This Time(14)

Still there, he thought, grinning, fingering the engraving, and remembering the day Belle boldly made the marks. She spent a week in detention for defacing school property.

For years, she claimed it was worth it. "Every one knows you're mine now," she had asserted.

"I thought everyone already knew," Burke countered, laughing at her manufactured jealousy, his eyes locked with hers.

"All except Dana Love."

"Belle," he said tenderly, brushing her long, silky, brown hair over her shoulder. "You don't have to worry, ever."

"It's not you I'm worried about," she said, a mischievous smile on her lips.

Burke leaned against the lockers for a moment, remembering, then continued down the hall to Coach Anderson's office. When he arrived at the solid oak door, he knocked lightly.

"Come in."

"Morning, Coach," Burke said as he entered. He shook the older man's hand heartily.

Summer's soft morning light came through the window, falling in streaks across the dull, scarred wooden floor.

"Glad you could come by, Burke." Coach motioned for him to sit in the chair next to his desk.

"I see you're still hitting the weights," Burke said, taking a seat, motioning to the coach's muscular arms.

Coach Anderson shoved some papers into a folder and dropped it into an open drawer. "You know what they say, it's an old man's sport."

He laughed, nodding. "You're not so old."

"I turned sixty-seven this past May."

"Sixty-seven?" Burke said, surprised.

Anderson confirmed with a curt nod, then went straight to the point. "I suppose you wondered why I called."

"I'm curious," he admitted. "Something to do with football, I guess."

"I hear you're retiring."

Burke's eyes grew wide. "A little bird named Jack told you?"

"That'd be the one," Coach said, rocking back in his old wooden desk chair.

"Yes, I am retiring. It's not official until next month when the press release comes out."

"Well, I don't have an official press release coming, but I'm retiring myself."

"Congratulations."

"You want the job?" The question came fast and hard, without hesitation.

Outwardly, Burke showed no emotion, but his heart leapt and his mind immediately clicked with the idea. Excitement bubbled in his middle. "Coach high school football?"

Coach Anderson laughed, shaking his silver head. "That's the offer, Burke. It's not the life in the spotlight you've been living, but the rewards are worth more than fame and money."

Burke rested an elbow on the desk. "Money is not an issue. The pros have done well for me. Fame is a hollow experience at best. But I do have several job offers my agent wants me to consider. One for sports commentating, another for a sitcom."

"An actor?"

Burke chuckled. "It's a sports parody show. I did a couple of guest spots last season and apparently my stint boosted the ratings. They want me as a regular this year."

Anderson laughed outright. "Somehow I can't see you in makeup, spitting barbs for a living."

"I had fun, but you're right, it's not for me."

"Coaching high school boys is for you, Burke. You got your college degree don't you?"

Burke nodded. "I finished up five or six years ago in the off seasons. Physics major."

Coach Anderson slapped the desktop and spoke with confidence, not mincing his words. "There you go, an athlete and a scholar. You're a wonderful role model."

"I'll be honest with you, Coach. I came home because I felt the Lord had a purpose for me here. I've been praying for Him to lead me to the right job."

"I've never been a religious man, but you'd be molding young men, Burke. Not only in the game of football, but in personal character and integrity."

"I'm well aware of the impact a high school coach has on his players. And, for the record, I've never been a religious man either." Burke's eyes met his old coach and friend's. "It's not about religion, it's about a relationship."

Coach diverted his gaze. "You're lucky to have found the keys to commune with the Almighty."

"A relationship with the Father is not like making a lucky catch on the one yard line when your team is down by three. It's more like falling in love with someone beautiful and magnificent, someone who loves you more than you ever dreamed possible. That's how Jesus feels about us."

Coach Anderson squirmed and chuckled nervously. "I never heard it described quite like that before."

"Yeah, we often forget God so loved the world He sent His only son to die for us. We tend to paint the picture of God being so angry at the world."

Anderson paused for a brief moment before he answered. "Tell ya what, Benning. I'll consider what you've said if you'll consider what I've said."

Burke reached across the desk, offering his hand. "I'll call you by the end of the week."

Anderson grasped his hand with a powerful grip and shook. "I won't have to deal with your agent will I?"

Burke laughed outright, picturing the direct, no frills coach interacting with his fast-talking, aggressive agent. "No," he said with a wave of his hands. "No."