Passion In James County XIX: Family Affairs
Chapter twenty-six
Dianna, headed for the van the cheerleaders rode to away games, was feeling a little disappointed. She walked past the school bus holding the team after the basketball game without glancing up, all the while hoping that Ricky might call to her, but he didn't. The game was exciting, especially the way they won on Ricky's last-minute basket and the girls had cheered themselves hoarse.
As she neared the cheerleader's van, Miss Conklin, the cheerleading coach, walked up to her. "Dianna," the coach said, "would you like to a ride home with me instead of on the van?"
"Ah...yeah...sure," Dianna replied. An invitation to ride with Miss Conklin was a highly sought-after honor among members of the cheering squad.
"You did a fine job tonight, Dianna," Miss Conklin told her as they drove out of the parking lot. "I was impressed with the energy and ability you showed tonight."
Dianna felt her cheeks get hot. "Ah...thank you, Miss Conklin," she said.
"I know this may sound like a personal question, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but do you date a lot, Dianna?" Miss Conklin asked.
Dianna nodded and said, "Ah...some."
"I'm surprised to that. I would have thought a pretty girl like you would have all kinds of dates," the coach said.
"Ah...I...I'm not all that pretty," Dianna replied.
"You certainly are," Miss Conklin said. "I think you're one of the most attractive members of the squad."
Hearing the words of praise from her coach gave Dianna a warm feeling. She liked the idea that Miss Conklin thought she was pretty, even though she knew she wasn't as pretty as the coach was. Carol Conklin was gorgeous; blonde and statuesque. Dianna knew a lot of the boys in school had the hots for her.
"Would you like to stop and have a soda?" the coach asked.
Dianna nodded and said, "OK."
They stopped at a small diner and both of them had a cola and French Fries.
"You graduate this year, don't you Dianna?" Miss Conklin asked as they ate.
Dianna nodded, she was really gratified by her coach's attention, especially since Ricky hadn't been showing her any attention at all lately.
"What are you going to do after graduation?" Miss Conklin asked.
Dianna shrugged. "I don't really know. I'll probably get a job somewhere," she said. "My grades aren't all that good, and my folks don't have a lot of money, so I can't go to college."
Miss Conklin frowned and shook her head. "I wish I'd known that sooner," she said. "Some colleges offer scholarships for cheerleaders." She shook her head again and made her blond tresses quiver. "Given the level of skill you have, I might have been able to help you get one."
"That's...that's OK," Dianna said.