Counting on Starlight Read online

  “It’s the big time.” Mike had always been the size of a Mack truck. He still wore his physique well, even though his own gridiron days were long gone. “I was praying for you, man, that you’d get the chance you always wanted. So how’s life in Podunk, Texas?”

  “Starlight, Mike. Starlight.”

  “Right. So how’s your record? I know our guy flew down there to see you and y’all lost that opening game, but he liked what he saw anyway.” His friend led him into the brick and glass building. Activity pulsed inside. Jake could practically inhale the adrenalin flowing through the halls.

  “We’re two and one now. Lost to Cove, which you knew about already, but we won against Waco West and Fisher Ridge.” He wondered when he’d wake up at the ranch and be smacking the snooze button. But nope, he was here for real.

  “Well, I told them you’d make a solid contribution to the team here and were looking to advance.” Mike paused at a display case of awards. Kansas Tech had taken the title in their division four out of the past five years.

  What Jake could learn, just being an assistant on the coaching staff. The position was similar to what he did at Starlight but miles above it in status. “That’s true.”

  Mike led him into the offices, where he met a blur of faces and list of names. He did remember the head coach’s name. Coach Rather.

  “Good to meet you, Mr. Tucker.” The older gentleman had a firm handshake. “I come from a small-town background myself. But one thing I believe, a field’s a field. Good coaching and good playing are important at any level.”

  By the end of the afternoon, Jake’s brain was leaking with all the facts he’d picked up about Kansas Tech. He even saw where his desk might be and met the coach he might be replacing.

  That evening before sunset, he drove through the college town, looking at possible places to live. The idea of moving here alone made him look the apartments. However, he drifted into some neighborhoods with homes. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d lived in a place where the homes were so close together. He didn’t know how Billy slept at night, knowing that he had neighbors within a stone’s throw at his and Justine’s home up on the ridge inside town. He’d adapted. So could Jake, he supposed.

  He could picture himself in a house, too, with a big front yard. With Liann standing on the steps beside him, even. But he couldn’t ask her to come here. He didn’t want to even hint at pressuring her. Then again, she might be heading to California,so Kansas would be out of the question for her anyway.

  Jake drove until he found the Kansas Tech campus again and found a visitors parking spot not far from the campus park. The large lawn in front of the commons had winding brick paths, benches, and a large fountain in the center. He smelled food cooking, an aroma of fraying burgers drifting from a dining hall somewhere.

  A few students clustered around the lawn, taking advantage of the remaining daylight and the cooler temperatures. Some boys were tossing a football around, laughing and hooting when they fumbled, cheering when they caught the ball. Now, those were the days.

  Jake found an empty bench and sat down, stretching his legs. He leaned his head back to look for the first stars of the night and a sliver of moon. He could bow his head to pray, but when alone outside like this, he liked to look up.

  “Lord, here I am. I’m thankful for this opportunity. I know every opportunity doesn’t mean a guaranteed yes from You. I don’t attempt to know exactly how You work. But I’m here. You see what I’ve done in the past. For Dad, Billy, and now for Maddie. I want my turn, Lord. I’m tired of being the strong one, the responsible one.

  “I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. There are young men who don’t have a father like I did, who don’t see hope for their future. They don’t have someone to teach them the value of self-discipline and how to work as a team. But I can do that. I would love to work here. You know that. So please, if this is my chance or if there’s something else, make the way clear for me. Amen.”

  Yes, he was tired of being strong and responsible. He wanted to go do something reckless and let someone else take care of the duties for a change. He didn’t know what the answer would be about Kansas, or how it would come. He did know enough about the nature of God that there’d be an answer. Like any good father, the Lord would be there for him.

  Call Dad.

  Jack checked his phone. Colorado was an hour behind them, but it was Wednesday evening, and his parents would likely be at Bible study. Maybe he’d call in the morning. Christmas in Colorado couldn’t come soon enough, to see them again face-to-face for real and not via a computer.

  He almost decided to call Liann. It wouldn’t be fair, he reminded himself as he thought back to the day he kissed her at the river. As she would say, “so not fair.” He smiled at the thought of her face as she scolded him. The painful memory followed him back to his hotel room.

  As he unlocked the door, his phone chimed with a message from Coach Blann. “Crisis. Call me ASAP. Rollins canceled his plans for TSU.”

  #

  “Here, you crank for a while. I’m getting old, and it hurts my shoulder.” Aunt Chin Mae waved Liann over to the honey extractor sitting on top of a low table. “This might be all our honey this year. No more until spring. But we’ll see.”

  “Oh, you’re not getting old.” Liann took her place in front of the extractor. She glanced into the top of the cylinder, as tall and wide as the yellow drink cooler they used during football games and band practice. Six hive frames spun on the inside, the motion drawing the honey out of the frames and into the holding tank at the bottom, where it filtered out the remaining wax particles in the honey.

  Her aunt started dispensing the filtered honey into glass jars. “We finish this hive box and start the last one. Then that’s all for today.” She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “Those boxes are heavy.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t try to lift them yourself. Forty pounds is a lot.” As it was, they’d had to load several boxes onto one cart and wheel the cart over to the covered pavilion where Aunt Chin Mae worked on her honey.

  Liann grabbed the crank and turned it, as if she were operating an old-fashioned ice cream maker. Ten frames in one box and four pounds of honey per frame meant forty pounds of honey. Even with the summer drought, her aunt was proud of the bees’ production.

  “I have enough jars to take to the last farmer’s market of the season.” Aunt Chin Mae beamed. “My bees did so well this year.”

  The extractor’s spinning interior ground to a halt. Liann lifted the clear cover to get a better look at the frames inside. She definitely identified with the spinning motion. The girls on the color guard team had changed since the night of the Homecoming dance. Before, they would laugh and talk in front of her. Now, they did their practices but kept their chatter away from her.

  Maybe it was best. Perhaps a few of them were upset or jealous over her friendship with Maddie’s family. If she were on the outside looking in, she’d tell herself to back off and keep a safe emotional distance. But truthfully, if any of her other girls seemed like they were struggling, she’d be there for them too. Kristen was having trouble with precalculus and was in danger of being ineligible to participate in the upcoming marching band competitions. Liann had made a phone call and helped her enroll in free afterschool tutoring two days a week.

  No word from Jake, but he’d arrive home this afternoon from his Kansas trip. How he’d glowed at the idea of being invited for an interview and a visit at Kansas Tech. She prayed for him, that he’d find the answers he was looking for, just as she did for herself. Maddie had been on a tight leash with Jake gone, staying with Azalea and Herb Bush. The couple’s names made her smile.

  “Azalea will be here soon,” Aunt Chin Mae said. “I told her to come get honey. It’s good for their allergies. They get four jars a year.”

  “I’ve heard of honey helping with allergies.” She wasn’t a big fan of it herself but couldn’t help
sneaking a stray drop of sweetness from the empty frames as she lifted them from the extractor. She took a deep breath. The cool breeze and longer shadows promised that fall was inching ever closer.

  Azalea’s SUV came rumbling up the driveway, bouncing and bucking on the uneven dirt. It had rained two nights ago, so no more dust clouded around the vehicle. The vehicle came within inches of a column that supported the pavilion beside the garage.

  “Good. You’re here, too.” Azalea looked at Liann as she slammed the door. “We’ve got us a real pickle brewing, a real pickle.”

  “What’s wrong?” Liann and her aunt chorused.

  “Maddie. That girl.” Azalea shook her head. “I don’t know but she’s fryin’ eggs when she says she’s scramblin’ them.”

  “Huh?” Liann blinked at Azalea.

  “She’s up to something, even though she’s been telling me for three days everything’s fine. She’s been real quiet, when most other times I can’t get her to find the off button and give us a little silence. Not that I mind. I do the same thing.” Azalea patted her flaming ’do. “Soon as I got out of the salon today, picked her up from her friend Kristen’s house where they were studyin’, I dropped her by her own house.”

  “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.”