If you haven't read Chapters 1 through 3 yet, I suggest you read them first to pick up details not included in this chapter.
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The phone rang and Dad said, "Sue, its Tom."
Suddenly I realized I was only dreamingâChristmas was still three weeks away!
I answered and told Tom, "I just had the most horrible dreamâI was pregnant and it was Christmas Day. Tom I'm really scared."
Tom said, "Just relaxâyou're not late! Look at the sports pageâit'll cheer you up!"
I asked, "What's it about?"
Tom laughed, "The photographer took our picture last night when I picked you up on the court and kissed you. The headline read, 'State football hero gives girlfriend kiss after record-breaking performance as Dragons rout Baytown!'"
I laughed, "Really?"
I asked, "When are you leaving? I need you right now more than ever."
Tom replied, "I'll come over around 2:00. I don't have to be back at State till tomorrow morning for my first class at 8:00."
We hung up like we always did with, "I love you."
Debbie gave me a call, "Hey girlfriend, you see the paper?"
I laughed, "I'm reading it now!"
Debbie said, "Come over after mass and we'll swap stories about last nightâI got some good ones to tell you!"
I replied, "It'll be later tonightâTom is coming over around 2:00."
Debbie asked, "Everything OK?"
I said, "Not really, I haven't started yet, and I'm scared. I even had a horrible dream I was pregnant." I told Debbie about the dream.
Debbie said, "Sue relaxâyou aren't late."
Tom arrived at 2:00. Dad laughed, "Guess the Baytown boys had more brains than I gave them credit forâall talk."
Tom just grinned.
We all sat and talked for 30 minutes when Tom said, "I was going to wait to tell everyone this, but things are about to change for Sue."
I was puzzledâwhat is he saying? Mom and Dad just listened.
Tom continued, "Coach Jones is going to want Sue up at State for the summer. She needs to go. They'll get her a good job. She'll either be living in an apartment or stay in the dorm.
"She'll be rooming with Jamie or Angie. During the summer, the women's basketball team is allowed to work out and have exhibition games. After last night, Coach Jones will be including Sue in the rotation for next seasonâsomeone will be needed to replace Jamie."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, so I asked, "Who told you this?"
Tom replied, "Jamie. Coach Jones told her, 'I'm looking at Sue to replace you next year.' And that was before last nightâit's a golden opportunity."
Mom and Dad just looked at each otherâthey weren't ready for their baby girl to leave home.
Tom looked at me, "Babe, things are going to change in other ways too. You're an athlete and you and Debbie's relationship is not going to be the same at State. Debbie is a cheerleader like Jenny and Sally, and will live in a sorority house. You'll live in the athletic dorm with your teammates.
"Even though John was an athlete, he was in a different sport than I was, and our relationship changed during the school year. A whole new chapter in your life is about to beginâit's a big adjustment coming from our small high school to State."
Mom and Dad continued listening.
I asked, "Is this what Coach Pete helped you with your freshman year?"
Tom replied, "Yes. I wish I could have been at State the summer before my freshman season. It would have made the adjustment a lot easier."
Mom changed the subject, "Tom, are you given one of those jobs?"
Tom said, "Yes, Mrs. Lilly. It's already been set up for the summerâamong other things, too."
I knew what Tom was referring toâ'our apartment.'
Tom left for State around 6:00. He told everyone, "I'll be back on Friday for Sue's game."
We walked outside and kissed each other good-bye. Tom reassured me, "I didn't cum in you, so relaxâI love you."
I called Debbie and told her, "I'll just see you at school tomorrow and we'll talk tomorrow night." Debbie knew I was worried.
Tom called around 9:00. I answered, "Hey guyâyou made it back OK?"
Tom replied, "Yep. We got our practice schedule. We'll practice from 2:30-6:30, Monday-Thursday, and from 2:30-4:30 on Friday. Coach is giving us the weekends off. We leave at 9:00 the morning of the 20th."
I told him, "Still no period. I've never been late, and today I was due."
Tom got angry with me, "Sueârelax and you'll start. Keep worrying, and you'll just keep delaying your period."
We hung up with, "I love you."
Tom would be calling the following night around 9:00 to check on me and wish me good luck in our game Tuesday.
Everyone was still talking about our big win over Baytown on Monday at school. Principal Wilson made an announcement during first period, "Congratulations to our Lady Dragons on the big win Saturday night over Baytown. The girls are now ranked #3 in the state, and Sue Andrews is the second highest scorer averaging 37.5 points a game."
I was excited for our team's high state rankingâthe season had a long way to go before the state championships were played.
Tom called me at 9:00.
I answered, "Hey, we're ranked #3 in the state!"
Tom laughed, "Jones told me this morning at training tableâhe also already knew about your half century gameâso did Jamie, Angie and the rest of the team."
I sighed, "I just want to start my period!"
Debbie called me after I hung up with Tom. "Hey girlfriend, I thought you'd come over tonight?"
I replied, "I got busy with school work, my ACT Review book, and just lost track of timeâwe'll talk tomorrow on the bus going to the game."
Cathy called me after Debbie, "Hey Sue, I need to talk with you before practice tomorrow."