The Fremont Saga
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 28 

The Last Dance

I was awakened Saturday morning by voices. “Tanner, why is the game today any different than any other game?  Why is everyone here for the dance?  Can’t they dance at home?”

“Timmy, Fremont has never been in the Class A finals before, as far as I know.  The dance is just a celebration of the school when old people come back to tell stories about the good old days when they were in school.  I’ve never been involved in things like this before.  I’m just as confused by all the hoopla as you are.”

As Tanner and I were fixing breakfast, Tanner chuckled, “We’re going to need to give your parents some money to help pay for the food.  Are Ben and Grant going to be here for breakfast?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.  Timmy, please go knock on the doors and inform the parents and the ladies that breakfast is nearly ready.”

When Timmy returned, he giggled, “Everyone will be here shortly, except Lauren, and she said she didn’t want to eat with us.”

Mother heard what Timmy said, “Why did she say that?”

“Mother, I don’t know.  She sounded as if she was crying.  She said everyone hated her.”

When we were finishing breakfast, Ron arrived, “I’m here to take our visitors from Great Britain on their whirlwind site seeing tour of Nebraska.   I’ll treat them to lunch at the swankiest restaurant in Lincoln, and we’ll meet the rest of you at the stadium at one thirty.  Timmy, make sure you save us good seats.”

Lauren appeared just as Ron was leaving with the three British ladies, “Where are they going?  Am I going to be able to drive to the high school to catch the cheerleaders’ van?”

Dad answered, “No, you can’t drive to the high school.  I’ll take you.  Ben and Grant will be taking your van to Lincoln for the game.”

Lauren yelled, “Who said they could take my vehicle?  Why can’t they take Tanner’s car?”

Dad stood, “Young lady, you’re making a fool of yourself.  Tanner is not grounded like you are.  If you aren’t careful, you won’t be going to the game, or to the dance.”

Lauren stomped up the stairs.

Ben asked, “Timmy and Morgan, we’re going to take Inga and Maria to see the sites as well.  Do you want to go with us?”

Timmy shook his head no, “No thank you, Ben.  Morgan and me need to take Grandmother her lunch, and make sure she eats, before we go to the game.”

Ben whispered to me, “Timmy is really one of a kind.  I understand why Grandpa Nappy was so enamored with him.”

The ride to Lincoln on the bus was really quiet.  When we went to warm up, there was hardly anyone in the stands.  I knew it was a cool day, but I expected to see a few more supporters than were present.  I looked around and didn’t see any of the family.

The team was jittery, and Coach Henderson took us off the field a little early.  When we were in the locker room, he sat us down.  “This game is no different than any other we have played.  All we can do is give it a hundred percent.  If we don’t win, it won’t be the end of the world.  When we go back out there, there are going to be a lot of people watching us, and we need to put on a good show for them.”

When we went back onto the field, the stadium was rather full, and it appeared as if every man, woman and child from Fremont was there.   I was able to spot Timmy and his entourage.

The game turned into a slugfest during the first half, and the score was 0-0 at half time.  As we were walking off the field at halftime,  someone yelled, “Benson, our fingers and toes are getting numb from inactivity, could someone score some points?”

After the half time activities, the team was much looser when we went back onto the field.  Even so, the score at the end of the third quarter was still zip to zip.  As the fourth quarter was starting, Coach Henderson pulled me aside, “Brian, you need to find a way to get the team motivated.”

“Coach, I’m a freshman, not the coach.  The guys have been playing their rear ends off.  Let’s face it; Westside is a very good team.”

While the coach was talking to me, Derek threw a pass to the area I would have been playing, had I been in the game, and the Westside scored a touchdown.  I looked at the coach, “Are you satisfied, now that you let Westside get a touchdown?  Is that why you were chewing on my backside?”

“Brian, you know better than that.  Get in there and see if you can salvage the game, somehow.  You have no idea how much the team has come to rely on you.”

Westside was lined up for the extra point attempt and I called for a time out to get the team organized.  Something seemed wrong with the way Westside had been lined up.  I noticed that Derek was the holder for the kicker, and that seemed a little suspicious.  “Guys, I think they're going to try to score two points to force us to need to score twice.  Be prepared for some shenanigans.”

I was playing the middle linebacker position.  I was determined to blitz no matter what Westside decided to do.  I would try to block the kick or disrupt whatever play they were going to try.  The ball was snapped to Derek and he indeed did stand up and was getting to ready to pass, when I hit him and the ball squirted out of his hand.  Ricky recovered the ball, but it was ruled an incompleted forward pass.  As I was helping Derek off the ground, I grinned. “Too bad that the Cannon is firing blanks today.”

Derek laughed, “At least we aren’t laying bricks like you, Benson.”

The two minute warning sounded and the score was still 6-0 in favor of Westside.  I could tell the team was losing their enthusiasm.  During the time out, I gathered the team together, “Look guys, all we need is one big break.  We need to create that break for ourselves, because Westside isn’t going to help us.  Let’s get out there and take charge.”

I kept watching the clock and time was running out.  The big break came when I creamed Derek and Todd recovered the fumble.  We went into a huddle and I was ignoring Coach Henderson’s signal for a time out because we didn’t have anymore.  “John, pitch the ball to Tanner, and brother, you’d better get the ball to me, or Timmy will be all over your butt.”

Tanner did throw the ball to me and I did score a touchdown, but I was woozy as I walked off the field from being hit so hard.  Coach Henderson, pointed at me, “Brian, you need to kick the extra point.  Cory is gun shy after missing three extra points last week.”

I looked at Coach Henderson, “Coach, this is the last football game I’m ever going to play.”

“Brian, go kick the f____ football, would you?  You’re the only hope we have of winning this game.”

“Okay, I’ll kick the fruit filled ball, but don’t yell at me if I miss the extra point.  Tanner, you need to hold the ball for me.”

I kept watching the clock to make sure we killed as much time as possible and still had time to kick the point.  The ball was centered cleanly to Tanner who placed it on the ground.  As I was kicking I felt this body hurdling toward me.  I made contact with ball but I saw the onrushing defender touch the ball and I thought, ’There goes the game.’

The defender had been Derek.  He, Tanner and I watched as the football seemed to be going straight up as if it was a hot air balloon.  It started floating toward the goal posts and we watched as it started it’s descent as time had expired, but the game couldn’t end because the play had started before the time had expired.

Tanner and I were holding our breaths as we watched the ball come down in the center behind the goal posts.  When it landed, it was almost as if someone or something had placed it on the ground.  The Westside coach was on the field immediately, demanding to see the ball, “There is no way that could have been a legitimate football.”

There was a big meeting of the coaches, referees and the state officials, and it was determined that it was indeed a legitimate football. Coach Henderson handed to it me, “You get this fruit filled football.  It would be great if you and the rest of the team would sign it, and it could be placed next to the trophy.”

Tanner looked at me and sent me a message, “Brian, do you think Grandpa Nappy had something to do with the way the football acted?”

I shook my head, “Grandpa Nappy hasn’t intervened in the outcome of any games so far.  I don’t think he would do anything that would cause people to be suspicious.”

We heard a voice, “The extra point was going to be good.  I thought it would be more interesting for the fans to have the ball act crazy.  Besides it took all of the time off of the clock.  So stop complaining.”

There was a big commotion at the awards platform.  The emcee announced, “We have a special presenter for this year’s awards.  Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Michael Smith.”

Uncle Mickey and his entourage went to the platform and Uncle Mickey began, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is has been a great pleasure to watch this afternoon’s football game between two very talented teams.  I must say that it was very clean game for being such a low scoring game.  I want to commend the two teams involved.  I am especially honored that I can present the Class A championship trophy to my alma mater, Fremont High School.”

Todd, John and Coach Henderson went to accept the trophy.  Uncle Mickey grinned, “John and Todd, I’ve known you for a long time.  Congratulations.  Coach Henderson, you must be very proud of the team.  I understand that no one had predicted that you and your team might be here.”

“President Smith, I’m extremely proud of the entire team.”

Uncle Mickey presented the second place trophy to Westside and Derek went to receive it since he was the team captain.  I didn’t realize this but Derek and Uncle Mickey knew each other.  I would have to get the skinny on that later.

After the team presentations, Uncle Mickey went to the microphone, “I have the honor of presenting one more award.  This award is very meaningful to me because the recipient happens to be my godson.  The most valuable player of state Class A tournament, voted by the coaches and sports writers, is Fremont High’s Brian Benson.”

I was standing in disbelief when Tanner pushed me toward the platform.  Uncle Mickey handed me the award and hugged me.  I responded and I thought the Secret Service people were going to have a stroke.

On the bus ride home, the team certainly was not quiet.  I fell against Tanner’s shoulder and went to sleep.  When I arrived at the house, I was accosted by Lauren, “When is Derek going to be arriving?”

“Lauren, I haven’t a clue.  I’m sure he had to ride the team bus home, just like we did.  He probably needs to go to his house and get his things.”

Timmy, Morgan, Vicky and Justin returned as we were having the minor confrontation.  Timmy hugged me, “Grandma was worried about you.  You need to call and tell her that you’re okay.”

After dinner was over, we went to get dressed.  I was just about dressed when Derek arrived, “Guys, what’s with Lauren?  She seems as if she has bean in an inappropriate place.  What happened this time?”

Timmy answered, “Mr. Derek, ever since she found out that Brian, Tanner and me had some money, she has been a witch.  I don’t know what could have happened today, since she isn’t a football player.  Go to the dance and have a good time and maybe she will be okay.”

When we arrived at the dance, the disc jockey was already playing music.  Vicky had a funny look, “Brian, I assumed there would be a live band here.  The music that guy is playing is something my parents probably grew up with.”

“Vicky, remember, this is the homecoming dance, and these are songs that our elders are familiar with and will dance to.  We aren’t that big of a school so that we can afford a live band.”

It was nine o’clock when John, being the senior class president, went to the microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for coming to our delayed homecoming dance, but it is even more meaningful today, because the football team won the Class A Championship.”

“We are fortunate in that we have the Homecoming Queen and King from thirty years ago here with us to tonight.  Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Beau Benson and Mrs. Becca Gleason Benson.”

Dad and Mother came down from the stands and Mother looked radiant. 

John continued, “We’re also fortunate in that we have last years King and Queen in attendance, tonight.  Here is last year’s king, Mr. Ben Benson and his lovely date from Spain, Senorita Maria Montoya.  Here is last year’s queen, Ms Danielle Ward, who is being escorted by another of last year’s graduates, Mr. Justin Butcher.  I now turn over the job of presenting this year’s king and queen to Mr. and Mrs. Benson.”

I thought to myself, ‘That’s odd.  Why isn’t John making the presentations?’

Dad went to the microphone, “It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.  We have had the opportunity to get to know all the persons who will be recognized tonight, by their peers.  The Homecoming King for this year is Mr. Todd Messing.  His lovely escort tonight is Ms Tiffany Kline.”

When Todd and Tiffany went forward, Ben put the traditional crown on Todd’s head and Maria handed Tiffany a red rose.

Mother stepped to the microphone, “This year’s Queen is Robin Edwards.  She is being escorted by Mr. John Waters, the Senior Class President, and the master of tonight’s ceremonies.”

Danielle Ward put the crown on Robbie’s head and pinned a carnation on John’s lapel.

Vicky looked at me, “Is that all that’s going to happen?”

“Vicky, I’ve never been to a homecoming dance before.  I have no idea what to expect.”

John went back to the microphone, “The new king and queen will announce the lord and  lady in waiting as elected by the members of the junior class.”

Tanner was standing next to me, “Brian, who do you think the lord and lady-in-waiting are going to be?”

“Tanner, I haven’t the foggiest idea.  But Lauren must think she’s going to win.  Look at her primping.”

Todd took the microphone, “This year, the Lord-in-Waiting is Tanner Tailor who is being accompanied by the lovely Miss Gwen Chamberlain, from England.”

Tanner just stood there in a catatonic state.  Ron and I pushed him forward.  He finally came to life as he and Gwen approached the new king and King and Queen.  Tanner dropped to a kneeling position, “It will be a pleasure to serve you King Todd.”

The people in attendance started to applaud Tanner’s performance.  Todd was a little flustered at first, but recovered nicely,  “Rise Lord Tanner, and greet the subjects of the empire.”

Vicky whispered, “Did Tanner know this was going to happen?  That seemed premeditated.”

“Vicky, Tanner had no earthly idea that he was going to be honored, nor did I, or our parents.”

Robbie took the microphone, “It is with great pleasure that I announce this year’s Lady-in-Waiting.  This year’s Lady-in-Waiting is related to someone who is already on the platform.  It gives me great pleasure in presenting Lady Doreen Ward and her escort Mr. Ricky Alvarez.”

I looked at Lauren and I was sure that she was going to go into a state of shock when Doreen’s name was announced.  Doreen and Ricky made their way to the platform.  Doreen surprised everyone, “I’m a liberated woman, and I bow to no one.”

Vicky punched me in the arm, “Brian, this like a melodrama.  It had to be planned ahead of time.”

I shook my head no, “Vicky, trust me, neither Tanner nor Doreen knew what was going to happen.  I’m sure that Tanner is still in a state of shock.”

John was laughing as he took the microphone, “Fremont High now has a liberated lady in our midst.  It gives me great pleasure to be able to make this next presentation.  The members of the planning committee have added a new presentation this year, because of what the recipient has accomplished in such a short time here at Fremont High.  We have added an award, Royalty in Waiting.  This year’s winner is our Freshman Class President, Lord Brian Benson.  He’s being escorted tonight by the lovely Lady Victoria Mason, from London, England.  Brian and Vicky please come forward.”

John continued talking as Vicky was practically dragging me to the platform.  “It is ironic, because Brian and Vicky deserve the titles since they have been awarded the titles by the Queen of England.  The members of the royal court will be dancing The Coronation Waltz.  Please join them.”

As the song was ended, I whispered to Vicky, “Let’s go talk to the disc jockey and have him play another waltz.  I’ll ask Grandmother to dance, and you can try to get Timmy to dance with you.”

The d. j. put on another waltz and I went to Grandmother, “Grandmother, this dance is for you.”

“Brian, it’s been years since I’ve danced.  We’ll probably both wind up on the floor.”

 

“Trust me, Grandmother, I’ll make sure we don’t fall, and I won’t try anything fancy.”

As the song was ending, Grandmother commented, “Brian, you’re an excellent dancer.  Thanks for asking me to dance.  Let’s go talk to Beau and Becca.  I think I need to go home so I can get some rest and be ready for the christenings tomorrow morning.”

We went to where Dad and Mother were talking to some people.  Grandmother announced, “Beau and Becca, I’d like to go home, so I can be rested for tomorrow.”

Vicky and Timmy approached us, “Thanks for asking me to dance, Vicky, that was fun.  Brian, did you see Morgan dancing with that good looking guy?  They were dancing as if they were on that television show.  Where are Lauren and Derek?” 

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Why do I have the feeling that we are not going to like the answer to that question? 

That was quite an interesting end to the football game.

The Homecoming dance was very sweet, as well.

I am ready for more, lots more!

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 06/25/10