43. Will
CHAPTER 43
WILL
“ A ll right, guys, great practice!” I tell the team later that week. It’s Wednesday afternoon and we just finished running the last of the drills for the day. “Get some rest tonight and study those plays some more because I promise you that Williams County is one of the best teams we’ve played all year. We’re gonna have to bring our A game if we want a chance at that state championship.”
The team chimes in with variations of “yes, sir” and “yes, coach” before I motion for them to be dismissed, and they turn and head back into the locker room.
“I think that was a pretty good practice,” Theo says, watching them go. “You feeling okay about Friday?”
“Yeah, I think we’re as ready as we can be,” I answer, and the other coaches nod in agreement.
“I agree, I think it’s kinda up to them at this point,” Marcus chimes in.
“You’re right. It’s been a long week, so you can all go ahead and head out,” I say.
“Sounds good, see you tomorrow,” Theo says, and they all turn to head to their trucks, leaving me alone.
After making sure all the gear from practice is put away and double checking that all the kids found a way home, I grab my stuff and jump in the truck. It’s Wednesday, so I’m headed to visit Mr. Scott, despite the fact that I feel a little more guilty each week about what Hannah and I are hiding from him.
I make the short drive over to his nursing home and smile at the nurses on the way inside before knocking on his door.
“Come in,” I hear from the other side, and I enter to find him setting up the checker board for our weekly game.
“Will, son, how are ya?” he asks, pausing and walking around the table to give me a hug.
“I’m good. How are you feeling this week old man?” I tease, making sure he gets settled into his usual seat before sitting across from him.
“Oh, you know, same old, same old,” he says with a laugh.
“Well, you look better than you did last week. Did they get your meds fixed?” I ask while setting out my checkers on the board in front of us.
“Yeah, I’ve had a better week this week. But nobody wants to hear about how this old bag of bones is falling apart. How’s your week been? The boys all ready for the game this week?” he asks, making the first move.
“I think we’re as ready as we’re gonna be. I feel bad saying it, but I’m ready to get this one over with, you know? Not that I want the season to end. It’s just like we’ve done everything we can, and until Friday we’re just waiting. We’re so close to state next week, and I really hope we can pull it off.”
“That makes sense. I hope y’all make it. It’s been years since Springside made it this far, and I’d sure like to see that big trophy headed back this way,” he says, as I jump his first piece.
“You and me both. Anyway, how’s Gladis this week?” I ask, waiting for him to make his next move.
“Oh, she’s good. They’ve put together a little outing for some of us to go see the lighting of the Christmas tree later this week and she’s so excited. Pretty sure she’s gonna try talking me into staying out all night,” he says with an exaggerated eye roll.
I laugh at his antics and shake my head. “You wild kids. That sounds like fun though. What else is going on around here?”
“Well, you know there’s always some gossip going around this place, but that’s not what I wanted to ask you about,” he says, looking between me and the checkers board.
“Okay, what’s up?” I ask, expecting him to ask me about the farm or something else at the school.
“Do you want to tell me why I found out this week that you’re paying for me to stay here, Will?” he says, and I feel like all the air in the room is suddenly gone. Neither of us move, and I blink at him for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.
“Uh, what are you talking about?” I ask hesitantly.
“We both know what I’m talking about, Will. I heard some of the other residents saying that their monthly costs were going up, and I started wondering about mine. I know my granddaughter would lie to me if I asked her about it, so I had them pull the records. I mean, I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but I can’t let you do that for me.”
“Yeah, you can. You gave me an opportunity several years ago when I needed it, so just think of this as me repaying the favor. Just don’t tell Hannah,” I tell him, trying to focus back on the board in front of us.
“We’ll come back to the money discussion the next time I see you, but since you brought her up… Are you ever gonna admit that you’re in love with my granddaughter?” he asks, jumping one of my pieces before leaning back to give me a knowing look.
I blink a few times, trying to decide if he actually just said what I think he did before eventually stuttering, “What? I—I don’t?—”
“Come on now, Will. I may be old, but I ain’t stupid. You’ve been in love with her since you two spent that summer sneaking around the farm. I know y’all thought I was oblivious, but even I couldn’t miss the way you two looked at each other. All these years, you’ve been coming to see me, and I kept waiting for you to bring it up. Hell, between you and Hannah, I thought for sure one of you would give in and tell me eventually. You didn’t and I told myself to be patient, but after all this, I’ve gotta know. What the hell is going on between the two of you?”
“Honestly, Mr. Scott, I wish I knew,” I tell him, still trying to figure out what to say.
“I wish you did too, because I’ve gotta say, I’ve never seen either of you as happy as you were that summer. And I don’t mean to be dramatic, but I’m an old man and she’s all I’ve got left. I just want to know that when I’m gone she’s gonna have someone to look after her. I don’t know what happened, and honestly, I know it’s none of my business. But I also know that if anyone in this world deserves happiness, it’s the two of you. And I hate the idea of the both of you throwing that away,” he says, and I just stare at him in shock for a minute.
“Yeah, I know you’re right,” I admit, trying to gather my thoughts. “But I don’t know how the hell we got here, and I don’t know how to fix it either.”
Mr. Scott nods, and I can tell he’s deep in thought. “Just don’t give up on her. My Hannah Banana is a lot of things—smart, hardworking, caring. But she’s also scared to get hurt again—the way she did when her parents left. She needs someone to love her that she can’t push away.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. “I promise,” I agree, turning back to the board in front of us and making a move. “Your move, old man.”