Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Lost & Found

   By Douglas Fox

   ============================================================== This
story is a sequel to "Drive for Excellense" It is written from the
perspective of Kyle Martin.  All characters, situations and actions are
completely fictitious.

   The previous stories in the series are:

   Algonquin Memories, The Tailback & The Cheerleader, Second Chance At
Love, Love By The Side of the Lakes, Finding Balance, Finding Answers,
Drive for Excellence.  These stories can be found at
/~Douglas_Fox/stories.htm

   Any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.  These teenagers
practice unsafe sex repeatedly.  No one should do this in real life.  Real
unsafe sex leads to pregnancy, AIDS and death.  Be safe!

   ===================================================

   Chapter 51

   ==========

   The team reassembled in the Training Table for dinner on Sunday night
after our short vacation.  Coach Burton briefly addressed the team and told
us we had the night off.  We were to come to practice tomorrow ready to
work hard.  We were going to spend the week working on our fundamental
skills.

   Trevor, Damian and I were heading for the player's lounge to relax after
dinner.  We invited Jay.  He had seemed up tight at dinner.  He grabbed us
as we left Pollock Commons.

   "Come back to the apartment guys," Jay said.  "I need to talk to all of
you."

   "What's up?" Trevor asked.

   "I'll tell you back at the apartment," Jay answered.  "I don't want to
do this here on the street."

   The three of us followed Jay back to our apartment.  We found seats in
our living room when we got there.

   "What's up Jay?" I asked as soon as we were settled.

   He took a deep breath and explained.  "I may not be here next semester.
I may need to transfer to another school."

   "What?" Damian demanded.  Trevor and I echoed Damian's sentiments.

   "This is crazy Jay!" I exclaimed.

   "I don't have a choice," Jay explained.  "I feel I have the talent to be
a starter for top college teams." Trevor, Damian and I nodded our agreement
as Jay continued.  "For whatever reason Coach Burton doesn't see that.  I
have an appointment to talk with him about my future with the program
tomorrow morning."

   "You love Penn State football," I said.  "How could you think of
leaving?"

   "I do love the Nittany Lions," Jay agreed.  "... but I also have plans
and goals for myself.  I want to play in the NFL.  I won't be able to do
that unless Coach Burton gives me a fair shot at becoming the starting
quarterback here.  If Coach can't guarantee me a fair shot at winning the
starting spot next summer I will have to transfer."

   "You're being hasty," Trevor said.  "Have you thought this through?"

   "My mom, dad and I spent the holiday talking about this," Jay explained.


   "I thought your dad was still at sea," I said.  "Are you really sure
about this?"

   "No, the Bush came back to port a couple weeks ago.  Dad's back home
while the carrier is reconditioned and the crew has R&R," Jay explained. 
"I don't like this decision but our coaches have passed over me.  I was a
four star recruit when I signed here.  I deserve better treatment than I
have gotten."

   "Aren't you going to lose another year of eligibility if you transfer?"
Damian asked.

   "I will if I transfer to another FBS team," Jay agreed.  "If I drop down
to an FCS team then I don't lose the year."

   "Would an FCS team give you the exposure you want?" I asked.  "You get
national media exposure here at Penn State.  Would you get that somewhere
else?"

   "The NFL scouts will find me," Jay said.  "I have no chance of getting
drafted if I can't beat out Brinton.  I need to hear Coach Burton tell me
that I will have a fair chance to beat him in the spring or in August.  I
have to move on if he can't convince me that I will have that shot."

   "That is risky," Damian said.  "Are you sure you want this?"

   "I don't have a choice," Jay said.  "This is the only way I can reach my
goals."

   "I hate the idea of you leaving here," I said.  "You're one of my
closest friends on campus."

   "I feel the same way about all three of you," Jay said.  "I'm a navy
brat.  I never spent very long in one place.  I haven't had a lot of
chances to make close friends before here.  I'm going to miss you guys if I
have to transfer."

   Damian, Trevor and I agreed with Jay's feelings of friendship.  I hated
the idea of him transferring to another school but I understood.  Any of us
would have been unhappy stuck behind a younger player the way Jay was. 
Hopefully Coach Burton would be able to find a way to satisfy Jay.  Jay
swore us to secrecy about this.  We couldn't say anything until he had his
meeting with Coach Burton.

   -----------------------------------------------

   On Monday I didn't see Jay before I had to go to my Geography 30 class.
I didn't see him when I stopped back at our apartment for lunch.  After
history I went over to the Lasch Building for my daily workout.  Jay wasn't
around.  I headed to the locker room to dress for practice at 3:30.

   Trevor, Damian and I shared knowing looks when we found Jay wasn't in
the locker room.  Some of the guys asked about Jay but we didn't say
anything.  The rest of the team found out soon enough.  Coach Burton called
the whole team together in the center of the field in Holuba Hall before we
started practice.

   "I wanted to make an announcement before rumors get started.  I met with
Jason Nicholson this morning.  Jason has decided to withdraw from The
Pennsylvania State University and the Nittany Lions football team.  His
membership on this team ended this morning when he turned in his playbook.
Jason will complete his classes this semester on campus and then transfer
to another college.

   "Please do not read anything derogatory into Jason's decision.  He is an
excellent quarterback who I hold in high esteem.  I hope all of you will
wish Jason the best in his future endeavors."

   I scanned around the circle of players.  Virtually every person was
stunned by the announcement.  Trevor, Damian and I may have been forewarned
but it didn't stop us from being shocked at the speed at which it had
happened.  We got started with practice but I think everyone was
distracted.

   Chip stayed with the first team.  Glenn Korbel worked with the second
team while Jon and Colin ran the third or scout team.  Tyler Madden,
recently freed from his forearm cast, got after everyone to fire them up.
Jibril and Andrew helped him refocus our attention back to practice.  We
were working fairly well by the time our official practice was over.

   Chip, Christian, Tanner, Damian and I gathered for some extra passing
drills after practice ended.  Chip was the first to bring up Jay's
departure.

   "Why would he leave?" Chip asked, clearly perplexed.  "This is a great
team.  This is a great school.  I just don't understand."

   "Jay has been upset about not being the starter all season," I
explained. "He went in this morning to talk with Coach Burton to see if he
would have a fair shot at winning the starting spot next season.  I assume
Coach couldn't reassure him."

   "I certainly expected I would have to fight off his challenge next
summer," Chip said.  "I wasn't sure I could beat him when he was healthy."

   "I guess that isn't a problem now," I snapped.  "The starting job is
yours."

   "I didn't set up this situation," Chip responded.  "Coach asked me to
give up my red shirt year to help the team.  I did.  He gave me a shot at
becoming the starter and I gave it my best shot.  I won.  All I have done
since I came here is to do my best to help the team however I was asked to
do.  I don't need attitude from you because of it.  I'm not making Jay
leave."

   "Yeah... you're right," I admitted.  "Sorry if I was a bit short with
you.  Jay's leaving is bugging me."

   "Jay may be surprised but I consider him to be a friend," Chip said. 
"Jay has pushed me all fall and forced me to get better.  I am going to
miss him."

   Christian interrupted, "Guys, I'm sorry Jay is leaving too.  We're still
here and we have one more football game to get ready for.  Let's get to
work so we're ready for January."

   The five of us did that.  We spent an extra half hour running routes for
Chip, trying to make sure we would play our best in our bowl game.  We
showered and headed for dinner at the Training Table after we finished our
workout.  We had a team meeting after dinner.  Trevor, Damian and I finally
caught up with Jay after that.

   "We heard Coach's announcement," Trevor said as soon as we got back to
our apartment and found Jay studying in the living room.  "What happened?"

   "Well...  the decision was really fast," Jay began.  "Actually I was
stunned at how fast I found myself off the team.  I told Coach Burton that
I felt I deserved a serious shot at starting quarterback next summer.  As
soon as I told him I was considering transferring if I didn't have that
shot at starting Coach thanked me for my three years with the team."

   "Man, that's cold," Damian said.

   "That wasn't the end of the meeting thankfully," Jay said.  "We sat and
talked about me, the starting spot and the team for about forty-five
minutes.  I understand Coach a lot better now."

   "But you're still leaving," I said.

   "Yeah, I am," Jay said.  "Coach agreed that I'm a good quarterback but
circumstances have been against me.  He explained that my chances of
winning the starting job next summer were slim.  I would have to beat out
Brinton by a substantial margin to win the starting job.  He reminded me
that Brinton will have the advantage of having thirteen starts by next
summer.  He reminded me I have none."

   "Coach has a point there," I agreed.

   "That's a catch-22," Trevor said.  "You can't start because you haven't
started before."

   "It is and it isn't," I added.  "I can see where Coach would choose the
quarterback with a year of experience over one without if they are even
otherwise.  Luck is crucial to us advancing in football.  If Jay hadn't
been hurt last year we could be having this same conversation with Chip
now. If I blew out my knee as senior in high school instead of as a junior
I would be at some FCS school now hoping to have a chance to be a starter
instead being where I am."

   "This whole thing is a big business," Damian added.  "Our team made $50
million for athletics last year.  Coach has to be super successful every
single season to keep things running around here.  I think he has done a
hell of job replacing at legendary coach and going 32-6 in the process."

   "You guys are right," Jay agreed.  "Coach and I talked a little bit
about how luck affects a player's chances.  Hopefully I will have better
luck at my next school."

   "I hope you do too," Trevor said.

   "I have a busy three weeks ahead of me," Jay said.  "Classes, finals,
pack up and find myself a school that needs a QB."

   "Let us know what we can do to help you Jay," I said.  "Even though
you're leaving I hope we can always be friends."

   Jay, Trevor and Damian agreed with me.  The four of us had to get to
work on our home work.  The semester end was closing on us quickly.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   I was out on the field in Holuba Hall a couple minutes before practice
Tuesday afternoon.  Anders Voight came up and asked, "Have you heard the
news?"

   "No, what?" I asked.

   "Ohio of Miami fired their head coach today," Anders replied.

   "And that affects us how?" I asked.  I wasn't surprised that the coach
was gone.  His team went 3-33 in three years.  You don't get a lot of
support when your record is that bad.

   "You don't know who the best quarterback in the school's history was?"
Anders asked.  I shook my head no.  "Coach Schroeder - he was a grad
assistant there a couple years after college too.  Rumor has it that he
will be on the short list for the head coach job."

   "That would suck," I said.  "I think Coach Schroeder does a great job
here.  I would hate to see him go."

   "He is excellent," Ander agreed.  "Still, it would be great for his
career to land a head coaching job in the FBS.  Everyone knows he wants a
chance at head coach someday.  He probably won't get a shot here at Penn
State.  I expect Coach Burton to try and beat Coach Paterno longevity
record."

   I chuckled and gave Anders a wink.  "I'm sure Coach Burton will coach
until he's ninety."

   "Coach Burton loves his job here," Anders said.  He winked and added,
"He's going to give JoePa's record a shot I think."

   Anders and I continued talking as more team members arrived on the
field. The coaches continued drilling us on our fundamental skills for half
of practice.  They used the other half of practice having us run plays. 
People's minds were on what we were doing that day.  The coaches, Tyler,
Andrew and Jibril didn't need to ride people as much to get us to get our
work done.

   We had position meetings after dinner on Tuesday night.  Dave McCall had
his first formal Dance-a-thon meeting later that night.  I helped him
prepare the agenda for the meeting.  Tyler Madden, Glenn Korbel, Amir Lee,
Christian, Shawn, Chip, Matt Frye, Marco Cuchiella, Brian Henson, Bob Smith
and I filled out the committee - three members from each class.

   Dave and I did some fundraising in advance of the meeting.  Between the
two of us we had pledges of $22,000 for our kick off meeting.  Dave had
secured similar prizes from Aaron Morano as we had available last year.  I
edged out Dave and won the first week's money for dinner and movie. 
Tyler's girlfriend Kayla made cupcakes for the attendees.  David did well
running his first meeting.  Tyler praised David for his work and
complemented me for helping David set things up.

   ---------------------------------------

   Wednesday afternoon Coach Burton called Damian, Trevor and me aside at
the end of practice.

   "I have a dilemma gentlemen," Coach began.  "I have five freshmen
starting next semester.  I only have four spots available in the dorms for
football team underclassmen."

   "Do you want us to take in a freshman?" Damian asked.

   "No, I had in mind moving one of the sophomores into your apartment,"
Coach explained.  "What do you think guys?"

   The three of us conferred briefly.  "Who would we share our place with?"
I asked.

   "Your choice," Coach answered.  "I have no preference.  Who would you
like as a roommate?" The three of us conferred again.  The choice was
unanimous.

   "Chip Brinton," Trevor said.

   "Brinton, get over here!" Coach ordered in a loud voice.  Chip was
nearby with Christian, Tanner, Max and Amir waiting for me so we could do
some extra passing drills.

   Coach Burton quickly outlined his dilemma and possible solution to Chip.
"Do you mind sharing an apartment with these three ne'er do wells?"

   "Are you serious Coach?" Chip asked.  "Hell yeah!  I'd love to share an
apartment with these guys."

   "I guess he'll share space with you," Coach Burton said after a wink. 
"...if you twist his arm."

   "How soon do I move in?" Chip asked.  "Anything I need to supply for the
apartment?"

   "This doesn't happen until January," Coach said.  "You will have plenty
of time to work out any details with your new roommates later."

   Trevor, Damian and I agreed that Jay did not need to know who would be
taking his place in our apartment after he left.  That would simply be
rubbing Jay's problems in his face.

   The rumors about Coach Schroeder proved to be true.  He flew out to
Cincinnati Wednesday evening to visit the Miami of Ohio campus and
interview for the head coach job.  Coach would be back on Friday.

   Dr.  Brennan handed back our term papers at Friday's history class.  I
received my usual A.  I glanced across the room to see Kelly's reaction
when she received her paper.  She smiled.  That was good.  I had helped
with the idea for the paper and some of the research before we broke up. 
Kelly busted me staring when she glanced my way.  Her smile was replaced
with a glare until I looked away again.  I received her message loud and
clear.  I was still persona non grata.

   Coach Schroeder was due back for our practice on Friday afternoon.  He
didn't make it.  Rumors circulated around the team that Miami of Ohio
wanted him as head coach and they were negotiating a contract.  No one had
any real information.  The other coaches didn't have any comments for the
team.

   Friday night after dinner at the Training Table I went out to help
Trevor pick up beer for our Saturday night party.  We stopped off at the
grocery store to pick up supplies for snacks and Damian's planned hors
d'oeuvres.

   Jay had gone home this weekend with some of his extra things.  He and
his parents were looking at colleges for the next semester.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I got up around ten am on Saturday.  I wanted plenty of time to drive
down to Hershey for the Wolverines' game again Susquehanna Township.  I
grabbed some sandwiches, chips and drinks at the Mix before leaving campus.
I ate on the drive to Hershey.  I got to the stadium around 12:30 pm.

   I joined the Wolverines in the home team locker room.  Justin Baer
briefed me on our game plan against Susquehanna Township.  There wasn't any
surprise to it.  We planned to use the same formula that worked so well -
threaten deep, spread them out and hit them.  Justin warned me that this
was expected to be a high scoring game.  The Indians' quarterback was
excellent.

   Susquehanna Township won the coin toss and elected to receive the
football.  I found out that their reputation for offensive prowess was
deserved.  They moved the ball down the field crisply.  They ran on two of
every three plays.  Sometimes their quarterback kept the ball, sometimes he
handed it off or he tossed it downfield.  The mix of plays kept our defense
off balance.  They stuffed the ball in the end zone after ten plays.

   My Wolverines weren't bothered at all by the start.  Matt and his crew
only needed six plays to answer.  Matt hit Dave on a deep pass to tie the
score.  There were a grand total of two punts in the first half, one by
each team.  Our team did manage to hold two of the Indians' drives to field
goals instead of touchdowns.  We led 28-20 at half time.

   Coach Wyndham went over some adjustments with our defense during
halftime.  Coach Caffrey, Jason and Justin reviewed things that worked with
the offense and told them to keep up the pressure on Susquehanna Township's
defense.

   The Wolverines took the second half kickoff.  Seven plays later Matt
handed the ball off to Cody Stevens who zipped into the end zone.  Score:
35-20 Wolverines

   Coach Wyndham, our defensive coordinator, got to see how his halftime
adjustments worked.  Coach told Nate Trimble to ignore all the normal
reads. Nate's only responsibility was to hit and tackle the quarterback. 
If the QB had ball, he was positioned for the tackle.  If the QB was
passing we would have pressure on him.  If it was a handoff for a run Nate
could try to blow up the handoff.

   Nate blitzed into the backfield on the first play, nearly getting the
handoff to the tailback.  The Indians lost four yards.  Nate and Tristan
Hibshman, our left defensive end, were in the QB's face on second and ten.
The ball sailed incomplete.  Chris Zimmerman nearly intercepted the third
down pass.  The Indians were forced to punt back to our team.

   Kevin Peachey made a great move on the punt return.  He picked up 25
yards before he was pushed out of bounds at the Indians' 41 yard line.  Two
Cody Stevens runs were followed by a play action pass.  The Indians managed
to cover Dave Mitchell.  Matt checked down to Garrett Houseman, hitting him
fifteen yards downfield.  Garrett made a sweet move and sprang free.  He
cruised into the end zone since the free safety was deep on the opposite
side of the field covering Dave.  Score: 42-20 Wolverines

   The Indians were too far behind to run the ball much after this.  Coach
Wyndham turned up the pressure now that they were forced to pass.  Andrew
Krause took over shadowing the quarterback while Nate Trimble went back to
his normal linebacker duties.  Our pressure slowed them but didn't stop
them.  They made a long field goal.  Score: 42-23 Wolverines

   The game was downhill the rest of the way for us.  We scored ten more
points and held the Indians to ten more points.  Coach Caffrey sent Logan
Mitchell in for the last two drives to run the clock out.  The final score
was 52-33 Wolverines' favor.

   Matt Sauder continued to impress me.  He was running around the field
reminding everyone that it wasn't time to celebrate.  That would wait
another two weeks until they won the state championship.  The Wolverines
would play either Strath Haven or Abington to be the eastern Pennsylvania
champions.

   Coach Caffrey and Jason thanked me for helping.  I hadn't done all that
much this week but it was fun.  I assured Coach Caffrey and Jason I would
try to show up for the next game.  I couldn't guarantee it though, since I
had finals the following week.  School work and the Nittany Lions had to
take priority.

   I grabbed a couple burgers, some fries and a drink at the Wendy's near
the stadium before heading back to State College.  I got back to campus
around eight o'clock.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Damian was putting the hors d'oeuvres in the oven when I walked into our
apartment.  I helped Trevor finish setting up for our party.  Guests began
arriving as Damian pulled the first tray of goodies from the oven.

   I grabbed a beer as soon as the party started.  It had been quite a few
weeks since I had one.  I planned to have a couple more beers, enjoy the
music and company and stay put in the apartment.  Absolutely nothing would
get me outside or anywhere near downtown that night.

   I mingled with our guests and enjoyed the food and music.  This was the
first party I was at since I broke up with Kelly.  I think every available
female at the party knew I was unattached and came over to talk and flirt
with me.  I didn't exactly mind the attention.

   Beth Naylor was particularly persistent in her attention to me.  The
5'-4" inch, 120 pound sophomore had a reputation for sleeping her way
through the available guys on the team.  She had smallish, pert breasts and
a cute butt.  I had no interest in a long term relationship with her but
she was pretty and probably worth a night of fun.

   I grabbed a couple beers for us and spent some time talking with Beth.
She was a sophomore meteorology major.  She was fun to talk with.  I loved
her sparkling hazel eyes.  I asked her to dance after we finished our
beers. Beth's hands were all over me while we danced - stroking my arms,
feeling my sides and chest and on my ass.

   I had a bar of steel in my pants by the time we slow danced.  Beth knew
it too.  I saw the smirk as she rubbed her belly and chest against it.  She
knew what she wanted that evening.  I wasn't inclined to deny her.  After a
more couple dances she suggested we have a seat and talk some more.

   She led me over to the only empty chair.  I had a seat.  Beth took a
seat on my lap, wiggled a bit on my hard-on and settled back against my
side.  She slipped an arm around my neck and pulled my head down closer to
hers.  Beth continued her seduction of me.  I did not resist.  We exchanged
some kisses before locking lips and letting our tongues wrangle.

   I stroked one of Beth's breasts for moment.  She cooed as we kissed.  I
took that as encouragement to continue.  I caressed and teased the cute
blonde's tits.  Our making out and petting escalated.  Both of us were
getting hot and ready to do the nasty.  "Want to grab a bedroom Kyle?" Beth
cooed.  "You know what I want."

   "Same thing I want," I agreed.  "We don't need to hurry.  The bedroom's
mine for the whole night."

   "Is that an invitation to stay?" Beth asked.

   "The whole night," I agreed before giving her a tonsil swabbing.  When
we stopped for breath I added, "I'd love to share myself with you tonight."

   It was about 10:30 when we agreed on the sleeping arrangements.  The two
of us were too horny to wait until the end of the party.  We grabbed my
bedroom around eleven o'clock when Chip's pal Austin vacated it with his
conquest for the night.

   I locked the door behind us as we entered my room.  When I turned around
Beth was lying naked in the middle of my bed.  I stripped and joined her.
Beth took a look at my big steely erection when I climbed into bed.

   "Holy shit, you're big," she said.  "I heard that from some of the older
girls." I lay down beside her.  Beth rolled on top of me and we continued
our making out for a bit.  I played with, caressed, suckled and teased her
firm titties.

   "Do you want me to go down on you Kyle?" Beth purred as I teased her
nipples.

   "How about some 69?" I countered.

   I flipped around and dove into her pussy.  I licked and teased her
sweetness.  Beth was certainly turned on.  Her juices were flowing freely.
Beth teased my balls and stroked my cock a bit before she took it into her
mouth.

   I don't want to call her as slut but I knew she had been with many, many
guys since she came to Penn State two years ago.  Beth was extremely
talented at blow jobs.  I raced her to see who could get the other off
first.  Beth won, but just barely.  I sucked and teased her clitoris until
she climaxed right after I emptied my balls down her eager throat.

   Beth and I cuddled for a bit.  Beth took my cock in her mouth and
brought it to its full seven inches with her mouth and tongue.  "I'm ready
for a ride Kyle," Beth purred.

   I rolled away and grabbed a condom from my nightstand.

   "You don't need that sweetie," Beth said.  "I'm on the pill."

   "Double protection," I said.  "It's always a good idea."

   "Whatever," Beth agreed.  "Let me put it on." Beth took the condom from
me, placed it on tip of my cock and rolled it down with her mouth.  She
finished the job and then she stroked my cock a couple more times.  "Do you
want on top?" Beth asked.

   "However you want it," I agreed.

   "Missionary is good," Beth answered.  She rolled onto her back and
spread her legs around me.  I grabbed her ankles and hoisted them on my
shoulders.  I positioned my hard-on at her dripping hole and pressed
forward.  I let my cock split her open and sink in slowly until my balls
slapped against her bottom.  My cockhead nudged into her cervix.

   "Owww!" Beth complained.  "You are big." I let her ankles drop off my
shoulders as I withdrew half way.  Beth didn't seem to like deep
penetration.  I began humping with short strokes as I let Beth get used to
my size.

   I impaled Beth on my hard cock, withdrew and slid home again.  Beth
seemed to enjoy the ride.  She wasn't extremely tight but she knew how to
use her vaginal muscles to increase my enjoyment.  The two of us probably
screwed for eight or ten minutes.  I coaxed Beth to an orgasm part way
through our coupling.  I got increasingly aroused as I humped and bucked
inside my bed partner.  I tried to get Beth off again before I blew.  I was
unsuccessful.

   I thrust in hard and deep one last time before the tingling in my balls
bloomed into orgasm.  I froze and grunted as I spurted pulse after pulse of
semen into the thin piece of rubber.  Beth kissed and stroked me as I came.
I rolled off her, ending up on my back after I came.  The damn rubbers
nearly fell off as I pulled out.  I was out of practice with the stupid
things.

   Beth smothered me with kisses while I recovered my wits.  Beth grabbed a
Kleenex from my bed stand and cleaned the cum from my torso and finished
removing the condom from my withered cock.  Beth sucked my cock into her
mouth and cleaned off the cum.

   "Do you want to go again Kyle," she asked sweetly.

   "Why don't we pace ourselves?" I suggested.  "I'm sure others would like
to use my bedroom for awhile.  We will have all the time we want later."

   We climbed out of bed and searched for our clothes.  There was a knock
at the door.  I glanced at my clock and saw it was a quarter after eleven.
"Are you guys going to be done soon?" the voice outside asked politely.  I
recognized that it was Matt Frye.  "Give us a minute Matt,' I called back.
Beth and I dressed quickly and vacated the bedroom so Matt and his girl
could have some fun too.

   As we left Beth said, "That was just as good as I was led to expect."

   "Oh?  Were you talking with Kelly?" I wondered.

   "Kelly?  No," Beth answered.  "Some of the older girls last year told me
about your reputation from before you started dating Kelly.  I have been
hoping for this chance for quite a while Kyle."

   "I hope it was fun," I answered.

   "I'm looking forward to round two later tonight," Beth said.  "Why don't
you get a couple more beers for us?" I went for the kitchen.  Beth met up
with some of her girlfriends.  I overheard them question her about my
bedroom prowess.  I couldn't help smiling when heard her say I blew her
mind that evening.

   Beth rejoined me when I came back with the beers.  The two of us talked,
danced a bit and went back to making out while the party continued.  Beth
and I stopped at the third beers.  It was nice to spend time with a girl
who didn't drink herself to a stupor.

   Beth helped Trevor, Steph and me clean up the apartment when the party
broke up.  I found when I stopped by the bathroom upstairs that we had
other guests that evening.  Marco Cuchiella had talked Damian into letting
him spend the night with a girl.

   Beth and I retired to my room.  We played bury the bone a couple more
times that evening.  The two of us cuddled together and fell asleep,
exhausted by our exertions.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   I was warm and comfortable as I shared my bed with the pretty coed.  I
had a really wild erotic dream about getting a blow job that night.  I was
dreaming of cumming when I suddenly lost the wet feeling of a good blow
job. I started to wake up when I felt someone envelope my hard-on with hot
velvet.  I cracked my eyes open to find Beth mounting me.  I did not resist
her assault.

   Beth rode me cowgirl style for half a dozen minutes as I roused myself
and enjoyed the superlative feeling of fucking.  When I was fully awake I
reached up and played with Beth's titties.  It helped her come closer to
climax.  Beth reached down and rubbed her clitoris while I teased her
nipples and she rode my rod.

   Beth came a couple minutes ahead of me.  I thrust my hips up and bounced
her as I approached my climax.  Finally the feeling welled up.  I grunted
and thrust up into her hard, driving my cock in deep.  I spurted a big load
of sperm before collapsing back onto the bed.

   Beth leaned down and kissed me repeatedly while I recovered.  After a
minute Beth climbed off me.  A big gob of cum dripped out of her pussy as
she pulled up and revealed my messy uncovered cock.  We had done it au
natural.

   "I thought you saw where I keep the condoms," I grumped.  "I would have
preferred to wear one while we did it."

   "Things are fine Kyle," Beth responded.  "I'm on the pill.  I promise I
won't get pregnant.  Relax."

   "OK" I answered curtly.  I trusted her when she said she was on the
pill. With all the boys she slept with I wasn't so sure about STDs.  I
probably should get myself checked out at the Student Health Center just to
be safe.  I also decided that I probably wouldn't invite Beth to spend the
night again.  I didn't plan to take stupid chances while I was unattached.

   I let Beth take a shower first.  I gave her a kiss and thanked her for a
fun night before she departed for her apartment.  I showered and then went
down to the Mix to pick up breakfast and a Sunday newspaper.

   I read the paper as I ate my breakfast sandwich.  I went straight to the
sports section.  Yesterday was a big day for most of the major conferences
as teams played for BCS bowl berths.

   The front page of the sport section announced the results of the game I
was most curious about.  Florida took down Alabama 31-20 to win the SEC
Championship.  The subheading was most interesting.  "Pa.'s Ed Fritz saves
game for Gators" I read the article eagerly.  Terrence Walker played poorly
again.  The Gators were down 17-10 at halftime.  Coach Meyer sent Ed in for
the second half.  Ed completed 15 passes on 19 attempts for 247 yards,
three touchdowns and no interceptions.

   I missed watching a hell of a game when I went to Hershey yesterday. 
Coach Meyer said he didn't know who would start in the BCS Championship
game when he was asked after the game.  Things were looking up for my best
friend.  Patience pays.

   Georgia Tech easily handled Virginia Tech 31-24 to take the ACC title.
Texas beat Oklahoma to win the Big 12.  The bowl situation was clearing
itself up.  Florida would face Georgia Tech in the BCS Championship game.
Official announcements of the bowl lineups would be later in the evening.

   I teased Marco when he got up that we were going to start charging him
rent if he stayed at our apartment every weekend.  Marco took the teasing
with a smile.

   I spent most of the afternoon reviewing material from my geography and
anthropology courses.  I wanted to get ahead studying for finals so I would
be free next Saturday for the Wolverines playoff game.  I went on-line too
find out who we played.  Strath Haven beat Abington yesterday afternoon. 
Strath Haven was Joe Ricci's high school.  I could use a laundryman.  I
decided to see if Joe was up for a bet on the game at dinnertime.

   Jay returned before dinner that Sunday afternoon.  I asked how his
college search was going.  He was in contact with half a dozen college
coaches.  He was seriously considering James Madison, Richmond, Towson and
Villanova.  I teased Jay that it seemed as if he had something against my
brother's team.  Everyone one of the schools played in the CAA against
Delaware.

   Jay had spoken with Coach Keeler this weekend but the coach wasn't
interested in another quarterback.  I offered to give Jay Kenny Weaver's
e-mail address and phone number if he wanted to talk about Villanova
football with Kenny.

   Trevor, Damian and I headed over to the Training Table for dinner around
a quarter to six.  I bumped into the person I wanted to see while we waited
in line for our dinner.

   "Hey Joe," I called out to Joe Ricci.  "Come here a minute." Joe dropped
back in line with Trevor, Damian, Christian, Shawn, GJ, Denzel and me.

   "What's up Coach?" Joe asked.

   "Did you hear your high school team will be playing mine next Saturday?"
I asked.

   "That's right," Joe replied.  "You were a Wolverine."

   "Are you interested in a friendly wager on the outcome of the game?" I
asked.  "Loser does the winner's laundry for a week."

   "Careful Joe," Trevor cautioned.  "Kyle doesn't bet on things unless
he's sure."

   "Trevor's right," Christian added.  "I've been on the losing end of that
bet before."

   Joe stared into my eyes for a few seconds and then smiled.  "My Panthers
are playing great football.  How about we make it two weeks of laundry?"

   "Deal!"I said as I stuck out my hand to shake on the bet.  I chuckled to
myself, `A sucker is born every day.' Joe went back to his spot in line
beside his roommate Charlie Taylor.

   After dinner Coach Burton told us we wouldn't have any football meetings
that evening.  We should relax.  Tomorrow we would start preparations for
our bowl game.  Most of the team headed over to the player's lounge in the
Lasch Building to hang out, play video games, watch the late NFL game, play
pool or foosball.  All of us were killing time until the Fox Bowl
Announcement show came on at eight o'clock.

   They opened the show by announcing the BCS Championship Bowl first.  No
surprise, #1 Florida would take on #2 Georgia Tech in the Super Bowl in New
Orleans on January 7th.  The Rose Bowl wasn't a mystery either - #8 Ohio
State would play #7 Oregon State.  A big cheer went up in our group when
they announced that the Big 12 winner, #3 Texas would face #10 Michigan in
the Fiesta Bowl.

   "We're going to Disney World!" a couple guys shouted at the news. 
Michigan's berth in a BCS bowl moved us up to the more prestigious Capital
One Bowl in Orlando.  The remainder of the bowl line-ups were:

   Sugar Bowl - #5 Alabama vs.  #15 Pittsburgh Orange Bowl - #20 Virginia
Tech vs.  #6 Boise State Capital One Bowl - #13 Penn State vs.  #12
Tennessee Outback Bowl - #23 Michigan State vs.  #14 LSU Gator Bowl - #18
Cincinnati vs.  Boston College Cotton Bowl - #5 Oklahoma vs.  #9 Notre Dame


   As the show was wrapping up Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson and Terry
Bradshaw were talking about the BCS Championship matchup - Florida's pass
oriented, spread offense against Georgia Tech's run based, ball control
offense.

   "What's Urban Meyer going to do?" Jimmy Johnson asked.  "Will he start
Terrence Walker or Ed Fritz?"

   One of the guys was ready to change the channel when Chip, Trevor,
Christian and I yelled out to let the channel alone.  All of us knew and
were friends with Ed.

   "Yah dance with the guy that brought you," Barry drawled.  "Walker
should start."

   "I don't know if it's that simple," Terry added.  "Walker has not
performed well since he was injured last month.  I have been very impressed
with the way that young Ed Fritz has played.  Fritz had a rough start last
year when he had to replace Elijah Carter for three games.  He was young
and inexperienced then.  This past month has shown how much he has grown
and matured as a quarterback.  I think Coach Meyer has to consider starting
him on January 7th."

   "You may be right Terry," Jimmy agreed.  "You play the best quarterback
you have.  That may mean changing to Ed Fritz.  You are playing for the
national championship.  You do whatever you have to do to win it."

   The three commentators turned their attention to Georgia Tech after
that. "You can change the channel now Jared," I called out.

   "That was surreal hearing Terry and Jimmy talking on TV about a good
friend that way," Trevor said.

   "Yeah, tell me about it," I agreed.  "I guess that comes with putting
your team in the national championship game."

   "We'll have to find out what that feels like guys," Chip said.  "We need
to go to the championship game next year."

   "That's easy to say," I replied.  I held up two fingers an eighth of an
inch apart.  "We came this close last year.  It's a lot easier to say than
to do."

   "We can do this," Chip insisted.  "I admit it took me awhile to get
comfortable playing quarterback at this level.  We replaced three quarters
of our offense this fall.  Most of us were learning what it took to start.
Now we know.  We need to set the tone against Tennessee.  Smash'em.  The
road to the national championship starts in Orlando next month."

   "You're right Chip," I agreed.  "We start our trip to Scottsdale from
Orlando.  The offense is keeping nine of eleven starters."

   "We're losing three on defense," Trevor added.  "Dave McCall can fill
Tyler's spot.  Jeff or Marco can do a good job in Salim's spot.  I know
Jerry Whitfield is ready to fill Mehmed's big hole on the line.  We're
going to be strong on defense next season."

   "I'm glad that's settled," Christian added.  "I'll have my parents
reserve motels room in Arizona right away.  They can beat the rush next
winter."

   "Chip's right," I agreed.  "Tyler and the other seniors have one game
left.  Their focus is on the bowl game.  We need to step up and make sure
everyone else is ready to build on our bowl game and carry that enthusiasm
and momentum into the next season."

   "We've been watching the older guys run the team for three seasons,"
Trevor added.  "It's going to be our turn soon."

   It was exciting to think that my friends and I would be responsible for
leading this team in a few weeks.  It was also sobering.  I remembered how
each season the seniors would remind me that I should enjoy my time here at
Penn State.  The time went fast.  I understood now.  I had fourteen games
left in my college career.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Monday morning I received an e-mail from Dr.  Henderson, my faculty
advisor, asking me to come in to see him at 2:45 pm on Wednesday afternoon.
He didn't tell me what it was about.  We had met earlier in the semester to
arrange my spring semester courses.

   Coach Burton huddled the whole team Monday afternoon before starting
practice.  When the team gathered and got quiet Coach announced, "I think
most of you heard that Coach Schroeder flew out to Ohio last week to
interview for the head coaching position at Miami University of Ohio.

   "That university announced this morning that they have hired John
Schroeder as head coach for their team, effective December 12th.  I speak
for the entire coaching staff when I tell you we are going to miss John's
knowledge of and skill in teaching football.  I wish him the very best in
his new job.  I expect we will see big things from the Miami University
Redhawks in the near future.  Our team will hold a farewell dinner Friday
night for Coach Schroeder and his family.  Details will be posted on the
bulletin board tomorrow.

   "Our team needs to carry on without Coach Schroeder.  We have a game to
play in Orlando twenty-eight days from today.  Effective immediately Coach
Paul Adams will serve as the offensive coordinator for our team.  This is a
permanent promotion.  The wide receiver coach position will remain vacant
until after our bowl game.  In the meantime Coach Adams will continue to
work with the wide receivers with the assistance of grad assistant Anders
Voight.

   "I know all of you will give Coach Adams the same respect and strong
effort that you have given Coach Schroeder.  Thank you for your attention.
Let's get to work.  The Volunteers are down in Knoxville right now
preparing to take us down.  Let's make sure that doesn't happen."

   The coaches had us continue working on fundamentals during practice
Monday afternoon.  After dinner we had a team meeting to start reviewing
the scouting on our bowl opponent.  We would start our work on the game
plan at tomorrow's practice.

   -------------------------------------------------

   I went in a couple minutes early Wednesday afternoon for my appointment
with Dr.  Henderson.  He kept me waiting fifteen minutes.  I wasn't in a
good humor when he finally called me into his office.  I sat at the chair
beside his desk as he indicated.

   "Mr.  Martin, a problem has developed with your Curriculum and
Instruction 495C course," Dr.  Henderson began.  "You have been denied
clearance to work in a classroom for this course."

   "What?" I gasped, incredulous at this problem.  "I turned in copies of
my TB immunization, proof of professional insurance, child abuse clearance
from the state, FBI clearance from two years ago, Certification of No
Offense form and Request for a Criminal Record Check.  Isn't that
everything I need?"

   "That is," Dr.  Henderson agreed.  "It was the criminal record check
that is the problem.  You certified that you had not committed any criminal
offense since your FBI background check two years ago.  The criminal record
check showed that to be false.  As a result you may not take the C & I 495C
course next semester."

   "Don't tell me they show a DUI for me," I said.  "I can't believe this
shit... uh, stuff."

   "Early in the morning on November 13th," Dr.  Henderson said.  "Driving
under the influence, underage drinking and disorderly conduct - you do
remember being arrested, don't you?" His lips drew into a tight, narrow
smile.

   "Of course I remember," I replied.  "I also remember a week later when
the blood test came back and the DA declared I was innocent of the charges.
I have a certified copy of the blood test showing a 0.0% blood alcohol the
night the policeman arrested me."

   "Really?" Dr.  Henderson said quietly.  Most of his smugness
disappeared. "You can produce this blood test?"

   "Of course," I agreed.  "I will get a copy to you tomorrow.  You also
should get confirmation from the Centre County DA."

   "That accounts for the DUI and underage drinking charges," Dr. 
Henderson responded.  "What about the disorderly conduct charge?"

   "The policeman that stopped me has a history of animosity towards
football players," I said evenly.  `Just like you, you evil bastard,' I
thought.  I left that unspoken.  "He gave me a breathalyzer test.  When it
showed I was sober he claimed the machine wasn't working right.  He gave me
a field sobriety test that he claimed I failed.  He cuffed me and hauled me
off to the police station.  I did make a fuss when he decided that I didn't
need a blood test.  I demanded that the desk sergeant get a blood sample.
That is where the disorderly conduct charge came from."

   Dr.  Henderson puffed his chest out and stated, "Perhaps an education
career is not best for... someone of your athletic interests.  You
certainly have demonstrated some dexterity on the football field.  Maybe
your temperament is more suited to physical activities."

   "I could easily finish my courses this semester, go play my bowl game
and then declare for the NFL draft a few days later," I said as I glared at
the smug bastard.  "I'd be a millionaire before summer.  That isn't what I
want in life.  I love working with children and I love to teach.  The
police, you, or anyone can try to throw roadblocks up in my way.  Eighteen
months from now I will walk across the stage and accept my Bachelor of Arts
in Education degree.  I guarantee that."

   Dr.  Henderson bristled a bit before responding.  "Please bring me a
copy of the certified blood test Mr.  Martin.  I will see if it is possible
to straighten this out."

   "See to that," I replied.  "I will bring the blood test around tomorrow.
Please call the county DA to confirm what I am telling you.  I do not want
my education derailed because of police misconduct."

   "Misconduct?" Dr.  Henderson asked.

   "My attorney assures me that I have strong grounds for a false arrest
suit," I explained.  "I won't hesitate to do whatever I have to do to clear
my name and to help me accomplish the goals I have set for myself."

   Dr.  Henderson's eyes went wide when I mentioned the word "suit." I
hadn't meant to threaten him with a suit, just the police department.  I'm
not sure that is how he took what I said.

   "Please provide me with the blood test results," Dr.  Henderson said. 
"I will confirm your story with the district attorney.  I believe we can
get this matter settled expeditiously."

   "Thank you sir," I said.  I headed back to my apartment.  I had some
time before practice so I took my copy of the blood test downtown to the
copy center.  I made extra copies of the blood test, in case something else
came up again.  It seemed that ugly night last month wasn't going to go
away quietly.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Football practice went smoothly during the week.  Tyler, Jibril and
Andrew had us senior players pass the word to everyone that now was the
time to step up our game.  The national media was billing our game against
Tennessee as another fast, free throwing SEC team against a slow plodding
Big Ten team.

   The media needed to update their thirty year old stereotypes.  How could
you call any team quarterbacked by Daryl Clark, Phil DiStefano, Zack Hayes,
and Chip Brinton plodding?  We had about ten guys with 4.4 second speed. 
Brian, Shawn and I were sub 4.3 seconds in the 40.  Tennessee needed to
worry about how they would keep up with our speed.

   Classes were wrapping up and things looked good for me.  I was prepared
for Tuesday's History 161 final.  Geography 30 and Geography 115 were back
to back Thursday afternoon at 12:20 and 2:30 respectively.  I had plenty of
time to prepare for them.  My Teaching Secondary Social Studies I final was
last, at 8:00 am on Friday.  The final that worried me most was the
Anthropology 45 final at 8:00 am on Monday morning.  What a way to start
finals week.

   Chad King and I were meeting with two other guys from my Teaching Social
Studies class Thursday evening to study.  We planned to do that again next
week.  All of us wanted to do well on the final.  Next semester we would be
in a classroom putting our knowledge into practice.  We had better be
prepared.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Thursday afternoon as I was dressing for practice I bumped into Joe
Ricci.

   "Are you going to the playoff game on Saturday?" I asked.

   "I wish I could," Joe said.  "I don't have a ride."

   "I'd offer you a ride," I said.  "...except I'm planning to go home from
Hershey, not back here to campus.  I figure I can get more studying done
Saturday night and Sunday morning at home than I can here at my apartment."

   "You're right about not getting any studying done at your apartment
Saturday night," Joe replied, chuckling.  "I could get a ride from Hershey
to Media with my parents."

   "You're sure that will work?" I asked.

   "I know my parents are coming to the game," Joe said.  "My little
brother is the starting free safety on the team.  They'll be there."

   "I'll give you a ride if you have a way back to my place on Sunday or
can get your own ride back to campus," I said.

   "I don't think getting a ride to campus would be a problem on Sunday,"
Joe said.  "Dad was willing to come up here and get me Friday night after
our farewell dinner for Coach Schroeder if he hadn't had another
commitment."

   "Let me know what you decide Joe tomorrow," I said.  "I'm planning to
leave campus at 10:30 Saturday morning."

   "Why so early?" Joe asked.

   "I'm working as a volunteer coach for my high school team," I replied.
"I want to get there in time to get briefed on our game plan."

   "I should have guessed, shouldn't I Coach?" Joe retorted.  "I'll call my
parents tonight and see if we can work out all the details.  Thanks for
offering me the ride Coach."

   "No problem," I agreed.  "It's the least I can do for my future
laundryman."

   "Laundryman?" Joe replied.  "I don't think so.  I expect that I will be
delivering a big bag to you on Monday." I whipped a handy towel at Joe.  I
whipped it gently so he was able to dodge it easily.

   "We'll see on Saturday," I said as Joe scampered away.

   Joe called me later Thursday night while I was with my Teaching
Secondary Social Studies group reviewing for next week's final.  His dad
would give him a ride back to campus Sunday if I delivered Joe to Hershey
Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I spent part of Friday morning reviewing my anthropology notes to
prepare for the final on Monday morning.  I was eating my lunch at our
dining room table when Jay came through from upstairs with the first of
many loads of things he was taking home this weekend.  He wanted to be able
to travel light when he left campus after his last final next Thursday
afternoon.

   On his way back after he took the first load to his car I asked, "Where
are you off to this weekend?"

   "I'm going to Harrisonburg, Virginia tonight," Jay answered.  "My mom
and dad are meeting me there.  We are going to see James Madison University
tomorrow and meet with the coach.  Saturday night we stay in Richmond so we
can visit the University of Richmond Sunday.  I expect to go to one of
those two schools next semester."

   "Have you given up on Villanova and Towson?" I asked.

   "Yes," Jay agreed.  "Both of them run option oriented running attacks. I
think I'm better suited to a drop back passing offense like we have here.
Madison and Richmond fit my style of play better."

   "Good luck with your search Jay," I said.  As he turned to go upstairs
again I added, "It sucks that you're leaving.  I thought we would have two
years of blowing up defenses together."

   "I know, I did too," Jay said as he turned back.  He sighed.  "Oh well,
we play the hand we've been dealt."

   I went back to reading my newspaper while Jay made five more trips with
things for his parents to take home at the end of the weekend.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Dr.  Henderson e-mailed me on Thursday afternoon confirming that he
received my documentation.  He promised to investigate it promptly.  I may
not care much for him as an academic advisor but his word was good.  He
called me back Friday afternoon right after my last class.

   "Kyle Martin?" he asked when I answered the phone.

   "Yes"

   "This is P.  Thomas Henderson," he replied.  "The information you
submitted yesterday was satisfactory.  Your Certification of No Offenses
form has been accepted as accurate.  You are cleared to participate in the
Curriculum and Instruction 495C course next semester."

   "Thank you for investigating this promptly sir," I replied.

   "You may want to reconsider your involvement with football," Dr. 
Henderson said.  "I suspect your participation in football brought you into
contact with persons who involved you in the unfortunate events leading to
your arrest.  A career in education demands that you be above reproach."

   "I will consider that," I agreed quickly.  "Thank you for the call." I
wanted off the phone before I exploded at that pompous S.O.B.  The arrogant
prick didn't get it at all.  Football brought intense pressure on me to
keep away from drinking.  If I had been a regular student like Kelly, Mark
and Jen, I would have been just as drunk as them and would have been busted
with good cause.  My involvement with football had kept me out of trouble.
I repeated my mantra, "Three more semesters... three more semesters." I
couldn't be rid of Henderson soon enough.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   The coaches shortened practice that day so everyone had extra time to
clean up and dress for the evening's dinner.  The farewell dinner for Coach
Schroeder was held at a banquet room over at Toftrees.  The athletic
department provided a bus to the hotel for any team member who needed a
ride.  I drove Trevor and Damian to the hotel.

   Thirty or forty team members arrived ahead of me and my friends.  The
wait staff was setting up a buffet table of hors d'oeuvres for our group. A
bar was set up at one end of the banquet room.  Trevor, Damian and I headed
for it.  My over 21 buddies purchased beers for themselves after they
showed their ID cards.  I settled for an iced tea.

   The bus load of younger team members arrived a few minutes after me.  My
friends and I mingled while we waited for the buffet to open.  Coach Burton
arrived a few minutes later with his family.

   Coach's wife Beth was quite pretty for a lady my mother's age.  Coach's
seventeen year old daughter Ashley was shapely and well built.  She had her
father's red hair.  Ashley was a stone cold fox, just as the Davis twins
had said when they visited in October.  Coach's fourteen year old daughter
Jenna showed up hand in hand with her boyfriend.  She was a younger version
of her big sister.  Coach and his family found seats at a table near the
front of the room.

   The buffet opened up a couple minutes later.  Trevor, Damian and I
joined the large group of teammates in the line to get hors d'oeuvres. 
Toftrees put out a nice selection of foods to munch on - buffalo wings,
loaded potato skins, mozzarella sticks, broccoli & cheese puffs, and
quesadillas.

   Coach Schroeder, his wife Mary and their younger son Logan took seats at
Coach Burton's table when they arrived.  I knew Coach Schroder had an older
son too.  I found out about him a few minutes later when Jenna Burton's
boyfriend greeted Coach Schroeder with a friendly, "Hey Dad."

   So he was John Schroeder Jr.  I guess the coaching change was impacting
more than just our football team.  I knew how John Jr.  and Jenna felt. 
Julie Simpson and I had been ripped apart when her family moved to
Nebraska.

   We enjoyed the appetizers, mingled with our teammates, coaches and their
families.  Coach Adam's nine year old son Ryan was a treat to meet.  The
young boy could recite virtually any statistic about the Penn State team on
demand.  Ryan seemed to have a case of hero worship on me.  He excitedly
recited an account of his season in peewee football.  He split time between
running back and wide receiver on his team.

   Coach Adams retrieved his son just before dinner.  Coach apologized to
me for Ryan dominating my time before dinner with his chatter.  I assured
Coach Adams that I didn't mind.  Ryan seemed like a nice kid.

   Christian, GJ, Shawn and Denzel joined Trevor, Damian and me at our
table.  The athletic department had set up a nice menu for the farewell
dinner.  We started off with a nice garden salad.  Our main course was
prime rib beef, a baked potato and shoestring green beans.  The food was
quite good.  The wait staff delivered raspberry trifles with chocolate
sauce for dessert.

   There was time after dinner for some of us to speak with Coach Schroeder
before he left.  It took me a minute or two to compose my thoughts.  I
needed to let Coach know how much I appreciated his help over the past
three seasons.  I hadn't formulated what I wanted to say so I just blurted
out my feelings when I got to the front of the line of players saying good
bye to Coach.

   "I going to miss you Coach," I began.  "You have taught me so much over
the last three seasons.  I wish you the best out at Miami."

   "Thank you Kyle," Coach Schroeder replied.  "It's been a pleasure to
work with you.  I'm going to miss you too." Coach gave me a wink. 
"Unless... you want to transfer out to Miami with me.  I could use a fast
receiver to loosen up my opposition."

   "Sorry Coach," I replied.  "I have one year of eligibility left.  There
isn't any point in me transferring to another BCS school." I returned
Coach's wink.  "Now, after I finish playing football, I could use a job if
you have an open coaching position on your staff."

   "I will keep you in mind Kyle," Coach Schroeder agreed.  "Your name is
going on my list of coaches I want to hire even though I know you are going
to be playing football for quite a few years."

   "I'll hold you to that promise," I said.  We shook hands warmly before I
turned Coach over to Trevor, the next guy in line behind me.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Joe Ricci showed up a few minutes before 10:30 on Saturday morning.  The
two of us stopped off at the Mix to grab breakfast sandwiches and lunch for
the trip.  Joe studied for his statistics final while I drove.  We pulled
into the stadium parking lot a little before noon.  Joe caught up with his
parents at the stadium.  I headed to the locker room after that.

   Justin and Jason briefed me on our game plan as our team got dressed for
the game.  Strath Haven had an excellent defense with a huge defensive
line. We planned to throw over them not go through them.  No one dented the
defensive line for significant rushing yards all year.  Coach Caffrey and
Jason planned to throw our option package at them too.  The kids prepared
to run it all week.  We knew Strath Haven didn't plan on that from us.  The
only time we used those plays was two weeks ago against Central for a
single drive.

   The Wolverines won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball at the
opening kickoff.  Gary Harrison made a great block to spring Kevin Peachey
free on the return.  Kevin picked up 32 yards before the Panthers caught
him.  We started off at their 38 yard line.

   The word about the Panthers big defensive line wasn't hype.  Every one
of the linemen had to be at least 250 pounds.  These guys almost looked big
enough to play on Penn State's defensive line.  Our offensive line averaged
around 210 pounds per lineman, the largest in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Our running backs weren't going to make many yards up the middle.

   We hit them with a couple pitchout runs, a tight end screen and then
nailed them with a deep pass to Dave Mitchell.  Joe Ricci's brother Anthony
was helping the cornerback cover Dave, but it wasn't enough.  Dave hauled
in the long pass and sprinted into the end zone after he dodged Anthony's
tackle.

   The Panthers took the field after we kicked the ball back to them.  I
did a double take when I saw their offensive line.  The five guys were
nearly as big as their defensive line.  The Panthers strategy was simple.
Pound the ball at us.  Our defensive line was outweighed anywhere from
fifteen to fifty pounds by our opponents.  The center was the biggest guy
of all.  The game program listed the center as 6'-2" and 272 pounds.  Poor
Nate Trimble had to try to hold that monster and still make the tackle.

   They slammed us in the gut four times, gaining twenty-two yards and two
first downs.  Coach Wyndham moved more of our defenders close to the line
of scrimmage to help with run defense.  On the fifth play the Panthers
uncorked the killer - a play action pass.

   Kevin Peachey and Chris Zimmerman were the only pass defenders we had
left deep.  The Panthers sent both wide receivers deep and sent the tight
end across the middle.  Chris and Kevin covered the two deep guys leaving
the tight end open.  Strath Haven's quarterback hit the tight end in
stride. Kevin and Chris had to scramble to take the tight end down before
he scored.  It was Strath Haven's ball on our 22 yard line.

   They pounded the ball up the middle two more times before hitting our
defense with another play action pass.  Their quarterback threaded the ball
between Nate Trimble and Andrew Krause to his tight end.  Score: 7-7 tie.

   I was impressed with the accuracy their quarterback showed.  He made a
difficult throw under pressure from Tristan Hibshman, our left end and Bill
Wenger, our strong side linebacker.  This was going to be a tough game for
us.  It probably was going to turn into a shootout.  Thankfully our team
was well equipped to win a shootout style game.

   Kevin Peachy made a nice 24 yard return, giving us possession on our 29
yard line.  Coach Caffrey called our usual balanced mix runs and passes. 
Coach kept the runs to the outside.  The Panther's line was big but it
wasn't quick.  Cody could make good yards running sweeps and pitchouts.

   We made eighteen yards on two runs by Cody and a tight end screen to
Gary.  Coach Caffrey decided to stretch the Panthers again.  Dave went deep
while Gary, Garrett, and Taylor ran complementary shorter routes to draw
the defensive backs out of position.

   Strath Haven chose to blitz that time.  Cody stayed in and picked up the
strong safety.  He wasn't available to help when Strath Haven's big 270
pound lineman broke through our protection.  Matt neatly sidestepped and
lobbed the ball downfield moments before the big lineman crushed him.

   I followed the flight of the ball.  It was going short, thanks to Matt's
need to hurry.  Dave cut back towards the quarterback to make the catch,
allowing Joe's brother and the cornerback to make a play for the ball too.
Dave out leaped them, snagged the ball and came down with his feet on
Anthony Ricci's legs.  Dave sprawled awkwardly to the ground but kept
possession of the ball.  We had a first down at Strath Haven's 19 yard
line.

   Dave was starting to get up so I looked back at Matt to see if he
survived the hit.  Matt was flat on his back as the lineman climbed off
him. He was moving his arms and legs but seemed hurt.  Shit!  The trainer
and team doctor ran out to check him out.

   I looked back downfield and saw Dave Mitchell collapse when he tried to
stand.  He clutched his ankle and squirmed from the pain.  Anthony Ricci
was waving to our sideline for help.  Jason and I ran out to check on Dave
while the Doc and our trainer looked after Matt.

   Jason questioned Dave as he examined my friend's left ankle.  Dave
insisted he could get off the field if we helped him up.  Jason took his
right side and I took his left.  Dave managed to hobble off with our help.
He couldn't put any weight on his left ankle.  We sat him down on our bench
just as Doc and trainer walked off with Matt.  They examined Dave while
Matt caught his breath.  He had the wind knocked out of him by the big
lineman.

   Coach Caffrey sent Logan Mitchell out to run an option play while Matt
prepared to return to the field.  Logan ran the play perfectly, keeping the
ball until the defender covering him committed to the tackle.  Logan
pitched the ball back to Cody who scooted around the end of the line and
picked up a dozen yards.

   Matt came back in to replace Logan.  He pitched the ball out to the
right on a sweep that netted four yards.  On the next play we ran our
option to the left.  The defenders clamped down on Cody outside so Matt
kept the ball and ran into the end zone.  Score 14-7 Wolverine's favor.

   Strath Haven took our kickoff and went straight to work.  Their big
offensive line gouged holes in our defenses for their running backs.  They
used a rotation of running backs to keep everyone fresh.  They threw in
just enough play action passes to prevent our defense from putting all
eleven guys on the line.  Their game plan wasn't fancy but it was
effective. We made them use ten plays to tie the game again.

   Doc decided that Dave had suffered an ankle sprain.  Dave insisted on
being taped up so he could try to play on.  He tried the taped up ankle
gingerly at first and seemed OK.  He tried a cut to see what would happen.
He collapsed in agony.  Dave's day was done.

   Strath Haven's kicker booted a shallow bouncer down the field on the
kickoff.  It landed at the twelve yard line.  Kevin wisely let it go into
the end zone before he downed it.  The chances of mishandling the ball were
too high to try a run back.

   The Panthers had done a good job of scouting us.  They knew Dave was our
fastest receiver.  They assigned Anthony Ricci to run support instead of
doubling one of our receivers.  Coach Caffrey sent a wide receiver deep on
every play.  They couldn't get open consistently but they did pull someone
of the line of scrimmage.  We managed to sustain our drive using Cody, his
backup Brady Auker and our fullback Zach Hoffman to run outside and by
hitting Garrett on slants and Gary on crossing routes over the middle.  The
drive broke down in the red zone when Matt couldn't find anyone open on
three consecutive passing plays into the end zone.  We took a lead 17-14
with a field goal.

   Jason had me review slot receiver plays with Cody.  He was our next
fastest player after Dave.  Dave Mitchell assisted me in briefing his
friend.  Jason hoped we could use him in Dave's place to stretch the
defense again.

   Strath Haven got the ball with seven and a half minutes left in the
first half.  Our defense switched to the bend but don't break philosophy.
The players kept everything in front of them by playing farther back and
then coming up to make a tackle when we saw where the ball went.  That
stopped the big play action passes but it allowed the Panthers to grind out
five or six yards on most plays.  We waited for them to make a mistake. 
They didn't.

   They used twelve plays and most of the time on the clock to bull their
way down into the end zone to take the lead back from us.  Score: 21-17
Panthers

   The Panther's kicker kicked the ball short to Kevin Peachy with 1:22
left in the half.  Kevin ran up and fielded the kick at our 12 yard line
and sprinted forward.  Gary Harrison made a good block and opened a seam
for Kevin he made it out to our 37 yard line before the cover team tackled
him.

   Our team started off playing just like the last drive.  The first four
plays (two passes and two runs) netted us nineteen yards.  Coach Caffrey
lined our team up in the I formation on the fifth play.  The Panthers
crowded up closer to the line to stop our run.  Cody motioned forward and
then out into the slot.  Matt nudged our center's backside and took the
silent snap when Cody got settled.  Strath Haven wasn't ready.

   "We got `em!" Jason and I said as we exchanged a low five.  The Panthers
sent a linebacker out to cover Cody.  This was the mismatch we wanted. 
Cody turned in like it was a curl.  The linebacker bit.  Cody cut right and
sprinted downfield wide open.  Matt hit his friend in stride twenty-five
yards downfield.  Cody stiff armed Anthony Ricci when he went for the
tackle, angled towards the left corner of the end zone and streaked away
from the pursuit.  Our kicker drilled the PAT.  Score: 24-21 Wolverine's
favor.

   Strath Haven was satisfied to use a couple running plays to take the
last 0:37 off the clock and return to the locker room down three points.

   Dave Mitchell met the team in the locker room dressed in street clothes
leaning on crutches and with a immobilizing boot on his ankle.  Everyone
knew what that meant.  Dave was going to be a cheerleader for the rest of
the game.

   The coaches reviewed the adjustments we made before half time.  We
expected they would continue to work.  Coach Caffrey gave an inspiring talk
reminding the kids of all the sweat last summer and the hard work this
fall. They were twenty-four minutes away from the state championship game.
Everyone needed to give everything they had to justify the time and effort
spent to reach this game.  Matt addressed the team and reminded everyone of
the pact they had agreed to in August.  They would win the state
championship game and no excuses would be accepted.

   The Panthers had the ball first in the second half.  They continued
their smash mouth, grind it out style while our defense read and reacted to
their plays.  We stopped any big plays but didn't stop their slow drive
down the field.  We got lucky on the ninth play of the drive as they
approached our red zone.

   Coach Wyndham sent Nate Trimble on a run blitz that happened to hit the
hole where the guard pulled to lead the play.  Nate flashed through the
hole and hit the running back in the backfield, dropping him for a four
yard loss.  Our players blanketed the receivers on second down and eleven.
The QB threw the ball incomplete.  Our defense threatened blitz on third
down.  The Panthers audibled to a halfback screen play.  Our defense backed
off the blitz and played standard coverage instead.  Nate Trimble read the
play perfectly and met the halfback as he caught the ball.  Nate dropped
him hard for a two yard loss.

   Strath Haven called a time out to consider whether to try the long 48
yard field goal or to try punting the ball and pinning us deep against our
end zone.  They gambled.  Their kicker barely cleared the cross bar but
managed to score a field goal.  Score: 24-24 tie

   Kevin Peachey misjudged the flight of the kickoff.  It bounced into the
end zone where he covered it.  We took possession at our 20 yard line.

   We used Cody and Gary as deep threats to keep the Panthers spread out as
we drove down the field again.  Disaster struck on the seventh play of the
drive.  We had moved down to Strath Haven's 32 yard line.  Matt was hurried
as he tried to hit Cody down near the end zone and the ball came out
wobbling and short.  Anthony Ricci undercut Cody's route and picked off the
ball.  Cody dropped Anthony before he could gain any yards on the return.
It was the Panther's ball at their 9 yard line.

   Strath Haven smashed ahead play after play as our defense bent, and
bent, and bent some more.  They used fifteen plays and over ten minutes of
time to push down to our goal line.  They capped the drive by handing off
to their big fullback who rumbled into the end zone from our three yard
line behind their gargantuan center.  Their kicker put them ahead 31-24.

   Kevin Peachy took the short kickoff and returned it 22 yards.  It was
our ball at our 29 yard line.  11:40 remained in the game.  Coach Caffrey's
play calling kept the Panthers off balance as we drove down the field.  On
the seventh play a pump fake combined with a move I taught Gary on the
sideline left him wide open.  Matt was hurried and overthrew him.  We were
left with third down and ten yards to go.  The Panthers sacked Matt on that
play.  Nick Sterling was forced to punt the ball back to Strath Haven.  He
pooched the ball out of bounds at their 5 yard line.

   9:59 was left on the clock.  The Panthers smashed their way ahead four
or five yards at a time.  The clock wound down as they ground out the
yards. They pressed across midfield and into our territory.  We finally
caught a break when Bill Wenger sliced into the backfield on a running play
and dropped the running back before he could start forward.  Their second
and twelve pass went in incomplete.
They tried an out pattern to Chris Zimmerman's side on third down. 
Kevin Peachy was helping deep on that side.  Chris recognized the route
from earlier in the game, gambled and undercut the receiver.  He picked off
the pass, spun away from the attempted tackled and sprinted for the
Panther's end zone.  Their quarterback took Chris down at their 27 yard

line.

   1:35 remained on the clock.  We had three timeouts remaining.  Matt ran
our two minute drill perfectly.  Matt hit Gary crossing over the middle on
the first play for eight yards.  Cody got around the corner on a sweep left
for five more yards before he was pushed out of bounds.  The pass rush got
to Matt on the next play before anyone came open.  Matt threw the ball
through the end zone.
The Panthers tried blitzing on the next play.  Matt checked down to a
quick screen out to Taylor Ranck.  Taylor picked up six yards before the
defenders swarmed him and took him to the ground.  We took our second time
out to stop the clock at 1:02.  Strath Haven blitzed again on third down.
Matt checked down before the play started.  This time Strath Haven had a
cornerback up with Taylor.  Matt threw the ball to him.  Taylor batted it

to the ground to avoid losing yards.

   It was fourth down and four yards to go with 0:56 left on the clock. 
Matt faked the hand off to Cody who pretended to carry the ball on a sweep
left.  Most of the Panthers defense followed our blocking and "ball
carrier." Matt rolled to the right and spotted Gary single covered a couple
yards short of the end zone.  Gary shielded the safety from the ball with
his body as Matt drilled it into Gary's stomach.  Gary spun right and
bulled his way ahead as the safety tried to bring him down.  Gary shoved
the ball across the end zone before his knee touched the field.  Touchdown!
The Wolverine half of the stadium went crazy, cheering and stamping their
feet in approval.  Nick Sterling drilled the PAT to tie the score at 31-31.

   0:48 remained when we kicked the ball back to the Panthers.  Nick
squibbed the ball down the field.  It bounced crazily until their fullback
fell on it at their 28 yard line.  Our defense felt confident knowing that
the Panthers had to pass.  Strath Haven threw two incompletions before
deciding it was safer to kneel down and take the game to overtime.
We won the coin toss and elected to play defense first.  Strath Haven
didn't try anything fancy.  They ran straight at us seven times, bashing
the ball into the end zone.  Their kicker hooked the PAT but it still

squeaked through the uprights.  Score: 38-31 Panthers.

   Our guys lined up at the 25 yard line for our shot at the end zone. 
Coach Caffrey kept the 50/50 balance of runs and passes that had worked all
game.  Three runs and two passes put our team down on the 6 yard line. 
Matt found Garrett Houseman breaking along the back of the end zone and hit
him with the ball before one of the big Panther linemen squashed Matt to
the ground.  Touchdown!  Nick made the PAT.  Score: 38-38 tie.

   We switched ends of the field and set up to go again.  The Panthers
surprised us by blitzing, guessing correctly that we would start with a
pass.  Matt scrambled away and threw the ball away when he cleared the
tackle box.  Matt carried to the right on an option play on second down. 
The defense went wide to cover the pitch out to Cody so Matt cut inside and
picked up six yards.  On third down Matt dropped back to pass.  When the
defensive lineman rushed him, he underhanded a shuffle pass forward to
Cody. Cody dodged the first linebacker and squirted forward a couple more
yards.  Our ball on their 13 yard line.

   Coach called for a pitchout to the left next.  The Panthers stopped Cody
after a two yard gain.  Matt hit Taylor Ranck on the left side with a quick
pass.  Taylor picked up three yards before two defenders forced him out of
bounds.  We flooded the red zone with receivers on the next play.  The
Panthers threw a delay blitz at us, catching us short a blocker.  Matt
rolled left and tried to hit Taylor in the corner of the end zone.  Taylor
got his hands on the ball but couldn't hold on to it when the cornerback
stripped it away.

   We were down to fourth down and five yards to go.  Coach Caffrey, Jason
and Coach Wyndham conferred for a few seconds before Nick Sterling trotted
out.  I guess Coach trusted our defense more than our chances at gaining a
first down.  Nick drilled the field goal easily to give us a tenuous 41-38
lead.  Our defense had better hold.

   The Panthers lined up at the 25 yard line and went to work.  They
counted on their big offensive line to do the work.  They lined up with two
tight ends, a fullback, a wing back and a halfback.  They simply pounded
the ball straight ahead.  Coach Wyndham filled our lineup with our biggest
guys and moved everyone up on the line of scrimmage.  Pound for pound we
didn't matchup.  Coach tried shifts and stunts.  Nothing worked.  Six plays
later they were on the one yard line.  The Panthers tried to catch us with
a changeup.  The faked a run inside.  The tight end on the right fell as he
tried to block Nate Trimble.  Nate took a step towards the "ball carrier"
before he reversed direction and followed the tight end outside.  He batted
the ball away when the quarterback tried to hit his receiver.  It was a
brilliant play by the young linebacker that would have brought joy to
Jeremy's heart if he had been there to see it.

   We were down to third and goal on the one yard line.  Strath Haven went
back to form - two lead blockers blasted into the center of our line.  Our
linebackers dived into the breach as the half back followed his lead
blocking.  The pile ended up centered on the goal line with the halfback
buried somewhere in the middle of the scrum.  The refs made no signal.

   They unstacked the pile of players, finally uncovering the halfback.  He
had managed to sneak in to the end zone.  The refs raised their hands over
their heads to signal touchdown.  Strath Haven's side of the stadium burst
into cheers and applause as they realized the game was over and they had
won 44-41.

   "Damn!" Jason muttered beside me.  "I thought we could push this thing
the whole way."

   "I know the feeling," I agreed.  "I've watched other teams celebrate at
the end of the playoffs five of the last seven years.  Sixty-four teams
make the playoffs and one goes home a winner."

   "I know... I know.  I thought we had a shot at going all the way," Jason
replied.  "I've never been a part of something this special - not high
school, college or as a coach."

   "I thought Liberty's football team did well in the playoffs," I said.

   "They have," Jason agreed.  "...at least by most measures.  They make
the playoffs most years.  We made district finals twice and the state
quarter finals one time.  Most high schools consider that to be wildly
successful."

   "And we consider that to be average," I said.

   "Exactly," Jason replied.  "Your high school has such high expectations
and then you meet them.  This year has been the most fun I have had in
eight seasons of coaching.  I'm lucky to be here."

   "We're lucky to have you Jason," I answered.  "We couldn't have advanced
this far in the playoffs without your help."

   "I don't know," Jason replied.  "I know X's and O's.  I have learned so
much from Walt this season about how to manage and motivate a team."

   "He is a great coach," I agreed.

   "You're going to be pretty good when your day comes too Kyle," Jason
said.  "Thank you for everything you did the past few weeks.  You helped us
get this far." Jason shook my hand.

   "It was my pleasure," I responded.  "I'll try to come back and help
again next season, assuming you're still playing when my season is
finished. I can't promise anything after next season."

   "I would think not," Jason agreed laughing.  "Your time is going to be
in high demand in some NFL city after next season."

   I hope so, but time will tell," I replied.  Jason headed for the locker
room.  I wandered the sidelines commiserating with my friends.

   I bumped into my sister Liz, Josh Strickler, Cody Stevens with a girl I
didn't know, Matt Sauder and Annie Stoltzfus.  Liz was consoling Josh. 
Annie was hugging Matt too.  I was shocked.  I understood the two of them
broke up two months ago.  I offered my sympathy and moved on.

   I found Nate Trimble talking with some of his tenth grade friends and
his parents.  I congratulated him on the excellent play at the end of the
game.  I talked with Nate's parents for a minute.  Nate's older sister
Kathy was finished with finals on the 16th.  She was flying home the next
day for the holiday.  Jeremy was staying in South Bend until the team left
for the Cotton Bowl.  Jeremy was scheduled to fly home on January 3rd, a
day after me.

   I caught up with Dave Mitchell hobbling along the side of the field
awkwardly on crutches.  "How are you doing?"

   "Sore and pissed off," Dave answered.  "I should have been on the field
Coach.  I could have helped us win this game!"

   "I know Dave," I answered.  "I felt the same way three weeks ago when I
was screaming at my team on TV while they lost to Michigan State and I was
stuck watching the game from home.  Injuries happen.  You deal with it and
move forward.  What did Doc say about your ankle?"

   "Grade 2 sprain," Dave answered.  "I'll be as good as new in a week to
ten days."

   "Hey Coach... hey Coach..." someone called out from behind me.  I turned
around to see Joe Ricci and his younger brother behind me.  "I wanted to
introduce you to my brother Tony."

   "Tony, this is Kyle Martin," Joe said as his younger brother shook my
hand.  "Everybody calls him `Coach' at school.  Coach, this is my little
brother Tony."

   "Wow!" Tony gushed.  "It's so great to meet someone famous.  You're like
the best wide receiver in college."

   "I'm sure there are a lot of college wide receivers who would disagree,"
I responded.  "...but thanks for the compliment."

   "I am the backup returner for our team," Tony continued.  "I wish I
could return balls as well as you do."

   "A lot of that is blocking," I countered.  "Joe's good blocks sprang me
free quite a few times the last two seasons."

   "Coach is being modest," Joe added.  "His talent gets him a lot more
yards than my good blocks."

   Tony noticed Dave standing to my side.  "Mitchell, how are you?" he
asked.  "I'm sorry about what happened in the game.  I couldn't scramble
out of the way before you came down.  Are you OK?"

   "It's a sprained ankle," Dave answered.  "I'll live."

   "I guess formal introductions are in order," I said.  "Tony, this is my
neighbor and close friend Dave Mitchell.  Dave, this is Anthony Ricci. 
Tony's brother Joe is a teammate of mine and one of my lead blockers on
kicks and punts."

   Dave, Tony and Joe all shook hands.  We talked for a couple minutes. 
Dave gradually warmed to Tony.  You couldn't help it.  Tony was just as
friendly, warm and outgoing as his older brother.

   When we were ready to part Dave said, "Good luck at the championship
game next weekend.  You guys better win."

   "Thanks," Tony answered.

   "It's a whole lot better to say you've been beaten by the champs than it
is to say you lost to some also-rans," Dave said.

   ""We're going to do our best to win next weekend," Tony agreed.

   "Hey Coach, when do want my first load of laundry?" Joe asked.

   "Get it to me Sunday night," I answered.  "I'll do it Monday after my
first final."

   Dave and I headed to the locker room for Coach Caffrey's final speech
before the kids changed and boarded the bus for home.  The final meeting is
always a little bittersweet.  The Wolverines were losing fifteen seniors
from the team, including six starters.  Coach thanked everyone for their
efforts.  We simply got beat by a better team that day.  Next year we would
come back stronger and more ready for the competition to get to the top of
AAA in our state.

   Coach Caffrey thanked me for my help in the post season.  He also
questioned me about my holiday schedule.  He was delighted to invite me to
the football banquet when he found out I would be home on January 6th.  I
promised I would attend.

   I grabbed dinner at Wendy's before I drove home to Paradise.  It was
around eight o'clock when I pulled up in front of my home.  Everyone was
home except Liz.  The Sauder family, the Mitchell family, and the Stevens
family stopped for dinner at a nice restaurant in Hershey.  They invited
Liz and Annie to join them.

   Within thirty seconds of coming in the front door I was assaulted by
three young boys in their pajamas.  "Unka Ky!  Unka Ky!  P'ane ride
p'ease." "Unka Ky!" "Unka Ky!"

   I gave my nephews and little brother hugs, kisses and plane rides.  Andy
followed the boys into the foyer.  "How'd we do today?" Andy asked.

   "We lost in double overtime," I replied.

   "Ouch!  That's stinks," Andy replied.  "We're heading upstairs to bed.
Do you want to join story time?"

   "Sure, why not," I agreed.  I followed the boys and Andy upstairs to the
bedroom the three boys shared.  My parents had stacked the bunk beds up a
few months ago for the twins.  Two weeks ago Hunter was still sleeping in a
crib.  This weekend there was a brand new youth bed in the crib's place.

   "You have a big bed now?" I asked Hunter as I plopped down on his bed
with him on my lap.

   He nodded and said, "Yeah." His smile was a mile wide.

   "This little monkey was escaping from his crib so often there wasn't any
point in using it," Andy explained.  "Mom and Dad figured he was less
likely to get hurt falling out of bed than climbing out of the crib."

   Andy sat down on Hunter's bed too.  His boys cuddled beside him, one on
each side.  The boys finally outgrew their taste for Dr.  Suess.  Tonight
they wanted a Curious George story.  Andy and I took turns reading pages
until all three boys were asleep.  I helped Andy transfer the twins to
their bunks, Connor on the top and Noah on the bottom.

   I filled Andy in on the details of our high school team's defeat as we
headed downstairs again.  I said hello to my parents when we got
downstairs. I grabbed a snack and headed for the basement.  I spent the
rest of the evening studying for my anthropology final.

   I woke up in time to go to church with my family on Sunday morning.  I
grabbed a bowl of cereal before hurrying to catch up to Dad's van.  It
turned out I didn't have to hurry.  I arrived at the church fifteen minutes
before the services started.  I bumped into Matt Sauder and his family in
the narthex.  Matt looked like hell.  He was moving slowly like an old man
and holding himself erect as he walked.

   "What's up buddy?" I asked as we met.  "Are you stiff from yesterday?"

   "Stiff?" Matt snorted.  "My side hurt so bad last night that Dad had to
take me to the emergency room.  They x-rayed me and found that I cracked
two ribs."

   "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I replied.  "Was it on the play when Dave
got hurt?  You know, the one when the tackle flattened you in the first
quarter?"

   "Probably," Matt agreed.

   "You played three quarters of football with cracked ribs?" I asked. 
"Why didn't you tell Doc?"

   "I knew it hurt," Matt agreed.  "I also knew the only way I was leaving
the game was on a stretcher." Matt gave me a wink.  "If they took me off in
a stretcher they had better strap me down too.  I would have tried to get
up and keep playing."

   "Yeah, I can see that," I said as I chuckled.  Imitating Matt's deeper
pitch I added, "My legs only a little broken.  I can still play Coach." We
shared a good laugh at the joke.

   "Do you think my team losing is going to bother Coach Burton?" Matt
asked.  "I hope he doesn't decide I'm not worth a scholarship since I
couldn't get my team to the championship."

   "You're fine Matt," I replied.  "You played three quarter and took the
game to two overtimes with cracked ribs.  Coach will not have any problem
with your performance."

   "I'm glad," Matt answered.  "You go have fun and beat up on Tennessee
down in Orlando.  I'll be cheering for your team."

   "Our team," I corrected.  "Thanks.  You take it easy and let those ribs
heal.  Study over the winter and come back next fall and show the world how
brilliant Coach Burton is for offering you that scholarship now."

   Matt and his family headed into the sanctuary.  I joined my family in
our pew.  Reverend Hollinger did a nice sermon on Mary, Joseph, Herod and
the census before Jesus' birth.  Rev and I talked for a few minutes after
the service.  He wished me luck in my bowl game.  I assured Rev I would see
him again next weekend.  We didn't leave campus until December 21st.

   I played with the twins and Hunter a little bit after lunch.  I spent
two hours downstairs in my bedroom studying for the anthropology exam
before I left for campus.  I took off around three o'clock so I would be
back on campus on time for dinner with the team.

   Chapter 52

   ==========

   Sunday, December 11th

   Coach Burton held us in the dining hall longer than normal after dinner.
He reviewed our schedule for finals week.  Penn State and the Nittany Lions
are justifiably proud of our academic record.  Still, we were a top
football team and everyone understood that Football was our #1 priority. 
The athletic department provides us with academic advisors and tutors to
help us succeed academically but we all understood that we fit our
academics around our football needs.  Coach suspended afternoon practices
for the week.  This week studying and taking finals came first.  We were to
do our daily workouts as our schedule allowed.

   Our team exchanged gifts at our annual Christmas celebration.  Tyler
Madden organized pulling names.  I picked Ben Walker's name.  Ben was our
right guard.  He was big man and very quiet.  I was going to have a
challenge finding a good gift for Ben.

   I went back to my apartment after dinner and spent a couple more hours
studying for my anthropology final.  I did a light workout at the Lasch
Building later that evening to relax.  I always believed I did better on
tests when I was relaxed and well rested than if I spent the previous night
cramming.

   Jay came back from Richmond around 9:30 in the evening.  Damian, Trevor
and I all gathered to hear where Jay was going to go to school next
semester.

   Trevor was direct.  "Where is it going to be Jay?"

   "James Madison University," Jay answered.  "They have a great
communications program there.  Coach Matthews said I will have a good shot
at winning the starting quarterback spot next season.  They run my style of
offense.  I think I can be successful there."

   "I'm glad you found a good spot," Damian said.  "It sucks that it isn't
here."

   "I'll warn my brother to be ready for you next season," I added.

   "Are these guys any good?" Trevor asked.

   "They are 37-12 over the last four seasons,' Jay answered.  "I'm pleased
to find a good home for myself."

   The rest of us were happy for Jay.  Hopefully things worked well for him
with his new team.  The four of us went back to preparing for finals week.
--------------------------------------------------------

   7:00 am came far too early for my tastes on Monday morning.  By the time
I had a good hot shower, a nuked breakfast sandwich and a couple cups of
coffee I was ready for my first final.  Low clouds dimmed the morning
light. The chilly blustery wind made the long walk across campus to the
Willard Building an endurance test.
The proctor handed out the tests promptly at 8:00 am.  I flipped through
the test quickly to see what I was faced with - multiple choice, a hundred
and fifty questions.  Dr.  Pearson was noted for giving hard tests.  I had
a 90 on my midterm and I was on the borderline between an A and B in the

course.  I needed to do well on this final.

   I got started.  Dr.  Pearson had made this hard.  I had to carefully
read every question and possible answer.  All the questions had at least
two or more plausible answers.  It took time to deduce the correct answer.
I worked my through the test.

   I found myself thirty-some questions short of the end of the test with
fifteen minutes to go.  I had to hurry through the last questions to finish
before the final ended.  I was wiped out when I turned in the test and
headed towards my apartment.

   I grabbed a Philly paper on the way back to my apartment along with some
more breakfast.  I spent an hour unwinding and relaxing, trying to forget
the brutal exam.  This test had been a new experience for me.  I ALWAYS
finished tests early.  Oh well, so much for my hopes of an A in the course.
I better improve on my other four finals.

   I went to the Lasch Building to work out and to unwind from the final. I
felt better when I went back to my apartment for lunch.  I spent the
afternoon preparing for Dr.  Brennan's final.  Like last semester I came up
with my own sample questions for the essay test, organized outlines for my
answers along with supporting facts, figures and quotations.

   I was rested, prepared and psyched for the History 161 final on Tuesday
morning.  The test was at 10:10, so I didn't have to rush in the morning.
The proctor handed out the test.  I opened up my blue book and scanned the
questions on the essay test.  I guessed correctly on three of the eight
questions.  Four more were similar to my prospective questions that I could
use most of my preparations with small modifications.  The last question I
came to cold, but it was easy.  I blitzed through the eight questions in
about an hour.  I spent twenty minutes rereading my essays and correcting
the spelling and grammar.  I turned my blue book in to the proctor at a
quarter to twelve.

   I glanced over at Kelly before I left.  She was still working away on
one of the essays.  I wished I could talk with her for a couple minutes.  I
missed sharing things with her.  I also knew from the nasty looks and
glares over the past few weeks that my attention was not welcome. 
Christian and Bev reported that Kelly was doing better but she had no
interest in any contact with me.  C'est la vie.  Our lives move on -
separately.

   After lunch I went downtown to do some of my Christmas shopping. 
Hunter, Connor and Noah were easy.  Each boy got Nittany Lion's shirts,
soft footballs and stuffed Lions mascots.  The T-shirt shop solved my
problem gift problem for Ben Walker.  They had the perfect saying and the
right size for someone of Ben's bulk.

   "This will be a perfect fit," I said as the clerk rang it up.

   "You're kidding," the clerk replied.  "Who is it for?  One of the
defensive linemen on the football team?"

   "Actually it goes to one of the offensive linemen," I replied as I
handed him my credit card.  "I'm glad you had this in XXXXL."

   The clerk stared at my card for a second before he swiped it.  "Kyle
Martin.  You are serious that this goes to one of the offensive linemen,
aren't you?" I nodded yes.  "Good luck in Orlando Kyle," the clerk added as
he bagged the present.

   "Thanks," I replied as I left.  "Thanks very much."

   I spent most of Tuesday afternoon in the Lasch Building reviewing video
of Tennessee.  I was in excellent shape for my next two finals - Geography
30 and Geography 115.  Both were Thursday afternoon.

   Tennessee was going to be an interesting challenge for our team.  Their
overall defense ranked in the middle of the 120 FBS teams.  Their run
defense was average but their pass defense was ranked #12 among the FBS
teams.  They could get decent pressure on the quarterback.  They picked off
some balls but not a lot of them.  Their defensive backs were excellent at
covering receivers.  Their defensive strength matched up well against our
offensive strength.

   I viewed the video on the special teams too.  Tennessee's special teams
weren't strong.  Coach Ferguson planned to have me handle most of the punt
and kick returns.  I could see I would have some good opportunities
returning the ball.

   I could see where our coaches were going with our game plan.  Damian,
Wyatt and Charlie were going to get a lot of carries in this game.  I felt
we had a good chance to win.  We planned to run more than normal until
Tennessee was forced to send extra defenders to stop the run, then we would
hit them with our deep passing game.

   The FBS honors list came out Tuesday night.  Our team didn't score
nearly as many honors as we were used to.  Shawn Byrd, Tyler Madden,
Damian, and Josh Bruno made first team All-Big Ten honors at their
positions.  Chip Brinton made second team All-Big Ten, getting bested by
Michigan's Nick Wilson.

   Trevor Conwell made the second team All-American at defensive end.  Very
few ends combined Trevor's sack and hurry totals with his ability to stop
the run.  Trevor certainly earned this recognition.

   I made first team All-American at kick returner and second team
All-American as wide receiver.  No one in college came close to my 44.4
yard per kick return average.  Nine guys beat my reception total, two guys
had more yards receiving but no one touched my 140.5 yards per game
receiving.

   Our last honoree was Andrew Perkins.  Andrew made second team
All-American at placekicker.  Washington State's kicker with other-worldly
talent beat Andrew out for first team.  This guy made every single PAT in
the season and missed a single field goal - a long 52 yarder.

   One other honoree caught my eye on the list.  Jeremy North made first
team All-American at middle linebacker.  I e-mailed my congratulations to
Jeremy later that night.  My friend deserved the accolade.

   I studied Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning for my geography finals.
I finished up my Christmas shopping and wrapped my gifts after lunch. 
Later Wednesday afternoon Chip, Christian and I met to review video of
Tennessee.  Chip quizzed me about the system Zack and I worked out last
year to change routes on the fly non-verbally.

   Chip talked Christian and I into going in to talk with Coach Adams to
see if he was willing to let us try this.  He was non-committal.  He
suggested the three of us could look through the video and find three
defensive looks that we thought we could exploit this way.  He was willing
to take a look after we did the necessary research.

   By the end of the afternoon we had found half a dozen situations where
we thought the tactic could be effective.  We presented our ideas to Coach
Adams before dinner.  He approved three of them and warned us to be
prepared next week.  We should execute these if we found our scout team
lined up using those defenses.

   Christian, Chip and I agreed on the non-verbal signals to change up the
plays.  If Chip gave me a nod that meant Christian was the hot receiver and
he should change up his route.  I would do the same when Chip gave
Christian the nod.  That should thoroughly confuse the Tennessee
cornerbacks even if they realized we were switching up at the line.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   The two geography finals on Thursday afternoon were both easy.  I knew I
aced them.  I met at dinner time with Chad King and a couple other
classmates to study for our last final in Teaching Secondary Social Studies
I.  Chad hosted the study session at his apartment.  We ordered pizza for
dinner.  We reviewed together until a little after nine o'clock.

   I had one important thing to do before bedtime that evening.  Jay had
finished his last final at 6:30 that evening.  I headed for his room when I
got back to the apartment.

   "When are you leaving tomorrow?" I asked as I poked my head in his
bedroom.

   "In the morning," Jay answered.  "Mom, dad and I are meeting with Coach
Burton at nine o'clock.  We want to thank him for everything he has done
for me in the last three years."

   "So you don't have any hard feelings towards Coach?" I asked.

   "No, not really," Jay answered.  "He did what he had to do last summer.
I disagree with him but I respect the decision he had to make then.  I'll
look back on my time here fondly."

   "I think you leaving really sucks," I said.  "I'm going to miss you."

   "I'm going to miss you too Kyle," Jay replied.  Our handshake turned
into a hug.  We gave each other back pats before breaking apart again.  I
took a deep breath to try too clear my emotions a bit.

   "You keep in touch Jay," I said.  Jay was batting his eyes fighting
tears too.

   "I'll do that," he agreed.  After a deep breath he added, "You guys go
beat up on Tennessee down in Orlando.  I'll be cheering for you."

   "Thanks man," I said as I retreated downstairs.  My last final was at
8:00 am so I didn't expect to see Jay again tomorrow.  I sucked that he was
leaving.  Who knew when we would see each other again?

   Jay was still asleep when I left at 7:30 on Friday morning for my last
final.  I walked the hill on Bigler Road to the Forestry Resources
Building. Dr.  Ward's final wasn't hard.  I breezed through it, finishing
twenty minutes before the finals period was over.  I stopped off at the
Natatorium and talked with Mr.  Coleman about lifeguarding next semester.
He promised he would work me into the schedule.  He needed all the help he
could get to cover the pools.

   Damian was eating breakfast at the table when I returned to our
apartment.

   "Is Jay gone yet?" I asked.

   "His parents got here about 7:45 this morning," Damian replied.  "They
loaded everything up and drove over to the Lasch Building.  I imagine their
meeting with Coach is over and they're somewhere on the road heading for
Virginia now."

   "I guess it's good I said good bye last night," I said.  "I wasn't sure
if I would see him after my final.  Did you hear how his parents got here
so early this morning?"

   "They stayed at a hotel in Altoona last night," Damian answered.

   "I see," I replied.  "Are you sure you and Trevor don't need me to stay
and help move Chip this afternoon?"

   "We got it covered," Damian said.  "Go see your family this weekend. 
Enjoy the holiday."

   "I still don't see why you are staying here this weekend," I said. 
"Erie isn't that far away."

   "It is if you run into snow," Damian answered.  "Four hours driving into
a lake effect snow storm... no thank you.  I'll cuddle up here nice and
warm."

   "Warm but lonely," I said.  Trevor and Chip were driving back to
Unionville after dinner tonight to visit their families before Christmas
time.

   "Not so lonely," Damian replied, winking.  "Billy isn't going home until
Sunday afternoon."

   "Oooohhh... I see," I said.  "You are planning a quiet weekend alone
with your lover." Damian smiled and nodded his agreement.  "Tell Billy to
take good care of you.  You've got a big game in two and a half weeks."

   "Are you anticipating any action this weekend?" Damian asked.  "You told
me you are planning to go out with your buddy from Florida tomorrow night."

   "Maybe..." I answered.  "I have some phone calls to make when I get
home. I'm sure I can scare up a date before tomorrow night."

   "Have fun.  Get yourself laid," Damian replied.  "There won't be any
more of that for awhile after this weekend."

   "I'll do my best," I agreed.  "I'm going to do a workout and have lunch
before I head for home.  Good luck on your last final." Damian's last final
was one of his business courses.  The final was at 12:30.

   "Thanks," Damian agreed.  "I'll see you Sunday night."

   I did my workout, grabbed a sandwich and newspaper from the Mix before
heading back to the apartment.  I read the day's paper while I ate.  I
loaded up the car and headed for home after lunch.  Traffic around
Harrisburg was tolerable.  I made it home a little before three o'clock.

   My brother's car was parked on the street in front of the house.  I
pulled up behind him, parked and carried my bag inside.  I found Andy in
the family room watching a DVD.

   "Hey bro, how's it going?" I asked as I plopped down on the couch.

   "Cool," Andy replied.  "Finals went well."

   "Been home long?" I asked.

   "I got home mid-morning," Andy answered.  "I had an eight o'clock
final."

   "My last final was at eight o'clock too," I said.

   "Yeah, but I had the easy drive," Andy teased.  "Home in forty-five
minutes."

   "Yeah, but I am playing a football game on January 2nd," I countered. 
"How about you?"

   "Touché," Andy answered.  "Too true."

   "You have one semester completed," I asked.  "What do you think of
Delaware now?"

   "I love it," Andy answered.  "Coach Keeler a great coach.  I'm fitting
into the team.  I like the classes and the professors.  Coach lets me get
home on weekends to see my boys.  I made the right choice when I chose
Delaware."

   "I'm glad you're happy," I replied.  "Are you seeing anyone down there?"

   "Seeing anyone?" Andy asked blankly.  "... you mean girls?"

   "Well, duh!  Yeah," I replied.  "Do you have any prospects?"

   "When would I have time for that?" Andy asked.  "I study.  I work out,
practice and play football.  I spend weekends here with my kids.  When do I
fit girls in?"

   "You're all but nineteen," I answered.  "You make time for them.  How
long since you've gotten laid?"

   "Way too long," Andy answered.

   "You should come along tomorrow night when Ed and I go to the Green
Iguana," I said.  "They have good music, dancing and good food.  You'll
enjoy yourself and you might meet someone."

   "I should spend time with the twins," Andy said.

   "We don't leave until 7:30 or 8:00," I countered.  "The boys are
practically in bed by then.  They won't miss you.  Mom or Dad will get them
to bed.  You should come.  Invite Eric and Sammy.  Invite some of your
other friends from school.  It's great way to catch up with everyone."

   "I don't know..." Andy said.

   "I'm calling Eric now," I replied.  We used cell phones to communicate
around camp last summer.  Eric's cell phone number was in my phone.  It
rang a couple times before a girl's voice asked, "Hello?"

   "Sammy, is Eric there?" I replied.

   "We're on the Jersey Turnpike on the way home," Sammy replied.  "Eric a
little busy driving... you know, dodging semis and other maniacs.  Who is
this?"

   "It's Kyle," I explained.  "I'm here with Andy.  We're talking about
going out to a club tomorrow evening.  They have live music, dancing and
good food.  Ed and some of our other friends from scouts are coming.  I
wanted to invite the two of you."

   I could hear Sammy relay the conversation to Eric.  I also heard his
enthusiastic "Cool!" Sammy got back on the phone.  "Count us in Kyle."

   "There is one dilemma," I added.  "Andy doesn't think he should go.  He
thinks he should spend his evening home while his boys sleep."

   I heard Sammy relay the comment to Eric.  I could hear Eric's response
too.  "Tell him he WILL go.  I will come over, hog tie him and drag him
along if I have to." Sammy relayed the response to me and I gave Andy
Eric's orders.

   "Pass the word along to your friends," I said before ending the call. 
"It should be a fun evening."

   "I'm sure it will be," Sammy agreed.  "Tell Andy that Eric and I are
going to stop by after dinner to visit.  We want to hear all about Delaware
and to see the twins."

   "You got it," I agreed.  I relayed the remainder of the conversation to
Andy.  He was smart enough to accept the inevitable.  If Sammy and Eric
were insistent, he was going to the club tomorrow night.  He knew better
than to fight Samantha Hoover when she had her mind made up.

   I settled in with my brother and watched the end of the movie he was
watching.  We popped another into the DVD player when the first was done.
The two of us vegged out until Mom and the boys got home for the evening.

   Noah, Connor and Hunter were delighted to see both Andy and me home for
the weekend.  Andy and I spent the next forty-five minutes rough housing
and goofing around the three boys.  They took plane rides, had tickle
battles and played some "foo-bah" before dinner time.

   Mom made a nice dinner for the family.  My parents seemed to enjoy
having most of the family together.  I got a text from Ed Fritz during
dinner.  He was stuck in Atlanta.  His connecting flight to Philadelphia
didn't depart until 9:50 pm that evening.  His dad was picking him up at
the airport around midnight.  Ed suggested we get together after lunch
tomorrow.  After dinner I texted back that the plan sounded good to me.

   I gave Holly Cox a call after dinner.  When she answered I said, "Hey
Holly.  It's Kyle Martin.  How did your finals go?"

   "Finals?" she answered.  "They were fine.  How about yours?"

   "Anthropology was a real bear but the rest were fine," I answered.  "A
group of us are planning on going to the Green Iguana tomorrow night.  I
was wondering if you would be my date for the evening?"

   "I know about that Kyle," Holly replied.  "Brandon called last night and
asked me to go with him."

   "Oh... Ohhh-kay," I said.

   "If you're looking for a date I have a suggestion," Holly added.  "A
friend from school is coming to the club on her own.  Maybe the two of you
could go together.  You don't mind a blind date, do you?"

   "No, I guess not," I agreed.

   "I'll call Faith now," Holly said.  "I let you know if she is interested
in a date then the two of you make arrangements."

   "That's cool Holly," I replied.  "Thanks for helping set this up.  You
might be surprised but I actually don't have a lot of experience dating."

   "I know Kyle," Holly answered.  "You were part of a couple through most
of high school.  I think you and Faith will get along well."

   "Thanks Holly," I said before we ended the call.

   It was nice of Holly to offer too set me up with a date.  Unfortunately
I knew that my chances of getting laid tomorrow night took a big hit.  I
doubted a stranger would be interested in going to bed with me on the first
date.

   Back at school we hooked up at our parties at the drop of a hat.  The
girls weren't exactly groupies.  We all knew each other for months if not
years.  We enjoyed partying together and we enjoyed a little recreational
sex together.  This weekend I was dealing with real life.  Getting laid
wasn't likely.

   Andy and I got together to play some NFL Challenge on the computer.  I
could call the right plays or the right defenses but I couldn't execute
them.  I was too out of practice.  Andy beat me two games in a row.  I
helped Andy put the boys to bed, watched as Andy did his workout and then
went for a run with him.  Altogether it was a nice evening - no courses or
homework, no football and no responsibilities.

   Holly called while I was out running.  Her friend Faith Royer was
willing to go out with me the next night.  I called Faith as soon as I got
off the phone with Holly.  Faith and I talked for a few minutes, getting to
know each other a little.  She was studying to be a teacher too.  She was
planning on teaching secondary mathematics.  She gave me her address.  She
lived between Bridgeport and Lampeter.  I promised to pick her up around
eight o'clock Saturday night.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   I slept in on Saturday morning.  Noah, Connor and Hunter all showed up
when I made myself some breakfast around 11:30 in the morning.  I read the
newspaper until Ed arrived.

   Ed and I hung out for a couple hours, catching up on each other's lives.
Ed was totally psyched that his team was playing for the national
championship game in three weeks.  Coach Meyer hadn't decided on who would
start at quarterback for the game.  Ed and Terrence Walker had split time
equally with the first team in practices for the past two weeks.  Ed felt
he had a good shot at starting.  If not, he was sure he would get playing
time.  Walker hadn't played well since his injury in November.

   I told Ed about my team.  We were set at all positions.  Everyone was
healthy, confident and knew their jobs.  It had taken the better part of
the season but we felt ready to take on anyone now.  Tennessee was going to
have their hands full with us.

   Ed and I went outside and passed the football around like old times. 
Sitting around inside was boring.  We went for a jog around the
neighborhood later in the afternoon.  It was nice to spend time with my
best friend.  We just didn't get to do this enough anymore.

   As he was getting ready to head home for dinner Ed commented, "I got
reservations for our campground for spring break.  Are you in this year?"

   "I don't know Ed," I replied.

   "You gotta go Kyle," Ed said.  "Kath and Jeremy are aboard.  Hal and
Tammy along with Harrison and Penny are coming too.  Your friend Trevor and
his girlfriend Stephanie e-mailed me last week to say there in.  You have
to come."

   "I don't want to go stag," I said.  "I don't feel like picking up
strange girls down there.  You know how crazy spring break gets."

   "...and you're still down about breaking up with Kelly," Ed added.  "You
broke up with her a month ago.  Let it go.  There is a world of pretty
available women out there.  Pick one and move on."

   "Maybe," I replied.  "I don't know if I want to spend a whole week with
a girl I barely know."

   "The first year you and Kelly had only been dating a month or so," Ed
countered.  "What would be different now?  You have three months to find
someone."

   "I guess," I agreed.  "I'll try to find someone."

   "Good," Ed declared.  "It wouldn't be a proper spring break if you
weren't there."

   "I'll see what I can do Ed," I agreed.

   "You want to ride with me to the club tonight?" Ed asked.

   "No, I'm bringing a date tonight," I replied.  "I'll drive myself."

   Ed headed back to his house.  I went inside.  My sister Liz was
frantically preparing for her night out.  Josh and Liz were double dating
with Annie and Matt.  The four of them were going for pizza and a movie
over in Millersville.  Matt showed up a little before dinner in his mom's
big SUV.  Josh picked up Liz at the door.  I assumed Matt wanted the SUV
was so the kids would have more space after the movie for making out and
possibly more.

   After dinner Andy and I showered, shaved and dressed for our night out.
Noah, Connor and Hunter ran from the second floor to the basement and back
again, fascinated by our preparations for our evening out.

   "Whatcha doin'?" "Why?" "What's a Green `guana?" The three little boys
peppered us with questions about dancing, dating and girls.  I did my best
to answer their curiosity.  I'm sure Andy did the same.

   I took off to pick up Faith before Eric and Samantha arrived to give
Andy a ride to Lancaster.  I needed about fifteen minutes to reach the
Millstream development off Lampeter Road where the Royers lived.  I found a
Penn State Nittany Lion banner hanging from the front porch when I pulled
up in front of number 352.  That was cool.  I was going to be in friendly
territory.

   I parked in the driveway and walked up the walk to the big, country
style porch.  I rang the door bell.  A man of around fifty answered the
door.  He was about 5'-11", with brown hair with some gray on the sides.

   "I'm Kyle Martin," I explained.  "I have a date with Faith tonight."

   The man appraised me for a second before smiling.  "Please come in
Kyle." Mr.  Royer led me into their living room and offered me a seat on
the couch.  "Faith is almost ready.  I will let her know you are here."

   "Thank you sir," I replied.  Mr.  Royer went upstairs for about thirty
seconds before returning to the living room.

   "Faith will be a few moments," Mr.  Royer said as he sat down on the
rocking chair opposite me.  "I'm sure you know how women are."

   "That's fine sir," I replied.  I looked over Faith's father.  That's
when I noticed his black sweatshirt.  It had a big red rose on it.  Blazed
across the top it said, `Penn State Nittany Lions' and below the rose it
said, `108th Rose Bowl Champions - Penn State-31, USC-24.'

   "I see you're a Penn State fan too," I said.  "I'm..."

   "I know, you're the star wide receiver for the Lions," Mr.  Royer
replied.  He chuckled.  "I wondered when Faith told me she had a date with
Kyle Martin last night.  Martins are a dime a dozen here.  Kyle is a common
name for young men your age.  I really didn't expect it would be you until
you stepped up to the door tonight."

   "I do play football," I agreed.  "I hope that isn't a problem."

   "No, not at all," Mr.  Royer replied.  "I'm Bill Royer, class of '84."

   "It's nice to meet you Mr.  Royer," I said.

   "It's Bill, not Mr.  Royer," Bill replied.  "It's quite an honor to meet
you Kyle.  I've watched and read about you since you were a freshman.  I
was in the stands for the Kent State game.  A touchdown on your first touch
is quite a way to start a career."

   "There was a lot of luck involved on that play," I replied.  "I had no
idea what I was doing back then." I pointed towards Bill's sweatshirt. 
"That Rose Bowl was the first game where I played well."

   "I thought you were great against Ohio State your freshman year," Bill
countered.  "I seem to remember you catching the winning touchdown in that
game."

   "Most people don't realize that I didn't know the play that was called
on that touchdown," I explained.  "I misread the defense on another play
and caused Zack Hayes' interception.  I've learned quite a bit since my
early days on the team."

   "I guess you have," Bill replied.

   The two of us spent about five minutes talking Penn State football. 
Bill was an enthusiastic, well versed fan though he lacked the deep
knowledge of the intricacies of football.  I enjoyed talking about our
program and his enjoyment was obvious.

   Faith came downstairs as we were talking about my team's prospects
against Tennessee.  I looked up and saw a very pretty girl of about 5'-9"
with long blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail.  Faith was wearing jeans,
a white blouse and a rose colored sweater vest.  She was slim and well
proportioned.  Holly had done well by me.  Faith was a delightful looking
date.

   "I hope Dad didn't bore you too much talking football," Faith said as
she stepped off the stairs.  She saw the Penn State coat I was wearing. 
"Oh, I guess you're used to talking about Penn State football from campus.
Are you a fan?"

   "Yes, I guess you could say I am," I replied.  Bill unsuccessfully tried
to stifle a laugh.  That drew a funny look from his daughter.

   "I'm ready for some dancing," Faith announced.  "Shall we go Kyle?"

   "I'm ready," I replied.  "It was good to meet you Bill."

   Bill responded, "What time do the two of you expect to be home tonight?"

   "The club closes at two am," I said.  "I don't know if we'll stay to
closing time.  What do you think Faith?"

   "I'll call you Dad if we are going to be later than that," Faith said to
her father.  We started towards the door.

   Bill's face tightened.  "I have one more question.  Kyle, are you going
to be drinking at this club?  I would rather not have my daughter riding
with someone who has been drinking." I knew from the way he stared into my
eyes he remembered reading about my drunk driving arrest last month.

   "Relax Bill, about half the group we are meeting tonight are underage,"
I explained.  "We're going to the upstairs section of the club.  No alcohol
is served up there.  I guarantee I will have your daughter home safe and
sound."

   "I will hold you to that Kyle," Bill said.  "You two have fun."

   Faith and I headed outside to my car.  "You were lucky Kyle," Faith said
as I opened the door for her.  "My father usually gives my dates the third
degree before he lets us leave.  He acted as if he knew you already."

   "I'll explain in a sec..." I said.  I shut the door, walked around the
hopped in the driver's side of my car.  After I started the car I
continued, "You remember how your dad laughed when you asked me if I was a
football fan?"

   "Yeah... and?" Faith replied.

   "There is a lot more than that to the story," I explained as I backed
onto the road and headed for Lancaster.  "I am more than a football fan.  I
play wide receiver for Penn State."

   "...and you just made my father's night showing up at his door," Holly
added.

   "I think so," I agreed.  "I take it Holly didn't tell you about my
playing football." Faith shook her head no.  "I hope my being a football
player isn't a problem."

   "Are you famous or is it only Penn State nuts like my father that would
have heard of you?" Faith asked.

   "I guess you would have to say I'm somewhat famous," I allowed.  "Don't
be shocked if fans stop by our table tonight to get autographs.  It usually
happens when I'm at the Green Iguana."

   "I guess I'll survive if our date is interrupted," Faith said.  "You
went to high school with Holly, didn't you?"

   "I did," I agreed.

   "I saw you play then," Faith said.  "I never missed a football game when
my Pioneers played your Wolverines.  I remember the one receiver and their
quarterback always killed us.  You were that receiver weren't you?"

   "I was," I agreed.  "Of course you got your revenge when I was a senior.
I seem to recall L-S beating us the first game of the season when we were
seniors."

   Faith chuckled.  "I was there at that game.  You and that quarterback of
yours nearly beat us in the end."

   "Yeah, I sort of remember," I replied.  "It was a long time ago.  By the
way, that quarterback is going to be here tonight.  His name is Ed Fritz.
He's a close friend of mine."

   "I guess I can put up with a bunch of Wolverines," Faith said.

   The two of continued our getting-to-know-you conversation as I drove in
to the center of Lancaster.  Faith was studying to be a secondary school
math teacher.  We talked about our education courses.  Faith was doing her
field experience next semester.  It sounded similar to the student teaching
practicum I was taking spring semester.  She was doing her student teaching
next fall.  I explained about my football schedule and told her I was
student teaching in the spring.

   Ed and his date Paige Anderson were at the club when we arrived.  Hal,
Tammy and Kathy Trimble were there too.  Holly and Brandon came in a few
minutes after us.  Eric, Sammy and Andy arrived shortly after that.  We
commandeered some tables to accommodate our whole group.  Penny and
Harrison, Jake Kring and his date, Kenny Weaver, Mark Reeser and Karen
Good, Paul Abbott and Jim Griffin all arrived within a few minutes.

   We ordered drinks and some snacks for the group.  The first band started
up around 9:30.  A car load of late additions arrived after the music
started.  Heather Miller came in with Ryan Eshelman, Shannon Phillips and
Morgan Wentz.  Shannon had been Andy's girlfriend when they were in ninth
grade.  Morgan had dated Jake Kring until about a year ago.  Ryan had been
classmates with Andy, Heather, Eric, Sammy and Shannon.

   Most of our group had gone to high school together and had been in our
Venturer crew.  We caught up on each other's college lives as we conversed.
Brandon and Holly sat with Faith and me.

   Couples headed for the dance floor.  The single guys invited the single
girls to the floor.  Andy ended up with Shannon quite a bit.  Any bad blood
from their breakup at the end of ninth grade seemed gone.

   Faith complemented me on my sense of rhythm after a couple dances.  I
enjoyed talking and dancing with Faith.  She seemed to be comfortable and
enjoy being with me.  We danced for awhile before taking a break to drink
and visit with my friends.  My friends made Faith feel welcome to our
group.

   Faith and I danced closer as the night wore on.  Faith had an
enthusiastic, very up personality that I liked.  By midnight we were
dancing close, Faith's head resting against my shoulder, my head resting
atop hers.  Her perfume was enchanting.  I could feel her breasts
compressed against my chest.

   Predictably my cock rose to the occasion.  Faith bumped into it a few
times as we danced.  Each time it happened Faith would pull away a little
for a bit.  I understood the unspoken message.  I wasn't going to be taking
Faith to bed on the first date.

   Andy danced with Shannon frequently and the other available girls once
in awhile.  By midnight Shannon and Andy were making out at our tables. 
Eric and Sammy were ready to leave around 12:30.  When Eric let Andy know,
Andy grabbed me for a quick conference.

   "What do you think Mom and Dad would say if I brought Shannon home
tonight?" Andy asked.  "The two of us would like to... you know."

   "They'd string you up by your thumbs if they find her in your bed in the
morning," I replied.

   "Yeah, that's what thought," Andy said.  "I guess... swapping beds
tonight would be out of the question."

   "I guess I could sleep upstairs in my old bedroom tonight," I answered.

   "Do you think Mom and Dad would be OK with this?" Andy asked.  "Shannon
and I really want to hook up."

   "I know they will be fine with it," I replied.  "I brought a date home
three weeks ago.  They were fine with it."

   "Thanks Kyle," Andy answered.  "I appreciate your help."

   "Just make sure Shannon gets home tonight," I said.  "I doubt Mom or Dad
would approve of your boys finding you in bed with a girl tomorrow
morning."

   "I'll give Shannon a ride home when we're done," Andy said.  "Shannon
and I are catching a ride home with Eric and Sammy.  I'll see you back
there."

   "Have fun," I said.  Andy turned back to rejoin Shannon.  "I have
condoms in my nightstand.  Use them." Andy nodded his understanding as he
rejoined his partner for the night.

   Faith and I danced for about half an hour more.  We joined up with Ed,
Paige, Hal, Tammy, Brandon, Holly, Penny, Harrison and Kathy back at our
group of tables.  We quizzed Ed on his plans for the championship game.  He
was leaving the day after Christmas from Philadelphia to fly down to New
Orleans to join his team.  The championship game was on Saturday, January
7th.

   Our group talked about getting together to watch Ed's game.  I
volunteered to host the party when no one else spoke up.  The guys quizzed
Ed about whether he expected to start.  He had no idea.  He explained Coach
Meyer had split first team practice time equally between him and Terrence
Walker.

   Faith and I danced a bit more that evening.  Around one am we decided to
head out.  I drove Faith back to her home near Lampeter.  The Royer's house
was dark when we parked in the driveway.

   "I had a really good time Kyle," Faith said as she leaned in close to
me.

   "I enjoyed myself too," I agreed.  Faith leaned in closer.  I lowered my
head and kissed her gently on the lips.  Faith put her hands on my
shoulders as we let the kiss linger.  I let the tip of my tongue slip
between my lips and touch hers.  Her tongue met mine.  We opened our mouths
and remained locked together as our tongues dueled for about twenty
seconds. We broke our mouths apart to catch our breath.  We stared into
each other's eyes.

   "I had a REALLY good time tonight Kyle," Faith exhaled.

   "I did too," I agreed before we mashed out lips together again.  We
kissed and kissed.  God, Faith was delicious.  Faith held my head to hers
and ran her fingers through my hair while we kissed.  I wrapped my arms
around her as we continued kissing.  We deep kissed for minutes.

   I knew Faith was getting aroused.  I caressed her side, slowly working
my hand around towards her scrumptious breasts.  Faith moaned into my open
mouth when my hand reached its target.  I caressed them as we continued
kissing for another twenty or thirty seconds.  I rubbed her nipple through
her clothing.

   "Ohhh...." Faith exclaimed as she broke our kiss.  "I should probably go
inside Kyle."

   "Sorry if I went too far Faith," I replied.  "You're so beautiful
and..."

   "No, no, no..." Faith answered.  "What you were doing felt great.  If
this wasn't our first date... well, I would want more."

   "I understand," I said as we disengaged and straightened ourselves out.

   "It's late and I should probably go inside," Faith said.  "I don't need
my father coming outside to see what we're doing." She gave me a final kiss
on the lips, no tongue this time.  "I had fun.  I hope we can do this again
Kyle."

   "I would like that too Faith," I agreed.  "I leave for campus again
tomorrow.  We fly down to Orlando on Wednesday.  I'll be home on January
3rd.  I'll give you a call after that.  Maybe we can go out again."

   "That would be wonderful Kyle," Faith replied.  She gave me a final kiss
before leaving my car and going inside.

   I headed back to Paradise.  My home was dark except for the soft glow
from the basement window where my brother was entertaining Shannon Phillips
in my bedroom.  I climbed the steps quietly and went to bed in my brother's
bedroom.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   "Daddy!" "Daddy!" two small, loud dynamos yelled as they woke me from a
sound sleep.  The twins bounced onto the bed as I rolled over.

   "Unka Ky?" Noah asked.

   "Where daddy Unka Ky?" Connor added.

   "You dad slept downstairs in my bedroom," I explained.

   "Why?" both twins spouted together.

   "Umm... your daddy came back from the club quite late last night," I
said.  "I let him use my bed so he wouldn't wake you guys up when he came
home." It was a lousy excuse but it was the best I could come with on short
notice.

   "O-kay," the twins said nonchalantly.  They took off in search of their
father.  I glanced at the clock.  It was a little after seven in the
morning.  I rolled over again and tried to go back to sleep.

   Half a minute later the door opened.  "Kyle?" Dad asked quietly.

   "Yes?"

   "Why are you in Andrew's bed?" Dad asked.

   "Andy met someone at the club last night," I explained as I rolled over
to face Dad.  "She came back with him.  I offered them my bedroom so they
wouldn't disturb anyone."

   "...And this strange `woman' is downstairs now?" Dad snapped.

   "No, I'm sure Andy gave her a ride home when they were finished last
night," I said.  "By the way, she wasn't a strange woman.  You've met her.
Andy met up with his old girlfriend Shannon Phillips at the club.  The two
of them were discrete.  I knew what was going on when I went to bed and I
didn't hear anything.  I'm sure the boys know nothing."

   "I'm going to go have a serious talk with your brother," Dad snapped.  I
was surprised that Dad was so pissed off at Andy.  He hadn't had a problem
with me doing exactly the same thing a few weeks ago.

   "Cut Andy some slack Dad," I said.  "He's all but nineteen.  He has
shouldered big responsibilities for three years and done it well.  He needs
to be able to blow off some steam sometimes."

   "This was irresponsible of him," Dad replied.  "What would happen if he
started doing this every weekend?"

   "Andy won't do that," I replied.  "If he was going to be irresponsible,
he would have accepted a scholarship from one of the big colleges and
dumped the twins on you and Mom for whole semesters.  Instead Andy
sacrificed his opportunity with a big school to go to a small school close
to home so he could see his kids every weekend.  Does that sound like a guy
who is going to spend all his weekend time bedding girls?"

   "No, I guess not," Dad agreed.

   "Andy needed to blow off some steam last night," I said.  "I think he
slept with girls twice this year.  I bet you and Mom did more than that
just over your Christmas break when you were a freshman."

   Dad tried not to smile as he stifled a chuckle.  "I won't be too hard on
your brother," Dad said before he left.

   I catnapped for forty-five minutes.  I headed downstairs to the basement
for a shower.  Andy, Mom, Dad and the three little boys were eating
breakfast when I came through the kitchen.  I grabbed a shower and dressed
in time to grab a bowl of cereal before we had to leave for church.  Liz
decided to ride with me instead of riding in the back of the family van.

   The Senior Choir, the Youth Choir and the Bell Choir all performed in
the church service.  Reverend Hollinger uncharacteristically kept his
sermon brief, expounding on God's love for us in sending his son to live a
mortal life among us and experience our trials and tribulations.  I had
time to talk with the Rev for a couple minutes after the service.  He told
me to go and have the game of my life in two weeks.  He'd be at home
rooting my Lions.

   Grandma and Grandpa Martin met us at our home after church.  My
grandparents wanted to see me since I would be away over Christmas.  Mom
had a ham roasting in the oven while we were at church.  Grandma brought a
potato casserole, baked corn casserole and pies for the meal.  We sat down
together around at quarter to one for a nice family meal.  Everything was
delicious, especially Grandma's pumpkin pie.

   I left gifts for everyone under the tree this weekend.  I got to open my
Christmas gifts seven days early.  The twins were a little put out that I
got to open my gifts and they didn't.  Mom bought them off with some
Christmas cookies and a promise they could open one gift on Christmas Eve
if they behaved themselves for the next week.

   Mom, Dad and my grandparents gave me cards stuffed with generous amounts
of cash - the perfect gift for a college student.  I ended up with $300 in
cash thanks to their generosity.  Liz bought me a gift card for on-line
music downloads.  Andy and his boys gave me a new ski cap and gloves.  My
old set of gloves was four years old and getting pretty ratty.

   I thanked everyone and apologized for having to rush off.  It was almost
two in the afternoon when I left.  The weatherman was predicting snow
showers north of Harrisburg and I had to be back on campus for the team
dinner at six pm.

   I did run into the snow on the way back to campus but PennDOT had the
roads well treated.  I had no problem going up Seven Mountains near
Lewistown.  I was back to my apartment a little after five o'clock.  Trevor
and Chip had returned from Unionville ahead of me.  They were hanging out
with Damian in our apartment when I got back.

   At 5:45 pm the four of us joined the crowd of football players heading
for the Training Table.  The campus was nearly deserted except for us.  I
didn't notice during dinner but our team was short three members.  Coach
Burton explained their absence after dinner.  Two freshmen failed their
last drug test.  Their tests came back with traces of a masking drug used
to hide steroid use.  Thankfully for our team they were clean at the test
right after the end of the season.  The NCAA couldn't make us forfeit any
wins.

   The third member absent was Bob Smith, our freshman tight end from
Trenton.  Bob flunked a course this semester and was sent home.  It was
critical that he do better.  Most of the tight ends on the team were
seniors and were leaving after our bowl game.  I was going to have to have
a long talk with Bob when he got back on campus next semester.

   Coach Burton reviewed our schedule for the week.  All freshmen team
members had to attend a media relations seminar Monday and Tuesday
mornings. Selected juniors had a leadership seminar on Monday and Tuesday
mornings.  We also had a media relations seminar after lunch on Tuesday.

   The list of juniors included Trevor, Damian, Greg Nowicki, Josh Bruno,
Shawn Byrd, Bill Daugherty, Christian and me.  It didn't take a Ph.  D.  to
figure out how Coach came up with the list.  He wanted to train potential
team captains on their job while we had downtime between semesters.  It was
nearly impossible to get everyone free any other time of year.

   After dinner the team headed over to the Lasch Building for offensive
and defensive team meetings.  The coaches went over our game plan in great
detail.  Classes were done and we had to focus all our effort into winning
down in Orlando.

   The leadership training seminar on Monday and Tuesday was interesting. A
kinesiology professor who taught sports leadership gave the seminar.  The
course content was almost exactly the same as the youth leader training
course I had done in Boy Scouts, right down to the terminology.

   Trevor and I knew this material already.  When the professor asked about
the stages of forming the group, Trevor and I could spout "Forming,
Storming, Norming and Performing" immediately.  I had run a scout troop of
thirty-five kids for a year already.  Trevor had served as the Senior
Patrol Leader for the Unionville troop which had close to seventy scouts in
it.  Neither of us would have a problem if we became captains next season.

   Monday and Tuesday's afternoon practice focused on the game plan.  In
particular on a few special plays that hadn't seen the light of day yet
this season.  Holuba Hall provided our last opportunity to practice these
plays without media or opponent's scouts watching us work.  The special
plays worked well in practice.  Hopefully Tennessee wouldn't be ready for
them.

   I used my free time Monday afternoon to pick up my books for next
semester.  The athletic department got away cheap.  I needed three books
for the semester - History 444, C I 412W and Adolescent Development.  My
teaching practicum used hand outs.  The SS ED 412 course used the same text
book we had last semester in SS ED 411.

   Dave McCall had his next Thon meeting Tuesday night.  Our pledges and
donations topped fifty thousand dollars since we started the previous
month. Tyler Madden won the prize for most raised since our last meeting. I
needed to find myself a date sometime early next semester so I could redeem
the dinner and a movie I won two weeks ago.

   My roommates and I packed our things Tuesday night after we got back
from the Thon meeting.  Coach Burton required 100% attendance Wednesday
morning at the Training Table for our 7:30 am breakfast.  After breakfast
everyone changed into dress clothes and carried their luggage over to the
Lasch Building to catch our buses to the airport.  A small local contingent
of Penn State fans, news reporters and cameramen cheered our departure.  We
were going to Disney World!

   Chapter 53

   ==========

   December 21st

   The flight down to Orlando wasn't too bad.  We were wheels down at 12:02
that afternoon.  Three coach buses hauled us across town to the Peabody
Orlando Hotel, our home for the next two weeks.  The hotel staff let us
stack our bags in one end of the banquet room and get lunch before we
checked into our rooms.

   Coach put Trevor and me together, the same as earlier in the year. 
Damian was put in the adjoining room with ET LeBlanc, Bob Smith's normal
roommate.  That suited the two running backs just fine.

   The coaches had groups of players go down to the weight room to meet
with the trainers in the afternoon to review what workouts we should do
while we prepared for our game.  Otherwise we had time to relax and explore
in and around the hotel.

   Trevor, Chip, Matt Frye, Damian, ET and I ended our afternoon in the
outdoor whirlpool.  It was a great way to unwind after the afternoon's
workout.  The team met in the team banquet hall at six o'clock for dinner.
The hotel's food was quite tasty.

   Coach Burton reviewed the team's policies and expectations while we were
here in Orlando.  Any disciplinary problems would be dealt with simply. 
Coach would stick you on a plane home at your own expense.  We were here
representing Penn State and our hundreds of thousands of students and
alumni.

   We would have two a day practices tomorrow and Friday at the Dr. 
Phillips High School a few miles from our hotel.  We would practice
Saturday morning and have a scrimmage after lunch.  Every one groaned at
the mention of two-a-days.

   We had Christmas Eve evening and Christmas day off.  Next week we would
have morning practices and then sightseeing trips in the afternoons.  Our
itinerary included Disney World, Universal Studio's theme park, Seaworld
and the Cape Kennedy Space Center.

   Coach Burton's final announcement was the best.  The Capital One Bowl
had gifts for every player on each team.  They were giving each of us a
$500 gift card to Best Buy.  All of us were stunned.  We had gotten gifts
from the Rose Bowl, but nothing like this.  Trevor, Chip, Damian and I
exchanged glances.  We were really going to outfit our apartment now.

   After the meeting was over Trevor and I rounded up selected players for
a private meeting in our room.  We invited Damian, Chip, Christian, Josh
Bruno and Shawn Byrd to discuss how we could help Tyler Madden, Jibril
Sloan and Andrew Perkins prepare our team for the final game of the season.
Trevor and I echoed Chip's theme from earlier in the month.  This game
wasn't the final one for this season.  It was the first game of the year.

   Our team had a decent, though not a good season.  We finished third in
the Big Ten and finished out of the top ten teams in the nation.  We broke
in a lot of younger players to new starting positions.  We had a good
quarterback at the helm.  We had an excellent receiving corps, stronger
than any time since I arrived at Penn State.  We had an excellent tailback
with capable backups for him.  Our offensive line had come together this
season.

   Our defensive line was sound.  Trevor was recognized as one of the best
defensive ends in the nation.  Josh, Brendan and Jarrell were excellent
linebackers.  Shawn and the rest of the secondary were ready to be
spectacular.

   All of us agreed that next season we should contend for a championship.
This game would set the tone for the rest of the year.  We wanted to do
more than simply beat Tennessee.  We wanted to let the rest of the BCS
teams know that we planned to take the championship next season.  That
would be our goal.  The group sitting in my room needed to convey that
message and that goal to the rest of the team.

   Trevor, Chip and I met with Tyler, Jibril and Andrew after the first
meeting.  My friends and I went over our plan with the three captains.  All
three agreed that it was a good motivating tool for the team.  Tyler
promised he would get the other seniors aboard with the plan.  After all,
they had been members, albeit extremely junior members, of the last
national championship team.  It was time for them to pay back our team for
the ride they had three years ago.

   -----------------------------------------------

   The coaches scheduled breakfast for 7:30 each morning.  We dressed and
then boarded buses to our practice field at 8:30 am.  The first two days we
dressed at our hotel and practiced without pads.  On Saturday after the
high school students went on holiday break we would be able to use the
locker room in the high school to change and shower.

   We were using the Dr.  Phillips High School for the duration of our stay
in Orlando.  They school was ten minutes away by bus.  The school was on a
large, well kept campus.  The buses pulled up beside their stadium.  The
sign said "William Spoone Stadium." It looked like it would seat 5-6000
people.  The school was across the highway from Universal Studio's theme
park.  You could just barely see the top of one of the roller coasters from
the football field.

   The captains and the junior leaders that met in my room last night made
sure that the whole team got the word on our goal for the year as we
practiced.  Everyone bought into it.  Guys practiced hard and were
enthusiastic during practice.

   After morning practice was over Christian and Tanner took me aside.

   "Coach, are you planning to host a thank you dinner for the return teams
again?" Christian asked.

   "I talked with Coach Ferguson last week," I replied.  "I was planning to
take them to dinner on the 28th."

   "We had more returns than you did this year," Tanner said.

   "If it is all right with you, Tanner and I would like to help host the
dinner this year," Christian continued.  "Of course we would help pay the
bill too."

   "That's cool guys," I agreed.  "I'd be happy to have you help host the
dinner."

   "Have you picked out a restaurant yet?" Tanner asked.  "How did you find
those great places other years?"

   "It wasn't anything complicated," I explained.  "I just go on line and
check out the restaurant reviews.  Do you guys want to get together after
we are done this evening and look for a place to take the guys?"

   "Sure, that sounds good Coach," Tanner agreed.

   "We'll come over to your room after the position meetings are finished
Coach," Christian added.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   We had lunch at the hotel after we cleaned up from our morning practice.
Coach Adams met with the offense for an hour after lunch to review our game
plan and Tennessee's tendencies.  The buses took us back to us back to Dr.
Phillips for afternoon practice.  We did more conditioning and drilled on
our fundamentals in the afternoon.  Some of the high school kids hung out
along the edge of the field to watch after school let out.  I ended up
giving half a dozen autographs before I got on the bus back to our hotel.

   Some of us took advantage of the hour of free time before dinner to go
down to the whirlpool and relax for awhile.  Dinner was at the hotel. 
Anders ran the wide receiver film study session after dinner.  Coach Adams
popped in occasionally to help and to answer questions.

   We anticipated Tennessee would try press coverage on us early in the
game.  Football coaches are fundamentally conservative.  Michigan State,
the last team to beat us, did that so it must be the way to handle our
team. We would be ready for them.  Anders had drilled us on how to beat
press coverage since we lost to the Spartans.  We would make Tennessee
sorry if they tried it.

   Tanner and Christian followed me back to my room.  Damian came along
when he heard we were Googling local restaurants.  He would be a help
finding the right place to take the special teams.  We spent about
forty-five minutes reviewing possible destinations.  We narrowed the
choices down to the Palm Restaurant, an excellent steakhouse; Fresco Cucina
Italiana, an authentic Italian eatery; Chatham Place Restaurant; and Roy's
Restaurant Orlando, a Hawaiian fusion seafood restaurant.

   The menus at all four restaurants made us drool.  The Chatham Place menu
looked fantastic but was a little pricy for us.  We had done Italian before
so we passed on Fresco Cucina.  Tanner thought the steak at the Palm
sounded best.  I liked the seafood theme at Roy's.

   Damian talked about the kind of food chef Roy Yamaguchi prepared. 
Christian was sold on it.  We brought Tanner around when we reminded him
that Roy's offered a price fixe menu for banquet groups.  We would be able
to get appetizer, entrée and dessert for $35 a person.

   We went through the guest list and came up with twenty-four players and
coaches to invite.  We invited Damian to come along even though he didn't
play special teams anymore.  He passed since he and Chip had made other
plans for the evening.  I called Roy's and made reservations for 6:30 pm on
December 28th.  They would set up a private banquet room for our group.

   Friday ran similar to Thursday - breakfast, morning practice of
conditioning and fundamentals drills, lunch, film study and then back to
Dr. Phillips for more practice.  The coaches had us run plays in the
afternoon.  The emphasis was on route running and blocking assignments for
the offense.  The coaches wanted us to play smart in the bowl game.

   We had another team meeting after dinner at the hotel.  Trevor and I
headed upstairs to our room after the meetings were over.  My cell phone
rang a couple minutes after we reached our room.  It was Dad.

   "Hey Dad, what's up?" I asked as I answered my phone.

   "Everyone wanted to know how your stay in sunny Florida is going," Dad
said.  "We had a sleet storm last night up here.  Driving was a mess this
morning."

   "I know how you feel Dad," I teased.  o "It's been cold down here to. 
The high today didn't go over seventy.  It's been tough."

   "Don't rub it in," Dad replied.  "I suppose you enjoyed sun too."

   "Yeah," I agreed.  "I had to put on sun block and wear my shades today.
The bright blue sky and tropical sun are brutal."

   "Enough weather chit chat," Dad said.  "... way more than enough.  I
called to let you know your grades arrived today."

   "How'd I do?" I asked.  I gave Dad permission to open my mail while I
was away.  "Did I get my straight A's?"

   "Sorry, no," Dad answered.

   "It was that damn anthropology final," I said.  "What are my grades?"

   "Anthropology 45 - B+, Geography 15 - A, Geography 115 - A, History 163
- A+, Teaching Secondary Social Studies I - A+," Dad said.  "Your grade
point average was 3.80 for this semester.  Your cumulative GPA at Penn
State is 3.63.  That's not too shabby."

   "Yeah, I guess," I agreed.  "I was really hoping for straight A's this
semester."

   "You'll have to settle for this..." Dad said.  "... and for making
All-American."

   Dad and I talked for a few more minutes.  I related what was happening
with the team.  I told him about Christian and Tanner offering to help pay
for the special team's dinner.  That probably saved me (him) close to $500.
I had Dad give my best wishes to everyone.  He promised to give each of the
boys a plane ride for me.

   Dad offered to call me Christmas morning so I could be part of the gift
opening.  Connor and Noah understood the concept of `Santa C'aus,' though
Hunter didn't yet.  They knew the jolly old elf was going to bring them
lots of new toys.  They couldn't wait.  I said I would call in the
afternoon when our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were at the
house.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   We moved our gear into the Dr.  Phillips High School locker room
Saturday morning.  The school had thoughtfully decorated the locker room
with blue and white streamers along with a "Go Penn State" poster on the
bulletin board in the locker room.  The people at this school were
excellent hosts.

   The pads and helmets came out.  We got back to hitting in our morning
practice.  We had lunch at our hotel and then met with our coordinator to
review the plans for the scrimmage.  We headed back to the high school
around 1:30 that afternoon.

   We spent a good part of the scrimmage working on running plays and run
blocking.  We planned to test Tennessee's so-so run defense hard.  Damian,
Wyatt and Charlie got the bulk of the carries in the scrimmage.

   Part way through the scrimmage on a third down and seven yards to go
play our defense lined up for press coverage.  This was one of the
defensive looks that we had worked up silent play changes.  Chip saw the
look, recognized it and gave Christian the head nod.  Christian
acknowledged the look and nodded back to Chip.

   Shawn Byrd tried to chuck me as I came across the line of scrimmage at
the snap.  I side stepped him and took off ten yards down the field.  I
turned like it was a hitch route.  Shawn cut in front of me, looking to
intercept or block the pass.  Chip did a pump fake that suckered Shawn into
committing to the fake hitch route.  The pump fake also pulled Tyler Madden
up to assist with the tackle in case Shawn missed on the interception.

   I sprinted downfield as soon as my friends were committed.  I flew by
Tyler as he tried to change direction, much too late.  Chip hit me thirty
yards down field.  I sprinted away from Shawn and Tyler and headed for the
end zone.  Coach Adams blew the play dead before I got that far.

   "Damn Coach!" Shawn groused as we trotted back to the line of scrimmage.
"We don't run that route from that formation.  Where in the hell did that
come from?"

   Grinning, I replied, "We do now."

   "You better do it that well against Tennessee," Shawn said.  "I know
what you can do and I still couldn't stop you.  That play is going to kill
them."

   "That's the idea," I agreed.

   Coach Adams debriefed Chip, Christian and me when the scrimmage was
over. He was pleased with that play.  The other two silent play changes
hadn't come up but Coach gave us permission to continue with them next week
and during the bowl game.

   The coaches had us dress in coat and tie for dinner.  The hotel put out
a really nice Christmas Eve buffet for us.  We enjoyed the food.  About
half the Protestants on our team had to hurry after dinner.  A bus was
hauling us up the road to the River of Life Presbyterian Church for 7:00 pm
Christmas Eve services.  The Catholics and Baptists had an hour to wait
until their services.

   About fifteen of us went to the services at River of Life.  This church
was much newer than the ones we had gone to out in Los Angeles last year
and the year before.  The church was nice but wasn't as historic as those
churches.  That made sense.  Much of Orlando had grown up in the last
thirty or forty years since Disney and Universal came to town and made
Orlando a tourist destination.

   The candlelight services were nice.  Pastor Holliday gave an excellent
sermon.  Christmas hymns always move me.  The pastor specifically welcomed
us "Penn State football players" to the service.  The congregation had no
trouble picking us out.  They were friendly and welcoming.

   We got back to the hotel around 8:30.  Trevor, Damian, Chip and I had
all gone to the same service.  We decided a dip in the whirlpool would feel
good.  When we had steeped long enough we headed upstairs to dry off and
change into casual clothes.  The four of us went back to the ground floor
to one of the lounges.  Damian and Trevor had beers.  Chip and I settled
for Cokes.  Sigh - I have six and a half months to go before I'm legal.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Burton arranged for a continental breakfast from 8:00 to 9:00 am
on Christmas morning for anyone interested.  I doubt anyone other than
Christian and GJ made it to that meal.  Brunch was from 11:30 am to 1:00
pm. Trevor and I were awake in time for brunch.

   Trevor and I made a point of sitting down with Brian Henson and his
roommate Chris Richardson.  Brian and Chris asked us about how this trip
compared to our previous bowl trips.  Trevor and I talked about the Rose
Bowl trips.

   I had a purpose for sitting with Brian.  With his speed and nose for the
football Brian as going to be a star on our team - probably sooner than
later.  I needed to show him the responsibilities that come with being a
star on the team the way Zack had with me.

   "Are you going on the hospital visit this afternoon?" I asked casually.

   "I don't know," Brian answered.  "I was thinking about relaxing at the
pool and hanging with my buddies."

   "You know Coach Burton and Coach Adams have high expectations for you?"
I responded.  Brian nodded agreement.  "You have more receptions, yards and
TDs than any other freshman or sophomore.  The coaches see you as a
potential star on the team."

   "I hope they're right," Brian said.  "I'm working as hard as I can to do
well."

   "I know you are," I said.  "Have you heard the saying, `To those whom
much is given, much is expected?' That's you.  You should come along on the
hospital visit."

   "I don't care much for hospitals," Brian replied.  "It's depressing to
see sick kids."

   "It is to an extent," I agreed.  "It hurts at first when you see these
bald kids that have cancer.  Then you see the smiles your visit brings as
you talk with them and give them gifts.  You get the chance to do something
nice for kids when everything else in their life sucks.  You need to be
there and be a part of this.  Zack Hayes got on my case two years ago to do
this.  Zack was right.  You need to be there Brian."

   "It is a good thing," Trevor added.

   "What do you do?" Brian asked.

   "Mike Pollard will play Santa Claus for the kids," I explained.  "The
athletic department has presents ready to give to the kids.  We sit and
talk with them a little bit.  We sing some Christmas carols with them."

   "I guess I can go," Brian said.

   "You won't be sorry," I said.  "I was dubious about this the first year.
I wouldn't miss it even if Coach Burton didn't ask me to participate."

   I called my family after lunch and talked with most of my family over
the duration of the fifteen minute call.  The twins loved the footballs I
gave them.  Hunter "talked" with me for a minute.  He recognized me but
called me Unka Ky instead of Kyle.  Someday he'll understand the difference
between uncles and brothers.  I wished my whole family a Happy Christmas.

   Brian was outside the hotel at one o'clock when the van left for the
hospital.  I was proud of my protégé.  Mike Pollard showed up in the Santa
costume.  The big, 6'-7", 340 pounds defensive tackle made an impressive
Santa Claus.  We took I-4 north from our hotel into the middle of downtown
Orlando.  The van pulled in at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

   Mike's version of Santa Claus was a big hit with the younger children.
We handed out presents to the kids.  We spent some time talking with them.
A couple of them stood out as we visited.  Tony, a twelve year old fighting
off leukemia and Phillip, a thirteen year old recovering from knee surgery,
were big football fans.  They got to be friends yesterday after Phillip
came out of surgery and was put in the same room as Tony.

   They talked and found their shared passion for football, particularly
Gators football.  Phillip was wearing his Gators T-shirt when Chip and I
met him.

   Tony asked, "What positions do you guys play?"

   "I play wide receiver," I answered.

   "I'm the Lions' quarterback," Chip added.

   "I read you're supposed to be pretty good," Phillip commented.  "I don't
know if you're as good as my favorite, Ed Fritz.  He is the best around. 
He is the reason my Gators are playing for the national championship this
year."

   "I agree completely," I said.  "I'll be cheering for the Gators on
January 5th just like you guys.  Ed Fritz is a close friend of mine."

   "You know him?" Tony asked incredulously.

   "Sure, we grew up together," I replied.  "Ed lives three doors down from
me.  Who do you think was catching all those passes Ed threw when he was
young and learning how to be a quarterback?"

   "You?" Phillip asked.

   "Me," I confirmed.

   "Do you know Ed too?" Phillip asked Chip.

   "Sure, Ed, Kyle and I worked out together last summer," Chip said.  "All
of us worked at a scout camp.  We practiced together every day."

   Chip and I spent about ten minutes talking about Ed and Gator football
with the two boys.  Our driver indicated that it was almost time for us to
wrap up our visit.

   I asked Phillip, "What did you do to your knee?"

   "About a month ago when we were playing soccer in gym class I got
tangled up with one of the guys," Phillip answered.  "I tore my an.... 
anterior cru....  something or other."

   "Anterior cruciate ligament," I corrected.

   "Yeah that's it," Phillip said.  I rolled up my left pant leg to expose
my knee.

   "I bet you have incisions here, here and here," I said as I pointed at
my scares around my knee.

   "Yeah, exactly like them," Phillip said.

   "I tore mine in high school during a football game," I said.  "I got
tangled up with him." I pointed across the room at Christian.  "Work hard
at rehab.  Do what the doctors and trainers tell you.  You can come out of
this as good as new.  I did."

   "I'll do my best Kyle," Phillip agreed.  "Thanks for visiting today."

   My teammates and I headed for the door to leave.  One of the fathers got
my attention as I was going.

   "Thanks for talking with Phillip," the man said.  "He loves sports and
has been pretty down since he tore up his knee.  He was afraid he wouldn't
be able to do the things he loves anymore."

   "Believe me, I know that feeling," I replied.  "That's where I was four
years ago."

   "I think your visit will inspire him," the father added.  "The doctor
says he has a lot of work to do to rehabilitate his knee.  This may be the
inspiration he needs to get back on the playing field."

   "I hope it works out for Phillip," I said.  "I enjoyed talking with him
this afternoon.  If you give me your name and address, I will see if I can
get Ed Fritz to send Phillip an autograph."

   "That would be wonderful," Phillip's father said.  He wrote down their
name and address.  I promised to send the request off to Ed that evening.

   Our group loaded up in the van for the trip back to our hotel.  Brian
Henson sat next to me on the trip back.

   "I'm glad you talked me into going Coach," Brian said.  "It was cool
meeting with those kids.  I'll make sure I do this again next year."

   "That's good Brian," I agreed.  "I'm glad you came."

   I gave Ed Fritz a call as we were riding back to the hotel.  I relayed
the autograph request to him.  Ed not only would send the autograph, but he
promised to call Phillip that evening at the hospital to wish him a Merry
Christmas.  Ed was enjoying being a hero to the Gators fans instead of
being the goat.

   Everyone put on dress clothes for our dinner, less jackets.  The team
assembled in one of the banquet rooms at six pm sharp.  The hotel staff
served our Christmas dinner as a sit down meal instead of the usual buffet
line.  They started off with an appetizer of sliced tomatoes and mozzarella
over a plate of greens drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette.

   Our main course was a small beef filet and a chicken breast served with
fingerling potato hash and baby vegetables.  The hotel had key lime pie,
cheesecake or tiramisu for dessert.  They did an excellent job with the
meal.

   While the dishes were cleared Andrew Perkins and Jibril Sloan went
around the room, lighting candles for our Christmas celebration.  The hotel
staff dimmed the lights.  Tyler Madden called for quiet.  Earlier he had
asked Christian and me to read from the Gospel according to John to tell
the Christmas story.  My friend and I took turns reading from the Bible.

   We sang "Oh Little Star of Bethlehem" and "Silent Night." GJ DeLuca
concluded our service with a prayer.  The lights came on again when GJ
concluded the prayer.

   Michael Pollard came in the room dressed as Santa pushing a luggage cart
full of wrapped presents.  Jibril Sloan and Max Rosen followed pushing more
luggage carts loaded with presents for the team.  Max and Jibril were
dressed as elves.  They even wore elf ears.

   Santa Mike started distributing gifts to the players.  He waited for
each recipient to open their gift before moving on to the next gag gift. 
Some of the gags had been done previous years.  Some were new.  One of the
better ones was the set of bicycle training wheels Glenn Korbel gave Jon
Stafford.  The note said it was "to help him keep his balance next season
while he backed up Chip and to keep him steady and level the following
season in case he earned the starter's position.

   Everyone had a good laugh when Ben Walker opened my gift to him.  He
held up the tent-sized T-shirt so everyone could see the "I Beat Anorexia"
slogan on the front.

   Mike placed three packages in front of me.  "The directions say you
should open the smallest one first Coach," Mike said as he handed over the
packages.

   I opened the box to find a garish fluorescent green plastic whistle the
size of lime.  "Give it a try Coach," half a dozen of my teammates yelled.
I tried it.  The whistle worked.  "Put it on," more friends yelled when I
set it on the table before opening the next larger box.  I put the lanyard
around my neck and let the big whistle dangle.

   I found a blue Penn State visor with white stitching across the brim. 
It said "Coach." I modeled the visor to the cheers of my friends and
teammates.  I opened up the largest box to find a clipboard.  I took the
clipboard in my left hand, turned to John Crosby, my benefactor.

   A couple guys yelled out to me.  "It fits you Coach" "It's about time
you were properly equipped Coach" The rest of the crowd laughed as I
modeled my new attire.

   "Thank you John," I said as I bowed to him.

   "Read the clipboard Coach," John called out.  "It's the best part."

   I stared down at the clipboard.  John had taken a Penn State University
Job Application and filled it out in my name.  He had everything correct,
right down to my social security number.  I laughed out loud.

   "John is trying to get me to apply for the vacant coaching position," I
called out to the crowd.  John had filled in "Wide Receiver Coach" in
postion requested spot.  The crowd laughed when I told the position.

   "Perfect" "You do the job already." "Turn it in!" came from the crowd.

   I walked across the room to Coach Burton's table.  "I guess I turn this
into you Coach," I said as I handed the application to Coach Burton.  "Does
the NCAA allow player/coaches?"

   "Only if the player/coach is unpaid," Coach Burton retorted.

   "In that case," I said.  "I'll keep this application for a year until my
eligibility is done."

   "I'll look forward to seeing it when you're done playing Coach Martin,"
Coach Burton replied.

   Santa Mike and his helpers continued delivering gifts.  Mike wheeled the
cart over to our table and stopped beside Chip.

   "Santa has a special delivery present all the way from Green Bay,
Wisconsin," Mike announced as he presented the gift to Chip.  I glanced
over at Coach Burton.  He rolled his eyes and shook his head.  I'm sure he
wondered, `What did Zack do now?'

   I caught a glimpse of flesh colored plastic as Chip opened the box. 
Chip burst out laughing when he looked inside.  He reached into the box and
pulled out to life size replicas of naked female breasts.  The team roared
with laughter.

   The juniors and seniors on the team knew where these breasts came from.
We were there two years ago when Zack received them for Christmas.

   "Damn!" Coach Burton growled.  "I thought I was rid of those things when
Hayes left."

   "Read the card that comes with these for everyone Chip," Tyler said.

   Chip cleared his throat and began, "Stress relieving breasts.  Now that
you are the starting quarterback, I thought these would come in handy. 
Whenever Coach Burton gets on your case, take these bad boys out and give
them a squeeze.  It helps with all the stress you will experience.  See you
Monday, Zack"

   Chip gave the fake breasts a few squeezes and left them out on our
table. Santa Mike continued giving out the gifts.  Coach Burton kept
glancing back at the stress breasts in plain sight on the table, slowly
getting more exasperated.

   After a couple more gifts were opened Coach Burton reached the end of
his patience.  "Brinton, put those things back in their box," Coach Burton
directed.  He looked towards the table where Jon Stafford and Bob Huber
were seated.  "Huber, Stafford, make damn sure those things don't get
handed down anymore.  I don't want to see them at Christmas in a couple
years."

   "You got it Coach" "Yes Coach" the two future quarterbacks replied.

   Chip made a big show of giving the fake breasts a few extra squeezes as
he returned them to the gift box.  The gift unwrapping continued.  Chip
leaned over to me and asked, "Do you think Zack and I went too far?"

   "No, you're fine," I said.  "Coach likes to make a big show of
disapproving.  Didn't you notice him suppress a smile before he chewed you
out?  It's just a show to keep things under control while the team blows
off steam."

   "Zack says the same thing in the note with this gift," Chip agreed.  "He
told me not to read that part of the note aloud."

   "I guess Zack is planning to come to the game from what he said at the
end of the note you read," I said.

   "I know Green Bay has a game on Sunday," Chip said.  "He's going to have
a hell of an evening traveling to get here in time for our game after lunch
Monday."

   "Yeah, he will," I agreed.

   We wrapped up our celebration around 7:30 that evening.  A bunch of us
went back to my room to watch the Sunday night NFL game.  The Jets were
taking on the Patriots for lead in the AFC East that evening.  It was a
well fought game.  The Jets defense harassed Tom Brady, who wasn't quite as
mobile as he was when he came into the league years ago, and won those
Super Bowls.

   It was a fun game to watch as the two closely matched teams fought it
out.  The Jet's aggressive defense blitzed and beat up on the Patriots. 
Brady was still Brady, so he kept his team in the game.  The Patriots led
27-24 midway through the fourth quarter when they booted the ball back to
the Jets.  Mark Sanchez drove his team down the field with some excellent
passes.  He threw a touchdown to Braylon Edwards with a minute and half
left.  The Jet's defense held Brady and the Patriots out of the end zone to
win the game 31-27.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Burton reduced practices to once a day for the rest of our time in
Orlando.  Curfew was at eleven pm each night, mandatory breakfast was at
7:30 am, and then we would board the buses to the field at 8:30.  Practice
would run from 9:00 to 11:00 am.  After lunch we would have time for
activities or tours.  Monday we would go to Seaworld, Tuesday and Wednesday
to Disney World, Thursday to Universal Studio's Theme Park and Friday to
the Penn State Pep Rally.  We would have a busy and fun week.

   Both the captains and the coaches made sure everyone put out their best
effort at Monday morning's practice.  Practice went well as my teammates
responded to their leaders' determination to shine next Monday.  We closed
practice with a team huddle and a new cheer - "Championship starts today!"

   After lunch at the hotel the buses took us the few minutes' drive to
Seaworld Orlando.  Most of the guys gravitated to the big coasters - the
Manta and the Kraken.  They had another coaster called `Journey to
Atlantis'.  It involved getting soaked by water, which no one was
particularly interested in doing.  The afternoon temperature was in the
mid-sixties and the sky was cloudy.

   Trevor, Chip, Damian, Christian, GJ, Shawn, Denzel and I hung together
that afternoon.  We took in the shark, dolphin, penguin and whale shows
between rides.  Shamu's Believe show was excellent.  The athletic
department arranged for us to have Makahiki Christmas Luau for dinner.  The
luau included Island Salad, Mahi-mahi in Pina Colada Sauce, Hawaiian
Chicken, Polynesian Barbecue Pork, Polynesian Fried Rice, Stir-Fried
Vegetables and Islands Sweets for dessert.

   We returned to our hotel around 7:30 that evening.  The place was
crawling with Penn State Blue Band members.  They arrived that afternoon. I
noticed some of the younger team members paying too much attention to the
pretty coeds that joined us.

   I rode up in the elevator with Marco Cuchiella, Jon Stafford, Chris
Richardson and Brian Henson.  Four pretty females in Penn State shirts rode
with us to the fourth floor.  After they got off we continued up to our
rooms on the seventh floor.

   Marco commented after girls left, "That blonde was the bomb." I would
admit she was pretty.  Jon and Chris murmured their agreement.

   "I wouldn't mind nailing that one," Brian said more directly.  "Do they
go to Disneyland tomorrow like us Coach?"

   "They might," I replied.

   "Maybe we could hook up with them," Brian continued.  "They're here in
our hotel.  Who knows what could develop this week."

   I cleared my throat.  "You guys need to remember why we are here in
Orlando.  This is a business trip.  We have a football game in seven days.
Nothing else matters this week."

   "Don't be a spoil sport Coach," Marco teased.

   "What would a little fun hurt?" Jon added.  "Nobody will ever find out."

   "This week is for prep for a football game," I countered.  "That is it!
A guy a few years ago thought the same thing as you guys.  Coach Paterno
caught him and shipped him home."

   "Coach Burton wouldn't do that," Brian protested.  "You might get in
trouble for breaking curfew or something but he wouldn't send you home."

   "Hell, yeah he would," I countered.  "Talk to Tyler Madden.  He knew the
guy that was sent home." I cleared my throat and stared each of the four
guys in the eye.  "You need to remember we have a single goal this week -
win our bowl game.  Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, can get in the way of that
goal.  Go ahead and get the girl's name.  Find out where she lives back on
campus.  Set up a date for next semester.  All of that is fine.  IS THAT
CLEAR?"

   "Yeah Coach," the four guys agreed.  I knew I would need to keep an eye
on them.

   The team organized van rides from our hotel to Best Buy so we could
redeem our gift cards while we were in Orlando.  The athletic department
support staff picked names from a hat.  The rides were scheduled every
night during the week until everyone got to the store.  Chip and I ended up
in the first group to get a ride to the store.

   Chip and I both made a beeline to the electronics department, like most
of our teammates.  I had planned to look over home theater systems.  Our
apartment needed a good sound system to replace the one Jay took to James
Madison when he left.  Chip ended up checking the systems out with me. 
Chip chose a system before I made my mind up.

   "Is that for home?" I asked as he finished placing the order with the
clerk.

   "No, it's for our apartment," Chip replied.  "All of you guys have
outfitted the place.  I feel I need to do my part."

   "You don't need to do that Chip," I said.  "I was planning on getting
the sound system to replace Jay's."

   "I've got the order placed already Coach," Chip replied.  "Why don't you
go and find something nice for yourself.  I think it's important that I
contribute as much to our apartment as the rest of you.  I don't want to
feel like a free loader."

   "OK, if you insist," I agreed.  I wandered over to the TV section.  I
could always use a nice TV for my bedroom.  After about fifteen minutes of
browsing and talking with the salesman, I choose a Toshiba 40" 1080p LCD
HDTV.  I paid for it with my $500 gift card and made up the difference with
my credit card.  The store promised me to ship it back to campus.  It would
be at our post office when I got back to campus for spring semester.

   Most of my teammates had their purchases shipped back to campus the way
I did.  Chip ended up adding a Blu-Ray disc player to his home theater
system.  Wes Kennedy and Charlie Taylor purchased phones.  Wes bought a
Droid and Charlie bought a Blackberry.

   -------------------------------------------------

   At Tuesday's practice we practiced the wildcat plays, except one.  We
practiced that one extensively back on campus inside Holuba Hall where no
one could see it except team members and coaches.  We worked on the end
around and reverse plays we hadn't used since last season too.  Practice
ran smoothly.

   I talked with Tyler Madden about my conversation with the freshmen in
the elevator the previous evening.  Tyler called for an all-hands meeting
of the team at the end of practice.  Tyler reiterated the message I gave
Brian, Chris, Jon and Marco.  He reminded everyone we were here on a
business trip and that we needed to take care of business.  We broke from
practice with a huddle and chant of "Championship starts here!"

   We had lunch at the hotel.  Coach Burton announced the team members that
were to participate in the Capital One Bowl Media Day after we finished
eating.

   "The following team members shall meet outside by the athletic
department vans in twenty minutes in coat and tie: Captains Tyler Madden,
Andrew Perkins, Jibril Sloan; Offensive players: Chip Brinton, Kyle Martin,
Christian Hunsecker, Damian Thompson, Ben Walker, Greg Nowicki, Wyatt
Smith; Defensive players: Trevor Conwell, Bill Daugherty, Mike Pollard,
Josh Bruno, Brendan Hayden, Shawn Byrd, Salim Rogers; and Special Teams
players: Joe Ricci, Dave McCall, and Brian Henson," Coach announced.
Most of the players named knew they were going to go to media day.  Two
players were upset at Coach's list.  Tanner expected to attend media day
and was the only skill player starter not invited.  Brian Henson was upset

because he would be missing rides with his friends at the amusement park.

   The twenty of us loaded up in the vans while the remainder of the team
loaded on buses for the trip over to Disney World.  I made a point of
sitting with Brian.  I wanted to talk with him and get him in the right
frame of mind before he met the media for the first time.

   I had Brian convinced it was an honor to have been invited to
participate in media day by the time we arrived at the Citrus Bowl stadium.
The department had a PR rep standing by with Brian as he set up on the
field.  The twenty Nittany Lions were setup with booths on the eastern side
of the stadium.  The Vols players were set up opposite us on the western
side of the field.

   Brian's booth was set up to the right of me.  Damian was on my left.  I
did all the usual local, central Pennsylvania media - channels 8, 21, 27
and 43 along with the Harrisburg, York and Lancaster papers.  Reporters
from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore papers stopped by for
interviews too.  National media from ESPN/ABC, CBS, and Fox came by.

   I seemed to be one of the most popular interviewees that afternoon.  I
managed to check up on Brian a couple times.  He seemed to be doing OK. 
The media day was winding up around three o'clock.  Damian and I were
talking while we waited to see if any other reporters came by when Todd
Blackledge showed up.

   Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge were announcing our game for ABC/ESPN.
Todd and I had met at a couple university functions he attended as an
alumnus.  He had also interviewed me three or four times when he and Brad
were in State College for our games.  I was comfortable around Todd.

   "Hey Todd," Damian teased as Todd walked up to us.  "Decide to do a
little work today?"

   "Yeah, did you decide to slum it a little with us northerners?" I
teased. I gave him a wink.

   "I had to interview the Tennessee players," Todd answered evenly. 
"We've known each other for three seasons and I did two of your games this
year.  I haven't broadcast any Volunteers games.  I needed to get to know
them better."

   "That's OK as long as you still bleed blue and white," I teased.

   "Do you guys mind if I interview the two of you together?" Todd said. 
"I know you roomed together in the dorms your first two years.  I assume
you're still friends."

   "Friends?  Absolutely," Damian said.

   "Actually we're still roommates too," I added.

   "Are you two like the Odd Couple?" Todd asked.  Both of us nodded yes.
"Who's Oscar and who's Felix?"

   "Both of us," I said.

   "And neither of us," Damian added.  "Coach...er, Kyle is a complete
slob. He lets messes everywhere.  But then, so do I."

   "Damian qualifies as Felix for the fine cooking he does," I said. 
"Damian is our resident gourmet."

   "Kyle knows his way around the kitchen too," Damian added.  "He has made
up some mean dishes for us."

   "Damian's is the one raised around restaurants," I said.  "I learned to
cook in scouts.  I make plain, everyday things."

   "What are some of your favorites Kyle?" Todd asked.  "What excites your
taste buds?"

   "Oh... I like meat and potatoes mostly," I replied.  "I love barbecue,
Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and Chinese.  I've developed a taste for Cajun
in the last few years."

   "Cajun?" Really Kyle..." Todd said.  "How about you Damian... are you
into Cajun cooking?"

   "Cajun?  Sure, Chef Andre in my dad's Cleveland restaurant specializes
in southern cooking, especially Cajun." Todd chuckled.

   "What are you two doing Thursday afternoon?" Todd asked.  "I'm filming
my `Taste of the Town' segment Thursday at Emeril Lagasse's restaurant. 
How would you like to be on the segment?"

   The team was going to Universal Theme Park.  I shrugged.  What the hell?
I didn't need four days of amusement rides.  Damian looked at me and
smiled.

   "Sure" "Why not" Damian and I replied instantly.  "Sounds like fun," I
added.

   "You run it by Coach Burton and the athletic department," Todd said. 
"I'll run it by my bosses, but I'm sure they will be all for it."

   Todd moved on to football after getting us to agree to appear on his
food segment.  We talked for a bit about our offense and the roles we play
in it.  Todd hit us with a good question.

   "Do you feel like you are competing with Kyle for touches on the
football?" Todd asked Damian.

   "Not at all," Damian said.  "When Kyle is catching those long passes
everything opens up for me.  I'd rather face one linebacker than a couple
with free safety support."

   "When Damian has the ground game cranking," I added.  "We hit them with
a play action pass, draw the safeties up and I'm playing against one-on-one
coverage.  He makes my job easy."

   "We complement each other," Damian said.  "We don't compete with each
other.  Kyle helped me improve my receiving last winter."

   "Damian has helped me become a better blocker," I added.

   "It sounds like you have a relationship like my main guys, Kenny and
Curt," Todd commented.  Kenny Jackson was Todd's star wide receiver on the
'82 national championship team.  Curt Warner was the top notch, Heisman
hopeful running back from that team.

   Todd wrapped up the interview after that.  Damian and I exchanged cell
phone numbers with Todd so we could confirm our arrangements for Thursday
afternoon.

   Damian and I had a chance to check out the condition of the field when
we were finished with interviews.  The Citrus Bowl had replaced their old
natural grass field with state-of-the-art artificial turf a couple years
ago after the fiasco when the field turned into a mud pit during one of the
Capital One Bowls.  You would never know eight high school championship
games had been player here.  Wisconsin would take on Clemson in the Champs
Sports Bowl tomorrow evening too.

   The vans took us back to our hotel so we could change into "play
clothes" for our afternoon at Disney World.  We had no chance at all to
find our teammates in the hundreds of acres of park when we arrived at the
front gate.  The two busloads of teammates split into two groups.  Tyler
Madden, Trevor, Christian, Shawn, Chip, Damian, Brian, Dave, Joe and I
stayed together.  We decided to see Disney's Hollywood Studio park.

   The rides were cool.  The tour backstage to see how the studios did
their movie magic was interesting.  We spent two and a half hours wandering
around that part of the park.  We had just come out of the Lights, Motors,
Action!  Extreme Stunt show when we bumped into a group of girls from Penn
State Blue Band.

   The girls recognized us as football players immediately and headed over
to talk with us.  We walked over the greet them.  As we met I saw motion to
my side and then found myself receiving a fierce hug.

   "Kyle, it's so good to see you!" my hugger exclaimed.  She planted a
big, sloppy kiss on my cheek before I could turn to face her.  "It's been
too long."

   I managed to squirm around and face my assaulter.  I smiled as soon as I
saw her face.  "Andrea!" I agreed.  "It has been too long.  How are you
doing?" I asked as I returned her kiss.

   "I know football is going well," Andrea Timmerman said.  "How is the
rest of your life?  Are you still going steady with that cute redhead?"

   "No, we broke up last semester," I replied.  "How about you?  Are you
seeing anyone special?"

   "No, I date a bit but I haven't found that special guy yet," Andrea
said. "We should get together sometime Kyle.  I had so much fun that night
we spent together."

   "I'd like that Andrea," I said.  "I should warn you about one thing
Andrea.  I don't party quite as much as I did back when we were freshmen. I
hope that is OK."

   "I'd hope you don't," Andrea agreed.  "I saw you had a dust-up with the
police in November.  Have you given up drinking entirely?"

   "No, I just moderated it quite a bit," I replied.

   "I've cut back too," Andrea agreed.  "I took a little too much advantage
of my freedom freshman year.  Less alcohol equals more fun on a Saturday
night.  I hope you and I can enjoy a beer or two sometime and find out how
much fun you can have when you're sober."

   "I would really like that." Andrea and I exchanged phone numbers while
her friends chatted with my friends.  The exchange lasted a couple minutes.

   Tyler concluded things.  "It's been fun talking," he said.  "We are
supposed to be over in Epcot for dinner at six o'clock."

   Andrea said, "You guys better hurry.  It'll take at least that long to
just to get across the park." My friends and I headed away.  Andrea called
after us, "Call me Kyle.  I'd enjoy another night together again."

   We caught a bus across the park to get over to Le Cellier, the
steakhouse where we were having dinner.  When we were aboard the bus Brian
teased, "So... we need to concentrate on football and not on distractions.
She is a hell of a distraction."

   "I know what it looks like," I said.  She's someone who...."

   "I KNOW WHO THAT WAS!" Trevor burst out.  "...the mystery girl at
Disneyland.  The one you were lusting after before our first Rose Bowl."

   "I wasn't lusting after her," I replied.

   "Did you ever hook up with her?" Trevor asked.

   "Yeah, I did about a month later," I said.  "I ran into her at a frat
party.  She ended up taking me back to her dorm room for some fun."

   "You going to be distracted again roomie?" Damian teased.

   "NO, I will not be distracted," I answered.  "I will focus on the game
and see about asking Andrea for a date after the next semester starts.  You
guys can count on it."

   "We're yanking your chain Coach," Trevor said.

   "I understand," I agreed.  Turning to Brian I added, "That is what you
do down here when you find a desirable girl.  You talk, get her number and
promise to look her up back on campus next semester."

   Our group was a few minutes late arriving at Le Cellier, a Canadian
themed steakhouse.  We joined the end of the line.  The food was decent,
though institutional rather than gourmet.  I was looking forward to Roy's
Hawaiian Fusion tomorrow night and whatever Emeril Lagasse cooked up for us
on Thursday.

   Damian and I talked with Coach Burton after dinner about the invitation
we received from Todd.  Coach said it sounded like fun and asked if we
needed another taster.  He promised to arrange things for us on Thursday
afternoon with the athletic department staff.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   Wednesday's practice ran well.  The morning was cloudy and they were
predicting rain for the afternoon.  The temperature was in the low sixties.
Still, it was much better than back home.  When I talked with Mom last
night she told me they were expecting 6-12 inches of snow the next morning.

   The buses stopped off at our hotel after practice so we could clean up
before heading over to the Magic Kingdom again.  Lunch was at the Crystal
Palace buffet.  A buffet is a great way to keep three busloads of football
players and coaches happy.  The sundae buffet was a big hit.  My friends
and I decided to go back to Epcot since we hadn't seen it yesterday.

   Epcot was interesting.  We got caught by the expected rainstorm while we
were near Mission: Space.  We dashed inside and explored that pavilion
thoroughly until the rain stopped.  We continued exploring Epcot when the
rain stopped.  It was an interesting afternoon.  The buses picked us up
around 5:15 that afternoon and took us back to our hotel.

   The special teams players Christian, Tanner and I were taking to dinner
changed into coats and ties and met us in the lobby at a quarter to six. 
Chip and Damian were holding a thank you dinner that evening for the
offensive line, tight ends and fullbacks.  Coach Ferguson and Anders Voight
took my group over to Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant.

   Roy's was on West Sand Lake Road, about half way to the high school
where we practiced.  Coach and Anders didn't even have to get on the
interstate to get there.  Five minutes later they pulled into the strip
mall where the restaurant was located.  The host, Mr.  Kirby, welcomed us
and took us to a private dining room for our meal.

   Christian, Tanner and I had gotten orders from our guests and relayed
them to the restaurant ahead of time.  Our guests had a choice of Lobster
Bisque, Rock Shrimp Tempura or Vietnamese Lumpia for appetizers.  I went
with the shrimp.  They were quite tasty.

   Our main course choices were Dynamite Seared Salmon, Hawaiian Style
Grilled Butterfish, Lemon Basted Tiger Shrimp or Braised Beef Short Ribs. I
was torn between the braised short ribs and the shrimp but ended up going
with the short ribs.  They were nicely prepared and very tasty.

   Chef Mac, the partner/chef at the restaurant popped in just before
dessert was served to welcome us and to make sure everything was
satisfactory.  Christian, Tanner and I assured him that the meal was
excellent.  It got better when they served dessert.  A few guys went for
the cream puff with lemon cream and strawberries.  Most guys ordered the
Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé.  It was an amazing cake with a hot, molten
center, topped with raspberry sauce and a scoop of ice cream.  My mom, who
is a dedicated chocolate lover, would have died and gone to heaven if she
had this dessert.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

   Andrew Perkins, Christian, Tanner and I all spoke briefly to the special
teams to thank them for all their help this season.  I made a point of
reminding them what we had been preaching for the last two weeks.  The road
to Phoenix and the national championship began here in Orlando next Monday.
All of us needed to work our tails off to give our offense and our defense
the best shot at beating Tennessee.

   The waiter kindly let Christian, Tanner and I put our shares of the bill
on our three credit cards.  It made bookkeeping simpler for us.  Each of us
kicked in around $330 for our share of the bill.  Coach Ferguson gave us
half an hour to stop by the stores in the mall in case we needed anything
before we headed back to our hotel.

   Trevor and I watched the end of the Champs Sports Bowl after we got back
to our room.  Wisconsin edged out Clemson 28-24.  Wisconsin had an uneven
season.  At least they were able to finish on a high note.  Hopefully not
too high a note - we had to go out to Madison to play them next season.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   We got rained on during Thursday morning's practice.  We continued on in
spite of the weather.  The Capital One Bowl would be played regardless of
weather conditions next Monday.  The offenses' execution got sloppy as the
field and ball got wet.  Coach Adams and Coach Burton straightened our
heads out.  By eleven o'clock we were executing plays the way they wanted.

   The team dried off and changed at the high school and then headed for
lunch at Universal Studio Theme Park.  A SUV with an ESPN logo on the side
showed up to take Damian and me back to our hotel so we could cleanup and
change for the shoot.  Damian and I grabbed a sandwich downstairs before we
left.  The shoot wasn't scheduled until 2:30 pm.

   Our driver took us north on I-4.  Damian and I were both surprised when
he got off at the exit for Universal Studio Theme Park.

   "Why are we going here?" I asked as the driver pulled into a service
driveway at the park.

   "Didn't you know Emeril's restaurant is in the park?" the driver
answered.

   "I had no idea," I commented.

   "We could have come here with the team," Damian added.  "They're
wandering around here somewhere."

   The driver took us into the park through a service entrance.  We met up
with Todd Blackledge, the producer, cameraman, soundman and makeup lady
outside the Emeril's restaurant.  The restaurant was a two story modern
structure with glass walls.  We followed the producer, crew and Todd
upstairs where we would film.

   "Mr.  Blackledge!" the booming, easily recognizable voice said. 
"Welcome to my restaurant.  Please, introduce me to your guests." Chef
Emeril Lagasse extended his hand to Todd in welcome.

   "Chef Lagasse, this is Kyle Martin and Damian Thompson..." Todd
explained.  "They are here to assist me with my `Taste of the Town' segment
this afternoon."

   "Excellent," the chef said as he shook hands with Damian and me.  "It is
a pleasure to welcome you to my establishment.  Where are you gentlemen
from?"

   "Erie," Damian answered.  "Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," I added. 
"Pennsylvania Dutch country."

   "Do you gentlemen enjoy Cajun' cooking?" Chef Lagasse asked.  Both of us
nodded yes.  "They have a lot of Cajun' restaurants in Amish country?" Chef
pronounced it A-mish with a long A instead of as ah-mish.  It is a common
mispronunciation among the tourists back home.

   "The ah-mish country doesn't have any Cajun' restaurants," I replied. 
"State College has one Cajun' restaurant that's halfway decent.  It's one
of my favorites when I'm on campus.  I learned to like Cajun' when I
visited Baton Rouge a few years ago."

   "Ahhh... you do know what real Cajun' cooking is," Chef Lagasse replied.
"How about you Mr.  Thompson?"

   "The chef at my dad's restaurant in Cleveland trained in New Orleans,"
Damian replied.  "Andre was born and bred for your kind of cooking."

   "Excellent," Chef Lagasse said.  Turning to the producer, "Marcia, do
you want to the kitchen segment first?"

   "That would be excellent Chef," the producer agreed.

   "Good, I have appetizers and entrees prepared already," Chef Lagasse
said.  "I would rather serve the meal fresh from the kitchen than from a
hot box."

   The chef led us downstairs to the kitchen.  Damian, Todd and I waited
while the crew got lights and sound ready for the segment.  The makeup lady
did Todd while we waited for things to start.  I didn't think anything
about it until she came to me next.

   "Do I really need to wear makeup?" I whined.

   "No, it's not necessary..." she replied.  "...as long as you don't mind
looking pale and deathly sick on TV."

   "OK, go ahead," I agreed.

   "I don't think I have to worry about looking too pale," Damian teased as
the lady applied makeup to my face.

   "No, you have to worry about looking like a black hole in the screen,"
Todd said.  "You're next Damian." My roomie dropped his smile immediately.
"You guys need to get used to star treatment if you are going to be stars.
I should know, I've been doing this for almost thirty years."

   Damian and I endured our makeup session.  Chef Lagasse didn't bat an
eyelash as his makeup was done.  The crew was ready for filming after about
fifteen minutes of setup.  The lights and camera went on and Chef Lagasse
went to work as Todd, Damian and I stood to the side and watched the magic.

   Chef Lagasse announced, "The menu for this evening will be an appetizer
of a Butcher Plate featuring Andouille & Homemade Sausages, Duck
Prosciutto, Bresaola, Cornichons, Caramelized Onions, Grain Mustard and
Brown Butter French Bread.  The entrée will be Double Cut Pork Chop,
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes, Essence of Tamarind Glaze and Green Chile Mole.
Dessert will feature Vanilla Bean Crčme Brűlée with Macerated Berries,
Chocolate Ribbons and Sweet Vanilla Shortbread"

   "What's Bresaola?" I whispered to Damian while the camera was focusing
on the chef's preparation of the double cut pork chops.

   "It's an Italian air dried beef," Damian explained.  "Very expensive and
very tasty."

   Chef seared the pork chops in a large pan.  When they were properly
browned, he announced, "Let's kick this up a notch," as he threw a pinch of
his trademark spice mix onto the meat.  The meat went into the oven.

   Preparation of the crčme brűlée came next.  One of the sous chefs
delivered a pan of warm cream with a vanilla bean in it.  Chef separated
egg yolks from the whites.  Sugar went in a second pan followed by the egg
yolks.  Chef whisked them together and then began adding the cream a little
at a time.  Chef carefully divided the brűlée mixture into six ramekins. 
The ramekins went into a tray of water.  The tray went into the oven.

   Chef Lagasse moved onto the sweet potatoes.  He peeled and parboiled the
sweet spuds.  "It's time for some learning," chef said.  "Kyle, what is
caramel?"

   "It's butter and sugar browned together," I replied.

   "Ahhh... smart and handsome too," Chef Lagasse teased.  "You're going to
make some lucky girl a good husband."

   "Thank you, I try," I agreed.

   A large chunk of butter went in the sauté pan to melt.  Chef added brown
sugar to the butter and browned the mixture to a light tan.  He sliced the
sweet potatoes and added them to the pan.  He sliced and caramelized onions
in another pan.

   It was amazing to watch this maestro at work.  He was cooking four
things at once, none of which were part of the same dish.  Chef was just as
entertaining in person as he was on TV.

   Chef Lagasse worked on the sauces next.  He kicked up the berries for
the brűlée another notch by macerating them in some liquor.  He made
tamarind glaze and a green chili mole.

   The pork chops came out about the time he finished the sauces.  He
plated the entrée and assembled the butcher's plate of meats, caramelized
onions, grainy mustard and French bread.  I found out what the cornicons
were.  Cornicon was French for pickles.  Chef brought out chilled ramekins
of brűlée from the refrigerator.  He sprinkled sugar on top of each ramekin
and then pulled out a blow torch from under the counter.

   "Would you gentlemen like to do the honors?" Chaf Lagasse asked.  He
handed the torch off to Damian and then lit it.  Damian carefully melted
the sugar on two ramekins.  He handed me the torch.  I did two before
handing the torch off to Todd.

   When the brűlée was ready the crew disassembled the lights and moved
them into the dining room.  They needed about twenty minutes to set up for
the second shoot.  Chef Lagasse, Todd, Damian and I snacked on an extra
butcher's plate of appetizers while we waited for our cue.

   Chef Lagasse fussed with the place settings and the plates to make sure
everything looked perfect.  The four of us sat down around the table when
the crew was ready.  We sampled the butcher's plate on camera.  The
andouille sausage was tasty.  Chef Lagasse put a bit of heat into his
homemade sausage.  I liked the duck prosciutto.  I never had anything quite
like it before.  The bresaola was good.  I tried it with mustard and
caramelized onions on the crusty French bread.

   Chef Lagasse talked about each part of the entrée as we sampled it.  The
pork chop was excellent.  The tamarind glaze added to the flavor.  The mole
added a little kick to the chop.  The caramelized sweet potatoes were the
best I have ever had.

   Todd interviewed Chef Lagasse, Damian and me as we enjoyed our
mid-afternoon meal.  The conversation and the food were great.  Damian and
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

   Chef Lagasse brought out the crčme brűlée and set a ramekin as each
place.  He spooned the macerated berries on top of the brűlée.  "Everyone
is over twenty-one, right?" Chef teased.

   "A couple times already," Todd answered.

   "You bet," Damian added.

   The brűlée looked so damned good.  "Close enough for government work?" I
said hopefully.  Chef Lagasse stared at me and raised his eyebrow.  "I'm
twenty-one in a few months," I added.

   "Marcia, why don't you stop taping for a moment?" Chef said as he turned
to the producer.  Turning back to me he added, "You're supposed to say,
`Yes chef, I am.' Can we roll again?"

   The cameraman rolled the tape.  "Everyone is over twenty-one here,
right?" Chef Lagasse asked.

   "Yes Chef," I replied with a big smile.  "I certainly am." Chef put a
big spoonful of the berries in liquor on top of my brűlée.  All of us broke
open the sugar crust and dipped into the silky custard below.  The berries,
the liquor and the custard flecked with shards of broken sugar together
were exquisite.  I totally understood why people raved about crčme brűlée.

   When we finished taping everyone at the table stood.  "Todd, I'd like to
thank you for inviting us to join you this afternoon," I said.

   "Yes, I would too," Damian added.  "Chef, I'd like to thank you for
hosting us today.  The meal was excellent."

   "It was my pleasure gentlemen," Chef said.  "I wish you the best next
week in your football game."

   "Thanks Chef," I said as I shook his hand.  "It's been a pleasure."

   Todd, Damian and I walked downstairs and outside while the crew gathered
up the equipment.

   Todd asked, "What did you think of TV filming?"

   "It was different," I said.

   "How long do you expect that segment to last when it's aired?" Damian
asked.

   "It's scheduled to run four minutes," Todd answered.

   "Two and a half hours of filming for four minutes of TV," Damian said.

   "Welcome to my world," Todd replied.  "I'll get the PA [production
assistant] to come pick you guys up and give you a ride back to your
hotel."

   "Sure thing," "Thanks" Damian and I chimed in together.  Todd pulled out
his cell phone and called for the ride.

   "Hey, there they are!" a voice boomed out.  We turned and saw Trevor,
Tyler Madden, Chip, Matt Frye, Shawn Byrd and Christian walking towards us.
"We heard they were taping something at Emeril's today," Trevor teased. 
"You guys get enough to eat?"

   "Yeah," I said nodding agreement.  "The food was decent."

   "What did you have?" "What did you have?" a couple of the guys asked.

   "You don't want hear," Damian said.  "It'll make you green with envy."

   "Hey Todd," I said, tapping him on the shoulder.  "You can have your
assistant skip the ride.  We can get back to the hotel on the team bus."

   "However you want it," Todd replied.  He passed the word on to his
assistant on the other end of the cell call.

   "Thanks again Todd," I said.  "It was a lot of fun."

   "Yes, same here Todd," Damian added.

   "It was my pleasure," Todd replied.  He pantomimed removing a hat. 
"There goes the ABC hat." He pretended to put on another cap.  "This is the
Penn State hat." He gave us a wink.  "As a Penn State grad I can say
this... make sure you kick their asses on Monday." Todd chuckled and added,
"Of course I'll deny ever saying that if you tell anyone."

   We thanked Todd one more time before he left with the rest of the crew.
Damian and I hung out with our friends until the team's meeting time. 
Tonight our dinner was going to be at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, next
door to Emeril's Restaurant.

   "I hope the Chef doesn't come out and see us going in here," Damian
teased.  "I suspect he would take it as an insult."

   "I believe you are right," I agreed.  "Though I doubt Emeril Lagasse
spends a lot of time watching customers walk into his competition."

   We joined our friends inside.  Damian and I picked at our food and
tasted a little.  The meal Chef Legasse had served us was quite filling. 
The team headed back to the hotel after dinner.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   We continued fine tuning our offense at Friday's practice.  My teammates
stayed focused on our task for the trip.  Tyler, Andrew and Jibril were
pleased, as were our coaches.  I believe everyone was confident that we
would win on Monday's game.  We had lunch at the hotel.  The buses hauled
the team over to Cape Canaveral to the Kennedy Space center for a tour in
the afternoon.  I found it fascinating.  I may be an athlete but I'm still
part science geek like I was when I was younger.

   The athletic department and the alumni association set up a pep rally at
Pointe Orlando, an up-scale outdoor mall near our hotel for five o'clock.
The Blue Band, the cheerleaders and the Lion warmed up the big crowd of
alumni and fans.  There probably were a couple thousand fans crowding the
open space in the mall.  Coach Paterno spoke to the crowd, getting them
excited before he turned the microphone over to Coach Burton.  The crowd
had a good show.

   The team walked over to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant for dinner.  I had
a delicious Chicken Saltimbocca on Damian's recommendation.  My roomie knew
food.  I never went wrong if I followed his recommendations.  My friends
and I relaxed in the whirlpool after we returned to the hotel.

   Saturday brought our last full practice at the high school.  Our team
traditionally swapped jerseys for the final practice of the year.  Tyler
Madden insisted I take his #23 with C on it.  I doubt it was an accident.
Last year Zack Hayes did the same thing with Tyler, insisting he wear
Zack's captain's jersey.  Was I ready to assume responsibility for leading
the team?

   Chip looked sharp passing during our practice.  Our offensive line
looked ready.  Damian was running the ball well.  Our defense looked ready
too.  Tyler, Andrew and Jibril huddled the team to close practice with our
new cheer- "Championship starts today!"

   We gathered up our things from the high school locker room and loaded
them on the bus to take back to our hotel.  We had lunch at the hotel.  The
coaches gave us the afternoon and evening off.  Chip, Damian, Christian and
I decided more film study and review of our game plan were in order. 
Tanner heard about it and decided to join us.  We spent half the afternoon
studying.  We went for a workout in the fitness room and relaxed in the
whirlpool before dinner.

   I called home before dinner to talk to my family and wish everyone a
happy New Year.  I gave Faith Royer a call and set up a date for next
Friday night, after I got home from Florida.  I promised to take her out
for dinner and a movie.  I would be able to show her an excellent time.  I
had the money from Aaron Morano from raising the most money for Thon a few
weeks ago.

   Dinner was at the hotel.  The coaches arranged for us to have a couple
movies to pass the time in the evening.  Coach Burton moved our curfew back
to 12:30 am for New Year's Eve since we did not play our game until January
2nd.

   TV and their revenues to us and the NFL drove the schedules.  Sunday was
the day for NFL games.  College bowl games would wait until Monday this
year since January 1st was a Sunday.

   The hotel set up refreshments and sodas around 11:00 pm for our informal
New Year's Eve party.  They switched the video feed over to ABC's New
Year's Eve show.  We toasted in the New Year, sang Auld Lang Syne and
headed to bed after that.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Burton had a mandatory team breakfast at 9:30, followed by an hour
of position meetings.  We were dismissed to go upstairs to change into coat
and ties for our luncheon.  The Capital One Bowl held a luncheon each year
for the two teams along with about a thousand fans.

   Buses took us over to the Renaissance Orlando Resort for the luncheon.
The pep band, the cheerleaders and the Lion joined the coaches, team and
university officials attended.  The Volunteers, their band, cheerleaders,
dancers and two mascots were there too.  The Vols had a student dressed in
Daniel Boone style buckskins with a coon skin cap.  He is known the
"Volunteer." Their second mascot was gymnast in a beagle costume.  He was
called "Smokey."

   The bowl game officials had coaches and player spread out among the
roughly fifty tables, seated with our fans.  I ended up at a table with
Caleb Fuller, our freshman backup punter.

   Mr.  & Mrs.  David Parker, from Pittsburgh; John Phelps from Allentown;
Mr.  & Mrs.  William Barr from Towson, Maryland; Mr.  & Mrs.  Mark Hammond
from Wilkes Barre; and Mr.  Alan Dalton from Woodbridge, New Jersey joined
Caleb and me at our table.  All the fans at our table were Penn Staters. 
All the guests were in their forties or fifties except Mr.  Dalton.  He
graduated from Penn State in 1969.  This trip to the bowl game was a
retirement present from his son and daughter.

   We had a choice of chicken breast stuffed with wild rice, wild salmon,
rib eye with truffle goat cheese butter or double cut pork chip.  I had the
stuffed chicken breast, which was quite delicious.  Caleb and I talked with
the fans at the table about our team and our expectations for tomorrow's
game.

   The after-luncheon program included performances by the mascots, bands,
cheerleaders and Tennessee's dance team.  ABC had Todd Blackledge and Brad
Nessler serve as MC's of the after dinner program.  Todd conducted
interviews with our captains plus Chip, Trevor and me along with our
counterparts on the Volunteers' team.  Todd's questions were softballs,
which I appreciated.

   After lunch was over our team visited the stadium to check out the
locker room and field.  The Citrus Bowl field was still in good condition
after the Wisconsin/Clemson game a few days ago.  We headed back to the
hotel after spending about forty-five minutes at the stadium.

   A bunch of us ended up in Damian and ET'S room watching Tampa Bay play
the 49ers.  The Bucs' quarterback, Josh Freeman, had improved dramatically
this season, cutting down on his interceptions.  His passes to Kellen
Winslow and Antonio Bryant gave his team a 24-21 lead starting the fourth
quarter.  Both teams came into the game at 7-8.  Neither team was going to
the playoffs but each had improved from past seasons.

   Coach Singletary for the 49ers pounded the ball down the Buc's throats.
Frank Gore went straight at Tampa's middle linebacker, my friend and former
teammate Pete Klein, play after play.  Pete and his teammates managed to
force a third down and long situation after six plays.  Alex's Smith had to
throw the ball away when all his receivers were covered.  The 49ers punted
the ball back to Tampa with about five minutes left in the game.

   I was impressed with the play calling.  They stayed aggressive.  They
drove down the field with a mix of runs and passes, burning time off the
clock and heading for a clinching score.  As the Bucs passed the center of
the field Takeo Spikes, one of the 49ers middle linebackers run blitzed and
dropped the Bucs tailback for a three yard loss.  It left the Bucs with
third down and five yards to go.

   I recognized what was happening on the next play.  At the snap Aaron
Morano seemed to stumble before taking off after his wide receiver.  I'd
seen that subterfuge often enough to know what came next.  Josh Freeman
spotted the "error" and fired the ball to the "open" wide receiver.  Aaron
neatly cut in front of the receiver, snagged the ball and sprinted
downfield for the end zone.  Josh Freeman wasn't fast enough to catch Aaron
before he carried the ball into the end zone.

   My friend fully deserved the votes that put him into the pro bowl this
season.  Coach Singletary turned up the heat on the Bucs offense when they
got the ball back.  The coach was still a Bear and Buddy Ryan protégé at
heart.  The 49ers held the lead for the remaining 1:40 of the game to win
28-24.

   The crawler at the bottom of the TV screen reported that the Miami
Dolphins beat the Green Bay Packers 27-24 that afternoon.  This certainly
had been a tough season for my mentor.  This loss left the Packers 4-12. 
They had a lot of work to do.

   We had dinner at the hotel and then had a team meeting afterwards.  The
coaches dismissed us around eight o'clock.  We had three hours of free time
until curfew.  As we left the meeting room Shawn, Trevor, Tyler, Damian and
I bumped into a close friend - Aaron Morano.

   "Hey man, it's good to see you," I said as I shook Aaron's hand.

   "Man, that was an awesome INT," Shawn added.  Aaron had mentored Shawn
when he started at Penn State.

   "Yes it was," Tyler added as he clapped his friend on the back.

   The six of us discussed Aaron's game for a couple minutes.  Aaron
glanced at his watch.  "Are the coaches still in the meeting room?" Aaron
asked.

   Tyler replied, "I think so."

   "I have to check in with them," Aaron explained.  "I need to give them
my regards."

   "Go do that," I said as Aaron turned away.  "By the way, what time is
Zack arriving in town?"

   "He's driving up from Miami," Aaron answered.  "He should be here around
ten o'clock tonight.  He has a much longer drive than I did."

   "Tell him to stop by room 708 when he gets in," I said.  "I want to say
hi."

   "We'll stop by," Aaron promised.  "When's curfew?"

   "Eleven o'clock," I replied.

   "See you later," Aaron said.

   My friends and I went upstairs to watch the final NFL regular season
game of the season.  Pittsburgh was taking on the Bengals.  The winner
would win the division.  The loser was going home.  It was a closely fought
game but the Steelers pulled it out in the end.  One other significant
thing happened during the game.  The Steelers center, Justin Hartwig, got
rolled up on during a play in the third quarter.  The eleven year pro was
carted off the field with a major knee injury.  JT Hill, our friend and
former teammate, came in to take Hartwig's spot.  JT did his job well.  He
made good snaps to Roethlisberger and made his blocks.

   Zack and Aaron popped in around a quarter to eleven.  They said hi and
moved on.  The two of them had a lot of friends to drop in on before our
curfew.  They promised to talk more with us tomorrow.  Coach Burton had
assured them of sideline passes.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The mandatory team breakfast was at 7:30 on Monday morning.  We packed
our things and loaded them onto the buses after breakfast.  Twenty minutes
later the buses pulled into the Citrus Bowl Stadium and dropped us off at
our locker room.

   The weather report said we should have clear weather with a high
temperature of seventy degrees at midday.  It was the warmest day of our
trip to Florida.  The winds were expected to be light.  We should have
excellent weather for our passing game.

   We dressed and came out to warm up on the field.  The stadium, which
seats 65,000, was about a quarter full when we came out at 11:30 am.  We
did our warm-ups.  I had a few minutes to talk with our sideline guests. 
Pete Klein drove over this morning from his home outside Tampa Bay.  Phil
DiStefano flew in from Atlanta last evening.  Glenn Tucker flew down from
Jacksonville.  They watched from along the sidelines with their former
teammates, Aaron Morano and Zack Hayes.

   My teammates seemed loose and at ease as they prepared for the coming
contest.  We had a light lunch after we returned inside.  We finished
dressing and preparing for our game.  We did our "Championship starts
today!" cheer before we headed for the tunnel for introductions.

   Around 25,000 Penn State fans cheered as Coach Burton, Tyler, Andrew and
Jibril led us out onto the field.  We ran across to our sideline.  Andrew
and Jibril gave Tyler the honor of calling the coin flip for their last
game.  Tyler called heads.  The coin flip was tails.  Andrew kicked the
ball off to Tennessee.  Our kickoff cover team did well, Tennessee's
offense took possession of the ball at their 22 yard line.

   The Volunteers started off well.  They ran twice for nine yards and then
completed a 5 yard pass to make a first down.  Tennessee tried to go deep
on the next play.  Our secondary covered the receivers until Trevor, Bill
and Mehmed converged on the quarterback and forced him to throw the ball
away.  Josh Bruno made a great play on the next down, dropping their
tailback three yards behind the line of scrimmage.  The Vols tried a draw
on third down and thirteen yards to go.  They gained three yards.

   I lined up on our 25 yard line to await their punt.  I drifted back a
yard to field the ball when it came down to me.  I glanced ahead.  The
Vols' had the center of the field covered.  I sprinted left.  Dave McCall
blocked the gunner upfield away from me as I streaked by.  One of their
linebackers tried for a tackle but I dodged him.  Their punter made a
desperation attempt as I flew down the sideline.  He missed.  I motored
into the end zone escorted by Dave McCall to the cheers of our 25,000 fans.
Andrew kicked the PAT to give us a 7-0 lead.

   Tennessee took the ball and went to work again.  They mixed up their
passes and runs carefully, keeping our defense off balance.  They drove
downfield on us.  Nine plays later their mix of short to medium passes and
runs had moved them into our red zone.  Trevor and Bill Daugherty got
pressure on their QB but couldn't sack him.  Coach C blitzed Salim Rodgers,
our hero [strong safety].  Unfortunately it was the wrong call.  Tennessee
had a tailback screen aimed precisely at the spot Salim vacated.  With
blocking in front of him, no one could stop the tailback before he motored
into the end zone.  Their kicker made the PAT to tie the score at 7-7.

   The Vols kicker dropped the kickoff short.  I took the ball at our 10
yard line and followed my blocking forward.  Tennessee had good coverage
this time.  I shot through a small crease my blockers gave me to get into
the second layer of coverage.  A linebacker took me down before I could get
too far past my blockers.  I tossed the ball to refs and looked over at the
yard marker.  I made it to our 43 yard line.

   I huddled up with Chip and my teammates.  Coach Burton called a run for
our first play, per our game plan.  Tennessee lined up with the cornerback
covering me about ten yards off the line of scrimmage.  The free safety was
shaded my way too.  On the opposite side of the field the defensive backs
were crowding Tanner and Christian at the line of scrimmage.  All of that
was as we expected.

   Damian picked up five yards running off tackle.  We ran Damian at them
again, gaining six more yards.  We tested Tennessee deep on the next play.
I ran a flag route.  The cornerback on me did a good job covering me with
safety help deep.  The d-backs covering Tanner and Christian pressured them
off the line.

   Chip read that I was covered, checked Christian who was out of position
and then fired the ball to his third read, Tanner.  Tanner caught the pass
over the middle for an eight yard gain.

   Christian was chuckling as he returned to the huddle.  "That d-back
won't try press again," he teased.  "When he chucked me I knocked him on
his ass!"

   "Good work Christian," I said.  It had taken Coach Adams quite awhile to
convince my Mennonite friend of the need to be aggressive at the line of
scrimmage.  Now that he understood, we wouldn't have any trouble beating
teams that pressured us at the line of scrimmage.

   The next three plays were all runs.  Damian carried twice more for an
additional ten yards before Charlie Taylor came in to relieve him.  Charlie
carried for four more to put us on the Vols' 24 yard line.  Damian came
back in along with two tight ends.

   Amir Lee lined up on my side and Jibril Sloan lined up nearer Christian.
Chip faked a handoff to Damian.  Christian and I took off for the end zone.
Jibril stayed in to help with protection while Amir chipped a linebacker
and then went out on a curl route while Damian faked into the line.  The
cornerbacks covering Christian and me blanketed us.  Chip checked down from
us and fired the ball into Amir's belly, eight yards down field.  Amir
picked up a couple more yards before he was tackled.

   Coach Burton didn't do anything fancy.  Chip handed the ball to Damian
for a five yard gain.  He gave the ball to Damian again.  My roomie broke
two tackles and rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown.  Andrew kicked
the PAT.  Score 14-7 Penn State

   The offensive line and Damian loved the play calling on the drive.  They
could fire off, knock their men backwards and smash the ball forward.  They
would be happy to do that all afternoon if we gave them that chance.

   Andrew booted the kick off deep into the end zone, forcing the
Volunteers' kick returner to down the ball in the end zone.  Now that Coach
C saw Tennessee's play calling he could make adjustments to counter them.
Salim Rogers moved up closer to the line to give run support.  Coach C was
confident that Shawn, Denzel and Tyler could handle any pass attempts one
on one.

   The adjustment was spot on.  The Vols gained four yards on first down.
Josh Bruno ran a blitz and took down the runner for a loss of two yards on
second down.  Their quarterback barely squeezed in a nine yard pass to keep
the ball on third and long.  They tried a deep pass that Denzel knocked
down on the next play.  A draw gained three yards on the next play.  On
third down and seven yards to go they tried a hitch pattern in front of
Shawn Byrd.  Shawn read the play perfectly.  He cut in front of the
receiver and intercepted the ball.

   Shawn picked up five yards on the interception return before the tight
end caught him.  The tackle helped bring my friend down.  It was our ball
on Tennessee's 36 yard line.

   Coach Burton stuck to our game plan.  Chip handed the ball to Damian for
a seven yard gain.  On the next play Damian gained four yards.  All of this
was a set up.  We could see the defenders edging up closer to the line of
scrimmage to help stop Damian.  The third play was meant to be the killer.

   Chip did an excellent fake handoff to Damian who followed Wes Kennedy's
block into the middle of the line.

   Christian and I streaked downfield.  The cornerback covering me had
taken a step towards Damian's fake before he wheeled and tried to follow
me. The free safety was fooled too.  The two chased after me.  Chip lobbed
a deep pass my way.  I ran under the ball, caught it and pulled the ball
into my body.  The Volunteers defenders ran after me but couldn't catch me
before I sprinted into the end zone.  I held the ball aloft to the cheers
of our 25,000 fans.  Patrick, the Nittany Lion, gave me a high five and a
hug as I jogged back to the sidelines.  Andrew kicked the PAT to bring our
lead to 21-7.

   Tennessee didn't panic to be down two scores.  They stayed with their
game plan of balanced mix of runs and passes.  We continued to try to deny
their running game.  The QB managed to complete enough short passes to keep
his team moving down the field.  We finally got a break after they
completed a pass to put them in our red zone.  On the next play Coach C
blitzed Jarrell Cook.  That freed Trevor up to rush the QB one on one.  The
tackle prevented a sack with an obvious hold.  The little yellow flag flew,
pushing the Vols back ten yards.  Pressure and good secondary play forced
two more incompletions.  Tennessee tried a 47 yard field goal.  The kicker
pushed the ball wide to the left.  We took the ball at our 28 yard line.

   Coach Burton sent Wyatt Smith in to take Damian's place so he could rest
a bit.  We ran at the Volunteers three straight plays, gaining thirteen
yards.  Charlie Taylor came in with our fourth play.  Chip pitched the ball
out to Charlie as he ran wide to my side of the field.  I circled behind
our line, taking the ball from Charlie as I passed him.  I sprinted across
the back field and turned the corner.  The cornerback covering Christian
stayed with him so I switched the ball to my right arm and sprinted down
the field along the sideline.  A linebacker drove me out of bounds after I
picked up a thirteen yards.

   Damian came back in to run the ball again.  Three more runs moved us up
to Tennessee's 32 yard line.  Coach Burton called for one of our new
wildcat plays.  Greg Nowicki snapped the ball back to me.  I started
running left.  When the defenders reacted to my run I turned and pitched
the ball back to Chip.  Brian Henson was lined up in the slot on the strong
side on the play.  Brian had taken off on a post route at the start of the
play.  He beat the nickel back easily.  Chip launched a bomb down field. 
Brian ran under it, caught the ball and sprinted into the end zone. 
Christian, Chip and I sprinted downfield to congratulate Brian on his TD.
Andrew booted the PAT through the uprights to give us a 28-7 lead over
Tennessee.

   We left 0:32 on the clock before halftime for Tennessee.  Coach C turned
up the blitz, keeping the Volunteers off balance.  They could not get a
drive going before the clock ran out on the first half.

   I was standing with Aaron and Zack on the sidelines as the half ran out.
"Who the hell was that this half?" Aaron demanded, tongue firmly planted in
his cheek.  "Was Coach channeling JoePa, circa 1973?"

   "I think it's brilliant," Zack said.  "If you can run on them, run it
down their throats!  When they're certain you are going to run throw it
over the top."

   "It worked well so far," I agreed.

   "Chip can't be too delighted about his statistics," Zack said.  "Four
passes total."

   "Four for four passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns," I corrected.
"Chip will be fine at the end of the day if we are undefeated in this year.
It's the start of our drive to the national championship." I explained our
team's goals and our new slogan.  Aaron and Zack seemed impressed with our
plan.

   Position coaches huddled with their players in the locker room.  Coach
Adams met with us wide receivers briefly before turning us over to Anders
Voight.  Coach Adams promised us that we would open up the offense a bit in
the second half.  Coach expected that Tennessee would concentrate on
stopping Damian in the second half, giving us some openings for our passing
game.

   Coach Burton addressed the whole team before we took the field for the
second half.  He thanked everyone for their effort in the first half.  He
praised the offensive line, Damian, Wyatt and Charlie.  Coach predicted we
would win as long as we continued executing our game plan the way we had in
the first half.

   Tennessee's kicker dropped the kickoff to me around our 6 yard line. 
The Volunteers covered my return better.  I broke through the first line of
tacklers before a couple guys took me down.  I made it out to our 34 yard
line.

   Coach Burton sent out Tanner Riggs in the slot, our standard formation
that we used during the year.  Tennessee concentrated nine defenders up by
the line of scrimmage.  Damian got the ball anyway.  He picked up four
yards.  Chip hit me on the next play for eight yards on a hitch route in
front of my cornerback.

   We continued working down the field.  Coach Burton mixed in more passing
with our runs to keep Tennessee off balance.  We kept the routes short.  We
weren't interested in deep balls.  We were satisfied with ball control to
keep our twenty-one point lead.  We picked our way carefully down the field
towards their goal line.  Four runs and four completed passes (in six
attempts) moved us into Tennessee's red zone.

   The Volunteers' pass coverage was excellent.  I wouldn't have caught the
two passes I caught if they hadn't given me a cushion because of my speed.
That advantage diminished as the field got shorter.

   Tennessee stuffed Damian on the next play, stopping him for no gain.  We
tried two more passes but the Vols' coverage was too good.  Chip threw the
ball away.  We settled for a field goal to increase our lead to 31-7.

   Andrew kicked the ball back to Tennessee.  He put it in the end zone. 
They didn't try to return it.  Tennessee was in a hurry now, passing on
most plays.  Coach C turned our defenders loose on the quarterback.  Six
plays later they punted the ball back to me.

   I was forced to call for a fair catch on the punt.  Their coverage team
was too close to risk a return.  We took possession of the football at our
26 yard line.  We attacked Tennessee's defense with our three wide receiver
set again, except that Brian Henson took the slot in place of Tanner Riggs.
We stayed with the same patient, balanced offense we used on the last
drive. Damian and Charlie carried the ball and Chip passed to Brian,
Christian and me.  The seventh play of the drive was the key.

   We had advanced to Tennessee's 32 yard line.  Brian was lined up in the
slot on my side of the field.  Tennessee switched up the coverage slightly.
I recognized one of the keys we were looking for.  I glanced over and saw
Chip smile and stare over at Christian.  I looked at Christian until I had
his attention.  Christian nodded to Chip.  Our switch was on.

   At the snap Brian took off on a deep flag route.  I ran eight yards down
field and turned in on a hitch route.  The free safety headed over to help
cover Brian deep.  Chip pumped the ball, convincing the cornerback that I
was running a hitch.  When he came back to cover me, I turned and sprinted
downfield alone.  The cornerback was three or four yards behind me.  Chip
lobbed the ball my direction.  I ran under it, caught the ball and then
sprinted downfield.  The free safety sprinted over to catch me.  He had a
good angle, tackling me around the five yard line.  I sprawled to the
ground two yards short of the goal.

   Damian and our big offensive line punched the ball into the end zone on
the next play.  Andrew Perkins booted the PAT through the goal posts to
give us a 38-7 lead over Tennessee.

   Coach Curry told the first string offense that we were done for the day
when we returned to the sidelines.  Tyler, Chip, Christian and I hung out
along the sidelines with Zack, Aaron, Glenn, Phil and Pete.  Zack and Phil
complemented Chip on playing an excellent game.

   11 completions in 16 attempts doesn't sound all that impressive until
you consider that Tennessee has one of the best pass defenses in the
nation. Better was the fact that he had no sacks or interceptions and the
best part of his performance was the two touchdowns that he threw. 
Tennessee had allowed only five touchdowns all year before this game.

   Tennessee was a determined bunch.  They were behind thirty-one points
with fourteen and a half minutes to go.  They did not give up.  They
sustained a drive against our second team defense and managed to score a
touchdown.

   Glenn Korbel and our second team offense took the field.  Charlie, Wyatt
and ET carried the load.  They shoved the tired Tennessee defense down the
field, burning time off the clock and pushing closer to their end zone. 
The Tennessee middle linebacker made a great play down at their 12 yard
line, stripping the ball from Wyatt's arms and recovering the fumble.  In
spite of the turnover, our second team did their job.  They took eight
minutes off the clock and left the Vols with 2:03 to play and still needing
twenty-four points to tie the game.

   Our prevent defense made Tennessee work the clock and scrounge for every
yard they picked up.  Tennessee did score another touchdown with 0:32 left
on the clock.  Christian and I joined the rest of the hands team for the
onside kick.  The ball bounded straight to Christian, who handled it
cleanly, went to the ground and covered the ball so no one could strip it
away.  Glenn and the second string came out for the kneel down play,
running the remaining time off the clock.  Final Score: 38 Penn State, 21
Tennessee.

   Our team, our coaches and our 25,000+ fans celebrated our victory. 
Today's win was the start of this year's quest for the national
championship for us juniors, sophomores and freshmen.  The seniors were
celebrating too but I could see in their eyes that they also realized that
this was it for them for football.  I doubted more than two or three of our
nineteen seniors would get drafted by or play in the NFL.

   Thirteen games from now I would be in the same shoes as Tyler, Andrew
and the other seniors, my career at Penn State finished.  This was going
way too quickly.  I had to wring everything I could out of the next twelve
months.  Our team HAD to play for the national championship.

   I did a couple interviews before the trophy presentation.  Both
interviewers asked a question I was sick of answering - `Would I declare
for the NFL draft?' The answer was an emphatic no.

   Mr.  Montgomery, the reporter from the Lancaster paper caught up to me
just before the ceremony.  He asked, "Does it bother you that you weren't
named MVP of the game?"

   "That depends... who is the MVP?" I answered.

   "Damian Thompson," Mr.  Montgomery replied.

   "It would have bothered me if anyone else won it other than Damian," I
said.  "Damian was spectacular today.  He was careful with the ball and he
kept the chains moving.  He dominated the Volunteers defense."

   "Thompson gained 124 yards on 20 carries," Mr.  Montgomery countered. 
"You gained 261 yards with your kick returns, punt returns and receptions.
You scored two touchdowns.  Don't you think that should qualify you for
consideration for MVP?"

   "That sounds good," I agreed.  "...but my yards were the easy yards. 
Damian had the tough role and he filled it perfectly.  We felt going into
the game that our offensive line could dominate the line of scrimmage and
that we could run the ball.  That was Damian's job.  He did it superbly."

   "There isn't an inch of daylight between to two of you, is there?" Mr.
Montgomery teased.

   ""He's my roommate and one of my closest friends on the team," I said.
"I am absolutely delighted he's the MVP and I couldn't be any happier for
him.  He deserves the accolades today."

   I talked for a few more minutes with Mr.  Montgomery before the trophy
presentation.  Tyler, Andrew and Jibril took the podium with Coach Burton
and Todd Blackledge.  The team congregated with the reporters,
photographers and fans below the stand during the presentation.

   I did more interviews on the way to the locker room and more inside as I
changed and after I showered.  Our team was in a hurry to get going.  We
had voted a few weeks ago that we would rather leave this evening to return
to Pennsylvania than spend the extra night here in Florida and leave early
in the morning of the 3rd.

   Buses left the stadium to take us over to the airport around 5:30 pm. 
We were in the air and on our way home by 7:30 pm.  The athletic department
made sure the charter had plenty of good food for our dinner as we winged
our way home.

   A couple thousand fans were on hand at the Lasch Building when our buses
dropped us off on campus.  We talked with fans and signed some autographs
before heading inside the Lasch Building.  I dropped off a few things at my
locker and then carried my luggage back to my apartment.  It was 11:15 pm
and I had no desire to drive to Lancaster County after my long day. 
Trevor, Damian and Chip had the same plan.  All of us lived close enough to
campus to be home before lunchtime tomorrow.

   A lot of things went through my mind that evening before I dropped off
to sleep.  I had twelve months of college football left.  I had to make the
most of it.  I had three semesters left of school.  And then there was my
love life... that needed a lot of work.

   I had a date with Faith Royer in four days.  Hopefully we would enjoy
our dinner and movie.  If I read Faith correctly, I also stood a good shot
at ending my month of celibacy.  That would be sweet!

   Chapter 54

   ==========

   I slept until 8:30 Tuesday morning.  I took University Drive out of
State College so I could hit a convenience store for a breakfast sandwich
and some coffee.  Harrisburg was empty since I went through after the
morning rush hour.  I stopped off at the grocery store on the way home to
pick up food for lunch and snacks.  I pulled in front of my house a few
minutes before noon.

   Surprisingly the house was locked up and deserted when I got home.  I
realized that the University of Delaware started classes damn early after
New Year's.  Today was Andy's first day of classes.  I carried my bags
inside and downstairs to my bedroom.  I started my first load of wash from
my trip and then headed upstairs for lunch.

   I had lots of time to peruse the newspaper, which I hadn't done in
almost two weeks.  I turned to the sports section first to check out the
other bowl games yesterday.  Of course the first game I checked as Jeremy's
- #4 Oklahoma Sooners took on his #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the
Cotton Bowl.  It was a high scoring, extremely close game that the Sooners
won with a last second field goal 41-38.  Jeremy was not going to be in a
good frame of mind when he got home from Texas tonight.

   #14 LSU pounded #23 Michigan State in the Outback Bowl over in Tampa
yesterday.  The Fighting Tigers won 35-17.  #18 Cincinnati won 28-10 over
Boston College in the Gator Bowl.  #8 Ohio State managed to stifle #7
Oregon State's normally high scoring offense, 24-17 in the Rose Bowl.

   The paper said the Sugar Bowl was quite tense.  #5 Alabama barely
survived an upset by #15 Pittsburgh.  They needed an 82 yard scoring drive
in the last two minutes to score the winning touchdown.  Alabama's
performance wasn't going to impress any of the poll voters.

   Tonight Fox would televise the Fiesta Bowl featuring #3 Texas against
#10 Michigan.  I planned to watch the guys I knew on Michigan's team along
with Texas' Mike Johanson.  There was a fair possibility that Mike could
some playing time.

   I finished eating lunch and reading the paper before I headed to the
family room.  I checked the Tivo.  It had the pregame and Capital One Bowl
game recording that I asked my family to record for me.  I settled in for
an afternoon of watching my bowl game from yesterday.

   The `Taste of the Town' segment was fun to watch.  Damian and I looked
good on the segment.  I enjoyed listening to Brad Nessler and Todd
Blackledge's commentary of our game yesterday.  My punt return for a
touchdown drew praise as did the way our offensive line dominated
Tennessee's defensive line.

   Liz came in while I was watching the third quarter of the game, a little
after three o'clock.  She popped her head into the family room.

   "Hey Kyle, welcome back from sunny Florida," Liz said.  "Congratulations
on the win yesterday.  You played well."

   "Thanks Liz," I replied.  "How was school?"

   "It was school," Liz answered.  "You know how it is."

   "Yeah, I do," I answered.

   "I'm going upstairs to do homework," Liz said as she turned away.

   "Enjoy," I called out as she left.  "I don't have any homework for a
week."

   "You suck Kyle!" Liz called back as she left.  I still loved teasing
Andy and Liz when I had the opportunity.  I wondered where her boyfriend
Josh was.  Football season was over and I knew the two of them took
advantage of the empty house whenever they could.  Eventually I remembered
that the high school football team used Tuesdays and Thursdays for film
study after the season ended.  I'd probably see Josh tomorrow.

   I finished watching my game and then flipped in a DVD.  I was about
half-way through the movie when Mom came home with the kids.  I heard one
pair of small feet beating on the floor as the owner ran for the family
room.

   "Unka Ky....  Unka Ky," Hunter called as he ran.  I heard where the
twins were a moment later.  The two whined about taking off their coats,
hats and boots before going further into the house.  I scooped Hunter off
the floor, gave him a big hug and then we exchanged sloppy kisses.

   "You know I'm your big brother Hunter, not your uncle," I explained. 
"You can call me Kyle.  Can you say Kyle?"

   "Kyle," Hunter parroted.

   "Very good," I replied.  "That's just right.  I'm Kyle." I gave my
little brother another kiss and hug.  The twins, freed from their winter
clothes, stampeded into the family room in search of me.

   "Unka Ky!  Unka Ky!" they chirped as they ran for our reunion.  I gave
each one a hug and a kiss to greet them.  I was hoisting Connor overhead
for his plane ride when he insisted, "No!  Down!"

   I set him on the floor.  Noah ran to the TV and said, "Unka Ky on TV
eating... show us."

   "Yeah, show us p'ease," Connor asked as he ran over to the TV with his
brother.

   I started the pregame show again and fast-forwarded through to the
`Taste of the Town' segment.  The three kids watched the four minute
segment with rapt attention.

   "Again!" Connor demanded.

   "Show again Unka Ky," Noah added.

   I replayed the segment for them.  When we reached the part where we
sampled the pork chops Noah asked "Taste good Unka Ky?"

   "The pork chops were excellent," I replied.  The kids watched longer.

   "Puddin' good?" Noah asked when the Tivo reached the crčme brűlée part
of the meal.

   "Yes, the crčme brűlée is excellent too," I said.

   "Cook for us p'ease?" Noah asked.  "Yes Unka Ky, cook for us."

   "You want me to make you crčme brűlée?" I asked.  "Do you have any idea
how hard that is to make?"

   "Unka Ky good cook," Noah insisted.  "You can make ahhh... of it,"
Connor added.

   "All of it?" I asked.  The twins nodded the heads in agreement.  "You
want me to make pork chips, sweet potatoes and crčme brűlée?" The twins
nodded their heads yes vigorously.  "I'll talk to Mom-Mom and see if it's
OK."

   The boys forced me to show them the `Taste of the Town' segment a third
time before dinner.  Mom rescued me with the call to dinner before I was
forced to watch it a fourth time.  Liz and I got the little kids ready for
dinner while Mom and Dad got the table set and the food out.  Hunter fussed
about being put in the high chair.  He wanted to be treated exactly like
his two nephews in spite of the age difference.

   I volunteered to do dinners during the rest of my holiday break when Mom
worked.  Mom, Dad and Liz all teased me about my pretensions of being a
chef when I said I might try replicating the meal Chef Lagasse made for me
last week.  Mom said I better skip the green chili mole and liquor in the
dessert.  Neither would be suitable for the young ones.

   I worked out immediately after dinner.  Hal and Tammy had gone with
Kathy to pick up Jeremy at the Baltimore airport that evening.  Kathy
preferred to have company when she drove down there to pick up her
boyfriend.

   I settled in to watch Michigan take on Texas in the Fiesta Bowl when I
came back from my run.  It was a very close, exciting game.  As my team
already knew, Michigan had a good offense and an excellent quarterback. 
Texas surprised the media when they started a true freshman at cornerback -
my friend Mike `Tex' Johanson.  Nick Wilson, Michigan's All-Big Ten
quarterback picked on Mike the first quarter since this was his first
start. Mike was up to the challenge.  He allowed two short passes but also
knocked away three deeper passes.  Michigan stopped picking on Mike after
that.

   Both teams had strong offenses and good defenses.  The lead changed
three times during the game as they felt each other out.  Michigan scored a
touchdown to give them a 30-23 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. 
Texas' junior quarterback, Todd Landry, drove his team down the field as
time ran down.  He scored a touchdown on a naked bootleg when Michigan's
defense bought the fake sweep to the right.  Coach Brown of the Longhorns
gambled and went for the two point conversion.  Landry threw a shuffle pass
to his tailback, completely fooling Michigan, to score the two points. 
They won 31-30 when Nick Wilson ran out of time as he moved his team across
midfield.

   I had to smile at Michigan's misfortune.  Oregon, Tennessee, Notre Dame
and now Michigan lost their bowl games.  Four of the five teams immediately
ahead of us in the BCS poll lost.  My team's prospects of moving into the
top ten on the final poll improved dramatically.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   Hal, Jeremy and I got together Wednesday afternoon to do our football
workout.  Jeremy was still in a bad frame of mind from his loss to Oklahoma
on Monday.  His thirteen tackles, two sacks and an interception did not
ease the pain of the loss at all.  He was a leader on defense and when it
counted, they didn't stop the Sooners.  He was determined that his defense
would do better next season.

   I headed for home after we did our three miles around the neighborhood.
I got back just as Liz was coming up the walk from the school bus.  "No fun
with Josh this afternoon?" I teased as we walked in the house.

   "Josh!" Liz snorted.  "I dumped that son of a bitch's ass!"

   "Oh!  I didn't know," I said.  "What happened?"

   "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" Liz snarled.

   "Sorry, I didn't know," I said.  "I'll mind my own business."

   "You do that," Liz snapped before stalking upstairs to her room.  I knew
my sister didn't have and wasn't looking for long relationships with her
boyfriends.  Cody Stevens held the record until now, lasting about six
months with my sister.  Josh had dated Liz nearly as long as Cody had.  I
guess that was an accomplishment.  I knew I needed to let my sister alone
regarding whatever had broken the two of them up.  No good would come from
me interfering in her love life.

   I prepared a casserole for dinner for the family that evening.  I talked
with Ed Fritz later that evening, to see how he was doing.  It wasn't
public knowledge, but Coach Meyer had decided to start Terrence Walker at
quarterback.  In spite of that decision, Ed was getting almost as much time
with the first team as Walker.  Ed thought he would be called in quickly if
Walker did not perform well at the start of the game.

   I researched the nice restaurants in the Lancaster area for my date with
Faith Friday night.  I ended choosing the Horse Inn in downtown Lancaster.
The food was rated to be very good.  One of the reviewers called it a
romantic spot too.  That fit my plans for the night.  I called ahead and
made reservations for 6:00 pm for two.

   I watched most of the Orange Bowl Wednesday evening.  #6 Boise State
beat Virginia Tech handily, 35-20.  I read a little after the game before
turning in for the night.

   My week proceeded peacefully.  I got to sleep late in the mornings. 
Hal, Jeremy and I worked out in the afternoon.  I did dinner for my family
after my workouts.  It was great being a lazy bum after a semester of
ball-breaking work for school and football.

   I used part of Thursday afternoon getting set up for my BCS championship
party.  I had lots of snack foods ready.  Jeremy picked up a case of beer
for my party.  Mom and Dad agreed to allow the over twenty-one guests to
drink at the party.  I planned to monitor the drinking closely so I
fulfilled my parents' trust in me.

   Noah, Connor and Hunter were excited after dinner when my guests began
arriving.  Tammy, Kathy and Penny made a big fuss over the boys.  Jeremy
and Hal played with them too.  Jake Kring, Drew McCormick and Kenny Weaver
joined the crowd in the family room.

   Jeremy filled us in a little bit about his experiences playing against
Georgia Tech to start his season.  He promised that it would be interesting
to see how the Yellowjackets operated.  Their triple option offense was
quite different from what most of us saw normally.

   Georgia Tech won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff.  I
saw what Jeremy was talking about as I watched.  Georgia Tech lined up with
the quarterback under center, two running backs in the backfield, a tight
end and two wide receivers.  The triple option used the same base play
again and again.  With the first option the quarterback would hand off to
the A-halfback who would dive into the middle of the line.

   If the quarterback keeps the ball he heads behind the tackle and the
tight end's blocks.  The other, or B-halfback, runs parallel to the
quarterback three or four yards deep in the back field.  If the outside
linebacker goes to tackle the quarterback with the ball, the QB pitches it
out to the B-halfback who runs outside with the ball.  If the linebacker
covers the pitch to the B-halfback then the QB keeps the ball and runs
downfield between the tight end and the B-halfback.

   The Yellowjackets used nothing but the triple option play to drive down
the field on Florida.  Nine plays later the halfback running to the outside
broke loose and sprinted twenty-two yards into the end zone.  After the
successful PAT, the Yellowjackets led 7-0.

   "Damn!  The Gators are playing too aggressively," Jeremy commented.  "I
played three teams this year that run this offense.  You have to stay in
your position.  You can't free lance and pursue the ball the way they are
doing.  The Yellowjackets are going to run in the hole where the defender
is supposed to be every time he freelances."

   "Is that what happened against the Yellowjackets when your team played
them?" I asked.

   "Sort of," Jeremy agreed.  "Part of our problem was that we only had
four days to get ready for GT.  I didn't play well in the first quarter
until my coach got through to me.  I'm used to flowing to the ball,
wherever it is.  I had to stay at home that game and cover the dive option.
GT held the ball twenty-one minutes in the first half and we fell behind -
big time.  We played better in the second half.  We nearly pulled off a win
after falling behind 21-3."

   "I hope that doesn't happen to Ed's team," Penny said.

   "We'll see," I agreed.

   Terrence Walker came out for the first drive.  That wasn't a surprise.
Ed had warned us Walker would start.  His first drive started off well, the
Gators gained twenty-seven yards on the first four plays - two passes and
two runs.  Things went bad on the fifth play.  It was a deep pass and
Walker was under pressure.  He tried to force the ball into Eric Peters,
one of Ed's roommates and a wide receiver on the team.

   The Georgia Tech cornerback covering Eric snapped up the poorly thrown
ball.  Eric caught him after a couple yard interception runback.  The
Yellowjackets had the ball at their 27 yard line.

   GT ran the triple option at the Gators again.  Florida's defense played
better but still couldn't stop GT.  The thirteen play drive culminated in a
touchdown.  The second quarter was half way gone when Florida got another
shot.

   The Gators offense didn't have an answer to Georgia Tech.  Walker threw
two incomplete passes and then gained six yards on a quarterback draw.  The
Gators had to punt the ball back to Georgia Tech.

   Georgia Tech ran a ten play drive.  This time they added a screen pass
and a play action pass into their play mix.  The play action pass gave them
their third touchdown.  They kicked the ball back to Florida with 1:43 left
in the half.

   "They've got to put Ed in now," I said.  "Walker has been useless."

   My highly partisan friends agreed with my assessment.  The camera
centered on Coach Meyer and an assistant on the sideline as the announcers
speculated who would come out for the next drive.  Ed was visible on the
sidelines warming up.  Coach Meyer decided to give Walker another chance.
The Gators fans in the background booed as Walker trotted onto the field.

   Terrence Walker was not up to the task.  He threw three incomplete
passes before the Gators punted the ball back to Georgia Tech.  GT was
satisfied to run the clock out and take a 21-0 lead into the locker room.

   My friends and I discussed what Florida needed to do to get back in the
game.  We concluded the same thing as the announcers on Fox.  Coach Meyer
needed to bench Walker and let Ed see if he could perform any magic in the
second half.  Feelings didn't matter, the long term plans for the team
didn't matter; you had to do whatever it took to win.  This was for the
national championship.

   Florida made a good, 32 yard return on the kickoff to open the second
half.  The Gators fans in the stadium, as well as my family room full of
friends, all cheered when Ed Fritz trotted out with the Gators offense to
open the second half.

   Coach Meyer adjusted his offense a bit at halftime.  Ed nailed GT on a
screen pass that gained 21 yards on the first play.  That would give the
Yellowjackets pass rushers something to think about now.  Ed used rollouts
to buy extra time.  His coach threw in a couple quarterback draws to keep
GT off balance.  Ed's throws were quick and accurate.  Six plays later the
Gators were down to Georgia Tech's 30 yard line.  Ed hit Eric Peters
perfectly on a slant route.  Eric sped away from his defender and streaked
into the end zone.  Florida finally got a score.

   Georgia Tech accepted the kickoff and went to work again.  We could see
that Florida made some adjustments during halftime.  The Yellowjackets
weren't ripping off seven and eight yard runs anymore.  By the tenth play
GT had moved down into Florida's red zone.  Florida's secondary broke up a
play action pass on first down.  GT picked up seven yards on the dive
option on second down.

   Georgia Tech ran the option again on third down and three yards to go at
Florida's 13 yard line.  The quarterback faked to the first halfback
running the dive and went outside with the ball.  Florida's big left
defensive end shed his block.  He and the strong safety converged on the
quarterback.  The outside linebacker had the other halfback covered for the
pitch.  The quarterback put his head down and dove into the collision with
the two defenders.  He gained one yard.

   "Good!  Good... they're getting it now," Jeremy exclaimed after the
defensive end's brilliant play.  "...Gators might have a chance." Georgia
Tech decided to go for it on fourth down and two yards to go.  They were
called for a false start.  Faced with fourth down and seven yards to, GT
kicked a field goal to give them a 24-7 lead.

   Florida put a freshman player in to return the kickoff.  He was a five
star recruit last year and Ed said big things were expected of him.  After
the young kid caught the kickoff, he was brilliant.  He read his blocking
and followed it up to the point of contact, shot through the hole and
streaked downfield untouched.  Florida's kicker narrowed the Georgia Tech
lead to 24-14 with the PAT.

   Florida learned to better defend the triple option as the game
continued. This time it took the Yellowjackets 13 plays to score.  Their
drive stalled out inside Florida's 30 yard line when they took a false
start penalty which forced them to pass.  A holding penalty on the next
play forced them to take a field goal instead of continuing the drive for a
touchdown.  Score: 27-14 Georgia Tech's favor.

   Ed ran Florida's spread offense perfectly on the next drive.  He moved
his team down the field with quick, accurate passes and an occasional run.
After one of the plays the camera caught Ed grabbing one of the guard's
facemask, pulling him in close and shouting something at him.

   "Been there..." Drew teased.  "...done that.  Ed hasn't changed at all
since we played together in high school."

   "Ed does have a presence in the huddle," I agreed.

   "Yeah," Jake agreed.  "...hold your God damned block!" Jake did a pretty
good imitation of Ed's command voice.  Everyone laughed.

   On the fifth play Ed found one of his fast wide receivers one on one
with a GT cornerback.  A stutter step combined with a pump fake broke the
receiver loose.  Ed completed a 37 yard pass that the receiver carried into
the end zone for another touchdown.  Score: 27-21 GT's favor.

   There was a little more than ten minutes left in the game.  Florida's
defense had to get a stop this time.  It was a brilliant struggle between
Georgia Tech's offense and Florida's defense.  Unfortunately for Ed and the
other Gator fans, GT prevailed.  They needed fourteen plays to drive the 82
yards to score.  The Yellowjacket QB carried the ball into the end zone on
a quarterback keeper.  Score: 34-21 Georgia Tech's favor.

   Florida's young kick returner lined up again.  He almost broke this kick
off too.  A very lucky Georgia Tech player managed an ankle tackle at
Florida's 27 yard line when no one else could have stopped him.

   2:08 remained on the clock.  Georgia Tech set up in a prevent defense.
Ed hit a couple fifteen yard sideline passes that Tech was practically
giving away.  On the third play Eric Peters lined up in the slot instead of
outside like normal.  Eric did a turn and looked for the ball fifteen yards
downfield.  The cornerback tried for an interception when Ed pump faked. 
Eric sprinted downfield, taking in Ed's pass forty yards downfield.  Eric
wasn't touched until the free safety came over for a desperation tackle
around the 5 yard line.  Eric dove over him into the end zone to score. 
Florida's reliable kicker made the extra point to bring the score to 34-28
GT's favor.
The two teams lined up for the obvious onside kick try.  Amazingly,
Florida pulled it off.  The ball bounced off a Georgia Tech player before
it went ten yards, was batted in the air by a Florida player and then
snagged by Eric Peters when he out-leapt a couple GT players.  It was

Florida's ball on Florida's 44 yard line.

   0:50 remained on the clock and Florida had all three timeouts.  Georgia
Tech made damn sure their safeties lined up deep enough to stop Eric Peters
if he caught a ball again.  They blanketed the sideline routes too, so Ed
was forced to throw into the middle of the field.
Ed threw a fifteen yard pass on the first down.  Ed called timeout
immediately.  His next pass was batted away.  He hit again for twelve yards
in the middle of the field.  Ed used his second timeout to stop the clock.
Georgia Tech had good coverage on the next play.  Ed was forced to toss the
ball to his shallow wide receiver along the sideline.  The kid made ten
yards but couldn't get out of bounds.  Ed hustled his players up to the

line at GT's 19 yard line because he didn't want to spend his last timeout.

   The clock showed 0:18 as the ball was snapped.  Ed checked the receivers
in the end zone - covered.  He checked the sideline receivers - covered. 
Ed fired the ball to Eric Peters in the middle of the field at the 8 yard
line.  Eric caught the ball and was tackled immediately.  Ed called the
final timeout to stop the clock at 0:11.

   On the next play Ed couldn't find anyone open in the end zone.  He threw
the ball away.  0:04 remained on the clock.  Ed took the shotgun snap,
scanned the end zone.  No one was open.  Ed didn't hesitate.  He tucked the
ball away and ran for the end zone.  He made it past the nose guard but was
met by two defensive backs at the four yard line.  Ed squirmed and tried to
get loose but the put him on the ground at the 3 yard line.

   The clock read 0:00 as Ed crawled out from under the two defenders.  The
Yellowjacket players high-fived, hugged and celebrated their victory while
the Gator players walked back towards their bench.

   My family room was silent for half a dozen seconds as we stared in
disbelief at the TV.  I know I believed Ed would pull it off.  I'm sure the
rest of our friends thought that too.

   "Shit!" Jeremy growled, breaking the silence.  "I thought Ed was going
to do this."

   "I know," "I did too," "Poor Ed," came from the crowd in my family room.

   "Coach Meyer better not have a quarterback controversy after today," I
said.  "I think the whole world knows who the better quarterback is now."

   "Amen!" "I'll second that," "Ed's gotta start now," came from the chorus
of supporters and friends.

   We talked for awhile about our weekend plans.  Kathy and Jeremy were
leaving tomorrow for the drive back to Indiana.  We knew Ed was flying back
to Gainesville with his team and spending the weekend on campus.  The rest
of us didn't go back to school until Sunday.  The group decided to go out
to the Green Iguana on Saturday night so we could squeeze in one more night
together before the start of the semester.

  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Friday morning's paper reported the final BCS standings.  Of course
Georgia Tech moved up to #1.  The final standings were: #2-Texas,
#3-Oklahoma, #4-Florida, #5-Alabama, #6-Boise State, #7-Ohio State, #8-LSU,
#9-Penn State, #10-Oregon State, #11-Notre Dame, #12-Michigan.

   I was pleased to see that Penn State had climbed four spots to #9.  I
was a little ticked to see that LSU jumped from one spot behind us before
the bowl games to one spot ahead of us afterward.  I didn't think that LSU
beating #23 Michigan State 35-17 was nearly was impressive as our beating
Tennessee, who was ranked higher than us in the polls.

   Oh well, a #9 finish is still impressive given that we lost nine of
eleven starters on offense and six of eleven starters on defense from last
year's team.  We were losing two offensive starters this season and three
defensive starters.  Tyler Madden was the only key player we were losing
this season.  Everyone on the team was confident that Dave McCall was ready
to fill Tyler's large shoes.  I was going to do everything I could to keep
our "Championship starts today" slogan in front of everyone next season. 
Next year our team would be the ones hoisting the BCS trophy at the end of
the game out in Arizona.

   I sent this text off to Ed: `N E WAY UR NOT QB1 NOW?  CALL ME SAT K' I
wanted to extend Ed my sympathy for the loss.  I wanted to buck him up a
little too.  I knew he was going to take the loss hard.

   I put together a casserole for my family after my workout Friday
afternoon.  I was starting dinner for Mom even though I would be on my date
by the time my family sat down for dinner that evening.  I showered and was
shaving when Mom and the kids got home.  They found me downstairs in my
bathroom.

   "Where going Unka Ky?" Connor asked.

   "I have a date tonight with a nice lady friend," I explained.

   "Why?" Noah asked.

   I did my best to explain to my nephew about dating - at least as much as
was appropriate for a two and a half year old.  I told them I was taking
Faith to dinner and a movie that evening.

   "Is she your gir'friend like Keh-EE?" Connor asked.

   "No, this is our second date," I replied.  "We are still getting to know
each other."

   The twin continued peppering me with questions as I dressed.  They
didn't grasp male-female relationships yet.  Who am I kidding?  I didn't
really understand them either.  Noah's parting question was, "Would Faith
spend the night like Keh-EE?"

   It was an excellent question.  I hoped the answer would be yes but I
truly didn't know yet.  "We'll see," is all I allowed as I headed for the
front door and my date.

   I drove over to Millstream, arriving a couple minutes early for my date.
I went up to the door anyway.  Bill Royer welcomed me to his house. 
Somewhere he had found a sweatshirt with the "Capital One Bowl - Penn
State-38, Tennessee-21" logo on it.  It had a picture of the Nittany Lion
wearing a coonskin cap and holding a muzzle loading rifle as he chased
after a frontiersman.

   Bill and I talked about the bowl game while I waited for Faith to come
downstairs for our date.  I gave Bill some of the background about how we
came up with the big plays that locked up the win for us.  He enjoyed
hearing about the thinking behind our strategy.

   Faith looked stunning as she came downstairs.  I had warned her we were
going to a nice restaurant for dinner before the movie.  I had worn dress
pants and shirt with a tie.  I skipped the jacket.  Faith wore a low cut
red dress that displayed her ample cleavage.

   I doubt she knew I was a breast man.  Whether she knew or not, her
display heightened my urge to get physical that evening.  I was going to
have a severe case of blue balls if she didn't have the same idea about the
end of the evening as I did.

   Faith had her hair styled.  Gentle curls of blonde hair fell down across
her shoulders.

   "I'm glad we're going out again Kyle," Faith said, interrupting my
staring.

   "I'm glad too," I agreed.  "You look stunning this evening."

   "Thank you," Faith replied.

   "Where are you two going for dinner tonight?" Bill asked.

   "Um... the Horse Inn in Lancaster," I replied.

   "ooooo... that place is nice," Bill said.  "...but very expensive."

   I glanced at my watch.  "We have 6:00 reservations," I said.  It was
5:35 now.

   "You're going to a movie afterwards?" Bill asked.  "What time do you
think you'll be home sweetie?"

   "I'm not sure Daddy," Faith said.  "We might decide to do something
after the movie.  I'll let you know if I'm going to be out later than
midnight, OK?"

   "OK Faith," Bill replied.  He turned towards me and added, "You
understand no drinking and driving, right Kyle?"

   "I'm under twenty-one," I said.  "No drinking period."

   "See you later Daddy," Faith said as we headed for the door.

   "See you Bill," I added.

   I escorted Faith to my trusty VW and helped her in.  I drove us to
Lancaster by way of Millport Road which turned into Duke Street and led us
straight to the middle of town.  The Horse Inn's on-line directions were
good, which was fortunate.  The restaurant is located on the second floor
of a former horse stable with an entrance off an alley off Chestnut Street.

   We had to wait a couple minutes before the maitre d' could seat us.  The
restaurant was a real stable a hundred years ago.  The plaque by the door
gave the history of the place.  It had been turned from a stable into a
speakeasy in the 1920's.  The plaque reported that during prohibition the
bootleggers had run a fire hose from the illegal brewery to the speakeasy
through the city sewers to deliver the beer.  Eventually they added food to
the pub part of the establishment.  Now they were noted more for their food
than their drink.

   The tavern was decorated with old wagon wheels and with the horse stall
walls separating the booths.  The room had a very rustic, 1880's feel to
it. The maitre d' seated us and gave us menus.  Faith and I began studying
them.

   Faith stopped short as she scanned the menu.  "Prime Rib, $42 dollars.
Can you afford this place Kyle?"

   "Don't worry about the cost," I said.  "It's no problem."

   "This is expensive," Faith replied.  "Do they pay football players at
Penn State?  How can you afford this?"

   "I won a prize for doing the best job fundraising for Penn State's
dance-a-thon," I explained.  "Our dinner and movie cost is covered by the
prize."

   "Do you think the university will pay prices this high?" Faith asked.

   "The prize is offered by a millionaire who supports Penn State and Penn
State football," I said.  I explained about how Aaron Morano supported the
team's Thon committee and how he had funded a ski weekend for four people
at the end of the Thon.

   "So it really is all right to order anything?" Faith asked.

   "Our benefactor would be insulted if we didn't enjoy our evening," I
said.  "He intended this to be a strong incentive for the members of the
Thon committee to raise as much money as possible for the cancer research.
Have anything you want.  It will make him happy."

   I decided to go with the surf and turf - filet mignon with a lobster
tail in drawn butter.  Faith decided to have the prime rib.  I ordered a
mushroom stuffed with crab meat appetizer for us to share.

   Faith and I talked as we waited for our dinner, getting to know each
other better.  Both of us were looking forward to getting into the
classroom in a few weeks.  West Chester University called her class "Middle
Field Experience".  Penn State called mine a student practicum.  What I was
going to be doing seemed similar to what Faith would be doing.

   She already knew she was assigned to work at the Patton Middle School in
the Unionville Chadds Ford School District.  Since Faith said it was the
only middle school in the district, I guess Trevor and Chip would be
intimately familiar with Faith's school.  Penn State did not announce where
you were working prior to the start of the semester.  I'd found out in a
week or so.

   The food at the Horse Inn lived up to the excellent reviews it received.
The mushroom caps stuffed with crabmeat were a great start to the meal.  My
filet mignon and lobster tail were excellent too.  Faith enjoyed her prime
rib.

   I enjoyed talking with Faith.  She was an excellent conversationalist.
She also had a great sense of humor.  Thankfully I seemed to be making a
good impression on Faith too.

   I paid the bill, being careful to make sure my copy ended up in my
wallet.  I needed to turn it in to Dave McCall so he could reimburse me
from the petty cash Aaron set up for our Thon committee.

   We headed for the theater in Millersville after dinner.  We checked out
the available movies as we waited in line to buy our tickets.

   "Do you like Meredith Fowler Wallingford, Kyle?" Faith asked when we
spotted her latest movie.

   "I love her work," I replied.  "She is a fabulous actress."

   "Let's see that one Kyle," Faith said.

   "Sold... absolutely," I agreed.

   "You're not afraid of watching a `chick flick'?" Faith teased.

   "It's a movie with a good story line," I answered.  "That is much more
important than a bunch of car crashes.  I love a good story.  I can always
count on that when I watch one of Meredith's movies."

   "You are a revelation Kyle," Faith said before she gave me a hug.  I
bought the tickets and we moved over to the line for snacks.  We were
standing in line waiting when we ran into some of my friends.

   "Hey Coach!" I heard from behind me.  I turned to find Matt Sauder
greeting me.  He was with his girlfriend Annie Stoltzfus.  Cody Stevens was
standing by Matt with a girl I didn't know.  My sister Liz was standing by
Annie with a boy I didn't know.

   "Good to see you Coach," Cody added.

   "Hi Kyle," Liz added.  "I guess this is your date."

   I introduced Matt, Cody, Liz and Annie to Faith.  Cody introduced his
date, Hannah Landis.  Liz was going with Adam Horst tonight.  Faith and I
talked with my friends for a few minutes until everyone got their snacks.
Liz, Adam, Matt, Annie, Cody and Hannah headed for their movie.  Their
start time was about ten minutes before ours.  Faith decided to go to the
bathroom before we went inside for our movie.

   I was standing outside the lady's room when Josh Strickler escorted a
pretty young lady to the bathroom.  Josh didn't notice me at first.  When
his date went inside he stood alongside the door on the other side from me.
I saw him notice me.  He tried to take a few steps away without being too
obvious about it.

   "Hey Josh, how are you doing?" I asked politely.

   "Umm....  Coach, hi," Josh stuttered.  I could see how uncomfortable he
was.

   "I know you and Liz broke up," I said.  "Relax.  That is not my
business. Whatever may have happened is between you and my sister."

   "You're not mad?" Josh asked.  I walked over to him.

   "Mad about what?" I asked.  "Liz won't talk about the break up.  What
happened?"

   Josh took a big breath.  "I was an idiot," Josh began.  "You know how
Liz was sick on New Year's Eve?"

   "No, I didn't," I said.  "I was a little busy in Florida then."

   "Yeah... yeah, I guess you were," Josh said.  "Liz and I planned to go
to a New Year's Eve party together.  When she got sick, she insisted I
should go without her."

   "That's not too bad," I commented.

   "It gets worse," Josh explained.  "I had too much to drink that
evening."

   "Nothing good comes after you say that," I said.

   "Yeah... you're right," Josh replied.  "I wasn't feeling any pain by
midnight.  This girl... Mandy... well, she has been after me for a few
months.  I let things get a little carried away after midnight."

   "Oh?" I asked.  "How carried away?"

   "We started making out," Josh replied.  "She took me upstairs to one of
the bedrooms and..."

   "I get the picture," I said.  "The two of you did the horizontal rumba."

   "That's a colorful way to put it," Josh said.  "I screwed her and made
the biggest mistake in my life.  I had a good thing with your sister and I
blew it."

   "What lesson have you learned from this?" I asked.

   "Keep my dick in my pants?" Josh replied.

   "There is another lesson there too," I said.  "When you start by saying
`I got drunk,' nothing good will come after that.  I know.  You've heard
about some of the problems I got myself in this past year." Josh nodded
that he understood.  "You need to watch the drinking."

   "I know Coach,' Josh said.  "I'll try to do better."

   "You do that Josh," I said.  Faith came out and joined us.  "I'll see
you later Josh."

   "See you Coach," Josh called to us as we headed for our movie.

   "Why do all these kids call you Coach?" Faith asked as we found our
seats near the back of the theater.

   "I work with the football team after school is out in the spring and
then over the summer," I explained.  "They call me Coach because I coach
them."

   "I see," Faith said.  "It just seems odd to me for someone our age to be
called Coach.  I think of a coach as some old lady or guy."

   "Did you play sports in high school?" I asked.

   "I played field hockey and track and field," Faith said.  "I played it,
but not very well." Faith chuckled.  "You probably have a bunch of state
records from high school."

   "Well... yes, I do," I replied.  "I have a couple state records for pass
catching and also the state record in the 100 meter sprint."

   "C'mon Coach, let's go find our seats," Faith replied.  We found seats
near the back of the theater, sat down and got settled.  We talked for a
couple minutes until the previews started.  When the movie started Faith,
who was sitting on my right, leaned against my right shoulder.

   "It would feel nice to have your arm around me Kyle," Faith whispered. I
draped my arm over her shoulders.  She snuggled against me, laying her head
against my shoulder and neck.  She gave me a quick tummy rub before
settling down to watch the movie.

   "This is nice," she purred.

   If Faith meant to get my motor running, she succeeded.  I had a strong
hunch that the movie wouldn't be the culmination of the evening, but was
the prelude to getting to know each other much, much more intimately.  My
little head swelled and sang subconsciously, "Gonna get laid... gonna get
laid!" I shifted slightly to try to make the bulge in my pants less
obvious. Faith ignored it.  She was focused on the movie.

   A couple times during slower parts of the movie the two of us smooched.
Faith was not shy or retiring.  She let me know in no uncertain terms that
she liked kissing me.  That's fine.  I liked kissing her too.

   The two hour movie flew by.  It was fantastic.  That was to be expected
of any movie directed by Tim Hicks and starring Meredith Fowler
Wallingford. Faith and I were in great moods when we walked out of the
theater together.

   "Do you want to do something else before the night is over?" I asked. 
It was only 10:45 and Faith told her dad she'd be home by midnight.  We had
lots of time - if she was interested in more.

   "I've had a great time tonight Kyle," Faith said.  "I'm not ready for
the night to end."

   "We could stop by somewhere for pizza, ice cream or something like
that," I suggested.

   "I'm full from our dinner," Faith said.  "I was thinking we could find
somewhere...  quiet..." Faith stared into my eyes.  "Somewhere private?"

   "I'd like that a lot Faith," I agreed.  Faith leaned across and planted
an intense, toe curling kiss on my lips.  I snaked my tongue into her mouth
to meet hers.  We remained locked together much too long for a public
parking lot.  Both of us gasped for air when we broke apart.  I knew this
was going to be a fun evening.

   "Do you know any good parking places?" I asked.  "The place I usually
used in high school is a few miles south of here.  It's an open field where
we would lay down blankets and enjoy nature.  It's kind of cold to do that
this month."

   "I know of a spot near my house," Faith said.  "It's private and no one
will spot us there."

   "You got it," I said as I put my car into gear.  I headed back towards
Lancaster from the theater.

   "Turn right," Faith said as I stopped at the light at Route 741.  "This
is the back way over to my house."

   I followed 741 through the village of Willow Street.  After we passed
the retirement community, she had me turn left onto a country road.  About
three turns and two miles later, we came out at a traffic light on Lampeter
Road opposite the road her development was on.  Faith had me go north on
Lampeter to the next light and then turn right onto Millport Road.

   "Turn in here," Faith said as she pointed to a driveway at an old farm.
I followed her directions.  "Pull behind the barn.  The developers
purchased this farm a few years ago.  They are going to build houses here
eventually, after they get their plans approved by the township."

   I glanced around.  We were behind the old barn, out of sight of Lampeter
and Millport Roads.  No one lived in the old farmhouse beside the barn. 
The fields sloped away from the barn down towards Mill Creek.  The stars
were crisp and distinct in the cold, clear January air.  This was a perfect
place to park.

   I turned to Faith.  She had loosened her coat and was leaning towards
me. Our lips came together and then our tongues touched.  They tangled
together.  I tried to devour everything I could reach with my tongue and
lips.  Man, this lady could kiss!

   I raised the armrest between us and leaned over to Faith's side.  I had
my right hand on her shoulder.  I rubbed and caressed her side with my left
hand, slowly circling in towards my target and her best feature - her
breasts.  My hand was rubbing just under her left breast when Faith moaned
into my mouth, grabbed my hand and placed it squarely on her breast.

   I couldn't mistake that signal.  I happily rubbed and caressed the
breast she offered to me.  We continued kissing as I rubbed her.  Faith
used one hand around my neck to press me closer to her.  The other hand ran
through my long golden hair.

   We kissed and caressed for ten or fifteen minutes.  We steamed the car
windows as well as overheating our desire for each other.  My poor cock,
trapped in my confining pants and hard as steel, begged for relief.

   I was surprised but pleased a couple minutes later when Faith put her
hand in my lap and felt the bulge in my pants.  She continued rubbing while
we kissed.  I knew this night was going to end well now.  Faith broke our
lip lock.

   "Do you have protection?" she gasped.

   "I do," I answered.

   "I'm on the pill but you can never be too careful," Faith said before
kissing me again.

   "Yeah," I moaned into her mouth as we continued kissing.  Faith
continued rubbing and stroking my cock through my pants.

   "Is this car big enough to do it?" Faith asked as we paused for breath
again.

   "I've had sex in here with an ex-girlfriend when I was in high school,"
I replied.  "It's tight and uncomfortable."

   "I don't care," Faith said.  "It's been six weeks since I slept with a
guy.  I need this Kyle."

   "I haven't for a month," I agreed.  "I want to do this too.  If you
want... we could go back to my house."

   "Are your parents away?" Faith asked.

   "No, they're home, but it's fine if I bring a girl home," I explained.
"They understand how it is to be our age."

   "They won't care if I go to bed with you?" Faith asked.  "Are you sure?"

   "Yes, I'm sure," I said.  "My last time... that was on a weekend when I
was home from school.  They were fine with it." I didn't add that the girl
I slept with that night was Holly Cox, Faith's good friend from college.

   "Let's go Kyle," Faith said as she sat up straight and pulled her coat
closed.  "Put this thing in gear and let's go."

   I did as directed.  I glanced at the clock in my car.  It was 11:20. 
Faith and I wouldn't have our fun at my house and get back to her house by
midnight.

   "You better call home and let your parents know you will be late," I
suggested.

   "Good idea," Faith agreed.

   "You know you are welcome to spend the night if you want," I said. 
"...or I can give you a ride home after we are finished tonight.  I'll warn
you that you might have to put up with questions from my two and half year
old nephews and my little brother if you spend the night."

   "You have nephews staying over for the weekend?" Faith asked.

   "No, they live with us full time," I replied.  "My younger brother got
his girlfriend pregnant with twins when he was fifteen.  They're sweet
little guys.  You'll like them if you meet them."

   "Not having to rush home in the middle of the night would be nice,"
Faith said.  "I'll spend the night if that's all right with you."

   "That's wonderful," I said.  "Is your dad going to be OK with that?"

   "I'm twenty-one and where I spend my night isn't any of his business,"
Faith said.  "...though I will call and let them know I won't be home as a
courtesy so they don't worry."

   "Good plan," I agreed.

   Faith pulled out her cell phone and called home.  "Hey Mom," she said
when the phone was answered.  "I won't be home at midnight after all."
Faith listened to her mother for a minute.  "If you must know, tomorrow
morning... Yes, it's a sleepover."

   I could hear her mom go off on Faith.  She listened for a minute before
interrupting.  "Mother!  I'm an adult.  I get to decide where I sleep at
night and with whom.  I will see you and father in the morning." Faith
clicked her phone off.  She shook her head in exasperation.  "Parents!"

   "I take it that I probably shouldn't say hi to your dad in the morning
when I drop you off," I said.

   "Plan on drop and run," Faith said.

   "We don't have to do this if it gets you in too much trouble," I said.

   "Oh yes we do," Faith responded.  "You're sweet, you're fun to be with,
you're handsome..." Faith giggled.  "Word has it that you're pretty good in
bed too."

   "Notes from Holly?" I asked.  Faith nodded yes.

   "Girls talk," Faith said.  "I want to see for myself if you're as
talented as I've heard." Faith put her left hand back on my lap when I was
out on the Lincoln Highway.  She stroked and drummed her fingers along the
outline my cock made in my pants.  It was a damn distracting way to drive.
I managed to get us back to Paradise without wrecking my car.

   Dad was in the living room watching TV when we got home.  "Hey Dad," I
called out as we came inside.  "This is my date and guest tonight, Faith
Royer."

   Faith and I walked into the living room.  "How do you do Mr.  Martin?"
Faith said.

   "Fine," Dad answered.  "I'm Dan Martin, Kyle's father.  You can call me
Dan."

   "It's good to meet you Dan," Faith replied.

   "You're up late," I said.

   "I'm waiting for your sister to get home from her date," Dad answered.
"I want to make sure she makes curfew."

   "I'm sure Liz will be fine," I said.  "Faith and I ran into her and her
friends at the movie theater.  We're heading downstairs to my bedroom. 
We'll see you in the morning."

   "Good night Dan," Faith added.

   "I'll make sure I lock the basement door before I go to bed," I called
out as we headed for the kitchen.

   "Keep the noise down," Dad called after us.  "I don't want the kids to
wake up."

   "We will," I promised as we headed downstairs to my bedroom.

   "Your dad really is cool with me staying here tonight, isn't he?" Faith
asked as I locked the door.

   "Absolutely," I replied.  "My parents understand about our needs..." I
waggled my eyebrows and tapped the ashes from my imaginary cigar, ala
Groucho Marx.  "...and our desires... AND I desire you."

   "Feeling is mutual, Chico," Faith said.

   "I was imitating Groucho Marx," I protested weakly.

   "Whatever," Faith said as we reached the bottom of the steps.  "Your
imitation would be much better if you weren't wearing so many clothes."

   "I can do that," I replied.  I set my coat and Faith's coat on my chair
by the bed.  Faith's dress was coming off when I turned back to her.  Faith
sat down on my bed and watched me as I disrobed.  Faith kept her panties
and bra on so I stopped when I was stripped down to my boxers.  I climbed
in bed with my date.  We lay down and embraced.

   Faith and I made out.  It was so easy with her.  She was so sweet and
responsive to me.  After about five minutes Faith slipped her hands inside
my boxers and ran them across my ass cheeks, pushing my boxers down.

   As we broke apart for breath she purred, "Let me see everything Kyle. 
Take these off."

   "As you wish," I agreed.  I rose up on my knees as Faith sat up in front
of me.  I pulled my boxers over my knees and kicked them off.  Faith
grasped my hard erection and fondled it gently.

   "Mmmm... this looks just as tasty as the rest of your body Kyle," Faith
purred.  She bent down and kissed the tip.  "Oh yes, this is going to be
fun." Faith sucked the tip of my cock into her mouth and ran her tongue all
around the head.  I managed to suppress the shudder that went up my spine.

   I ran my hands through Faith's hair as she gave me a totally excellent
blow job.  I lasted two or three minutes before I grunted and tried to warn
Faith that I was shooting.  She managed to get my cock out of her mouth
before my first spurt.  I squirted cumm on her chin, neck, cleavage, bra
and stomach before I was drained.

   I slumped back on my haunches, spent from my climax.  Faith grabbed
tissues from the box on my nightstand and cleaned up the mess I made on
her.

   "That was wonderful Faith," I said after I recovered.  "It's your turn."
I directed her to lie back on the bed.  I stretched out beside her and
began kissing her.

   After a couple minutes of kissing I suggested, "Wouldn't you be more
comfortable with less clothing?  I'd love to see your breasts.  They look
so lovely."

   "OK Kyle," Faith agreed.  Both Kelly and Penny usually stripped quickly
when we went to bed.  This was my first experience watching a girl
seductively strip.  I was mesmerized.

   I paused briefly to stare at her breasts when Faith was naked.  I
estimated Faith was a 34C or 34D.  They were proportioned to her size
perfectly.  They were firm cones begging for my tongue.  My kisses spiraled
around her right breast until my final kisses landed on her nipple.  I
suckled at it.  Faith loved it.  I spent a few minutes expressing my
appreciation for those two wondrous assets.

   When I had Faith properly excited, I kissed across her belly.  Faith
shaved her pubic area, leaving a narrow vertical stripe of hair above her
clitoris.  I licked around the smoothly shaved outside and then used my
tongue to pry apart her labia.  Faith was obviously excited.  I lapped up
her juices as I stimulated her with my tongue.

   I used my tongue and fingers, along with my seven years experience, to
bring Faith to a noisy orgasm.  A few moments after Faith stopped shaking
she exclaimed, "Damn!  You are good."

   "I try," I replied modestly.

   "I've had two guys before you that were even willing to try that," Faith
said.  "I had to talk the first guy into trying.  He didn't try very hard.
The second guy was quite willing but not as talented as you."

   "I have an older brother who convinced me I had to give pleasure to get
it back," I explained.  "I owe my big brother a lot.  He taught me well."

   "He did," Faith agreed.  "Let's see if he taught you well for the most
important thing.  I want to feel your cock stuffing me full Kyle."

   "I can do that," I agreed readily.  I hopped out of bed and grabbed a
condom from the drawer in my nightstand.  I rolled the sheath over my cock
and then kneeled between Faith's open legs.

   "Are you ready?" I asked as I positioned the bulbous head of my cock at
her opening.

   "I'm more than ready," Faith answered.  I pushed my cock in smoothly. 
Faith's pussy was snug, wet and warm.  I buried my bone until our pubic
areas touched.

   "How's this?" I asked.

   "Delicious," Faith answered.  I started to pull out.  She put her hands
on my waist and said, "Stay in me for minute.  I want to enjoy the feeling
of being filled for a bit."

   I pushed my cock back in until my pubic bone touched Faith's bare vulva.
"Mmmmm..." she purred.  Faith rubbed her hands along my sides and then over
my stomach.  "I knew you were handsome on our last date Kyle." I nodded my
understanding.  "I've never done this with a guy as well built as you. 
This is a real six pack." She rubbed her hands across my abdominals. 
"You're not like a body builder, all bloated and puffed up.  You're...
chiseled."

   "I'm a serious athlete," I explained.  "I have worked out every day for
the past seven years."

   "Today?  " Faith asked.  "Even on vacation?"

   "Every day," I confirmed.  "Jeremy, Hal and I lifted after lunch today
and then went for a three mile run."

   Faith rubbed her hands up my chest and then teased my nipples.  "OK
stud," she said.  "Let's see what else your big brother taught you.  Let me
see what you can do with that tool of yours."

   I withdrew my cock part way and slowly thrust back into Faith's velvety
tunnel.  "My brother Will taught me about pleasuring a woman orally but I
learned this part on my own."

   I leaned down over Faith, resting my weight on my arms as I continued
humping and thrusting.  I did my best to demonstrate my skill to this
lovely girl who was giving herself to me.  I gave Faith another orgasm as I
continued bucking and thrusting my cock in and out of her.  I probably
lasted six or seven minutes before I shot my load into the protective
rubber sheathing my cock.  I collapsed at her side while she stroked me and
cuddled with me.  I knotted and tossed the used condom in the trash.

   "Damn Kyle!" Faith purred as we recovered.  "You are dynamite in bed."

   I leaned over and gave Faith a kiss.  "I'm glad you enjoyed it." She
returned the kiss.  I pushed my tongue into her mouth and met hers.  I
played with Faith's breasts as we continued tongue wrestling.  After a few
minutes Faith asked, "Do you want to go again?"

   "Of course," I agreed.  "You pick the position."

   "Sitting," Faith said.  "I love the intimacy."

   "Tell me what you want," I agreed as I pulled another condom from the
nightstand.

   Faith directed me to sit at the head of my bed and lean back against the
headboard.  I rolled the condom over my sloppy cock as she scooted in front
of me.  She straddled my lap.  I held my cock straight up as Faith notched
my cock at her hole and sat down.  She wrapped her arms around my neck as
she sank until she was fully impaled.  I wrapped my arms around Faith as
she started bouncing up and down on my cock.  We exchanged kisses as she
fucked herself on me.

   "This is nice," I agreed between kisses.  Of course at mid-fuck,
anything that kept my cock buried in a woman's hot, tight pussy would be
wonderful.

   Faith squeezed her body against mine as she bounced.  I knew she must be
rubbing her clitoris against my body with every movement.  Within a couple
minutes Faith had worked herself into a frenzy of motion.  She came hard.

   I gave Faith pelvic thrusts as she shuddered and shook from her climax.
After a bit of time Faith took over, rising up and then impaling herself.
Faith worked herself up to another orgasm.  Faith's pussy convulsed and
throbbed as she peaked.

   "Ooohhh....  Ohhh... Jesus..." Faith gasped.  "Are... are you.... 
you... close?" The feelings she was giving me were exquisite but I wasn't
ready to end our coupling yet.

   "I'm can go....  longer," I grunted.  Faith slumped against me as her
climax subsided.  "Do you want me to do the work now?"

   "Oooh... OK" Faith agreed.  I let Faith fall on her side.  I pulled out
and rolled her on her back.  I climbed between her legs and thrust my cock
into her hot, quivering pussy.  I humped and thrust as Faith clasped me.

   "Ooohhh...yeah..." Faith grunted.  "Fucking... Energizer... Bunny...
yeah... keeeeeepp...  going Kkkyle....  Do me....  hard."

   I pounded into Faith without mercy.  She came hard again.  I kept going
for about thirty seconds more before I felt my balls tighten.  I gave Faith
a few hard thrusts as my cumm boiled up.

   "Ooohh... fuck!" I grunted.  I thrust my cock hard, plunging it deep
into Faith's body.  My cock pulsed, filling the condom with my semen. 
Spent, I collapsed, rolling us on our sides.  We lay there a half a minute
panting, dripping with sweat.

   "God, that was intense," Faith murmured as she roused herself.  "You are
amazing Kyle."

   "You are too Faith," I answered.  I let out a sigh.  "I can't convince
you to transfer to Penn State, can I?"

   "Are you serious?" Faith asked after she gave me a quick kiss.

   "Yes..." I said.  "...but no.  I know it can't happen.  You're so
special Faith.  I wish this could be more than a one night stand for us."

   "Does it have to be?" Faith responded.

   "I've been involved in two long distance relationships," I explained. 
"They suck.  I'd never ask you to do something like that."

   "Are you sure we couldn't figure out a way?" Faith asked.  "You are a
really special guy."

   "I'm guessing you had a date or two since we went out the first time," I
said.

   "I did," Faith answered.

   "I would have too," I said.  "...if I hadn't been so busy with football.
We're at an age where we should be out having fun on the weekends, not
holed up in our rooms acting like monks or nuns."

   "I guess you're right," Faith conceded.  "I guess we'll just remember
tonight as a pleasant night and that's it."

   "It doesn't necessarily have to be," I replied.  "My friends and I are
going to the Green Iguana tomorrow night.  I'd love to have you come with
me."

   "I'd like that Kyle," Faith replied.  "... but I have to go back to
school tomorrow.  I'm helping host a dinner for some incoming freshmen."

   "I'm sorry to hear that," I said.  The light bulb in my head clicked on.
"How about spring break?  My friends and I go down to Florida every year."

   "Hmmmm...." Faith said.  I could see the idea intrigued her.  "Maybe...
tell me more."

   "We go down to Panama City Beach on the Gulf coast," I explained.  "To
save money we camp out.  That isn't a problem is it?"

   "No, I've done some camping with my family," Faith said.  "That's not a
deal breaker."

   "We swam, snorkeled, scuba dived, parasailed, golfed, went dancing in
the evening and partied back at our camp," I said.  "It's fun week."

   "I could do that Kyle," Faith said.  "I'd enjoy spending the week with
you and your friends."

   "Excellent," I said.  I gave Faith a kiss.  "The eight weeks will fly
by. Break down there is so much fun."

   "Eight weeks?" Faith asked.  She frowned as she asked.  "What is the
date for your spring break?"

   "March 4th to the 11th," I said.

   Faith hung her head.  "Damn!  I don't get off classes until March 10th."

   "Oh well, I guess that rules out spring break," I replied.  "I guess we
can just play it by ear.  We can get together as we have a chance in the
future."

   "I guess so Kyle," Faith agreed.

   We cleaned up and then settled in bed together.  We fell asleep cuddled
together.  Faith and I got up around eight o'clock on Saturday morning.  We
showered separately and headed upstairs.  I made breakfast for the two of
us, along with Noah, Connor and Hunter.  The three boys insisted on eating
with us.  I took Faith home after breakfast.  She had me stop about a 1/4
mile from her house.

   "I had a really good time Kyle," Faith said.

   "I did too," I agreed.  "I wish we could have more time together.  I
really like you Faith."

   "I like you a lot too Kyle," Faith replied.  "Who knows?  We're both
becoming teachers.  Maybe we will end up at schools near each other after
we graduate.  That's only sixteen months away."

   "You're right," I agreed.  "I'll keep in touch with you.  We can go out
again when our schedules mesh."

   "I'd like that Kyle,' Faith said.  She leaned in and gave me a kiss.  I
returned it.  We kept ourselves under control.  We broke apart after about
thirty seconds.

   "It's time for dump and run Kyle," Faith said.  "I don't know what mood
my dad will be in when you drop me off."

   "I feel a little guilty running off," I replied.  "I can walk you to the
door if you want me to."

   "No, I can take any heat from Dad," Faith said.  "It'll go better if you
head straight home after I get out."

   "Whatever you want," I agreed.  I drove the last few hundred yards to
Faith's house.  She leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

   "I had a great time Kyle," Faith said.  "You're a special guy."

   "I enjoyed the evening with you," I agreed.  "I'll keep in touch.  We'll
get together again when it fits our schedules." She climbed out of the car.
"Good luck with your parents." I added as she headed up the driveway to her
house.  I gave her a final wave and headed for home.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I hung out and relaxed during the day Saturday.  Andy and I played with
his boys and our little brother.  After dinner Andy and I got ready for our
night out at the Green Iguana.  Some of my friends made it, more didn't. 
Couples Hal and Tammy; Drew and Stacie; and Harrison and Penny came. 
Brandon, Kenny, Andy and I were there stag.  We had a fun evening, spent
mostly talking and listening to the bands.  Penny, Tammy and Stacie took
the single guys out for a couple dances during the evening.  Everyone
wished each other well back at school.  Our group headed home around
midnight.

   I did my imitation of Chef Lagasse's meal for my family on Sunday.  I
had no problems with the pork chops or the caramelized sweet potatoes.  I
went through three batches of crčme brűlée before I was successful in
producing the treat.  I had to go out to the local hardware store to buy a
blow torch so I could toast the sugar before serving.

   I burnt the cream the first time I tried to make the crčme brűlée.  The
second time the custard came out lumpy.  The twins, Hunter and Andy helped
me get rid of the defective custard.  The third time was the charm.

   My family enjoyed the meal I prepared for them.  Hunter, Noah and Connor
loved watching me toast the sugar with the blow torch.  Mom wasn't so crazy
about me using the torch in her kitchen.  My family decided my gourmet
cooking endeavor was a success.

   I gathered up all my things, loaded my car and headed for campus after
dinner.  My week at home had been relaxing and fun.  Now it was time to get
back to classes.

   Chapter 55

   ==========

   The apartment was deserted when I returned Sunday night.  Chip and
Trevor arrived half an hour after me, around ten o'clock.  Trevor and I
helped Chip get his new sound system set up in our living room.  He had the
system sent to his home in Unionville instead of to campus.  We were up
almost to midnight getting everything ready.  Damian arrived just as we
were finishing.  He ran into a snow storm on the way back to campus.

   My spring schedule was totally weird compared to past schedules I had.
The morning was open every day for the student teaching practicum.  I had
Adolescent Development at 12:20 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 
Immediately after that I had History 444, the United States in the Civil
War and Reconstruction.  Monday evenings I had Dr.  Ward's continuation of
Teaching Secondary Social Studies.  Tuesday from 4:40 to 5:30 pm was the
seminar that went with the student teaching practicum.  Thursdays from 4:40
to 7:30 I had C I 412W, Secondary Teaching.  It was the companion course to
C I 495C, my student practicum.

   My mornings would be free for a week or two until I was assigned a
school and sent out there.  While I had free time I also knew I didn't dare
sleep in every morning.  I had to fit in my off season workouts, film study
and homework into the schedule.

   I got up Monday morning around 9:30.  My roommates had left for classes
already.  I took my car down to Pollock Commons to pick up something for
breakfast and to pick up a certain large package from the post office.  A
clerk at the post office helped me carry my new TV out to my car.  The box
barely fit when I put the back seat down.

   I drove over to my apartment and manhandled the box inside.  I had my
new 40" LCD TV set up and ready to use before lunch.  I grabbed lunch at
the Mix on the way to my Adolescent Development class.  My class was in
Room 209 of Henderson South.  The class was in a good sized lecture hall
off the HUB lawn.  The room held around 150-160 students.  Jay's former
girlfriend Molly Reed walked in just before the professor started class. 
She sat at the opposite side of the room from me.  She spotted me and gave
me a smile and a wave.

   The course was taught by Dr.  Barbara Carter, a woman in her early
sixties.  She was a talented lecturer.  She discussed some of the common
traits you would find in adolescents as they developed to maturity.  I
recognized many characteristics that she discussed in the kids I had taught
at scout camp and helped with football back home.  This was going to be a
good course.

   I headed for Room 206 in the Wagner Building for my History 444 class.
This room was normal sized, seating 30-35 people.  Cameron Miller was
seated over by the window.  He gave me a big smile and a wave when I walked
in the room.  I took a seat beside my friend.

   "How was your holiday?" I asked.

   "It was good," Cameron replied.  "It looked like you had fun down in
Florida over break.  I saw you and Damian cooking with Emeril."

   "That was fun," I agreed.

   "What happened during the game?" Cam asked.  "Five receptions?  You can
catch that many in your sleep."

   "You played football Cam," I replied.  "You should understand.  We were
taking what Tennessee was giving us.  They had one of the best secondaries
we faced all year.  They also can't stop the run for shit."

   "So Damian got to be the hero of the day," Cameron said.

   "Exactly," I agreed.  "Eleven completions aren't many for a game but
they were big passes."

   "Yes, they were," Cameron agreed.  A professor in his early forties
walked in the door.  "Cool!" Cameron said as he spotted him.  "Dr. 
Williams is excellent.  I had him for History 440 last semester."

   "What's 440?" I asked.

   "Colonial America," Cameron answered.  The professor introduced himself
and cut our conversation short.

   Dr.  Stephen R.  Williams was an up and coming historian.  I had never
met him, though I had read a monograph he did on the rush to battle that
led to the First Bull Run campaign.  He was a good writer and I hoped he
would be equally good as a lecturer.

   History 444 would be similar to the other advanced history courses I
took.  We were expected to turn in two term papers during the term.  We
would have a blue book essay midterm and another for our final.

   Dr.  Williams lecture covered the condition of the United States after
it completed its expansion into the Southwest.  It was an interesting
lecture.  Cameron was right; this professor was going to deliver an
excellent course.

   I headed for the Lasch Building to do my daily workout.  Thirty or forty
of my teammates were there already prepping for next season when I arrived.
Coach Burton wasn't wasting time setting up the final performance reviews
for the season.  I found a note in my locker saying that my appointment was
on Thursday at 10:00 am.

   I changed at my locker.  "Hey Kyle," a strange voice asked politely from
behind me as I was dressing.

   "Kyle, could you help us?" a second, but similar voice asked.  Ian and
Troy Davis gave me big smiles as I turned to face them.

   "Hey Troy!  Ian!  It's great to see you again," I said.  "Welcome to
Penn State."

   "I'm glad to be here," Troy said.

   "Yeah, I am too," Ian added.  "We were wondering if you could help us
out a little.  We know the coaches will want us to continue working out
like we did during the fall back home.  No one has told us what they want
us to do."

   "Yeah, we don't know how the machines work," Troy said.  "We want to get
this right but we don't know who to ask."

   "Coach Collins, our conditioning coach, will sit down with each of you
and work out an individualized workout program for you," I explained. 
"That probably won't happen for a week or so.  I'm sure you'll be fine
doing what you have been doing back home until then."

   "Can you show us how these machines work?" Ian asked.

   "Sure, come along," I agreed.  "I'll show you what I do.  It will give
you a place to start for now.  I think your workout plan will be similar to
mine Ian since we're both receivers.  Yours might be a little different,
Troy, I don't know what the defensive backs do."

   "I'd ask my roommate, but I don't see him here," Troy said as he scanned
the workout room.

   "Who are you rooming with?" I asked.

   "I'm sharing my room with Matt Frye," Troy explained.  "Why did he lose
his roommate?"

   "Matt didn't lose his roommate," I replied, chuckling.  "Coach Burton
had to make room for you.  Chip Brinton, Matt's roommate for the past year
and half, moved into the vacant bedroom in my apartment."

   "I didn't mean to kick Chip out of his room," Troy said.

   "Trust me," I replied.  "Chip is delighted to move out of the dorms six
months ahead of schedule.  He's in the apartment Trevor, Damian and I
share."

   "I'm glad," Troy said.  "I don't want the starting quarterback mad at
me."

   I asked, "Who else started this semester?  I haven't seen anyone other
than you two so far."

   "I'm rooming with Mark Markovich," Ian said.  "He seems like a good
guy."

   "I thought that too when I met him during his official visit last fall,"
I agreed.

   "Darius Moore and Will Jones started on Saturday too," Ian said.  "We
don't see as much of them.  They're not in Hartranft with us."

   "I'm glad the five of you are here," I said.  "You have a lot of work to
do.  I assume you have the playbook now."

   "God!  I can't believe that book," Ian exclaimed.  "How are we supposed
to learn all of that?"

   "Study... study... study..." I countered.  "That's why you started
college early, so you could be prepared for football next fall."

   "Yeah, I guess," Ian agreed.

   I took the guys over to one of the open machine to begin my workout.  I
reviewed what Coach Collins had me do each day and then sent the twins off
to get started.  I kept an eye on them as I did my workout.  Both guys
seemed to be doing fine.

   Tyler Madden stopped by my machine as I was finishing up my workout. 
Unlike some of the other seniors on the team, Tyler was still on campus as
a student.  He needed a few credits to graduate.  Ben Walker, Mehmed
Marsic, Salim Rogers and Aidan Nagy had graduated.  They had gone down to
Lancaster County to work out with a trainer who specialized in getting
football players ready for the combine, the draft and to play in the NFL.

   Tyler explained, "I want to get a meeting of key players together
tonight to talk about who gets punked this year.  The winter workout
schedule comes in next week." He gave me a wink.  "We need to give Anders
and Matt [Shepperd, our grad assistant conditioning coach] enough time to
get things ready for the lucky guy.  Trevor offered to host the meeting. 
We'll get together at your apartment at seven o'clock."

   "Uh... I have class then," I replied.  "I'm doing an in-school student
teaching practicum in the mornings this semester.  All my education classes
are in the evenings."

   "What time do you get done?" Tyler asked.

   "Class is from six to nine," I replied.

   "OK, we'll meet at your place at 9:15," Tyler said.  "Does that work?"

   "I should be able to make it back from Chambers by then," I said.

   "See you there Coach," Tyler replied before departing.

   I wrapped up my workout and headed back to the locker room to shower
before dinner.  I bumped into Mark Markovich in the showers.  I welcomed
him to Penn State.  Mark had impressed me last fall during his official
visit.  Mark was going to be an excellent linebacker when his turn came to
start.  Next season he would be hell on special teams.

   I grabbed an early supper at Pollock Commons.  My Teaching Secondary
Social Studies II course was in Chambers again.  The same two dozen
students were there from last semester's course.  Dr.  Ward was teaching us
again.  I found a seat beside Chad King a few minutes before our lecture
was to start.  The class was exactly what I expected.  Dr.  Ward gave good
lectures.  All of us felt more immediacy to our topic than last semester.
We were going to put into practice what we learned within a few weeks.

   Most of the key leaders on our team had assembled at my apartment when I
got back from class.  Tyler Madden had invited Andrew Perkins, Jibril
Sloan, Shawn Byrd, Josh Bruno, Greg Nowicki, Tanner Riggs and Christian
Hunsecker in addition to Chip, Damian, Trevor and me.

   "All of you know why we're assembled," Tyler began.  "Anders and Matt
have to prepare the special winter training program for one of the freshmen
before the programs are handed out next week.  Who's our target this year?"

   "We need to punk someone who's going to be a star on the team," Andrew
suggested.  "Whose ego can use a little deflating?"

   "Brian Henson," Tanner replied immediately.  "You should have heard some
of the things he said during his interviews after the game down in Orlando.
He definitely needs to be taken down a peg or two."

   "No, I think Jon Stafford is a better candidate," Christian said.  "He's
going to back Chip up for the next two seasons and then he leads the team.
I think he's the guy we need to get after."

   "I know we got me last year, Coach two years ago but who got punked
before that?" Chip asked.

   "They got me three years ago," Tyler replied.  "Cuch got it four years
ago.  I think they got Zack Hayes the year before that."

   "No, they got Aaron Morano that year," I said.

   "Talking about Cuch reminds me," Josh said.  "Why don't we go after
Marco?  It would be fun to play with his head."

   "We can't," I replied.  "Marco started school last January.  Actually,
so did Jon.  We have to pick on someone who started last summer.  Jon and
Marco have seen this gag already."

   We talked about half a dozen freshmen, including ET LeBlanc, Chris
Richardson, Jeff Knox, John Crosby and Caleb Fuller.  No matter who else
was considered, we kept coming back to Brian.  We agreed that Brian was
going to get a new position after fifteen minutes of talking.  We went
around and around about which position to move him to - linebacker,
secondary, full back, running back, and even quarterback.

   Trevor was pushing to move Brian to quarterback.  The group debated it
for about five minutes.  Trevor had nearly closed the deal when I spoke up.

   "Brian's a smart guy," I said.  "We have too many good people at
quarterback to sell him that we need another QB with no experience.  We
need to move Brian to a position that is plausible.  We are short-handed at
tight end with Bob Smith being academically ineligible.  I think we should
have him convert to tight end.  We can sell that."

   "Who is going to believe that?" Tanner asked.  "Why would Coach Burton
waste Brian's speed at tight end?  Our guys spend most of their time
blocking."

   "No, this is a real possibility," I said.  "Coach Burton planned on
moving me to tight end when I started school here.  Though you are right
about speed being a factor, Coach Burton changed his mind when I ran a 4.3
forty.  We can sell this to Brian."

   "Coach is right," Christian added.  "Brian really looks up to Coach. 
You know he'll beat a path to Coach's locker to talk about this workout
plan as soon as he gets it."

   "I can say with a perfectly straight face that Coach Burton considered
doing the same thing with me," I said.  "We are shorthanded at tight end
until our recruits get here next summer.  It's a stretch but it's
believable."

   "We can tell Brian he has to bulk up to about 240 pounds," Tyler said.
"We can tell him he needs to bench 225 pounds... oh, say about 30 reps..."

   "Make it 40," Greg called out.  "We can remind him about all the big
defensive ends we play against that he'll have to block."

   "OK, do we have agreement?" Tyler asked.  He went around the circle of
friends in our living room.  Everyone agreed.  The Nittany Lions were going
to have a new tight end, at least for a week or two - as long as we could
keep the gag going."

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   My first session for C I 495C, the student teaching practicum, wasn't
until 4:15 on Tuesday afternoon.  I had no homework so I took full
advantage of the situation and slept until ten o'clock that morning.  After
breakfast I headed for the Lasch Building.

   Coach Adams was in his office when I popped my head in.  "I have some
free time in the mornings for the first couple weeks of the semester," I
explained.  "Could I get a list of our opponents next year?  I want to get
a head start on film study."

   "Sure thing Coach," Coach Adams agreed.  "I'll print a copy out for
you." He called up a list on his computer and sent it to the printer.  "The
way you do film study you're going to wear out our machines."

   "Is that a bad thing?" I teased.

   "I guess not," Coach Adams agreed.  He pulled the list of our opponents
off the printer and handed it to me.

   "Thanks Coach," I said.  "Are you and Coach Burton making any progress
finding someone to take your old job?"

   "We are doing interviews this week," Coach Adams replied.  "Coach Burton
expects to announce our new wide receivers coach by the end of the week."

   "I hope you find us someone good," I said.

   "I think you'll enjoy working with our first choice for the job," Coach
Adams said.  "...assuming he accepts the position." Coach Adams gave me a
big smile I didn't quite understand.  Oh well, I'd find out soon enough who
I would be working with next season.

   "Thanks Coach," I said as I left.  I headed for the film room before I
looked over the next season's opponents.  In order we would play: Temple,
Kentucky, Nebraska, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois,
Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State.  Our big away games
would be Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

   I decided to take the teams in the order we would play them.  I hadn't
seen anything of Temple since we played them eighteen months ago.  I knew
they were turning their program around, having gone to a second bowl game
this winter.  They went 8-4 in the Mid-America Conference.

   The tape showed that Temple was getting better recruits than when Coach
Golden had tried to recruit me to play there.  The most telling video I
found was of them playing Illinois in the Motor City Bowl.  Illinois had
made us work to beat them last season.  Temple nearly beat Illinois in the
bowl game.  Our opening date with the Owls would not be a walk over.  Even
though our record against them was 34-3-1 and they hadn't beaten us since
1941, I needed to make sure my teammates understood that this would be a
tough game.

   About 12:15 I decided to take a break for lunch.  I bumped into an old
friend as I walked down the hallway.

   "Yaz!  How's it going?" I asked I shook hands with Yasin Clark.  He had
started last season as our free safety.  Mid-way through the season he blew
out his ACL and MCL, ending his college career.

   "I'm good Kyle," Yasin replied.  "I'm real good."

   "What are you doing on campus?" I asked.  "Come back to visit your old
friends?"

   "Actually no, I'm not visiting," Yasin answered.  "I got a job here. 
Coach Burton hired me to be a defensive grad assistant coach."

   "He did?  Cool!" I said.  "I'm happy for you.  Congratulations."

   "Thanks Kyle," Yasin answered.

   "I'm heading to lunch," I said.  "Do you want to join me?"

   "Sure, why not," Yasin agreed.  "We can catch up on the past eight
months."

   We discussed alternatives and decided to keep it simple.  The coaches
were allowed to purchase meals at Pollock Commons.  We headed over there.
We grabbed some food from the serving area and found an empty table.  Soon
after we started eating, Brian Henson, ET LeBlanc and John Crosby came by
our table.

   "Hey Coach," each of the three said in greeting.

   "Do you mind if we join you, Coach?" Brian added.

   "Sure, help yourself," I said.  The three guys sat down at our table. 
"Do you guys know Yaz?"

   "Sure," Brian agreed.

   "Yasin was one of my guides when I did my official visit last fall,"
John added.

   "You were on crutches, weren't you?" ET asked.

   "I blew out my knee fifteen months ago," Yasin replied.  "Yes, I spent a
lot of time with Mr.  Cunningham and Jason Pennington last winter."

   "Yaz is the newest member of our coaching staff," I said.  "He's going
to work as a grad assistant for Coach C."

   "Do you know anything about when we'll have a new wide receivers coach?"
Brian asked.

   "I'm too junior to be privy to that information," Yasin said. 
"Yesterday was my first day."

   "I heard a little," I added.  "I was in talking to Coach Adams this
morning.  He said they expect to hire someone by the end of the week."

   "Cool!" "Excellent!" the two other wide receivers pronounced.  The three
freshmen got to know Yasin a bit as we talked over lunch.  I got to catch
up on my friend's doings since graduation.

   Yasin rehabbed his knee and was declared ready for football last July.
Unfortunately the NFL didn't agree.  No team was willing to let him try out
for their summer camp.  Yasin tried the CFL too without luck.  He worked at
Home Depot in the fall while he lived with his parents.  He decided to try
coaching when no team was interested in him during the NFL season.  He
talked with Coach Burton before Christmas and now here he is.

   We finished up lunch with John and Brian.  They headed for class.  Yaz
and I walked back to the Lasch Building together.

   "Why do the younger guys call you Coach?" Yasin asked.

   "It goes back to high school for me," I explained.  Beginning with my
nickname's origin back in eleventh grade, I reviewed its history up to last
summer when Chip, Matt Sauder, Dave Mitchell and Cody Stevens helped it
migrate to Penn State.

   "Doesn't it upset Coach Burton to have one of his players referred to as
Coach?" Yasin asked.

   "That's the funny part," I said.  "He heard it from the kids from my
high school last summer and immediately started to use it himself.  Once
Coach Burton started calling me `Coach', everyone did."

   "I guess it fits," Yasin replied.  "Are you still planning on going into
coaching after you're done playing?"

   "Absolutely," I replied.

   Yasin went back to work for Coach C.  I continued studying video of
Temple from last season.  My goal for the day was to find some defensive
formations Chip, Christian and I could exploit with our silent "audible"
next season.  The three of us would talk with Coach Adams after we had
settled on the plays we wanted to run against their formations.  Chip
joined me around a quarter to three to help review video.  We worked until
it was time for me to head over to the Chambers Building for my student
teaching practicum seminar.

   Room 228 in the Chambers Building was an averaged sized classroom,
holding about forty students.  The two dozen future social studies teachers
did not fill the room.  I sat with Chad King, as I normally did in SS ED
411 & 412.

   Professor Ann Lindsey-Cox was the coordinator for the whole C I 495C
program.  She would be at all our seminars, along with the seminars for
math, science, language and social studies.  Ms.  Christina Hamilton was
our immediate supervisor for the practicum.

   We would have five weeks of Tuesday afternoon seminars before we were
allowed into a real classroom.  We would spend Monday, Wednesday and Friday
mornings of week six and seven in the classrooms.  We would spend all five
mornings in the classroom of weeks eight and ten to thirteen.  Week nine
was our spring break.

   Dr.  Lindsey-Cox reviewed expectations about our conduct, dress and
interaction with the staff and students during the practicum.  We would
have midterm conferences with Ms.  Hamilton in week eleven and end of term
conferences in week thirteen.  Grading would be either satisfactory or
unsatisfactory.

   Dr.  Lindsey-Cox announced our school assignments.  I would be working
at the Bellefonte Area High School.  One other student, Nicole Stepaniak,
was assigned to the school.  Nicole was a tall, dark haired girl who was
very quiet.  I didn't know her well.

   Ms.  Hamilton let us know that the social studies student teacher
supervisors worked from the Great Valley campus and the Greater Alleghany
campus.  We would be assigned to either the Philadelphia area or to the
Pittsburgh area for our student teaching.  The department needed to know
our choices next week.  It was an easy choice for me, I would much prefer
to work somewhere around Philadelphia next spring.

   The crowd of students gave a quiet groan when Dr.  Lindsey-Cox gave us
two assignments before dismissing us.  We had to prepare a resume and a
letter of introduction to our mentor teacher for next week's seminar.

   We also had to prepare a complete report on our assigned schools -
population, demographics, commerce, industry, religion and educational
reputation of the school district.  We had to turn in the first draft of
the report in two weeks.  Ms.  Hamilton would review them and return for
completion before we started work at our school.

   The team's Thon committee met after dinner.  I had another $8,000 to
turn in.  I was still the leading fundraiser but Tyler Madden and Dave
McCall were closing in on my lead.  Odds were good that I wouldn't be
inviting some lucky coed to go on the ski weekend with me.  I had contacted
almost all my potential donors.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   I made a point of arriving at my Adolescent Development course close to
the start time.  I wanted to sit with Molly Reed but I wanted it to look
like a casual meeting not something I planned.  Molly gave me a big smile
as I sat down beside her.

   "Hi Kyle, I guess you had a good holiday?" Molly asked.  "I watched the
game.  You played well."

   "Thanks," I replied.  "Did you have a nice holiday?"

   "It was nice and relaxing," Molly said.  "I got to see my big brother
David, my sister-in-law Beth and my niece Sarah over Christmas.  It was my
first time seeing my niece.  My brother lives in Massachusetts and I
couldn't go up there when she was born."

   "How old is she?" I asked.

   "Sarah was three months old on New Year's Day," Molly answered.

   "Ah, they're cute at that age," I replied.  "I have two, soon-to-be
three year old nephews and a niece that's due to be born in a few weeks."

   Dr.  Carter started her lecture so Molly and I had to stop our
conversation.  I looked Molly over while our professor lectured.  Molly was
well built and quite attractive.  Jay had excellent taste in women... and
Jay is gone.  I decided to ask Molly for a date after class.

   When the lecture was over and before I could ask her for a date, Molly
asked, "Did you do anything fun over break, besides the football game?"

   "Not much," I replied.  "I slept in, relaxed and goofed off for a few
days.  I helped my mom with dinners."

   "That's right," Molly said.  "You're a budding foodie.  I saw the `Taste
of the Town' that you and Damian did.  Is Emeril really as... as... big...
or I don't know... is he really that over the top as he looks on TV?"

   "He was a really nice guy," I said.  "I liked him a lot.  The food he
made us....  Ooohh....  It was divine."

   "I envy you," Molly said.  "That must have been fun."

   "I'm sure you did some fun things too," I said.

   "I went skiing a couple days with friends from high school," Molly said.

   "You ski?" I asked.  Molly nodded her head yes.  "I was thinking of
going skiing after class on Friday.  Maybe you and I could go together."

   "That sounds like fun Kyle but..." Molly said.  "I have a date Friday
night."

   Oh sorry, I didn't know you were seeing anyone," I said.

   "It isn't a serious relationship," Molly explained.  "It's just a date.
Maybe we could do it some other Friday."

   "That would be cool," I agreed.  "If you aren't busy Saturday night,
stop by my apartment.  You're always welcome at our parties."

   "I may do that Kyle," Molly agreed.  "I'll see you later.  I've got to
get to my next class."

   "I'll see you Molly," I replied.  I headed for the Wagner Building and
my Civil War class.  I needed to focus some of my attention on my love
life. I had spent at most six months unattached in the past six years.  I
had a couple months in tenth grade between Penny and Julie; a couple months
after Julie moved in eleventh grade and a couple months after Penny and I
broke up here in college.  I wanted to share my life with my girlfriend.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   I arrived for my Thursday morning performance review with Coach Burton a
few minutes before ten o'clock.

   "Have a seat Kyle," Marie, our receptionist said.  "Coach Burton is
still in with his nine o'clock appointment."

   "Thanks Marie," I replied as I sat down in our waiting area.  The
minutes dragged by as I waited.  Marie gave me a helpless shrug about five
after ten.  Coach finally came out of his office at ten after ten.

   "Sorry about the delay Coach," Coach Burton said with a big smile.  "Do
you mind if our brand new wide receivers coach sits in on your performance
review?"

   "We have a coach?" I exclaimed.  "Excellent!  I don't have a problem if
he sits in." I gave Coach Burton a wink.  "...as long as I'm getting a good
review."

   "You shattered every receiving record the university has this season,"
Coach teased.  "How bad could your review be?"

   "OK, let's do this," I replied as I followed Coach into his office. 
Coach headed for one chair in the front of his office.  Coach Adams was
sitting on the other.  Coach Burton pointed towards his couch.  I stopped
short when I saw... my new receivers coach.

   "Coach Caffrey?" I asked, flabbergasted.

   "I guess you just got the news," Coach Caffrey replied.  "I hope you can
stand working with me for another year."

   "Ummm... ummm..." I stuttered.  "Wow!  I can't believe you're going to
work here."

   "Have a seat Coach," Coach Burton said, pointing to the open spot beside
Coach Caffrey.  He chuckled and added, "I guess introductions aren't
required.  Let's get started."

   "I didn't ask Coach Ferguson to sit in on this review because I didn't
feel it was necessary.  You were the #1 kick returner in the nation and
made All-American at that position.  You were the #3 punt returner in the
country.  All of that is outstanding Coach."

   "Thanks Coach," I replied.

   "I do not plan to have you return kicks and punts next season," Coach
Burton said.  "I want to get the younger players more time on the field.  I
would only consider using you on special teams in absolute dire
emergencies, such as we're down a TD with 40 seconds to go and need a score
from the return."

   "I understand," I agreed.

   "Let's move on to your primary job - pass catching," Coach Adams said.
Coach Burton and Coach Adams proceeded to review my season's work.  My
games against USC and Michigan drew the most praise.  I set career
receptions, career yards receiving, season receptions, and season yards
receiving this season.

   "What do you do for an encore Coach?" Coach Burton asked.  "How do you
top this past season?"

   "I don't know if I can..." I replied.  "...  or if I should.  Our team
lost the two games when I had my best statistics.  Our offense runs much
better when we spread the ball around.  If they over-commit to stopping me,
Tanner and Christian can kill them.  If they don't put enough effort into
stopping me, I kill them.  If our opponents put too much effort into
stopping our passing game, Damian kills them.  Ask Tennessee, they found
out."

   "And why do you need a wide receivers coach?" Coach Caffrey teased.

   "We have nine other wide receivers," Coach Burton replied.  Coach fixed
his eyes on mine.  "I seem to remember you and your friends loudly stating
that you intend that our team go undefeated this calendar year.  If you
can't improve our teams' record by improving your performance, how do you
propose to get this team to go undefeated?"

   "We have to get everyone to work harder," I said.  "They need to study
more video so we're better prepared for our opponents.  We need everyone to
keep their grades up so they're eligible to play.  We need the younger guys
to hit the playbook and master it quickly.  I want to see our team playing
in Phoenix next January for the national title."

   "How do YOU get all 112 individuals to buy into this?" Coach Burton
asked.

   "We have a vision of what our team can achieve - go to Phoenix," I
answered.  "Set goals to help us achieve that vision.  Get the rest of the
team to buy into the goals.  Monitor how well the goals are met and assist
the team members so they can achieve the goals.  Motivate the team to
continue towards our common goal.  In a word - leadership."

   Coach Burton chuckled.  "You took Kinesology 395 already, didn't you?"

   "Um... no, I don't know what that course is," I replied.  "I learned
about leadership in the Boy Scouts."

   "You hit the tasks of leadership precisely Coach," Coach Burton said. 
"That is going to be your challenge this year.  You need to bring the rest
of the team up to your level of play."

   "I understand Coach," I agreed.

   "Where this team goes next year depends on large part on the leadership
you and your classmates provide," Coach Burton said.  "We will have a good
team if you guys do OK.  We can have a great team if you guys take us
there. The NCAA severely limits that amount of time the coaching staff has
with you guys, especially during the off season.  The foundation for this
potential national championship team will be laid this winter and spring.
You guys have to do that work yourselves." Coach Burton fixed his eyes on
mine.  "Are you up to the task?"

   "I believe we are," I replied.  "I'll give it my best effort.  I want to
bring home a trophy for our university before I leave."

   "You do that," Coach Burton said.  "I'm counting on you."

   Everyone shook hands at the end of my interview.  Coach Burton had an
especially warm handshake for Coach Caffrey.

   "I'm glad you decided to accept the position Walt," Coach Burton said as
they shook.  "I believe we are going to enjoy working together.  I don't
have any more wide receiver performance reviews today.  You are welcome to
snoop around the Lasch Building or the campus.  You might want to check out
the local real estate market too.  You're going to need a nice house for
you and your family."

   "I may do that Bob," Coach Caffrey said.  "Thanks again for the
opportunity to work for you on this great staff."

   "I'm looking forward to it Walt," Coach Burton said.  He turned his gaze
on me.  "You might want to answer a few of your protégé's questions too. 
He looks like he's ready to burst."

   Coach Caffrey followed me out of Coach Burton's office.  When we were in
the hallway my coach asked, "What do you think Kyle?"

   "Wow!" I replied.  "I think it's great and I'm going to love working
with you for another season, but....  Wow!  I'm shocked that you are
leaving the Wolverines.  I didn't think you would leave after working so
hard to build it up into one of the best teams in the state."

   "I wouldn't do anything to harm the Wolverines," Coach Caffrey answered.
I suddenly understood.

   "You figured out how to keep Jason from leaving for a head coaching
job," I said.

   "Exactly," Coach Caffrey said.  "It gives him a chance to be a head
coach, something he deserves.  It gives me an opportunity for professional
advancement and it keeps our team on course for success."

   "Well... congratulations Coach," I replied.  "I think this is fantastic
news.  Do the kids back home know you were looking for another position?"

   "No, they don't," Coach replied.  "The athletic director, high school
principal and the president of the school board know I am interviewing. 
Hell, my wife doesn't even know I have the job yet."

   "I'll keep the news to myself until it is public knowledge," I promised.

   "Thank you Kyle," Coach Caffrey said.  "I guess I'll see you in about
three weeks, when I start work up here."

   "I'm looking forward to it Coach," I replied.  I shook my coach's hand
before heading for the film room.  It was time to continue my study of
Nebraska.

   Chip, Matt Frye, Jon Stafford and Marco Cuchiella volunteered to
accompany me when they heard I was skiing Friday afternoon.  Matt had a car
on campus so he would drive too.  There was no way the five of us could fit
in my VW with all our ski gear.  The five of us agreed to meet at my
apartment at 2:45pm.

   Word got around the Lasch Building quickly about our new wide receivers
coach even though I kept my mouth shut.  All the wide receivers stopped by
to talk with me about my high school coach.  I assured everyone that they
would love working with Coach Caffrey.

   Christian was especially happy when he got the news.

   "This is sweet!" he said when Anders told him.  "I've watched him coach
or played against him for seven games.  I finally get to have the man on my
side helping me." He gave me a wink.  "With Coach Caffrey gone, my team can
finally put those Wolverines in their proper place - second place."

   "We'll see," I replied.  "Do you know who coached the Wolverines how to
beat zone coverage on the fly when you guys sandbagged us last fall?"

   "You?" Christian offered.

   "Me and Coach Turner," I corrected.  "Coach Turner, the Coach Burton
protégé and highly successful offensive coordinator for our team this past
season.  He's going to be our new head coach."

   "Great," Christian groaned.  "I'll warn Coach Williams to get ready."

   "You do that," I replied.  "The battle for supremacy of the
Lancaster-Lebanon League isn't over yet."

   Christian and I respected each other's schools in spite of the teasing
we did.  What's not to respect about Central?  They dominated the league
and district for close to thirty years.  My Wolverines weren't upstarts
anymore.  We had won district championships five times against two for
Central.  We also went on to win two state championships.  Central's coach
had been the head coach for their entire thirty year run of domination.  He
certainly would retire well ahead of Jason Turner, age thirty.  Maybe my
team would be able to stay on top as long as Central after that.

   The C I 412W course on Thursday afternoon was different.  Every future
secondary school teacher was in one of the four sections of the class.  We
all met in Chambers in nearby rooms.  Dr.  James D.  Bell III was in charge
of all the classes.  Ms.  Janet C.  Richards would teach our section with
Dr.  Bell's help.  Ms.  Richards said we would learn about a teacher's
responsibilities, how to plan instruction, how to implement it and then how
to assess the effectiveness of our teaching.

   Chad King and Josh Bruno both ended up in my section of C I 412W.  We
sat together though the lecture and then headed back across campus after
class.  We walked along with Chad.  His car was parked in the East Parking
Deck that day.  His apartment was a couple miles from campus.

   "Man, I'm starved," I complained.

   "Yeah, class from 4:40 to 7:15 definitely sucks," Josh agreed.  "The
dining hall will be closed by the time we get down there."

   "I guess it means a sandwich from the Mix," I said.

   "Do what I do guys," Chad suggested.  "I often stop by the Big Onion to
grab dinner before I go home.  They have pizza, hot sandwiches and salads."

   "What do you think Josh?" I asked.

   "Sounds better than a cold sandwich," Josh agreed.

   Chad led the way to Findlay Commons in East Halls.  Chad had made a good
recommendation.  I had a cheese steak, fries and soda.  Chad and Josh split
a pizza.  The three of us discussed the class we just finished and our
upcoming practicum.  All of us were excited to finally have an opportunity
to put into practice all the theory we had learned.

   Chad and I also learned that Josh had his practicum seminar on Tuesday
4:15-5:30, same as us.  The future science teachers were downstairs on the
first floor of the Chambers Building.  The three of us agreed that it would
be fun to get together Tuesdays and Thursdays so we had company for dinner.
Chad headed for home while Josh and I walked back to the Nittany Apartments
together.
My love life needed attention, so I had an important call to make when I

got back to my apartment.

   "Andrea?" I asked when her familiar voice answered.  "It's Kyle Martin.
When we bumped into each other down in Orlando over break we talked about
getting together sometime."

   "I remember, Kyle," Andrea replied.

   "I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner Saturday night
and then come back to a football team party at my apartment."

   "It sounds like fun, Kyle..." Andrea said.  "...but I have a date
Saturday night.  Maybe another time."

   "OK," I answered.  "Would you like to do it the following Saturday?  I
don't know how booked up your calendar gets."

   "The 21st?" Andrea said.  "I'd like that, Kyle."

   "I'll call you closer to that Saturday and we can finalize the details,"
I said.

   "I'm looking forward to an evening together, Kyle," Andrea said.  "It
will be fun."

   "I'm looking forward to it, Andrea," I said.  "Bye."

   "Bye Kyle," Andrea replied before ending the call.

   Zero for two on girls I asked out this week.  Oh well, at least I stood
a good chance of attracting one of the girls at the party on Saturday into
bed with me.  That was something.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Chip, Matt, Jon, Marco and I had a blast at Tussey Mountain skiing on
Friday afternoon and evening.  We hit the slopes around 3:30, skied until
6:00, ate at the lounge and then skied until the resort's ten o'clock
closing time.  Light snow came down throughout the evening, making for
excellent ski conditions.  We had such a good time that we agreed to make
the Friday night ski trip a regular thing while the ski season lasted.

   Trevor and Damian went out for beer Saturday morning.  Chip and I did
the rest of the shopping for snacks and dinner that evening.  Damian was
feeling domestic.  He offered to do a nice dinner for me, Chip, Trevor,
Steph and Billy that evening.  I put in my first lifeguarding shift at the
Natatorium in the afternoon.

   Damian made a pot roast in wine sauce that was excellent.  Trevor
teased, "You're going to make Billy a great wife."

   None of our group batted an eyelash at the comment.  Chip had been
brought into the circle when Trevor told him Damian's secret a few weeks
earlier.  Chip had a friend from high school who was gay but still in the
closet.  Chip wasn't bothered in the least by Damian's being gay.

   Damian and Billy got to relax while the rest of us cleaned up the
delicious meals they had made us.  We set up for the party and then relaxed
until our guests started arriving around eight o'clock.

   I made a special point to invite our five new freshmen to the party. 
Troy, Ian and Mark made it to our party.  I heard later that Darius Moore
and Will Jones ended up over at Brendan and Tony's hip hop themed party
instead.  I made sure Troy, Ian and Mark understood the ground rules for
the party and also that they were welcome to borrow a bedroom if they
should happen to get lucky that evening.

   After I had the "newbies" comfortable and settled, I grabbed a second
beer and went after companionship for myself.  I had absolutely no trouble
finding interested females.  Half a dozen girls at the party flirted with
me and tried to attract my attention.  Apparently Beth Naylor had raved
about the night she spent with me before Christmas.

   The girls and I spent half an hour flirting, ogling and teasing each
other while they tried to impress me and I made up my mind.  I invited
Emily Galloway back to the kitchen for another beer.  We found a vacant
spot on the couch.

   Emily was a sophomore education major.  She planned to become an
elementary school teacher.  At 5'-6" tall, with shoulder length blond hair
and a figure well proportioned to her size, Emily was quite attractive and
enticing to me.  We cuddled and talked for awhile.

   Emily was curious to hear about my junior year education courses.  She
was glad to hear about all the education courses I was taking this year. 
She was frustrated that she didn't have a single course this year related
to her major.  I assured her that she would have all she could handle in
the fall.

   By our third beers our attention had turned to each other.  Emily
slipped onto my lap as we explored each other more intimately.  Our making
out gave me a wicked hard-on - a fact that Emily obviously enjoyed as she
ground her bottom against it while we kissed.

   Coupling had started in earnest at the party.  Two pairs used my bedroom
for fun while Emily and I made out.  When my bedroom opened up she spread
her legs and patted my erection.

   "C'mon big boy," she purred.  "I want to see this thing... and find out
if you can live up to your rep."

   "I hope it's a good rep," I replied as she stood and pulled me behind
her.  We disappeared into my bedroom.

   "You have a dynamite reputation, Kyle," Emily said as she removed her
blouse and sat down on my bed.

   "I'll try to live up to it," I replied as I stripped off my clothes.  I
hopped in bed with my now naked girl.  We embraced and kissed for a moment.
Emily spread her legs and rolled me on top of her.

   "Fuck me now Kyle," she purred into my ear.

   "Patience," I countered.  "It's my bedroom and we don't need to hurry.
I'll last longer and both of us will have more fun if I get off once before
we move on to intercourse."

   "I can give you a blow job," Emily offered.  I rose up off her on my
hands and knees.

   "I was thinking of some 69," I suggested.  "If that's OK with you?"

   "Sure," Emily agreed.  "Not many of the guys I play with are interested
in going down on me."

   I switched around so my cock was near Emily's head and my face was ready
to get its pussy bath.  "You've been playing with the wrong guys.  They're
idiots." I bowed my head down and swiped my tongue from above her clitoris
the whole way down until I rimmed her hole.  I licked her tasty nectar up
as I ran my tongue back to her clitoris.  "Those guys have no idea how much
fun this is."

   I didn't get a response.  Emily had slurped my cock head into her mouth
and was giving the head a tongue bath.  She wrapped one hand around my
shaft and used the other to rub and tease the sensitive skin between my
balls and asshole.  This girl knew the turn-on spots for guys.

   I licked and sucked her pussy while she gave me an excellent blow job.
Emily was quite a talented cock sucker.  The only problem was that she
wasn't used to someone licking her while she pleasured her guys.  I
definitely was distracting her attention as I licked and sucked.

   I brought Emily to climax before she could get me off.  I let her
recover a minute while I fingered her pussy.  Emily finished my blow job
when she was ready.  She did a good job on me but was squeamish about
swallowing.  My cum left both of us pretty messy.  We cleaned each other
and then cuddled and kissed for a bit.

   I got hard as we made out.  Emily purred, "Mmmm... yeah," as she reached
between our sweaty bodies.  She grabbed my erection and notched it in her
hole.  "Show me what you can do big boy," Emily demanded in a low voice.

   She was forcing herself onto my cock when I pulled back.  "Protection,"
I gasped as I pulled away.  "Let me get a condom on."

   "I'm on the pill Kyle," Emily explained as she tried to reinsert my
cock. I rolled away and grabbed a condom from my night stand.  I rolled the
protective sheath over my erection.  "I'm ready now," I declared as I
rolled back between Emily's open legs.

   I positioned myself and thrust my seven incher into Emily.  "Mmm.... 
Yeah," she murmured.  "Sooo....  big.  That's what I want."

   I did my best to give Emily what she wanted... and of course what I
needed too.  In and out...  in and out, we shared our bodies for about ten
minutes.  Apparently Emily wasn't the most orgasmic of women but I managed
to get her off before I came.

   I rolled off Emily and collapsed when I shot my load.  She rolled on top
of me and smothered me with kisses.  "That was wonderful Kyle," she
exclaimed.  "You're amazing!" Emily rubbed my tummy.  "You the second guy
who managed to give me a vaginal orgasm in my life." She smothered me with
more kisses.

   "That was wonderful Kyle," Emily exclaimed.

   "I'm glad you enjoyed it," I said as I gave her a kiss.  Emily reached
between us and felt my flaccid cock.

   "Can you get it up quick?" she asked.  "Maybe we can get in another
quickie before another couple wants the room."

   "This is my bedroom," I replied.  "We can stay here all night if we
want." I gave Emily another kiss.  "Why don't we get dressed, go enjoy
another beer and relax for awhile?  You're welcome to spend the night with
me.  We can take our time and have all the fun we want."

   "Really?" Emily asked.  "I haven't had a lot of chances to spend the
night with a guy.  That's one of the drawbacks with four girls sharing a
two bedroom apartment."

   "I'd enjoy it if you shared my bed with me tonight," I said.  That
suggestion earned me a spirited kiss.  Emily and I dressed and headed back
to the party.

   Beth Naylor was waiting for an open bedroom when Emily and I came back
out.  She led a hesitant but smiling Mark Markovitch into my bedroom.  I
guess five star recruits satisfied her needs too.

   Emily and I enjoyed our refreshments, relaxed and talked with our
friends.  Beth and Mark returned from my bedroom about twenty minutes
later. I was heading for the kitchen for sodas for Emily and me when they
came out.  A very satisfied Beth made a beeline to talk with her
girlfriends.  Mark followed me into the kitchen.  He grabbed a beer as I
grabbed my sodas.

   Mark gave me a goofy grin.  "Damn, Coach, I'm going to like college," he
said.  "I was a star football player in high school and never had a problem
coaxing a girl into bed with me, but it never been as easy as tonight to
get laid."

   I explained about Beth and her drive to sleep with every member of the
football team.  Mark shook his head in wonder.

   "I've never met a groupie before," Mark said.  "So I guess I shouldn't
expect a repeat with Beth?"

   "That depends," I replied.  "We don't have an infinite number of
football players.  Some of the guys have girlfriends and aren't interested
in sleeping around."

   "Weren't you one of those guys last fall?" Mark asked.  "I thought you
had a really cute redhead glued to your body when I visited."

   "I did," I confirmed.  "That was Kelly.  We broke up in November."

   "Sorry to hear that, Coach," Mark said.

   "It's OK," I said.  "I'm auditioning for her replacement now."

   "Is the girl you're with tonight a possibility?" Mark asked.

   "Maybe," I agreed.  "Let's just say she passed the preliminary
interview."

   "Good luck with your search Coach," Mark said before he headed back to
the living room.

   Emily and I found an open chair and had a seat.  We cuddled, talked and
enjoyed the company at the party as the evening wore on.  Singles and
couples started drifting away, leaving Trevor and Steph; Emily and me; Chip
and Lori Brown, Chip's girl du jour; and Marco Cuchiella with a freshman
coed I didn't know.

   Damian, Melanie, Billy and Sara had taken off for Melanie and Sara's
apartment about an hour earlier.  Marco had secured permission from Damian
to stay overnight in Damian's room.  It was past time for Damian to start
charging Marco rent for his room.  Jon Stafford benefitted too.  He got to
invite another in a long list of freshmen girls back to the room he shared
with Marco.

   The eight of us cleaned up the apartment before heading to our rooms for
the night.  Emily and I shared our bodies two more times before falling
asleep.  We had early morning sex too.  Emily and I had breakfast before
she headed back to her apartment.

   I spent part of the afternoon relaxing at my apartment, reading the
newspaper.  I was a little down.  In spite of all that had happened, I
missed spending time with Kelly.  Sunday was our special day for the past
two and a half years.  I went over to the Lasch Building and hung out with
my teammates later in the afternoon.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   My classes went well.  Dr.  Carter's Adolescent Development course was
interesting.  I loved Dr.  Williams' Civil War History course.  I paid
close attention at my various education courses.  The practical application
of the things I was learning was weeks away.

   Most of the football team did their daily workouts in the late afternoon
since none of us had classes then.  We had to keep that time free for
spring practice when it started later in the semester.  Matt Shepherd,
Anders Voight and Yasin Clark distributed the spring semester training
program for each team member on Wednesday.

   No one in on the upcoming prank knew how long our team had been playing
the "switch the position" prank, but we knew it went back well before Aaron
Morano and Zack Hayes had started college six years ago.

   Matt, Anders and Yasin waited until all the coaching staff left campus
for recruiting visits or other trips.  Coach Caffrey, who wasn't involved
in recruiting yet, wouldn't start until February 1st.  No one was in the
Lasch Building to enlighten Brian Henson.

   About half the team was in the locker room dressing for their workouts
and trying to look inconspicuous when Brian Henson came in after his 2:35
class.  Brian found his workout program handout almost immediately.  He sat
down at his locker and began reading.  We stole quick glances to catch his
reaction without him knowing we were watching.

   I caught a surprised look on his face as he read.  He shook his head and
continued reading.  After about a minute he shook his head again and looked
straight at me.

   "Hey Coach, you got a minute?" he asked innocently.

   "What's up, Brian?" I replied.

   "There is something weird with my training program," he explained as he
walked over to my locker.  "I think someone is pulling a prank on me."

   "Oh?" I asked.  "Why do you think that?"

   "This program says I'm supposed put on forty pounds before next fall,"
Brian explained.  "It doubles my reps on the weight machines and increases
the weight I do, too.  It doesn't make any sense."

   "Let me see," I said.  Brian handed me his workout program and looked at
me hopefully.  I glanced over it briefly before looking back at Brian. 
"Here it is," I said.  "This program is for a tight end."

   "I'm not a tight end!" Brian protested.  "This has got to be a gag. 
Somebody substituted my real program with a fake one.  It probably doesn't
even look like the real training program."

   "Look at mine," I said as I offered my training program to Brian.  He
took a few seconds to compare mine to his.  Of course they looked identical
- same paper, same type, same format.  Why wouldn't they?  Matt Shepherd
prepared both sets personally.

   "This has got to be a mistake, a gag... something," Brian squawked. 
"I'm a wide receiver."

   "Coach Burton does change player's positions sometimes," I countered. 
"Isn't that right Dave?" I looked down the room to Dave McCall.

   "I signed with the university to be a cornerback," Dave replied.  "Now
I'm a free safety."

   "And a damn good one," I added.

   "Thanks Coach," Dave called back.

   "But I've played wide receiver this season," Brian protested.  "I'm good
at it.  Why would Coach Burton want to switch me?  This has to be a mistake
or a prank.  This can't be right."

   "Go talk to Matt Shepherd," I suggested.  "He can tell you if this is
the training program he gave you or if somebody switched programs on you.
Matt will know."

   "Thanks Coach," Brian said.  "Thanks for your help." Brian disappeared
from the locker room.  I held a finger up to my lips to ask my teammates to
stay quiet until Brian was out of earshot.  I gave him thirty seconds.  The
locker room erupted in laughter.

   "Well played Coach," "Nicely done!" "Good job Coach," the crowd called
out.

   "I thought you were going to tell him about how Coach Burton wanted to
convert you to a tight end when you started here," Tanner asked.

   "Patience, I want to set the hook before I reel him in," I counseled. 
"We better get over to the weight room and get to work.  It'll look
suspicious if all of us are still here when Brian gets back."

   We staggered our arrival at the weight room to avoid arousing Brian's
suspicions.  I grabbed a weight machine and started working out.  Brian was
talking with Matt at Matt's cubicle when I started.  Brian spotted me when
he and Matt finished talking.  He headed straight over to talk.

   "Coach, Matt confirmed that this is the correct training program for
me," Brian said.  "I thought for sure someone was pulling a gag on me." He
shook his head.  "Why would Coach Burton want to convert me to a tight end?
It doesn't make sense to me."

   "I can see it Brian," I replied.  "This isn't the first time he
contemplated a switch like this.  Coach Burton planned to convert me to a
tight end when I started my freshmen year."

   "You're kidding," Brian said.

   I raised my hand in the Scout sign and said, "Scout's honor... Coach
Burton planned to convert me into a tight end three years ago." I put my
hand down again.  "Think about this... we're both big guys.  We can carry
more weight.  If we put on some muscle and improve our blocking, either of
us could handle blocking linebackers or maybe small defensive ends."

   "OK" Brian said as he nodded his head.

   "Now think about what happens if you run a go route and are covered by
an outside linebacker," I asked.  "What happens?"

   "I blow right past him and make a big play," Brian answered.  I nodded
yes in agreement.

   "Coach wants to create mismatches on the field," I said.  "You saw what
our offense was like last season, didn't you?"

   "Yeah, sure," he agreed.

   "We had Evan Foster, who was a fantastic blocker," I explained.  "Evan
could catch passes downfield with the best of them.  We're losing three
tight ends to graduation.  Who do we have now?"

   "Ummm... there's Ben," Brian said, referring to my fellow junior Ben
Witte.  Brian lowered his voice.  "Ben's not the greatest at catching
passes."

   "Right," I agreed.  "He primarily is a blocker."

   "There's Bob Smith," Brian continued.

   "Who is academically ineligible," I added.

   "...and Will Jones," Brian said.

   "Who's seventeen, fresh out of high school and been in college for all
of ten days," I said.  "Want to stake playing for a national championship
next season on him?"

   "No, not really," Brian agreed.  "So you're saying we're short-handed at
tight end?"

   "Doesn't it sound that way?" I asked.

   "I guess," Brian agreed.  "...but I've always played wide receiver.  I
don't know if I'll be any good at tight end."

   "How well do you know Evan Foster?" I asked.

   "Not well," Brian answered.  "I talked to him a couple minutes when I
did my official visit here."

   "Evan came out of high school up in Buffalo as a top notch wide
receiver," I explained.  "He was tall and kind of skinny.  Coach Paterno
and Coach Burton decided he could become a good tight end.  The
conditioning staff helped him bulk up and become a good blocker.  He
already had good speed and a talent for catching the ball.  Evan left here
with the John Mackey award for the best tight end in the nation.  It all
turned out well for him, didn't it?" I had moved from half-truths to bald
faced lies now to sell the gag.  Evan was a New York State all-star at
tight end when he left high school.

   "I guess," Brian agreed.  "So you think this will work out?"

   "Trust your coaches," I replied.  "Their job is to put us in the best
position to use our talents and to help us win games.  Let them do their
job."

   "Tight end?" Brian said as he pursed his lips.  "Wait until my buddies
back home hear about this.  They aren't going to believe it."

   "No worries, it'll all work out Brian," I replied.

   "Thanks for helping me figure this out Coach," Brian said.  "I
appreciate all you've done for me this year." Brian left to change into
workout clothes.  The rest of us had time to congratulate each other in
starting another successful prank before Brian came back to work out.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Andrea Timmerman confirmed our date Saturday night when I called her
Wednesday night.  I planned to take her out to Spats for dinner before we
came back to the party at my apartment.  I was looking forward to getting
to know Andrea better.  She was hot but I wanted to find out more about her
than her looks.

   I wrapped up my research into the Bellefonte Area School District on
Friday morning.  I found the school district has an enrollment of 2917
students, Kindergarten through 12th grade.  The high school where I would
be working has 1,007 students in grades nine through twelve.  The school
was not diverse.  Roughly 3% of the high school students were minorities,
mostly African-American with some Hispanic, Asian-Americans and one Native
American.  Frankly it didn't sound all that different from my own high
school.

   The average annual income was slightly below the national median.  The
district was well educated, having a larger than normal percentage of
residents with masters or doctorate degrees.  That probably stemmed from
one of the school district's major employers - the Pennsylvania State
University.

   I planned to finish my report Monday morning and then proofread it
Tuesday before I submitted it at my seminar.  Dr.  Lindsey-Cox planned to
announce our mentor teacher assignments that afternoon.  I had to send off
my corrected letter of introduction after that.

   Trevor and Steph joined Chip, Matt, Jon, Marco and me on the Tussey
Mountain ski slopes Friday afternoon.  I tried to get Molly Reed to come
too but she was busy that evening.  The conditions weren't as nice as the
previous Friday night but everyone had fun.  We skied until closing.

   Trevor and Damian went shopping for booze Saturday morning.  Chip and I
headed to the grocery store for goodies and to fill Damian's shopping list
of ingredients for his planned hors d'oeuvres.  My bank account grew a bit
as I pulled a fourth lifeguarding shift for the week at the Natatorium
Saturday afternoon.  I showered, shaved, dressed and headed for Andrea's
apartment when my shift was done.

   Andrea lived in the Lionsgate Apartments, about three miles northwest of
campus.  Andrea's roommate met me at the door.  She introduced herself as
Taylor Lewis, Andrea's friend since they were in middle school.  Andrea
came out of her bedroom a couple minutes later.

   My 5'-8" tall date was dressed in jeans and a loose Penn State
sweatshirt.  It couldn't hide her stunning figure.  All of my girlfriends
had been good looking but Andrea was beyond that.  She was Playboy
centerfold material.  Her ample breasts, her perfectly coiffed, shoulder
length brunette hair, her hazel eyes, her gently curving figure -
everything shouted out - I'm a babe.

   "Looking stunning tonight" I managed as I took in her looks.

   "Oh, it's nothing," Andrea replied nonchalantly.  I'm sure she heard
that compliment a hundred times before.  "Where are we going to dinner
tonight?"

   "I thought Spats would be good," I answered.  "Do you like Cajun food?"

   "I've had a little bit of it," Andrea said as we walked out the door. 
"I'm game to try it."

   I drove the three miles back to downtown State College and parked in the
Pugh Street Garage near Spats.  We walked down Pugh Street to College
Avenue and then went half a block south to my favorite restaurant in town.
We had to wait a couple minutes until the waitress could get us a table.

   Andrea followed the waitress and I followed Andrea through the maze of
tables in the small crowded restaurant.  I stopped short halfway across the
room.

   "Kelly?" I gasped.  My ex was there with a guy I didn't know.

   "Kyle," Kelly said quietly as she nodded her head to acknowledge me. 
She pointedly turned away and started a conversation with her date.  I
hurried along to catch up to Andrea.

   The waitress gave us the corner table by the front window.  We had a
great view of College Avenue and the front lawn in front of Old Main.  It
was a very nice table.  Andrea sat facing towards the interior of the
restaurant.  I sat with my back to Kelly.  The waitress gave us menus.  I
encouraged Andrea to try the tapas.  I always enjoyed the small samples. 
Andrea chose the proscuitto wrapped asparagus.  I chose andouille sausage
with honey.  Andrea ordered the grilled Ahi tuna with crab & red onion
cream.  I decided to have the day's special, duck confit with chorizo and
white bean cassoulet.  Andrea and I talked, getting to know each other
better.  Andrea and Taylor were from Coraopolis, Pa., north and west of
Pittsburgh.  She was studying to be a graphic artist.  Her dad was a doctor
and her mom was a teacher.  I told Andrea about myself and my background.

   The two of us shared our tapas when the waitress delivered them.  Her
proscuitto wrapped asparagus were tasty.  Both of us liked the way the
honey mellowed the andouille sausage.

   "Mmmm... that was really tasty," Andres said as we finished our
appetizers.  "How did you find out about this place?  I've never eaten
here."

   "It's the only place I've found in State College that serves Cajun
food," I explained.  "I developed a taste for Cajun when I was being
recruited in high school."

   "Did you consider other places than Penn State?" Andrea asked.

   "One of my visits was to Baton Rouge to check out LSU," I replied.  "I
had Cajun down there for the first time and really liked it."

   "I thought everything would be real spicy," Andrea said.

   "It doesn't have to be," I replied.  "Your tuna probably won't be spicy.
My chorizo and bean cassoulet might have a little heat."

   The two of us continued talking, getting to know each other better, as
we waited for our main course.  The waitress delivered it about ten minutes
later.  We dug into our dinners.  My duck, chorizo and bean cassoulet was
excellent.  I shared a few bites with Andrea, who agreed.  She let me taste
her Ahi tuna.  It was very good too.

   Partway through diner Andrea commented, "That red haired girl over
there," she said as she nodded towards the center of the room.  "She keeps
staring at us and glaring."

   I glanced in the direction indicated.  Kelly turned away quickly when
she saw me look her direction.  "That's my ex-girlfriend, Kelly O'Keefe. 
We didn't have a friendly parting."

   "Oh, I'm sorry," Andrea replied.  "What happened?" I explained the bare
bones of our two year relationship.  "I understand," Andrea said when I
finished.  "That's why you told me down in Orlando that you've cut back on
your partying.  That makes sense."

   "I'm glad you do," I said.  "Kelly didn't understand."

   "Is that how you ended up getting arrested last fall?" Andrea asked.

   "You remember that?" I said, slightly surprised.

   "Our best player gets arrested for drunk driving, is suspended and we
lose to Michigan State!" Andrea said.  "Michigan State!  We never should
have lost to them.  Every Penn State fan in the country remembers you were
suspended for that game.  What did you have to do to get Coach Burton to
reinstate you for the bowl game?"

   "Be innocent of the charges," I said.  "Coach reinstated me immediately
after the blood test came back indicating I was sober that evening.  The
cop that arrested me had a history of picking on football players."

   "I didn't see that part in the papers," Andrea said.

   "It was there," I said.  "That is one of my problems.  No one pays any
attention after the initial story.  No one remembers that I wasn't drunk.
That is why I have to be so careful when I go out anymore."

   "That's why we're going back to your apartment after dinner," Andrea
said.

   "Exactly," I agreed.  "We can have a couple beers and I'll introduce you
to the guys on the team."

   "I'm looking forward to meeting more of the players," Andrea said. 
"I've been to every one of the thirty-nine football games since I started
here and you're the only player I know."

   "You'll enjoy getting to know them," I said.

   "That and..." Andrea added with a wink.  "...some evening fun.  I hope
that was in your plans Kyle."

   "I certainly hoped for that too," I agreed.

   "Will your roommate be around or do you want to go back to my
apartment?" Andrea asked.

   "I have a private bedroom," I said.  "We won't need a designated driver
to get us from the party to our bed for the night."

   "Goody!" Andrea said.  "I can hardly wait.  They say men hit their
sexual peak at eighteen or nineteen.  I'm wondering if an old fart like you
can still perform."

   "I'm a young twenty..." I countered "and I think you'll find my
performance will be more than satisfactory."

   "I can't wait," Andrea said.  We wrapped up our dinner and headed back
to my car.  I drove us onto campus, finding a parking spot in front of
Nittany Hall, near my apartment.

   Andrea and I helped Damian, Billy, Melanie, Sarah, Trevor, Steph and
Chip get our apartment set up for the evening's party.  Damian, Billy and
their pseudo girlfriends prepared their version of tapas for the party.  It
was a big hit with the guests.  The football team parties had stepped up
from our normal snacks of Doritos, pretzels and cheese balls that we had
two or three years ago.

   I limited myself to three beers for the night.  Andrea had a couple
beers before switching to daiquiris.  We talked with my teammates, relaxed,
danced a bit and then made out as the night wore on.  Andrea was not
impatient for the bedroom the way Emily had been the previous weekend.  We
didn't get down to serious dirty business until the party ended and my
roommates and I had cleaned up around 12:30 that night.

   Chip and his best friend Austin Dilworth had convinced a sophomore coed
to try a threesome that night.  The noise carried through the ceiling down
into my bedroom.

   "Austin Dilworth?" Andrea asked.  "Where do I know that name from?"

   "He's the star midfielder on our soccer team," I replied.  "His name has
been in the Daily Collegian all fall.  He scored the winning goal when our
team took the Big Ten Tournament last November."

   "You do travel in elite circles Kyle," Andrea said as she stripped off
her top.

   "It comes with the territory of being a football player," I said
modestly as I pulled off my pants.

   "Let's see what else you do well besides football," Andrea said as she
pulled off her jeans.  "I want to see if you're still as good with your
tongue as I remember."

   I finished undressing and set to work.  I took Andrea's moans and
screams to indicate that I was as talented as she remembered from two years
ago.  If anything I was more talented since I wasn't so drunk I didn't know
where I was.  I had full command of my mental and physical faculties.

   Andrea was fairly drunk but not so far gone that she couldn't
participate enthusiastically in our fun.  She gave me a blow job after I
brought her to orgasm orally and manually.  We consummated our night three
times before finally falling into an exhausted sleep about two in the
morning.  Even the wild threesome upstairs was quiet by that time.

   Neither of us stirred until 10:30 the next morning.  We cuddled and
kissed a bit before we showered.  I guess the sight of me naked got
Andrea's libido going again.  We ended up having sex one more time before
the two of us walked downtown for brunch at the Waffle Shop.  I drove
Andrea back to her apartment after brunch.  It had been a hell of a good
night.

   Trevor and Steph were at our apartment when I got back with my Sunday
newspaper.

   "How was the Babe?" Trevor teased when I sat down in our living room. 
"Was she everything you drooled over at Disneyland?"

   "Andrea is fantastic," I answered.  "Better than I ever imagined back in
freshman year."

   "Do you see the two of you getting serious?" Steph asked.

   "It's very possible," I replied.  "We made a date for next Saturday
night before this one ended.  We both had a good time together."

   "I'm happy for you Kyle," Steph said.  "You deserve a nice girlfriend
like Andrea."

   -"You do, Coach," Trevor agreed.

   "Thanks for the support," I said before settling down to read me paper.
Who knows?  Maybe Andrea and I could be a couple.  Time would tell.

   Chapter 56

   ==========

   Tuesday afternoon's C I 495C course brought me information I was anxious
to have.  My mentor teacher would be Mr.  Scott Henderson.  Mr.  Henderson
taught 9th grade U.  S.  History and an AP Honors European History course.
Ms.  Hamilton returned my letter of introduction from the previous week
with minor corrections.  It was time for me to introduce myself to my
mentor.  The letter went in the mail Tuesday night before I went to bed.

   I made a couple phone calls Tuesday night.  I talked with my brother
Will and my sister-in-law Abby.  Abby was in the home stretch of her
pregnancy.  The baby was due in nine days.  The doctor said everything was
progressing properly.  Will would be a dad very soon.

   The second call was to Todd Blackledge.  I had exhausted all my names on
my Thon list.  Todd and I knew each other a bit from interviews and working
together on the `Taste of the Town' segment.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to
hit him up for a Thon donation.

   Todd shocked me with the generosity of his donation to the cancer fund.
He didn't have a big payday from his NFL playing days.  His career was
short.  I guess broadcasting must pay well.  Todd's pledge might keep me on
top of the list.

   Wednesday's Thon meeting was fun.  Dave's girlfriend Grace Smith made a
cake for the Thon committee at our apartment with Damian's help.  The
$4,000 I raised in the last two weeks kept me in front of Dave and the
other twenty-two committee members.  If I could hang on to the lead for two
more weeks, I would be home free and going on the all expenses paid ski
trip with the girl of my choice.

   Dave had an important announcement that evening.  "The Thon committee
has decided to award our group one of the extra unallocated dance teams
based on our performance this year and the amount of money we raised last
Thon.  Tyler Madden and Kayla Allen agreed to represent us.  I talked with
Jibril and Andrew.  Jibril and Danielle do not want to dance.  Andrew
doesn't have a girlfriend and isn't keen on dancing in public like that
anyway.  I think we may need to get the second couple from our juniors.  I
think Coach would be perfect.  No one has put more time or effort into Thon
than him.  What do the rest of you think?"

   Too many of my teammates agreed with Dave.  "Guys... no," I
remonstrated. "I don't think so.  I don't have a serious girlfriend.  I'm
the wrong guy."

   "Get the Babe to dance with you," Trevor suggested.  "You two would be
the hottest couple on the dance floor."

   "No, I don't think so," I said.  "You and Steph should do this, Trevor.
You're both excellent dancers.  You have been helping with Thon just as
long as I have.  You should do this."

   It took Dave and me ten minutes, but we talked Trevor into asking
Stephanie to dance at the Thon with him.  In spite of Trevor's misgivings,
Steph turned out to be honored to be asked to dance for the Thon.  That was
settled.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   Brian Henson swallowed the bait we fed him whole.  Various teammates,
including me, counseled Brian to accept the "coach's switch." Brian asked
Ben Witte to work with him on blocking.  He increased the weight when he
lifted and tried to increase the reps.  You had to admire the kid's
dedication to improving himself.  Friday came and Coach Burton and Coach
Adams returned from their trips.  A lot of guys hung out at the Lasch
Building, hoping to be around when Brian went in to talk with one of the
coaches about his "conversion." It never happened.  Brian seemed to have
accepted his new "role." We let the gag continue.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   Before Friday's Adolescent Development class Molly asked, "Have you done
any skiing lately, Kyle?"

   "Yeah, I went with friends last Friday afternoon," I replied.

   "That must have been fun," Molly said.  "I haven't been skiing since
Christmas.  It must have been a blast.  Are you going again?" I got the
less than subtle hint.

   "Did you want go?" I asked.  "I thought after I asked you out three
times and you turned me down each time that you weren't interested in
anything more than being friends."

   "It meant I was busy each time you asked me," Molly said.  "I'm not
doing anything after class today."

   "My friends and I are meeting at 2:45 today at my apartment," I said. 
"I'd love to have you come along if you are interested."

   "I'd enjoy that, Kyle," Molly said.  "...though I do need to stop by my
apartment to change and pick up a few things before I would be ready to
go."

   "Done," I said decisively.  "Why don't you meet me at my apartment, #12
Nittany Apartments, at 2:45 pm.  We'll stop by your apartment on the way to
the ski area.  You can get anything you may need."

   "That sounds great, Kyle," Molly agreed.

   I was floating on a cloud through the afternoon's lecture.  I had been
after Molly for a date since the semester started.  I had given up on
convincing her to go out with me at that point.

   Molly met Trevor, Steph, Chip, Matt, Jon, Marco and me at our apartment
at the appointed time.  Molly knew everyone from her time dating Jay so she
felt right at home.  Trevor took Matt, Jon and Marco straight to the ski
area.  Chip came along with Molly and me as we stopped off to let Molly get
her ski things together.

   The skiing was excellent.  We had snow showers off and on all week.  The
trails were well groomed and powdery instead of icy like they could get at
times.  Molly was an excellent skier, easily my equal.  The two of us had a
great night together.

   I walked Molly to her door when I dropped her off at her apartment. 
Chip waited in the car.  "I had a great time, Molly," I said as she fumbled
with her keys.

   "I had a great time too, Kyle," Molly agreed.  "I hope you don't mind I
was so forward this afternoon.  I practically invited myself along on your
ski trip."

   "No, I don't mind at all," I replied.  "I had the mistaken impression
after you turned me down three times when I asked you out that you weren't
interested in me romantically."

   "Nothing could be further from the truth," Molly said.  She leaned in
closer to me.  I took her cue and gave her a gentle kiss.  We repeated it.
The third time our tongues met, we lingered in the kiss.  We hugged each
other as the kiss continued.  Finally we had to part for breath.

   "Wow!" I gasped.  "I wish I could ask you out for a date tomorrow night,
Molly."

   "I'm free, Kyle," Molly replied.

   "But I'm not," I retorted.  "I have a date with someone else."

   "It's OK, Kyle," Molly answered.  "Just keep me in mind in the future."

   "I will!" I promised.  "I definitely will.  Good night, Molly." We
exchanged one more kiss before she went inside.

   Shit!  Now I had two girls interested in me.  I was in a daze as I
returned to my car.

   "I see you gave Molly a good night tonsillectomy," Chip teased.  "Are
the two of you dating now?"

   "I don't know... maybe," I said.  Who did I want to date - Molly or
Andrea?  This was going to take some thought.  Both were great girls.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   I found a voice mail message when I got back to the apartment.  Mr. 
Henderson, my mentor teacher, had called while I was out.  He left me a
number to call him back.  I returned Mr.  Henderson's call late Saturday
morning before I went over to the Natatorium to lifeguard.

   "Hello, Beth Henderson, may I help you?" the female voice on the phone
said when I called.

   "This is Kyle Martin," I explained.  "I'm returning Mr.  Henderson's
call from last night."

   "I'll get him," Mrs.  Henderson said.  I heard her yell "Scott," as she
left the phone.

   "Hello, Scott Henderson," the deep voice said when my mentor picked up
the phone.

   "Mr.  Henderson, this is Kyle Martin," I said.  "I guess I will be
working for you this semester.  You left me a message to give you a call
this weekend."

   "Yes... yes I did," he agreed.  "I thought it might be good if you and I
had a chance to meet and talk before you start in the classroom."

   "That would be great," I agreed.

   "How's your schedule look this weekend or some evening next week?" Mr.
Henderson asked.

   "I'm lifeguarding after lunch today and I have a date tonight," I
explained.  "Most of my education classes are in the evenings during the
school week so that might be a difficult time to get together."

   "Are you busy tomorrow afternoon?" Mr.  Henderson asked.

   "No, I'm free," I said.  "I could drive up to Bellefonte and meet you."

   "I live closer to State College than Bellefonte," Mr.  Henderson said.
"Why don't we meet somewhere downtown, say the Penn State Diner."

   "That works for me," I said.  "How will I know you when we meet?"

   "It's probably easier if I recognize you," Mr.  Henderson said.  "You
are THE Kyle Martin, the wide receiver on the football team, aren't you?"

   "Yes, I am," I agreed.

   "I'll recognize you from your picture in the paper," Mr.  Henderson
said. "You have one of the most recognizable faces at Penn State."

   "I guess I do," I agreed.

   "How about if we meet at 3:00 pm?" Mr.  Henderson asked.  "We can have
some coffee and grilled stickies."

   "That sounds good," I agreed.  "I'll see you tomorrow at 3:00 pm at the
Penn State Diner."
---------------------------------------------------------

   Andrea and I had dinner at Baby's on Saturday night.  The retro fifties
look was fun.  The burgers, fries and shakes were good too.  Andrea and I
talked, getting to know each other further.  I enjoyed dinner but I
wondered, who did I prefer - Andrea or Molly?

   I drove the two of us back to my apartment.  Andrea helped my roommates,
friends and me set up for the party.  The party got off to a good start. 
Andrea and I had a couple beers, talked and relaxed as we enjoyed the
music, company and atmosphere.

   I enjoyed talking with Andrea.  She was a good conversationalist.  We
danced a bit and then went for another beer.  Andrea found the orange juice
in the refrigerator and decided a screw driver would hit the spot instead.
Andrea enjoyed talking with my teammates and friends.  We grabbed a spot on
the couch when one opened up.

   We spent time cuddling and kissing.  We made out for awhile.  Andrea
paused and said, "I'm parched.  I'm going to go get another drink.  Save
our spot here."

   "That's cool," I agreed.

   "I'll get you a beer," Andrea called back as she headed for the kitchen.

   "A Coke would be better," I called back.  Andrea returned a minute later
with another screwdriver for herself and a beer for me.

   "Here you go Kyle," Andrea said sweetly as she handed the cold brew to
me.

   "I probably don't need this," I said.  "...but thanks anyway for being
sweet."

   "You're a big boy," Andrea countered.  "I'm sure one more beer won't
hurt at all."

   I accepted the beer without further comment.  I had a few sips of beer
while Andrea and cuddled and she downed her screwdriver.  I had a strong
feeling of déjŕ vu when Andrea handed me the beer that I didn't want while
she drank her fourth drink for the night.  I knew Andrea was going to be
pretty drunk by bedtime.

   Thankfully reality wasn't as bad as I feared.  Andrea turned out to be a
mellow, friendly drunk who handled her alcohol better than Kelly had.  The
two of us made out until the party wound down.  Andrea was still alert
enough to help me, my roommates, their girls and Jon Stafford clean up when
the party was over.

   Marco Cuchiella had talked a girl into going back to the dorm room he
shared with Jon.  Jon had managed to get laid but couldn't convince the
girl to spend the night.  He crashed in Damian's empty bed.

   Andrea was fairly drunk but still quite horny.  We did the wild thing
twice before falling asleep.  It turned out to be a nice evening in spite
of Andrea's drinking.

   Andrea felt pretty good when she woke up Sunday morning, enough to want
an encore of last night before she went upstairs to shower.  We hugged each
other as we recovered from our mutual orgasms.

   "That was wonderful, Andrea," I said.  I gave her a quick kiss.  "I
loved spending the night with you."

   "I had fun too, Kyle," Andrea agreed.

   "I should warn you," I said.  "I doubt I will be on campus next weekend.
My sister-in-law should have my niece someday next week.  I'll probably be
in Philly after my niece is born."

   "That's nice," Andrea agreed before she got a funny look on her face. 
"You aren't thinking we're a couple just because we've been out together on
two straight Saturday nights?"

   "No, I know we're not a couple," I agreed.  "We would need to talk about
it if we decided to take that step."

   "I don't want to take that step Kyle," Andrea said.  She rolled off my
chest and sat up.  "I'll be twenty-one in two weeks.  I'm not looking for a
boyfriend or a husband.  I want to do well in school, get a good job and
then I'll worry settling down.  Don't rush me."

   "I'm not rushing you," I replied.  "All I said was that I would be
off-campus next weekend when I go to see my newborn niece."

   "I have a date lined up already for next Saturday," Andrea added. 
Andrea grabbed her clothes and headed upstairs to use the bathroom.  That
gave me time to think.

   It was an odd, uncomfortable way to end a nice night together.  I
received Andrea's message loud and clear.  She had ZERO interest in any
kind of long term relationship.  This revelation made the choice between
Andrea and Molly easier.  I knew Molly was open to the possibility of a
long term relationship.  I can date someone different every weekend and
find someone to satisfy my sexually, if that is what I want.  I would
prefer to find a girlfriend to share my life.

   Most of the awkwardness was gone when Andrea came downstairs half an
hour later.  We exchanged hugs and kisses when she left to return to her
apartment and I headed upstairs for a shower.

   --------------------------------------------------

   I headed downtown a little early on Sunday afternoon.  I did not want to
be late for my meeting with my mentor teacher.  I warned the waitress when
she seated me that I was expecting a Mr.  Henderson in about ten minutes. I
ordered an iced tea to pass the time while I waited.

   A 5'-11", dark haired gentleman in his mid-thirties came in alone
promptly at three o'clock.  He spoke with the waitress who pointed towards
me.  He gave me a smile and a wave when he saw where I was sitting.  I
stood when he reached our booth.

   "I'm Kyle Martin," I said as I extended my hand for a handshake.  "You
must be Mr.  Henderson."

   "Call me Scott," he said as we shook hands.  He pulled off his coat and
had a seat in the booth opposite me.  "May I call you Kyle?"

   "Of course, Scott," I agreed.

   "It'll be Mr.  Martin and Mr.  Henderson in class with the students,"
Scott said.

   "Of course it will be," I agreed.

   "It's quite a pleasure to meet you Kyle," Scott said.  "I'm a huge
football fan and a bigger Penn State fan.  I've enjoyed watching you play
for the past three years."

   "Thank you," I replied "You are very kind."

   "What are you going to do when one of my football crazy students starts
gushing?" Scott asked pointedly.

   "I've had a lot of experience with that, Scott," I answered.  "I teach
at a Boy Scout camp in the summers.  I have dealt with four classes of new
students every week, six to ten weeks a summer for the past couple
summers."

   The waitress interrupted my answer.  Scott ordered coffee and a grilled
stickie.  I ordered a grilled stickie to go with my iced tea.  When the
waitress left, I went back to the question.

   "Now, before we were interrupted I was saying..." I explained.  "I would
tell the students - from 9:00 to 9:50 is class time.  I won't tolerate
football talk during class time.  However, after class, between periods,
whenever you run into me on your time, I will be happy to talk football as
long as you like."

   "That's a good, no nonsense response," Scott said.  "Does it usually
work?"

   "Usually," I responded.  "I can take the one or two individuals aside
that have trouble understanding my rule.  I get results that way."

   "That sounds like a plan," Scott said.  "Expect that you will have to
deal with that up front in my classroom.  I have quite a few football
players in my classes and I KNOW they follow the Lions."

   "What kind of classes do you teach?" I asked.

   "We will have a ninth grade U.S.  History I first period," Scott
replied. "Second period is either prep time or monitoring a study hall. 
Third period is another U.S.  History I class.  Fourth period is fun.  I
teach an AP Modern European History class to the juniors and seniors."

   "That sounds cool," I said.

   "I understand you need to depart everyday at 11:30 am?" Scott asked. 
"That is part way through our fourth period."

   "Around 11:30 am," I confirmed.  "I have to be back on campus at 12:15
for my adolescent development course on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 
I'll be happy to stay for the whole fourth period on Tuesdays and
Thursdays."

   "I appreciate that, Kyle," Scott said.

   The waitress arrived with our grilled stickies.  We dug into our sweet
treats.  We talked further, getting to know each other.  I related my
life's history, short though it was.  I told him about the history and
geography courses I was taking in college.

   Scott and his wife Beth grew up in suburban Harrisburg.  Scott had a
Lancaster County connection.  He earned his teaching degree at Millersville
University.  Scott was thirty-eight years old, a year older than Beth. 
They had two kids - Jacob, who would be nine in a couple weeks and
Isabella, who was five.

   Scott taught in the City of Harrisburg Schools for his first four years
after college.  When Beth got pregnant with Jacob, they decided to move to
the country.  Scott got a job in Bellefonte.  He worked there since leaving
Harrisburg.  Beth works for Penn State University in the registrar's
office.

   Scott and I exchanged e-mail addresses and promised to keep in touch for
the next couple weeks.  I wasn't scheduled to arrive in Scott's classroom
until February 13th.  I looked forward to working with Scott.  He seemed
like a genuinely nice guy and good, dedicated teacher.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I sat with Molly Reed as usual on Monday at Adolescent Development. 
"Are you and your friends planning on skiing again on Friday?" Molly asked
before class started.

   "They are," I answered.  "I probably won't be able to.  I expect to hear
from my brother and sister-in-law by then.  They are expecting my niece to
be born any day.  I'm planning on going down to Philly after she's born."

   "That's right, you told me that a few weeks ago," Molly said.  "I hope
everything goes well for your sister-in-law."

   "I'm sure it will," I said.  "You know, if you're still interested in
skiing, I'm sure Trevor, Steph and the other guys would be happy to have
you go with them."

   "I don't know," Molly replied.  "I doubt that it would be as much fun
without you."

   Dr.  Carter started her lecture, so I didn't get to follow up on Molly's
comment.  I may be dense at times, but I got Molly's intent.  She was
interested in me, probably to be more than good friends.  I was going to
have to follow up on that thought after my trip to Philly.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Shockingly, Brian Henson still believed he was going to play at tight
end next season.  He religiously followed the bogus workout plan Matt
Shepherd and Anders Voight gave him.  Monday afternoon he had his third
session with Ben Witte and Damian to improve his blocking techniques.  When
the three of them left the weight room to go over to Holuba Hall, I decided
I should make sure Brian wasn't doing anything that would harm his
performance next season.

   "Hey Matt," I asked as I stopped at Matt Shepherd's cubicle along the
side of the weight room.  "Brian Henson's pretty clueless about the joke we
are playing on him.  Will anything bad happen to Brian if he keeps up the
fake workout plan?  This whole thing is a prank.  I don't want to hurt
him."

   "I am keeping an eye on him," Matt answered.  "Brian's doing a few more
reps than necessary on the machines.  That's OK.  If he stays on the diet
in the plan, he'll add quite a few pounds by next August.  He will be fine
if this goes a few more days.  I think you should shut the gag down in a
week if he doesn't figure things out."

   "OK Matt, we'll do that," I replied.  I searched down Tyler Madden.  He
was in the locker room dressing after his workout and shower.

   "Hey Tyler, I talked with Matt Shepherd a few minutes ago," I said. 
"Matt says we have to let Brian Henson know he's a wide receiver again and
give the proper workout program soon."

   "Yeah, I know," Tyler agreed.  "I'm amazed we have managed to fool Brian
so long."

   "I know, I am too," I agreed.

   "I have to give the kid credit too," Tyler added.  "He's been busting
his balls trying to learn to play tight end, put on some weight and add
strength.  He hasn't complained a bit.  He just went to work to do what he
thought the team needed to be successful."

   "Yeah, I agree," I replied.

   "I screamed bloody murder when they pulled this on me," Tyler said.  "I
was looking for any coach to tell me what I had done wrong and why they
wanted to move me from defensive back."

   "I was the same way," I agreed.  "I think I was in Coach Adam's office
five minutes after he came back from his recruiting trip when you guys
pulled this one on me."

   "We will have to figure out a way to end this before the week is over,"
Tyler said.

   "Yeah, we will," I agreed.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   I talked with Will and Abby Tuesday evening to see how things were
going. The obstetrician told Abby at her Monday visit that everything was
going well.  The baby was starting to drop so labor was expected any day.

   Will told me about the families' plans for the birth.  Mr.  & Mrs. 
Hendricks would stay over at Will and Abby's apartment when the baby
arrived.  They would use the spare bed.  Mrs.  Hendricks was taking two
weeks off from work and would stay with Abby and the baby to help out.  Mom
and Dad would get a hotel room near the hospital for the first few days. 
Liz had dibs on the couch in the living room.  Andy and I would have to
bring our sleeping bags and Therm-o-rests.  We would be sleeping on the
living room floor.

   I tried to get Will to tell me my niece's name, without any luck.  He
told me I'd find out her name after she was born.  Will made sure I had the
directions to the Jefferson University Hospital center in downtown Philly.
I wished my big brother and Abby good luck for the big event.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   The perfect opportunity to return Brian Henson to the wide receiver
corps came two days later, on February 1st, Coach Caffrey's first day on
his new job.  Coach Burton scheduled a meet and greet for all wide
receivers at 3:30 pm that afternoon so we could get to know our new
position coach.

   I found Coach Caffrey in his new office Wednesday morning.  I popped my
head in his office when I found him.

   "Hey Coach, welcome to Penn State," I said cheerily.

   "Hi Kyle, I'm glad to be here," Coach Caffrey said, as he stopped
unloading the box on his desk onto the shelves behind him.

   "I see you're getting settled in," I said.  Coach snorted.

   "Settled in?" Coach replied.  "I'm living out of a suitcase in a hotel.
My family is back in Bird In Hand.  I found my office and my boss's office,
that's it."

   "You'll get settled soon," I replied.  "When is your family coming up
here?"

   "Two weekends from now," Coach Caffrey said.

   "I know a hundred or so big, strong college guys that I can convince to
help you move in," I said.

   "The job offer came with moving expenses," Coach said.  "Professional
movers are doing all the big work." He chuckled.  "...though I couldn't
stop my Wolverines from showing up to help with all the miscellaneous small
things."

   "I'll arrange a crew up here to help unpack those things, if you want,"
I offered.

   "That would be nice of you Kyle," Coach said.

   "I wouldn't be standing here today, a three time All-American with a
full college scholarship if it weren't for you," I said.  "I owe all of it
to the start you gave me."

   "I think you had a little bit to do with your success," Coach answered.
"I'm glad to have given you a start."

   "Give me a yell if you need anything Coach," I said.  "I'll be down the
hall studying video.  I'm up to Michigan now in my prep for next season."

   "Do you ever go to classes?" Coach asked.

   "Not in the mornings," I replied.  "...at least not for a couple more
weeks.  Mornings are reserved for my student teaching practicum and it
doesn't start yet."

   "I'll see you later, Kyle," Coach said.

   "At your meeting this afternoon," I replied.  "Bye Coach."

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Burton and Coach Caffrey were in the small meeting room when
Christian, Jared Cantrell and I arrived about five minutes before the 3:30
pm start of our wide receivers meeting.  Christian walked up front and
greeted Coach Caffrey warmly.

   "It's so good you're joining our coaching staff," Christian said as he
shook Coach Caffrey's hand.  "I'm glad you are going to work to help me be
successful Coach."

   "I'm glad I don't have to scheme how to stop you," Coach Caffrey
responded.  "I will enjoy cheering your on-field exploits."

   "You're very kind, Coach," Christian said before taking a seat beside
Jared and me.  The other wide receivers arrived within a couple minutes. 
Everyone was there two minutes ahead of schedule, per Coach Burton's
standing expectations.  Everyone except... Brian Henson.  Coach Burton
waited impatiently... for two minutes... for three minutes... before
finally boiling over.

   "Has anyone seen Henson?" Coach Burton demanded.

   Most of us, cognizant of why Brian was missing the meeting, stayed
silent.  John Crosby volunteered, "I saw him in the weight room before I
came."

   "Mr.  Crosby, please retrieve your teammate," Coach Burton directed.

   "Yes sir," John replied.  He hustled out to the weight room.

   "My apologies for your charge's tardiness," Coach Burton said to Coach
Caffrey.  "Henson is normally quite reliable."

   John Crosby and Brian Henson came back a minute later.  Brian was sweaty
and still wearing his workout clothes.

   "Coach?" Brian asked when he stepped into the room.  "John said you
wanted to see me."

   "Why are you late for the wide receivers meeting, Henson?" Coach Burton
demanded.

   "You switched me to tight end," Brian answered evenly.  He looked
slightly puzzled at the question.

   Coach Burton cocked his head and stared at Brian for a few seconds.  He
turned towards me and shook his head.  I tried not to smile.  Coach turned
back to Brian.

   "Mr.  Henson, you will be wide receiver until I tell you otherwise, is
that clear?" Coach Burton snapped.  He turned towards me.  "Coach Martin,
how long has Mr.  Henson been a tight end?"

   "Ummm... fourteen days, Coach," I replied.

   "Fourteen days?" Coach Burton said.  "That may be a record, Coach."

   "It is, at least since I've been here," I answered.

   "Coach?" Brian asked.  "What's going on?" The other wide receivers,
except John and Ian, tried to stifle their laughter.

   "Coach Martin will enlighten you after this meeting," Coach Burton said.
"Now get your ass in a chair so we can get this meeting started." Coach
wasn't really as angry as his words made it sound.  I saw him
unsuccessfully try to suppress a smile while he waited for Brian to find a
seat.

   Coach Burton welcomed Coach Caffrey and introduced him to our group. 
Coach Caffrey spent about ten minutes talking about personal history and
philosophy of football to help us understand him better.  He asked each of
us to introduce ourselves to him and talk about our background so he could
understand us better.  My peers seemed enthusiastic to have Coach Caffrey
as our new position coach.

   Christian and I knew Coach extremely well from high school.  John Crosby
had watched in Hershey Stadium as my Wolverines beat Strong Vincent to win
the state championship when I was a junior.  Ian Davis had been in the
stands at Elizabethtown College as my Wolverines beat Gettysburg High
School the next season to open the playoffs.

   Tanner, Bruce, Jared and Brian were the only ones in the room who hadn't
seen his style of high powered offense.  The four followed Christian's and
my lead, being excited to work with Coach Caffrey.

   Brian headed straight for me when the meeting was ended.  "Coach, got a
minute?" he asked.

   "Yes, Brian?" Coach Caffrey said at the same time I asked, "Sure what's
up?"

   "Oh!  I meant Kyle," Brian said quickly.  "We're used to calling him
Coach too.  Sorry, Coach Caffrey."

   Coach Caffrey chuckled.  "It's not a problem Brian.  I should be used to
kids calling Kyle `Coach' after listening to it for the past four years."

   "What is it, Brian?" I asked when he turned back to me.  The other
receivers hung around to see Brian's reaction now that he knew we had
punked him with the switch to tight end.

   "How many guys did you need helping you to pull this stunt off?" Brian
demanded.  He was smiling when he asked.  "How'd you get such a convincing
looking fake workout plan?"

   "Three quarters of the team helped," I replied.  "...  plus Matt
Shepherd and Anders Voight."

   "That explains why the workout program looked so convincing," Brian
said. "It was real, just not for me."

   "I can't believe it took you two weeks to figure out this was fake,"
Tanner teased.  "What a doofus."

   "I guess I do look like an idiot," Brian admitted.  "Am I going to get a
lot of teasing about this?"

   "You are," I agreed.  Bruce, Jared and John piled on with the teasing as
we left the meeting room.  Most of the guys headed out of the building to
return to their dorms or apartments for supper.  I walked back to the
locker room with Brian.  It was time for some mentoring.

   "I can't believe I was so stupid," Brian said.  "This is so
embarrassing."

   "Don't feel too bad," I consoled.  "The team has been pulling this gag
on freshmen for years."

   "You wouldn't have fallen for something like this," Brian replied.

   "My perceptiveness is why I'm one of the best middle linebackers in
football today," I answered.

   Brian stared at me, wide eyed, "They got you?"

   "Yes, they did," I confirmed.  "Last year we convinced Chip he was going
to play fullback this season.  They nailed Tyler Madden three years ago. 
Aaron Morano was fooled before that.  Do you see the trend?"

   "They pick on really good players," Brian suggested tentatively.  "Why
did they go after me?"

   "Duh... you already answered your own question," I replied.  "Who had
more receptions, you or John?"

   "I did," Brian said.

   "Even though Jared is my backup," I asked, "... who started in my place
when I was suspended?  Who was the number two receiver at the Capital One
Bowl?"

   "Me," Brian said.  "So what?  I'm going to be riding the bench until
you, Tanner and Christian graduate."

   "Don't be so sure," I said.  "Tanner and Christian are both worried
about you taking their starting spot next summer.  If you work hard, study
the opponents' video, and learn the whole playbook, you are going to be a
real threat to grab a starting spot next season."

   "I don't know about me taking a starting spot from either of them,"
Brian asked.  "Do you think that's likely?"

   "I don't know, Brian," I admitted.  "You guys call me `Coach' but I
don't have any inside knowledge.  I'm just a player like you.  I do know
you impressed a lot of the senior guys on the team the way you handled your
`switch' to tight end."

   "Really?" Brian asked.

   "You didn't whine or complain about it," I said.  "Once you were
convinced it was real, you went out and worked to make yourself into a good
tight end.  You got help to improve your blocking.  You worked to improve
your weight sessions as requested.  You took the attitude that you would do
whatever it took to help the team win."

   "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?" Brian asked.

   "It is, but it doesn't happen all the time," I replied.  "My mentor beat
that `I'll do whatever it takes to help the team' attitude into me when I
started here.  That is how you should handle yourself."

   "You're talking about Zack Hayes, aren't you?" Brian asked.

   "Of course," I agreed.  "Zack is a good role model.  You need to work
hard, learn the rest of the playbook, study our opponents' video and
prepare yourself as best you can for next season now.  If you do that, I
guarantee the coaches will notice and you will be rewarded."

   "I know," Brian said.

   "You should talk to Chip," I added.  "You should join us when Chip,
Christian, Tanner, Damian and I go out for passing drills.  Getting your
timing down with Chip will pay dividends in spring training and next
season."

   "I'll do that, Coach," Brian said.  As we reached the locker room he
teased, "Aren't you afraid I'll take your starting spot next season,
Coach?"

   "We have three starting spots for wide receivers," I replied.  "I'm not
worried about falling to number four on our depth chart."

   "I guess not," Brian agreed.  "Thanks for your help this year, Coach.  I
really appreciate it."

   Of course the upper classmen on the team teased Brian unmercifully about
being gullible enough to believe the position switch for two weeks.  That
was expected.  Brian took the ribbing in stride and continued to work hard
to improve himself as a wide receiver.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I was on pins and needles all day Thursday, the second of February. 
This was Abby's due date.  I knew that there were no guarantees that my
niece would be born that day, but everything pointed to her birth happening
very soon.  No word came from home or Will when I went to bed at eleven
o'clock that evening.

   I was woken by my cell phone shortly after I fell asleep.

   "Hey Kyle, it's Andy," my brother said when I answered the phone.  "Will
took Abby to the hospital about forty-five minutes ago."

   "OK," I grunted as I tried to fully wake up.  I noticed my alarm clock
said it was 11:21 pm.  "What's everyone doing?"

   "Mom, Dad and the Hendricks left for Philly already," Andy said. 
"Hunter and the twins are being dropped off at Grandma Robinson's now.  I
plan to leave after my classes tomorrow morning.  What time are you
planning to come through Lancaster County?"

   "My last class is over at 2:15 pm," I replied.  "I can be on the road by
2:30."
"Can you stop by and pick up Liz on your way through Lancaster County?"
Andy asked.  "Mom would rather not have Liz drive into center city

Philadelphia on her own after school tomorrow."

   "No problem," I agreed.  "Should I call Liz and confirm the arrangements
tonight?"

   "No, call her after school tomorrow," Andy replied.  After a brief
silence he asked, "What's it like to be an uncle?  I guess I'll see soon."

   "It's great," I replied.  "You get to play with the kid without dealing
with all the nasty stuff."

   "Like feeding, burping, diapering, etc." Andy said.  "I think I'll like
being an uncle."

   "Speaking of diapering, how is potty training going for your boys?" I
asked.  Mom, Dad and Andy had started to work on the concept with the twins
while I was home for the holidays.

   "They are making progress," Andy said.  "They graduated to pull-ups. 
They usually manage to make it to the potty without accidents.  By the time
the semester is over they'll be acting like big boys."

   "Good for them," I said.

   "Hunter's funny," Andy added.  "He insists on having pull-ups too and
trying to go potty just like Noah and Connor."

   "Nothing unusual there," I said.  "He has to do everything just like the
twins."

   "Mom relented and put away the high chair," Andy said.  "Hunter gets to
sit on a booster seat just like my boys."

   "Good for him," I said.  "I've got to get some sleep.  I'll see you
tomorrow."

   "I'll keep you posted on the birth," Andy added before he ended the
call.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   I half way expected to be woken up sometime during the night with the
announcement of my niece's birth.  My phone didn't ring until 7:30 in the
morning.

   "Hey Dad, what's the news?" I asked when I spotted Dad's name on my
ringing phone.

   "Your niece, Kathryn Rose Henry, was born at 2:27 this morning," Dad
replied.  "She weighs in at seven pounds eight ounces."

   "Abby and Kathryn are doing OK?" I asked.

   "Abby and the baby are fine," Dad answered.  "Abby and Will decided to
call the baby Rose."

   "Rose?  That's cool," I replied.  "I like that name.  How's Will doing?"

   "The proud poppa survived the delivery without fainting," Dad said. 
"He's here.  He wants to say hi."

   "Hey Kyle," Will said when he took the phone.  "I guess you heard the
news."

   "Yes, congratulations Dad," I replied.  "I'm so happy for you and Abby.
I understand everyone is well."

   "Rose has ten fingers and ten toes and is the cutest little thing I've
ever seen," Will said.  "It's such a relief.  One downside of marrying a
budding doctor is that Abby knew every single thing that could go wrong.  I
worried constantly."

   "I'll see you later this evening big bro," I said.

   "Sure, Kyle," Will said.  "Dan wants to talk to you before you hang up."

   "Kyle?" Dad said.  "After you pick up Liz this afternoon you probably
want to double back to Lancaster and take 222 to the turnpike.  You don't
want to go down Route 30 and 202 to King of Prussia on a Friday afternoon.
Traffic would be horrible."

   "OK, Dad," I agreed.  "I'll do that or I'll cut over to New Holland and
take 23 to Morgantown to get the turnpike."

   "That will work too,' Dad agreed.  "Whichever way you go, the Schuylkill
Expressway will be murder on a Friday afternoon."

   "OK, Liz and I will see you eventually tonight," I said.

   "Love you, Kyle," Dad said.

   "Love you too," I replied before clicking the button to end the call.

   Damian and Chip had eight o'clock classes that morning.  I gave them the
good news.  Trevor was still asleep.  He'd hear later.  Since I was up
already, I took my morning shower after Damian and Chip left.  After
breakfast I went over for my workout and to do video study on our opponents
until lunch time.  I packed my overnight bag and put it in my VW along with
sleeping bag and pad before lunch.  I grabbed a sandwich at the Mix and
went to class.

   I sat down beside Molly when I got to Adolescent Development.  She gave
me a big smile and asked, "So, are you going skiing today or are you an
uncle again?"

   "An uncle," I said, smiling.  "My niece, Kathryn Rose Henry was born at
2:27 this morning.  She weighs seven pounds, 8 ounces and I can't wait to
see her."

   "Have a good trip to Philly," Molly said.

   "Are you joining the group on the ski slope this afternoon?" I asked.

   "No, I'll wait until we can go out together next Friday," Molly
answered.

   "That's sweet of you," I replied.  "Do you want to make the weekend a
double header?  We could do dinner Saturday night and hit the team party
after that."

   "I'd like that, Kyle," Molly said.

   "We'll work out the details next week," I said.  Dr.  Carter began her
lecture, cutting our conversation short.

   When class was over Molly said, "Have a safe trip to Philly, Kyle.  I'm
sure you'll enjoy seeing your little niece."

   "I'm know I will," I agreed.  "I'll see you Monday."

   Dr.  Williams lectured on the siege of Fort Sumter and the opening shots
of the Civil War.  It was interesting listening to him tell Abner
Doubleday's account of the siege, the same Abner Doubleday reputed to have
invented baseball.  Listening to Doubleday's description, you almost could
feel the shells bursting in your uncompleted brick fort, sitting on an
artificial island made of rock in the middle of Charleston harbor, nearly
surrounded by a ring of rebel batteries.

   Dr.  Williams was an able storyteller, putting us on the spot as history
happened.  I needed to learn his technique if I wanted to engage high
school students when I taught history.  He used first person accounts to
give the story an immediacy that you never got from textbooks.

   I went straight to the East Parking Deck after class and headed out of
town.  Traffic wasn't bad until I got to Clarks Ferry at the Susquehanna
River.  Traffic increased as I traveled around Harrisburg and came to a
complete stop as I approached the Eisenhower interchange where I-83, I-283
and Route 322 merged.  It took me forty-five minutes to cover the next two
and half miles to get onto I-283 and head for Lancaster.

   The delay in Harrisburg put me in evening traffic as I got to Lancaster.
It took longer than expected to get around Lancaster and reach my home. 
Liz was waiting impatiently when I arrived at a quarter to six.  I helped
Liz load her things in the back of the car before we took off on back roads
to Intercourse and New Holland to pick up Route 23.

   Traffic wasn't bad going through New Holland and down Route 23 to
Morgantown to get the Turnpike.  When I got on the Turnpike we flew across
northern Lancaster and Chester Counties.  I was in the right lane doing 75
miles an hour and most cars and trucks were passing us.

   The fun lasted until we hit the King of Prussia interchange.  Traffic
was backed up almost onto the Turnpike at the exit ramp.  We crawled to the
toll booth.  It wasn't any better after that.  The Schuylkill Expressway
was bumper to bumper in all lanes as we followed the flow of traffic for
the city.  We could be glad we were going into the city.  The traffic
leaving was at a standstill.  At least we were moving at 20-30 miles an
hour towards our destination.

   I got off onto the Vine Street Expressway to cross the city.  I got off
at Vine Street and followed it to Tenth Street.  I followed that street
south until we found the parking garage across the street from Jefferson
University Hospital.  I pulled in there.

   Liz and I walked across the street to the hospital and found our way
inside and headed up to the maternity ward.  We walked up to the nurse at
the reception desk when we got off the elevator.

   "I'm looking for Abigail Henry and her daughter Rose," I said politely.

   "A nurse is in with them now, helping Abigail clean up," the nurse
answered.  "She has had a hard day."

   "I'm sure she has," I agreed.

   "Are you Kyle and Elizabeth Martin?" the nurse asked.  We nodded yes. 
"Your family left half an hour ago to get dinner.  They expect to be back
in about half an hour.  You can wait in the waiting area down the hall..."
The nurse pointed towards the end of the hall where we could see couches
and chairs for guests.  "... or you could go down to the cafeteria if you
are hungry."

   "OK, thank you," I said.  "We ate on the way, so I guess we'll wait down
the hall."

   "Check back in fifteen minutes," the nurse said.  "I'll let you know if
Abigail is ready for visitors."

   "Thank you," Liz and I both responded automatically.

   The two of us headed down to the waiting area and found seats.  It was
nearly deserted.  One guy about my age was hanging out, reading a magazine.
Otherwise the room was empty.

   Liz and I talked quietly as we waited.  The other guy perked up and
glanced our way briefly when Liz mentioned Abby and Rose.  He looked
vaguely familiar to me, like I should know him from somewhere.  I couldn't
place him.

   I noticed him looking at me a couple times as Liz and I talked.  He had
the same look of semi-recognition that I had.  This went on for a couple
minutes before he stood and walked over to me.

   "You're Kyle Martin, aren't you?" the man asked.

   "Yes, I am," I replied.  "I guess you're a Penn State fan."

   "I am... sort of," the man responded.  "A good friend of mine plays for
your team." The light in my head finally clicked on.

   "David!  David Hanson, how are you doing?" I stammered.  David and I had
run against each other in the 100 meters at the PIAA State Finals three
year ago.  David broke the state record on that run but placed second since
I had set a new state record.  He was a close friend of Shawn Byrd's from
high school.

   "I'm good," David said.  "I guess you're here to see your niece."

   "I am," I confirmed.  After a pause I added, "How do you know about my
niece being born today?"

   "From Penny of course," David replied.  "Our friends thought she should
have an escort if she was going to be downtown after dark.  Anyway, we all
thought moral support wouldn't hurt either, after the ugliness of last
weekend."

   "Ugliness?" I asked.  "What happened to Penny last weekend?"

   "You don't know?" David asked, obviously perplexed.  "I thought the
Paradise grapevine was better at passing on information than that." I
shrugged my shoulders.  "Penny dumped Harrison."

   "Penny dumped Harrison?!?" I gasped as my eyes grew into small saucers.
"Are you kidding?" Before I could get an answer from Dave, Penny walked
around the corner and spotted the three of us.

   "Is Dave kidding about what?" Penny interjected.  I noticed she wasn't
wearing the engagement ring she wore so proudly during winter break.

   "That you dumped Harrison," I answered quietly.

   "What happened, Penny?" Liz asked as she stood.  Liz had considered
Penny to be the big sister she didn't have when Penny and I were dating.

   Penny looked down at the floor and answered weakly, "I did."

   "I'm so sorry," I responded immediately.

   "What'd Harrison do?" Liz demanded.  She leapt immediately to the
conclusion that Harrison was at fault.

   "I stayed over at Harrison's last Friday night," Penny said softly. 
"That's unusual.  Normally we spend Saturday night together." Penny looked
up from the floor.  "The son of a bitch had another girlfriend!" Penny's
eyes narrowed as her face flushed.  "The dumb cow," she scoffed.  "She was
too stupid to keep quiet when she called Harrison's apartment on a Saturday
morning and got a woman on the phone."

   "No wonder you dumped him," Liz said sympathetically.

   "That rat-bastard had been dating this other girl for six months!" Penny
snarled.  "He's supposed to be in a steady and committed relationship with
me and yet he is seeing this other girl.  He asks me to marry him and he's
seeing this other girl."

   "I'm sorry, you deserve better," I said.  "I'm probably the wrong guy to
be saying this given our history, but you deserve so much better than that
fool.  He made the biggest mistake of his life." I thought to myself, `I
should know.  I made that mistake already.'

   "The miserable bastard," Liz added.  Liz and Penny embraced.  They
shared condolences with each other about their respective breakups.  I was
surprised that Penny knew about Josh Strickler's indiscretion and Liz's
dumping him shortly thereafter.  Dave and I shied away a bit, taken aback
by the abuse being heaped on Harrison, Josh and men in general.

   "She'll calm down soon," Dave whispered to me.  "I can't say I blame her
considering the bad way Harrison treated her."

   Dave must have seen Penny's rant before.  As he indicated, Penny calmed
down after about a minute.  Liz and Penny separated.  Penny gave me a
forced, wan smile and said, "I guess I'm still pretty emotional about all
this."

   "That's understandable," I replied.  "You got hurt by the stupidest man
on the earth.  You promised to commit your life to Harrison and he threw it
all away.  He'll never make a bigger mistake in his life."

   "Damn right," Dave agreed.

   "I should know," I continued.  "I made the same mistake.  Breaking up
with you when we were freshmen was the stupidest thing I ever did. 
Ironically, the second stupidest thing I did was not breaking up with you
when we finished high school.  Both of us would have been better off
parting as friends than trying to maintain our relationship while we were
two hundred miles apart.  I'll never forgive myself for the pain and hurt I
caused you that fall."

   "I have forgiven you," Penny said as she gave me a smile.  "...though
you are right.  We should have listened to our parents and friends who told
us that we should date others and shouldn't try to be a couple when we went
to college."

   "I just wish there was something I could do to provide some comfort to
you right now," I said.

   "A hug between friends would be nice," Penny answered.  We stepped
together and embraced.  God, it felt good to hold her.  I wanted this hug
to communicate that I wanted to ease the hurt, give her comfort and tell
her how much I cared for my ex-lover.

   I leaned in and whispered in Penny's ear, "It's better to know now that
Harrison was an idiot than to find out after you married him.  You'll find
the right guy eventually.  He's out there." I could feel Penny relax a
little as I held her and whispered to her.

   After twenty or thirty seconds we let go of each other and stepped
apart. "You'll find that girl you are looking for too," Penny said.  Her
voice was steadier and more confident than earlier.

   The four of us sat down and made small talk while we waited for our
chance to visit Abby and Rose.  The conversation was comfortable, between
old and dear friends after a long parting.  During a pause in the
conversation, I asked one question that I was dying to hear the answer to.

   "I'm surprised to find you here tonight," I commented.  "I didn't think
you'd rush right over after Abby's baby was born."

   "Why not?" Penny asked.  "Abby and I got to be good friends when you and
I went together.  Abby and Will are the ones who kept me sane during
freshmen year, what with the roommate from hell, learning to do college
work and then us breaking up.  Hell, even this week with the baby due any
day, Abby had time for me to come over and talk.  She helped me put myself
back together after last weekend."

   "I'm glad my brother and sister-in-law have been able to help," I
replied.

   "Are you going down to Panama City Beach for break?" Penny asked. 
"Kathy and Tammy have been after me to go even though I broke up with
Harrison."

   "I know, Ed has been after me to go too," I said.  "I don't want to go
stag and hook up with some strange girl.  Ed told me to just ask anybody."

   "I agree with you," Penny replied.

   "I told him I wasn't going to pick up some stranger for the week," I
said.  "Are you planning to stay at home for spring break?"

   "Probably," Penny agreed.  "I can make some spending money working with
Dr.  Chu for the week.  I'd rather do that than hook up with some strange
drunk guy down at one of the clubs down there."

   "I agree," I responded.

   "Are you dating again?" Penny asked.

   "I've been out some," I replied.  "You met Faith over winter break.  I
like her but the whole long distance relationship thing puts a damper on
things between us.  I dated another girl up at campus.  We had fun but she
isn't interested in anything serious."

   "...and you are?" Penny asked.

   "It's not like someone has this timeline for my life," I responded.  "I
don't have to get married the day after I graduate from college.  But you
know me, I guess I'm pretty domestic.  I like being part of a couple,
having someone to share my life with."

   "Any takers yet?" Penny asked.

   "No, not really," I admitted.  "I have a date next Saturday night with a
girl I have known for a year.  I hope maybe more will develop between us as
we get to know each other better."

   "I'm sure things will work out for you, Kyle," Penny said.  "I've been
involved in committed relationship just as long as you Kyle.  I'll give
myself some time to heal and then move on."

   "That's good," I agreed.

   "Hey Penny, it's been half an hour like the nurse said," David
interjected.  "I'll go see if Abby's ready for visitors."

   "Do that, Dave," Penny agreed.

   Dave Hanson came back half a minute later with a big smile on his face,
waving for us to follow him.  We headed down the opposite hall past the
nurses' station to Abby's room.

   We found Abby sitting up in bed, cradling baby Rose in both arms and
rocking her gently.  My sister-in-law looked tired and in need of a
shampoo. Even so, her smile was radiant.

   "You'll have to be quiet," Abby whispered.  "She just fell asleep."

   The four of us gathered around to see Rose as she slept.  My niece had a
few thin wisps of golden hair crowning her head.  Her impossibly tiny
fingers were balled in fists as she slept in her adoring mother's arms.

   "Congratulations, Mom, she's adorable," I gushed.

   "She's beautiful, Abby," and "She's so cute," Penny and Liz added.  The
four of us talked quietly with Abby and marveled at the little miracle in
her arms.  The rest of the family returned from dinner a couple minutes
later.

   "Hey, little brother, Lizzie.  It's good to see you!" Will boomed.  This
earned him a disapproving shushing from his wife.  It was too late.  Little
Rose was startled by the noise, woke up and started crying.  Will was
properly apologetic as Abby tried to soothe Rose and get her back to sleep.

   Rose quieted down quickly but there were too many people around for her
to get to sleep again.  Will passed out "She's a Girl" Hershey bars to all
the new arrivals.  My big brother was still flying high emotionally from
the arrival of his first-born child.  Liz, Penny and I all got a chance to
hold Rose for a moment before Abby took her back.

   Will introduced Dave Hanson to Abby's parents, our parents and to Andy.
Penny didn't need an introduction.  The Hendricks had met her many times
when I was dating Penny and Will was dating Abby.

   Will reported that the doctor said everything had gone well with the
birth and that he expected to discharge Abby and Rose and send them home in
the morning.  Will and Mrs.  Hendricks expected to have Abby and Rose home
by lunch time.

   A nurse came by a few minutes after eight o'clock and warned us that
visiting hours were over.  Abby and Rose needed their rest.  Abby's
parents, my parents, Andy, Liz, Dave and I headed downstairs to the lobby.
Will was going have a few private minutes with Abby before he met us and
led us over to his apartment.

   Penny and Dave Hanson prepared to leave when we got to the lobby.  They
didn't need to follow anyone back to Penn's campus.  I gave Penny a hug and
a kiss on the cheek.

   "Keep your chin up," I said as we parted.  "You'll find the right guy
eventually and he's going to be getting the greatest girl around."

   "You keep looking too, Kyle," Penny replied.  "The girl of your dreams
will turn up."

   The seven of us waited a few minutes until Will came down from tucking
his "girls" in for the night.  The Hendricks walked with Will to the
parking garage.  They were going to ride back with him.  Mom and Dad headed
to their hotel room.  Andy, Liz and I followed Will.  Will waited for Andy
and me to catch up to him before leaving the parking garage.  He gave us
Google Map directions and the address in case we got separated following
him back to his apartment.

   Will took us back to Walnut Street.  We headed west across the
Schuylkill River, past the University of Pennsylvania and on to his
apartment.  We got separated at lights a couple times but Will let Andy and
me catch up before he headed on.  Will turned south on 48th Street.  Three
blocks later he turned onto Pine Street, went a couple hundred feet and
stopped in the middle of the right lane.  Mr.  and Mrs.  Hendricks got out.
I let Liz out too.  Will, Andy and I had to circle the block to find an
open parking space on the street.  I ended up on 47th Street, a couple
blocks south of Pine Street before I found a parking spot.

   I carried my things back over to Will's building, meeting Will and Andy
out front.  Will let us in and took us up to his third floor apartment. 
Most of us relaxed at the apartment, talked and watched some TV.  Will
fussed and hurried around checking to make sure everything was ready for
Rose's arrival tomorrow morning.

   Mrs.  Hendricks finally settled him down.

   "Will, relax!  Everything is ready," she commanded.  "You've checked
everything three times.  Sit down and take a breath.  Everything will be
fine tomorrow."

   Will finally stopped fussing.  He and I ended up talking about
arrangements at scout camp for next summer.  He confirmed that I would be
the pool director again.  Most of my staff from last year had applied to
return.  Gary Harrison put the aquatic staff as his first choice on his
application.  I told Will to take him if John Holloway would let us have
him.  Will asked me to work on Chip Brinton.  Chip had not responded to the
request to return to work at the pool again.  Will wanted him back if we
could get him.

   Liz, Andy and I got set up for bed in the living room around eleven
o'clock.  The three of us managed to sleep in Saturday morning. 
Thankfully, Will and Abby's parents were quiet when they got up.  Will
chased us out of bed around 9:30, just before he headed to the hospital to
bring Abby and Rose home.

   Our parents came over around 10:30.  Will, Abby, Rose and Mrs. 
Hendricks arrived a few minutes later.  Everyone got time to hold their
daughter, niece or granddaughter.  Rose was tolerant of getting handed from
person to person.  Will sent Andy and me out for pizza to a nearby
restaurant.

   Everyone hung out, talking and enjoying time with Rose until Abby put
her down for a nap.  Mom, Dad, Liz, Andy and I decided to spend some time
playing tourist in Philadelphia while we were in town for the weekend.  We
headed over to Independence Mall, saw the Liberty Bell, and the National
Constitution Center.  We decided to try one of the famous sandwich places
before returning to Will and Abby's apartment.

   Tony Luke's is famous for their pork, broccoli rabe and provolone
sandwiches as well as their cheese steaks.  Andy and Dad went for south
Philly's most famous sandwich, the cheese steak.  Mom, Liz and I tried the
pork sandwiches.  They were on excellent rolls, crusty with soft chewy
bread inside.  The pork was juicy and well spiced.  The sautéed broccoli
rabe added to the flavor of the sandwich.  Overall, it met the high
expectations I had formed from reading reviews of Tony Luke's.

   Our family headed back to Will and Abby's after dinner.  We were in time
for Rose's feeding.  Rose went for a nap while the grown-ups (well, mostly
grown-ups) visited.  Andy, Mom and Dad teased Will and Abby that they
should enjoy the relaxing time.  They weren't going to have a full night's
sleep for many months.

   Mom and Dad headed back to their hotel room around ten o'clock.  Liz,
Andy and I turned in when Will, Abby and Abby's parents went to bed.  It
was a small apartment so I woke up a couple times during the night when
Rose cried for attention.

   Will had bagels and cereal available for breakfast for the crowd of
guests.  Mom and Dad arrived around 10:30 Sunday morning.  Mom volunteered
to stay with Rose for an hour or so while the rest of us went out for
Sunday brunch.  Will suggested we try the White Dog Cafe.  Will and Dad
drove everyone over to the restaurant, a block off of the Penn Campus.

   The White Dog Café touted their use of local foods.  I chose a bread
basket for my first course.  The bread came with apple and pear butter from
Kauffman's Fruit in Intercourse.  That's truly local food.  The bread was
freshly baked and an excellent complement to the fruit butters from near my
home.

   I had the lump crab quiche for my main course.  It was excellent.  Andy
was attracted to the Lancaster County omelet, featuring apple wood smoked
bacon, goat cheese, spinach and dried tomatoes.  He said it was good. 
Everyone found entrées that were quite tasty.

   The group reassembled back at Will and Abby's so all of us could see
Rose one more time and say our good byes.  Liz and Mr.  Hendricks rode back
home with Dad.  Andy headed back to Newark.  I drove back to the Schuylkill
Expressway.  It took that road to the turnpike, followed the turnpike back
to Harrisburg and then headed back to State College.  I stopped off and
grabbed a quick dinner in Lewistown on the way back to campus.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I dropped my car off at the East Parking deck and walked back to my
apartment.  When I walked in Trevor gave me a message.

   "Ed Fritz called while you were gone," Trevor explained.  "He wanted to
talk about spring break.  You're supposed to call him tonight.  Are you
still planning to go?"

   "I don't know," I said.  "I'm not going stag, I can tell you that.  I
have no interest in hooking up with strange girls at one of the clubs."

   "Certainly you can find someone that would spend a week on the beach
with you," Trevor said.  "Ask Andrea Timmerman.  You won't find anyone
hotter in Panama City Beach than her."

   "I'm looking for someone interested in a relationship," I explained. 
"Andrea isn't interested."

   "It's a week of spring break, not making a life time commitment," Trevor
said.  "Ask somebody.  Ask Molly Reed.  It's just for a week."

   "I might ask Molly," I said.  "We're going to dinner."

   "There you go," Trevor replied.  "Ask her over dinner next Saturday."

   "I'll think about it." I agreed.

   "Do that, Coach," Trevor said.  "It would be weird for Steph and me to
be hanging out there with all your friends when you weren't there."

   "You know everyone in the group," I said.  "You and Steph will be fine
if I decide not to go."

   "I know we'll be fine," Trevor said.  "I just want you there and having
fun with us Coach."

   "I'll do my best, Trevor," I said.

   I took my overnight bag and other gear into my room and put things away.
I gave Ed Fritz a call when I was settled.  I told him about my niece Rose
and filled him in on Coach Caffrey's arrival at Penn State.  Ed was envious
that I was going to get to work with Coach for another year.  Ed held Coach
Caffrey in just as high esteem as I did.

   Ed finally turned to the topic that prompted his phone call to me.  "So,
have you made up your mind Kyle?" Ed asked.  "Are you coming down to Panama
City Beach for break?"

   "I don't know, Ed," I replied.  "I'm not going down to Florida stag."

   "There must be 20,000 or 25,000 girls on your campus," Ed said.  "Pick
one.  You're asking them to spend a week in the sun with you, not to marry
them."

   "I don't know," I replied.  "I haven't found the right girl yet."

   "Hell, I'm getting the same shit from Penny?" Ed said.  "She's blowing
our group off too.  Just because Harrison is a dick doesn't mean all guys
are.  She isn't coming unless she finds a guy." Ed paused for a few
seconds. "Hey, why don't the two of you come together, for old time's
sake?"

   "Us?  Together?" I exclaimed.  "You've got to be kidding!  That would be
a disaster."

   "No, it wouldn't," Ed countered.  "She's forgiven you for breaking up
with her when you were freshmen.  You two were always good together."

   "I am NOT asking Penny to be my girl for a week at spring break," I
insisted.  "She'd never have it and it would be too weird."

   "Come up with someone Kyle," Ed retorted.  "It wouldn't be any fun for
me if you stay home for break.  Get a girl and get your ass down here."

   "I'll do my best Ed," I answered.  "That's all I can promise." Ed and I
exchanged good byes.  I headed over to the Lasch Building to do my work
out.

   I had time to think about my situation.  Molly was an attractive and
enticing companion so far.  Our date next Saturday night would give me a
chance to see if we were compatible.  I had hopes that Molly and I would be
a good match.

   I thought about Penny too, but fleetingly.  As strong as my feelings for
her were, I knew that was one girl that I had NO chance of dating again.  I
had burnt all my bridges with her a long time ago.  I was going to have to
be satisfied being her friend.

   Chapter 57

   ==========

   Brian Henson joined Chip, Christian, Tanner, Damian and me Monday
afternoon to work on our pass routes and timing.  I was pleased Brian had
taken my advice.  Tanner Riggs stepped up his game a bit too when he saw
Brian out working with Chip.  That's fine.  There's nothing wrong with
Tanner being pushed to excel.

   I found time to talk to Chip Monday evening after class about the
summer.

   "Hey Chip, my brother Will was wondering what you are planning to do
this summer," I said.  "He and I would really like to have you work for us
at camp this summer."

   "I had fun last summer, Coach," Chip replied.  "... but I don't see how
I can do it.  Coach Burton wants me to stay on campus this summer.  He says
I should take a couple courses so I can cut my class load down for the
fall. I can free up some more time so I can get prepared for each game."

   "That's a good idea, Chip," I replied.

   "Now that the subject has come up, I have something I want to talk to
you about," Chip said.

   "What?" I asked.

   "I would like to see the whole receiver corps stay on campus over the
summer," Chip answered.  "We can get more work in and get our timing down
on our passing game.  We need to go beyond business-as-usual if we want to
go to Phoenix next January."

   "That's an excellent idea, Chip," I said.  I took a deep breath and let
it out.  "I think it's a really good idea but I can't do it."

   "Why not, Coach?" Chip asked.

   "You know how much I love working at camp, teaching the kids," I
replied. "This is the last summer I can work there.  I've got to take this
last chance."

   "I know how much working at camp means to you," Chip said.  "... but
isn't it important for us to perfect our passing game?"

   "You and I have been working together for almost two years," I replied.
"I think we can stand a few weeks off over the summer."

   -------------------------------------------------------

   Ms.  Hamilton returned my report on the Bellefonte Area School District.
She marked a few things up but was generally complimentary about my report.
I had a lot of preparation to do for next week, my first week in the
classroom.

   Scott Henderson indicated that my casual khaki pants would be acceptable
for a teacher.  I went downtown and purchased half a dozen dress shirts to
wear to school.  I also picked up three more ties.  A cotton, button-down
dress shirt, tie and the khakis would mark me as a teacher to the students,
rather than a student.  I had one more chore to do to prepare myself - one
that I dreaded.

   I dropped in at the barbershop on Allen Street for a haircut.  I had
worn my blond hair long since about eighth grade.  I liked the look and it
was in style for kids my age.  Well, I wasn't a kid anymore, I was going to
be a professional and I needed to look the part.  The barber did a nice
job. I looked very professional and business-like.  My hair didn't even
touch my ears.  He had it parted on the left side.  It looked good - it
just didn't look like me.

   My teammates razzed me unmercifully later that day when I went over to
the Lasch Building to work out.  My roommates teased me too.  My only
comfort was that Josh Bruno had been downtown that day on the same mission.
His normally long curly brown hair was shorter.  He was clean shaven,
unlike his normal three day stubble of a beard, or mustache or goatee. 
Josh changed his facial hair constantly over the past three years.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I bumped into Bob Smith coming into the Lasch Building as I was leaving
Tuesday evening.  Bob was the freshman tight end who was on suspension
because of academic difficulties during the fall semester.

   "Hey Bob, what's up?" I asked cheerily.

   "I got a tutoring session, Coach" Bob answered.

   "That's good," I replied.  "How are you coming with your studies?  Are
you keeping on top of things this semester?"

   "I went in to talk with Coach Paterno the way you suggested last
December," Bob replied.  "He helped me a lot with prioritizing my work so I
have enough time to get everything done."

   "Coach helped me when I ran into trouble when I was a freshman," I said.

   "You?  Mr.  `Dean's List' ran into trouble?" Bob asked.

   "Calculus just about took me out," I explained.  "How are you doing at
getting reinstated?"

   "Not too bad," Bob answered.  "I was sent home by Coach Burton because I
missed the deadline for the final term paper in Comparative Lit.  I got the
paper done and turned in it three days late.  The professor accepted it and
passed me for the course."

   "So you're not short credits academically?" I asked.

   "No, I'm good with credits," Bob explained.  "This is Coach Burton's
idea.  He wants me to get my school work in order before I put too much
time into football.  If I do well on my midterms this semester, Coach said
he will reinstate me for spring practice."

   "Excellent, Bob," I replied.  "You keep working on your school work and
get yourself back in Coach's good graces.  We need every tight end on the
roster ready to play next season.  I have high expectations of you.  I saw
last fall what you are capable of.  We need your sweet hands and your speed
on offense next season if we're going to compete for the national
championship."

   "I'll do my best, Coach," Bob said.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Wednesday evening was the final report meeting for the Thon, which was a
week and a half away.  I managed to scrape up another $2,000 in
contributions during the past two weeks.  That put my total for this year
at $26,150.  Dave added everyone's contributions from this week to his
spreadsheet.  He announced the totals.  My total barely beat out the second
place fundraiser, Marco Cuchiella, with $25,750.  The other top fundraisers
were Dave McCall with $25,280, Glenn Korbel with $22,400 and Tyler Madden
with $20,920.  We raised an astounding $167,325 this year.

   There was no question that our group would be fielding two dance teams
next year.  Trevor was especially pleased.  "If I have got to dance this
year," he insisted.  "You are going to dance next year.  No excuses like `I
don't have a girlfriend' will be accepted.  You're dancing even if you have
to dance with Marco!" Marco and I both protested that idea but one thing
was certain.  I was going to be dancing next Thon.

   Dave McCall put Christian in charge of organizing the support teams. 
Andrew Perkins and Chip Brinton volunteered to help Christian by purchasing
all the refreshments and supplies the dancers would need during the Thon.
Dave appointed me to coordinate the Make-A-Wish visits with team members at
the Lasch Building during the Thon.  Dave announced that we would have one
more Thon committee meeting next Wednesday evening to make sure all the
arrangements were set.

   I went in to see Coach Ganter, the Associate Athletic Director for
Football and a long time Coach Paterno assistant coach, to get the list of
Make-A-Wish families for the Thon.  We had eighteen youths who wanted an
inside look at Penn State football.  I had no trouble at all recruiting
volunteers to take the young men and women around the building.  As a
matter of fact, I ended up with twenty-one volunteers for the eighteen
kids. I told the extras to come and help, even though they wouldn't be
assigned to a particular kid.

   I lined up help for Coach Caffrey and his family for their moving-in day
that weekend.  Every receiver on the team agreed to help along with Chip,
Trevor and Damian.  Coach Caffrey expected that we would be done helping
him in time for my date Saturday night with Molly.

   -------------------------------------------------------

   Molly was excited about skiing when we talked before our adolescent
development class started Friday afternoon.  She would meet Trevor, Steph,
Chip and me at our apartment.  I talked Christian and Bev into joining our
little ski party too.  When we assembled at the apartment, I found out that
Chip had invited a date too.

   Claire Waters, Chip's date for the evening, was about 5'-7" tall, 125
pounds with sandy brown hair pulled back in a pony tail.  Chip and Claire
met in their Kinesology 10 course, Indoor Rock Climbing.  Chip's date was
up to his usual standards.  She was well built with ample breasts.

   Chip and Claire hung out with Trevor, Steph, Molly and me as we skied.
Matt, Jon and Marco took off on their own without Chip, who normally skied
with them.  The top of the mountain was cold and windy.  The temperature
dropped down into the low twenties as the sun went down.

   The skiing was good in spite of the cold conditions.  As usual, we skied
until the ski area shut down for the night.  Chip and Claire rode back to
campus with Molly and me.  I walked Molly back to the front of her
apartment.  We exchanged good night kisses that generated enough
electricity to light a small town.  I was left with no doubt that the
feelings between Molly and me were growing stronger.

   Chip and Claire were clenched together when I got back to the car.  They
broke apart quickly when I opened the car door.  I climbed in and asked,
"Where do you live, Claire?  I'll drop you off."

   "That isn't necessary, Kyle," Claire answered.  "Chip invited me to
spend the night at his apartment."

   "Ohhh... Oh-Kay..." I replied.  "Nittany Apartments... non-stop.... 
Please fasten your seat belts and adjust your tray tables to their upright
and locked positions."

   Chip and Claire barely acknowledged my banter.  They were more
interested in each other.  I drove the three of us back to campus.  Chip
and Claire headed upstairs to his room immediately.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Things were stirring in our apartment by ten o'clock Saturday morning.
We had party preparations before all of us headed over to the Caffreys to
help them move in.  I was downstairs eating breakfast and reading the
newspaper when Chip came downstairs.  I could hear Claire in the shower
upstairs.

   "Hey Coach, if you give me the shopping list, Claire and I will take
care of the shopping for the party tonight," Chip offered.  "We can do it
after Claire and I stop by her apartment so she can change and pick up some
things for tonight."

   "Sure, thanks for the help, Chip," I replied.

   "Can you give me directions to Coach Caffrey's new house?" Chip added.
"We'll meet you over there."

   "We?" I asked.

   "Clair volunteered to help us this afternoon," Chip explained.  "Isn't
that cool?"

   "Yeah, that's nice of her," I agreed.  Chip headed back upstairs to
finish dressing.  He and Claire took off a few minutes later after I gave
Chip directions and the shopping list Damian made out.

   This was very unusual for Chip.  Except for three or four dates with
Whitney Vang last spring, Chip had depended exclusively on one night stands
for female companionship since he came to Penn State.  I got the distinct
impression that he wanted more from Claire than a one night stand.

   I helped Trevor and Damian unload after they came back from the beer
distributor and the liquor store.  We grabbed an early lunch and waited for
Christian, Tanner, Bruce and Jared.  They were riding over with Trevor or
me.  Brian Henson offered Ian and John rides to the Caffreys.

   The Caffreys' new house was in Lemont, just on other side of the Mount
Nittany Bypass (Route 322) on the east side of College Avenue.  We turned
off College Avenue onto Elmwood Street and followed it over the bypass and
down the hill towards Spring Creek.  The Caffreys' new house was located on
the last street before the creek.  The street through the development
looped back on itself.  The Caffreys' house was on the corner.  It was a
two story, two to three year old Victorian style house with a big,
wraparound porch.

   Chip, Claire, the Caffreys and the movers were there when Trevor and I
arrived with our car-loads of help.  Brian, Ian and John came a couple
minutes after us.  Mrs.  Caffrey greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the
cheek when she spotted me.  She had been like a second mother to the kids
on our high school football team.  I introduced her to the team members and
Claire.

   Little Emily, who was finishing kindergarten the last time I saw her,
had shot up.  She was a very cute, nine year old now.  She recognized me
but was a little shy around all these big strangers who showed up at her
new house.

   Jonathan, Coach Caffrey's son, came bouncing out to greet me and the
other team members.  Jonathan shared his father's love of and dedication to
all things football.  To his father's chagrin, Jonathan also developed a
passion for Penn State when I was still in high school, undoubtedly aided
and encouraged by Zack Hayes.

   Zack sent him autographs, pictures and Penn State gear at holidays and
on his birthday.  Knowing me and watching me play for the Lions kept his
interest and dedication for the Nittany Lions going.  Jonathan was in
heaven as I introduced him to our starting quarterback, our star defensive
end and our star tailback.

   The movers took care of hauling in the furniture and boxes from their
truck.  We helped carry in small boxes that came with the Caffreys' car and
mini-van.  We helped unpack boxes and rearrange furniture as Mr.  or Mrs.
Caffrey directed.

   Mrs.  Caffrey concentrated on getting the kitchen and dining area
unpacked.  Claire helped.  Chip stuck to Claire's side, helping get things
set up.  Coach Caffrey noticed.

   "I take it our starting quarterback has a girlfriend," Coach said one
time as we passed the couple helping Mrs.  Caffrey unpack dishes and load
them into the cupboard.

   "If you had asked me Thursday I would have said no," I responded.  "I
only met Claire twenty-four hours ago.  She's been glued to Chip's side
since 2:30 yesterday afternoon.  Right now I would have to say, yeah, he
probably does have a girlfriend."

   "Glued to his side for twenty-four hours?" Coach said.  "I think it's
safe to assume they're a couple."

   "Yeah, you're probably right," I replied.  "In the past Chip's been
trying live up to Zack Hayes' legacy - on field and off."

   "A pretty girl will get him eventually," Coach teased.  "Speaking of
guys getting caught, have you heard anything from Zack or Leigh Ann?"

   "I talked with him last week," I said.  "Leigh Ann's in good shape and
the pregnancy is progressing well.  She is due in two and a half weeks."

   "Thanks for the info," Coach said.  "I'm going to have to give Zack a
call this week."

   Our work crew had everything done that could be done in about two and
half hours.  The Caffreys' new house was looking like a home.  They had a
great view of Mount Nittany from their front porch.  Jonathan was in
seventh heaven - he could see Beaver Stadium from his bedroom.

   As we were getting our coats on Mrs.  and Coach Caffrey thanked us for
all the help we gave them.  I had an idea while I was dressing.

   "Hey Coach, why don't you bring Jonathan over to the Lasch Building next
Saturday?" I suggested.  "He could tag along with the Make-A-Wish tour
we're giving.  I'm sure he'd have fun."

   "Who would I need to contact to arrange that?" Coach asked.

   "The tour coordinator, I guess," I replied.  I gave him a big Cheshire
cat grin.  "I think the tour coordinator will approve."

   "You?" Coach asked.  I nodded yes.  "I'll talk to you more next week. 
I'm sure Jonathan would think he died and went to heaven if you can arrange
this."

   "Have him in the lobby at nine o'clock next Saturday morning," I said.
"It will happen."

   "OK, I'll discuss it with Karen," Coach replied.  "Thanks again for all
your help today."

   "No problem," I answered as we headed for the cars.  "It was a
pleasure."

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   We returned to campus with enough time to shower and get ready for dates
that evening.  Trevor was taking Steph downtown for dinner.  Damian was
cooking for Billy, Sarah and Melanie at our apartment.  Claire was still
joined at the hip with Chip.  They headed downtown first.  I drove over and
picked up Molly.

   Molly greeted me with a hug and quick kiss when I arrived.  I escorted
her back downstairs to my car.  "What kind of food are you interested in?"
I asked.  "We've got Cajun, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Korean... burgers and
fries, barbecue, deli, pizza, the Diner, um... German... uh..."

   "German!" Molly exclaimed, her smile extending from ear to ear.  "I
haven't had German food in too long."

   "Herwig's is good," I said.  "I've been there before.  Have you?"

   "No, I haven't," Molly answered.  "I heard it is good."

   "It is.  I guess we're off to Herwig's," I said as I opened the car door
for Molly.  She climbed in.  I walked around my car and hopped in.

   "You need to understand," I said as I started the car.  "Herwig's is
VERY authentic German."

   "That's exactly what I want," Molly answered.  "My Oma [grandmother] was
born in Germany....  Aus Münschen." Molly chuckled and added, "...from
Munich."

   "Ich verstehe," I said.  "Ich spreche ein bißchen Deutsch." [I
understand.  I speak a little German.]

   "Sehr Gut!" Molly said.  "Wir essen bei Herwig's Café." [Very Good!  We
are eating at Herwig's Café.]

   I drove us downtown.  I parked in the lot behind Hammond Building.  I
knew the campus police didn't enforce the campus parking regulations on
weekends.  We crossed under Hammond Building and came at the light at
Fraser Street.  Herwig's was half a block west of us.

   There were a dozen or so people in the small restaurant when the
waitress seated us.  Molly looked around the room.

   "This is plainer than I expected," She said.  "I thought they would
decorate the place a little more.  It looks like a cafeteria."

   "Brandy, the owner, puts his efforts into his food, not his décor," I
answered.  The two of us looked over at the menu blackboard on the wall.

   "Oh!  Oh my... paprikaschnitzel!" Molly raved.  "My Oma used to make
that for me when I was little.  I love it."

   "Well... we know what you're having for dinner," I commented.  "Let me
see what I want." The jägerschnitzel caught my eye.  It was a pork cutlet
sautéed in a mushroom and bacon sauce.

   Molly and I talked while Brandy or his son Bernd prepared our meal. 
Molly was curious about my Mennonite background.  I explained that my
family had been in America for over two hundred years.  Molly's German
connection was much more recent.  Her Oma or grandmother was thirteen when
she moved to Reading, Pa.  with her parents in 1946.

   Molly told me how Oma used to take her to dances and dinners at the
Edelweiss Club in Reading when she was growing up.  The Goebels [pronounced
as `Gable'], Molly's mother's family, enjoyed and celebrated their
German/Bavarian heritage.  Her family still lived in the eastern end of
Berks County, in Boyertown.  The Edelweiss Club sounded like fun to me,
though I'm sure my austere ancestors would have considered it to be
frivolous and much too worldly.

   Molly's paprikaschnitzel and my jägerschnitzel were excellent.  Both
meals came with a knödel or bread dumpling.  Molly enjoyed our meals and
talking about our German heritage.  Molly's mother's family was all German.
Her father's was English with a touch of Scottish blood thrown in.  My
heritage was similar, though three of my four grandparents were of German
heritage, my grandfather Robinson being the one exception.  He was from
English Quaker stock.

   I paid our bill, leaving a generous tip for our waitress.  Herwig's was
a quirky place but they served excellent fare.  It was just as good as last
year when I took Kelly there.  Molly and I walked back to my car.

   "Can we stop by my apartment before we go back to yours, Kyle?" Molly
asked after I climbed in the car.  "I'd like to get a few things for
overnight."

   "Oh... OK... sure," I agreed.  "I wasn't sure if you would want to spend
the night with me on a first date."

   "Silly, this isn't our first date," Molly replied.  "We've gone skiing
together twice.  We've known each other for a year." She cocked her head
and stared at me as I started up the car.  "We've shared some damn hot good
night kisses already.  I'm definitely ready to get to know you more
intimately."

   "That feeling is mutual Molly," I said.  I leaned over and gave her a
kiss, full on the lips.  She gave me a radiant smile after we parted.

   "I want to see if you can live up to the rep some of the girls gave
you," Molly teased.

   I drove us over to my apartment, luckily finding a space in the nearest
parking area.

   Damian, Billy, Melanie and Sarah were cleaning up from their meal when
we came back to the apartment.  Molly and I helped them finish cleaning up
and then we set up for the party.  Trevor and Steph came back about fifteen
minutes after Molly and me.  We were still setting up for the party when
our first, unfashionably early guests arrived.  Ian and Troy Davis showed
up with Troy's roommate, Mark Markovich.  We put the three of them to work.

   "I tried to tell you," Ian griped as the three set out bowls of snack
food.  "Matt tried to tell me we were too early." Ian roomed with Chip's
old roommate, Matt Frye.

   "I didn't want to miss any of the party," Troy retorted.  "Anyway, Coach
doesn't mind, do you Coach?"

   "If you guys help setup, I certainly won't complain," I agreed.

   Chip and Claire were no-shows before the party got going.  I got the
music started as our crowd of friends gathered.  People enjoyed the music,
talked and had some beer.  The guys flirted and tried to score with the
girls.  It was a typical party.

   Molly enjoyed herself.  The other regular girls treated her like a lost
friend.  Molly hadn't been to one of our parties since Jay decided to
transfer out of Penn State.  We talked, enjoyed the munchies and each
other's company during the party.

   Karl Weaver and Jason Harting visited the party.  Both were friends from
home and former high school teammates.  They were mad that I forgot to call
and invite them to help Coach Caffrey move in the afternoon.  I pleaded
temporary amnesia and promised to let Coach Caffrey know that they wanted
to help his family get into their new home.

   Chip and Claire arrived at the party around 9:30.  I wondered if he and
Claire might have stopped off at another party.  I checked him out when we
both stopped off in the kitchen for drinks.  Chip was in a great mood and
totally sober.  The apartment was crowded and noisy so any conversation
about where he and Claire got to would have to wait for later.

   Molly limited herself to two beers for the night.  I had three.  I'm
considerably bigger than her, after all.  We had a nice buzz going.  Molly
and I slow danced a bit.  We became more intimate as the evening wore on.
We cuddled and kissed a bit.  Neither of us was in a hurry like the
freshmen and sophomores.  They were generally more desperate to score with
a girl while they had private rooms available here at the apartment.  Molly
knew the two of us would have all the time we wanted during the night for
intimacy.

   It was just Trevor, Steph, Chip, Claire, Molly and me cleaning up at the
end of the party.  Damian, Billy and their ersatz girlfriends headed
downtown a couple hours earlier.  Our usual Saturday night guests, Jon or
Marco, both scored with the ladies, but neither hooked up with someone who
wanted to spend the night with them.  Damian's bed stayed empty for the
night.

   It was about a quarter to one when Molly and I headed for my bedroom. 
Molly did a sexy strip tease for me while I undressed.  Molly lay down on
my bed.  She was lovely.  My eyes focused on her breasts first.  They were
firm cones perfectly proportioned to her body size.  I couldn't wait to
feel their pliant flesh.

   I lay down beside Molly.  She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled
me to her.  Molly was a seriously talented kisser.  We spent a few minutes
tongue kissing.  I kissed my way across her cheek to her neck (sensitive),
down to her clavicle (very sensitive) and across her chest to my goal - her
twin mounds of mammary flesh.

   I caressed her left boob while kissing her right.  I felt Molly shiver
as my lips smacked against her quarter sized areola.  I gave her boob a
squeeze.  It was warm, pliable and very sensitive.  I kissed, licked,
teased and suckled one titty while I felt up the other.  I discovered Molly
loved to have her titties played with.  That was perfect.  I loved to play
with my girl's titties.

   Molly shuddered and panted as I further aroused her.  After a couple
minutes she seemed close to climax so I decided it was time to go lower.  I
continued stimulating her breast with my lips and tongue while I snaked my
hand down to her labia.

   Molly was quite moist.  I rubbed up and down her labia a few times,
collecting moisture.  My fingers circled and teased around her clitoris
before I diddled it directly.  Molly came within seconds.

   I sprawled out on the bed beside her after her climax.  She smothered me
with kisses.  Our tongues met again.  The effect was intoxicating.  Our
tongues tangled briefly but I wanted more.  I kissed my way down her chest,
across her tummy and south.  I needed to taste the nectar she was secreting
to prepare her for our union.

   Molly's juices tasted sweet with a hint of muskiness as I lapped up and
down her labia with my tongue.  Barely past her last orgasm, Molly
enthusiastically encouraged me to continue licking, kissing and fingering
her.

   "Oooohh..  Sweet Jesus!" she moaned.  "You took lessons from Jay, didn't
you?"

   I licked around her clitoris without answering, eliciting a groan.  "No,
I got lessons from my big brother," I said when I paused a few seconds
later.  "I gave advice to Jay."

   I wormed a second finger inside her pussy and went for pay dirt.  I
licked and teased her clit while I fingered her G-spot.  Within seconds
Molly's panted moans turned to a shriek as the frazzled young woman
exploded into orgasm.

   "Oooohh....  Oh FUCK!" she groaned as her body spasmed and convulsed. 
Her vaginal walls pulsed and squeezed at my fingers.  I gave her outer lips
a gentle tonguing as she surfed the flood of endorphins flooding through
her body.

   I withdrew my fingers from her vagina and lay down beside her as she
calmed down from her sexual high.  I stroked her tummy and gave her little
kisses on the shoulder and neck while she recovered.  After a minutes'
rest, Molly rolled on her side to face me.  She gave me a few quick kisses
on the cheek and lips.

   "That was... WOW!" Molly said between kisses.  "I've been with lots of
guys in the past five years... not that I've been a slut."

   "No, of course not," I agreed.

   "I'm experienced," Molly continued.  "From fumbling around in the
backseat of my first boyfriend's mom's mini-van to some pretty memorable
and intense times with guys here at college, I have a basis for comparing
your performance.  No one...  no one, has ever, ever, ever given me such a
mind blowing, take your breath away orgasm in my life... and you did it
twice in ten minutes.  Jay definitely was the pupil and you're the master."

   "I just try to make sure the woman I'm with enjoys herself," I said,
trying to be modest.

   Molly reached between us and stroked my hard, seven inch long erection.
"Let's get this thing ready to go Kyle," she said.  "Where's that rubber
you had earlier?"

   "I'll get it," I said.  I rolled over and grabbed it off the night
stand. Molly rolled it down over my cock to sheath it.

   "I hope you're half as good with this thing as you were with your
tongue," Molly declared as she rolled on her back.  I positioned myself
between her legs and notched my cock against her hole.

   "Ready?" I asked.  Molly nodded yes.  "I'll do my best to make sure you
enjoy this." I drove my hips forward, thrusting my shaft into Molly.  My
cock was bathed with heat and moisture as I plunged in, her vagina walls
tugging the skin on my head and shaft taut.  Not too tight... not too
loose... just like everything that evening - just right.

   I thrust in, withdrew, thrust in again - in and out, the age-old dance
between the sexes.  Molly caressed and rubbed my sides and back as I did
her, whispering sweet things to me as I worked.

   Giving myself to Molly felt so... right.  I didn't want this to be a one
night stand.  I never felt the same love-at-first-sight feelings I had when
Kelly and I started dating but I definitely felt more than I did for most
of my various bed mates since Kelly and I broke up.

   I felt the same way about Molly that I felt about Faith.  Here was a
fun, intriguing girl I wanted to get to know a lot better, except Molly
didn't have the distance problem that Faith and I had.  Molly lived a mile
from me and shared a class with me.  She was going to have to tell me to
get lost if she wanted rid of me.  I planned on asking her out as often as
possible.

   My thrusting and grinding against her pelvic area coaxed her to another
small orgasm after about five minutes.  I continued humping and thrusting
as she begged for more.  Molly came again just as I was reaching the limits
of my endurance.  I thrust in hard as her pussy spasmed around my primed
cock as it blasted a huge load of sperm and semen into the condom.  The two
of us collapsed into a sweaty but sated heap.

   The two of us exchanged hugs and kisses as we recovered.  Molly was up
for another go together.  After a couple minutes of making out followed by
Molly grinding her womanhood against my cock, I was ready too.  We did it
again, this time with Molly riding me cowgirl.

   Molly rode me for about ten minutes and two more climaxes before she was
worn out.  I finished off doing her doggie style, until I achieved my
second cum for the night.  Molly cleaned up a bit and joined me in bed
wearing a T-shirt and panties.  I slept in the buff, as usual for a
Saturday evening.

   -----------------------------------------------------

   Molly's stirring woke me up in the morning.  We were still spooned
together.  I hugged her and gave her a kiss on the back of her neck.

   "Did you have a good night, Molly?" I asked sweetly.  Molly rolled over
to face me and kissed me full on the lips.

   "It was great, Kyle," Molly replied.  "It was everything I was led to
expect." Molly hugged me and rolled me on top of her.  My morning erection
pressed into her thigh.  That drew a giggle from her.  She pressed herself
against my hard seven incher and cooed, "You ready for some more sweetie?"

   "Ummm... yeah," I agreed.  "...but I need to make a quick pit stop at
the bathroom first."

   I threw a robe on and dashed out to the downstairs toilet to relieve
myself.  Molly's panties and T-shirt were gone when I returned.  I pulled a
condom from the drawer, opened it and set it on the nightstand, ready for
use.  Molly and I kissed for a bit before I demonstrated my appreciation
for and love of wonderful, firm breasts.  My attention got Molly ready.  I
was hard too.  Molly put the condom on me and then lay back with open legs,
inviting me back inside her.

   I gave this lovely woman my best effort.  I managed to get her off twice
before I shot my load into the condom protecting us from parenthood.  We
cuddled, kissed and hugged as we came down emotionally from our climaxes.

   All I could think as we traded kisses and hugs was, `This girl is
special.  I've got to make this last.' Molly was pretty, sexy, smart, had a
wonderful sense of humor, loved skiing and could have a blast partying and
still be ready to face the next morning.  I might not have the depth of
feelings I had with Kelly or Penny, but this weekend had been a great
start.

   "Molly, can I ask you a serious question?" I asked.  She pulled back a
bit and stared into my eyes.

   "What Kyle?"

   "Thon is next weekend," I explained.  "You know the football team is
fielding two dance teams this year.  Christian is organizing the support
team for the dancers.  He has things set up for two male/female couples to
work two three hour shifts during the Thon.  Would you be willing to work
with me for my two shifts?"

   Molly gave me a funny look at first before smiling, "Thon?  Sure, I can
help you with Thon.  When are your shifts?"

   "I don't know yet," I explained.  "Christian is announcing the support
schedule at our final Thon meeting Wednesday night.  I know we'll do one
night shift and one day shift."

   "The night shift might be a problem, Kyle," Molly replied.  "I don't
know if I can get a bus to campus if we work too late at night."

   "That's no problem," I said.  "You're welcome to crash here whichever
night we're working." I chuckled.  "Hell, you're welcome to spend as much
time as you'd like here next weekend."

   "I think I may take you up on that offer," Molly said.  "I was planning
to get over to the Jordan Center for as much of Thon as I could.  It's a
lot of fun.  Your apartment is a lot closer to everything than mine."

   "Good, it's settled," I said.  "I'll give you a call Wednesday night
after I find out when we're on duty.  We can arrange everything then."

   "That sounds great, Kyle," Molly said.

   "Can ask you one thing, Molly?" I said.  "You gave me a funny look when
I first asked you to help with Thon.  Why?"

   "We had such a wonderful night together, Kyle," Molly explained.  "I was
afraid you were going to ask me to go steady with you.  I like you a lot
Kyle but..."

   "That would be premature?" I added.

   "Exactly," Molly agreed.  "The skiing together, the date last night and
sharing a bed last night - all of that was really great.  Maybe we'll find
we're right together, but it's too soon."

   "I agree completely," I replied.  "I've loved all the things we've done
together.  I would like to spend more time with you.  After Thon, I have a
couple other things I'm hoping you're interested in doing with me."

   "What do you have in mind, Kyle?" Molly asked.

   "A ski weekend together in the Poconos," I said.

   "I don't know if that's a good idea," Molly said.  "I don't want to
freeload on you and I'm a little short on funds.  I don't know if I can
afford to pay my way for a room, food and skiing."

   "That's the beauty of my offer," I replied.  "I won the prize on our
football team's Thon committee.  I get an all expenses paid ski weekend for
two because I raised the most money for Thon this year."

   "Everything?" Molly asked.

   "Ski chalet, lift tickets, gas, meals and some spending money," I said.
"Our benefactor is covering all the costs of the weekend.  What do you
think?"

   "Count me in," Molly said.  "When did you want to go?"

   "I was hoping to go the weekend after Thon," I said.  "...but that could
change.  Dave McCall and his girlfriend Grace have the same offer.  Our
benefactor rewards the guy who chairs the Thon committee too.  Dave
definitely earned this weekend."

   "Dave is a nice guy," Molly agreed.  "I don't know Grace that well, but
I'm sure I'll like her if Dave does.  What was the other thing you wanted
to invite me to do with you?"

   "Spring break," I replied.  "My friends are going down to Florida for
spring break to Panama City Beach.  Would you be interested in going down
with me?"

   Molly took a deep breath and let it out.  "I wish I'd known back over
Christmas.  I made plans with friends from back home.  We're going to St.
Augustine for break.  Otherwise I would have loved to go with you, Kyle."

   "Oh well, one out of two is pretty good," I said.  "We have plenty of
time to get to know each other better and see if there can be a future for
the two of us."

   "That sounds excellent," Molly said.  She rolled on top of me and gave
me one of her voltaic kisses.  "I'm going to enjoy getting to know you more
intimately, Kyle."

   The two of us threw on robes and headed out into the apartment.  Trevor
was waiting in the living room in his bath robe.  Steph was upstairs using
the shower.  When she was done the four of us decided to go downtown for
brunch.  Trevor and I let Molly go next.  Trevor showered and then I took
care of my personal hygiene.

   The four of us had brunch at the Waffle Shop.  The place was crowded as
usual but the food was excellent.  I had one of their country omelets.  It
was delicious.  I drove Molly back to her apartment after we finished at
the restaurant.  We exchanged some pretty hot kisses before we parted.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   I gave Ed Fritz a call later that afternoon.  "Hey man, what's up,
Kyle?" Ed asked as he answered my call.

   "I wanted to let you know that I will not being going down with you guys
for spring break," I said.

   "What?" Ed exclaimed.  "You're kidding.  Why in the hell not?"

   "I may have found myself a new girlfriend this weekend," I explained. 
"...but she already has other plans for break.  I don't want to go down to
Florida and hook up with strangers and risk the possibilities with this
girl."

   "Shit!  This sucks," Ed said.  "You and I don't get to spend enough time
together as it is.  I'm going to miss spending time with you."

   "We'll be fine," I replied.  "We have all summer together."

   "Actually Kyle, we don't," Ed said.  "I'm spending summer semester down
here on campus.  I have to give it my best shot to make starting
quarterback.  I have to stay down here and work out.  Coach Meyers has to
see my dedication to being the best quarterback around."

   "You and Chip both," I replied.  "Chip's staying on campus this summer
too."

   "That is smart of him," Ed said.

   "Are you coming home between spring and summer semesters?" I asked.

   "Yeah, I'll be home for a couple weeks in May," Ed said.

   "At least we'll have that," I said.  The two of us talked for about
fifteen minutes about how things were going in our respective football
programs.  I filled Ed in about Coach Caffrey's move to State College.  It
was nice to catch up with Ed.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   My eyes popped open as a guitar wailed by my head.  I stared at the
glowing light of my clock/radio as the little box blared out the Who's "Who
are You?" It was 6:00 am.  That song was a hell of a wakeup call.  I
climbed out of bed and stumbled through the dark, quiet apartment upstairs
for my morning shower.

   This was my big day, that day I had been preparing for the past three
years.  I got to go in the classroom today.  I showered, shaved and dressed
quietly, so I didn't wake my sleeping roommates.  I grabbed a quick
breakfast and was out the door by 7:00 am.  I grabbed a newspaper at the
Mix before heading up the hill for my car.

   I took Park Road out to Rt.  322 and I-99.  Traffic was light on I-99 as
I headed north for Bellefonte.  Most of the traffic was going the opposite
direction, heading for the university.  I pulled off the interstate twelve
miles later onto Zion Road.  I followed the road into the north end of
Bellefonte, easily finding the high school just as Scott Henderson had
indicated.  The whole drive only took about eighteen minutes, substantially
less than I anticipated.  I parked in the faculty parking area as Scott
indicated and headed for my briefing at the school office.

   Nicole Stepniak, the other Penn Stater doing her student teaching
practicum at Bellefonte High School, was standing outside the office door,
looking slightly lost.

   "Hi, Nicole," I said cheerily to greet her.

   "Hi, Kyle," she answered quietly.

   "I guess we should go in and introduce ourselves," I suggested.

   "OK," Nicole agreed almost silently.  I wasn't sure how someone as quiet
and timid as her was going to stand up in the classroom, but that wasn't my
business.  I stepped into the office and up to the front desk.  An older
woman in her early sixties stepped up from her desk to greet us.  The name
plate on her desk said, "Mrs.  Nancy Williams."

   "May I help you?" Mrs.  Williams asked.

   "I'm Kyle Martin and this is Nicole Stepniak," I explained.  "We are
supposed to start pre-service student teaching this morning." Nicole nodded
silently in agreement.

   "Have a seat," Mrs.  Williams replied.  She pointed towards a row of
chairs along the glass wall separating the office from the hallway.  "Dr.
Dowlin is expecting you.  She will be with you as soon as first period
starts."

   Nicole and I took seats as indicated.  I felt a little weird.  My high
school had similar chairs for students waiting to see the principal.  That
reminded me of sitting there back in ninth grade after Chad Hurst sucker
punched me in the kidneys and I had retaliated and beat the snot out of the
bastard.  It wasn't one of my better days in high school.

   We were still sitting there at 7:50 when a buzzer rang.  Three minutes
later another buzzer rang around the school.  The school-wide morning
announcements had started when Dr.  Dowlin came out to greet us.

   "Mr.  Martin, Miss Stepniak, welcome to the Bellefonte Area High
School," Dr.  Dowlin said.  "Come into my office so I can get you oriented
and set to start your career."

   We came around the front counter and followed her back to her private
office at the back of the main office.  A fortyish man stood as we entered
the room.

   "This is Mr.  Vincent Pietrucha, the vice principal for our school,"

   Nicole and I greeted the vice principal.  Dr.  Dowlin briefed us on
expectations and some school procedures before turning us over to Mr. 
Pietrucha.  We followed him back to his office.  He had us take seats in
front of his desk.

   "Officially the two of you are visitors at this high school," Mr. 
Pietrucha said.  "Unofficially we plan to treat the two of you just like
any other member of the school staff while you are here.  One important
exception is that you will need to sign in at the visitor's register in the
morning when you arrive and sign out when you leave."

   "No problem," I said.  "That's fine," Nicole echoed.

   "Both of you have photo ID badges from Penn State, right?" Mr. 
Pietrucha asked.  We nodded yes.  "That's what I understood.  I am giving
you special pre-service teacher badges to wear with your Penn State IDs
instead of visitor's badges.  I do not want to undermine your standing with
the students by calling the two of you `visitors.' You'll do much better
controlling the students wearing a badge marked `teacher.'"

   "Thanks," I said.  "That sounds like a good plan."

   "I remember how unruly students could become with substitute teachers
when I was in high school," Nicole added.

   Mr.  Pietrucha filled us in more on the procedures, policies and the
emergency drill for fires, disasters, intruders and lock down if there were
any problems in the school's vicinity while we were in school.  It was
around 8:30 when he finished his talk.

   "Any questions?" Mr.  Pietrucha asked.  Both off us shook our heads no.
"Good, I had planned to wait until second period to take you to your
classrooms but both Mr.  Henderson and Mr.  Flynn said to bring you up as
soon as you were finished with your orientation.  Let's go."

   Nicole and I followed Mr.  Pietrucha upstairs.  "You know you carry an
extra burden being a football star."

   "I know that," I agreed.

   "Centre County is Steelers football territory," Mr.  Pietrucha
explained. "...but I think our own Nittany Lions are even bigger than the
Steelers.  You're going to run into a lot of students,..." he cleared his
throat, "... faculty and..." chuckling he added, "... and a certain vice
principal who are huge fans of yours.  You are going to learn to deal with
the attention so it doesn't interfere with your teaching duties."

   "I completely understand," I agreed.  "Scott and I talked about that
when we first met." I realized as soon as I called my mentor teacher Scott,
that perhaps that would be considered improper informality by a visitor
with his supervising teacher.  Mr.  Peitrucha didn't react so I relaxed.

   "I've been dealing with being known for the past three years," I
explained.  "It doesn't matter where I go.  Last spring in Florida, back
home in Lancaster County, down in Philadelphia, wherever I go people
recognize me.  I have taught merit badges classes at a Boy Scout camp for
the past five years and I've learned to deal with it."

   "That's good," Mr.  Pietrucha said.  We stopped in front of Room 209. 
"This is your stop Miss Stepniak." I waited in the hall while the vice
principal escorted Nicole into her classroom and introduced her.

   "Mr.  Pietrucha, I'll tell you the same thing I'm going to tell the
students," I said when he joined me in the hallway.  "I don't talk football
during class time.  However, before and after class I'm happy to talk
football."

   "That's the right attitude to take," Mr.  Pietrucha replied.  "If you
deliver it that way to the students, I think you'll get over the
recognition hurdle."

   "It's always worked for me at scout camp," I replied.

   "You said you worked at a scout camp for five summers," Mr.  Pietrucha
asked.  "Do you mind if I ask where?"

   I told him the name of my camp.  He gave me a smile.  "I've heard of it
Kyle.  I spent six years on staff at Seven Mountains Camp when I was in
high school and college and another dozen years after I started teaching. I
worked as a campcraft instructor, director and finally as the program
director for the camp.  How about you?"

   "I started out teaching canoeing and rowing for two years," I replied.
"My third season I became the boatyard director and did that for two
seasons.  Last year I got promoted to pool director."

   Ahh... a water rat," Mr.  Pietrucha teased as we walked down the hall.
"I bet you teased us pasty guys who hid in the woods all day teaching
campcraft."

   "I do," I agreed.  "...especially my best friend who worked the new
scouts program for the past five seasons.  He gets his revenge when I have
to get up at 6:00 am to run polar bear swims."

   "We'll have to get together some time and reminisce about scouting and
our days on camp staff," Mr.  Pietrucha said as we stopped in front of Room
205.  "Here we are.  Are you ready?"

   "Let's do it," I said.  Mr.  Pietrucha knocked at the door and Scott
Henderson waved us inside.  I followed Mr.  Pietrucha into the classroom.
He announced, "Pardon the interruption class.  You will have a student
teacher helping Mr.  Henderson with this class for the next couple months.
I would like to introduce Mr.  Kyle Martin to you."

   I scanned the room of roughly twenty-five to thirty students as the vice
principal talked.  They were a pretty typical group of ninth graders, about
evenly split between boys and girls.  I recognized the surprised look on
the faces of a few boys.  I was recognized.

   "Mr.  Martin attends the Pennsylvania State University and will graduate
next year," Mr.  Pietrucha continued.  "For those of you who are football
fans - yes, your eyes are seeing correctly.  Mr.  Martin does play football
for the Nittany Lions."

   "I hope all of you will greet Mr.  Martin," Scott Henderson said.  "Make
him feel comfortable around us.  Mr.  Martin, do you have anything you
would like to say to introduce yourself?"

   "Thank you, Mr.  Pietrucha and Mr.  Henderson," I began.  "It is a
pleasure to be here with you this semester.  I will keep my remarks brief.
All of you will get to know me better as the term continues.  My football
coaches preach how important it is to get a good education.  I do not wish
to take time away from your studies today to talk about me or about
football.  This is class time.  I will not discuss football during class
time.  I will take a seat in the back and let Mr.  Henderson continue his
lecture this morning.  However, if you have some burning questions about
the Nittany Lions, I will talk with you before or after class - on your
time."

   "Thank you, Mr.  Martin," Scott said.  I headed for the empty worktable
in the back that he had told me would be mine to use as I observed and
worked with his classes.  Scott turned back to his lecture.  Mr.  Pietrucha
saw that I was situated, so he quietly left the classroom.

   C I 495C and Ms.  Hamilton expected me to observe the lecture and
interaction between Scott and his class.  I had three focus areas I was to
observe and document.  First was professional development, second was
learning to teach and the last was developing the understanding and
capabilities of the students.  I would be judged on meeting standards of
expectation in each focus area.  I had to prepare a folio documenting all
of this during the course of the semester.

   Scott was lecturing on the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. 
Grant's administration and the reconstruction of the South after the Civil
War.  It was a good lecture, though simplistic.  I guess that's appropriate
for general knowledge of ninth graders.  I listened and made notes about
how Scott applied the things I was learning in SS ED 411 & 412, C I 412W
and C I 495C into his lessons.

   Four guys made a bee-line for the table I was at when the bell rang to
announce the end of first period.  I answered rapid fire questions for
about three minutes before Scott rescued me by shooing the kids to their
next class.  More students were filing in as the fans left.

   "So, what did you think, Kyle?" Scott asked as students found seats.

   "It was about what I expected," I answered.  "Your style of teaching
reminds me of my tenth grade history teacher."

   "Is that a good thing?" Scott asked.

   "That's a very good thing," I replied.  "He was my inspiration to choose
a career in teaching."

   "That's high praise, Kyle," Scott said before he glanced around the
room. Nearly all of the thirty seats were filled.  "It's back to duty." He
headed to his desk in front.  This period was a study hall, from what he
told me when we talked last week.  Scott called the roll.

   The kids took out text books to do homework or books or magazines to
read.  The group was well behaved, working quietly without Scott needing to
warn anyone.  Obviously he had this study hall group well trained.

   Scott brought the study hall roll back to me along with another piece of
paper.  "How about checking the attendance with the absentee roll for the
day," Scott said.  "Let me know if anyone absent this period is not on the
day's absentee roll."

   "You got it, Mr.  Henderson," I said.  Half a dozen students in the back
were in ear-shot of us.  I wanted to be totally professional in my dealings
with my mentor.  I checked the list carefully.  All the students missing
from class were on the day's absentee list.  I returned the list to Scott.
He gave me his lesson plans for the third and fourth period classes to make
it easy for me to follow what he was doing.

   Ms.  Hamilton, my C I 495C supervisor, stopped by later second period to
check and see that everything was going properly for me and for Scott.  We
assured her that I was off to a good start.

   Scott introduced me to the U.  S.  History I class when third period
began.  I gave them the same speech as the first period class about
discussing football during class time.  I made a few notes as I listened to
Scott's lecture.

   Fourth period was more interesting.  The students were juniors and
seniors studying to pass the AP modern European history exam.  Scott was
working on a unit about the French Revolution for the next week and a half.
Scott was an excellent lecturer.  Unfortunately I had to leave half way
through the class.

   I grabbed a sandwich at the Burger King across the street from the high
school and headed back to campus.  Traffic was light on the way back.  I
had no problem getting to Henderson South Building on time.

   Molly stood to greet me when I met her in our classroom.  "How was your
first day of school?" she asked sweetly after she gave me a kiss on the
cheek.  We hugged and I returned the kiss.

   "It went well," I replied.  "I have a great mentor teacher.  I'm going
to learn a lot from him."

   "That's good," Molly agreed.  The two of us talked quietly until Dr. 
Carter began her lecture.  Molly gave me a hug and a kiss again at the end
of class.  The two of us might not be a couple yet, but Molly certainly was
affectionate to me.

   Coach Caffrey caught up with me after my history class.  He found me in
the film room.

   "How did your first day of class go, Kyle?" Coach asked.

   "It went real well," I answered.

   "That's good to hear," Coach replied.  "That offer you made on
Saturday... is it still good?  Jonathan has been driving me crazy to let
him tour the Lasch Building on Saturday and meet some more of the players
on the team."

   "Absolutely, Coach," I said.  "Bring him over a little before nine
o'clock.  I will give him the personal tour while we visit with the
Make-A-Wish kids."

   I appreciate that, Kyle," Coach Caffrey said.  "Jonathan is going to
just love this."

   "No problem, Coach," I said.  I turned back to studying video from our
game against Minnesota last season.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Dave McCall assembled the Thon committee for our final meeting Wednesday
evening.  The meeting was quick.  Christian reported on his arrangements
for the support teams during the weekend.  Christian scheduled Molly and me
for the 11:00 pm to 2:00 am Friday night session.  I wasn't on duty again
until the final shift Sunday afternoon - 2:00 pm until the end of Thon. 
Troy and Ian Davis volunteered to work as a support team.  They would work
with us Friday night.  Christian reserved the other final Sunday afternoon
support slot for Dave McCall and his girlfriend Grace Smith, since Dave had
chaired our effort.  He earned the prime slot at the end.

   Dave announced that the Thon committee had asked the football team to
lead a couple dances on stage Saturday afternoon between 3:30 and 3:45 pm.
We would be on immediately before Coach Paterno and Coach Burton worked the
crowd to get everyone excited.

   Andrew and Chip planned to go out Thursday night after dinner to
purchase everything we needed for the support teams.  I reviewed the
arrangements for the Make-A-Wish tour Saturday morning.  Chip reported that
Coach Adam's son Jacob heard about Jonathan Caffrey coming to tour the
building and begged his dad to join the visit too.  Chip had agreed to look
after Jacob for the morning.

   After the meeting was over I stopped to talk with Dave McCall.

   "Thanks for all your help getting this thing organized," Dave said.  "I
could not have done all of this without you."

   "You're giving me too much credit," I answered.  "You did all the work.
All I had to do was give you advice about what worked for me last year. 
You set the record for money raised by the team for Thon yourself."

   "Still, thanks for the help," Dave replied.

   "It's for a good cause," I said.  "Make sure you give the same help to
next year's chairman."

   "Any idea who that will be?" Dave asked.

   "I don't know," I said.  "Maybe Marco, Jon or Brian?  They all did well
raising money."

   "Who decides that?" Dave asked.

   "The team captains will decide it when we have captains," I said.

   "So... you're going to pick Marco, Jon or Brian?" Dave teased.

   "I don't know that I'll be selected to be a team captain," I protested.

   Dave gave me a look like I was a complete doofus.  "Coach, you're going
to be one of the team captains," Dave declared.  "I'm not sure who else
will be a captain but I KNOW you are going to be one."

   "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but we'll see," I said.  "On a
completely different topic, Molly Reed and I are planning to take our ski
weekend next weekend.  Do you and Grace want to join us?  It was a blast
last year doing it with two couples.  Molly and I can change weekends if
you have another weekend that would be better."

   "No thanks, Coach.  Grace and I aren't much for skiing," Dave explained.
"Aaron has agreed to help us with some of the costs of our Florida Keys
trip at spring break instead."

   "That's cool," I said.  "You'll have fun down there in the sun, I'm
sure. Can you give Aaron a call and let him know about what Molly and I are
planning?"

   "You know Aaron better than me," Dave said.  "Why don't you give him a
call directly and make the arrangements with him.  He knows you won the
prize."

   "OK, I'll do that, Dave," I said.  Dave headed back to the dorms.  I had
time to think as I walked back to my apartment.  Dave had been an
outstanding choice to run Thon this year for our team.  Dave was sure I
would become a team captain next season.  I had no doubt the year after
that who the captains would be - Chip Brinton and Dave McCall.  My class
would be leaving our team in good hands when we graduated fifteen months
from now.

   I called Molly when I got back to the apartment and let her know about
our time for Thon support.  Molly decided to take up my offer to stay over
at my apartment for the weekend and use it as her base of operations during
the Thon.  She would meet me at my apartment after my history class on
Friday.  I would drive her over to her apartment to pick up her overnight
bag and bring it back.  The two of us would meet about half the Thon
committee at Andrew Perkins' apartment and help him take our supplies over
for the Thon.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Scott Henderson had me take roll at home room and at each class on
Friday morning.  At first period one of the more outspoken kids tried to
pull a prank on me.  I announced "Austin Crissman" and Zachary Schiff
answered "Yo" to my call.

   I gave Zachary "The Glare" I had learned from Mom.  Three or four
seconds of staring got my point across.  Zachary lowered his head and said,
"Sorry, Mr.  Martin.  I was just goofing around."

   "Don't let it happen again, Mr.  Schiff," I pronounced.  "I may not know
everyone's name but I do know yours.  Is Austin Crissman here?"

   One of the other students answered.  "He wasn't in homeroom.  I think
he's absent today."

   "Thank you," I said.  I finished up with the roll without further
trouble.  I detected a slight smile on Scott's face when I handed him the
attendance book before heading to my table in back.  Scott went ahead with
the day's lecture when I sat down.

   Scott had to monitor study halls on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
during second period.  Second period Tuesdays and Fridays were his prep
periods.  This day was the first time he and I were able to go over the
lesson plans.

   Scott gave me two assignments while we worked on next week's lesson
plans.  He planned to do a quiz next Friday in U.  S.  History I.  I was to
prepare the first draft of the quiz and turn it into him on Monday.  The
second task was a longer term project.  When Scott finished the Civil War
Reconstruction unit next Wednesday, he was moving on to the nation's
westward expansion.  After that the lectures would be about America's
imperial expansion out of the continent at the beginning of the twentieth
century.  I was to prepare the bulletin boards in the room to reflect the
lecture theme.  Scott warned me that my first lecture would probably be on
that theme too.

   When we finished with the lesson plans Scott commented, "You handled
Zach Schiff nicely last period."

   "I was lucky," I replied.  "I only know half of the kids' names.  I was
fortunate to know his name."

   "True," Scott agreed.  "I liked the way you used a stare to settle him
down.  You let him know you were in charge without embarrassing him.  Zach
is an opinion molder for his classmates.  Establishing your authority with
him will go a long way towards getting the other students to respect your
authority too." He chuckled.  "Of course, we'll have to see how you fare
the day before a snowstorm... or the day before Easter break.  You haven't
learned to handle those kinds of things at your scout camp."

   "No I haven't," I agreed."... of course you've never had to deal with a
class of scouts on a Friday afternoon when they are finished with all their
merit badges and know they are going home tomorrow morning.  They can get
pretty wound up then."

   "Touché," Scott said.  "I guess we'll see how you handle the other
situations in a little while."

   "I guess," I agreed.

   "Are you involved in Thon this weekend?" Scott asked.

   "Extremely involved," I replied.  "I raised $26,000 for Thon, am leading
the tour of the Lasch Football Building for the Make-A-Wish kids tomorrow
morning, and I'm doing two support shifts to help the football team's two
dance couples."

   "That's involved," Scott said.  "I wish Millersville had something like
this.  It's great to have 25,000 students turn out to raise money for
cancer research."

   "It is fantastic," I agreed.  "I'm glad I was asked to get involved in
Thon when I was a freshman.  It is so rewarding."

   The third period ninth graders did not try any nonsense with me when I
called roll for Scott.  The fourth period class was well behaved too.  I
left school quietly in the middle of the fourth period so I could get back
to campus for my classes.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Molly greeted me with a hug and a kiss when we met at Room 209 in
Henderson South.  We talked about our plans for this weekend and for our
ski trip next weekend.  Aaron had made all the arrangements for us after I
talked with him Wednesday night.  Molly and I parted after Adolescent
Development with exchanges of hugs and kisses.

   Cameron Miller was totally psyched about Thon when I talked with him
before History 444.  We compared notes about our support shifts.  He was
working three shifts for Omega Chi and their sister sorority.  None matched
up with the times Molly and I would be working.

   Molly met me at my apartment at 2:30.  I drove her across town to her
apartment for her overnight bag.  We were lucky to find a parking space
near my apartment.  Parking at this end of campus was going to be at a
premium thanks to the thousands of people heading for the Bryce Jordan
Center this weekend.

   Molly and I helped Andrew and the others load up his car with the
supplies for the weekend.  Andrew and his girlfriend Amanda Barnes drove
over to the center.  The rest of us walked.  Ironically, we got to the
front door before Andrew could fight his way through the traffic jam around
the Jordan Center.

   The Thon committee had up our number of floor passes to ten since we had
a second dance couple to support.  We moved everything inside to our
support area along the edge of the court.  Andrew drove back to the
apartments to pick up Trevor, Steph, Tyler and Kayla.  They had been
cat-napping until it was time for them to take the floor.

   The guys wore their blue jerseys.  The girls wore blue practice jerseys
we loaned them.  There was no question which color our team was, blue, or
that we represented the football team for the Thon.  Matt Frye and his
girlfriend and GJ DeLuca and his date were the first two support teams for
the Thon.  Dave McCall, Grace Smith, Christian, Bev, Molly and I used the
other floor passes to finish setting up before the Thon's 6:00 pm start.

   The outside doors opened to the public at 4:00 pm.  The Bryce Jordan
Center (BJC) filled rapidly as supporters came in to cheer the efforts of
the 708 dancers.

   During a pause in the preparations, Trevor looked me square in the eye,
pointed at me and declared, "Next year you are dancing for the Thon.  NO
excuses will be accepted."

   "We'll see," I replied.  "I will be student teaching next spring.  I
will be doing that in Philly or in Pittsburgh.  That is the only place I
can student teach social studies and history."

   "You're dancing even if I have to personally drive you back to wherever
you are living on Sunday night.  After sticking me with dancing this year,
I guarantee that you WILL dance next year."

   "We'll talk about next year later," I said.  "Go get `em Trev.  Knock
their socks off Steph."

   Molly and I wished Tyler and Kayla luck too before they took the dance
floor.  My friends and I cheered as our friends raced out though the human
tunnel onto the dance floor.  The ten of us on the floor encouraged our
dancers to stretch and get themselves prepared for their long weekend.  The
pre-Thon opening featured Charles Mallard, the founder of the Four Diamonds
Fund, and his daughter.  Mr.  Mallard delivered the opening remarks.

   A student glee club sang a few songs, mostly TV theme songs we all knew,
and then the organizer showed the "Welcome to Thon" video.  When it was
over, this year's Thon chairman announced, "Remember this is for the kids!
Dancers, on your feet.  It's time to DANCE!"

   The DJ cranked up the music and this year's Thon was officially under
way.  Molly and I stayed around enjoying the upbeat, buoyant mood of the
big crowd until after the line dance.  Surprisingly, one of the highlights
was University President Graham Spanier playing with his band Family Brew.
The old guys could play.

   The morale captains taught the crowd this year's line dance around eight
o'clock.  The whole crowd, dancers on the floor and the fans in the seats
all danced together.  It was awesome.

   Molly and I wished Tyler, Kayla, Trevor and Steph good luck when they
came over for their quick break at eight o'clock.  Molly and I walked
downtown for a late dinner.  I suggested Beulah's Barbecue.  She hadn't
eaten there before but was willing to give it a try.  I had a rack of baby
back ribs, my usual order when I ate there.  Molly tried a pulled pork
sandwich, which she enjoyed.

   We headed back to the BJC after dinner.  We hung out and enjoyed the
good time until we were officially on duty at 11:00 pm.  During one of the
color war challenges, they asked each organization to provide ten people.
We were formed in a circle, holding hands.  An organizer placed a hula hoop
around the arm of one of the members of the group.  We had to pass the hoop
around the circle without letting go of each other's hands.  Unfortunately
for us, Mike Pollard was on duty from 8:00 pm to 11:00pm.  We lost badly to
the other organizations.  Can you imagine trying to fit 337 pound Mike
through a hula hoop?

   The Jordan Center was nearly full through our three hours on duty.  The
energy level was high.  Trevor, Steph, Tyler and Kayla were feeling pumped
from all the enthusiasm and support in the Center.

   Molly and I headed back to my apartment when Amir Lee, his girlfriend,
Bob Huber and his girlfriend relieved us at 2:00 am.  Molly and I went
straight to bed when we got back to my apartment.  We were too tired for
night-time games.

   I got up quietly around a quarter to eight on Saturday morning.  I let
Molly sleep.  I showered, grabbed some breakfast and headed for the Lasch
Building.  My guides were arriving when I got there.  All of us were
dressed in gray sweatpants and our blue game jerseys, so we would look the
part of football players.

   Coach Caffrey brought his son Jonathan around about ten minutes before
nine o'clock.  Jonathan was wearing a blue Penn State jersey with my number
87 on it.  Coach asked his son, "You have your cell phone, right?" Jonathan
nodded his head yes.  "Call me when the tour is over.  I'll come pick you
up."

   "You got it, Dad," Jonathan replied.  "I'll listen to what Kyle tells
me, just like you said."

   "Have fun this morning, son," Coach said.  "Thanks for looking after
Jonathan while he's visiting Kyle."

   "No problem, Coach," I replied.  Coach Caffrey headed outside again to
go home.  I looked Jonathan over.  "I like your jersy Jonathan."

   "It's a Christmas present," he explained.  He gave me a wink.  "I
outgrew the old number 6 jersey I got when I was eight."

   "I don't need to guess where that came from," I teased.

   "Yeah, Zack Hayes got it for me," Jonathan admitted.  I started
introducing Jonathan to the other team members present in the lobby.

   Brendan Hayden commented, "Hey guys, Coach has a mini-me." Jonathan
blushed at the teasing.  I didn't.  It wasn't a bad analogy.  I towered
over Jonathan by fourteen or fifteen inches.

   Claire and Chip showed up outside the Lasch Building shortly after Coach
Caffrey left.  He and Claire had done the 5:00 am to 8:00 am shift over at
the BJC.  Claire gave Chip what looked like a fairly toe curling kiss
before she headed back towards the center of campus.  They hadn't
officially announced anything, but the two of them spent every free minute
together in the past week.  I had no doubt, Chip had himself a serious
girlfriend.

   Chip came inside and joined us.  Coach Adams brought his son by soon
after Chip arrived.  Jacob was dressed in a blue Penn State game jersey
too, also sporting my number 87.  My teammates broke up when they saw
Jacob.

   "Triplets!" Josh Bruno teased.  Coach Adams got a laugh from the three
of us.  We had to pose together for a picture after he picked up a camera
from his office.  We were quite a sight.  I towered fourteen or fifteen
inches over Jonathan and Jonathan was about eight inches taller than Jacob.

   Mr.  Kemp arrived with the bus load of Make-A-Wish parents and kids a
couple minutes after nine.  Mr.  Kemp and I sorted out the families with
their guides.  Since we had extra football players, I didn't take any of
the families myself.  I acted as the coordinator and lead guide for the
group.  Jacob and Jonathan stuck with me.

   We took them through the meeting rooms, film rooms, auditorium and then
on to the weight room.  The kids fooled around on the machines a bit, with
our assistance.  We headed for the locker room next.  The kids tried on our
pads and helmets.  The parents took lots of photos.  Every family got a
chance to visit Coach Burton's office and sit behind his desk.  That visit
was very popular.

   Jonathan and Jacob stuck with me.  I gave them the same tour and
opportunities to try things out that the Make-A-Wish kids had.  Both kids
were fanatic Penn State fans and nuts about statistics.  The fourth grader
and sixth grader hit it off.

   The group wrapped up the tour around 11:30 am.  I gathered everyone and
announced, "The athletic department has set up a snack of cookies, ice
cream and juice in the player's lounge.  You better hurry.  When you let
food set out around football players, it tends to disappear... quickly."
That drew a polite laugh from the crowd.  "When you get back to the Bryce
Jordan Center you will find that the athletic department has set up a game
room for all the kids.  The football team, along with members of other Penn
State sports teams, will be manning the games.  Come by and have some fun
with us this afternoon."

   The crowd headed for the snacks at the player's lounge.  Jacob and
Jonathan followed along with me.  "Dad's talked about how much fun the Thon
is," Jacob commented politely.  "Would you be willing to take me over to
see it for a little?  The game room sounds like fun."

   "Yeah, that sounds cool, Kyle.  Could you take us?" Jonathan added. 
"Are you going over to the Jordan Center when you're done here?"

   "I am," I replied.  "...after I have lunch with Molly."

   "Can you take us?" Jonathan asked.

   "Please, can you?" Jacob begged.  "Pllleeeeaaseee?  It would be so fun."

   "I will if it's OK with your parents," I answered.  "Do you guys have
phones to call home?" Jacob shook his head no.

   "I got a cell phone for my birthday last month," Jonathan said proudly.

   "You call your mom or dad, Jonathan," I said.  "Jacob, you can use my
cell phone to call home.  When you get your mom or dad on the line, I need
to talk with them too if they say it's OK for you to stay with me in the
afternoon."

   Both kids nodded in understanding.  They made their calls home.  Mrs. 
Adams and Coach Caffrey gave their sons permission to stay with me at the
Thon for a few hours in the afternoon.  When Jacob was done with my phone I
took it back.

   "I'll call Molly and warn her we're having guests for lunch today," I
said.

   "Is Molly your girlfriend?" Jonathan asked.

   "Molly is not exactly my girlfriend," I replied.  "Somewhere between my
date and partner for the weekend." I explained how the team assigned
couples to support our dance teams.  Jacob readily accepted my explanation.
Jonathan didn't question me but I could see I had confused him.  Little did
the young man know just how complicated boy-girl relationships could get.

   We took the end of the line at the snack table.  The boys grabbed their
share of cookies and ice cream.  I called Molly while we were in line and
warned that we would have lunch guests.  She had slept in that morning and
was doing some reading for one of her courses while she waited for me to
return from my tour.

   I gave Molly a call when we left the Lasch Building to warn her to start
the soup.  The boys went along with me to the Mix so I could pick up bread,
cheese and crackers for our lunch.  I made grilled cheese sandwiches for
the four of us.  The boys chowed down on the sandwiches.

   The four of us walked back to the BJC.  Molly looked after Jacob and
Jonathan for a few minutes while I went down to the floor to check how
everything was going.  Max Rosen, his girlfriend, Bruce MacCauley and his
friend Brooke Dillard were on duty when I stopped by.  They reported that
Tyler, Kayla, Trevor and Stephanie were holding up OK so far.

   Molly, the boys and I enjoyed the music and action from the football
team's section of the arena.  We were in time for another of the color
challenges - rock, paper, scissors.  We watched and cheered as a sea of
teens in yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, pink and white shirts cheered
for their paladins.  Our section of forty to fifty football players,
girlfriends and other team supporters cheered wildly when navy blue won the
contest.

   Jacob asked if we could stop by the game room to see what was going on.
Jonathan gave his enthusiastic agreement.  Molly and I took Jacob and
Jonathan down to the game room.  There was a good crowd of Four Diamonds
kids playing when we arrived.  Various Penn State teams had set up about
twenty games around the big room.

   I spotted Chip's close friend Austin Dilworth defending a miniature
sized soccer goal against the shots of a couple small kids.  Jacob and
Jonathan took some shots on goal before moving on to try some other games.

   The women's volleyball team was loaning squirt guns to any and all who
wanted in on the wet fun.  Kids ran around the game room shooting each
other, generally having a blast.  I ignored them until someone snuck up on
me and blasted me in the back, neck and head.

   I wheeled around, expecting to find one of my teammates.  Instead I
found a tall kid around fifteen years old sporting the biggest grin
imaginable.  "Gotcha Kyle," he teased.

   "Tyler!" I crowed.  "It's good to see you." I gave him a hearty
handshake.  "It's damn good to see you!" Tyler Lyons was one of the
Make-A-Wish kids I hosted last year.  He had grown three of four inches
since a year ago.  I remembered his hair having been short and thin.  Now
it was full, long and bushy.  My young friend had put on weight.

   "I hoped I would get to see you again, Kyle," Tyler replied.

   "How are you doing?" I asked.

   "Good... real good," Tyler answered.  "The doctors declared me cancer
free last month.  I'm doing really well." He gave me another huge grin. 
"They even let me play football this fall."

   "Excellent, Tyler," I said.  "I'm glad to hear that.  What position did
you play?"

   "I played d-back and a little wide receiver," Tyler answered.  "Of
course I played on JV not varsity."

   "That is excellent news that you could play football," I said.  "I'm
delighted to hear you are doing so well."

   I introduced Tyler to Molly, Jacob and Jonathan.  I filled them in on
Tyler's background.  We talked for a few minutes before the kids got
anxious to try some other games.  Tyler headed off to do battle with some
of the other kids armed with squirt guns.

   I herded my charges over to the volleyball team.  I had one more thing
for Tyler.  If he was well now it was time to treat him like any other kid.
I wanted him to answer for his soaking me.  Molly, Jacob, Jonathan and I
borrowed weapons from the volleyball team and went to stalk our prey.  I
whispered my plan to my confederates.

   We stalked Tyler, locating him at the other end of the room.  When
Molly, Jacob and Jonathan were in position, I called out, "Hey, Lyons! 
There's one more thing."

   Molly and I fired simultaneously as Tyler turned to face us, hitting him
in the face and chest.  To my shock, Jacob and Jonathan turned and shot
Molly and me as I soaked Tyler.

   "Kids stick together!" Jonathan yelled.  "Soak the grown-ups!" The other
kids took up the challenge and the melee was on.  We college students were
outnumbered but we held our own in the next couple minutes.  Everyone was
soaked and laughing when the last squirt gun ran out of water.  The ladies
from the volleyball team handed out towels to everyone who wanted one.

   After we dried off, Molly and I let Jacob and Jonathan enjoy some more
of the games.  My cell phone rang.

   "Hey Coach, where in the hell are you?" the voice demanded.  I
recognized that is was Shawn Byrd.

   "What?" I asked.  "I'm in the game room with kids."

   "We are practicing our dance routine over here at the player's lounge.,"
Shawn said.  "You're supposed to be over here now."

   "It's not 2:30 yet," I said.  I glanced down at my watch.  Shit!  It was
2:40.  "I lost track of time, Shawn.  I'll get over immediately."

   "Good, Coach," Shawn replied.  "We're over here waiting for you."

   "Hey Molly, grab Jacob," I said.  "I'll get Jonathan.  I have to run
over to the Lasch Building for an hour."

   "I can look after the boys," Molly offered.  "They're good kids and this
has been fun."

   "They need to come with me," I said.  "Their parents don't know you. 
They are expecting me to look after their sons."

   "OK, Kyle, I'll hang out here with our friends," Molly said.  "Give me a
call when you get back to the BJC."

   "You won't have any problem knowing when I'm back," I replied.  "I'll be
on the stage dancing when I get back."

   "That will be fun to watch," Molly said.  She gave me a kiss on the
cheek.  "I can't wait to see you on stage."

   Molly and I rounded up the two kids.  They protested but I insisted they
had to stay with me or they could call home so their mom or dad could come
pick them up from the Lasch Building.  Jacob and Jonathan decided that
hanging out with the team at the Lasch Building while we rehearsed our
dance routine sounded better than going home.

   The group of around twenty players was wrapping up its first run through
of our dance routine.  Shawn Byrd was coordinating our on-stage efforts. 
He chose the theme from the old movie "Remembering the Titans." We ran
through it a couple more times.  We were starting to get the hang of the
moves.

   Brendan Hayden commented after the second run through.  "We should have
the triplets up front."

   "What do you mean?" Shawn asked.

   "Put Coach and the coaches' kids up front," Brendan answered.  "It'll
look cool."

   I looked over at the boys.  Jacob was smiling.  "I could do that," he
said.  "It would be fun."

   "No!  No way....  No I can't that," Jonathan added.  "People would see
me.  It would be too embarrassing."

   "You could do it," Brian Henson said.  Half a dozen other players
seconded Brian's sentiments.  It took us a good five minutes to convince
Jonathan that he should give it a try.

   We did the routine three more times before we ran out of time.  In spite
of Jonathan's reluctance, he turned out to be a good dancer.  The guys
tried to put Jacob, Jonathan and me at the front of our group but I
insisted that Shawn had to be up front.  It wasn't bashfulness on my part.
I needed to watch Shawn for cues for the next move.  I'm not musically
gifted.  With a little prompting I didn't do too bad.

   Everyone bundled up and walked back to the BJC.  We got inside about ten
minutes before we were scheduled to take the stage.  The soccer team was on
stage when we got set up in the wing.  Chip teased Austin as the soccer
players left the stage and the crowd cheered their performance.

   Jonathan's eyes got big while the MC introduced us.  "I can't so this,
Kyle," he insisted.  "It's too many people.  They are going to laugh at
me."

   "You'll be fine, Jon," Jacob said.  "This is going to be fun!  You'll
see."

   "Everybody here is acting goofy and dressing funny," I added.  "Nobody
will even remember you were on stage tomorrow.  Do it and have some fun. 
That's all it will be, Jon."

   "You sure?" Jonathan asked as Jacob and I pushed him on stage with the
rest of our crowd.  The arena broke into cheers and applause as we took our
spots miming the Titans football player's warm-up routine.  Shawn's choice
of a medley of Motown hits was inspired.  Our dancing may have been a
little ragged but the tunes took the crowd along with us.

   Jacob Adams was a born ham, getting into the music and doing a good job
following Shawn's lead.  Jon got into it too when he heard the applause
from the huge crowd packing the arena.

   The Nittany Lion joined our formation of dancers for the last song. 
Jared Gray, our backup kicker, did a back flip to finish the performance.
The Lion high fived everyone in reach, including Jacob and Jonathan.  We
hurried offstage for the next performer - Coach Burton.

   "I'm glad you convinced me to go out there, Kyle," Jonathan said when we
were offstage.  "That was fun.  I'm just glad no one from home or school
could see me.  I'd be embarrassed if they did."

   "Why?" I asked.  "Remember the motto around here - FTK - `For the Kids.'
We're here to entertain the families and to raise some money to help them
when times get tough for them."

   "You're right, Kyle," Jonathan agreed.  "This day has been amazing. 
I've never been a part of anything like this."

   "It is pretty special," I agreed.  I was slightly surprised to see Coach
Caffrey and Coach Adams waiting in the wings.

   "I thought it was time to rescue you from babysitting duty," Coach Adams
said.

   "I hope the boys weren't any trouble," Coach Caffrey added.

   "They were no problem at all," I replied.  "It has been fun."

   "I wish Beth could have seen her son dancing on stage," Coach said. 
"She would have enjoyed that."

   My coaches and their sons thanked me for letting them tour the football
building and spend time at the Thon.  Molly met up with us in time to say
good bye to the boys too.  The assistant coaches and their sons waited
through Coach Burton's talk and then through Coach Paterno's speech before
heading home.  As always, Coach Paterno had just the right words to
energize the crowd.

   Molly and I grabbed dinner downtown before we headed back to the BJC. 
The leaders on the team were taking turns supervising the support teams to
make sure everything went smoothly for Tyler, Kayla, Trevor and Stephanie.
Molly and I covered things from seven o'clock to eleven o'clock.

   Our two dance teams were flagging a little as they worked to stay awake
after they passed the twenty-four hour mark.  Dave McCall came up with a
brilliant idea to raise their morale.  Somewhere he came up with four
costumes - a moose, a squirrel, a Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. 
Mahmoud Greene wore the moose costume.  Of course Bruce MacCauley was cast
as the squirrel.  Tanner Riggs played Boris.  He used face paint to darken
and embellish his thin moustache to look like the short Pottsylvania
cartoon character.  The best was Shawn's casting for Natasha.  Brian Henson
had a complete make up job, heavy red lipstick, a long black wig,
shockingly large bosoms and a too tight, too short red dress.

   The foursome brightened our dance couples spirits, along with everyone
anywhere near the troupe.  Christian and Bev showed up at eleven to relieve
Molly and me.  The two of us escorted the morale troupe back to campus when
we headed back to my apartment.  Even though it had been a long day, Molly
and I had energy enough to share our bodies with each other before we went
to sleep.

   We took advantage of our late afternoon shift to get a good night's
sleep.  We grabbed a leisurely brunch downtown at the Waffle Shop before
heading back to the BJC.  We hung out in the football section of the arena
for an hour until it was time for us to take our final shift supporting our
dancers.

   Dave McCall, Grace Smith, Molly and I took our positions just before
2:00pm and our dancers' next to last break.  Trevor and Steph staggered
over to us when it was time for their break.

   "God!" Trevor declared.  "I am dead on my feet.  I'm glad I'm doing this
but I'm also glad it's almost over."

   "You have a little longer," I replied.  "You guys are doing great." One
of the rules at Thon was you never, NEVER discussed the time with the
dancers.  Our dancers knew after 44 hours that the end had to be close. 
The arena was filling again as the finale approached.

   Orange came out on top in the weekend's color wars.  Our navy blue
placed fourth.  The music played on as the MC and performers on stage urged
the dancers to hold on a bit longer.

   At three o'clock the Four Diamonds family hour began.  Families and
students shared their stories of their experiences with cancer and how the
Four Diamonds Fund had helped them in their times of trial.  Charles
Millard, the founder and head of the Four Diamonds Fund talked about his
experience with his late son Chris.  A slide show of the Thon kids with
cancer that did not make it was shown after the Mr.  Millard finished
speaking.  We sang "Angels Among Us" as the slides flashed on the big
screen above the stage.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

   As the minutes ticked down to 4:00 pm, the MC began thanking Thon
organizers.  Everyone cheered the efforts of these dedicated students who
gave so much this past year.  Zeta Tau Alpha & Alpha Tau Omega were the top
fraternity/sorority for the year's Thon.  They raised $308,804.12.  In
second place among the Greeks were Alpha Sigma Alpha & Lambda Chi Alpha
with $200,414.76.

   Dave and I were slightly disappointed to find that the Atlas House of
Atherton Hall had beaten us as the top independent organization with
$266,128.33.  Our Nittany Lions Football Team's $165,125.00 put us in
second place for independents.  Dave and I agreed, we had to beat Atlas
house next year.

   A couple minutes before four o'clock, the MC revealed the year's total,
digit by digit, starting with the cents.  A huge cheer rocked the arena
when the "4" digit came up for the $100,000 digit.  Everyone knew we had
raised considerably more than 7.4 million this year.  The final digit was
revealed as 25,000 people in the arena cheered and congratulated each
other. The year's total - $8,472,374.22 - a new record.

   Dave and Grace helped Tyler and Kayla to their seats.  Molly and I
helped Trevor and Steph sit down.  Andrew Perkins and Jibril Sloan brought
cars around to help our dancers get back to their apartments.  Andrew had
room for Molly and me to squeeze in when we drove Trevor and Steph back to
our apartment.  We helped them shower and then go straight to bed.  Steph
decided to stay in our apartment for the night.  I dropped Molly off after
they were asleep before stopping at Steph's apartment to pick up an
overnight bag her roommate assembled for her.

   It had been a hell of a weekend.  Thon was an amazing performance by a
totally student run organization.  I was proud to have a small part in its
success.

   Chapter 58

   ==========

   Trevor and Stephanie were still asleep when I left for school Monday
morning.  I bumped into Andrew Perkins and a semi-awake, very worn out
Tyler Madden on the way to the parking garage.  Andrew was driving Tyler
and himself to the airport to catch their flight to Indianapolis for the
NFL Combine.  Half a dozen other seniors hoped to get an invite but didn't.
Their only shot at impressing NFL scouts would come later in March when our
team held our Pro day.

   I wished Andrew and Tyler good luck before I headed north to Bellefonte.
I had time as I drove north to think about just how fast college was flying
by.  Presumably a year from now I would be flying out to the combine.  I
needed to squeeze everything I could out of my last year with the team.

   My responsibilities in Scott Henderson's class were limited to taking
attendance and observing Scott teach.  During the second period I presented
my idea for the 1890's to 1910 bulletin board to Scott.  He liked my ideas
and told me to go ahead assembling the pictures and artwork I needed.  Ms.
Hamilton checked in with me Monday third period.  I showed her my work. 
She approved it with a few minor corrections.

   Coach Caffrey bumped into me in the hallway when I was heading for the
weight room to train Tuesday afternoon.

   "Jonathan got a rude shock at school yesterday," Coach Caffrey said.

   "Oh, what was that?" I asked.

   "That dance routine you guys did on Saturday..." Coach said as he
chuckled.  "....somebody recorded it and posted it on You-Tube.  His
classmates teased him pretty unmercifully."

   "Remind Jonathan about FTK..." I said.  "For the kids.  He should look
the guys teasing him in the eye, tell them he was helping raise $8.4
million dollars for kids with cancer and that it was a good thing to do."

   "Pretty much what I told him, Kyle," Coach said.  "Thanks for taking my
son around here and getting him involved in such a great cause.  Seeing
that arena full of students working for kids with cancer made a big
impression on him."

   "That's good," I replied.  "I know getting involved in it made a big
impression on me when I was a freshman.  It's a good thing to give back to
the kids and their families.

   Justin Baer called me Tuesday evening.  "Hey dude, are you planning to
go skiing with the Venturer crew next weekend?" Justin asked.  "You haven't
missed a ski weekend since you joined Venturers when you turned fourteen."

   "I'd like to go with you guys but I can't," I said.  "I won a ski
weekend at Shawnee.  My girlfriend and I are going there this coming
weekend."

   "I've skied Camelback and Shawnee," Justin replied.  "I think the skiing
is better at Camelback.  More trails... more variety... you guys should
join us.  We have room in the cabin."

   "We have our own private cottage at Fernwood for the weekend," I
explained, chuckling.  "Where do you think I rather spend a weekend with my
girl - at our own private cottage or to share a cabin with a bunch of noisy
scouts?"

   "Touché," Justin agreed.  "I'd pick a private cottage with Sherry too,
if I had that choice.  Did you buy your lift tickets yet?  Shawnee and
Camelback are only twenty minutes from each other.  You could stay in your
cottage and drive over and ski with us on Saturday."

   "Hmmm... you're right," I agreed.  "Camelback does have more trails. 
I'll talk with my date and see if she cares which ski area we go to."

   "That's cool, dude," Justin said.  "As busy as our schedules have
gotten, we don't get enough time to visit anymore."

   "That's too true," I agreed.  "I'll talk to Molly and see if she's
interested in skiing with you and Sherry on Saturday.  I'll call you back
if we can join you."

   "Cool, dude!" Justin said.  "I'll talk to you later."

   I gave Molly a call after I finished talking with Justin.  She had skied
both areas before and preferred Camelback over Shawnee.  I called Justin
back and confirmed that we would catch up with him and Sherry sometime
Saturday morning.

   -------------------------------------------------------

   I went over to Molly's apartment to study Thursday night after my C I
412W Secondary Teaching course.  We had a mid-term in Adolescent
Development Friday after lunch.  We studied a couple hours.  Both of us
felt confident we were prepared.  I went back to my apartment and packed
for my ski weekend.  I left my car in the parking lot nearest to my
apartment even though I didn't have the proper sticker for the lot.  The
campus police wouldn't ticket my car between eleven o'clock and seven am
when I would leave for school.

   Scott Henderson announced to each class on Friday morning that they
would have a term paper due in three weeks.  The students could work in
groups of one, two or three people.  They had to have their groups
organized and have a topic for Scott and me to approve on Monday.  Thursday
and Friday's classes would be at the library to give them a head start on
their research.

   I knew why Scott scheduled the term papers when he did.  One of my
requirements for C I 495C was to start teaching small groups of students
instead of a whole class.  The way the term papers were to be done was
perfect for what I needed for my class.  Scott and I would be monitoring
and assisting the small groups of students throughout the week as they
started on their papers.

   The Adolescent Development midterm wasn't too bad.  I was certain I had
aced it.  Molly felt good about her performance too.  She gave me a hug and
a kiss before I headed to my History 444 class.

   Molly met me at my apartment when I finished history.  I dropped off my
books and the two of us headed over to Molly's apartment to pick up her
overnight bag.  Molly wasn't as prepared as I would have liked.  She took
about fifteen minutes to get everything together.  She packed more than I
expected for a two night weekend.  I managed to squeeze everything into my
Golf.  We were on the road heading north for I-80 around 3:15 in the
afternoon.

   Molly and I pulled into the Fernwood Resort complex around 6:20.  By the
time we got settled in our room and headed down to the restaurant part of
the complex, it was almost 7:30 pm.  We were famished.  We stopped in at
the Trolley Stop Pub and ordered their steak dinners.  It was much too late
to get in any skiing on Friday night after we finished eating.  Molly and I
headed back to our cottage.

   We took advantage of the romantic setting in front of our fireplace to
talk, cuddle and then make out.  Molly and I went to bed early but didn't
get to sleep until we had shared ourselves twice.

   Fernwood's front desk woke us at 6:30 in the morning, as I requested. 
It was too damn early, but Molly and I dragged ourselves out of bed,
showered, dressed and headed out.  We grabbed breakfast sandwiches and
muffins at the Fernwood Café.  I gave Justin Baer a call as we drove around
East Stroudsburg to get to the Camelback Ski area.

   Justin said the Venturer crew was in the parking lot already at the ski
area.  Justin predicted that he and his brother Joe should have the group
through the rental area and heading for the slopes by the time we arrived.
I was to give Justin another call when we arrived and were ready to ski.

   Half an hour after we left Fernwood, we pulled into the ski area.  Molly
and I suited up, put on our ski boots, grabbed our skis and headed for the
lodge.  I called Justin while I waited in line to buy our lift tickets. 
Justin asked Molly and me to meet him, Sherry, Joe and Barb at the Sullivan
Express quad lift.

   I introduced Molly to my friends.  They greeted Molly warmly.  We hopped
aboard the lift and headed up to the top of the mountain.  Conditions were
decent.  Camelback had made snow and had the slopes well groomed.  All the
slopes had plenty of snow on them.

   We ran into my sister and some of her friends at the top of the mountain
on our third run.  Liz introduced me to her boyfriend, Wyatt Musser.  I
didn't know him at all.  Liz was skiing with her friend Annie Stoltzfus and
Annie's boyfriend Matt Sauder.  Cody Stevens was there too with his
girlfriend, as was Dave Mitchell and his date.  I introduced Molly to
everyone.  Liz greeted Molly warmly.  The group talked for a couple minutes
before the kids skied off.

   "I had no idea you had a sister, Kyle," Molly said after the group of
younger kids skied downhill away from us.  "I thought it was just you, your
older brother with the new daughter and the brother that goes to Delaware.
You are one of four kids?"

   "Oh, good grief no," I replied.  Justin and Sherry laughed out loud. 
"Five kids.  I also have a baby brother.  Hunter will be two years old in
July.  Plus my brother Andy got his girlfriend pregnant when they were in
tenth grade.  Andy's twin sons live with us too."

   "Oh...  my... God!" Molly gasped.  "How does your mom manage that?  My
mom said Dave and I were too much for her."

   "Oh, we're fine," I replied.  "Everybody helps out and we're all used to
having a big family.  I wouldn't want it any other way."

   "I don't think I could handle having a family that size," Molly said. 
"Some day, when the time comes... I guess a kid or two will be OK."

   I was a little surprised at Molly's response about kids.  I would need
to talk more with her, but out on the ski slope was not the proper place.

   Molly and I spent the morning skiing with Joe, Barb, Justin and Sherry.
We bumped into their kids a couple times.  Justin and Sherry's son Billy,
Billy's friend Brian Miller, and Joe and Barb's daughter Betsy were in
fourth grade this year.  They had grown since I last saw them.

   When Molly, the Baers and I went inside the lodge for lunch I met up
with Dad.  He and Mr.  Sauder, Matt's dad, were the other two drivers for
the crew.  Neither man skied.  I introduced Molly to my dad.  We had lunch
together with Dad.  Molly seemed to enjoy talking with my father.

   "She's very attractive, Kyle," Dad commented when Molly went to the
bathroom.  "Is this serious?"

   "That's a good question," I replied.  "We've been dating for awhile but
haven't agreed to us being a couple yet."

   "I think you should have a talk with the young lady, son," Dad said. 
"She's delightful.  You don't want to let someone as good looking as her
get away.  Have you dated long?"

   "Four weeks," I answered.  "I agree with your evaluation Dad.  I plan to
ask Molly to go steady with me at an appropriate time this weekend."

   Dad chuckled.  "After a night of passion?" Dad teased.

   "You have the idea," I agreed.  Dad didn't let anything slip when Molly
rejoined us.  Molly, the Baers and I headed back out to ski after lunch. 
The snow got a little soft in the afternoon sun, but conditions weren't too
bad.  Some ice formed on the slopes after the sun went down.  We continued
skiing until around six o'clock.

   Molly and I went inside with the Baers.  Most of the Venturer crew was
inside eating when we got there.  Molly and I joined Gary Harrison and a
group of his friends.  Gary told me he had applied to work on camp staff
again.  He requested to work for me at the pool.  He was a little anxious
since he hadn't heard anything yet.  I reassured Gary that he shouldn't
worry, I was sure he would be hired and that I would be happy to have him
serve on my staff.

   Justin and Sherry went back out after dinner with Molly and me.  Joe and
Barb were done for the day.  The rest of us teased them for showing their
age.  We didn't get a lot of argument from them.

   The four of us had a fun night skiing.  Justin and Sherry had to head in
to help round up the Venturers around nine o'clock.  Molly and I decided to
head back to our cottage then.  We thanked Justin, Sherry, Joe and Barb for
letting us ski with them for the day.  I said good bye to Dad and Liz.  I
warned Dad I planned to be home for dinner next Friday evening.

   The four bottles of Troegs Amber Ale that Trevor sent as a "care
package" on Friday hit the spot when Molly and I got back to our cottage.
We relaxed for awhile and enjoyed the beers before heading to bed.  We
shared our bodies - twice.

   Molly and I weren't in a hurry to leave on Sunday morning.  We slept
until ten o'clock.  Molly was well rested and a bit frisky when we woke up.
The two of us ended up doing a leisurely and intimate horizontal mambo.  We
were cuddled together afterward.  I gave Molly a kiss on the neck and
nibbled an ear lobe.

   "Molly, I have an important question for you," I said.  "You remember a
few weeks ago we talked about getting to know each other better before we
decided if we wanted to move beyond just dating occasionally.  Do you see
our relationship getting serious?"

   "Serious?" Molly asked.  She rolled over to face me and stared into my
eyes.  "That depends what you mean by serious, Kyle.  Are we talking about
going together for the rest of the semester, or until graduation?  Are you
thinking beyond that?"

   "I'm thinking one step at a time," I answered.  "You and I have had fun
together.  I think our personalities and interests mesh nicely.  You're
drop dead gorgeous." I leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips.  "I think
we're pretty good together in bed."

   "We are that," Molly agreed before returning my kiss.  Molly dropped her
smile after the kiss.  My smile slowly dropped as she continued.  "Before I
commit myself to you, I want to make sure we are both looking for the same
things in a relationship.  Where do you see yourself in a couple years?  Do
you see yourself engaged or married and ready to start a family?"

   "I'm not asking you marry me," I protested.  "I like you a lot and want
to spend more time with you."

   "You didn't answer my question, Kyle," Molly replied.  "Do you see
yourself married in two or three years?"

   "I hope so," I agreed.  "I'm not asking you to marry me.  I see us
committing to each other as being a step forward to getting to know each
other better.  We can spend more time together.  Learn about each other. 
Find out about our idiosyncrasies and pet peeves.  We get to know each
other better and can see if we want to get married some day in the future."

   "You're such a sweet, good man, Kyle," Molly said.  She gave me a kiss.
"You have a completely different time table from me.  You see our
relationship potentially developing into a marriage two or three years from
now.  In that time frame, I see myself out on my own, establishing myself
in my career.  I'm not interested in being tied down.  Six, eight, ten
years from now, when I'm comfortable in my career, I do see myself finding
a sweet guy like you and settling down."

   "But not yet," I said.

   "No, not yet," Molly confirmed.  "Why are you in such a hurry to get
married?"

   "Am I in a hurry?" I asked.  "Most of the couples I know married after
college - Mom and Dad, Will and Abby, Joe and Barb, Zack and Leigh Ann,
Aaron and Tanya Morano..." I chuckled.  "...except Justin and Sherry.  They
married when they were still in high school."

   "My mom and dad married right out of college too," Molly said.  "Truth
be told... my brother David was born five months later.  Mom has a degree
in accounting but David came along right after college.  She stayed home
until he was ready for school.  By that time I came along.  She waited
until I was in first grade before looking for her first job.  She was a
dozen years behind the people she went to college with.  She never found a
job like she envisioned.  I don't want that to happen to me."

   "I can understand that," I agreed.  "Your mom chose to stay at home with
you and your brother.  My mom, even though she never did college, has
worked all along.  Your mom could have put you in day care like my mom did
with us."

   "Day care?" Molly sniffed.  "I don't want my children in day care.  It's
a lot better to have someone home for them when they're little."

   "Day care isn't that big a deal," I said.  "I turned out OK."

   "I'll admit, you did," Molly answered.  "You still haven't said why
you're in a hurry, Kyle.  So what if you know a lot of couples that married
young?  I'd enjoy the chance to go out to clubs with friends, kick back a
drink or too and relax.  What's wrong with that?"

   "You knew me last spring," I replied.  "You know how bad I was then,
partying too much and getting dead drunk.  You know I got arrested last
fall.  I need to avoid bars and clubs for my own safety and sanity.  The
other reason I'm `in a hurry' is that I hope that I will be drafted into
the NFL a year from now.  If I am, I will be worth millions.  I want to be
with a woman who is with me because of me, not because of how much money I
might have."

   "I guess I can see where you are coming from," Molly replied.  "... but,
I still don't want to get serious for quite awhile.  Where does that leave
us?  Just good friends?"

   "I don't know," I said as I pondered my real response.  Did I want to go
into a committed relationship with Molly if I knew she didn't want to marry
me after college?  We were so good together maybe I should accept her
limits now and try to win her over with more time.  I needed time to think
things though.  "Maybe the two of us continue along as we have for the past
month.  We are good friends who date sometimes and sleep together when the
spirit moves us."

   "If you want to date other women too, that's OK," Molly said.  "If I
find a nice hunk down in Florida over spring break, I'll go for him.  If
you find a sweet girl, you can do the same."

   "I guess that's the smart thing to do," I agreed wistfully.

   I let Molly shower first while I packed my things.  The realization that
Molly and I held incompatible life goals for the next five or ten years was
bound to change our relationship.  I was hoping to find a soul mate in
Molly.  I was going to have her as a friend or playmate instead.  I
showered when she was done.

   We stopped off at the Friendly's Restaurant down the road towards East
Stroudsburg for brunch.  Both of us tried to keep up a cheerful
conversation, but I could see a certain melancholy in her demeanor too. 
Before this morning we had shared delight in getting to know each other. 
We had future activities to anticipate.  Both of us realized we were
travelling different paths that just happened to run parallel for a bit. 
The trip back to campus was subdued and very quiet.  I dropped Molly off at
her apartment before heading back to mine.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   On Monday Scott Henderson gave the first and third period history
classes the quiz I made up for him.  I watched as the kids worked their way
through it.  It took the kids half the period to finish, longer than I
anticipated.  The kids looked shocked when their test papers were
collected. Scott proceeded with his lecture.

   Scott gave me the quizzes to grade during the study hall the next
period. I went through them quickly.  The results were grim.  The top kid
had gotten six of my twenty-five questions wrong - a 74%.  The worst of the
quizzes had scores in the high thirties.  Scott stopped back at my table
about midway through second period.

   "How'd the quizzes go?" Scott asked cheerily.

   "Not well," I answered.  "The best student got six of twenty-five
questions wrong.  The worst... well, we probably don't want talk about the
worst one.  I guess I made the test too hard."

   "That you did, Kyle," Scott agreed.

   "You knew before they took it, didn't you?" I asked.  Scott just smiled
and nodded his head yes.  "Why didn't you have me fix it?"

   "You learn best from the mistakes you make," Scott answered.  "You asked
them college level questions on this quiz."

   "I guess there's a downside to me taking a Civil War history class this
semester," I responded.

   "There is," Scott agreed.  "We'll assign letter grades to these quizzes
on a curve.  You take the third period quizzes home and grade them
tonight."

   "I'm teaching school but I still have homework," I teased.  "I can fit
them in between my history class and my Secondary Social Studies Ed class
tonight.  Coach Burton might get upset with me for not doing as much film
study as normal today."

   "Work six hours a day and take three months off in the summer," Scott
said.  "Little do the non-teachers know about what we really do.  I'll
check the fifth period U.  S.  History I quizzes myself.  Tomorrow second
period you and I will come up with the curve for the test.  Wednesday we
will block off about twenty minutes of the period for you to review the
results with the class."

   I was delighted to hear that I would finally get in front of the class
and do some real teaching.  Still, my first time in front of the class was
going to be to fix my blunder with the quiz.  Scott was right; I would have
learn to do better.

   After two weeks of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the classroom, I
would be in Scott's class all five mornings of the school week until the
end of my pre-service student teaching, except of course for my spring
break next week.

   I corrected the third period quizzes after my two classes back on
campus. The results were just as dismal.  I headed over to the Lasch
Building.  I found a memo from the athletic department in my locker.  It
was time for us to submit our housing request forms for next year.  I was
sure Trevor and Damian would want to room with me again.  I wasn't as sure
about Chip.  He might prefer to room with some of his classmates instead.

   Monday evening when I got back from SS ED 412, I found Trevor, Chip and
Damian had already decided that the four of us should live together again
next fall.  We filled out our request forms and were ready for Chip to
submit them to Ann Marie at the reception desk on Tuesday morning.  We were
determined to be at the head of the line when Housing assigned the premium
townhouse apartments for next year.

   Scott applied fairly elementary statistical analysis to the three
sections of U.  S.  History I's quiz results to turn dismal raw scores into
a decent, bell shaped curve for the nearly ninety students.  We ended up
with eight A's, twenty-seven B's, thirty-eight C's, ten D's and four F's.
Scott double checked the quizzes of the four students that would fail the
quiz.  All four had answered some of my easiest questions wrong.  Scott
decided they needed this kick in the butt to wake them up.  They weren't
getting a passing grade this quarter without substantial improvement in
effort and attitude.

   On Wednesday morning, Scott and I handed out the graded quizzes to the
first period class.  Before we handed them out, Scott announced, "These
quizzes weren't quite what I was hoping for.  Mr.  Martin will review the
answers in detail with you this morning so everyone understands this
material thoroughly.  When he finishes, we will be moving our focus
westward, across this continent of ours."

   I watched the faces of the kids as the received their quizzes.  They
were a mixture of shock at the low raw scores and relief at the letter
grades Scott had worked out for them.  I launched into the review of the
quiz questions when everyone had their tests in hand.  Surprisingly, I
didn't feel nervous in front of the class.  This really wasn't different
from teaching my merit badge classes.

   I did my best to draw out the students and have them answer as many of
the questions as they could.  I explained the questions that had stumped
the whole class.  I believe I had most everyone understanding the material
by the time we finished.  Scott gave me a big smile when I turned the class
back over to him so he could begin the day's lecture.

   Scott complimented me on my performance when we met in the back during
our second period study hall.  Ms.  Hamilton, my Penn State supervisor,
came just before second period ended.  I proceeded to repeat the review of
the quiz for the third period class while Scott and Ms.  Hamilton observed
my performance.

   I thought the third period review went just as well as the first period
had.  I turned the class over to Scott when I finished.  Ms.  Hamilton
motioned for me to follow her into the hallway.  We spent about five
minutes reviewing the preparation of the quiz, the grading, and the review
of the results.

   "What did you learn from this quiz?" Ms.  Hamilton asked when I finished
talking.

   "The first thing I should do when I'm preparing a test or a quiz is to
carefully check the detailed requirements in the curriculum," I replied. 
"If I had done that, I might have noticed that my questions went beyond
what they are required to know.  I'll do better next time."

   "I'm sure you will, Mr.  Martin," Ms.  Hamilton replied.  She always
addressed us as Mr.  or Mrs., to keep our discussion totally professional.
"I was impressed with your review of the quiz questions and answers this
morning.  I know this was your first time teaching the class.  Were you
nervous?"

   "Not at all," I replied.  "I found talking today with twenty-seven
students about Civil War reconstruction wasn't any different than
addressing twenty Boy Scouts about how to canoe.  I felt totally natural
talking in front of the class."

   "I'm glad to hear that," Ms.  Hamilton said.

   "I hope this mistake won't hurt my standing in class too much," I asked.
Ms.  Hamilton chuckled.

   "I wish more of the pre-service teachers had issues this minor," she
said.  "Relax, you are progressing fine, Mr.  Martin."

   Ms.  Hamilton headed down the hall to observe Nicole Stepniak.  I took
my place in the back of Scott's classroom.  The rest of the school day went
well.

   I bumped into Bob Smith in the weight room at the Lasch Building that
afternoon.  He was in a buoyant mood.

   "Did you hear, Coach?" he chimed.  "Coach Burton reinstated me on the
team today."

   "He did?  Excellent!" I replied.  "That is great news, Bob."

   "I know," Bob said.  "I am so psyched."

   "How far along are you learning your playbook?" I asked.  "Spring
practice starts in twenty days."

   "I'm about half way through it," Bob answered.  "I wasn't allowed to
work on it while I was on suspension."

   "I understand," I agreed.  "You're off suspension now.  If you want to
turn Coach's head during spring practice, you need to know the playbook
cold."

   "I have classes this week," Bob said.

   "And you are off from classes next week," I said.  "How much to you
value football?  If I were you, I would do everything I can to make up for
the time you missed while you had academic problems.  That will get you
noticed by your coaches."

   "I guess," Bob replied.  He obviously hadn't planned on spending his
spring break studying the playbook.

   "Our starting tight end from last year is graduating," I said.  "What
are you going to do about that?"

   "Ummm... I'll do my best," Bob said.  He didn't seem real sure of
himself.

   "You have an opportunity here," I said.  "Use time during break to study
your playbook.  You could join Chip, me and some of the other receivers. 
We meet two afternoons a week to practice our passing game.  It would help
you be ready to exploit the opening in our lineup."

   "I could do that," Bob said.  "Do you know who I talk to about joining
in?"

   "You can talk with me," I answered.  "I'll let Chip know." I gave Bob
the details about our passing drill sessions.  Hopefully Bob would join us.
We needed to get our tight end involved in the passing game more than we
had last season.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   The U.  S.  History classes spent Thursday and Friday in the library
starting their research for the term papers that were due in three weeks.
Scott and I spent both periods conferring with students in small groups.  I
used second period to write up all the counseling I did.  Scott's lesson
plans was making it easy for me to complete the required documentation for
my folio.

   I packed my bags in my VW Golf on Thursday night before I went to bed. I
was psyched to get a week off from class.  I planned to be on the road home
five minutes after my History 444 class ended.

   Scott informed me during our prep time second period that my first
lecture would be Tuesday, March 13th.  My lecture would be about the
Spanish-American War and the way America fell into an unexpected empire. 
Scott gave me copies of the notes he normally used for this lecture.  I was
to prepare my lesson plans.  Scott would review them on the 12th, after I
got back from spring break.

   Molly and I exchanged hugs and polite kisses at the end of Adolescent
Development.  We wished each other fun for our breaks.  Molly was heading
for Boyertown after that class.  She planned to meet her girlfriends at
home.  They were leaving for Florida early Saturday morning.

   Dr.  Williams lectured on Grant's Vicksburg campaign in History 444. 
Gettysburg has long been noted as one of the decisive battles of the Civil
War and I spent the past semester studying it.  Dr.  Barnes' point was that
Grant's triumph a day after the Battle of Gettysburg had a larger impact on
the result of the war than Meade's triumph in Pennsylvania.

   Nothing got in my way as I left the Wagner Building, hurried down Curtin
Road to Bigler Road and then over to the East Parking Deck.  Ten minutes
later I was on the Mount Nittany Expressway heading southeast for my home
and family.

   Traffic wasn't bad as I approached Harrisburg.  I made it past I-81 and
onto the beltway without trouble.  I-283 between the Eisenhower Interchange
and the turnpike was congested but still moving.  I thought I was home free
when I pulled onto I-283 after the turnpike interchange and headed for
Lancaster.

   Hah!  My hopes to get home in time for supper with my family were dashed
when the traffic in front of me came to an abrupt stop.  Traffic as far as
I could see in front of me was stopped in both east bound lanes.  That was
when I realized that almost no traffic was on the opposite lanes heading
west.

   I flipped on my radio to see if I could get a traffic report.  I sat in
the stalled traffic for ten minutes before I found out what was wrong.  A
cattle truck had been in an accident between Mount Joy and Landisville. 
The cargo got loose.  Local and state police were trying to round up stray
cattle off of I-283.

   I called home a few minutes before five o'clock to warn Mom I would be
late for dinner.  Fire police arrived and traffic started to inch forward.
All traffic was detoured off the interstate onto Route 772 and through
Mount Joy Borough.  Everyone ended up inching their way south on Harrisburg
Pike.

   The old road between Lancaster and Harrisburg was busy with local
traffic on its best days.  Carrying triple its normal traffic that day was
NOT its best day.  We crawled down the highway through Mount Joy and
Landisville.  Fire police finally routed us back onto the bypass at State
Road.

   The way home seemed clear until after I crested the hill by Greenfield
Road as I was going around Lancaster.  Traffic was backed up from the end
of the bypass almost back to me.  I ducked off onto Route 340 and took the
back way home through Bird-In-Hand.

   I pulled up in front of my house a few minutes before six o'clock.  My
normal two hour and twenty minute trip home had been a brutal three hours
and thirty five minutes.  I left my bags and dirty clothes in the car and
hurried inside.  Hopefully I could spend a few minutes with my family at
dinner time before everyone scattered for the evening.

   Shrieks of "Unka Ky's here!", "Unka Ky!" and "Ky here!" when I stepped
in the front door.

   "Boys!  Sit down!" Mom scolded.  "You are NOT excused from dinner yet."

   "Sorry Mom-Mom," and "Sorry" were the replies from my young nephews.  I
hurried out to the kitchen before the boys got into more trouble with Mom.

   "Sorry I'm late, everyone," I announced as I gave my nephews and little
brother kisses and hugs.  "Traffic was brutal.  I-283 was closed so they
could round up loose cattle."

   "Only in Lancaster County," Dad commented.

   "Get yourself some dinner, Kyle," Mom said.  "You can heat it up in the
microwave." I glanced around and noticed that everyone was eating dessert.
I gathered up some dinner on a plate from the cupboard and nuked it a
couple minutes.

   I got a chance to catch up on my family's life.  Liz was in a hurry that
evening.  Wyatt was taking her bowling with Matt, Annie and more of their
friends.  Andy planned to spend the evening hanging out with his boys.  He
was home for the weekend.  The University of Delaware didn't have spring
break until the end of March.

   Connor, Noah and Hunter waited impatiently for me while I finished my
dinner.  Andy tried to keep them occupied until I finished eating.  I
joined in the rough-housing after dinner.  Andy and I gave the kids plane
rides.  We played foo-bah [the twins' word for football].  The three boys
wore out after awhile.  They played with their toys in the family room
while Andy and I caught up with each other's lives and watched a movie.

   One pleasant surprise was that Hunter had stopped calling me "Unka Ky."
Sometimes it almost sounded like he was saying "Kyle" instead of "Ky." My
baby brother was pretty smart for a twenty month old.  I could see where he
was doing more than just parroting his bigger and older nephews.  He held
his own quite well in the rough and tumble world of pre-schoolers even
though he was four or five inches shorter than his nephews.

   I made a few phone calls when Andy and Mom took the boys upstairs to
bathe and get ready for bed.  All of the friends I tried to reach were away
when I called.  The next week might be kind of lonely.

   I did reach Jason Turner at home.  I asked permission to come in next
week for the two days the football team was doing film study of last year's
games.  Matt Sauder and Dave Mitchell asked me to give them a hand last
weekend when they heard I would be home for spring break.  Jason agreed to
me helping them.  The group met on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for
an hour and a half.

   I offered to read the boys a bedtime story when they came back
downstairs but Andy claimed the right.

   "You can read to the boys all next week when I'm back at school," Andy
said.

   "You're right," I agreed.  "I'm going downstairs to work out.  Do you
want to join me when the boys are asleep?"

   "Sure, that sounds good," Andy said.  "It will be nice to work out with
company on a weekend.  It's kind of lonely otherwise."

   "See you downstairs in awhile," I replied.  "Good night, Noah," I added
as I gave my nephew a big hug and received a slobbering kiss.

   "Goo'night, Unka Ky," Noah responded.  Connor took his turn next.

   "'night, Kyle," Hunter said when it was his turn.  He gave me a big
smile like he knew he was one up on the twins when said my name correctly.
He gave me a hug and a kiss.

   "You're a smart boy," I said when put my little brother on the floor. 
"Good night, Hunter."

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy joined me in the basement when I was about half way done with my
weight training.  I waited for him while he went through his reps.  I
filled Andy in about Coach Caffrey's move to State College.  Andy told me
about how things were going with Delaware's football program.  Andy felt he
had a good chance to step up on the depth chart during spring practice.

   Both starting wide receivers were graduating this spring.  Andy had
worked some as a freshman as the number three wide receiver.  He thought he
could beat the other receivers for a spot.  Andy thought his team would be
strong next season.  Their quarterback was a year ahead of Andy and had a
year's experience as a starter.  Most of their defense was returning,
except for one linebacker and Trent Wilson, Christian's cousin who played
cornerback last season.

   The big question in the Southern Division of the Colonial Athletic
Association was what was James Madison going to do.  Everyone was talking
about Jason Nicholson and what his transfer would do to the Dukes.

   "How good is Nicholson?" Andy asked.

   "If James Madison has a good supporting cast for Jay, the sky is the
limit," I explained.  "The only reason Jay isn't starting at Penn State is
that he was still healing from the accident the previous fall when Coach
Burton made his choice.  Even hurt, Jay came within a whisker of taking the
starting job."

   "So we have to worry about James Madison as well as Richmond and
Villanova?" Andy said.  "The Dukes were pretty good last year but their
quarterback couldn't quite put all the pieces together on offense."

   "Jay won't have any problem that way," I explained.  "Nobody works
harder at running an offense than Jay.  He'll have everyone doing their
jobs next season.  I guarantee it."

   "Great... just great," Andy said.

   The two of us went out for our normal three mile run around the
neighborhood the way we had done for the past six years.  Unlike State
College, the last of the snow from the storm a couple weeks ago was gone.
The night was clear and crisp.  It was a good time to be outside.  Andy
headed for the house when we finished.

   I saw Penny and her dad in their driveway.  Apparently she had just
gotten home from Philly.  I jogged across the three lots to welcome her
back home.

   "Hey Penny.  It's good to see you," I said as I stopped by their car. 
"Hi, Mr.  Edwards."

   "It's good to see you, Kyle," Penny's dad said.  "I'd shake hands, but
my hands are full," he added as he shrugged his shoulders and wiggled the
four suitcases he was carrying.

   "I'll be in, in a minute," Penny said.  She set down the two bags she
was carrying.

   "I'm carrying these up to your room, honey," Mr.  Edwards said.  "Nice
to see you, Kyle."

   "Nice to see you too, Mr.  E," I added.  "How are you doing?" I asked as
Mr.  Edwards headed inside.

   "I'm surviving," Penny said.

   "Dating anyone?" I asked.

   "No, it's too soon," Penny answered.  "How about you?  I hear you may
have found yourself a girlfriend."

   "A girlfriend?  No," I replied.  "I guess you were talking with one of
the Baers." Penny smiled and nodded her agreement.  "No... I don't have a
girlfriend.  Molly and I have been dating for a few weeks.  I had a talk
with her last Sunday morning.  She isn't interested in a serious
relationship."

   "I'm sorry to hear that, Kyle," Penny answered.  "I guess we're both on
our own for the next week.  Have you tracked down anybody from high school?
Who's around?"

   "You know where most of our friends are," I replied.  "They're on their
way to Panama City Beach.  I called around earlier tonight.  I haven't
found anybody.  I thought maybe Drew and Stacie would be around.  They
headed south too."

   "Oh well, I guess things are going to be a little dull," Penny said.

   "Ron Howard's new movie is out and getting good reviews," I suggested.
"I know how much you enjoy his movies.  We should go see it."

   "Are you asking me on a date?" Penny asked.

   "No, it wouldn't be a date," I replied.  "It would be two old friends
going out to see a movie to pass the time."

   "Well... I guess we could go," Penny said.  "...but I pay my own way."

   "That's cool," I answered.  "How about if I pick you up around 6:30
tomorrow night?"

   "This isn't a date," Penny responded.  "I'll meet you at your house."

   "Whatever, that's fine," I agreed.  Penny and I wished each other good
night.  She headed inside with the rest of her things from school.  I
jogged back home.

   I was pleased Penny accepted my invitation to catch a movie together.  I
knew the pain from Harrison's cheating were much too fresh for her to
consider any kind of romantic adventure now.  Anyway, who was I to preach
about fidelity?  I had hurt her badly when I was unfaithful when we were
freshmen.  I was satisfied to share some time with a dear old friend.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Friday evening I found an e-mail from Zack Hayes after I came inside
from talking with Penny.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Date: March 2nd
To: fastwr87@redroses.net
From: hayes.zachary06@cheesenet.net
Re: BIRTH!
I'm proud to announce the arrival of Lauren Amelia Hayes at 8:02 pm,
Friday, March 2nd.  She weighs 7 pounds, 2 ounces.  Mother and daughter are

doing well.

   Zack

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------

   I sent an e-mail to Zack and Leigh Ann congratulating them on Lauren's
birth before I went to bed.

   I had a relaxing day on Saturday.  I slept in, made brunch for myself
and the boys and then spent the afternoon reading the U.  S.  History
textbook and prepping for my lecture.  One of the pictures in the textbook
caught my eye.  Commodore Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay, the
Olympia, was in the book.  In small print below the caption it said
"Independence Seaport, Phila., Pa." The photo showed against an obviously
modern skyline of Philadelphia.

   I went on-line to find out more about the museum.  It was home to
Dewey's flagship.  Hours were 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.  Admission was
only $7 for students.  I decided a trip to Philly was in order sometime
during the break.  I could snap some photos of the Olympia and give the
kids in the classes a real feel for what it was like the night Dewey and
his fleet sailed into Manila Bay.

   I got showered and dressed up for my night out before dinner.  This
earned me some teasing over dinner.

   "Got a hot date tonight?" Andy ribbed.

   "No, I don't have a date," I responded.  "An old friend and I are going
to see Ron Howard's new movie."

   "Anyone we know?" Dad asked.

   "Penny," I said.

   "You do have a hot date," Andy needled.

   Mom stifled a smile.  Dad arching his eyebrows in a knowing leer.  "Make
sure you lock the basement door when you go to bed, Kyle."

   "It's just two friends catching a movie," I insisted.  "All the rest of
our friends are down in Florida for break.  I will NOT need to lock the
basement door."

   "Why w'ock [lock] door?" Noah asked.

   "Yeah, why?" Noah added.  I did not answer.  Mom or Dad could field that
question.

   "In case Kyle decides to have a sleepover tonight," Dad answered after a
few seconds.  "You remember boys, like Kelly used to do."

   "You have gir'frien'?" Connor asked hopefully.  "She w`ike [like]
Keh-EE?" Noah looked at me expectantly.

   "No guys, I do not have a girlfriend," I answered.  "Penny will be
sleeping in her own bed, three doors down the street."

   Thankfully my family dropped the subject after that.  I knew they would
blow something totally innocent out of proportion.  I hung out in the
family room watching the news until it was time for Penny to drop by.

   It was 6:20 when the door bell rang.  I hopped up to get the door.  Noah
and Connor beat me out of the room, closely followed by Hunter.  By the
time I got through the kitchen to the hallway, Noah had managed stretch to
the doorknob and open the door.

   "Hi," he said as he stared up at Penny.

   "Hi there," she replied.

   "Who `der?" Connor asked as he caught up with his brother.

   "Don' know," Noah answered.

   "You boys are so big," Penny exclaimed as she kneeled down the twins'
level.  "You probably don't remember me.  I haven't seen you since you were
about three months old.  I'm Penny."

   "Hi," Noah said.  "Hi," his twin echoed.

   "Are you Noah or Connor?" Penny asked.

   "Noah," he answered.

   "I'm Connor," his brother added.

   "Who are you?" Penny asked as she looked at Hunter. 
Uncharacteristically, my little brother had turned shy at the sight of the
stranger at his door.  He was hiding behind my leg, peeking out.

   "Hun'er," he answered quietly.

   "Hi Hunter, it's good to meet you," Penny said as she extended a hand
for Hunter to shake.  He hid behind me.

   "He's being shy tonight," I explained.  "Are you ready to hit the road?"

   "Sure, Kyle," Penny agreed.  "I'll see you later, boys."

   I took Penny out to my car and held the door for her.  We headed for
Millersville and the movie theater that where we spent so many Friday and
Saturday nights during high school.  We stopped by the snack bar for some
refreshments.

   We bumped into a group of kids from our old high school while we were
waiting in line.  Matt Sauder and his girlfriend Annie Stoltzfus were part
of the group.

   "Hey Coach!  Hi Penny," Matt pronounced when he spotted us.  "Must be
spring break.  How are you doing?"

   Penny and I confirmed that we were on spring break.  We talked for a few
minutes.  I told Matt and the other football players in the group about
Coach Caffrey's move up to State College.

   "Hey, I bet you haven't heard my good news," Matt said.  "I got invited
to the Elite 11 QB Regional Competition down at Virginia Tech on April 7th.
Coach Turner and Coach Caffrey both sent in recommendations for me.  Isn't
that fantastic?"

   "That is, Matt," I agreed.

   "Did Ed Fritz take a shot at the Elite 11 when he was my age?" Matt
asked.

   "No, he didn't," I replied.  "I don't think he knew about it four years
ago.  I hadn't heard about it until Zack Hayes served as an instructor for
them two years ago."

   Matt chuckled.  "Ed will get his chance to see it this summer.  They
list him as one of the instructors for the camp."

   "Do they?  That's cool," I said.  "I guess Ed has arrived as a big time
college quarterback." "Yeah, he has," Matt agreed.

   "I don't see my sister here with you guys," I remarked.  "I thought she
was going to the movies with Wyatt tonight."

   "I can answer that one," Annie chuckled.  "Wyatt's parents are going
away this evening.  Liz and Wyatt have other, more private plans."

   "I see," I said.  My sister was cagy.  At dinner she announced that her
friends were going out to the movies that evening.  Then she said she and
Wyatt were going out too.  The family assumed the two facts were related.
Apparently they weren't.

   We continued talking with our younger friends until we got to the head
of the snack line.  Penny and I bought our drinks and popcorn before
heading for our theater.

   Ron Howard and Brian Grazer had done their usual good job picking a
movie topic, casting the movie and then executing the film.  Penny and I
enjoyed it immensely.  We shared quiet conversation before the movie
started and while it ran.

   The evening was great, almost like it had been when we were dating in
high school.  One difference was that I kept my hands to myself instead of
putting my arm around her and cuddling with her during the movie.  Near the
end of the movie Penny did lean against my shoulder and rest her head on my
shoulder.

   We talked about the movie and our plans for the next week on the drive
home.  The conversation was free and relaxed, as befitted two old friends.
I dropped Penny off in front of her house.  Trying to be a gentleman, I
opened the car door for Penny and helped her out of the car.

   "It was a wonderful night, Kyle," Penny said.  This was the first time
that things were awkward.  I wanted to give Penny a good night kiss but
wasn't sure if I should.

   "It was great," I agreed.  We stared at each other for a few seconds in
total silence.

   "Oh, this is silly," Penny said, breaking the quiet.  "Give me a hug."

   We exchanged hugs.  Penny kissed me on the cheek.  "Good night, Kyle,"
Penny added.

   I kissed on her on the cheek too.  "Good night, Penny," I said.  Before
she could turn to walk to her house I added, "You should stop by my house
tomorrow afternoon.  Will and Abby will be there with Rose."

   "I know," Penny replied.  "Abby invited me already.  I'll see you
tomorrow afternoon."

   "See you, Penny," I said.  "Good night."

   I drove home and headed to bed.  I was in a great mood.  The evening
with Penny had been relaxing and fun.  The two of us were completely
comfortable together.  It reminded me of what I was looking for from a
future girlfriend.  I was a damn fool back in freshman year for letting
Penny go.  Way too much water had flowed under the bridge since high school
to go back to those days.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Reverend Hollinger greeted me warmly after church.  We got to spend a
few minutes talking after the service, allowing me to feed his love of
football.  Will, Abby and Rose came over after lunch on Sunday.  They spent
Saturday with Abby's parents.

   I enjoyed getting to hold sweet little Rose that afternoon.  Connor and
Noah took the arrival of their cousin in stride.  They had dealt with
babies before.  Hunter watched his niece constantly, fascinated by her.

   Mom, Dad, Andy, Liz and I joined Will and Abby.  We spent a good part of
the afternoon talking and playing with Rose.  We had tea and some of Mom's
delicious brownies.  Penny came over to visit around three o'clock.  We
talked about school, gossiped about life in Paradise and the other
happenings in our lives.  Penny stayed almost until dinner time.  Mom
invited her to join our family but she decided she should get home.

   Grandma and Grandpa Robinson joined us for dinner.  They enjoyed meeting
their newest great grandchild.  We lingered over dinner and Grandma's
acclaimed apple crumb pie.  Altogether, it had been an excellent day.  Four
generations of our family got together.  The only bad thing was that Will's
grandmother Henry hadn't been able to come.

   Will, Abby and Rose were going to dinner with her later in the week. 
The rest of the Henrys would meet Rose in May after Will received his
master's degree.  Will, Abby and Rose were flying out to California to see
Will's dad, step-mom, brothers and sister for a week.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   My week of spring break went quickly - too quickly.  I got to sleep
later than usual.  I did a lot of recreational reading.  I finished
prepping my first lecture for Scott's U.  S.  History classes.  I played
some computer games.  I made dinners for Mom during the week too.

   Monday evening I dropped by my scout troop to visit.  The new scouts,
freshly graduated from Webelos, had arrived a few weeks earlier.  They
seemed impossibly young to be in Boy Scouts already.  Gary Harrison was the
assistant senior patrol leader now.  The "new" scouts I taught six years
ago didn't get to scouts much anymore, if they belonged at all.  They were
busy with sports, work, school and girlfriends.  Matt Sauder, Dave Mitchell
and Cody Stevens were the exceptions.  Their jobs only ran in the summer.
My three friends were all junior assistant scoutmasters helping Mr.  Clark
run the troop.

   Wednesday morning I headed down to Philly, after the morning rush hour,
so I could visit and photograph the USS Olympia.  I spent a couple hours
touring every nook and cranny of the old ship, taking lots of pictures.  I
was standing on the bridge looking across the bow of the ship down the
Delaware River when I realized I needed to make another stop that day.

   The Battleship New Jersey is moored across the river in Camden.  I
decided to cross the bridge over to New Jersey and tour the old World War
II behemoth too.  I spent an hour and a half exploring the battleship,
shooting more pictures.  I got bow shots of the Olympia from the New
Jersey's bridge deck.  They matched the ones I took of the New Jersey from
the Olympia's bridge.  I hustled out of Philadelphia ahead of afternoon
rush hour.  I was safely west of King of Prussia before four o'clock.

   Since neither of us had anything better to do, Penny dropped by in the
evenings to hang out, play with the kids and to watch some movies with me.
It was fun hanging out with her like when we were kids.

   Thursday evening Penny came over after dinner.  Hunter had a tooth
coming out and was cranky and whiny.  Channel 8's weatherman was predicting
rain for Friday.  Scott Henderson had told me that I could predict rain in
the future based on the kids' behavior the day before.  It must have been
true.  The twins were like little Energizer bunnies.

   Penny and I were trying to watch a Cosby Show episode on TV Land and
could not concentrate on it with all the chaos around us.  "Do you want to
come over to my house, Kyle?" Penny asked.  "We might actually be able to
hear Cosby's jokes that way.  It will be quiet over there.  My parents have
tickets for a show at the American Music Theater and will be home late
tonight."

   "That's cool," I agreed.  The two of us grabbed our coats and headed
out. "I'm going over to Penny's for awhile tonight," I called as Penny and
I breezed past Mom in the kitchen.

   "Have fun," Mom answered.  "I'll see you later."

   We headed down the street to Penny's house.  We settled down in her
family room and watched the rest of one Cosby Show and then watched a
second.  At eight o'clock we flipped through the channels, looking for a
good movie.  We found "Risky Business."

   "Do you want a beer?" Penny asked as the opening credits rolled.

   "Are you sure your dad won't mind?" I asked.

   "Daddy isn't going to quibble over a few weeks," Penny said.  She would
turn twenty-one on April 14th.

   "OK, a beer sounds good," I agreed.  I relaxed and spread out, my arms
draped across the back of the couch comfortably.  Penny returned a minute
later with two bottles.  I took one.  After she handed me the beer, she
pointedly walked around me and sat down on the side where I had my arm
draped over the back of the couch.

   Penny sat down, snuggled up against me and pulled my arm down around her
shoulder.  "This is cozy."

   "Yeah, it is," I agreed.

   "I'm kind of glad you and I didn't go down to Florida for break," Penny
said.  "I get to put more time on my veterinary school application working
with Dr.  Chu and I've had fun hanging out with you this week.  It's almost
like old times."

   "It has been fun," I agreed.  "Ed and Trevor have been texting me with
all the fun things they've been doing but I'm happy here at home."

   "Yeah, I've gotten similar messages from Kathy and Tammy," Penny agreed.

   "Ready for the movie?" I asked.

   "You bet.  I love this one," Penny said.  I hit the play button to take
the DVR off pause.  We settled in and enjoyed the movie.  "Risky Business"
may be an old movie, but it was a good one.

   The scene where the hooker came and took Tom Cruise's virginity was
stimulating, to say the least.  Watching him take her on the steps, in the
rocking chair and then at the window in the moonlight, made me very aware
that I had my arm around a very attractive young woman.

   Penny had told me she had been in the barnyard this afternoon helping
Dr. Chu with a sick cow.  I could smell the faint hint of soap and shampoo
from her shower before dinner.

   I thought Penny was getting turned on too.  She put her hand on my
thigh, stroking and caressing it.  Truth be told, Penny had a thing for Tom
Cruise too.  Not the scientologist that was in the tabloids constantly
today but the high school kid he played in the movies back in the eighties.

   The two of us calmed down a bit as the movie shifted back to comedy
again.  We cuddled and enjoyed the movie together until after the climactic
party scene.  My manhood swelled uncomfortably as Joel [Tom Cruise] took
his girlfriend for the train ride.  Penny snuggled a little closer as the
two made love on the empty train.

   Hormones continued raging through us as the final scenes played out. 
When it was over Penny slipped her arm around my back and used her other
hand to turn my far shoulder closer to her.

   "Wow, that was a good movie," Penny observed.  We stared into each
other's eyes.

   "Yeah, it was," I agreed.

   "I'm so glad we have spent this week together," Penny added.

   "Yeah, I am glad too," I agreed.  Penny hugged me to her.  She gave me a
kiss on the cheek.

   "I've missed spending time with you," I acceded.  I returned the kiss.
Penny turned to face me as our lips met.  That felt so good!  The next time
our tongues met.  Bliss!

   We continued soul-kissing.  How long?  It didn't matter.  This was
right. Our passion swelled, along with our need.

   Penny and I left a trail of discarded clothing between the family room
and her bedroom.  Our intimate connection grew as we shared our bodies with
each other.  This wasn't sex.  This was making love.

   I hadn't felt this way in almost a year, since before Kelly and I
started fighting.  Sharing our bodies was wonderful... fantastic...
great... earth shattering... The English language does not have a
superlative that expresses my feelings at that moment.

   Time and place lost all meaning as Penny and I shared our bodies and our
souls with each other that evening.  I can't count what we did or how
often. The need and desire hadn't been quenched when we fell into an
exhausted slumber in her bed.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   "Kyle!  You have to get up," Penny protested.

   Half awake, I protested, "Let me sleep a little longer... please?"

   "It's 7:30 in the morning," Penny insisted.  "I've got to go to work
today." With effort, I roused myself and opened my eyes.  I beheld the most
beautiful sight possible.  Penny was sitting on the bed beside me, naked.
Last night wasn't a dream.  I was with my first love, Penelope Ann Edwards.

   "Good morning," I said as I stared at her.

   "You need to get out of here!" Penny insisted.  "What are my parents
going to say?"

   I roused myself a little more.  What would Mr.  Edwards think about the
guy who cheated on his daughter and dumped her spending the night?  That
was an excellent question which sobered me a bit.  "Umm...  where are my
clothes?"

   "You're boxers on the floor beside your socks," Penny said pointing. 
"Your pants are by the door." She hopped out of bed and looked around.

   "What about the rest?" I asked.

   "I don't see them," Penny said as she walked around the bed.  "Did you
leave them downstairs?"

   "I don't remember paying much attention to my clothes last night," I
replied.  "My mind was riveted on the beautiful woman I was with."

   "This isn't the time for sweet talk, Kyle," Penny said.  She grabbed her
robe off the back of her door.  "I'll go look for the rest of your clothes
and find out how much trouble we are in."

   I put on my boxers, socks and pants and sat on Penny's bed for minute
until she returned.  She was chuckling as she carried my clothes in and
handed them to me.

   "That conversation was surreal," Penny said.  "All Mom and Daddy had to
say when I bumped into them was, `Did you and Kyle sleep well?' Can you
believe it?"

   "That's good," I said.  "I don't know that my parents will be quite so
forgiving.  I'm free to do what I want but they insist I keep them informed
about what I am doing so they don't worry.  I suspect I will be getting
yelled at today for being so inconsiderate." I put the rest of my clothes
as I talked.

   "So... what does last night mean?" Penny asked as I put on my sneakers.

   "Nothing?  Everything?" I suggested.  "All I know is that I never
expected to have a chance to make love to you again.  I hope what happened
last night will mean something."

   "Don't look at me that way, Kyle," Penny said.  Her face turned serious.
"You and I together... I don't see how... I mean it was a disaster when we
were freshmen."

   "You have to get ready to go to work," I said.  "Why don't we find
someplace quiet and private to have dinner tonight?  We can talk about what
all this means.  I think we really need to do that."

   "I don't know if there is that much to talk about, Kyle," Penny replied.
"I go to school in Philadelphia.  You go to school in State College.  We
have tried a long distance relationship already and it was a disaster. 
What else is there to say?"

   "Last night was one of the greatest nights in my life," I answered.  "Do
me the favor of letting me take you to dinner.  Certainly no harm can come
from us sitting down and making sense out of last night."

   "OK, I'll call you after I get cleaned up from work," Penny said. 
"You're a hopeless romantic, Kyle.  Don't you go and get your hopes up."

   "Just dinner," I promised.  "We'll enjoy dinner and we'll talk.  I
promise."

   Penny headed across the hall for a shower.  I went downstairs.  A
cheery, "Good morning, Kyle," from Mr.  Edwards greeted me when I reached
the bottom of the steps.  I stuck my head in the dining room, where Mr. 
and Mrs.  Edwards were eating.

   "I hope you slept well, Kyle," Mrs.  Edwards said.

   "I hope it wasn't any trouble that I spent the night," I said politely.

   "No... no trouble at all," Mr.  Edwards said.  "Have a good day, Kyle."

   I headed for home.  Mom greeted me cheerily when I came in the back
door. "Good morning, Kyle."

   "Sorry that I didn't call, Mom," I explained.  "I hope you and Dad
didn't worry about me."

   "Why would we worry?" Mom replied.  "You said you were going over to
Penny's house."

   "I didn't say I was spending the night," I countered.  "I hadn't planned
on that." Mom just laughed.

   "Dear boy... dear sweet, naďve son of mine," Mom said.  "I saw this
coming a mile away."

   "You did?" answered.  "I certainly didn't."

   "Do you still love Penny?" Mom asked.

   "I always have," I replied.

   "Does she love you?"

   "I think so," I answered.

   "What are you going to do about it?" Mom challenged.

   "Umm... we're going out to dinner tonight to talk about this," I said.

   "Figure out if the two of you truly love each other," Mom said. 
"Everything else is details.  You can work out details."

   "Mom-Mom... Mom-Mom..." a high pitched voice yelled as he raced his
brother into the kitchen.

   "Tie shoes p'ease," Noah begged as he sat down on the floor by Mom. 
Connor plopped down beside Noah.  Connor had one shoe on and was struggling
with the second.

   "Don't worry about cooking dinner tonight, Kyle," Mom said.  "We'll get
pizza for dinner."

   "Pizza!  Pizza!" the twins cheered as they waited for help.  Hunter was
about thirty seconds behind the twins, carrying his shoes.

   "Shoe, Kyle?" Hunter begged.  He held up his sneakers, one in each hand.
"Shoe?"

   "Sure, Hunter," I said as I squatted down to help my little brother.  I
put his shoes on and tied them for him.  Mom was done with the twins by the
time I finished with Hunter.

   "Think things through very carefully, Kyle," Mom said.  "This could be a
significant decision in your life.  Get it right."

   "I will, Mom," I agreed.  "I promise."

   Chapter 59

   ==========

   I skipped my morning shower.  I needed to think and working out gave me
lots of time to think.  I did my normal weight session before I headed out
for my run.  At the far end of my usual three mile route I decided to go
farther.  I ended up running nearly to the village of Intercourse before I
turned south and headed down Queen Road to get home again.

   Mom had two excellent questions for me.  Did I love Penny?  Yes, I did -
always and forever.  I never stopped loving her when we broke up.  Did
Penny love me anymore?  Before last night I would have said, `No, she
didn't; at least not anymore than any of her good friends.' That changed
last night.

   Last night Penny and I had connected.  It was far more than just sex.  I
knew recreational sex.  I had done that many times.  Last night was
infinitely deeper, more meaningful than any experience I had ever had.

   Julie and I - no, not even close.  Kelly and I - yes, we came close to
the feeling a couple times while we were a couple, but that was gone now.
Any of the other twenty or so girls I had slept with?  No, none came close
to the experience Penny and I shared last night.  I could not have mistaken
Penny's feelings for me.  She still loved me.

   I was tired when I got home but convinced of two things - I loved Penny
and she loved me.  Mom said, `Everything else is details.' Could the two of
us work out the details?

   I showered and dressed in clean clothes.  A quick check on Google Map
revealed I had run almost seven miles that morning.  In spite of that, I
felt great.  I called the Horse Inn and made dinner reservations for seven
o'clock.  The horse stall dividers there would allow Penny and me to have
an intimate conversation... and of course the food was fabulous.

   I spent the day thinking.  Could Penny and I work out all the details?
Why had we failed... actually, why had I failed Penny the last time?  Both
of us had a tough start to college.  We didn't have the support of a
network of friends then.  Both of us had roommate troubles.  And then there
was the big one - I drank too much and did stupid things.

   I certainly had a great network of friends backing me up now.  Trevor,
Damian and Chip were fantastic roommates.  I knew Penny got along well with
the girl she shared an off-campus apartment with.  Then there was drinking
- I hadn't slain that beast entirely but I certainly had subdued it.  Since
my epiphany last spring I had gotten wasted one Saturday night.  That was
at Kelly's instigation and had been the spark that lit the fire that
destroyed our relationship.  Maybe I could manage not to do too many stupid
things if I stayed sober.

   By lunchtime I had reached one decision - I wanted to pursue a long term
relationship with Penny.  Now I had to figure out how I would convince her.
I spent the rest of my afternoon formulating a plan.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   Penny called about 5:30 on Friday night, just as my family was sitting
down for the pizza that evening.

   "Where do you want to go, Kyle?" Penny asked.

   "We have reservations at the Horse Inn," I answered.

   "The Horse Inn!  That's too fancy, Kyle," Penny said.  "It's not like
this is a date or anything."

   "Actually, this is a date, Penny," I countered.  "After what we
experienced together last night, we certainly can call dinner together a
date."

   "Kyle!  We were a disaster as a couple before," Penny protested.

   "Humor me," I said.  "I think we owe each other a chance to talk things
out."

   "OK, I can do that, Kyle," Penny said.

   "Dress nice for dinner," I said.  "The food is exquisite.  You will love
this place."

   "What time are our reservations?" Penny asked.

   "Seven o'clock," I replied.  "How about if I pick you up around 6:15?"

   "That sounds fine, Kyle," Penny agreed.

   I pulled in front of the Edwards house promptly at the appointed time.
Penny met me at the front door.  I escorted her to my car and helped her
in. I hopped in and we headed for Lancaster.

   "Well, what do you want to talk about Kyle?" Penny asked.  "I know you
well enough to know you want to be my boyfriend again.  I don't see how we
can..."

   "Hang on," I said.  "Let's not rush things.  We should enjoy dinner,
relax and then we can talk about what last night means."

   "OK, I promised I'll listen tonight," Penny replied.  "What did your
parents have to say when you came home this morning?  Were you in trouble?"

   "Surprisingly, I wasn't in trouble," I said.  "I'll explain in more
detail after dinner when we have our talk."

   Penny and I kept our convesation light, sticking to school and
reminiscing about all the good times we had in middle school and high
school.  I found a spot to park in the amusement company parking lot half a
block from the restaurant.  We walked to the alley entrance from there.

   "This place is something else," Penny remarked as we went in the door
off the alley and climbed the stairs to the restaurant.  "I've never seen a
classy restaurant where you went in a back door and climbed narrow steps to
get to the second floor to get to the restaurant."

   "The Horse Inn is an old horse barn," I explained.  "It may be
unconventional, but serves very good food."

   The ma"tre d' seated us at one of the booths with high walls as I
requested.  Penny and I would have plenty of privacy for our meal and
discussion.  I ordered mushroom caps stuffed with crab imperial for our
appetizers.  They were tasty.

   Penny ordered the beef tenderloin tips that the Inn was famous for.  I
ordered their special, which combined the tips with a broiled crab cake. 
The food was good.  The conversation was fun, though I could see Penny
getting a little nervous as the meal went on.  I understood.  Our talk
after we finished our dinner could be critical to our futures - at least I
hoped it would be.

   We were still eating our dessert when Penny started the conversation. 
"I know what you are going to ask, Kyle.  You are going to suggest that we
should start dating again.  I think that would be a disaster.  If..."

   "Don't rush to judgment," I said.  "I told you earlier that my Mom
wasn't upset that I spent the night with you.  Her reaction was more
surprising than that.  Not only was she not upset I spent the night with
you, she said she `saw this coming a mile away.' I suspect from your
parents' reaction, they are thinking like my Mom."

   "I think you're right," Penny agreed.  "I didn't have a lot of time to
talk with my parents but they certainly took it in stride finding you in my
bed last night."

   "My Mom had three questions she wants us to answer," I said.  "Her first
question was, `Do you love her?' My answer is, I've always loved you and I
always will love you - completely and totally."

   "I know, but..." Penny started.  I held up my hand to stop her.

   "Listen to all of mom's advice before you make any decisions," I said.
"Mom's second question was, `Does she love you?' After the way we connected
last night I think I know the answer to Mom's question." I stared into her
eyes.  "Do you still love me?"

   "You're always going to be special to me, Kyle," Penny answered.  "You
were my first.  You're right, we do connect with each other and last night
did remind me of how special we can be together."

   "So that is a yes?" I asked.

   "I do love you, Kyle," Penny professed.  "...but that wasn't enough the
last time.  Remember what happened when we were freshmen.  I can't go
through that again.  If we became a couple again, what would be different?
The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing again and again
and then expecting a different result.  How would things be different?  I
am going to school in Philadelphia.  You are two hundred miles away in the
center of the state."

   "I understand your concerns," I agreed.  "I thought about this a lot
today.  Nearly everything is different from when we broke up before.  Both
of us had a hard time adjusting to college.  Now we have circles of friends
to support us.  We didn't have that when we started college.  I have great
friends that have my back now.  I know I can count on them.  I know you
have that too."

   "I do have great friends on campus," Penny answered.

   "Both of us had roommate troubles back then," I said.  "Trevor, Damian
and Chip are great roommates.  I think you get along with your current
roommate, don't you?"

   "Yes, April is a great roommate," Penny said.  "I'm very fortunate to
share an apartment with her."

   "Another thing that changed for me was that I finally realized I was
drinking too much," I said.  "It took a really ugly incident last April to
make me realize that I couldn't drink the way I was.  I would get drunk
nearly every Saturday night.  Every stupid thing I did in college was tied
to my drinking, including the disastrous decision to break up with you.  I
got wasted a single time since my epiphany last spring and that was at
Kelly's instigation.  I've realized that I can be impulsive."

   "No, kidding?" Penny teased.  "I never would have guessed."

   "Kelly fed that impulsive side and pushed me further," I explained. 
"That is why I want to be with you.  You have always reined me in if I got
a little carried away.  I think our personalities complement each other.  I
think there are times when my... um, adventurousness has been good for the
two of us."

   "That was put delicately," Penny said.  "I can get too comfortable
sometimes, stuck in a rut.  You pushed me to take chances and do better. 
That is one of the good things we had together."

   "Neither of us understood what it took to do college level work when we
started freshmen year," I said.  "Calculus nearly killed me academically my
first semester.  Since Coach Paterno helped me get organized, I have made
Dean's List every semester and have been close to having straight A's. 
Aren't you doing well too?"

   "I am.  I have no choice.  I don't get into veterinary school
otherwise," Penny said.  "All that you are saying may be true but it
doesn't change that fact that we are two hundred miles apart.  How do we
have a relationship if we go months at a time without seeing each other?"

   "We won't be apart for months," I retorted.  "I was thinking we could
exchange visits to each other's schools occasionally.  I could come to
Philly later this month before my spring practice starts.  Practice
includes scrimmages on Saturday mornings, so we have more time together if
you came to State College then.  I thought the Blue and White Game, our
final scrimmage, would be a great time for you to come visit.  All kinds of
things are going on at campus and you can see me play, too."

   "I've seen you play before," Penny said.

   "Not in a setting like Beaver Stadium," I replied.  "You have to catch a
game there to understand.  If you thought us playing in Hershey Stadium in
the playoffs was great, you need to experience 107,000 people cheering your
team.  Anyway, it's only three weeks from the Blue & White Game until the
semester is over.  We can be together when the semester is over until I go
to camp."

   "It might work except for one problem," Penny demurred.  "I don't keep a
car on campus.  It's too much of a hassle to find parking in Philly.  I
don't have a way to get up to your campus."

   "But the train still runs from Philadelphia to Lancaster," I contended.
"You can pick up your car from home and still be in State College Friday
evening."

   "OK, maybe we can make that work this spring," Penny conceded.  "What
happens when football season really starts?"

   "I think the same plan can work in the fall," I replied.  "Our first
game is against Temple on Labor Day weekend.  I don't remember if it is a
home or away game.  Either way, I can spend Saturday night through Monday
afternoon in Philadelphia.  I hope you can come up to State College and
catch a couple games during the season.  We'll have Thanksgiving together.
I volunteered as an assistant coach for the Wolverines during their playoff
run and I plan to do it again.  The two of us could meet up here in
Paradise after their games for the weekend.  Does that make sense?"

   "Yes, that may be possible, IF we decide to get together," Penny
replied.

   "The best news of all this is about my spring semester next year," I
said.  "Social Studies teachers at Penn State must student teach in either
Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.  You can guess where this eastern Pennsylvania
resident chose to student teach.  Nine months from now we can spend as much
time together as we want."

   I had been studying Penny's face the whole time I tried to sell her on
my plan.  At first I saw resistance to my proposal but her face gradually
softened as I continued talking.  Mention of spending next spring semester
in Philly brought the first slight smile to her face.

   "I truly believe we can overcome the 200 mile separation this year," I
said.  "Next year, we can be together.  The last of Mom's three questions
is probably the most important one.  After I told her that I loved you and
that I thought you loved me, Mom asked, `What are you going to do about
that?' I think she is trying to tell us that love requires work.  Look at
my parents' experience.  They were high school sweethearts.  Mom got
pregnant by someone else, married him and had Will.  In spite of all those
challenges, my parents managed to get together and marry.  Compared to
them, all our problems have been trivial.  Do you still love me?  What are
we going to do about it?"

   Penny stared at me and then took a deep breath.  "You are my first love
and you are always going to be special for that reason," Penny said.  "It
isn't as simple as you want to make it for me.  I thought you were THE GUY
when we were in high school, the guy I would spend my life with.  You broke
my heart when you cheated on me and then dumped me unceremoniously."

   "Fair enough," I agreed.  "I earned that.  I wish there was a way I
could go back and change that horrible week.  Can you forgive me?"

   "I already have," Penny said.  "After getting over you I found Harrison.
I thought we would build a life together.  I was totally in love with him.
Then he turned out to be a cheating, low life snake.  I'm not over
Harrison's treachery.  Can you see why I'm leery of jumping into a
relationship with anyone, especially someone who had cheated on me in the
past?  I just can't rush into a big decision based on one unintended night
of passion."

   "I guess this is one of those times when I'm displaying my impulsive
side," I asked.  "I guess you're reining me in when I get carried away.  Is
there no chance of us rekindling what we had?  I felt a truly spiritual
connection with you last night."

   "I felt the connection too, Kyle," Penny said.  "I'm not ready to make a
commitment to you this quickly."

   "Can we at least try and see if we can work things out?" I said.  "I
think my mom has good advice for us.  If we love each other, we should try
and work this out."

   "I'm willing to give this a shot, Kyle," Penny replied.  "We can take
this one step at a time.  We can exchange visits this semester and see
where we are at in May after finals."

   "Excellent!" I said, beaming.  "I'm glad you will give me a final
chance."

   "Not so fast, Kyle," Penny cautioned.  "I have not agreed to be your
girlfriend.  I'm not promising I won't date other people if I choose to. 
You should go out with others if you wish.  All we're going to do is see if
something more is possible."

   "Fair enough," I agreed.  "Miss Edwards, may I have the pleasure of your
company tomorrow evening?  Perhaps we could enjoy a movie together or go
dancing." Penny chuckled at my mock formality.

   "I would be honored to go dancing with you tomorrow evening, Mr. 
Martin," Penny replied.

   Penny and I headed for home after dinner.  Neither of us felt like going
to a late movie and we had plans to go dancing Saturday night.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Saturday night Penny and I had burgers at Fuddruckers on the Lincoln
Highway East before we hit the Green Iguana club.  We spent a lot of the
night dancing, with breaks for drinks and talking.  We caught up with the
details of the last two years of each other's lives.  It was a nice night
for two people trying to reconnect as a couple.  In keeping with that
intent, I had to settle for a quite voltaic good night kiss when I dropped
Penny off at her house that evening.  Each of us slept alone.

   Penny came over to visit with me, Andy, the twins and Hunter on Sunday
afternoon for a couple hours.  We played with the boys awhile until it was
time for their naps.  We watched a movie after that.  My cell phone rang
just as the movie was ending.

   "Hello, Kyle Martin," I said as I answered the phone.

   "Hey Coach, this is Charlie Taylor," the voice said.  "My car won't
start.  I was wondering if I could catch a ride back to campus with you
today?"

   "Sure, no problem," I agreed.  "How about if I pick you up at seven?"

   "Sounds good, Coach," Charlie answered.  "Thanks for doing me this
favor."

   "It's what friends are for," I replied before we ended the call.

   "Was that Christian asking for a ride?" Penny asked.

   "No, it was Charlie Taylor," I replied.

   "I guess I need to start paying attention to who is on your team," Penny
said.  "I know Christian, Trevor, Chip and Shawn, but that's it."

   "You remember my other roommate, Damian, don't you?" I said.  "He's the
big running back that gave the Wolverines such problems in the state
championship game when we were in eleventh grade."

   "Him?  OK, I remember," Penny said.  "He did end up at Penn State,
didn't he?"

   "Damian has been my roommate since I had my meltdown freshmen year," I
said.  You'll like him when you meet him.  He's a great guy."

   "I'm looking forward to meeting your friends and teammates," Penny said.
"I guess I should get going.  I need to finish packing and Daddy wants to
leave immediately after dinner tonight."

   "This week together has been wonderful," I said as Penny got her coat
on. "...especially Thursday night.  I guess since we're dating again, I'll
keep in closer touch than I have the past couple years.  Would a phone call
or e-mail a couple times a week be too much?  I know we're not a couple and
daily contacts would be too much."

   "A couple times a week sounds about right, Kyle," Penny said.  "I
enjoyed this week too.  I'm glad we're trying to see if we can be a couple
again." Penny gave me a hug before we exchanged kisses on the lips.  When
she released me she added, "I guess I'll see you in a couple weeks.  Bye
boys, it's been fun spending time with you."

   "Bye" or "Bye Penny" followed from the three boys, playing together
again after the afternoon naps.  I escorted Penny to the door.  We
exchanged hugs and a more romantic kiss than had been appropriate in front
of the young boys.

   I felt pretty great when Penny had to leave.  She was openly discussing
things we would do together as a couple in the future.  I thought I had a
real shot at winning her back, assuming I didn't do anything stupid to
screw it up.

   Mom did a nice dinner as a send off for Andy and me before we headed
back to college.  Charlie was in a good mood when I picked him up.  He had
met up with an old girlfriend this week too and had a good time.  Charlie
and I talked about the football team and our expectations for spring
practice.  I dropped him off in front of his dorm and found a parking space
for myself near the Nittany Community Center.

   "What hell were you doing on spring break?" Trevor bellowed when I got
in the front door to our apartment.  "That is all Tammy and Kathy could
talk about Friday evening after they got a call from Penny.  Are the two of
you really hooked up again?"

   "We're going to date," I replied.  "We're not a couple... yet."

   "You certainly created a stir in your circle of friends Friday," Trevor
said.  "They were saying, `He slept with her!', `They're talking about
going together again!' and `What is she thinking?' You missed all the fun
we had down south but you didn't have a dull spring break."

   "Are you really going to go back to your high school squeeze?" Chip
asked.  "Do you really want to be tied down?"

   "Of course I do, if she'll have me," I replied.  "Anyway, I would think
you are beginning to understand.  Aren't you looking forward to seeing
Claire again?"

   "Yeah, I guess," Chip said.  "South Beach was fun but I am looking
forward to seeing Claire tomorrow."

   "So you do understand," I said.  "I have always loved Penny.  Now I am
getting a chance to fix the biggest blunder I have made in my life.  She's
giving me another chance and I won't blow it."

   "I understand, Coach," Trevor said.  "When you find the right girl, you
go after her."

   "How was Panama City Beach?" I asked.  "What did I miss?"

   Trevor told us about what he, Stephanie, Jeremy, Kathy, Hal, Tammy, Ed,
Eric, Brandon and their companions did the past week.  Scuba, water park,
dancing at clubs, drinking back at camp - it all sounded familiar.  Chip
told us about what he, his friend Austin and their friends from home did in
South Beach.  Damian and I were the only ones who spent a quiet week at
home.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Scott Henderson reviewed my plans for my lecture on the Spanish-American
War the next day.  I showed him the pictures I had taken of the Olympia and
the New Jersey over break.  Scott agreed that it would be good to post my
photos on the bulletin board today so our students could look them over
after my lecture.  I would put up what I originally planned for the
bulletin board in a few days.

   I found a seat beside Molly when I got back to campus for our Adolescent
Development course.  I knew I needed to tell Molly about me trying to win
back Penny.  I knew we weren't a couple but I felt I owed her an
explanation since we had dated almost constantly for the past month.

   She gave me a slight smile as I sat down beside her.

   "Did you have fun during break?" I asked.  Molly tensed a bit before she
spoke.

   "Break was good," Molly replied.  She completely dropped the smile.  "We
need to have a talk, Kyle."

   "OK," I agreed.  Molly took the words right out of my mouth.

   "You know how we agreed two weeks ago that we wouldn't have a serious
relationship?" Molly began.  I nodded my agreement.  "I met a really great
guy down in Florida.  We spent a few nights together.  I hope that doesn't
bother you, Kyle.  I enjoy dating you and consider you a good friend."

   Molly stared at me, trying to read my reaction for a few seconds.  I
smiled.

   "Relax," I answered.  "We didn't make a commitment to be faithful to
each other.  We're free to see whoever we wish."

   "That's a relief, Kyle," Molly said as her smile returned.  "I enjoy
dating you.  I'm glad my spring break fling doesn't bother you.  I enjoy
our dates."

   "I'm afraid you aren't the only one who had a spring break fling," I
said.  "I got together with my high school sweetheart."

   "That's nice," Molly said.

   "She and I want to explore the possibility of a long term relationship,"
I said.  "I enjoyed dating you but if Penny and I are going to have a fair
chance, the two of us can't date anymore.  I hope you can still be my
friend."

   Oh... um... I guess," Molly answered, her smile gone again.

   "I know this is kind of sudden," I added.  "You're a great girl and
someday you're going to make some lucky guy very happy.  Both of us know
that I'm not going to be that guy."

   "Yes... yes, you're right, Kyle," Molly said as she collected her
thoughts.  "You're right.  I guess being friends makes sense."

   Molly had agreed with my suggestion but she didn't seem to have a strong
conviction.  I was serious about remaining Molly's friend, so I would have
to demonstrate that to her by being her friend.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   I was excited Tuesday morning when I showed up at school.  I used some
of my pre-game relaxation techniques during home room to mentally prepare
myself.  Ms.  Hamilton showed up to observe.  Scott took roll for the first
period class and then turned things over to me.

   I talked about the origins of the Spanish-American War and how William
Randolph Hearst, Joseph Pulitzer and the rest of the "Yellow Press" whipped
up war frenzy against the Spanish.  President McKinley resisted their calls
as long as possible.  The explosion of the cruiser Maine in the Havana
harbor made war inevitable.  I told the kids how modern science had
determined that the Maine had suffered an internal explosion, most likely
due to a buildup of coal dust in her bunkers.

   My PowerPoint presentation included photos of the headlines touting the
Spanish infamy at blowing up our ship, popular engravings of the explosion
and subsequent headlines calling for war.  I went through the story of the
war, paying particular attention to Commodore Dewey and Battle of Manila
Bay.

   Theodore Roosevelt added color to the account.  As assistant navy
secretary he put the fleet to war footing while the Navy Secretary was
away. A few days later, after war was declared he resigned his subcabinet
position to fight.  He raised a regiment of volunteer cavalrymen from his
Dakota cowboy friends and Ivy League classmates.  TR recruited a
professional solider to lead his regiment, assuming the position of
lieutenant colonel.

   Roosevelt's political pull got his regiment included in the expedition
to Cuba.  Two months later he's commanding the regiment outside Santiago de
Cuba after his colonel was promoted to brigade command.  TR and his
regiment sat under fire on July 1st at the base of the San Juan Heights.

   The impatient colonel ordered his regiment forward without authorization
from his corps commander.  The 10th Cavalry, the African-Americans known as
the Buffalo Soldiers, along with the white 3rd Cavalry Regiment charged
ahead too.  The 24th and 25th Colored Infantry Regiments on their left also
charged ahead.  The five regiments slogged up the steep sides of San Juan
and Kettle Hills under intense fire.  Fighting Joe Wheeler, the old
ex-Confederate and acting corps commander, ordered the rest of the troops
to support the unexpected success.  By nightfall San Juan Heights was in
American hands and the garrison of Santiago de Cuba was trapped.

   The Spanish flotilla stationed in Santiago de Cuba sortied two days
later, trying to break through the American naval blockade.  Two hours of
fighting reduced the fleeing Spanish ships to sinking, blazing hulks along
the southern coast of Cuba.

   I told the kids about the final campaign of the war, where General
Nelson Miles led the troops occupying Puerto Rico against slight
opposition. The United States found itself in position of holding Puerto
Rico, the Philippines, Guam, and temporarily, Cuba.

   I finished up the lecture with a ten minute discussion of the war and
its consequences.  I asked the students to draw parallels to other events.
One of the students suggested that the events in 1898 were similar to 2003
and our war in Iraq.  This suggestion produced a spirited discussion that
lasted until the end of the period.

   I was pleased with the results from my lecture.  I had a good grasp of
the material, I covered everything in the lesson plans, I thought I
presented the material well and I was delighted to have provoked a
thoughtful discussion at the end of the period.

   Ms.  Hamilton and Scott met with me in the back of the room after the
students left for second period.  I was shocked when they spent twenty
minutes critiquing my work.  They reminded me of my frequent use of `um',
`uh', `like' and `you know.' I had turned my back on the class too often as
I lectured.  I wasn't conscious of all the mistakes I made as I gave my
lecture.  I guessed it showed, too.

   "You know, Kyle, your effort was pretty good for a first time," Scott
said as we concluded.  "Don't be down about what Ms.  Hamilton and I are
saying about your work."

   "Mr.  Henderson is correct," Ms.  Hamilton added.  "You gave a credible
first lecture.  The reason teachers go through the pre-service program and
then student teaching is that it is difficult to learn to give top quality
instruction."

   "I guess," I replied.  "I thought I was better at this than I really am.
I'll do better next time."

   "That's good, Kyle," Scott said.  "You are doing your next lecture next
Tuesday, fourth period.  You will be talking about Napoleon, the siege of
Toulon, a `whiff of grape' and Napoleon's first Italian campaign."

   "OK, I'll get better prepared for next time," I said.

   "Good, I'll get you copies of my notes for that lecture tomorrow
morning," Scott said.

   I knew I had more work to prepare for this next lecture.  I knew
Napoleon Bonaparte had commanded the artillery during the French siege of
Toulon in 1793.  I was familiar with Napoleon's successful campaign against
the Austrians in northern Italy in 1796-1797.  I had absolutely no idea
what Scott was talking about when he said I would include `a whiff of
grape' in the lecture.

   Ms.  Hamilton let me know that my formal mid-term conference to discuss
my progress would be at 9:00 am next Monday morning.  Mr.  Pietruccha, the
vice principal, would cover the second period study hall for Scott while we
did my formal evaluation.

   I consciously worked at avoiding the errors I made first period when I
repeated the lecture to my other U.  S.  History section.  I think the
lecture went better.  I couldn't get the students involved in the
discussion at the end of the period the way the first period class had
done. Scott told me after third period that I had done better with the
second lecture.

   I started research on next week's lecture when I got back to campus
Tuesday afternoon.  A quick Google search informed me about the `whiff of
grape' that Scott referred to.  Grape, or grapeshot, properly known as
canister, was a type of ammunition used a close range.  It was a can filled
with thumbnail sized iron or lead balls.  When the cannon fired, the can
disintegrated, turning the gun into super-sized shotgun.

   The future emperor used the `whiff of grape[shot]' in his cannons to
control rioting mobs in the streets that were threatening the National
Convention in 1794.  It was brutal but effective.  I guess human beings do
what they need to do when the price of failure is the guillotine.  It made
Napoleon politically useful and led eventually to him being appointed to
command the Army of Italy at the age of twenty-seven.

   I did more research for my next lecture after my C I 495C seminar that
evening.  I knocked off around 9:30 that evening.  I gave Penny a call.  We
talked for about ten minutes.  It was a comfortable conversation about how
our weeks were going.  I told her about my first lecture.  She talked about
how tough Organic Chemistry II was.  She had at least another hour of study
that evening to be ready for her next day's class.  I kept the call short
so Penny could go back to studying.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   Thursday evening Josh Bruno, Chad King and I ate a late dinner at the
Big Onion in Findlay Commons.  Chad picked up his car and headed for his
apartment.  Josh and I walked back to the Nittany Apartments together.

   "Coach, are we going to get the leadership group together before spring
practice?" Josh asked.

   "Yeah, probably we should," I agreed.  "I've been a little preoccupied
trying to win back my high school girlfriend.  You're right; we do need to
get the group together.  I'll talk with Trevor, Damian and Chip.  We'll set
something up some evening next week."

   I got my roommates together later that evening after everyone got back
to our apartment.  We discussed Josh's idea.  We decided to call a meeting
of all remaining members of last season's leadership group.  We chose
Tuesday evening for the meeting.

   Friday's classes went well.  Saturday morning Chip and I went out to get
supplies for our party.  I spent Saturday afternoon at the Natatorium
lifeguarding.

   Saturday evening's party was strange for me, almost a throw back to my
early days as a freshman.  I had a girlfriend, sort of, and didn't plan to
take any of the available girls to bed with me.  My reputation with the
girls that frequented our parties was good enough that I had a constant
stream of girls flirting with me, coming on to me and trying to coax me
into bed.

   I managed to behave myself while playing host to the crowd in our
apartment.  I talked with friends, kept the bowls of snack food filled and
made sure the beer stayed cold.  I spent time talking with my high school
teammate Jason Harting, at least until he hooked up with one of the girls.

   The party dwindled down to Trevor, Steph, Chip, Claire, Marco, Marco's
conquest for the night and myself by 12:30 am.  We cleaned up the apartment
before heading to bed.  After I changed the sheets, I headed to bed,
tossing and turning as I tried to get to sleep.  Trevor and Steph were
making love in the adjoining bedroom.  I could hear Chip and Claire
upstairs too.  The two couples reminded me of how much I missed Penny.  I
tossed and turned a little more before deciding to send Penny an e-mail
letting her know I was thinking of her.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Date: March 18th 01:33:12 am
To: pedwards422@upenn.edu
From: fastwr87@redroses.net
Re: Thinking of you
I hope the rest of your week went well.  Classes went fine for me.  I'm
just about finished with my lesson plan for my lecture on Tuesday on the

rise of Napoleon.

   Trevor and Steph asked me to say hi the next time I wrote you.  They're
in the next bedroom making love right now.  Chip and his new girlfriend
Claire are upstairs doing the same thing.

   God, I miss you!  I can't wait for Friday night to get here.  I can
leave campus after my history class, around 2:30 pm.  Even with rush hour
traffic, I expect to get to Philly around 6:00 or 6:30 pm.  Can you suggest
a nice place for me to take you to dinner?  You know Philly better than I
do.  Maybe we could catch a movie or go to a club after dinner.  I'm
looking forward to next weekend.

   Love you.

   Kyle

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---

   After I sent the e-mail off letting Penny know my feelings, I managed to
get to sleep in spite of the noise from next door and upstairs.  I found a
reply to my e-mail Sunday after lunch.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Date: March 19th 01:15:11 pm
To: fastwr87@redroses.net
From: pedwards422@upenn.edu
Re: <Re: Thinking of you>
I'm looking forward to seeing you too next weekend.  I know of plenty of
places we could have dinner Friday night.  It all depends on what you are
looking for.  We have everything from the Mid-Atlantic Restaurant where
you'll need a coat and tie to local delis and pizza places.  Pizza,
Stromboli or Calzones from Poweltown Pizza would be excellent.  They're

right around the block.

   I'd enjoy catching a movie after dinner.  The Bridge Cinema is about
fifteen minutes from my apartment.

   Knock them dead Tuesday morning with your lecture on Napoleon.  I'm sure
you will have the kids singing `The Marseilles' by the time the period is
over.

   Can't wait to see you.  Love, Penny

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---

   I was delighted at Penny's e-mailed response to my earlier e-mail.  She
was engaged in planning my visit.  She was paying attention to what I told
her about my week.  Best of all, she signed it `Love, Penny.' I felt that
she was ready to invest as much effort as I was to rebuild a strong
relationship.  Maybe to two of us (me?) had matured enough to be able to
make a long distance relationship work.  Time would tell.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   Scott, Ms.  Hamilton and I sat down in a conference room off the school
office for my mid-term performance review during second period Monday.  The
review had three focus areas.  Each focus area had multiple standards I was
to meet.  I would be rated as meeting the standards "Often," "Sometimes,"
or Rarely."

   I was rated "Often" on meeting the all standards on Focus Area A -
Becoming a Professional.  In Focus Area B - Learning to be a Teacher, my
ratings were a mixed bag.  I was rated as meeting standards "Often" for my
classroom observations and using writing as a tool for teaching/learning. I
was rated "Sometimes" for making connections across experiences.  In Focus
Area C - Developing Understanding and Capabilities - I was rated "Often"
for three of the five standards.  I was rated "Sometimes" on the other two.
I needed to work on evaluating the effectiveness of my teaching.

   All in all, it was a very good mid-term rating.  I needed to rate
"Sometimes" in all three focus areas at the end of the course to pass the
pass/fail course.  I figured I would have to fail disastrously in the next
three weeks to drop my scores to the point where I did not pass my
pre-service teaching class.  Of course, I planned on rating much better
than satisfactory at the end of the course.

   Scott checked over my lesson plans after my evaluation was over.  He
said everything looked good.  Dr.  Ward's lecture Monday night in SS ED 412
covered exactly what I had been working on to prepare for tomorrow's
lecture.  It was a good feeling knowing that I was on the right track for
my "Rise of Napoleon" lecture.

   Part way through class I felt my cell phone vibrate, announcing a call.
I surreptitiously glanced at the caller.  It was Penny.  I let her go to
voice mail.  I returned her call as I started walking back from Chambers to
my apartment.

   "Hey Penny, it's Kyle," I said as she answered.  "I forgot to tell you I
have class from six to nine on Mondays.  What's up?"

   "I have horrible news," Penny replied.  "My organic chemistry professor
announced he was rescheduling our big mid-term from Friday of next week to
next Monday morning.  That's on top of my bio statistics mid-term Tuesday
morning.  We can't get together this weekend."

   "Oh shit!" I exclaimed as I stopped walking.  I felt like someone had
stuck a shiv in my side.  "You're smart.  I sure you have been studying all
along in the course.  You don't need to cram the weekend before, do you?"

   "Thank you for complimenting my intelligence," Penny replied.  "...but
you need to understand about organic chemistry, Kyle.  Everything in the
course is rote memorization.  I am going to need the entire weekend to
review the past two months of class work.  This is a key course for me.  I
have to get an A in it if I want to have a decent chance to get into
veterinary school."

   "You're right," I agreed.  "I'm just disappointed.  Isn't there any way
we can work this out?  I won't disturb your studying too much."

   "No, I'm sorry, Kyle," Penny said.  "I really can't.  You would be a
huge, much too alluring distraction if you were here this weekend.  I need
to concentrate on the various permutations of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
atoms.  This test is too important.  Can't we get together another
weekend?"

   "I'm sorry I'm pushing so much," I replied.  "I know organic chemistry
is difficult.  I remember Abby complaining about it when she took it.  I
wanted us to build a strong relationship in spite of the distance
separating us.  I feel bad.  What kind of relationship would we have if the
only way we got together was when I say, `Penny, why don't you come up here
to the Blue and White game?' or `Why don't you come up here in the fall for
two or three of my football games?' That would be too one-sided of a
relationship.  I want to give too.  This weekend is the last weekend I can
get away the whole weekend until the semester is over."

   "What about the next weekend?" Penny asked.  "You said you have a
scrimmage on Saturday morning.  What are you doing the rest of the
weekend?"

   "I don't have anything else I have to do after Saturday morning," I
said. "I just hoped to have more time together than we would have if I
drove to Philly after the scrimmage.  I probably couldn't get there before
five or six o'clock.  I wanted to spend more time with you than that."

   "I could meet you part way, Kyle," Penny suggested.  "We could come home
to Paradise for the weekend or..." Penny paused for a second.  "... we
could go hiking.  Why don't we pick out a section of Horseshoe Trail or
Appalachian Trail and meet there?  That would be fun way to maximize our
time together."

   "You know... we could do that," I said.  "Kelly and I did something
similar a couple times two years ago during spring practice.  Christian and
I went out to meet Bev and Kelly on the trail on Saturday afternoons.  It
worked out great."

   "OK, why don't we do the same thing?" Penny asked.  "We both love the
outdoors.  What better way to spend our time together?" She chuckled. 
"Hell, why don't you invite Bev and Christian.  It would be fun to have two
couples together on the trail."

   "This sounds like a plan," I responded enthusiastically.  "Any idea
which section of the trail we should do?"

   "That is one problem," Penny replied.  "All my maps are at home.  I
don't have enough information to plan a hike here on campus."

   "No problem," I said.  "My trail maps are here.  I'll do some checking
when I get back to my apartment.  I'll call you back later."

   "That sounds good, Kyle," Penny said.  "I'm glad we found a way to get
together.  I felt so bad calling to tell you that you can't come this
weekend."

   ""We'll work it out," I replied.  "Whatever challenges we have, we'll
talk them through and figure out a solution together."

   "That's the ticket," Penny agreed.  "I love you."

   "I love you too," I agreed before I ended the call.

   I called Christian first thing when I got back to my apartment and
invited him and Bev to join Penny and me on our backpacking excursion.  I
pulled my AT maps out and spread them across the table, looking for a short
hike that we could do Saturday afternoon and a longer hike for Sunday. 
Trevor found me studying the maps.

   "What's up, Coach?" Trevor asked.

   "I can't go to Philly this weekend because Penny will be too busy
studying for an organic chemistry mid-term," I explained.  "We decided to
go backpacking the next weekend instead.  Christian, Bev and I will meet
her somewhere around Dauphin, Lebanon or Berks counties after our
scrimmage. We can spend the rest of the weekend hiking and enjoying the
outdoors."

   "Is there room for another couple?" Trevor asked.  "I know I love
backpacking and I think Steph would be game for it too."

   "Sure, why not?" I agreed.

   Trevor sat down with me and we searched my maps.  After about twenty
minutes we decided the best section of the Appalachian Trail was the
section Kelly and I hiked with our backpacking class two years ago.  We
would start on Route 225, north of Dauphin, and hike along the top of the
mountain to Peter's Shelter.  We would have around six and half miles on
Sunday to get to the road.  The whole hike would be around nine and a half
miles.  I called Penny back and let her know the location and route.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   My lecture on the rise of Napoleon went well.  I described the meteoric
rise of the young Corsican thanks to his brilliance, energy and his
mother's political machinations.  He achieved command of the artillery of
the army besieging the British in the French port of Toulon in 1793.  He
overcame obstruction by his commander to arrange a large battery of guns
capable of forcing the British fleet from the harbor.  The British ground
troops left with the navy.

   Napoleon's success got him noticed by the Committee of Public Safety. 
He was posted to command the artillery of the Army of Italy.  With the end
of the Reign of Terror and the beheading of his patrons, the Robespierre
brothers, Bonaparte was posted to a backwater of the war.  Paul Barras, a
member of the new government known as the Directory, plucked from him from
obscurity and semi-retirement to safeguard the government from rioting
Royalist mobs in Paris in 1794.

   I explained to the class what `a whiff of grape' really meant to mobs
storming up the streets in Paris.  Napoleon's cannons became extremely
effective giant shotguns, clearing the streets and saving the Directory. 
Ever the opportunist, Napoleon dumped his fiancée and married Barras'
influential former mistress, Josephine de Beauharnais.

   The members of Directory recognized Bonaparte's ruthless ambition and
relegated him to command of the Army of Italy, considered an unimportant
command on the outskirts of the war.  The new commander arrived in northern
Italy to find his disorganized, demoralized command clinging to the Alpine
frontier overlooking Piedmont.

   He galvanized the troops and attacked the more numerous Austrians.  Over
the next thirteen months the general repeatedly defeated the Austrian
armies sent to suppress him.  He conquered the northern Italian plains,
captured the Papal States and then invaded the heart of Austrian Empire,
driving to within a hundred miles of Vienna before the Austrians sued for
peace.

   It was an amazing performance by a young man not yet thirty.  Bonaparte
returned to Paris as a hero, far more popular than the Directors running
revolutionary France.  Within two years Napoleon Bonaparte was ruler of
France.

   Scott congratulated me on my lecture when fourth period was over.  He
said we would discuss my performance tomorrow during second period.  My
next lecture would be Friday for the U.  S.  History class.  My topic would
be the Treaty of Versailles and the fight for the League of Nations.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   The remainder of the football team leadership group met in my apartment
Tuesday night at 6:30 just as I was finishing dinner.  Shawn Byrd, Josh
Bruno, Christian Hunsecker and Tanner Riggs joined Trevor, Damian and me
for the discussion of our team's future.  Chip was at our apartment and
joined the group.

   As Greg Nowicki came in I commented, "I guess we can get started. 
Everyone is here."

   "What's the first order of business?" Trevor asked.

   "We need someone to chair this group since we won't have captains for a
few more weeks," Christian said.

   "I agree completely," Shawn added.  "I think Coach should be our
chairman until we elect captains."

   "No... I don't think..." I tried to say.  I was drowned out by a calls
of "Yeah, Coach should do it,", "Coach is the one," and "Coach should be in
charge," from my teammates.

   "All in favor of Coach chairing this group until we have captains say
Aye," Shawn announced over the crowds' calls.  A chorus of `Ayes' greeted
Shawn's question.  "Opposed?" I kept my mouth shut.  I knew I didn't have
the option to refuse.

   "Seven in favor, one abstaining..." Trevor announced.  He stared over at
Chip and grinned.  "...and one non-voting member in favor.  You're in
charge of this motley group Coach."

   "OK, I'll coordinate things until we have captains," I agreed.

   "...until you're elected captain, you mean," Josh said.

   "Whatever," I said.  I cleared my throat and began.  "We set a high goal
for our team at Christmas last year.  We decided we would go undefeated in
the year.  We started off well in our bowl game against Tennessee by
beating them decisively.  We put last year's team into the top ten to end
the season.  We have a lot of work to do this year to complete our goal."

   "Damn straight, we do," Damian agreed.

   "Coach Hall and the Kentucky Wildcats come here on week 2," I said. 
"They aren't the same team that the Lions beat three and a half years ago
for the national championship but they're playing good football.  They
won't be easy to beat.  The next weekend we fly out to Nebraska and all of
us know the reputation of their defense."

   "If their offense catches up to the defense, it will be a real tough
game," Chip said.  "I've been studying the tape on them."

   "We have away games at Iowa, Ohio State and Wisconsin this season," I
continued.  "Even our so called tune-up game to start the season won't be
easy.  Even though we're 37-3-1 against Temple and haven't lost to them in
seventy years, they will be tough.  They have won 75% of their games and
made bowls in the last three seasons.  They aren't doormats anymore.  The
goal we set for ourselves is tough.  Are we up to it?"

   The group let loose a chorus of "Yes!" and "You bet we are."

   "Our offense is going to be dynamite this season," Chip said.  "We're
only losing two guys on offense."

   "We're losing three from our defense," Trevor added.  "Dave [McCall] is
top notch.  He will cover Tyler's spot.  Marco [Cuchiella] or Jeff [Knox]
can cover Salim's spot.  Everyone knows Jerry [Whitfield] can fill the big
hole left in the front line with Mehmed leaving."

   All of us knew Jerry, weighing in at close to three hundred pounds and
looking like Mehmed's twin brother, could literally fill the hole in our
line.  With him and 335 pound Mike Pollard as our tackles, no one was going
to run up the middle of our defense.

   "All of us were here two years ago when Zack Hayes led the team on a
drive for the championship game," I said.  "We remember what it feels like
to come up two minutes short of perfect.  The voters cut us out of a shot
at the championship game.  We ended up number two in the nation.  We know
how hard that season was."

   I received nods of agreement around our circle of friends.

   "Every one of us, from the starters to the backups and down to the
freshmen on our scout teams..." I said.  "... all of us have to step our
game up a notch if we're going to get where we want to go.  All of us in
this room have a vision - us undefeated and lined up in the tunnel in the
University of Phoenix Stadium next January, ready to storm onto the field
and play for the national championship.  How do we sell the vision and the
work it entails to the rest of our team?"

   The ten of us kicked the idea around for about ten minutes without
reaching a satisfactory answer to the question.  Damian was the first to
come up with a possible solution.

   "Why are we beating this idea up?" Damian asked.  "Why don't we make
this vision concrete?  We should hang a poster showing our team in the
tunnel in the University of Phoenix Stadium ready to take the field.  What
better way to get everyone to buy into the vision?"

   "Um... one problem I see," Tanner said.  "Our team has never played in
that stadium.  Where would we get this photo?  I doubt the university will
fly the football team out to Phoenix just to take a photo."

   "You're thinking too linear," Damian answered.  "My friend Billy
Robinson is studying to be a graphic artist.  He can take a photo of the
stadium and Photoshop the image of our team into the tunnel.  Hell, he
probably can even get credit for the work in one of the graphic arts
courses he's taking this semester."

   After a little more discussion everyone agreed on the idea.  We would
have Damian get Billy to make the poster for us.  Our new slogan "On to
Phoenix!" would run across the top as a banner.  Agreement on this left me
with one more piece of business.

   "I think Tyler Madden was brilliant when he decided to include
sophomores in his leadership group last spring," I said.  "Riding herd over
110 or so players is too much for two or three captains.  We need to
continue this leadership group like we did last year.  Tyler had the
foresight to include us last spring so the team would have leadership after
he was finished with football.  I think we will be off to a great start
this season since we are settling on leaders already.  We need to keep this
tradition alive and expand this group to include more sophomores than Chip.
Who else do you guys see as potential leaders next season?"

   After some discussion we decided to invite Charlie Taylor, Jared
Cantrell, Kenyatta Jackson [defensive end], Joe Ricci and David McCall to
join our leadership group.  After that I divided up responsibilities for
the team.  Christian volunteered to oversee the wide receivers.  Tanner
would take the special teams players, Damian the running backs, Greg the
offensive line, Trevor the defensive line, Josh the linebackers, Shawn the
defensive backs and Chip the quarterbacks.

   I didn't tell Chip, but I would oversee him to make sure he was ready
for his part in our team.  I also would oversee the tight ends.  Ideally,
Ben Witte, a junior tight end, should have filled that slot, but he
couldn't.  Ben was a hell of a blocker and could knock you out of your
socks when someone pointed him at you and told him to block.  Ben was quiet
and introverted and did not have the right personality to lead people.

   I asked everyone to check in with their charges this week and make sure
everyone was ready for spring practice's start next Monday.  I asked them
to inform everyone they were to take the field fifteen minutes ahead of
Coach Burton's scheduled start time.  We would do some warm-ups before
practice started.  I wanted the coaches to see our team's dedication and
willingness to work to get to Phoenix next winter.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Scott Henderson complimented me on my improvement when he evaluated my
"Rise of Napoleon" lecture Wednesday morning during the second period study
hall.  I reviewed what I was planning for Friday's lecture on the Treaty of
Versailles and the formation of the League of Nations.  Scott said I was on
the right track.  He would check my lesson plans again on Thursday.

   Scott told me I would have two lectures a week for the rest of my time
in his class.  I would do the Tuesday lecture in AP European History on
Tuesdays and U.  S.  History on Fridays.  It was hard to believe I had two
and half weeks left working in Scott's classroom.  The time was flying by
this term.

   Wednesday evening Christian called to confirm that he and Bev would be
backpacking with Penny and me the next weekend.  Trevor and Steph had
confirmed their participation the previous evening.  This led to a flurry
of phone calls to organize the trip.  By the time the evening was over we
had all the logistical details planned.

   Trevor and Steph came straight back to campus from after camping during
spring break, so they had all their camping gear here.  I had my backpack
and personal gear on campus.  My tent, stove and cooking gear were at home.
Penny would pick them up for me on her way through Lancaster County. 
Christian and Bev hadn't planned on camping this semester, so everything
was at home.

   Bev would take Christian's car home to Manheim Friday night and pick up
everything.  Penny would rendezvous with Bev in Manheim Saturday morning
while we scrimmaged and drive up to our section of trail.  Bev and Penny
would leave Penny's car at the end of the hike and drive over to the
parking area above Dauphin to meet us.  Christian and I would ride down to
Dauphin with Trevor and Steph in his Explorer after our scrimmage was over
Saturday morning.  We should be able to start our hike along the top of the
mountain by two pm.  We would easily reach the shelter with time to relax
before dinner.

   Friday's Treaty of Versailles lecture went well.  Scott complimented me
on it during second period.  He suggested a couple tweaks for third period.
I thought I did better the second time around with the lecture.

   Saturday was devoted to party preparations and an afternoon of
lifeguarding.  Damian invited me to join Billy, Sarah and Melanie for
dinner at our apartment.  Damian made Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon.  It
was fantastic.  He made a huge batch, so there were leftovers.  The first
half dozen people to the party got to sample the dish that had perfumed our
apartment.

   I played genial host, talking with my friends and enjoying the music.  I
had a couple beers.  I also fended off the flirtations and innuendo from
the girls trying to lure me to bed with them.  I knew I would be horny at
bedtime, with the sounds of couplings echoing in the apartment.  My
memories of making love to Penny two weeks earlier and expectations for the
next weekend would be enough to keep me true to the woman I desired.

   Brian Henson beat Marco and Jon to Damian's bedroom that evening.  He
asked permission to stay the night soon after the party got started.  He
invited a cute freshman engineering student to spend the night with him.  I
didn't catch her name until the next morning.  My protégé's conquest was
Amanda Watson.  Brian seemed quite taken by her.

   Penny called me Sunday afternoon when she needed a break from studying.
We talked for about fifteen minutes, discussing menu ideas for our
backpacking trip.  Penny had found a website with excellent ideas for cheap
trail food that we could purchase at a local grocery store.  They made all
the recipes so they could be rehydrated in a zip lock freezer bag.  Penny
promised to send me a link.  She said the Thai Peanut Noodles sounded
really good.

   I wished Penny good luck on her organic chemistry mid-term before we
ended the call.  It had been a good call.  Things seemed to be going well
between us.  Maybe there was hope that Penny would be willing to try a long
distance relationship again.

   I called a brief meeting of the football team's leadership group at my
apartment Sunday evening.  I made sure the sophomores we were inviting to
join the group attended.  We talked about everyone's role in the leadership
and what was expected.  Everyone was briefed to get their charges on the
field in Holuba Hall fifteen minutes ahead of Coach Burton's planned start.

   Most of the group stayed after the meeting officially ended.  Trevor
handed out beers to everyone.  We enjoyed talking and bullshitting each
other about our experiences over the past two or three years with the
Nittany Lions.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Football!  It was great to get back into workout clothes and to prepare
to take the field.  I was one of the first guys in the locker room,
arriving a little after three o'clock.  I had checked with our tight ends,
Ben Witte, Bob Smith and Will Jones.  All three knew I wanted everyone out
on the field in Holuba Hall early for our first day.

   I checked in with the other members of the leadership group as they
arrived, letting them know they should let me know when everyone in their
position group had arrived.  All the leaders reported their guys were
present by 3:27 pm.  We gathered the whole team together, did a "We are...
Penn State" cheer and took the field en masse.

   We shocked the hell out of Anders Voight and Yasin Clark when all
ninety-six of us marched onto the field together.  We leaders organized the
group in ranks and files.  GJ DeLuca, the future phys ed teacher, took
charge of warm-ups for us.

   "What the hell is going on, Coach?" a laughing Anders demanded of me.

   "It's time for some football," I answered.  "We're so excited we can't
wait!"

   "Coach Burton is going to love this," Anders replied.  "Is everybody
here?"

   "All ninety-six of us," I agreed.  "We want Coach to be impressed. 
Let's get everyone psyched up for the season."

   I rejoined the line of players and warmed up while we waited for the
coaching staff to show up.  They came out the door from the Lasch Building
about five minutes later.  They stopped in their tracks as soon as they
realized the football team had started practice without them.  Some stopped
and laughed at the sight.  Coach Burton stared at his team for about
fifteen seconds and then marched into the middle of our formation.

   "OK everybody, gather round and take a knee," Coach Burton announced. 
"I have a few announcements to make before..." Coach cleared his throat. 
"...we continue practice.  Number one: be on time for practice." Coach took
one of the note cards in his left hand and flipped it in the air in front
of us.  "Don't need that!" He smiled diffidently as we chuckled at his
gesture.

   Coach launched into his standard speech outlining our practice schedule
and his expectations of us.  It was the same speech I had heard five times
since I came to Penn State.  He spent about five minutes talking about
expectations and plans for this spring.  At the end of the talk he issued a
challenge.

   "I understand this team has travel plans for next January," Coach Burton
boomed.  "Where are you planning to go?"

   "To Phoenix!" about a dozen of us yelled.  Coach repeated the question
and more of the team yelled back, "To Phoenix!" By the third cheer, every
team member was yelling out "Phoenix" as our post season destination.

   The coaches broke us into four groups to circulate around the field and
to the Lasch Building to be measured, weighed and tested.  Coach Burton
appointed Christian, Trevor, Josh and me to lead the groups to the various
stations.  I ended up with all the newbies, Troy and Ian Davis, Mark
Markovich, Darius Moore and Will Jones, in my group of twenty-four.  My
group took extra time in the locker room so the newbies could get properly
outfitted as Nittany Lion football players.

   I was pleased when I ran the 40, posting a 4.27 second time.  That was
my personal best.  Brian Henson was disappointed to "only" complete the 40
in 4.30 seconds.  Shawn Byrd beat his personal best too, posting a 4.28
second time in the 40.  Seven other guys ran the 40 in under 4.4 seconds,
so our team had speed to compete with just about any team in the country,
including the speedsters like Florida and LSU.

   As the practice was finishing up I saw Coach Burton call GJ DeLuca over.
I knew the topic of conversation almost immediately.  GJ pointed my
direction and Coach Burton motioned for me to come over.

   "You're behind the pre-practice warm-ups?" Coach asked.

   "I'm one of the group that sold the team on showing our enthusiasm to
get our season's preparations started," I replied.

   "Group?  What group is that?" Coach Burton asked.

   "You know how Tyler Madden asked some of the guys in my class to help
him lead the team last fall?" I explained.  Coach Burton nodded yes.  "We
met a few days ago to discuss what we could do to help the team get ready
for spring practice and for the fall season.  All of us know we are going
to have to step up our game a notch if we plan to get to Phoenix next
January.  We thought having everyone show up for our first practice fifteen
minutes early would give the message about how hard we will need to work to
reach our goals."

   "You keep saying we?" Coach Burton asked.  "Who is in this group?"

   "Trevor Conwell, Damian Thompson, Shawn Byrd, Josh Bruno, Christian
Hunsecker, Tanner Riggs, me, Chip Brinton..." I began.  "um... we added
some sophomores at our second meeting - Dave McCall, Joe Ricci, Kenyatta,
Charlie Taylor and Jared Cantrell."

   "Does this group have a spokesman?" Coach asked.

   "They railroaded me into the job," I said.  "I'm supposed to coordinate
the group's efforts until we elect team captains."

   Coach Burton gave me wink and said, "At which time YOU will officially
be in charge."

   "I don't know," I said.  "I guess we'll see in a few weeks."

   "One other thing, Coach," Coach Burton added.  "The point you were
making today is a good point and I love the idea behind it, but you can
ease up on the guys a little.  Arriving five minutes early for practice is
fine."

   "You got it, Coach," I agreed.  I headed over to the locker room in the
Lasch Building.  I walked straight to the middle of the locker room and
signaled for quiet.

   "Gentlemen!" I announced.  "I need your attention please." I waited for
half a minute until I had quiet.  "Coach Burton thanks you for your
enthusiasm and effort to arrive early for practice today.  For future
practices you need to be on the field and ready to work five minutes early
instead of today's fifteen minutes.  Also please remember that the team
will need maximum effort from everyone when you are on the field.  That is
what it is going to take if we want to spend our winter break in Phoenix."

   "On to Phoenix!" Trevor shouted.  Most of the group responded "On to
Phoenix!" Trevor repeated the chant two more times, until he was satisfied
with the volume and enthusiasm our teammates displayed.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   Josh Bruno and I missed Tuesday's practice because we had our C I 495C
seminar at 4:15 that afternoon.  My roommates told me that practice went
well.  The guys were starting to get into the "On to Phoenix!" chant.

   Wednesday's practice went well, though the coaches didn't give me many
reps.  Coach Caffrey warned me that I would not be getting many reps during
the spring.  Coach Burton didn't want to take any chances that I would get
hurt during practice.  I enjoyed working with my old coach again.  I was
surprised at how well he had learned our offense.  It took me most of a
year to learn it.  Coach had it down in less than eight weeks.

   Thursday afternoon Coach Burton had Josh and me practice hard in the
first half hour of practice.  We left early so we could get to our C I 412W
classes over the Chambers Building at 4:40 pm.

   My work in Scott's classes was going well.  He complimented me on my AP
European History lecture Tuesday after class.  Ms.  Hamilton came in Friday
first period to observe my U.  S.  History I lecture.  She was pleased with
my improvement since my first lecture a few weeks earlier.

   Scott asked me to prepare a quiz for the AP class.  I would turn it in
to him so he could check it on Monday.  I would give the quiz to the class
on Tuesday before I did my lecture.  I would be responsible for grading the
quizzes too.  I was to have the graded quizzes ready for Scott by the
following Monday.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Saturday morning's scrimmage was short for me.  Coach Burton let me play
for twelve plays on the Blue team, which included our first string offense.
I managed to make two catches in our first drive.

   The first was a slant route where Chip hit me eight yards deep.  I
managed to pickup half a dozen yards before Josh Bruno and Dave McCall
hauled me down.  On the second catch I out-leapt Shawn Byrd on a deep
route. Shawn took me down before I could add yards after the catch.  Shawn
also knocked another pass out of my hands that I thought was a sure catch.
Shawn always held his own when he was covering me.

   Damian got some good running in too.  The drive ended with Christian
catching a pass in the end zone.  Jared Cantrell took my spot when Coach
Caffrey gave me the word to relax and take a seat.  I spent the rest of the
scrimmage watching.

   Brian Henson, Bruce MacCauley and Jared Cantrell all spent time in my
spot.  Brian also spent time in the slot receiver spot.  He looked sharp in
the scrimmage.  Chip played for three quarters of the scrimmage.  Chip and
our offense looked excellent when our first string or first string plus
Brian were on the field.  Things were more ragged when the second and later
the third string players got playing time.

   The White defense, our first string defense, needed more work to be
ready.  The time Chip, Christian, Tanner, Damian, Brian and I spent over
the winter working out two days a week on our passing game was paying off.
I was confident that Trevor, Josh and Shawn would have our defense up to
speed before our first game in September.

   Jon Stafford quarterbacked the White team for the first, second and
fourth quarters.  Bob Huber, our other freshman quarterback, played with
the White team in the third quarter and the Blue team in the fourth quarter
when Coach Burton was satisfied that Chip had enough work.

   The blue team won 24-21 on the strength of a long fourth quarter field
goal by Jared Gray, our sophomore kicker and heir-apparent to Andrew
Perkins.  The whole Nittany Lions team, both White and Blue players,
huddled at midfield when the scrimmage was over to do our "On to Phoenix"
chant before we went back to the locker room.

   Trevor, Christian and I wasted no time showering, getting dressed and
heading back to our apartments.  Christian showed up at our door about the
time Trevor and I walked out with our loaded backpacks.  We loaded our gear
in Trevor's Explorer and headed across town to pick up Stephanie.  We
picked up sandwiches at the Subway on the way out of State College.  I
called Penny as we left town.  She was ready to leave Paradise and drive to
meet Bev in Manheim when I called.  Everything was on schedule for all of
us to be at the trailhead above Dauphin around two o'clock that afternoon.

   "Do you think you and Penny can work things out, Coach?" Christian asked
as Trevor passed through Boalsburg.  "She went from engaged to Harrison
before Christmas to dumping him in February to dating you in March.  That
is a lot for one person to absorb in a few months."

   "I hope we can work things out," I answered.  "I think this weekend will
tell Penny and me a lot about our chances of reuniting.  I'm encouraged
that Penny agreed to share a tent with me this weekend rather than opting
to share a tent with Bev.  I hope that doesn't damage your religious
scruples too much."

   "For better or worse, I've made my peace with Bev and me having sex,"
Christian answered.  "I know it would be better if we had waited until we
married to be intimate but there was no turning back after it happened the
first time.  I guess I have to be satisfied with making love to one woman
in my life, the one I marry."

   Steph asked, "Have you and Bev made any official plans yet?"

   "Not yet," Christian said.  "Marriage will wait until we finish school.
I have to meet with Mr.  Umble first and have a man to man talk with him. I
need to earn some more money so I can afford a nice ring for Bev. 
Hopefully I will have everything ready this summer or in the fall so I can
officially ask her for her hand in marriage."

   "Yep, you got to do these things right," Trevor said.

   "That you do," I agreed.

   Talk turned to football and the day's scrimmage.  Trevor was upset that
his defense had been bested by the Blue team.  He promised that they would
put up a better performance next Saturday.  He promised our defense would
be a strong area for our team as we sought the national championship, not a
weak area like last season.

   An hour later Trevor pulled off the Dauphin exit and headed up the
mountain to meet our girlfriends.  My phone rang as we pulled onto the exit
ramp.

   "Hey honey, Bev and I are here at the trailhead," Penny said when I
answered my phone.  "Where are you guys at?"

   "We're exiting 322 right now," I said.  "I'll see you in a few minutes."

   "Good, we'll be ready for you," Penny responded.

   Seven minutes later Trevor pulled his SUV into the Appalachian Trail
(AT) parking lot.  The four of us climbed out to be greeted by Penny and
Bev.

   "Hi honey, I've missed you so much," Penny declared as she gave me a
hug. We exchanged kisses.

   "I missed you so much," I agreed.  We kissed again, our tongues tangling
together this time.  I could feel the vitality and urgency as Penny sought
to connect to me.  I reciprocated the feelings enthusiastically.  Trevor
cleared his throat after we kissed for too long in front of the group (and
not nearly enough to satisfy me or Penny).

   "We have four hours to hike to the shelter, set up camp and make dinner
before it gets dark," Trevor said.  "We probably should get moving."

   I added my tent to my backpack and shared portions of food with Bev and
Penny to finish out their backpacks.  We started hiking that steep mountain
about fifteen minutes after we pulled into the parking lot.  We took a few
rest breaks as we walked so Steph, Bev and Penny could catch their breath.
Trevor, Christian and I were in football shape, so carrying a forty pound
pack up a mountain wasn't too strenuous.

   We hiked into the Peters Mountain Shelter a few minutes before four
o'clock.  No one was staying in the shelter that night but we still put up
our tents.  None of the couples wanted to put on a show for the others and
all of us planned to make love to our partners that evening.

   Penny was right about the Thai Peanut Noodles being delicious.  We made
it with Ramen Noodles, less the flavor packets.  We added soy sauce,
vinegar, dried onion flakes, red pepper flakes and peanut butter to create
the sauce for the noodles.  One noodle packet, with sauce, rehydrated in a
quart sized zip lock freezer bag.  It was exactly the right amount for one
portion for a hungry backpacker.  The best part of freezer bag cooking is
the cleanup.  The dinner zip lock bag went in the trash and you licked your
spoon clean.  Done!

   The sun had set by the time we finished dinner.  Penny and I got a small
fire going and the three couples found seats around the blaze.  Trevor
produced a surprise from his backpack, a small cooler.  He reached inside
and pulled out a six pack of beer.  He gave one to Penny, one to me, one to
Steph and then offered one to Christian.  The cans were cold!

   "You know I don't drink," Christian said quietly.

   "More for the rest of us who do," Trevor answered.  "Would this be
better," he asked as he pulled a can of Sprite from the cooler.  It was
Christian's favorite drink.  He tossed the can to Christian.  "... and for
the lovely lady, a Barq's Root Beer." All of us knew Bev's drink
preferences too.

   "How in the heck did you carry a cooler full of beer, soda and ice up
that mountain?" Penny asked.

   "That's not on any backpacker's standard list of things to bring on a
campout," I added.

   "I have been in training for years," Trevor answered.  "I manhandle
three hundred pound offensive linemen for a living.  Don't you think I can
carry a ten pound cooler with sodas and ice?"

   "I guess," I agreed.

   "Usually you try to limit the weight you carry when you go backpacking,"
Christian observed.

   "It's not that much weight and I only had to lug it to the top of the
mountain," Trevor answered.  "The cooler will be empty tomorrow when we do
our six mile hike out to Penny's car.  It's not like I would do anything
like this if I were at Philmont."

   The Philmont reference got Christian and Trevor started reminiscing
about their trips to Scouting's premiere backpacking spot, the Philmont
Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.  The talk morphed into a general
reminiscence about our activities in scouting.

   I knew Chip and Trevor belonged to a large, very active scout troop in
Unionville.  I had no idea how active.  The troop had over seventy kids in
it and they did high adventure trips every year.  Trevor had gone to
Philmont for two weeks when he was fourteen.  The next year he went to the
Bahamas for a week of sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving.  When he was
sixteen, the troop went out to the Grand Tetons for a two week backpacking
and rock climbing trip.  Before his senior year, his troop went the Boy
Scouts' Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely, Minnesota.  He had spent
eight days paddling into Canada and around the Quetico Provincial Park.

   Penny and I told about our two trips to Algonquin.  The two parks
sounded very similar, though we won the contest for the longest portages
handily.  It is hard to find many longer than the three and half mile
monster we had done from Dickson Lake to get to Opeongo Lake.

   The fire was getting low and the wood we had collected before dark was
gone by 8:30.  The temperature was dropping too.  It was supposed to drop
below freezing that evening.  After all, we were on top of a mountain and
it was March 31st.  The calendar may say its spring but Mother Nature had
other plans.

   Penny and I arranged our tent as we had so many times before when we
were in Venturers together.  Two Therm-O-Rest pads went down side by side.
Penny's opened sleeping bag was spread out across both to provide us with
an oversized bed.  I opened up my sleeping bag for us to use as a blanket.

   Penny undressed as I finished our preparations.  She was naked when I
looked back at her.  "Aren't you wearing anything to stay warm tonight?" I
teased.

   "That's your job," Penny responded.  "Now get naked, get under the
covers and warm me up!"

   "Yes ma'am," I answered.  My clothes were dumped unceremoniously in a
pile at the bottom of the tent before I climbed in our bed and cuddled with
my woman.  We cuddled, kissed and made out for quite awhile.  We literally
and figuratively warmed each other up against the night's cold and to
prepare ourselves for our union.  I dived inside the sleeping bag and gave
Penny a quick orgasm orally before we got to our ultimate goal.  I still
can't find the right words to describe the feelings as I slid my bare
manhood into her warm, moist and welcoming vagina and as our two spirits
merged into one as our bodies connected.

   Any last shred of doubt I may have harbored about trying to win Penny
back was gone.  This was right.  This was perfect.  Penny was my destiny.
Penny reciprocated my motions as we humped and bounced together as well as
reciprocating my emotions.  We shared our very essence with each other
until we reached a mutual and crashing shared climax.  This was better than
any time we had ever shared since the Valentine's Day evening six years ago
when we first shared our bodies with each other.

   Penny and I made love a second time.  The first time had been missionary
style.  The second time we went for making love on our sides, Penny in
front and me behind her.  It was slow, relaxing and extremely intimate.  We
cuddled together after we shared climaxes again.  It was incredible how
easily we had reconnected in our lovemaking.

   I rarely had experienced mutual climaxes with my other dates since Kelly
and I broke up in the fall.  Penny and I had not made love in over two and
half years.  In two evenings we had reached a level of intimacy and
connectedness that took Kelly and me most of our two years to develop.

   I gave Penny a kiss on the neck as we cuddled and asked, "A penny for
your thoughts."

   "Tonight was wonderful," she replied.  "I knew I'd have a good time in
bed with you but I never expected it to be this good.  It was like you were
reading my mind.  You did exactly the right thing before I could tell what
I wanted.  I knew we had learned to synchronize our bodies back in high
school.  We're doing it again and we've only shared ourselves two times. 
This was mind blowing, Kyle."

   "I agree," I said.  "Do you think our chances of having a relationship
are improving?"

   "Improving...yes," Penny agreed.  "Can we make it work?  I don't know."

   "Why?" I asked.

   "You know my track record with picking men hasn't been stellar," Penny
said.  "Remember Chad Hurst back in high school?  Luke Simmons - no;
Brandon - no and then you and I dated again.  I thought you were my guy for
life.  You nearly killed me when you dumped me when I was already feeling
down from starting college and dealing with the roommate-from-hell. 
Harrison seemed to have brought sanity to my life.  I thought he and I
would be together for the rest of our lives." She chuckled ruefully.  "I
guess we could have been, if I didn't mind him having other girlfriends
too."

   "You have had a bad string of luck," I agreed.

   "You are the best boyfriend I have ever had," Penny said.  "I don't know
if that is enough.  We are great when we are together.  What is going to
happen when some pretty cheerleader back at school bats her eyes at you? 
Are you going to hop in bed with her right away when I'm stuck in Philly?"

   "I'll do my best to be faithful," I promised.  "I have cut back on my
drinking dramatically and most of the stupid things I did were when I was
drinking too much.  I think I can do better." I gave her another kiss on
the neck.  "As far as me getting offers to hop in bed with some pretty coed
back at campus sometimes - that happens every weekend.  I have had to beat
the girls away with a big stick the past two Saturday nights.  They know
I'm not taken and half a dozen girls flirt with me and try to take me to
bed for the night.  I don't want them.  I want you."

   "You've had offers since we decided to try to date again?" Penny asked
as she rolled over to face me.

   "More offers than I have fingers on my hands," I replied.  "Two weeks
ago when I sent you that e-mail at one in the morning - that was because I
had turned down offers of companionship, I was missing you, and I had to
listen to Trevor and Steph as well as Chip and Claire making love.  I can
be true to you this time.  Please trust me."

   "I do trust you," Penny replied.  "...but still, I think it's best if we
take things slow for awhile and see how it works.  That is the baggage I
bring with all my bad choices in men over the years."

   "I understand," I said.  "I can be patient.  I know who I want to be
with and it's you.  I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. 
Take as much time as you need."

   "Thank you, Kyle," Penny said.  "You are earning brownie points by being
patient like this." She embraced me and we kissed.  The kiss lingered until
it became more.  We ended up making love a third time before we fell
asleep.

   --------------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke up in the early morning when I felt Penny stir.  The faint orange
glow announced that dawn was approaching.  She took the arm I had draped
across her side and nestled my hand against her breast.

   "Good morning," Penny whispered.

   "Good morning, sweetie," I mumbled as I slowly became more coherent.  We
could hear the sounds of Christian and Beverly taking advantage of the
pre-dawn quiet to make love off to our left.

   "I thought you said Christian and Bev were very religious and don't
believe in pre-marital sex," Penny asked in a whisper.

   "That was freshmen year," I explained.  "After they got carried away one
Saturday night that spring, they decided that sex before marriage might be
a sin but it would be a minor one since they plan to marry."

   "I understand," Penny said.  "I struggled with that some too when we
were younger.  We become physically mature around thirteen or fourteen. 
Our culture tells us to wait eight... ten... twelve years to marry.  The
hormones in our body demand satisfaction that we feel guilty about giving
them.  You and I would be married for six years and probably have three or
four kids already if we were born in biblical times."

   "You're right," I agreed.

   "Are they sure Christian and Bev are going to marry?" Penny asked.

   "Christian was talking about that on the way down here yesterday," I
said.  "He plans to talk with Mr.  Umble and get permission to marry Bev
this summer.  He'll work hard at his summer job so he earns enough for a
nice engagement ring.  He plans to ask Bev to marry him sometime in the
fall."

   "That's nice," Penny said.  This conversation left me a perfect
opportunity to discuss the idea of our future together.  I chose not to
exploit the opportunity.  I knew Penny well enough to know I would be
pushing her too hard to discuss that now.  My best move was to demonstrate
I could be a good boyfriend and to win her trust back.  The long term
future I hoped we had would wait until after she trusted me again.

   "Do you want to do something about the hormones coursing through your
body?" I asked quietly before I kissed the sensitive spot on the back of
her neck.

   "You satisfied them last night," Penny answered.  "Let's just cuddle."

   I snuggled up against the back of my lover and kissed her neck again. 
"That sounds wonderful," I agreed.  The two of us fell asleep again within
a minute or two.

   The hiss of a backpacking stove woke me later in the morning.  It was
light outside and I heard Bev and Christian talking quietly.  I assumed
they were making hot water for coffee for Christian and tea for Bev.  I
could hear Trevor and Stephanie stirring off to our right.

   "Good morning," I said softly as I nibbled at Penny's neck.  "It's
probably time to get up."

   "Mmmm..." Penny purred before she rolled over and embraced me.  "Good
morning." She gave me a kiss and asked, "What time is it?"

   "About 7:30," I answered after glancing at my watch.  "Trevor and Steph
are getting up.  Christian and Bev are making hot water."

   "Excellent!" Penny said.  "I'm ready for some coffee."

   Penny and I got up and dressed quickly.  The temperature was probably
around thirty-two degrees.  It wasn't a morning to linger in the tent
unclothed.

   Trevor and Stephanie were outside making mugs of coffee when Penny and I
climbed out of our tent.  The six of us had a quick breakfast of instant
oatmeal, beef jerky, granola and tea or coffee before we packed our things
for the trail.

   The six mile hike along the top of the mountain was easy, the way I
remembered it when Christian, Bev, Kelly and I had hiked it two years
earlier for our backpacking course.  We climbed down the steep section of
trail off Peter's Mountain to the parking area below DeHart Reservoir along
Route 325.

   Bev, Steph and I hung out with the gear while Penny drove Trevor and
Christian back to get their cars at the other end of our hike.  The three
cars returned half an hour later.  Bev loaded her things up in Christian's
car.  They took off immediately for campus.  Trevor left Penny and me have
a little privacy for a proper good bye before we headed back.

   "This was a fun weekend," I said as I gave Penny a hug and kiss.

   "I'm glad we did this too," Penny responded.  "It paid off all around
for us.  I got a 97 on my organic chemistry exam thanks to the extra study
time that you allowed me last weekend.  We had a beautiful weekend for
hiking.  I enjoyed spending the night with you too."

   "It was wonderful," I said.  I punctuated my feelings with an intense
kiss.  Our tongue probed, met and twisted together.  We held the kiss for
fifteen or twenty seconds before we reluctantly broke apart.  "I'm going to
miss you.  Are you still planning on coming to State College for the Blue
and White game?"

   "I wouldn't miss it," Penny promised.  "Finals will be a couple weeks
away but I'll bring my books along if my study load gets too heavy.  I'm
sure I can find some down time to prepare for finals if I need it."

   "Certainly," I agreed.

   "These tickets for your game aren't too expensive, are they?" Penny
asked.

   "No, the scrimmage is free," I said.

   "That's good," Penny said.  She glanced over at Trevor and Stephanie
waiting for us to finish.  "I guess it's time to go."

   "I guess," I agreed.  We hugged and kissed again before rejoining our
friends.  The four of us exchanged good byes.

   "We should do this again," Penny added as we were climbing in Trevor's
Explorer.  "It was fun.  We could get together after the semester is over
and we have more free time.  We should invite Kathy, Jeremy, Tammy, Hal and
Ed.  What do you think?"

   "That's a wonderful idea," I agreed.  Trevor and Steph agreed that it
sounded like a good plan.  Penny motioned for me to roll down my window. 
She leaned in and gave me a last kiss.

   "I love you, Kyle," Penny exclaimed.

   "I love you too," I agreed.  "I'll see you in three weeks."

   Chapter 60

   ===========

   I collected the term papers that Scott's U.  S.  History students had
been working on for the past three weeks on Monday morning.  Each paper was
three to five pages.  The stack of papers from first period alone was a few
inches high.  Scott asked me to browse through the papers while he did his
lecture.  The papers were much simpler than I was used to, but that was to
be expected.  I was almost twenty-one and taking advanced undergrad courses
in history.  The ninth graders were fourteen years old.

   Scott Henderson reviewed the AP European History quiz I made up last
Friday night.  He approved it with minor tweaks.  I would give the quiz on
Tuesday fourth period before my lecture on the peace arrangements made at
the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon's fall from power.

   The stack of term papers grew during third period.  Scott was going to
have quite a job grading the ninety some papers from his three U.  S. 
History sections over his Easter "vacation." People have the misconception
that teaching is an "easy" job since you only work from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
I estimated that Scott would need fifteen hours to go through the stack if
he took as little as ten minutes to read and review each term paper.  I
suspected he would need more time than that to read and correct each paper.

   Scott had announced as he was collecting the term papers that he would
have them graded and returned next Monday when everyone returned from their
vacation.  The Bellefonte Area School District had school Monday and
Tuesday this week.  Wednesday the kids had off while the teachers (and
student teachers) had an in-service day.  The schools gave everyone
Thursday and Friday off for Easter vacation.

   That was great news for me too.  I had Thursday and Friday mornings
free. I would use one to polish my final two lectures to Scott's classes.
The other morning would be devoted to more video study of next year's
opponents.

   The AP European History students seemed much more relaxed on Tuesday
morning as they worked on the quiz I gave them to start fourth period. 
Scott collected the quizzes and reviewed them while I began my lecture on
the reshaping of Europe accomplished at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

   Scott and I had a minute to talk at the end of my lecture.  He
complimented me on the good job I had done.  He also said the quiz results
looked much better than the last time.  He sent them home with me.  I was
to mark them up and be prepared to review the quizzes on Monday at the
start of fourth period.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Wednesday's in-service day began in the high school auditorium with all
faculty, student teachers and pre-service teachers assembled together to
listen to the superintendent's talk about upcoming events and plans in the
school district.

   I sat with the other pre-service teachers during the assembly.  There
were eight of us in the school district - four in the four elementary
schools, two in the middle school and Nicole and me in the high school. 
Chelsea Walters, my friend and some-time date from freshman year, was
working at the Pleasant Gap Elementary this semester.  She and I had a nice
talk before the superintendent delivered his discourse.

   Scott and I attended two teaching workshops in the morning.  The first
workshop wasn't that interesting.  It seemed to be a rehash of the things I
was learning in C I 412W.  The second workshop was better.  A retired
history teacher spoke to all the social studies and history teachers in the
middle and high school about curriculum changes, textbooks and some things
coming down from the Department of Education in Harrisburg.  It was an
interesting talk.

   Everyone seemed very familiar with the retired teacher.  He began
speaking without introduction.  I caught that his name was Geoff, but I
didn't know who he was until after the workshop.

   "You're a Civil War buff, Kyle," Scott said as the participants were
heading out for lunch.  "I should introduce you to Geoff.  I'm sure you've
heard of some of his books."

   "I'm not sure," I said.  "I didn't catch his name." I followed Scott to
the front of the room.  The two men greeted each other warmly, like two old
and close friends.

   "Kyle, I would like to introduce you to my mentor and good friend,
Geoffrey Wentz," Scott said as he stepped aside to let me greet his friend.
The light bulb clicked on as soon as Scott said the name "Wentz."

   "Mr.  Wentz, it's so good to meet you," I gushed.  "I've read some of
your books.  You did the bio on Custer, a couple books on Gettysburg, and
one on the Gray Ghost.  I loved them.  They're great books."

   "I'm guilty," Mr.  Wentz replied.  "I dabble in writing." The man was
being much too modest.  He wrote books on the Civil War that were well
researched, thoughtful and were good stories that kept a reader interested
from the first page to the last page.

   "Geoff, I'd like to introduce you to Kyle Martin," Scott said.  The two
of us shook hands.  Mr.  Wentz smiled for a moment after we shook and
appraised me.

   "You play football, don't you?" Mr.  Wentz asked.

   "I do," I agreed.

   "It's my turn to fawn," Mr.  Wentz said.  "I'm a season ticket holder.
You've done some amazing things on the football field in the past three
seasons.  What are our team's prospects this fall?"

   "Our team's slogan this year says it all," I replied.  "`On to Phoenix.'
We plan to play for the national championship next January.  We're going to
get there too."

   Mr.  Wentz, Scott and I talked for about ten minutes.  I told Geoff some
inside information about my experiences playing football for the Nittany
Lions.  I learned more about Geoff's interesting career.  He taught in the
Bellefonte School system for thirty-four years, before retiring two years
ago.  He was a life-long student of the Civil War.  He took up writing in
his spare time about fifteen years ago.  It took him five years to write
his first book, one about the cavalry fighting at Gettysburg.

   Geoff had ended his education career as head of the history department
for the Bellefonte Schools.  Geoff had mentored Scott when Scott was a
young teacher just arriving at the district.

   Geoff questioned me about the courses I was taking at Penn State.  It
turned out he was good friends with two of my professors - Katherine
Brennan and Bill Barnes.  Geoff helped out on tours of Civil War
battlefields that Dr.  Brennan and Dr.  Barnes gave during the year.

   I loved meeting a writer I enjoyed and admired.  Geoff seemed to enjoy
meeting "the best damn receiver he's ever seen," as he described me.  If
time would have permitted, I would have invited Scott and Geoff to go to
lunch with me.  Unfortunately my Adolescent Development course started at
12:15 pm, back on campus.  I thanked Scott for introducing us and I thanked
Geoff for all the excellent books he authored.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Football practices were going well in the afternoons.  Coach Caffrey
used me as his "demonstrator" as he taught techniques to our younger
receivers.  I would run through what he was teaching a couple times so they
could see it and then Coach would have the other guys practice the
technique.  Coach Caffrey had Christian, Tanner and me help him critique
and instruct the younger guys.

   Two guys stood out on offense - Brian Henson and Bob Smith.  Brian had
improved his game considerably, thanks to now having a complete grasp of
the playbook.  The freshmen and sophomores on the second team couldn't stop
him from making big plays.  Bob did well with both first and second teams
catching passes from Chip and Jon.  We knew he was good at that.  Bob
impressed me, and I presume the coaches, with his blocking.

   One play on Tuesday afternoon Bob was stuck blocking Trevor when Trevor
stunted to the outside on a passing play.  Bob caught Trevor low and
knocked him on his ass.  The time since spring break that Bob spent on pass
catching with Chip and on blocking with Damian was paying off.  The Big Ten
was going to have to worry about our tight ends again, like they did before
Evan Foster graduated.  That could only help us in our quest for a national
championship.

   The week went by quickly.  Coach Burton didn't have practice on Friday
afternoon, one small concession the university made for Good Friday. 
Otherwise the Holy Day was noted for the lack of observance on campus. 
Classes continued per the normal schedule.  Few people seemed to take
notice of the holiday otherwise.

   I had one big dilemma.  I needed to get something for Penny's birthday
on the fourteenth.  It needed to be nice but couldn't be too personal or
extravagant.  I had gotten Penny clothing and jewelry when we were a couple
in high school and that had been appropriate then.  If I spent too much it
would seem like I'm pushing her too hard for us to become a couple again.
If it wasn't enough, it would seem like I really didn't care about Penny
that much, that she wasn't important to me.  It took a few days but I
eventually found a balance between my two conflicting needs.

   I had asked Shawn Byrd to talk with his friend Dave Hanson, down at
Penn, to find out what kind of beer or wine was Penny's favorite.  After
Shawn reported back to me, I called my brother Will and asked him to pick
up a case of her favorite and deliver it to her on Saturday.  I also went
on-line and ordered a dozen red roses to be delivered on Saturday with my
birthday greetings to Penny.  Certain things are classic and are always in
good taste.

   Trevor, Steph, Chip, Claire, Christian and Bev invited me to go bowling
with them on Friday night.  I invited Molly to go along as my companion,
rather than as my date.  She was willing for the sake of friendship.  All
eight of us had a good time.

   I drove Molly back to her apartment.  I ended the evening with a good
night kiss on the cheek and a hug, as was appropriate between two friends.
I was glad Molly was willing to stay friends now that I was pursuing a
relationship with Penny.  I enjoyed spending time with Molly.

   Chip was smoking hot at Saturday morning's scrimmage.  Our Blue team
took the ball first.  Chip drove us down the field crisply.  It didn't hurt
that Chip was wearing a red, "do-not-touch" jersey.  Trevor and the other
linemen were frustrated, trying to corral someone they couldn't bend, fold
or mutilate like normal.

   Coach Burton kept Christian and me on the field for the whole drive. 
Brian and Tanner split time at the third receiver spot.  Coach Burton
shifted the three of us around to different wide receiver slots each play,
keeping our defense off balance and also preparing us the coming season
when we would do the same thing to our opponents.

   I caught one pass on a slant across the middle from the slot, taking a
big hit from Tony King on the play.  Wide receivers don't get to wear the
red jerseys.  We ran a well balanced attack, running five times and passing
on five more.  I out-jumped Shawn and GJ on the tenth play, catching a
twenty yard lob to the corner of the end zone.

   Coach Caffrey informed me when I came off the field that I was done for
the day.  Brian took my spot on the field full time.  The coaches continued
switching Brian around, trying him at split end, slot and flanker positions
during the scrimmage.  I think I understood the coaches' plan too.  They
wanted to know if Brian had learned our offense well enough for a shot at
starting next fall.

   I wasn't being conceited when I considered myself as the best wide
receiver on the team.  I held just about every receiving record in the Penn
State record book to prove that I deserved the number one slot on the team.
The two, three and four slots were much closer.  Personally I rated
Christian as number two.  Third and fourth position on the depth chart was
pretty much a tossup between Tanner and Brian.  The gap in performance
between Christian and Brian and Tanner was small and shrinking rapidly.  I
was glad I didn't have to choose which two of the three would start.

   Brian scored two touchdowns during the scrimmage.  Charlie Taylor broke
a couple tackles and sprinted for a long touchdown run too.  Blue bested
White 31-24.  Trevor was in a crappy mood in the locker room and on the way
back to our apartment.  He HATED to lose.

   I lifeguarded at the Natatorium Saturday afternoon.  Joe Ricci, Charlie
Taylor, Brian Henson and Chris Richardson, all unattached at the moment,
invited me to go downtown with them for supper before the team's party back
at my apartment.  My dinner-mates came back to help me set up for the party
when we got back.

   I gave Penny a call as soon as I got back to my apartment.  It was
around seven o'clock.

   "Hi, Kyle," Penny said as she answered her cell.

   "Hi honey, I hope you're having a good birthday," I replied.

   "It's been great," Penny responded.  "Thank you for roses.  They are
lovely.  That was a very thoughtful present."

   "I'm glad you like them," I said.  "Has Will stopped by with the other
half of your present?" I gave her a quick chuckle.  "It's something I'm not
allowed to buy yet.  I hope you enjoy it."

   "Will?  No, he hasn't gotten here yet," Penny said.  "He and Abby are
taking me and some of my friends out to an English style pub he's fond of.
Will agreed to act as the designated driver for my first night out on the
town."

   "That's nice of him," I said.  "Have fun tonight.  I'm looking forward
to seeing you next weekend."

   "Thanks, Kyle," Penny replied.  "I'm looking forward to spending the
weekend with you too.  I love you, Kyle."

   "I love you too," I said before ending the call.  I hoped the
information I had gotten from Dave Hanson was correct.  Will picked up a
case of Pale Ale brewed by Dock Street Brewery, a small brewer in West
Philly.  Dave said Penny loved this ale.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Saturday evening's party went well.  Fewer girl hit on me this weekend
than earlier.  I believe they realized that I truly was NOT available. 
Shawn Byrd's girlfriend Jada Owens invited her roommate's best friend,
Alyssa Edwards.  Alyssa was a striking looking blue eyed blond standing at
around 5'-8".  The slender woman might have weighed 125 pounds,
accentuating her chest.  Mmmm...  boy, if I wasn't trying to win back
Penny... well, I'd have been hitting on that girl all night.

   As it was, Alyssa and I talked for thirty or forty minutes during the
party.  She was a great conversationalist and had a wonderful sense of
humor.  If I wasn't trying to get back with Penny... oh well, I was.  I
certainly would remember her in case I couldn't work things out with Penny
this summer.  Alyssa would be hearing from me next fall.

   She ended up spending quite a bit of time with GJ DeLuca.  The two of
them left together, though I'm sure GJ, the good Catholic, did not take her
back to his apartment for the evening.  He probably escorted her home and
got a good night kiss for his trouble.  Lucky guy!

   -------------------------------------------------

   I received an excited e-mail from Penny Sunday afternoon.  She loved the
case of pale ale Will delivered for me.  She described her evening at the
pub with Will, Abby and her other friends.  She had a good time and managed
not to get totally inebriated.  She said it felt good to finally be legal.
I wouldn't know for another two and a half months.

   I graded the AP European History quizzes later in the afternoon.  I must
have done much better creating this test.  The lowest score was a 71%. 
Most of the class was bunched in the high seventies to the mid-eighties. 
Half a dozen kids scored over ninety and one scored perfect.  This was a
smart class full of highly motivated kids.  I thought the grade
distribution made sense.

   Penny and I had a long talk later in the afternoon.  It was hard to
believe the Blue and White game was only seven days away.  Penny had made
plans two weeks ago to stay over at Stephanie's apartment Friday night.  I
knew the coaches frowned on players entertaining girlfriends or having sex
the night before a game.  I let Penny know that I would purchase a Blue and
White Luncheon ticket for her so she could attend with me.  The football
seniors were required to take part in this brunch for the alumni.

   Scott Henderson was pleased Monday second period when I gave him the
graded quizzes and the results.  I placed copies of the quiz and the grade
distribution in my portfolio.  I had to turn it in on Tuesday afternoon at
my last C I 495C seminar.  Scott reviewed my notes and plans for my lecture
the next day on the Revolution of 1848.  He approved everything.  We talked
about my final lecture on Friday - The Roosevelt vs.  Hoover election in
1932 and the start of the New Deal.

   Monday afternoon at practice Coach Burton announced we would have a
meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00pm.  We would choose our captains for the
coming year.  For better or worse, I knew who one of the captains would be.
Between the leadership group railroading me into chairing the group and
from comments made by a lot of my younger teammates, I knew I had no chance
of dodging responsibility for leading the team next seasons.  My nickname
might change from "Coach" to "Cap" or "Captain" next season.

   The team assembled in the auditorium at seven o'clock Tuesday night.  I
knew how the process would work.  Coach Burton asked team members to
nominate potential captains last week.  Personally I had recommended
Trevor, Josh, Shawn and Damian for the jobs.  We found the ballots included
me, Trevor, Damian, Josh, Shawn, Christian, Greg Nowicki and Bill
Daugherty.

   Coach allowed us to vote for up to four persons.  The top three or four
vote getters would be our captains.  The team needed about fifteen minutes
to pass out ballots, vote and collect them again.  We hung out and talked
while the coaches counted votes down in front.  Coach Burton called for
quiet after a couple minutes.

   "I'm pleased to announce the team captains for the next season," Coach
Burton announced.  "Kyle `Coach' Martin, Trevor Conwell and Damian Thompson
will lead the team next season.  I won't put our captains on the spot
tonight by asking them to speak.  I'm sure they will have plenty to say in
the future."

   "I think our captains deserve three cheers," Chip said as he jumped up
from his seat.  "C'mon captains, stand up!  Three cheers for Coach, Trevor
and Damian!"

   We stood as our teammates shouted "Hip hip hooray!" three times.

   Shawn Byrd stood and shouted, "Where are we going next January?"

   "On to Phoenix!" the crowd replied.  Shawn repeated the chant two more
times, the team answering louder "On to Phoenix!" each time.  Almost every
member of the team came by to congratulate Trevor, Damian and me as they
filed out of the auditorium.

   Chip, Trevor, Damian and I were the last ones to leave the Lasch
Building.  Trevor asked, "Hey Damian, did you expect to be a captain?"

   "Not in my wildest dreams," Damian answered.  "I was a walk-on hoping to
stick here three years ago." He lowered his voice.  "Who'd a thought a
queer, black kid from Erie would end up a captain on the Nittany Lions?"

   "The team chose correctly," I said.  "I'm the flash on this team,
prancing around in the open.  When we get in trouble we know what to do. 
Hand the ball off to you.  You'll bull your way ahead and get us out of the
jam - time and time again."

   "Coach has that right," Chip agreed.

   "I never imagined in a million years when I started here that I would be
a captain of this team," I said.

   "Yeah!  Rrright..." Trevor responded.  "You were the coach's favorite
from the first day you stepped on the field and ran a 4.3 second forty."

   "I thought I would lose my scholarship after they benched me for my
screw-ups against Ohio State in freshman year," I countered.  "With my
screw-ups and flunking calculus I was sure I was going home for good at
Christmas."

   "We've come a long way since those days," Trevor said.  "We have got to
make this year special."

   "We do," I agreed.  "Did Billy get that poster ready yet?"

   "I'll give him a call," Damian said.  "I think it should be done."

   "We're going to have to figure out how we're going to use this poster to
motivate the team," I suggested.  "Are you guys busy?  Maybe we could kick
around some ideas tonight."

   We roommates agreed.  We headed back to our apartment, grabbed a beer
for each of us and sat down to talk through how to motivate our teammates.
Chip heard what we were talking about and joined our conversation.

   Damian called Billy Robinson while we were discussing ideas.  Billy
reported that he had finished the poster last night but hadn't had time to
go down to the print center to print it out.  He promised to have it ready
for us tomorrow.

   We kicked around ideas for about an hour before we came up with a plan
that we thought would truly motivate our teammates to put out the
extraordinary effort we needed to take us to the national championship
game. We would unveil our plan on Friday.  We would call a team-only
meeting during our normal practice time.

   Trevor, Damian and I found a surprise in our lockers on Wednesday
afternoon when we arrived to dress for our final practice.  Coach had the
equipment people sew a "C" on all our jerseys that day - our practice
jerseys as well as our game day jerseys.  The coaches also supplied each of
us with half a dozen blue polo shirts with our name and "Team Captain"
embroidered below the Penn State logo.  They embroidered "Kyle `Coach'
Martin" on my shirts.

   Trevor, Damian and I received quite few congratulations from our
teammates as we took the field for our team's final spring practice.  The
three of us tried to keep an eye on the enthusiasm level of the team and to
pump up anyone not giving their best efforts.  Our vigilance wasn't
required.  Everyone wanted to use this last day to impress the coaches and
to get a leg up on the competition on the depth chart for next summer.

   Coach Burton announced that the team assignments for the Blue and White
game were posted inside in our locker room.  Coach mixed up starters and
second string players together on the two teams for the Blue and White
game. I assumed he did this to make things more competitive and to
entertain our fans.

   I scanned down the list after I got inside, expecting to find my name
with the Blue team, like the previous Blue and White games.  My name wasn't
on that list.  I scanned down the White team's roster.  My name wasn't
there either.  I made a beeline for Coach Burton's office.

   "Hey Coach, do you have a minute?" I asked as I poked my head inside his
door.  He looked up from the papers on his desk.

   "What's up, Coach?" Coach Burton asked.

   "I checked the list of players for both teams," I said.  "I didn't see
my name on either team.  I guess that means I'm riding the bench.  How do
you want me to dress for the game?"

   "You need to check the lists a little closer, Coach," Coach Burton said.
"You're on the Blue Team.  Check the bottom of the list.  As far as dress,
wear black sneakers, white or tan khakis and a blue polo shirt for the
game." Coach gave me a wink.  "Your coach's visor is optional."

   I thanked Coach Burton and headed back to the locker room.  I thought I
knew what Coach was hinting at.  Sure enough, I found my name on the Blue
team's roster, at the bottom, listed with the coaching staff.  The next to
last line for the Blue team said, "Special Teams Coach - Anders Voight" The
last line was, "Ass't.  Special Teams Coach - Kyle Martin."

   I tracked down Anders after I found out we would be coaching together on
Saturday.  Our plan was that Anders would coach the kickoff, punt and field
goal units.  I would be responsible for the kickoff return and punt return
units.

   Damian invited Billy Robinson over for dinner with Trevor, Chip and me
that evening.  Billy came baring a gift - the "On to Phoenix" poster he
made for us.  It looked fantastic.

   Billy explained that he had found a photo of the Michigan team lined up
in the tunnel before the Fiesta Bowl in January.  He cut a photo of our
team standing in the tunnel in Beaver Stadium and placed us against the
Phoenix Stadium background.  Billy had clipped a "We are... Penn State"
banner from another photo and had it "hanging" from the railing near the
tunnel.  He added the Nittany Lion to one side of the photo, cheering to
the crowd.

   The effect that really made the photo look real was the fans.  About
half of the fans were Texas Longhorn fans.  Texas had beaten Michigan at
the Fiesta Bowl last winter.  The other half of the fans were dressed in
blue and white, like Penn Staters.  Billy explained that he had changed all
the blue and maize on Michigan's fans to blue and white.

   The others agreed I would take the poster downtown to the frame shop on
College Avenue tomorrow after I finished in Bellefonte and get the poster
mounted and framed.  Trevor, Damian and I would get permission from Coach
Burton to hang the poster after practice tomorrow.

   I gave Penny a call after dinner to give her my news about the game on
Saturday.

   "I have good news and I have bad news," I began when Penny answered my
call.  "My bad news is that you won't get to see me play on Saturday."

   "That doesn't surprise me," Penny replied.  "You told me how little
practice time your coaches have been giving you this spring.  I guess
you'll be standing on the sideline and holding your helmet at the game."

   "Actually, that is part of the good news I have," I explained.  "I will
be holding a clip board.  Coach Burton asked me to help one of the grad
assistants coach the special teams."

   "That is excellent news, Kyle," Penny said.  "I'm sure you'll enjoy
coaching."

   "That is only part of the good news," I added.  "Coach Burton doesn't
want the football players sleeping with girls the night before a game.  I'm
pretty sure most of the coaches will be sleeping with women the night
before the game.  Would you like to spend Friday night here with me instead
of staying with Steph?"

   "Hmmmm... that is interesting," Penny said.  "Are you sure it's OK if I
spent Friday night with you?"

   "I'll confirm it, but I don't see why not," I said.  "It's not like it
would matter if you were to tire me out Friday night.  How much energy does
it take to stand on the sidelines and talk with the team?"

   "Will you let Steph know or should I?" Penny asked.

   "I'll have Trevor warn Steph," I said.  "I'm sure he will be talking to
her later this evening."

   "I'm looking forward to this weekend," Penny said.  "I expect to get to
State College around 6:00 or 6:30."

   "We'll go downtown for dinner as soon as you get here," I said.  "Don't
snack too much on the drive up here.  I want to take you to somewhere
nice."

   "OK, I'll see you Friday," Penny said.  "I love you."

   "I love you too," I agreed before we ended our call.

   It wasn't more than five minutes before my phone rang again.  My cell
announced it was Matt Sauder calling.

   "Hey Matt, what's up?" I asked.

   "Hey, Coach.  I wanted to let you know Cody, Dave, Josh and I were
coming up for the Blue and White game on Saturday," Matt said.  "I want to
cheer on my team."

   "That's great, Matt," I responded.

   "I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor," Matt said.  "Could we
crash at your apartment Saturday night?  Our parents would be a lot happier
if I didn't have to drive home in the dark after a long day."

   "Four of you?" I said.  "I don't know if I have room for four guys..."

   "No, it's just Cody and me," Matt said, interrupting me.  "Dave and Josh
are crashing at Josh's brother's apartment Saturday night."

   "Just you and Cody?" I said.  "I guess so.  You may need to sleep on the
living room floor, so come prepared."

   "That's cool, Coach," Matt said.  "I'm looking forward to watching you
play and also to meeting some of the other guys considering Penn State. 
I've been talking with some of the guys that www.rivals.com shows as being
interested in Penn State.  I know you and the coaches can't talk to juniors
but I can.  I want to convince the best guys to join me at Penn State next
year."

   "Who have you been talking too?" I asked.

   "Joe Radziwill, the linebacker from Lititz, Jake Meyer from down in
Chester County, Jeremy Carter, the receiver from Reading, and of course,
Devin Kerr," Matt said.

   "I know Jake," I said.  "I remember him from his unofficial visit last
fall.  He impressed me with his pass catching out of the backfield.  I
don't know Radziwill or Carter."

   "They both play in Quad-A," Matt said.  "Our team doesn't play them. 
Rivals rates both guys four stars.  If I can help convince them to put Penn
State at the top of their lists, Penn State will be a stronger team when I
get there."

   "That's an admirable goal, Matt," I said.  "I'll be pretty busy Saturday
morning with commitments.  Give me a buzz after the game.  You have my cell
number.  You and the guys can meet up with me and Penny."

   "Penny?" Matt said.  "I heard rumors you were trying to get back
together with Penny Edwards.  I guess they're true."

   "The rumors are true," I agreed.

   "I am starting to understand where you are coming from, Coach," Matt
said.  "Annie and I are facing the same thing.  She's leaning towards
Drexel, Penn or Carnegie-Mellon.  She wants to go into environmental
engineering.  I plan to go to Penn State."

   "They have a good environmental engineering program here," I replied. 
"Annie could come to Penn State too."

   "Don't you think I've told her that?" Matt said.  "She thinks State
College is too rural.  She wants to experience a big city while she's in
college.  I don't know what the two of us will do next January when I come
here."

   "You enjoy the time you have together now," I said.  "Next December,
part as close and dear friends.  If you're meant to have anything more
together, you can work it out like Penny and I are doing when you're
older."

   "That's probably good advice," Matt said.  He let out a long sigh.  "I
didn't have to deal with all this shit when I was younger."

   "Welcome to growing up," I countered.

   "Yeah, I guess," Matt said.  "Thanks for letting Cody and me crash at
your place Saturday night.  It will make our parents a whole lot more
comfortable letting us come up here on our own."

   "No problem, see you Saturday evening," I said before we ended our call.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   I took the "On to Phoenix" print to school with me Thursday morning.  I
want straight to the framing shop after I was done with class.  They
weren't busy.  They could use a standard size frame, so they promised me
that they would have it ready by three o'clock.

   I picked up the finished framed poster at three and went straight back
to Coach Burton's office.  Marie told me he was in and not with anyone so
she sent me inside.

   "Hey Coach, do you have a couple minutes?" I asked as I stuck my head in
the door.

   "Sure, what's up?" Coach Burton asked as he waved me inside to the chair
in front of his desk.

   "Trevor, Damian and I had this poster made up," I explained as I pulled
the big 36" by 24" frame out of the bag.  "Can we hang this in the locker
room from now until the end of the season?"

   Coach studied it for a moment.  His smile grew wider as he looked over
Billy's handiwork.  "This really is the University of Phoenix Stadium,
isn't it?"

   "It is," I agreed.  "One of Damian's friends is a graphic arts major. 
He took a photo from last year's Fiesta Bowl, added the Lion, the sign and
our team."

   "It's very well done," Coach said as he examined it more closely.  "How
did he get our fans into the background?"

   "He changed the maize color on the Michigan fans' clothing to white," I
explained.

   "The overall effect is quite good," Coach said.  "I love this.  This is
going to be a fantastic motivational tool.  How do you plan to use it?"

   "Trevor, Damian and I talked about that quite a bit," I replied.  "Here
is what we came up with." I proceeded to outline our plan for the poster.
Coach had a huge smile on his face when I finished.

   "That's an excellent plan, Coach," Coach Burton said.  "I like
everything about except... I can't let you, Damian or Trevor hang this
poster." He saw my face drop and added quickly, "The campus workmen would
have my hide if I let students hang a picture.  I will have them do it for
you if you leave it here with me.  How soon do you want to unveil this?"

   "We wanted to have a players only meeting tomorrow at 3:30 pm," I
replied.

   "Consider this hung," Coach said.  "I will see to it.  It will be there,
properly veiled for your meeting.  Do you need anything else, Coach?"

   "There is one more thing..." I said.  "You know how you tell us that you
don't want any players sleeping with their girlfriends before a game?"
Coach nodded his agreement.  "Does that apply to coaches too?  No
disrespect intended, but I am guessing you will be sharing your bed with
Mrs.  Burton tomorrow night."

   "What are you driving at, Coach?" Coach Burton asked.

   "My girlfriend is coming up from Philadelphia this weekend for the
game," I replied.  "We don't get to see each other very much and we would
like to spend as much time together this weekend as we can."

   "Is this the same girlfriend you had last fall?" Coach asked.

   "No, this is my high school sweetheart," I replied.  "We are trying to
rekindle things between us."

   "Good luck with that," Coach said.  "I understood that the two of you
had a pretty rough time before you broke up in your freshman year."

   "We did,' I agreed.  "I've arranged for us to be together for most of
the weekend.  I have a ticket to the luncheon Saturday morning.  The
athletic department staff agreed to seat her at my table.  We plan to have
dinner together tomorrow evening and then check out the booths and food
stands over by the stadium.  It would be great if she could stay with me
instead of sleeping at Trevor's girlfriend's apartment."

   "I guess I can bend the rules for you, seeing how you will be a fellow
coach for the weekend," Coach Burton said as he gave me a wink.

   "Thanks, Coach.  I really appreciate that," I said.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Ms.  Hamilton observed my final lecture in Scott's class on Friday,
first period.  I thought my lecture went well.  I got a spirited discussion
going comparing the actions taken by the future Allied powers before World
War II started and our country's current difficulties.

   I wished the kids in the class good luck in the rest of the term and
thanked them for their patience with me over the last two months.  The kids
in the class wished me luck in the fall football season and seemed sincere
in thanking me for teaching them this semester.

   When the first period class left, Ms.  Hamilton, Scott and I sat down
for my final review for the semester.  I expected to do well, but I
surpassed my expectations.  Ms.  Hamilton and Scott gave me a grade of
"Often" on all standards for the three focus areas they judged me on.

   "I do hope you make use of your educational background when you finish
football, Kyle," Ms.  Hamilton said at the conclusion.  "I believe you will
make an excellent educator.  Our profession can use more young men and
women like you."

   "I feel sure I will be using my degree," I replied.  "IF I get into the
NFL, and that is a big IF, most careers only last two or three years.  I'm
sure I will end up in the class room sooner or later."

   "That's good," Scott said.  "You have a talent for teaching and an
obvious love of history that is contagious.  You need to put that talent to
use."

   "Thank you for the compliment," I replied.  "I loved working with you
this semester."

   "Not so fast..." Scott said.  "You still owe me a third period lecture."

   "Not a problem," I said.  "I think I can handle one more talk about the
run up to World War II."

   "Thank you for your time, Kyle," Ms.  Hamilton said.  "You will have to
excuse me, I have another review to do at 9:30.  You can safely assume you
will get a passing grade in this course."

   "Thanks, Ms.  Hamilton," I said before she left.

   Scott and I talked and relaxed through the rest of the second period. 
My lecture went well third period, though I couldn't coax the kids into a
good a discussion as the first period class.  That was true the entire time
I had worked with these kids.  I did my farewell for them at the end of the
period.

   Scott let me do my farewell speech before he started his AP European
History lecture that day.  I had to leave at 11:30, midway through class to
get back to campus for my Adolescent Development class at 12:15 pm.  I was
sorry to go when I left.  It had been a great experience teaching at this
high school.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Trevor, Damian and I were the first three to arrive in the locker room,
a few minutes after three o'clock and almost half an hour ahead of our
teammates.  Our motivational poster was hanging by the door to the locker
room where everyone would see it going in or leaving.  Coach Burton had the
workmen cover the poster with a towel.

   We took a peek.  The poster looked good.  The three of us rehearsed our
speech to our teammates while we waited for everyone to assemble.  People
dribbled in from about 3:15 until all ninety-six of us were assembled.  I
glanced down at my watch.  It was 3:24.  Our teammates were giving us
captains the same courtesy they showed Coach Burton and the rest of the
coaching staff.

   "I'd like to thank everyone for taking time today to attend this
meeting," Trevor began.  "Tomorrow we take the field for our final
scrimmage of the spring.  We get to test ourselves in near game conditions,
entertain our fans and to show the Big Ten and the sporting world in
general what kind of team we plan to be.  We have been chanting, `On to
Phoenix' all month.  Coach is going to remind us more about what that
slogan means.  Coach, take it away."

   "Thanks, Trev.  Last December all of us agreed that our team would go
undefeated this calendar year," I said.  "We made a good start against
Tennessee.  I appreciate how hard everyone worked this spring to prepare
for the fall.  Go undefeated..." I paused theatrically.  After a couple
seconds I continued.

   "That is a huge goal.  `On to Phoenix.' We've chanted that every day
this spring at practice.  Trevor, Damian and I wanted to make sure that
goal... that vision... stays out in front of everyone." I whipped the towel
off the plaque on the wall.

   "On to Phoenix," I said.  "Next January 7th, we plan to be standing
here..." I pointed at our team in the center of the photo "...in the tunnel
ready to take the field at the University of Phoenix Stadium, ready to play
for the national championship.

   "That is a huge goal.  Every one of us, from the starters, to the
backups, to the special teams players, scout team players, even the
freshmen that are red-shirted... every one of us MUST step up our game to
achieve this lofty goal.  We need to put in more time studying video.  We
need to spend more time in the weight room training so we're ready for
those big linemen in Iowa and Wisconsin.  We need to spend more time
perfecting our passing game... our running game... our blocking... our
tackling... and our kicking.

   "This plaque is intended to remind every one of us, every day, about our
lofty goal.  Trevor, Damian and I are asking each of you to think... to
think deeply about your commitment and willingness to work to achieve our
vision.  IF you are willing to give more of yourself than you have ever
given, we want you to come up here and put your thumb print on this glass
to mark your commitment.

   "Last Friday morning the Bellefonte School District had vacation so I
had the morning off.  I could have slept late that day..."

   "All of you know how much Coach likes that," Damian teased.  He drew
laughter from many on the team who knew my proclivities.

   "...instead I got up and spent my morning here in the Lausch Building
studying video to prepare for next season," I declared.  I stepped over to
the plaque on the wall.  I pressed my thumb against the glass, rolling it
side to side to get a good fingerprint on the glass.  "On to Phoenix!"

   I stepped aside and Damian stepped up.  "My after lunch class was
cancelled on Tuesday," Damian announced.  "I came over and did an extra set
on the weights." Damian pressed his thumb print onto the glass beside my
smudged print.  "On to Phoenix!"

   Damian made room for Trevor.  "I literally ran the extra mile yesterday
when I went out for my daily run," Trevor proclaimed.  He pressed his
thumbprint into the glass on the other side of my print.  "ON TO PHOENIX!"

   "We don't want everyone to rush up here and proclaim their commitment to
our goal immediately," I said.  "Think about what we said today.  When you
have committed yourself to our goal and the extraordinary effort that it
will take to reach that goal, come over here and put your thumb print on
the glass.  This goes for every single person on this team, regardless of
your role.

   "Starters, backups, special team players, and even red-shirted players,
everyone can help this team achieve its vision.  When you have committed
yourself to the goal and you have taken CONCRETE steps beyond that required
by the coaches to help our team achieve our vision, THEN come here and
commit yourself to our goal by placing your thumbprint on this glass."

   "Huddle up everyone," Trevor shouted.  The team gathered in a huge
circle of bodies in the center of the locker room.  "Where are we going?"
Trevor, Damian and I demanded.

   "On to Phoenix!" the team cheered.  We repeated the chant two more times
before we dismissed our teammates.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   My cell phone rang around 6:15 Friday evening as I was restlessly
awaiting Penny's arrival.

   "Hey honey, what's up?" I said when I saw her name flash up on my cell
phone.

   "I got off at the wrong exit," Penny said.  "I don't know which street
this is.  I'm downtown somewhere."

   "What do you see along the right side of the street?" I asked.  "Are
there businesses or the university?"

   "I see a big stone building with a clock tower," Penny answered.  "It
looks like the university."

   "You're on College Avenue," I said.  "That's Old Main on the right.  Do
you see Allen Street intersecting College on the left?"

   "Yes," Penny said.

   "Good, get in the right lane and get ready to turn right at the next
traffic light," I instructed.  "You will turn right on Burrowes Road."

   "I see it now," Penny said.

   "Go up the hill to the stop sign and make a right onto Pollock Road," I
explained.  I left my apartment and started walking for the corner to catch
my girl as she came by.  "Follow Pollock across campus.  Stop at the
intersection with Bigler Road.  I will be standing on the corner waving for
you."

   "I'm on Burrowes now and see the stop sign," Penny said.

   "Turn right onto Pollock," I said.  "Watch out for the pedestrians here
on campus.  They assume they have the absolute right of way at all times
and places.  They'll..."

   "OH MY GOD!" Penny exclaimed.  "A guy just walked across the street in
front of me without looking!"

   "That's what I was trying to warn you about," I replied.  "Pedestrians
don't act like they do back home or in Philly.  Drive slow and assume
anyone will walk in front of you as you drive across campus.  You'll see me
in a couple minutes.  I'm at the corner of Bigler and Pollock now."

   "I can't believe how busy campus is on a Friday evening," Penny said as
she continued driving.

   "The Blue and White Game weekend is a lot like homecoming at most
schools," I explained.  "We have alumni and fans flocking to campus tonight
for the festivities and the game.  It beats trying to drive up here
tomorrow morning.  Traffic will be backed up half way to Harrisburg.  The
school is expecting 70,000 to 75,000 fans for the game tomorrow."

   "That is amazing," Penny said.  "I'm going through the fourth stop sign.
I see dorms on my right.  Am I getting close?"

   "That's Pollock Dorms," I said.  "I stayed there in Hartranft Hall the
past two years.  You're almost here."

   "I see you!  I see you!" Penny exclaimed.  "What do you want me to do?"

   "Turn left at the stop sign onto Bigler," I said.  "I'll get in on the
driver's side and find you a parking space."

   Penny pulled her car along the curb as instructed.  She hopped out of
the car as I walked around the back to the driver's side.

   "God!  It's good to see you!" Penny exclaimed as she gave me a hug.  I
returned the hug and gave her a quick kiss.

   "Let's get a parking space then we can greet each other properly," I
suggested.  Penny hopped in the opposite side of the car.  Fortunately,
someone pulled out of the parking lot by the Nittany Community Center.  I
took his parking space.  We hopped out of her car and met behind it.

   "God, I missed you!" I declared as I gave her a huge hug.

   "I missed you too, Kyle," Penny exclaimed between kisses.

   "Let's get you moved into my apartment," I suggested after we finally
stopped kissing to catch our breath.  "I'm starved."

   "That sounds good, Kyle,' Penny agreed.  We unloaded Penny's bags from
her trunk.  I carried the big bag while Penny took the smaller one on the
short walk to my apartment.  We stowed everything in my bedroom and then
headed downtown.  I talked Penny into burgers at the Nittany Lion Diner.

   We walked across campus hand in hand.  I took Penny on the walkway below
the HUB and in front of Old Main to the Mall.  We walked down the Mall
across the front of Sackett Building, admiring the old trees towering over
the walkway.  A couple minutes later we were at the Diner.  We were seated
in a couple minutes.

   Penny and I both chose the University Burgers with lettuce, tomato,
onion, mayo and three cheeses on top of the ˝ pound burger.  We talked
while we waited for our dinner.

   "I had no problems getting here," Penny noted.  "My train dropped me off
in Parkesburg at 2:30.  Mom picked me up and took me home.  Traffic wasn't
bad around Lancaster.  I made it around Harrisburg without any trouble. 
Route 322 was fine until the last mile.  The signs are really confusing."

   "I know how that is," I agreed.

   "I saw the sign that showed I-220 was a mile ahead and the State College
exit was right there," Penny explained.  "I knew I-220 would take me to
Lock Haven and I didn't want to go there.  I got off at the State College
exit.  I knew you could help me find the right way."

   "It wasn't a problem, honey," I replied.  "Right after the I-220 North
exit you can get off onto Park Road.  That brings you onto campus past the
stadium and avoids the downtown traffic and the pedestrians on campus."

   "I understand why you wanted me to avoid the pedestrians on campus,"
Penny said.  "The drivers would run over them if anyone tried that on our
campus."

   I noticed as she was talking that she was wearing an intertwined hearts
pendant.  "You're wearing the hearts pendant I got you for Christmas," I
commented.  "That was... um, our junior year?"

   "Senior year," Penny corrected.  "I put it away when you broke up with
me two and a half years ago.  I decided it's time to get it out again."

   "It looks lovely on you," I said.  "It complements your appearance
nicely." I was shouting, `Hallelujah!' to myself.  The gift was intended to
symbolize how our hearts and lives would be intertwined.  It was an
excellent sign that Penny was wearing it.  I was making progress in winning
back her love.

   We talked until our dinner came.  Penny enjoyed her burger.  Half a
dozen people came up to talk or to ask for autographs while were eating.  I
obliged them as I usually do.

   I recommended that we have the grilled stickies for dessert.  I knew it
would tickle Penny's sweet tooth.  I was right.  She loved them.

   Three more fans interrupted us while we had our dessert.  I signed
autographs for them and talked for a couple minutes.  I could see the
interruptions were getting on Penny's nerves.  I knew we would be
discussing the subject later that evening.  I was right.

   I paid the bill and the two of us headed across the street and back onto
campus.  We were passing Sackett Building again when Penny asked, "How do
you put up with people bothering you all the time, Kyle?"

   "You get used to it," I explained.  "Zack Hayes and Aaron Morano both
explained it to me.  The fans are responsible for all the money the
university makes on football.  It pays for my tuition, room and board and
books, around $28,000 a year.  I can talk to the fans for that amount of
money.  It's the right thing to do."

   "I guess," Penny replied.  "I have seen you deal with autograph seekers
last year at spring break and when we were with friends at the Green
Iguana. It didn't seem so bad then."

   "We're on my home turf now," I explained.  "Thousands of football fans
are coming to see our team play tomorrow.  You're dating a captain and one
of the stars on the team.  Of course I will have a lot of well-wishers that
want to talk with me.  You'll learn to deal with it.  I have."

   "I guess so," Penny said.  "It seems like a real hassle."

   Penny and I decided to check out the booths over by Beaver Stadium. 
They had carnival games and food available.  A couple bands took turns
playing on stage.  Wing Fest was going on too.  We wandered around,
checking out the booths and enjoying the music.

   The fireworks started a few minutes after nine o'clock.  The university
set up a nice show.  The crowd oohed and aahed at the display.  Penny and I
returned to my apartment when they were done.

   I reintroduced Penny to Damian and Chip.  The two of us talked with my
roommates for about half an hour before we headed to my bedroom.  In
deference to my roommates, Penny and I limited ourselves to making out
before we went to sleep.  They didn't need to hear us doing what they
weren't allowed to do on the night before a game.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   Trevor beat Penny and me out of bed Saturday morning.  I let Penny
shower after Trevor finished and then cleaned myself up.  Trevor left
before Penny and I finished.  He needed to pick up Stephanie.  Trevor and I
both purchased tickets for our girls so they could join us at the Blue and
White Luncheon held by the Nittany Lion Club.  Members of the club are some
of the most generous supporters of Penn State athletics.

   All coaches and seniors on the team were required to participate in the
luncheon.  Damian walked over to the Bryce Jordan Center with Penny and me.
Trevor and Steph joined us a little later.  Coach and Mrs.  Caffrey greeted
Penny warmly and talked with us for a few minutes while we waited for the
festivities to start.

   Coaches and players were spread out among all the tables where we were
to talk with the club members as we ate our brunch.  Trevor and I both
arranged to have our girlfriends seated at our tables for the meal.

   Penny and I had brunch with two older couples, both Penn State grads and
die-hard fans, and a couple of middle aged business men who attended Penn
State.  I talked about how spring practice had gone and what I expected for
the next season.  I answered their questions too.  It was a pleasant meal.

   Coach Burton and Coach Paterno spoke to the entire group when we were
finished eating.  Trevor, Damian and I were called up front to be
recognized as team captains.  Thankfully we didn't have to speak.

   Trevor gave Steph his keys to his Explorer and to our apartment so Penny
and Steph had access to them while we prepared for our game.  Trevor,
Damian and I walked across the road, through our practice fields and to the
Lasch Building to prepare for the game.  They had to suit up for the game.
I had a coaches' meeting at noon.

   Coach Adams reviewed the game plan, such as it was.  It wasn't a normal
game plan like we would use against a real opponent.  It listed areas we
wanted to see how our team performed against live opposition.  In spite of
the loose nature of the game plan, Coach Adams and the other Blue team
coaches took the game seriously.  They wanted bragging rights over Coach C
and the White team coaches for the next year.

   Anders and I had a mixed bag of players to work with on special teams.
Caleb Fuller, our freshman backup punter would be working for us.  We also
were giving a couple punts to ET LeBlanc.  ET had punted on his high school
team and was listed as our emergency punter if anything happened to Mitch
and Caleb.

   Jared Gray would kick for both teams since our backup kicker for next
year, Ryan Dillard, was still in high school.  I had Brian Henson as my
primary punt returner and Jared Cantrell as my primary kick returner.  I
was to give Troy Davis a shot or two at kick returns and to have Chris
Richardson try punt returns.

   I had a couple intriguing guys helping with coverage and blocking on
returns.  Jeff Knox, a candidate to start in the fall at hero (strong
safety), had a spectacular spring.  Even though Marco Cuchiella had six
more months in our program and had the Cuchiella name, I suspected Coach C
might pick Knox to start in the fall.

   I also had Mark Markovich on my special teams.  Mark had proved to be a
damn smart kid who also was physically very gifted.  I knew in a year or
two he'd be a starter on our defense.  I expected him to be very good at
opening holes for Brian, Jared and our other returners.

   I checked out the guys in the locker room after I was done with my
coaches meeting to make sure everyone was getting ready.  I rode the blue
bus over to the stadium with my teammates.  I spent extra time talking with
the fans at our entrance since I didn't need to prepare the way my
teammates did.

   Coach Burton had issued pre-game sideline passes to some of the high
school kids that we wanted to recruit.  Matt, Cody, Dave and Josh were in
that group.  Two of the guys in the group were seniors who had signed their
letter of intent.  Ryan Dillard and Tom Kowalchuk would be joining our team
this August.  The other nine kids were high school juniors.

   Dustin Wilkerson and Jake Meyer were in the same situation as Matt
Sauder.  They all had verbally accepted scholarships they had been offered.
They wouldn't be official recruits until they signed their letter of intent
next February.

   Jeremy Carter, Mark Russo, Devin Kerr along with Cody, Dave and Josh
were interested in playing at Penn State but didn't have a scholarship
offer yet.  I talked with the kids while my teammates warmed up for the
game.  I invited them to stop by my apartment for the party that evening if
they got the chance.  Mark Russo and Dustin Wilkerson lived in State
College and would be able to stop by.  Jake, Jeremy and Devin had come here
with their parents and couldn't stay for the evening.

   Devin Kerr took me aside during warm-ups.  "My Uncle Chase heard I was
coming up here today," Devin explained.  "He wants me to ask you if you're
interested in going to another Phillies game."

   "Wow, I didn't expect that," I replied.  "I got tickets for you and
Chase to visit here.  He returned the favor by getting me and my family
into a game in Philly.  I didn't expect more."

   "... and you helped me at football camp last summer," Devin said.  "You
introduced me to your friends, you took me to dinner.  You talked with me
about playing wide receiver.  You inspired me to bust my ass to get better.
I owe you.  Uncle Chase wants to say thank you by inviting you to another
game."

   "I guess I can't say no," I said.

   "You still have Chase's private e-mail, right?" Devin said.  I nodded
yes.  "Get in touch with him.  He'd like to thank you for all the help
you've given me."

   "I'll talk to my girlfriend and see if she's interested," I replied.  "I
suspect she will be.  She's a huge Phillies fan."

   "I thought your girlfriend was from Pittsburgh," Devin said.

   "I have a different girlfriend now," I said.

   "I see," Devin said.

   "Enjoy the game today, Devin," I said.  "I've got to get to work."

   "Work?  I thought you weren't playing today," Devin responded.

   "I'm coaching the Blue special teams," I replied.

   "Good luck with that, Kyle," Devin said.

   "Good luck with your final season in high school," I replied.  "I'll
probably see you when you do your official visit in the fall."

   "Or this summer when I do Senior Camp here," Devin added.

   "If Coach Burton has me work it," I replied as I headed down field to
confer with Anders.

   The two of us made sure our special teams players had themselves ready.
I watched ET LeBlanc launched a few practice punts.  He wasn't half bad. 
We wouldn't be totally screwed during the season if Mitch and Caleb both
got hurt.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   The White squad won the coin toss.  Tanner Riggs lined up to receive the
kickoff.  Anders exhorted our cover team to stay in their lanes.  I grabbed
Matt Frye and Troy Davis, our gunners.

   "You have got to get off your blocks and take down Tanner before he gets
a head of steam," I preached.  "Force him back into the middle of the field
and let the wedge busters do their jobs."

   "Yeah, Coach," and "Yep, you got it, Coach," the two agreed as they
jogged onto the field.

   Jared Gray did a decent job, kicking the ball to the goal line.  Tanner
hesitated a split second then carried the ball ahead when Dave McCall waved
him on.  Troy and Matt did good jobs, pinching Tanner in and forcing him to
follow the blocking wedge.  Mark Markovich made a great play, shedding his
blocker and dropping Tanner at the 21 yard line.

   Jon Stafford ran the White offense well.  He stood against significant
pressure from our Blue defense.  I'm sure the red, do-not-touch jersey he
was wearing gave him a little extra confidence to stand in the pocket in
the face of the pressure.  Our defense stopped Jon's crew short of the end
zone.  Jared Gray booted a nice looking 41 yard field goal.

   Jared Cantrell took the kick off and carried it back to our 24 yard
line. It wasn't a bad effort, but I had hoped for better.  Next time, I
needed to motivate my guys better.

   Chip, with our first string offensive line, Damian, Christian, Brian,
Jared Cantrell and Bob Smith, moved the ball smartly down the field and
scored.  Brian capped the drive by catching a ten yard pass on Shawn Byrd,
breaking a tackle and streaking into the end zone for a twenty-two yard
gain and touchdown.

   Jon's White offense responded by matching the Blue's performance. 
Tanner made good catches going over the middle.  Bruce MacCauley caught a
deep pass.  ET LeBlanc bolted up the middle, cut back and sprinted into the
end zone from 24 yards out for a TD.

   My blockers did a solid job on the return, opening up a nice hole which
Jared Cantrell missed.  Unfortunately he outran the blocking and was
committed to a different gap when the hole opened.  He was tackled on our
23 yard line I was disappointed with the results.  I huddled with Jared
when he returned to the sideline.

   "Were you watching the blocking?" I demanded.

   "I thought so," Jared replied defensively.  "There wasn't any hole for
me to run through."

   "You ran too fast, didn't give your blockers time to work and committed
yourself where you didn't have a gap," I countered.

   "No, there wasn't a..." Jared began.  I shook my head no while he tried
to claim that I hadn't seen what I had seen.

   "You ran too fast," I insisted.  "Slow down, watch your blockers... when
the hole develops... BOOM!" I clapped my hands together to punctuate my
point.  "EXPLODE through the hole when it opens up.  Got it?"

   "Explode through the hole," Jared parroted, nodding agreement.

   He jogged onto the field to join Chip's offense.  Charlie Taylor was the
featured tailback on this drive.  Coach Adams felt that Damian had worked
enough for the day.  He continued swapping Christian, Brian and Jared
Cantrell around the field, trying to create mismatches.  Chip needed ten
plays to push the Blue team down into the red zone.

   Trevor stunted and "hit" Chip as he got rid of the ball.  Trevor had
been a split second slow getting his second hand on the QB, which
constituted "sacking" a quarterback in a red jersey.  The ball sailed
through the end zone.  White's defense bottled up our receivers in the end
zone on second and goal.

   The defense covered our receivers on third down.  Bob Smith, our tight
end, chipped Trevor before drifting across the middle.  Chip spotted Bob
come open and fired the ball into Bob's hands as Trevor grabbed for Chip.
Josh Bruno hit Bob immediately.  Bob squirmed loose and flopped down,
barely pushing the ball across the end zone.  Score: Blue-14, White-10

   As the coaches pulled more of the starters and replaced them with second
and third string players, the quality of the offenses declined.  Six plays
later the White team was punting back to us.

   I noticed Coach Ferguson across the field conferring with Dave McCall
and Bruce MacCauley before he sent them onto the field.  I knew immediately
what the play would be.  I had been part of that sideline conference
before.

   I grabbed Troy Davis.  "Make damn sure you cover Bruce MacCauley," I
demanded.  "Expect Dave to get the punt.  Watch for him to pitch the ball
back to Squirrel." I stared into his eyes.  "Cover Squirrel!  You got it?"

   "Got it Coach," Troy said.

   The punt went as I expected.  Mitch Jackson booted the ball deep.  Dave
McCall drifted across the field and caught the ball.  I checked Bruce's
position.  He was a step behind and about five yards outside Dave as they
started forward.  I watched as Troy Davis shed his blocker and zeroed in on
the backfield.

   Sure enough, as the Blue tacklers closed in on Dave, he flipped the ball
backward to Bruce.  Troy had followed my advice and was charging at Bruce.
He hit Bruce in the midsection.  Troy had an inch of height on Bruce.  The
two were about the same weight.  Troy had momentum on his side.  He drove
Bruce backwards and dropped him on White's 18 yard line.

   Anders and I high fived on the sideline as our special teams players
celebrated and jogged off the field.  I looked across the field, gave Coach
Ferguson a wave, a big smile and shook my finger at him.  Coach shook his
head, smiled and tipped his cap to me.

   Anders and I conferred about our next play - either a punt, a PAT or a
field goal attempt.  Our offense sputtered until the sixth play.  Brian
Henson caught a ten yard pass, broke a tackle and took off for the end
zone. Shawn Byrd ran him down before he could score.  Brian picked up 39
yards on the play.  White's defense kept Chip and our offense in check.  We
settled for a 42 yard field goal attempt.  Jared missed, bouncing it off
the left upright.

   Neither team managed more scoring before halftime.  That changed in the
third quarter.  Chip continued quarterbacking the Blue team.  Bob Huber
took over the White team.  Chip took the Blue team in to score a TD with
the second half kickoff.  Bob couldn't get the White offense going.  His
squad punted back to our team.

   I had a straight forward return up the middle on with Brian Henson
handling the return.  Brian spotted a flaw in White's coverage, adjusted
and sprinted through an uncovered lane.  No one caught him before he
reached the end zone.  Score: Blue-28, White-10.

   Bob Huber finally got White's offense untracked later in the third
quarter.  He pushed them in for a touchdown to narrow the gap to Blue-28,
White-17.  Chip took the ball back and had a nice drive going with the
younger kids on Blue as the fourth quarter started.

   Coach Burton sent word down from the press box where he was watching the
game to switch Bob to Blue to finish Chip's drive.  Bob couldn't get into
the end zone.  We settled for a 32 yard field goal.

   Jon Stafford ran the White offense in the fourth quarter, as planned. 
Jon practiced the hurry-up offense.  He managed to score twice, one a
touchdown and other a short Jared Gray field goal.  The final score for the
game was Blue-31, White-27.

   We had given the fans a good show.  Our younger players had valuable
time playing in front of a big crowd.  This had been a good day for my
team.

   I expected that I would be able to slip out of the stadium without
having the press bother me.  Hah!  I did just as many interviews as usual
even though I didn't dress for the game.

   I gave Penny a call when I boarded the bus to go back to the Lasch
Building.  Trevor and I would meet her and Stephanie outside the Lasch
Building when we were finished.  Half an hour later when Trevor and I came
out, we found our girlfriends waiting with Bev Umble, Josh Hunsecker, Dave
Mitchell, Cody Stevens and Matt Sauder.

   Penny gave me a hug and kiss when I came out.  "Did you enjoy coaching?"

   "I did, it was fun," I answered.  "It was frustrating too.  I could see
holes to exploit on the returns and I was stuck on the sidelines trying to
explain them to the kids that were playing.  I know I could have scored a
couple times if I had been on the field."

   "You're the one planning on being a coach," Penny said.  "Better get
used to that feeling."

   "I will," I responded.  "...when I'm done playing football.  What do you
want for dinner honey?  State College has all kinds of cuisine - Chinese,
Thai, Indian, Austrian, Cajun...  We have 50's era burgers, deli,
barbecue..."

   "Barbecue sounds great!" Matt inserted into what I assumed was a private
conversation.

   "No offense, Matt," I said, giving him a disapproving glare.  "I am
planning a romantic dinner with my date, whom I haven't seen in three
weeks. You guys are getting to know State College.  You can find something
downtown to suit the four of you.  My apartment is #12.  You know where it
is.  You guys can come over around eight o'clock."

   "Yeah, that's cool, Coach," Matt agreed.  "We'll get out of your way."

   "Josh, I doubt your brother will mind if you and your friends join us
for dinner," Bev suggested.

   "Mind what?" Christian asked as he came out of the Lasch Building,
exhibiting perfect timing.

   "Your brother and his friends joining us for dinner tonight," Bev
explained.

   "Cool!  That sounds fine," Christian responded.  "As long as you're
paying your own way."

   "Thanks, Christian," Josh said.  My friends echoed, "Yeah, thanks a
lot," and "Thanks."

   Matt added, "I know we have to pay our way.  This is an unofficial
visit."

   "All right, let's go gang," Christian called out.  "Downtown!" Christian
and Bev slipped their arms around each other and headed off, followed by
the four teens.

   "What are you interested in?" I asked Penny.

   "We have Indian, Thai and Chinese on nearly every corner by our campus,"
Penny said.  "What's this Austrian restaurant like?"

   "Herwig's is an Austrian café," I explained as Penny and I headed down
Hastings Road for the center of campus and the downtown.  "Their food is
authentic and very delicious but the place is tiny.  We might have trouble
getting a table with everyone in town for the game today."

   "What's the Cajun place like?" Penny asked.  "I don't run into that much
in my part of Philly."

   "The restaurant is called Spats," I said.  "It's one of my favorite
places to take a date.  They have as good a Cajun food as I have found in
Pennsylvania."

   "As good as you had on TV last January?" Penny teased.

   "Welll... that's a pretty high standard to compare Spats to," I said. 
"Chef Legasse's food was fantastic.  I have had better Cajun in Baton Rouge
too, but Spats is very good for central Pennsylvania.  You'll enjoy the
food."

   "Let's see if we can get a spot at the Austrian place," Penny suggested.
"If we can't we can go over to the Cajun place."

   "That sounds like a plan," I agreed.

   A dozen people were waiting on the sidewalk by the door when we got to
Herwig's.

   "The line doesn't look too bad," Penny said when she saw it.

   "They have twenty-four seats in the restaurant," I explained.  "We will
have to wait half an hour to forty-five minutes here."

   "Cajun sounds really tasty," Penny replied.  We walked back the block
and a half to Spats.  I knew that they didn't have a big line.  I checked
as we walked by on our way to Herwig's.  Four people were ahead of us when
we checked in.  Five minutes later we were seated near the back of the
restaurant.

   "Would you like pre-dinner drinks while you make your selections from
the menu?" the waiter asked.

   "I'll have water now," Penny replied.  "I will have wine with dinner,
after I have made my dinner selection."

   "Very good, miss," the waiter responded.  "What would you like sir?"

   "I'll have unsweetened iced tea," I replied.  I gave him a wink and
added, "I have ten more weeks to wait until I can have wine with my dinner.
Keep the iced tea coming while we eat."

   "Very good, sir," the waiter replied.  He returned a couple minutes
later with our drinks.  We were ready to order.  I convinced Penny to try
the Cajun Atlantic Salmon.  I chose the pan-seared beef medallions with
crab meat, tasso ham, and rouille.  I also ordered the Chorizo-stuffed
Calamari and Voodoo BBQ Shrimp 'Orleans Tapas for us to munch on while our
main entrees were prepared.

   We talked about the game while we enjoyed our Tapas.  Penny had caught
my interchange with Coach Ferguson.  "I saw after the White team tried a
pitchout on the punt return," Penny said.  "Were you taunting your coach?"

   "Taunting?  No," I replied.  "That wave was more of a `You're not
fooling me that easily' kind of message.  I have been on the sidelines with
Coach Ferguson too many times to miss what was coming on that play.  I
spotted his last minute instructions to the returners.  As soon as coach
talked to two guys, I knew they both were handling the ball.  I made sure
Troy knew what was coming."

   "In other words, you were a good coach," Penny said.  "Your guy, ummm...
Troy?" I nodded yes.  "Troy played it well."

   "He did," I agreed.  "By all rights he should still be in high school.
He did early graduation from his high school and started classes here in
January.  Today was the first time he appeared in front of a crowd this
size."

   "I was amazed at how many people came out to watch you guys scrimmage,"
Penny said.  "We don't get anywhere near this many people for our real
football games."

   "Maybe you can see now why I wanted to come to Penn State," I replied.
"I have played against so many excellent players and learned from great
coaches in the past three seasons.  I don't know if I could have gotten
that if I had gone to Penn with you."

   "I understand, Kyle," Penny said.  "That's ancient history now.  I
understand now how much football means to you and why you had to come
here."

   "I'm glad," I said.

   The waiter delivered our entrees.  My beef medallions, crab, tasso ham
and rouille was excellent.  I wasn't sure what rouille was when I ordered
the dish.  It is a garlicky mayonnaise that complimented the crab
perfectly. I shared a bit of my dinner with Penny.  She gave me a small
piece of her salmon.  We agreed both dishes were excellent.

   As we were talking and eating, I remembered Devin Kerr's offer to me.

   "Would you be interested in going to a Phillies game sometime before I
head to scout camp?" I asked.

   "A Phillies game?" Penny responded.  "That sounds like fun.  What is the
date on your tickets?"

   "I don't know yet," I explained.  "I'm friends with one of the recruit's
uncles.  He is with the Phillies.  Devin told me his uncle would get us
tickets if we're interested."

   "Is with?  He works for them?" Penny asked.

   "Um... actually he plays for them," I said.  "Hell, you'll know if we go
down to the game.  Don't spread it around.  Chase Utley is the one who is
offering us tickets."

   "Chase?  Chase Utley?" Penny gasped.  "You know Chase Utley?  You're
joking!?!"

   "No, I'm not," I said.  "I got tickets for him and his nephew to come to
one of our games a couple seasons ago.  He returned the favor last spring."

   Penny shook her head.  "You are amazing," she said.  "You call Chase
Utley a friend and then you act like it isn't a big deal."

   "It isn't," I protested.  "I was at a Phillies game a couple years ago
acting like a total fan.  I asked him for an autograph.  When I told him my
name, he knew who I was.  His nephew Devin is a big Penn State fan and a
pretty good athlete himself.  I arranged for them to come to a game.  I
also helped Devin out last summer when he came to Penn State's football
camp.  Chase reciprocated and invited me and my family to come to a
Phillies game.  We should go, it was fun the last time.  We did the game
and then had dinner with Chase and his wife Jenna."

   "A game and dinner with Chase Utley and his wife," Penny said.  "I guess
if you twist my arm we could go."

   "Good!" I said.  "I'll get in touch with Chase and see if we can arrange
the game.  We should look at a Phillies schedule before you leave this
weekend."

   "It sounds like fun," Penny said.

   We finished our meal and skipped dessert.  I knew Damian had planned
some killer snacks for the party.  I quietly informed Penny about Damian's
secret.  As I expected, Penny wasn't bothered in the least that Damian was
a homosexual.

   I paid the bill and left a nice tip for our waiter.  Penny agreed that
Spats was quite good.  We walked back to my apartment.  Damian had prepared
dinner for Billy, Melanie and Sarah that evening.  Penny and I started
setting up for the party while Damian finished his hors d'oeurvres and
Billy, Sarah and Melanie cleaned up from dinner.

   Matt Sauder and Cody Stevens showed up around a quarter to eight lugging
their overnight backpacks.  I had them stow their gear in my bedroom.  Matt
and Cody helped us finish setting up for the party.

   The party got under way.  I introduced Penny to Troegs Amber Ale.  She
liked it, but preferred the Dock Street Pale Ale I bought her for her
birthday.  Damian's hors d'oeuvres were a big hit.  I made sure Matt and
Cody got introduced to many of the younger players at the party.  I
introduced Penny to my teammates.  She seemed to be well received by my
friends.

   Josh and Dave arrived at the party when Christian and Bev came over.  I
gave the four young men their orders regarding drinking.  I would not
permit them to have more than a couple beers.  Josh wouldn't be a problem.
Like his older brother, he didn't drink alcohol.

   Matt, Dave and Cody behaved themselves.  They spent the first hour or
two talking with the guys on the team.  Matt and Jon Stafford talked on and
on about Jon's experiences in high school, last year and that day on the
field.  The two young quarterbacks seemed to hit it off.

   Dave and Cody tried to catch the interest of the girls.  Beth Naylor set
her sights on Josh Hunsecker.  She talked and flirted with him.  She
redoubled her efforts when she found out Josh did not have a serious
girlfriend.  The poor guy blushed and stammered as he tried to answer
Beth's attempted seduction.  Christian and Bev enjoyed Josh's predicament.
After a half hour of her blandishments Josh fled to the safety of the
kitchen.

   Beth turned her attention to Cody Stevens.  She found a much more
willing partner in him.  The two danced and made out for awhile before
slipping upstairs to one of the bedrooms.

   Dave Mitchell was making progress with a young freshman I didn't know.
He was hanging with Ian Davis, who was also trying to make time with
another coed.  Dave was making progress when Josh stopped by and suggested
it was time to head to bed back at Christian's apartment.  Dave reluctantly
followed his close friend.

   Penny seemed to enjoy getting to know my teammates.  She made an
excellent impression on my friends.

   I overheard a couple of the girls I knew intimately commenting, "No
wonder Coach hasn't gone to bed with anyone since break.  That girlfriend
of his is a knock out."

   "That's for sure," the other girl said.  "I guess we're going to have to
tap the younger guys.  They're trainable."

   "That they are," the first agreed.

   I didn't let on I had overheard the two.  I did agree, Penny was a knock
out and I was lucky to have a chance to win her back.

   Damian generously allowed Cody Stevens to use his bed for the night. 
Beth took advantage of the offer to spend the night too.  She found out how
well my sister Liz had trained Cody during her time dating him a few years
ago.

   After the party was over I helped Matt set up a bed on my couch.  Penny
and I retired to my room where we made love twice.  It was intense, loving
and mind blowing.  Most of all it was giving.  I focused on making sure
Penny enjoyed herself.  She did the same for me.  We cuddled together
afterward.  We couldn't help overhearing the other three couples in the
apartment.

   "This seems so much like old times," Penny commented after we heard Cody
bring Beth to orgasm, followed by his own grunts and moans as he came after
her.  "It's almost like when we were in high school and Cody and Liz were
down the hall."

   "Are we reaching that closeness and comfort we used to have?" I asked
after giving Penny a kiss on the neck.

   "We're getting there," Penny agreed.  She rolled over and hugged me and
gave me a kiss on the lips.

   "Is it enough to call this experiment a success?" I asked.  "I'd love to
be able to tell people you're my girlfriend."

   "Let's say the experiment is promising," Penny responded.  "I'm not
ready to commit myself yet, but keep doing what you have been doing.  If
you give me a little more time to recover from Harrison, I think I will be
ready."

   "I'm glad," I said.  "The best decision I ever made was deciding that I
wanted to be your boyfriend again.  I love you totally."

   "I love you too, Kyle," Penny answered.  We exchanged kisses before
falling into a comfortable sleep.  All was right with my world.

   (to be continued)

   ===================================================

   (C) 2007-2010, Douglas Fox

   This story may not be reposted without express permission of the author.

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   This story was written as an adult fantasy.  The author does not condone
the described behavior in real life.
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