getting.” He wondered if Coach Oliver could see the knowing in his eyes. “I’m a veteran too. You may not have known that.”
The shock in Coach Oliver’s eyes told Cody he was right. The man didn’t know much about Cody, because he never stopped barking at everyone around him long enough to find out. But as the coach left, Cody had a feeling that would change in the months to come. Maybe one day he and Coach Oliver would even be friends.
Tara found him before she left and hugged him tight around his neck. “The impact you’re making on these boys …” She waved her pointer finger in the air and shook her head a few quick times. “No one could’ve done it better. You’re gonna win every game, Cody. Mark my words.”
For a few seconds he and Tara’s eyes held, and he had a sense that they were both thinking the same thing. If Art were still here, he’d be coaching right beside him, sharing in this win. “I’m going home … you take care of Chey for me, okay?”
“I will.” Cody heard the double meaning in his voice, and he meant how it sounded. He would get her home that night, but he would take care of her beyond that too. He felt that way a little more every day.
Later, when most of the other players had cleared out of the locker room, Cody pulled DeMetri aside and put his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “See what happens when people believe in you?” Cody smiled. “Great run, Smitty. Perfect.”
“Thanks.” DeMetri’s grin proved he was still basking in the game-winning moment. His expression changed. “I’m sorry about the rest of the game, Coach. I don’t know what got into me.”
Cody didn’t either. DeMetri seemed ready that afternoon on the way to the field. He had prayed about this season since the end of last year — faithfully hanging out in the end zone by himself after practice, asking God for a miracle this year, something special that could only come from the Lord. “God gave me everything I prayed for.” DeMetri’s tone was thoughtful. “Maybe it was all a little too much at first. How far we’ve come. Like I couldn’t focus on the game.”
He and DeMetri had much in common; they’d already established that a number of times over breakfasts and late-night talks. The fact that both their mothers were serving time in prison was just a starting point. “Or maybe …” Cody kept his voice soft so only DeMetri could hear him, “maybe you were thinking about your mama. How she couldn’t be here tonight.”
Nothing could’ve truly dimmed the happiness DeMetri felt that night, Cody had a feeling. But this came close. He blinked a few times and nodded. “It’s not fair. She walked away from all this when she made the choice to do drugs.”
“She did.” There was no way around the hard truth about their mothers. “But her addiction can only lose if she relies on God. She needs a lot of prayers, Smitty.”
“I know.” His smile was crooked and relieved, like he was grateful for a reason to be happy again. “That’s the best part. If God does this when we pray about football … think what He’s gonna do for my mom yet.”
“That’s right, buddy. Now you’re talking.” Cody patted him on the back again and left the locker room to find Cheyenne. It was like he’d expected all along. DeMetri hadn’t been nervous or having an off night. He was simply thinking of all the other mothers in the stands, knowing that instead of watching him tonight, his mom was in prison. Cody could certainly relate.
They gathered their things, and the whole ride back to Indianapolis, Chey replayed the game from her notes, making sure she’d seen the details correctly and celebrating with them the beauty of their comeback. “It was the best game I’ve ever seen.” She looked over at DeMetri and then at Cody. “Seriously. The best game ever.”
“No offense, Miss Williams.” DeMetri’s tone was polite, but teasing. “But how many football games have you seen exactly?”
“A lot.” She held her head higher. Art had played football when they were in college, Cody knew that much. “I’ll have you know I cheered for every football game my entire high school career.”
“That’s the thing about cheerleaders,” a laugh sounded in DeMetri’s tone. “They’re always facing the fans. Which means … they have their backs to the game.” He chuckled. “So thanks