Longing (4 page)

A state championship high school football game she hadn’t known she was attending until just a few hours ago.

C
ODY
C
OLEMAN DROVE BY HIMSELF TO
M
EMORIAL
S
TADIUM
, the place where for years he’d dreamed of playing, the football field where the Indiana University Hoosiers played. And now he was about to coach against one of Indiana’s legends — Coach Lance Egbers of Whitinsville Christian School — a winner in life and football, a man who headed up a program that was consistently a powerhouse in the single A football class.

The 37 South was free of traffic at four in the afternoon, and Cody kept his eyes on the school bus ahead of him. The team wanted to ride together, but Cody needed this time alone. His mind could barely get a grip on his feelings.

He was headed back to Bloomington, and despite every other crazy emotion fighting for position in his heart, that fact was at the top of the list. He was headed toward his past. The Flanigans knew about the game, and Cody was sure Jenny and Jim would attend. The boys too. Whether Bailey was in town or not, whether she’d even want to be at his game — he wasn’t sure.

He just knew he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Beyond that there were other layers, other realities that complicated the way Cody felt. This evening’s game was the last for his seniors — including DeMetri Smith. Smitty still lived with Cody, but he’d made a decision about his future. He’d come to him just this morning with the news.

“Coach, I know what I wanna do. I made up my mind.” The
kid had wide eyes, and he looked more nervous than before game time.

A few Division II schools were talking to DeMetri, so Cody waited, wondering what the announcement was. “Wherever you go, you’ll do great.” He gave DeMetri a light slap on his shoulder. “You’re ready, Smitty.”

“It’s not what you think.” The kid gulped and wiped small beads of sweat from his brow. “I’m … I’m going to Liberty. I wanna be a pastor, Coach. More than I wanna play football. I have to tell people about Jesus.”

The news had worked its way through Cody’s being, and he felt his heart respond. “That’s amazing, DeMetri. You’re sure?”

“So sure.” He laughed, and his nervousness seemed to dissipate. “I’ll suit up for Liberty, but I’m more excited about the mission trips.” His smile lit up his face. “I’m going to Kenya, Coach. To tell kids about Jesus!”

“I love it.” Cody patted the kid on the back. “And hey, after the game, remind me to introduce you to Connor Flanigan.” Cody was touched that two kids who meant so much to him would attend the same school next fall. “He’ll be a Liberty freshman too.”

DeMetri grinned. “Maybe he’ll go with me to Kenya.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me.”

Cody replayed the conversation as he drove. The decision was more than Cody had hoped when he allowed DeMetri to move in with him. The player’s mother was still in prison, his dad long gone. Whether DeMetri ever played a down of football for Liberty University didn’t matter. The kid had made up his mind … he was ready to move on — in his life and in his faith. Tonight would be more than a championship game for Smitty: It would be the last time anyone would define him by his skills on a football field.

Cody thought about the other layers, Cheyenne and her
health. She would be there tonight, but with their dear friend Tara Collins — in case she needed to leave early. Her rehab was nearly complete from the car accident that had almost killed her. But she still suffered headaches. Sometimes so severe she couldn’t function. If that happened tonight, Tara was ready to take her home.

“You don’t need to spend all this time with me, Cody,” Cheyenne had told him last night. “I’m sorry … I’m so sick lately.”

His feelings for Cheyenne Williams were never easy. Complications were the norm. But one thing was certain, and Cody reiterated it to her. “We’ve been over this, Chey. I told you I’m not leaving. You’re my girl … I’m here for you.”

But now, as he pulled into the stadium parking lot, he wasn’t sure what those words even meant. Not that he was afraid of her headaches or her poor health since the accident. They were dating, after all. But there were days he couldn’t quite define what he felt for Cheyenne. Whether it was love or the deep care of friendship.

Cody blinked and let the thought pass. Cheyenne was his girlfriend, and that would be true for as long as Cody could see into the future. She was wonderful, and she needed Cody the way no one had needed him in a very long time. Maybe ever. No matter his feelings for her, they were current. And maybe that was all he needed to think about. Especially tonight.

Kickoff wasn’t for another three hours, and this early the parking lot was still empty, the media and reporters from across the state only barely setting up their camera crews and news feeds. Cody followed the bus to the back lot and the locker room facility. Whatever thoughts crowded his head, however his heart was being stretched … it was time to focus.

He and the Lyle Buckaroos had a game to win. One last game.

The team emptied into the visitors’ locker room. Both Lyle and Whitinsville came to the game undefeated, so officials had flipped a coin last week to determine the home team. Whitinsville
won the honor, but the distinction meant very little. Come game time they’d both be on a neutral field, the best field in Indiana.

Cody let his team settle into the locker room, waiting while the initial hype of being in the Hoosiers’ stadium wore off a little. As the guys began suiting up, Cody set out to find Coach Lance Egbers. Tens of thousands of fans were expected at the game; whole towns would fill the stands. The chance of having an actual conversation with the legendary coach later was slim. Cody had emailed him earlier in the week, and both of them decided to talk early, before the game.

By the time Cody reached the home locker room, Coach Egbers was exiting the facility and headed his way. The man’s smile was genuine enough to warm the entire stadium. “Cody Coleman!” He held out his hand as he approached. “It’s an honor.”

“Sir,” Cody felt the man’s presence as the two shook hands. He was larger than life, no doubt. Cody tried not to feel nervous. “The honor’s mine, sir.”

In a flash everything Cody knew about the legendary leader came to mind. The man wasn’t only the Crusaders’ coach … he was their principal. A favorite among the kids and a mastermind at the game of football. Articles had been written about the man and Cody had read more than one including a feature that ran in the
Indianapolis Star.
Lance had been married to his wife Roseann for thirty-seven years. When he wasn’t coaching, Lance liked to hike and sled and hot tub with his wife and grandkids. But more than the recreation of his off-season or the excellence of his coaching, Lance was known throughout the world of football for his faith.

The way he lived out the message he so deeply believed in.

No question the Crusaders had an edge tonight. They’d won the state title three out of the last five years, and local media sports experts favored Whitinsville tonight by a couple touchdowns. But with all that, Lance had only one agenda for this private meeting
between the two of them. He crossed his arms and squared his stance as he faced Cody. “I’ve read a lot about you, Cody. You’re very young to have this kind of success.”

Cody thought about his days as a prisoner of war in Iraq. “I don’t feel young.”

“But you are.” Lance’s eyes sparkled in a knowing way. “You’re the next generation. I can’t do this forever.”

His words seemed strange in light of the fact that the man had just coached his team to another undefeated season. Cody laughed lightly. “I’d say you have a lot of years left, sir.”

“A couple maybe.” The man angled his head. “Kids are different these days … they need someone they can relate to.” He hesitated and pursed his lips. “God wants to use you, Cody. Let Him lead you where you can make the most difference. Let that guide you always.”

Cody felt privileged beyond words, that Lance Egbers would take a few minutes to share with him. “I’ll do that, sir. I can only imagine having the impact you’ve had on kids.”

“It’s not just me.” The coach’s eyes softened. “It’s Jim Flanigan and Ryan Taylor and so many other Christian coaches like them around the state. Men changing the lives of today’s youth.”

Impressive,
Cody thought … that Lance knew the names of Jim and Ryan, two coaches who’d worked with Cody when he was younger.

“But even then there aren’t enough guys who love God and the game.” Lance winked at him. “You’re one of the few, Cody. Stay with it. Fall in love with the game. Let it be your platform again and again, every year, every season. The kids need you.” He gave Cody a pat on his shoulder. “Now go get your team ready.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’d wish you good luck, but I don’t believe in it.” Lance’s smile filled his face again. “I’ll
pray
for you.” He tipped the bill of his baseball cap. “Besides, even if luck mattered you wouldn’t need
it.” He raised one eyebrow. “You belong here, Cody. You’re a gifted coach and teacher. Your reputation is well deserved.” He shook Cody’s hand and took a step back. “Don’t forget that.”

“Sir … thank you, sir.” Cody watched the man turn and head back to his locker room. When he pictured this contest against Coach Egbers’ Crusaders, Cody never imagined a meeting like the one they’d just had. He was speechless, certain he’d remember everything Lance Egbers had shared with him in the last few minutes. God had just used the legend to confirm the dreams Cody had allowed to form this season. If a bigger school asked Cody to join the staff, he’d at least have to consider the possibility. Especially with DeMetri heading off to Virginia. In some ways — no matter what happened tonight — his time at Lyle was no longer certain. It was a long commute and maybe his purpose with the program had been fulfilled.

Cody returned to the locker room and called the guys into the meeting space. As they gathered around him Cody could practically feel their fear. He could see it in their eyes and sense it in their quiet shiftiness. Cody squared his shoulders and looked them in the eyes. Each of them.

Okay, God, give me the words. They look like they’ve already lost.

You are not alone, my son … I go before you … I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Peace and strength coursed through Cody’s veins and he drew a determined breath. “We have ninety minutes before kickoff.” He paced a few steps and then stopped and turned to them again. “Ninety minutes before we play our last game of the season.” He hesitated. “A perfect season.” Cody watched a few of the guys sit up a little, watched the fight in their expressions catch fire. “We didn’t get here on our own. You know that, and I know that. God brought us to this point.” His voice grew louder. “And God will get us through this final game. Play by play … quarter by quarter. So
that we go out there tonight and play Lyle football … so we leave it all out there on that field.”

The air in the locker room began to feel lighter … a sense of electricity working its way through the heart of the team. Cody continued, “We did not let fear have a voice before tonight, and we will not let it speak now. We are Lyle.” Passion rang in his tone. “We are undefeated and we are His.”

Slowly the guys began to nod. DeMetri punched the palm of his hands a few times. “Coach is right … we can do this. God’ll lead us same as before.”

A murmuring of “yes” and “amen” came from the team and Cody felt a rich sense of accomplishment. God was meeting them in the moment right here when they needed it. He would meet them along the way too. Cody had no doubt. He told the guys how the next half hour would go. They would finish suiting up and then find a quiet place to stretch and pray. Then they would visualize playing their best game ever. The game of their lives.

“Now listen … the stadium will be packed. And yes, we’re playing at Memorial Stadium. Media will be here — everywhere you look. It’s the sort of Friday night lights moment most guys only dream about. But in the end it’s just another football game, men. Another chance to show the world who you are. And whose you are.”

With that, a few of the players hit their feet and urged the others into a spontaneous huddle. “You heard Coach!” one of them yelled.

“Whose way?” DeMetri led the familiar chant. “His way!” The chorus of voices was strong and united, without a trace of the fear that had been evident just a few minutes ago.

“Whose way?” “His way!”

“Okay!” DeMetri patted the backs of the players on either side of him. “Let’s get ready. Let’s do this!”

And with that the guys dispersed to follow Cody’s instructions. He watched them go, satisfied. His players would be fine. Now he had to meet up with Hans Tesselaar — the writer from
Sports Illustrated.
The reporter had followed the Buckaroos’ success and he planned to run a story on the team sometime next week. Cody left the locker room, and as he rounded the corner toward the field, he could already feel the energy. The stands were filling, and marching bands from both schools were in place and warming up.

God, You brought us this far … let us play our best. Please, Lord.

There was no immediate answer, but that was okay. Cody didn’t need answers or even a win, necessarily. As long as his players gave it everything they had. Besides, Coach Egbers would pray a similar prayer now. Whichever team won, God would get the glory.

“Cody?” Hans came up and touched him on the shoulder. “Hey!” Cody turned.

“This is something else.” Hans chuckled, and for a moment the two of them looked around, soaking in the atmosphere.

Hans smiled and shook his head. “It’s gonna be a great one. I can feel it.” He held a notepad and he had a camera slung over his shoulder. “We’ll run the story regardless of the outcome. It’s too good to pass up.” He pulled an envelope from his bag. “By the way, this is the official request from a buddy of mine at ESPN. They want you in the New York studio for an interview.”

New York.

Cody felt his heart skip a beat as he took the envelope. Bailey Flanigan’s new hometown. “Did they mention when?”

“It’s all in the request.” Hans grinned. “But I think the first week of January. During NFL playoffs. Oftentimes the network
runs a feature looking back at the previous high school and college football season. It’ll make for a good story around that time.”