could navigate through the roughest parts of the city, getting himself to and from school every day, and to soccer practice and home again. The vehicle code suggested an independent bicyclist should be eight or in third grade, which Cory was. More than that, he was savvy to bicycle safety, more than most older kids.

Here, though, his face filled with hope and wonder, the truth was very clear. Cory was still just a young boy, a child. Weekly dinners with one of the 49ers was a dream come true.

After he settled down and they were on their way into the gymnasium, Megan stopped him. “One thing though…”

“What?” Cory was still buzzing with excitement. He bounced in place while he waited for her to continue.

“No more letters for Aaron Hill.” She raised her eyebrows just a little. “Derrick Anderson’s a good guy. He passed on your letter, I’m sure.”

“But…” Cory’s face fell, “Aaron hasn’t called.”

Megan wasn’t sure how to say this, but it had to be said. If not now, then later. “Cory…” They were in the entryway into the gym, and she leaned against the doorway. The pickup game could wait. “What if Aaron isn’t your dad? Remember, we talked about that.”

A shocked look flashed in Cory’s eyes. “But I told you…” His tone was filled with hurt. “My mom said it was true, and my mom never lied to me. Not ever.”

Great.
Megan steadied herself.
Any ideas, God? I’m fresh out here.

Do not worry, daughter…every day has enough worry for itself.

The words seemed to come from somewhere deep inside her, but Megan had heard them before. They were from a Bible verse, something she’d read from one of the Gospels. She uttered a silent thanks to God. “You’re right, Cory.” She smiled at him. “Your mother would never lie.” She put her arm around his shoulders again. “Let’s not worry about it right now.” The guys were picking teams on the other side of the gym. “We have a game to play.”

For a few beats, Cory looked wary. As if he wanted to bring the subject up again. But Megan jogged with him over to the guys. The kids were a mix of ages and colors, both boys and girls. A few of the older kids had made sure the teams were fair, and for the next hour Megan did her best to officiate.

By the time the game was finished, Cory was himself again, but he didn’t bring up Aaron Hill or the phone call that never came. Not that day or the next, or Saturday night when the 49ers played the Bears in the first preseason game. Aaron stayed on the field the entire first half until they were winning 21–0. Derrick played the second half and threw another three touchdowns.

Even then, Cory asked nothing about whether Aaron had called. Megan wasn’t sure what to make of his silence. Most likely, he didn’t want her to question the issue again. Whatever the reason, Cory believed with all his heart that his mother had told him Aaron Hill was his father. Even so, she hoped his silence on the issue might be a sign of something else. That no matter what he believed or even what his mother believed, the truth was clearer with every passing hour. Aaron Hill was a talented quarterback.

But he wasn’t Cory’s father.

D
errick felt better than he had in years.

The last game was proof he wasn’t past his prime, and though the starting job would of course go to Aaron, Derrick stood ready to fill in whenever needed. The newspapers shouted loud about his efforts, calling San Francisco the only two-quarterback show in the NFL. For a time, it had looked like Derrick might even get the start for the game against the Bears. But in the end, the front office made the call. Aaron was the franchise. One shady news story wouldn’t put him on the bench.

All that and this: Aaron Hill was sitting shotgun in his Ford F–150, ready to spend an evening at the youth center. When he first found out from Coach that Aaron wanted to come along, Derrick almost laughed out loud. The idea couldn’t have been Aaron’s. Miracles didn’t happen that fast.

“It’s the girl, right?” Derrick had raised a wary eyebrow at Coach Cameron.

The man massaged his temples and frowned. “He needs a little good PR.”

“So the press’ll be there?” Derrick bristled at the idea. “This isn’t about us, Coach. You know that.”

He put up his hand. “The media wants in on anything Aaron does. I can’t believe they’ll send a camera crew. But a reporter or two are bound to show up for a slice of pizza.”

Derrick choked back any further complaints. This was what he’d prayed for, that Aaron Hill might have a Friday night free to visit with foster kids. Anything to help him see past his own reflection in the mirror. However it had come about, Derrick had a feeling his teammate was bound to make progress tonight. The kids had that effect on everyone they met.

“That’s it, right?” Jay Ryder was in the backseat. He leaned forward and pointed straight ahead. “The big brick building?”

“That’s it.” Derrick pulled into the parking lot, found a spot near the back of the lot, and cut his engine. He looked at his teammates. “There’ll be a lot of kids tonight.” His voice held the slightest warning. “Be patient. Most of them haven’t ever been to something like this.”

Jay got it. His expression said so. He gave a firm nod and climbed out of the truck. Then he heaved the oversized duffle bag over his shoulder. “That’s a lot of water bottles and bumper stickers.”

“T-shirts too.” Derrick grinned as he stepped out. “Kids love T-shirts.”

Aaron looked uncomfortable as he fell in next to Derrick. He looked at his watch. “So, what’s the story? These kids are wards of the court, or homeless…or what?”

Derrick stopped and stared at his teammate. “You’re serious?”

“’Course I’m serious.” Aaron looked embarrassed and irritated all at once. “I’ve been in a football uniform since ninth grade, Derrick. What do I know about this?”

No matter how far Aaron had to go, he needed to start somewhere. Derrick steadied himself and took a slow breath. “Foster kids don’t have permanent families. Most of the time they were taken from their biological parents because of drugs or abandonment or criminal activity.”

“That’s where foster parents come in.” Aaron nodded as if this was the part he understood. “They take care of the kids until someone adopts them.” He hesitated. “Right?”

Derrick jerked his thumb toward the big brick building. “Ain’t nobody gonna adopt the kids in that youth center. They’re too old and too jaded. They’ve been passed from one foster home to another. We got thousands of them right here in San Francisco.”

“I studied that in college.” Jay moved closer, so the three formed a loose huddle. “People want to adopt babies, not middle-school kids.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “Makes me wonder…I never woulda got here without my parents’ support.”

“Exactly.” Derrick frowned at Aaron. “You understand a little better now?”

The walls in Aaron’s eyes became a little thicker. “It isn’t my thing, but yeah. I understand.”

Derrick paused, but only for a moment. Then he looked past Aaron and started walking again. “All right, gentlemen. Let’s go love up on some kids.”

They moved into the building and the buzz through the gym was instant. Derrick had brought along two other players! Jay Ryder and…and Aaron Hill! Derrick waved at the kids as he directed his teammates to the front of the room. They set up near each other, so the kids could form one line and visit with each of the players all at once.

Just as the first kids reached the front of the line, Derrick remembered the boy’s letter. He was sitting next to Aaron, and he nudged him. “Hey, what’d you do with that letter?”

Aaron leaned closer and held his hand up to his ear. The room was loud with the sound of excited kids.

Derrick raised his voice just enough to be heard. “The letter I gave you last week—what’d you do with it?”

The blank look on Aaron’s face told the story. “Letter?”

“From the boy.” Derrick scanned the room, but in a sea of kids, the freckle-faced boy with the big eyes didn’t stand out. “I gave you a letter from a boy I met last week.”

Aaron’s expression changed. “Oh, that.” He hesitated. “It’s still in my locker.”

A frustrated sigh forced its way through Derrick’s lips. “If I see the boy, I’ll tell you. At least you can fake it.”

Aaron looked bored. “Whatever.”

The kids were forming more of a mob than a line, and volunteers were trying to straighten them out. With that, the director of the center announced the players had arrived—in case anyone had missed their entrance—and they’d be meeting kids and signing autographs for the next couple hours. Pizza would be there in just a few minutes, and after dinner there would be another drawing.

A pair of little girls, clearly sisters, stepped forward. “Hi.” The voice of the taller one was barely audible over the roar of the group.

Derrick reached out and took her hand. “Hi, I’m Derrick Anderson. What’s your name?”

“Susie.” The girl held tighter to the hand of her sister. “We love the 49ers.”

“Yeah.” The smaller one beamed a smile at Derrick and then at Jay and Aaron. “You guys are the best.”

The three signed photos for her the girls, and as they walked off, Jay leaned in toward Derrick and Aaron. “This is amazing. I love it already.”

Derrick felt his heart soar. He kept scanning the line, looking for the freckle-faced boy, so Aaron wouldn’t be caught off guard. All the while, he couldn’t help but think that finally…finally he could feel God smiling down on him. Maybe the whole team really would get behind the idea of helping the foster kids in their city. No matter the deep pain of his past, Derrick had to believe God had a plan for his life.

And here, now, he could almost feel it taking shape.

Aaron was just getting the swing of interacting with the kids when he spotted her. Across the gym and a third of the way back, sitting by herself was a woman who took his breath. At first he looked away, focused his attention on the kids in front of him. After all, he was here because of his wandering eye for women. The last thing he needed was an infatuation over a foster kid volunteer.

But every few minutes, no matter how hard he tried, Aaron couldn’t help but look. The woman had pale skin and striking features. Her dark hair shone in the light that still streamed through the side doors. All of that was nothing to the look in her eyes. She was talking to a thin black woman seated beside her, and all the while, her expression was strong and independent. He would never find someone like that in a bar or hanging around the player exit after a game.

She wasn’t dressed flashy, and when she stood and went to the pizza line he got a better look. She wore jeans and a long-sleeved knit shirt, simple and subtle, but the strength and character she exuded stirred something inside him. Derrick had to elbow him to get his attention.

“Focus, will you?”

He stared at the woman once more. “Sorry.”

Derrick followed his gaze and squinted. “That’s her.”

“Who?”

Jay was busy signing an autograph and chatting with a teenage boy, a football player. Derrick pointed to the woman. “Remember the kid with the letter? That’s his mom.”

“Oh.” The feeling of disappointment was crazy. Of course she was married. A woman like that, someone would’ve fallen for her years ago. “So where’s her husband?”

For the fifth time that night, Derrick gave him a look like he’d asked where to find a dress for next week’s game. “Who said anything about a husband?”

Aaron ignored the comment and did his best to welcome the next child. A little boy, maybe four years old. “Hi, pal. How’s it going?”

“Are you really Aaron Hill?” The tyke looked suspicious. “’Cause I thought you were taller. My foster dad says you’re bigger than life.”

A flash of pride swelled in Aaron’s heart. He didn’t want to be here, but the adoration wasn’t a bad thing. “Tell him I said thanks, okay?”

He didn’t want to connect with any of the kids, even the cute ones. Do the time and fix his image. That’s all he wanted from tonight.

Aaron waited until the young boy had moved on to Jay. “You said she was the boy’s mom. That must mean there’s a dad, right?”

“Aaron, you’re the dumbest quarterback I ever met.” Derrick laughed under his breath. “She’s his
foster
mom. I have no idea if she’s married or not.” A warning sounded in his tone. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Get my drift?”

“I get it.” Aaron held out his hand and shook the much smaller one of a quiet girl. He didn’t like being reprimanded by Derrick Anderson. Guy was a do-gooder, worse than his reputation had it. He found a smile for the little girl. “Hi, I’m Aaron Hill…”

Even as he welcomed the child, he caught another glimpse of the woman. What was it about her? The combination of strength and beauty. He didn’t want to take her into the parking lot and kiss her. He wanted to meet her. Somehow he had an unexplainable sense that just talking to her, standing in her presence, would be an honor.

The line of kids was still halfway across the building, and finally an hour into it, after a pair of reporters and a photographer had come and gone, Derrick nudged him. “There he is. Five kids back.” He nodded toward a boy with a 49ers baseball cap and a face full of freckles. “He’s the one who gave me the letter.”

“Perfect.” Aaron felt his heart skip a beat. Ridiculous, he thought. He was Aaron Hill, most well-known football player in the country. Why was he getting nervous over meeting a grade-school kid? Even as the question passed through his mind, he knew the answer. It wasn’t the boy who made him nervous, but the dark-haired beauty watching the child from a distance. She hadn’t looked his way once, not that he’d seen. So she probably had no use for football players. That only made her twice as attractive. And if he was ever going to meet her, it would be because of how he handled himself in the next few minutes.

With a boy whose personal letter he hadn’t even bothered to read.

Cory could barely stand still. The night was going better than he ever dreamed. And now…now he finally knew why Aaron Hill hadn’t called him. He’d decided to come to the center and meet Cory in person! Of course! It was a much better idea than a phone call.

He’d been helping Megan, setting up the last row of tables at the back of the gym when Derrick and Jay Ryder and Aaron walked in.

“Look!” He wasn’t the only kid to react to the sight of three 49ers quarterbacks entering the gym.

Megan looked up and something changed in her eyes. “Hmmm. Aaron Hill.”

“He came for me!” Cory felt his arms and legs start to shake. “Why else would he come?” He pounded out a little rhythm on the table. “Can you believe it?”

A tired expression came over Megan’s face. “Help me with the rest of the chairs, okay? Then you can get in line with everyone else.”

Cory helped with the chairs. He could hardly stand waiting, but he did it anyway. Because what was his rush? Cory’s heart slammed hard against his shirt, lots harder than last time. Finally, the tables and chairs were where they needed to be and Megan told him he could go. “But don’t say anything about the letter.” Her look said she meant serious business. “I mean it, Cory. If he says something, fine. But leave it to him.”

Her last words were barely out before Cory raced to the back of the line. That’s where he stayed, inching forward a little more every minute or so, until now. Now, when there were just four kids left in front of him before it was his turn. He tried to look casual and normal, like any other boy.

But his armpits were sweaty and his eyes were stuck on Aaron Hill and no one else. He hadn’t noticed it on TV before, but he and Aaron had the same nose. The exact same one. And the hair too. Cory’s was a little blonder, but still…they both had blond hair. And so, of course his mother was right all this time. Not that he was mad at Megan for not believing it. What foster kid wouldn’t want Aaron Hill to be his dad? It was just that in his case, it was true.

Otherwise, Aaron wouldn’t have read his letter and come tonight.

Three more kids and then it was his turn. The kids in front of him moved up a little, but before Cory could take a step, two sixth-grade boys slammed into the spot. They turned and made a face at him. The bigger of the two got close to Cory’s face. “Don’t say anything, punk. Not if you wanna make it to the front of the line alive.”

Cory pushed the kid. “No cuts, loser.” He wasn’t afraid of the boys. The director already said no cuts, and he’d waited long enough to meet Aaron Hill. But the big kid meant what he said, and when he got his balance back, he grabbed Cory by the shirt and threw him onto the ground.

Kids came running up yelling, “Fight…fight…fight.”

Even now Cory had no fear. The kid sat on him, pinning his stomach to the ground, but Cory kicked at his back. Just then a bunch of volunteers came rushing up and someone grabbed the kid off.

“That’s enough from you boys.” The director snarled her words at the big kid and at Cory too. “You boys will go sit at the back of the gym. No player meetings for you.”

As she finished talking, Megan hurried over and put her hand on the director’s arm. “I saw what happened. If you don’t mind.”

The director gave her a mean face. “I show no favoritism, Megan Gunn. Your boy was part of the scuffle. He has to follow the rules same as anyone else.”