His mom gave him a knowing smile as they all settled in.
Since she’d learned that S could get them to pay attention, his mom had gotten a virtual assistant for the house. She’d picked a British guy’s voice and named it Jarvis. His mom had taught them that Jarvis could answer their questions when she’d had enough. She’d sent him a video of Dawson having a conversation with the virtual assistant about why his dad was never there.
With that emotional blackmail hanging over his head, David made sure to be home on Sundays.
When they began to shop at the vegetable stand, their list expanded because his children wanted blueberries and watermelon. When they were done shopping and almost to the car, ice-cream-truck music could be heard coming down the side street. Coby stomped his foot, clearly upset.
“What’s wrong?” David asked.
“Nana say that when we hear the music, it means they’re out of ice cream,” Carol explained for her brother.
“She did not …” Cassidy began and clamped her mouth shut.
David suddenly had a revelation. His mom was a big fat liar. How many times had she pulled something like that on him and Greg when they were growing up? But on the other hand …
“Yep. That’s too bad because I could have gone for an ice cream sandwich. Let’s get home so Rosy can feed us.
Plus, we know the rule: no dessert before we eat,” David said.
Cassidy gave him a side-eye to tell him he was going to hell. He ignored her as he hurried and loaded everyone into the car before they realized the truth since the truck had pulled into the parking lot.
“Allen, sit in your seat and not on your brother,” S said as Cassidy pulled out.
As they drove past, a line began forming at the ice cream truck. Cassidy had to wait for traffic.
David noticed that his kids were all focused on Allen and Dawson as they jostled for where they wanted to sit. That was, except for Coby. He watched the ice cream line, and when the first person received an ice cream cone, his head slowly turned around and looked his dad in the eye. Yep, he was going to hell. He’d just gotten caught lying to his son.
◊◊◊
When Phil arrived, David and Greg had already fed the horde. Cassidy picked out an animated show she wanted to watch, so she volunteered to keep an eye on the kids while everyone else went to the roof. Rosy had once again outdone herself.
“How did it go?” Rob asked.
Phil smiled as Carl, Phil’s stepdad, answered, “He accepted their offer.”
“What about Roc?” David asked.
“He’ll be going to State,” Phil said with a touch of sadness.
The Pearsons had opted to fly out earlier so they could get back to the farm, where there was always something to do. David had always felt it was a long shot for Roc to move so far from home because he was expected to help his family. Someday, the farm would be his.
David understood how his brother felt because he’d left his friends to come to USC. In high school, you felt like the people you called friends would always be in your life.
While he worked to keep in touch with many of them, they were all embarking on the rest of their lives. High school didn’t seem near as important as it once was.
The other part was that Phil planned to graduate early so he could enroll at USC, and being part of spring ball would help him settle in quickly.
The conversation continued as David reminisced.
“What did Coach Merritt say about him coaching next year?” Greg asked to catch David’s attention.
“He was honest with us and said that it was likely that he, and the rest of the staff, would be replaced. He said he had no doubt that someone good would replace him.”
“Who do you think it will be?” Carl asked David.
Grandma Dawson, who dated Ron Pennington—one of USC’s largest boosters—said, “It will be a proven winner. I know David has suggested Bo Harrington from Western Michigan or Matt Styles from Kentucky. I know that three coordinators from Clemson, Ohio State, and Georgia are in the running.”
Phil had been recruited by both Bo and Matt, so he made his opinion known.
“Personally, I hope it’s Coach Styles. With his SEC
coaching background and turning Kentucky into a winner, I think he’s due a shot at taking USC to the next level. Plus, I like how he uses his quarterbacks.”
“That’s why I suggested him,” David said.
“Who do you prefer?” Rob asked.
“I would be happy with Coach Styles, but I personally prefer Coach Harrington.”
“But he’s not been a head coach at this level,” Phil said.
“I agree that matters,” David said, then explained why he liked Bo. “Before he was the quarterback coach at Alabama, Coach Harrington was the guy you called if your quarterback needed help. He worked with several name NFL quarterbacks and saved their careers.
“He went to Alabama to learn how to run a program. He pulled Western Michigan out of the ashes to make them a top twenty program for the last couple of years,” David said.
“Are you supporting him just because he was your coach?” Grandma Dawson asked.
David knew this must have been something Ron had said and wanted to clarify that it wasn’t the case. He knew his grandmother would be in Ron’s ear and wanted Bo to have a shot at the job.
“I do have firsthand experience with Bo. He turned me into a quarterback,” David admitted. “But I wouldn’t just push for him based on how much I personally like and owe him. Bo has done what many football coaches try to do: establish a system for success at Western Michigan. When he leaves, they’ll continue to be winners based on his groundwork.
“Bo brings a winning culture like you see at Alabama and Clemson, which is USC’s most glaring need.
“He also knows how to get the most out of his players.
Take Travis Barry as an example. He was a four-star recruit at quarterback for USC. Travis should have been our starting quarterback this year if he’d received the attention in practice he deserved. Instead, he had to transfer to get a second chance. Bo took him and turned him into a starter who now looks to be an NFL prospect,” David said.
“After hearing that, I might agree with David,” Carl said.
Before this devolved into a football talk, Vickie, Phil’s stepmom, reminded them that they had to catch a flight back to Illinois.
Before they left, Phil took David aside to talk.
“Coach Thomas told me that you would probably start for the Notre Dame game. He said you were watching their game film to get ready.”
“I am,” David said.
“Why don’t you hire Bud Mason and Coach Hope to help you look at it?” Phil asked.
David realized that using mentors to help him was something he’d let slide. He knew his excuse would be that he’d reached a point when he might not need mentors, but was that true? Wouldn’t everyone benefit from having someone successful in their field to bounce ideas off and to point out what you might be missing?
In all honesty, he could have used their help to decide where to play ball next when he first got to USC. He might have been convinced to go to Ohio State or Clemson when he faced resistance to playing quarterback. At least at the other two, he wouldn’t be on a team that looked to finish under .500 this season.
But he’d learned to not dwell on what might have been and refocused on the future.
“That might be the best advice I’ve received in a long time,” David admitted.
“Consider that payback for last night. When I get here, you have to promise you’ll bring me along when Zak’s having a party.”