Counting on Starlight (15 page)

“Did you get to talk to Jake?”

“I tried, but he looked awfully upset himself.” Azalea shook her head. “I tell you, Chin, I’d like to take some young people today and knock their heads together. Present company excluded, Liann.”

“Liann’s close to the family. Aren’t you?” Aunt Chin Mae patted Liann’s arm. “You’re so good to help them. God sent you here for them, and for you.”

“I’ll see what I can do. But you all have been here longer and know them better. Or maybe the pastor can help them.” Liann didn’t want to sound like she was making excuses, but here she’d been trying to give herself a breather, and she still wound up wanting to help them. Plus, the very mention of Jake made her think again of how much she’d missed him.

“That’s all true,” said Azalea. “But you have a kind heart, and you have the time and opportunity to be there for Maddie. We’re all old. Justine, bless her heart, is so busy flyin’ back and forth for her TV show that you’re the easy choice. Plus, everyone knows how well you and Jake get along.”

“I... I might be leaving after Christmas.” Liann braced herself for their response.

“No—where?” Aunt Chin Mae covered her mouth with her hands. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I don’t know for sure. I might be getting an interview, back in California. There’s a position opening up that I’m qualified for.” She sounded as if she were making an excuse for leaving.

“No, it’s wrong. You belong here, in Starlight. I know it, I feel it.” Her aunt cast a glance at Azalea. “We need to knock her head now.”

“I’m... I’m going to at least check out the possibility at this other school.” She held up her hands.

“Let me get your honey for you, Azalea.” Aunt Chin Mae screwed the caps on the jars of honey she’d topped off earlier. “Here. I’m so upset, I don’t know where the labels are.”

“Aw, Aunt Chin Mae.” Liann sighed.

“Y’all are going to have to work it out.” Azalea picked up the jars. “You got a bag?”

“I’ll go get an empty Wal-Mart bag.” Aunt Chin stomped to the house.

#             

Liann stayed in her garage apartment that evening without coming down to supper. Her Aunt was proficient in the silent treatment, as Liann had witnessed before when she got mad at Uncle Bert for some sort of transgression, usually minor.

She checked her e-mail. An invitation for an interview in Ventura. Except the representative would be in Dallas the following weekend, and could Ms. Rivers meet her there at the Hyatt and have lunch? Maybe this was the answer she’d been hoping for. And even better, she wouldn’t have to miss work or a game. She replied to the invitation, accepting the interview.

For the first time in months, she logged onto Facebook. When she’d left California in July, she’d assured her friends they’d keep in touch that way. However, her schedule for her half-time job had devoured her time. She typed in her status: “Enjoying Texas, but other possibilities are on the horizon.” Then she erased it before clicking
Post
.

The band director had mentioned the school district having a Facebook page, so Liann typed in “Starlight Independent School District.” The page popped up. Liann started reading the district updates. Recent game scores for the sports teams, a notice to parents that report cards had been sent home, photos from students recognized for the History Club awards. 

Maddie had mentioned something about Facebook once, so Liann typed in her name. Madelynn Tucker’s page popped up, with a photo of her in her Homecoming dress as her profile photo. Then she read some of the postings on her page.

Madelynn Tucker: I’m so tired of all this mess. Wish it would end. Thursday 6:30 p.m.—
tonight
.

Friends commented below her statement:
Love u girl!
and
What’s wrong? Txt me.
The last comment made Liann freeze, from a Lashaunda Sanchez:
Well, you started it—

Feeling like a snoop, Liann clicked on Lashaunda’s profile page. Lashaunda attended Starlight High and was a senior on the cheerleading squad. What did Maddie start? What was she tired of? Azalea was right, and despite Liann’s resolve to stay back, she’d just walked into the middle of it again.

Chapter 13

Jake fumed the entire time of his five-mile run. The shadows stretched long across the road as he headed for home. The five miles hadn’t helped erase the feelings that dogged him all the way back from Kansas.

Tim Rollins, turning down his TSU deal. This was his chance, his ticket literally away, with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He would definitely talk to Tim during the school day, unless Blann had already summoned the kid to his office.

Then there was Maddie, who didn’t seem happy to see him. She holed herself up in her room after Aunt Zalea dropped her off. The older woman looked like she wanted to tell him something, but with Maddie around, she didn’t. Jake should have asked Maddie to leave the room while they talked. However, that would have resulted in Maddie getting upset, saying she didn’t need to be treated like a child.

Call Dad.

The thought almost made him stop in mid stride. That’s right. He’d forgotten during the rest of his visit in Kansas, then tonight with Moody Maddie having taken up residence at Tucker Ranch. Jake quickened his steps to get home.

When he entered the house, music pounded from Maddie’s room. He banged on the door. “Maddie, what in the world?”

She yanked open the door. “Uh, sorry.”

“Where’d you get that CD? Did you clear it through me?”

Maddie huffed. “No, I didn’t. A friend burned it for me.” She stood and waited, as if giving him a cue to leave.

“Could I have it, please?” Jake refused to budge but took up the doorway.

“All right.” She marched over to her CD player and yanked out the CD. “Here.”

“Thank you.”

Maddie stood in a face-off.

“I’m talking to Dad tonight.”

“Okay. Tell him I said hi, and I’ll call him. I’ve got homework I need to finish first, though.”

Jake backed away from the door. Who was this young woman? Definitely not Madelynn Tucker.

He went to the barn, where it was quiet. Plus, Maddie couldn’t sneak up on him. Jake leaned on the door frame and looked out at the twilight as he waited for the phone to ring. His father answered after the first ring.

“Son, I was just thinking about you.”

Already Jake felt better. “Dad, I meant to call you the other night.”             

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. It’s Maddie. There’s something going on with a boy at school. She won’t talk to me about it, not even Justine or her coach, Ms. Rivers.”

“Ah, yes. Ms. Rivers. Maddie did fill us in about her a while back.”

“She did? What’d she say?”

“What a terrific woman she is. She said, ‘You can tell she really loves God and loves people. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had.’ That, and she doesn’t give up on people. And, how you two have a, shall we say,
special
friendship.”

“I guess you could call it that. Maddie’s right.”

“We can get back to your Ms. Rivers another time, though. I thought something sounded different with Maddie, but I couldn’t tell for sure. Do we need to come down? Because we can. If it’s a bigger issue than that, maybe we should have Maddie move up here with us.”

“I didn’t want to fail you, Dad. I tried so hard to protect her, but right now, I don’t know if what I’m doing is right or wrong sometimes.” Jake sighed.

“I know. That’s part of being a parent. But you haven’t failed, son. You’ve given a lot for this family. Don’t think I don’t know it. Do you think a father likes the idea of leaving his children behind, because of his health? Sometimes, I feel like I failed you.”

“Not at all, Dad. Should I talk to Pastor? Maybe if you came one weekend, we could all talk together?”

“That sounds like a good plan. And don’t tell Maddie. Your mother and I want it to be a surprise.” His father’s voice sounded warm. “Now, let’s talk about your interview and this Ms. Rivers I’ve been hearing so much about—from everyone except you.”

“The interview went great. Mike said they’ll get back with me. And Liann? She’s amazing. Right now, though, with her job situation and mine, neither one of us knows where we’ll end up. She might be going back to California.”

“Did you ask her about going to Kansas with you?”

“Dad, we’ve known each other less than three months.”

“But from what I hear you’ve spent quality time together, and not about superficial things like many couples do.”

“Maybe, but she’s recently been engaged and is afraid of committing again, especially this soon. I don't blame her”

“You sound like you’re looking for a reason for you two not to be together.”

“No. Not really. I just don’t want to push or pull her into something that she doesn’t want with all her heart. The last guy plowed her over and acted like he knew what was best for her. So, I don’t want to do that. You know I get kind of opinionated.”

“You don’t say.” His father’s laugh was rich and warm. “Son, it’s good to talk with you like this. I know you’re a grown man and haven’t needed me for many years, but you’re still my boy.”

“Thanks, Dad. I know.” His throat swelled.

“Don’t ever think you can’t bring things to me.”

“I won’t. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner about Maddie. Honestly, Liann saw things happening before I did.” The admission stung his pride.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Your mother and I will be there as soon as we can, and we’ll see if we can figure out what’s going on.”

Jake ended the call. The night had fallen at last, the air cooling off the heat of the day. He’d talked to his father, and he knew everything was going to be all right. How many times did he
not
bring things to his Heavenly Father as well, thinking he could handle them? Not that God wanted him to be a wimp, unable to make wise decisions. Of course God wanted His children to be mature, clear-thinking. But it was so easy for him to charge ahead with his own ideas.

His phone lit up with a text message:
Welcome back. Missed u. – Liann
.

He wrote back:
Missed U 2.

#                           

Tim Rollins sat across from Jake in his office on Friday morning. He wore a scowl as if he’d been summoned to the principal’s office.

“Tim, you’re not in trouble.”

“Then why does it feel like I am?” Tim stared at Jake’s awards shelf then at the floor. “I’m not going to TSU. I changed my mind.”

“Why, Tim? You’re looking at a full-ride scholarship. There are hundreds of kids in this school who would appreciate a chance like this.” Jake took a sip of his coffee.

“I appreciate it, Coach. I’ve just decided... I’m not going to college.”

Jake shook his head. “I don’t understand. You are a talented young man, and God’s given you so much potential and blessed you with opportunities.”

“I know. But I can’t go to TSU.” Tim’s eyes appeared to fill with tears, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “God can’t change that.”

“Don’t say that, Tim. You have the chance, right in front of you.”

“Why do you care?” Tim spat the words out. “You’re in such a hurry to get out of here, going to the big time. You’re deserting us.”

Jake held back a sigh. He rubbed his forehead. “It’s been my dream and my goal to one day coach college football since I was your age, maybe younger. Besides, you won’t be here next year.”

“Lucky you, Coach. It looks like you’ll get the position.” The young man frowned. “I’ll never get out of here, just like my father. I’ve got to accept that.”

Jake couldn’t understand why Tim was refusing his chance for TSU. If he could hang on until spring... “Is it your grades? I thought they were excellent.”

“My grades are fine.” Tim stood, rubbing his palms on his jeans. “Coach, good luck in Kansas. I’m happy for you.” He turned and left the office.

#             

The buses pulled up in front of Starlight High, and Liann lined the girls up with the equipment. “Okay, ladies, let’s get everything loaded up. Where’s Maddie?”

“I think she’s in the bathroom,” Kristen said, picking up a trio of flags. “She’s changing into her costume. She put her skirt on inside out the first time.”

“Good thing she’s fixing it now. We won’t have time once we get to Waco.” Liann headed up to the first yellow bus. Jessica stood at the top of the steps by the driver.

“Hey, Ms. Rivers.” The driver nodded to her. “We have room for five of you plus equipment, and the others will have to ride in the second bus. Sorry. I know y’all like to sit together.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll manage.” Liann looked at Kristen and one of the other girls. “You two, go ahead to the other bus. I’ll send Maddie to sit with you.” She glanced back at the gymnasium.