Todd opened his leather business portfolio-a graduation gift from his high school accounting teacher-and pulled out a copy of his and Jamie’s business plan. “If you’ll look here, Mr. Starling, you’ll see the plan we’ve created to make sure we can be financially self-sufficient. And not just self-sufficient but prosperous. If you’ll look at this ten-year graph…”

“Todd, stop, please.” Brian was laughing now. “Listen, are you going to take care of my daughter?”

“Of course, sir. It’s all right here, if you’ll just look at-”

“Will you love her with all your heart your whole life?”

“With all my heart.”

“And do you understand that if you ever do anything to hurt my daughter-physically or emotionally-I will cause you pain? And not just the oh-that-stung-a-little-bit-but-I’m-fine-now kind of pain, but the oh-Lord-just-take-me-home-’cause-I-don’t-want-to-live-anymore kind of pain. The kind of pain that will make your unborn great-grandchildren scream out. The kind of pain that will cause old women on the street to have great pity upon you until they hear what you’ve done to my daughter, at which point they will beat you with their walkers, then kick you when you’re down. The kind of pain that the government-”

“Mr. Starling? I think I get the picture.”

“Good. Then put the graph away and ask me what it is that you brought me here to ask.”

“Sure, of course.” Todd cleared his throat. “Mr. Starling, will you give me permission to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage?”

Brian looked Todd in the eye and said, “Son, I can think of no man I would rather see Jamie spend the rest of her life with than you. You have not only my permission but my blessing. I pray that God will give you two the years of joy that He’s given to Jamie’s mom and me.”

As Todd remembered his future father-in-law’s words, tears came to his eyes. He slipped the belt for the loaded hot chocolate tray over his head, looked at the single can of whipped cream, and called out, “Better give me a second can.” Forget what Manny says. Life is too good to skimp. Tonight, we let the whipped cream flow!

Monday, December 29

Platte River Stadium

Denver, Colorado

The first quarter and a half went well for the Mustangs. The Baltimore Predators had come into the game ranked second in their division, so both teams were battling hard for a play-off spot. But as the game went on, it became apparent that Colorado had some of the “Monday night magic” going on. In the first quarter, Randy Meyer threw two touchdown passes, both over 30 yards and both to Antwon Thatch, who was known for his perfectly executed routes. Tory Girchwood tacked on a 43-yard field goal six minutes into the second quarter.

The defense had also been on fire, holding the Predators to just 36 yards in the first quarter. The one time Baltimore running back James Anderson broke loose for the end zone, he was caught from behind by Keith Simmons, who stripped the ball as he brought him down and then recovered the fumble. Later, Riley picked off a tipped pass, giving the Mustangs a + 2 in the turnover column.

Halfway through the second quarter, the score was 17-0, and the Mustangs had all the momentum. The game had the makings of a blowout. But Riley knew all too well not to take any victory for granted. In week three, the Mustangs had been in the same situation against the San Diego Thunder. The defense had let its guard down, and that game had ended in a humiliating Thunder comeback victory.

Riley, as the middle linebacker, gave the call in the huddle. “Okay, guys, keep it burning. Don’t forget these guys are good. Forty-four Cover Three Sky-Forty-four Cover Three Sky! Break!”

Forty-four gave the formation-four linemen and four linebackers. Typically the Mustangs ran a 4-3 formation, but Coach Burton, expecting a handoff to Anderson, had added an extra linebacker. The rest of the play call directed each player to cover his proper gap in the offensive line.

The Predators approached the line of scrimmage. Riley, seeing the tight end go to the left side of the line, called out “Leo! Leo!” The call of “Leo” echoed throughout the defense. Everybody tensed. Riley homed in on the quarterback as he gave the call.

“Blue Eighty-nine! Blue Eighty-nine! Go!” Holguin, the Mustangs’ right end, launched himself into the Predators’ line, then realized that no one else had moved. Whistles blew and flags went in the air. Everyone stood and walked back to their huddles.

Riley watched the sideline as he walked. He saw Coach Burton say something behind his hand to the defensive coordinator, who then signaled a play to Riley. Riley nodded, then jogged to the huddle.

When the defense had gathered around Riley, he reached across and gave Holguin a light slap on the helmet. “That’s what I’m talking about, Hulk! Keep it focused!”

“Won’t happen again, Pach,” Holguin replied.

“Okay, Crank Jet Forty-four Mike Box Cover One-Crank Jet Forty-four Mike Box Cover One! Break!”

As they ran back to the line, Riley knew that this run coverage play had him covering the “A” gap, to the left side of the center. Burton was betting on another run up the middle, and Riley’s job was to sprint to that gap and kill it.

As the Predators lined up, Riley saw that the tight end had moved to the other side. “Rex! Rex!” The rest of the defense followed his lead.

“Red Sixty-five! Red Sixty-five! Go! Go! Go!” The ball snapped, and Riley shot to his gap. He saw the quarterback lodge the ball in Anderson’s hands and saw the halfback come straight for his hole. Just before they met, Riley felt a leg whip catch him down low, sending him falling to the ground. He caught Anderson’s jersey enough to slow him down before Simmons came flying in, placing his helmet right on the running back’s hands.

The ball flew into the air, bounced once, then landed immediately in front of Riley. Riley tucked the ball under his body just as five fully loaded cement trucks dropped onto him-at least that’s how his brain deciphered the sensation. Hands began reaching under him for the ball. But those weren’t the hands he was concerned about. The first of the two that disturbed him was reaching under his face mask. A thumb was in his left nostril, and the rest of the fingers were digging for sockets. The second hand of concern delivered a third punch to an area of his body that no man wants to have assaulted in any way. This punch was enough for Riley to momentarily lose his grip on the ball, which he felt quickly slide from underneath him. Just like that, what should have been the third turnover became an offensive fumble recovery.

After everyone unpiled from him, Riley rolled over and lay there until Simmons came and pulled him up. He slowly made his way back to the huddle, trying to catch his breath. When he got there, the defensive coordinator signaled in the call. Riley turned to his teammates and said in a shrill falsetto, “Forty-four Strong Safety…” He cleared his throat while the rest of the guys laughed. “And that, my dear boys, is why we never forget our hard plastic friends. Okay, Forty-four Strong Safety Delta Box Three Zone-Forty-four Strong Safety Delta Box Three Zone! Break!”

It was third and 11 for the Predators on their own 38 yard line, facing the south end zone. Both teams came out of their huddles.

The game clock ticked down: 7:05, 7:04, 7:03.

Todd Penner knew he had a sale. He was walking section 530 and working his way south when he saw some crazy guy and his kid whip off the blanket they had been huddled under, revealing their fully painted bodies. They started screaming and dancing around as all the folks around them cheered them on. That’s a kid who desperately needs some hot chocolate, Todd thought.