Chapter 11
Fin
It was around two on Saturday afternoon as the airplane touched down at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.
We found a flight leaving Lexington late enough so I could attend today’s position practice and still make it to Green Bay before the Packers vs Vikings wild-card game at eight p.m. Theirs wasn’t the only wild-card game playing today.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers had the earlier kickoff at four p.m.
I squeezed Vee’s hand. “I can’t believe you talked my parents into meeting us here.”
Vee’s sensational smile did something to me. After weeks of carrying her grief, it was moments like this, seeing her happy, that made me happy in return.
“I didn’t have to twist their arms,” she said. “I just told them that you came by five tickets to the game. Your mom was apprehensive, given her fifteen-minute rule. It was when I told her we’d be in a suite that she enthusiastically agreed.”
“First, you got the tickets. The best I could do was outside. Great seats but cold.”
“I said you came by five tickets. You did.”
A laugh came from my lips. “Semantics.”
“I told you, I spoke to one of the Coopers’ sponsors. They happened to have a suite booked for tonight’s game and offered me five suite passes.”
“Five, that’s right. You remembered Ashley.” I squeezed her hand again. “That was crafty of you. And nice of you to think of all of them.”
“We won’t see much of Zane, other than on the field.”
“He texted and told me how excited Ashley is to be in a suite. He said all he could get her was outside seating.”
“I knew you wanted to be here to watch him play. While I enjoyed late autumn in Chicago, today’s high in Green Bay is supposed to be twenty degrees Fahrenheit. That doesn’t account for wind chill. After the sun goes down, they’re expecting negative temperatures.”
“And the stands will be packed.”
Vee shook her head. “I admire their fans. They’re truly die-hard. Some crazy ones will be there shirtless.”
“The Coopers’ fans are die-hard.”
“They are. The pregame party at Crystal Light next Friday is nearly sold out for both inside and outside. Jen has been working with our team of directors. The cheerleaders will be there for pictures. Each fan will receive a Coopers playoff t-shirt. There will be food vendors outside, tables, and heaters. Inside, the season ticket holders will each receive a voucher for one free food item and a free nonalcoholic drink.”
“You don’t want your fans getting drunk?”
She scoffed. “They probably will, but it’ll be because they purchased the drinks. Too much liability for the stadium if you give away alcohol.”
“Coach Tilson said if he found out any one of the team showed up, they’d be benched.”
The airplane continued driving its way to a skybridge.
“Don means it,” Vee said. “He doesn’t want any of you to be seen partying. Each player’s priority is to concentrate on his opponent.” She looked out the small window. “Look at all the snow piled up around the light poles.”
Leaning over her, I saw the small mountains of snow pushed off the runways and tarmac. Sitting back straight, I adjusted the sling. At least the shoulder ice wrap was gone. “I’ll be happy to get this thing off.”
“Lacy said the longer you wear it, the faster your ligaments will heal.”
“Have you been talking to my trainer?”
She nodded with a closed-lip grin.
“Isn’t that a violation of HIPAA?”
Vee leaned close and whispered. “As your owner, I have the right to your health information. You gave that to me when you signed your contract.”
“My contract—you own my contract…and my heart.” I added.
“Then it’s good that I can check on things like your heart.”
We both jolted as the plane came to a stop. Within seconds, a bell dinged and people up and down the aisle were on their feet.
“The behavior of the commercial flier is the best example of Pavlovian theory,” Vee said with a smirk.
“By the prevalence of the Viking colors, everyone is anxious to get to the game.” Standing, I stepped into the aisle and reached up to open the overhead compartment.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Vee asked as she stood.
“Getting our luggage.”
Vee shook her head. “Step aside.”
“They aren’t heavy.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want to play or not?”
Lifting my one hand in surrender, I moved, allowing Vee to reach our bags.
We were wheeling our luggage inside the terminal when my phone buzzed with a text message. Stepping to the side of the hallway, I checked the message. A smile curled my lips as I slipped the phone back into my pocket. “My parents are already at the hotel.”
“Good. Do we know about Ashley?”
I sent a text to Mom. Her reply came immediately. “Mom says she lands in ten minutes.”
“Let’s wait for her.”
I typed out another message.
SEND ME ASHLEY’S NUMBER.
“I’ll text her and tell her we’ll meet her near the Uber pickup.”
We weren’t the only fans flying in for the game. Despite GRB not being a large airport—only two terminals—the hallways were bustling with travelers. Vikings shirts, coats, and sweatshirts outnumbered Packers gear easily three to one. That made sense: the Packers’ fans were already here.
“Fin. Vee,” a feminine voice called.
When we turned, we saw Ashley hurrying toward us. I could see how she used to be a cheerleader. She was cute in a perky way. The most important thing was that Zane cared for her.
“Oh my God. I can’t believe you thought of me.
” She wrapped her arms around Vee and then around me.
“Thank you so much. When Zane told me that you were saving me from the frigid temperatures of Lambeau Field, I screamed with joy.” She stared at my arm and back up to my eyes.
Her smile faded. “I forgot about your shoulder. I didn’t hurt you when I hugged you, did I? ”
Vee was the one to answer. “Fin’s used to getting knocked down by great big men. You’re light as a feather.” She looked out the glass window and back. “Shall we go out to the car?”
“If you haven’t already used your app, I’m happy to pay for the ride,” Ashley said.
“Ride is taken care of,” I said. “Vee decided we needed a vehicle big enough for all five of us.”
Vee and Ashley closed their coats and slipped on their gloves. The gust of cold air as we exited the building felt like invisible needles prickling my face. “Damn, I’m not jealous of Zane playing in this.”
Rupert, the man in the large silver Suburban, opened his driver’s door. We met him fifteen minutes earlier when he stood near the exit from the terminals to the airport with a tablet that read Hubbard. He was friendly and spoke with a noticeable northern accent.
“This must be Miss Ashley.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, “if I made you wait.”
“Well, geez,” he replied with a smile and a shake of his head, “it was my pleasure, dontcha know?” He opened the rear door before gathering our luggage and taking it to the back of the vehicle.
Once we were all inside, Ashley in the back and Vee and I in the second-row seats, Rupert sat behind the steering wheel. “I’ve got a cooler up here with soda pop, if anyone is thirsty.”
“I think hot chocolate would be more appropriate,” Vee said with a giggle. “Really, I’m fine.”
“Oh, you betcha, I need to carry a thermos.” Rupert eyed each of us in the rearview mirror. “Okay, off to Lodge Kohler? Let me know if you need to go anywhere else before the game.”
I looked down at my watch. It was a little after three. Turning to Vee, I asked, “What’s the name of the restaurant?”
She spoke louder, speaking to Rupert. “We have five o’clock reservations at Republic Chophouse, then to Lambeau. We’d like to get to the stadium close to seven o’clock. Kickoff is at eight.”
“It’s absolutely fine by me. It won’t take long to get from the lodge to the chophouse. I’ll be there to pick you up at quarter to five and be back to the restaurant by half past six to pick you back up. I’ll take you back to the lodge… not getting much closer to the stadium.”
Leaning back against the seat, I sighed. “Thank you, Rupert. That sounds like a plan.”
“No worries at all.”
“Don’t worry about after the game,” Vee said, “we’ll walk back to the hotel.” She smiled my direction. “A little like our escape to Chicago.” Vee turned to Ashley. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Early, 6:22 a.m.”
Vee snickered. “Ours isn’t until one.”
“No worries,” Ashley said. “I’ll Uber.”
“Miss Ashley,” Rupert said. “I can pick you up at four and go back for Ms. Hubbard and Mr. Graham at ten thirty.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“That’s very nice of you, Rupert,” Vee said.
Their conversation was lost on me as I looked out on the familiar scenes. I hadn’t expected being back in Green Bay to hit me like it was—emotions like a pendulum swinging between fondness and years lost.
Memories came roaring back, things I hadn’t thought about in years.