Chapter 10: Parents' Tailgate

My mother arrived at Lakeshore State in the same coat she'd worn to every one of our games since I was ten.

It was a long, quilted thing that came to her knees, and she wore it with a gas-station donut in each hand.

She'd driven two hours after a night shift.

I saw her from across the stadium lot and ran.

She dropped the donuts into the bag to hug me with both arms.

"Let me look at you," she said into my hair. "You're eating."

"I'm eating."

"You lost that video face."

"You watched it?"

"Your aunt sent it at three in the morning."

She held me at arm's length.

Her eyes were the same gray-green as mine, and they were wet and furious.

"I'm going to say hello to a few people," she said.

"Mom."

"I won't make a scene."

"You always make a scene."

"Not always. Just when it's worth it."

Rhett came up beside us with two coffees from the Union stand.

I'd asked him to come, and he'd said yes without making me explain.

My mother looked him over from boots to scar.

"Who's the tall one?"

"Rhett. He runs the lights for the dances. He's my..."

"Boyfriend," Rhett said.

I looked at him.

"Is that all right?" he said quietly.

"That's all right."

My mother took a coffee out of his hand and sipped it.

"You're older," she said.

"Twenty-six."

"Do you cook?"

"Noodles."

"Hm," she said. "I'll allow it."

She marched across the lot, and we followed.

The Lions parents' tailgate was a long row of tents between the stadium and the creek.

Banners, coolers, folding chairs, a barbecue going.

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