“You better hope your dad isn’t much later, Kylan. You are still in need of some serious work on your passing skills because you still throw like a girl. What are you? The daughter your mom always wanted? You won’t make the team that way.”
Across the span of my huge backyard in Waden, Arizona, I couldn’t help but chuckle at Brennan. He was once again hurling at me what he considered insults. “Oh, I’ll make the team, don’t you worry. You’re just jealous cause you catch like one. Wait, aren’t you late for softball practice. I heard the girls are gearing up to go to the state championship again. Better go get fitted for your skirt.” I yelled back.
“The girls’ softball team wears pants, dude.” Brennan took a few steps back before sending the ball spiraling my way.
Before it reached me, the ball took a sharp right bend and headed toward the neighbor’s yard. Swiftly, I launched myself over the rose bushes, around the lilac tree, and jumped up to snatch the ball right before it headed over the fence.
Once my feet were planted back on the ground, I turned to Brennan. “Now, see that’s why I’m going to make the team this year. Nothing but ball.” I couldn’t stop the triumphant smile that spread across my face.
Brennan jogged over to me. “I guess I have to admit that was pretty impressive. But enough about football. Are you going to that party at Tavin’s house this weekend? I know a certain cute red head that you like to drool over is going to be there.” He slugged me in the shoulder.
“I’ll have to miss it. My dad is taking me fishing this weekend.” The smile pasted on my face continued to grow.
My dad was my idol. He adored my mom and we were the most important parts of his world. When I was younger, my mom had grown incredibly ill. It was my dad’s undying dedication to finding the right medicine to heal her that saved her life. He was more than just my hero.
He took me fishing, to concerts, auto expos; just about anything a twelve year old boy could dream of. He was the reason I wanted to make the football team so badly. However, he wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t and it was his faith in me that told me I could not fail at anything.
“I’ll catch the next one. Besides, I’m thinking of asking out Twila Minx before the party. The cute red head and I will be an item starting tomorrow first period. I don’t need to wait for a party to get the girl.”
Brennan shook his head at me. “Whatever you say. I still think she’s too sweet of a girl to go for someone like you.”
I punched him in the arm. “Hey, I’m a nice guy. But don’t go telling everyone that.”
“I guess you’re alright. I mean, hey, you hang out with me. You have to be cool.”
I laughed. In the looks department, Brennan Zaner was the complete opposite of my dark slightly unkempt shoulder length hair and dark eyes considering he sported blond cropped hair and blue eyes. He was a star athlete, made honor roll all the time, and had a sweet girlfriend of his own. I would have been jealous if I didn’t know that what Brennan said was pretty much true. He didn’t hang around just anyone. He was very careful about whom he chose as friends and steered clear of those who could sway him in the wrong direction. Besides, I was rather athletic myself and made honor roll often enough.
“Hey, I should get home for supper and you know we have that huge math test tomorrow? It could be a late night, and not in the good way.” After he laughed, he snatched his football and turned to leave.
As soon as Brennan disappeared around the corner of my house, I headed inside, anxious to experience what would be greeting me for supper.
But I didn’t get the chance to find out what was planned for supper that night. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. What greeted me instead was my mom sitting at the kitchen table, her face in her hands and the phone resting beside her – the dial tone screaming through the receiver.
“Mom, what’s the matter?” I ran over to her, picked up the phone to hit end, and crouched down beside her. “Who called? What happened?” As soon as the questions escaped my lips, an uneasy feeling settled low in my stomach.
Slowly, she raised her head – wiping strands of dark hair from her eyes – to look at me.
Her bloodshot eyes and tear soaked face lashed at my already churning insides. I began to tremble.
“There has been a car accident, Kylan.” She touched my cheek. “Your dad didn’t make it.”
I sank to the floor and just stared at her. I couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. So he wasn’t coming home for supper? There would be no more practicing football in the back yard? No more fishing trips, concerts, and talks about what I wanted to be when I grew up? He was gone?
Trying to make sense of what she had just said, I blinked my eyes a couple of times. And then, just like that, it hit me, like a sucker punch to the face.