I pull the covers
over my head as I push Patrice onto the floor. “I’m not ready to get up, P! I
don’t care if I’m late. Honestly, it’s just a stupid game!”
“Pammie!” Patrice
yells as she tries to pull the covers off me. “It is not JUST a game; it’s the
Thanksgiving game. The biggest game of the year! Plus, totally delish food
after. Sharon’s going all out this year! Oh, before I forget, she totally wants
you to come over later for food.”
I stick my head out
from under the covers. “Is she making her pumpkin cake?”
“Duh! It is
Thanksgiving.”
“What time should I
be there?” I ask.
“Doesn’t matter.
Just come when you’re finished eating here. Plan on staying over. We can watch
movies and just hang out.”
“Awesome idea
Princess!” I say as I sit up. “Guess I should get in the shower so we can get
out of here sometime today.”
“Hurry up!” Patrice
says as she pushes me out of bed. “You have 28 minutes. Exactly! I’m going to
pick out your clothes. No arguing. Now, GO! Don’t make me come in there and
wash you myself.”
Laughing, I run
down the hall to the shower. I love spending time with Patrice and in a little
while I’ll get to see Tommy playing football. I love football pants. They’re
really the best part of the whole game. Things have been so good between us
since we got back together. We – I – never fight with him. We’ve even started
to get a little more physical again.
When I get back to
my room, Patrice has a couple of choices for me. I’m envious of her sense of
style and I’m surprised how great my clothes look when she picks them out. I
have to decide today between jeans with a light green turtleneck sweater with
combat boots or dark brown corduroys with a cable-knit sweater and brown riding
boots. I decided on the corduroys and heavy sweater. I added a down vest and
gloves since it would be chilly at the game. I also added my Andover scarf to
show some school spirit.
“Excellent choices
as always P. Thank God you’re here since I would have just picked something
lame.”
Patrice smiles.
“Just hurry up, Pammie. Please.”
We finally find a
spot at the stadium and join the mass of people heading toward the gate. I
already texted Lenore to have her save us a couple of spots. Thankfully, they
have a small section for player’s families behind the bench. Really though the
families consist of the girlfriends and a couple of the dads. It’s a great spot
and it’s always fun since all the girlfriends are friends.
“Hurry up Patrice,
we’re going to miss the beginning.” I say as I tug her closer.
“Seriously, Pammie.
It’s going to be MY fault we miss kick-off. Oh, I don’t think so.
We finally manage
to get to our seats and squeeze in with Lenore and Beth who were smart enough
to bring blankets to sit on. Tommy turns, looking for me and I wave. He waves
back and turns his attention back to the field where they are just announcing
the players. I settle in to watch what should be a good win for the Archers,
happy for the noise and the crowd so I can watch the game in peace.
The first half of
the game passes quickly and the Archers are winning 21-7.It’s an exciting game
and now that it’s half-time I’m looking forward to getting a giant hot
chocolate and warming up. Patrice is busy talking so I decide to head off on my
own. No one else wants anything so I start to make my way down to the
concession stand maneuvering around students and parents. Pausing to say hi and
trying to watch the half-time show the cheerleaders and dance team puts one.
I’m not paying attention when I walk right into the back of the guy in front of
me.
“Sorry” I blurt out
before looking up.
“Watch where you’re
going, Pam. Wouldn’t want to scratch anything.” Ryan calls out.
“Shut up, Ryan. Why
do you have to suck so hard at life?”
Before he can
respond I pivot and walk away; my hot chocolate forgotten in my haste to get as
far away from Ryan as fast as I can. I still hate that he can make me feel
stupid over something that happened months ago. I really should thank him since
Tommy and I are back together because of that night. Nope, he’s an idiot and I
hate him. I manage to get back to my seat without further incidence but Patrice
has made it back yet. The rest of the game passes without much fanfare and
Andover wins easily.
“Beth, have you
seen Patrice since half-time?” I ask.
“I left her in line
for the ladies room since I didn’t want to stand and wait. I’m sure she’s
around here somewhere. Did you drive with her? Of course you did, what kind of
dumb question is that, you two are practically married.”
“Thanks, I’ll text
her later. Tommy’s driving me home. I’m going to go wait over near the locker
room. Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll see you Saturday night, right?”
“Gobble, gobble!”
Beth laughs. “Looking forward to Saturday.
Bye!”
I leave the stands
and wander over to the locker room so I can catch my ride with Tommy. I try
texting Patrice again but still nothing. I call Sharon later if I don’t hear
from her soon. Sitting on the bench outside the locker room thinking about nothing
and everything all at once, I’m glad that things are going well between us. I’m
not as filled with doubt about why we’re together like before but there is that
nagging feeling about Tommy’s insistence on the future – both our futures. Married
right after college, house, kids. Can you say, Hives! Every time he brings it
up I can feel myself getting a little more bitchy and I hate that I just can’t
come out and tell him without hurting his feelings. I just want to date and go
to parties and enjoy senior year. I don’t want to talk about weddings and, ug,
babies.
“Hey, Pammie, you
ready? I’m starving.” Tommy interrupts my thoughts and I’m grateful for that.
“Yes.” I reply as I
stand on my tip-toes to kiss him. “Let’s get out of here, I’m freezing.”
Driving through the
parking lot, I notice that Patrice’s car is still parked there. “Tommy,
something’s wrong. I haven’t seen Patrice since half-time and her car is still
here. She’s not answering my texts, it’s not like her.”
“I saw her after
the game. She was talking to Liam and Beth. Liam’s still in the locker room, maybe
she’s waiting with Beth.”
“I’ll text Beth. In
the meantime, what time are we going to the party on Saturday? Do you have to
work?”
“Work until 3. I
can pick you up at 6 or I can come earlier and we can hang out?”
“Oh, that’s Beth.
Patrice is with her. Dropped her phone in Danielle’s hot chocolate, she’ll tell
me the whole story later. Totally come early on Saturday. Parents will be gone
and we can hang with Harry and have pizza.”
“Perfect!” he says
as he leans over to kiss me. Too bad that’s the last thing I remember when I wake up in the hospital three days later.
Girls Like Us: Chapter 1
Girls Like Us: Chapter 2
Girls Like Us: Chapter 1
Girls Like Us: Chapter 2
