Page 106 of Fumble Into the End Zone
Mia told me Granny’s flight was moved until after the new year because of the holiday travel. It’s been a few weeks too long. I could tell she had been eating everything she shouldn’t have by her puffy face.
“Granny!” Harley yelled and ran for a hug.
Mia stood to the side and patted her eyes dry. When I got back yesterday, I thought we were going to tell Harley about the engagement. But she pushed it off until today and now I understand why. I walked over to Mia and held her face between my hands. I kissed her at least three times.
“Can we tell them now?” I asked.
“Let me slide on my ring first,” she said and retreated to the bedroom.
Once she reentered, we locked hands, and I cleared my throat. “Ahem.”
Granny and Harley turned to us. “Mia and I are getting married,” I said, and Mia showed them the ring.
Harley’s eyes almost reached her eyebrows as they widened. “Yes,” she said and danced in a circle.
Mia wiped yet another tear from her eye.
“It’s about time. I told you Mia wasn’t going to keep waiting for you. When I met your grandfather, it took us three days to get married. Because when you know, you just know,” Granny said.
“Can I call you mom now?” Harley asked after she landed in front of Mia.
“Your father and I discussed it and yes, you can call me mom,” Mia said.
Harley hugged her legs. Mia rubbed her back until we both heard sniffles. I kneeled and pulled Harley toward me.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I asked.
Harley’s tears ran down her cheeks. “I prayed for Mrs. Mia to be my mom, but I did it in secret,” she said.
Mia covered her mouth and nose as she formed more tears.
“Well, he answered your prayers. Can you pray Daddy wins the Elite Bowl?” I asked.
“Marcus!” Mia scolded me and Harley giggled.
“Mom, can we eat now?” Harley asked.
“Yes, baby. Let’s help Granny get settled,” Mia said.
“Who decorated the house? This is better than the department store,” Granny said, and I nodded toward Mia.
Wifey smiled, proud of her creation. When she suggested putting reindeers in the front yard, I had to shut the Christmas decor down. But Harley marveled at the decorations. Every day she discovered a new ornament she hadn’t noticed before. As long as they were happy and we were winning football games I didn’t care.
“Week seventeen, and damn it . . . ”
I cut my eyes over at Bryce while Coach Owens was giving his speech. He squirmed in his seat and held his stomach.
“Man, you good?” I asked.
The rest of the team was smacking hands. Before he could answer, vomit flew in the seat in front of him.
“Damnnnnn,” I said as I tried to exit my seat as the team assistant flew up the steps.
“Clear the room,” Coach Owens instructed.
I wanted to stay, but there wasn’t much I could do to help him. In the hallway, I stood by the door while everyone else migrated to their groups. I caught the attention of Ed, and I knew he was coming over.
“Marcus, you know what I realized,” he said, and I stared past him.
