Mike and I made many friendships with the second string football team members in our sophomore year. The first string tended to look down on us but Mike and I developed a good friendship with the star quarterback who was a senior that year. Joel was the star quarterback but he had few friends on the team and it wasn’t that he was stuck up but he was gay. This was not well known outside of the football team and the cheerleading squad. Most of the team were of the faith and did not have the most liberal ideas about homosexuals. Mike and I didn’t care about how he liked his sex. He was a good friend but Joel was not considered for our club although events can prove one wrong.
It was the start a beautiful late fall weekend in Indiana. It was sunny and unseasonable warm for the time of year. We had no game that weekend and Mike took advantage of the weekend off to visit his parents. I was hanging out in my dorm when about eleven in the morning I got a call from Joel. He asked me if I could do him a favor. His mother had come to visit the day before and wanted to toss the football with him that morning. He didn’t want to do this by himself and he knew that I would not make fun of him. I was bored and said that I would even though playing football with girls is generally no fun. What are friends for? I changed into a sweatshirt and running shorts then jogged over to the athletic field. It was empty except for Joel and his mother. I was used to the field being crowded with people and activity so the emptiness and quiet was surprising to me. I walked to Joel and introduced myself to his mother.
“Hi Pat” said Joel, “This is my mom.”
“Hi, I’m Katherine but friends of Joel can call me Kate” said Kate as she smiled at me.
I looked Kate over. She was a very attractive woman for 45. She had shoulder length dark hair, sharp green eyes, and slim build. I could tell that she worked out often as her youthful figure showed tone muscle with her every movement. Not like a body builder but more like a swimmer or ballet dancer. I said, “Well you know I’m Pat and friends of Joel call me Pat too.” I joked. I knew that Kate and I were going to like each other.
Kate patted the football and said, “I hope you guys are good. I taught Joel all there is to know about the game.” Joel and I ran back as she threw the football to us. I was surprised as she threw very well. We had fun joking and throwing the ball to each other around the field. Sometimes I overthrew to Kate just to watch her run. She was almost gazelle like as her slim frame clothed in a crop top and in running shorts moved to get the ball. She had great slim muscular legs and flat stomach.
After a hour or so, Joel hurled the ball far past his mother. As she went to get it, Joel jogged over to me. “You having fun? He asked.
“Sure” I said, “Your mom is a lot of fun. She actually is pretty good at football.”
“Well, I need a favor” said Joel.
“Ok” I said questioningly “What?”
“I didn’t expect my mom to come here this weekend.” said Joel “I have to spend time with her but I was suppose to meet this guy at two. I’ve been working all semester to get into this guy’s pants and when I get the chance, she shows up!”
“So what do you want me to do? I asked.
“Mom likes you” Joel said, “Would you mind hanging with her for a couple of hours and keep her company while I slip off to meet this guy?”
“Sure” I said and actually would enjoy her company. “Does she know you are gay?”
“Yeah, mom is cool about it but my dad doesn’t know” he whispered, “He is an ex marine and would kill me if he knew.” Kate had retrieved the ball and jogged over to where we were standing.
“OK guys” she said out of breath, “Stop throwing it over my head on purpose.”
We laughed and told her we were just having some fun. Kate was a good sport about it.
We tossed the ball around when Joel looked at his watch and walked over to his mom.
“Mom” said Joel sheepishly, “I didn’t know how to tell you but I have to watch some films with the coach for next week’s game. It will take a couple of hours but Pat said that he would keep you company until I come back.”
“I understand” said Kate, “Next week is the biggest game of the year for the school. Don’t worry about me, Pat and I will be fine.”
I nodded and then Joel started to jog away. I shouted, “Call me on my cell phone when you are done! OK?” I watched Joel give up “a thumbs up” and he continued running off the athletic field. Kate and I smiled at each other and started to toss the ball back and forth but there was only about eight feet between us. “So, what would you like to do now?” I asked.
“I don’t know” teased Kate, “You are my date for the afternoon. I haven’t had lunch so how about an early dinner?”
“Works for me” I said, “It’s still a bit early though. You like to run?
“I love to run!” she said, “I run everyday but I’ve missed a day or two by coming here.