CHAPTER 33

The next day, people were talking about the Citizens’ Council meeting all over town. Men hanging out at the barbershop, in the pool hall, and under the whittlers’ tree speculated about what might happen next. Customers at Emmett’s, women buying groceries and getting their hair done, and people passing each other on the streets swapped rumors about it. And folks at home tied up party lines repeating hearsay.

Come Friday evening, though, attention shifted to the Bobcats’ football game with the Pineview Panthers. They hailed from way over in Webster Parish and had a big line and lots of rough players. As usual, parents, students, and fans started arriving early for the game. Mr. Claude, Crow Hicks, and some sheriff’s deputies were on hand again to direct traffic and keep order. Becky Reeves had drawn concession stand duty again. As Sam and Billy took their usual seats with the Tuckers, the sweet smell of Half and Half pipe tobacco drifted over the stands, and most folks talked football or baseball.

“Hey Billy,” Neal O’Brien called. “Too bad about the Cardinals. Who you rooting for in the World Series?” Milwaukee had clinched the National League pennant earlier in the week and was set to square off against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

“I reckon I’ll pull for the Braves,” Billy said. “The Yankees have won plenty already.”

“It’s gon’ be a good one,” Neal said.

“What do y’all think our chances are tonight?” Sam asked no one in particular. “Those Pineview boys look pretty good out there.”They were yelling and racing around like thoroughbreds in red and white.

“Yeah, I hear they’re a tough bunch,”Tucker said.

When the Bobcats, wearing their familiar black and yellow, lost the coin toss and lined up to kick off, the Panthers huddled briefly in front of their bench across the field, then let out a roar and sprinted out to receive the ball. Once they had it, they plodded downfield three and four yards at a time to take a 7 to 0 lead. The Bobcats did not get untracked until a minute before halftime, when Ronnie Metcalf got loose around the left end for sixty yards and a touchdown. The Bobcats converted the extra point to tie the game.

As soon as the whistle blew, Billy took off with Randy Lawson, and after a band show with twirling fire batons, Sam and Tucker headed to the concession stand. On the way, they saw school board members Russell Hadley and Gene Ragsdale standing off to one side, smoking cigarettes and talking quietly.

“Excuse me a minute, Tucker,” Sam said, and walked over.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, fellows, but I wanted to thank you for the way you voted the other night. Like I said then, I think Miss Reeves is doing a fine job.”

“We’ve heard that from some of the other parents, too, Sam,” Hadley said.“But I have to tell you, most of them are against her.”

“You reckon they might still find a way to fire her?” Sam asked.

“Probably not,” Hadley said. “If nothing else, it’d be darned near impossible to find a replacement this time of year. I doubt Kramer gives a damn about that, but we do, and I expect Ray Tillman understands it too.”

“Well, y’all did the right thing,” Sam said, turning to go.

Tucker had wandered off somewhere and with halftime winding down, Sam continued on to get their drinks. When he saw Becky behind the counter, his breathing went shallow, and he was glad he had worn a starched shirt and his good slacks again. The lines were long as usual and when he got to the front, he had three dimes ready.

“Hi, Becky,” he said, putting the coins on the counter. “Three cokes, please.”

“Coming right up, sir,” she said, smiling and reaching into an iced tub. She was wearing her black-and-yellow Bobcat vest again and Sam admired the way it fit her and her personality.

She set the drinks on the counter and reached for the dimes. “Will we see you again in the fourth quarter?”

“You can count on it.”

“Great,” she said, smiling before moving to the next customer.

For a while in the third quarter, the teams battled back and forth between the thirty-yard lines. Then Ronnie broke several long gainers and by early in the fourth quarter Unionville led 21 to 7.

“Anyone want anything from the concession stand?” Sam asked the Tuckers and Billy.

“No. I’m all set,” Gloria said.

“Me too,”Tucker said. He glanced at Gloria and winked.

“I want a coke, Daddy. Want me to come with you?” Billy asked.

“No, that’s okay, son, you stay here and watch the game. I’ll bring you one.”

“Say, Billy,”Tucker said, “I’ve been sitting here trying to make out a pitching rotation for the Braves in the series. I can’t decide if I’d start Spahn or Burdette. Who’d you lead off with?”

With Billy occupied, Sam made his way around back of the bleachers, but his heart sank when he saw the concession stand. The line was long and included a gaggle of folks from church. Eventually, however, most customers broke away, their arms loaded with refreshments. Other teachers were helping the few that remained and Becky began wiping down the counter. She smiled when Sam approached. He grinned back and each spoke at the same time.

“Hi, Sam.”

“I’m back for a couple of more cokes.”

They laughed and he held up a dollar bill.

“You have a minute?” she asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

Becky motioned him to her left, opened the side door of the stand, and stepped gingerly off the raised floor to the ground. Sam moved around to meet her and she pushed the door closed.

“Here,” she said, extending her right hand as if she were holding something between her thumb and index finger. Nothing was there.

“What’s this?” Sam asked, pretending to take the imaginary object.

“It’s the rain check you gave me. I’ve been thinking about those catfish.”

“I’d be pleased to redeem it, if you really want to.”

“I do. Hazel tells me that everyone’s already talking about me and how you and Doc defended me Wednesday night, so I can’t see where our going out to dinner would add much more fuel to the fire.”

“Great,” Sam said, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently. She squeezed back. Her skin was soft and smooth. “How about this Sunday? It’s about an hour’s drive. I could pick you up at five and we could be back by nine or ten.”

“That’d be wonderful,” Becky said, touching his arm with her free hand. “I’d better get back inside now.”

“Casual dress,” Sam said, as he released her hand.

When Becky got back behind the counter, Sam was heading for the bleachers. Then he remembered the drinks and came back. He and Becky only smiled as she took his dollar and handed him two drinks and his change.

When Sam got back to his seat, Unionville was kicking a field goal to make the score 24 to 7 and ensure themselves a three-one record. As everyone stood up to leave, Sam leaned over and spoke quietly to Gloria and Tucker. “I’m going out of town for a while Sunday evening. Would it be okay for Billy to call y’all if he and Momma need anything while I’m gone?”

Gloria smiled and Tucker put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “We’ll be glad to help, buddy.”