Dart and Dash (17 page)

Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.

I remember that night at Fat Patty’s with her. I told her the time we had with our loved ones was a blessing, even if it hurt when they were gone.

Dart taught me more in twenty-two years about being a good, selfless person that I could ever learn in a lifetime. I needed to do this for him. I needed to show him that I wasn’t going to let these opportunities pass me by without giving them my all.

I touched the cool plastic of the helmet and traced the number twenty-one with my finger.

This was our time.

Chapter 33 – Garnet

My life could be described as a roller coaster. I thought it was like that anyway. How else could I truly detail the last six months of my life?

Between Mom dying, graduating high school, my summer of a drunken sex fueled fun, moving to college, gaining a boyfriend, and Dart dying, how else would you depict my life but like a roller coaster.

“Garnet,” Daisy was in my doorway.

I was stretched out on my bed, trying to relax. It was Friday, and Dash was with his coach right now, seeing if he was able to play in tomorrow’s game.

“How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I wasn’t
okay
at all. Dash had worked so hard this week. If he didn’t play, I don’t know what would happen.

“Have you heard anything yet?”

I shook my head.

“I’m sure that it will all be fine.”

I prayed that she was right. “What about you? Are you okay?” That seemed to be the starting question to all of our conversations.

“I slept almost five straight hours last night.” I watched my sister toy with her engagement ring.

“Well, I’m happy about that.” I gave her a small smile.

Daisy walked over to my bed, and laid next to me. I could tell she had something on her mind. I figured it was about Dart. However, I understood that she was still reeling from the loss. I was glad that she had slept some more last night. Her eyes weren’t as bloodshot or puffy.

“Anything going on?”

“I went over to the sorority house, and…”

I saw the tear creep out from the corner of her eye.

“Hey, it’ll be alright.” I rolled onto my side. “What happened?”

Daisy patted the tears away with her fingertips. “The girls were talking about setting me up with this frat guy.”

“What? Those dumb bitches.” I had the urge to go over there, pull out their hair extensions, and punch them in their breast implants.

“Garnet, they were trying to help.”

“No, they weren’t,” I shouted. “They’re being inconsiderate.”

“Well, anyway I said no, and now I’m just thinking about my future. I never thought that I would be alone.” She twisted her ring again.

“Daisy, you won’t be alone.”

“I’m not so sure. You know,” she paused for a second, before clearing her throat. “I saw Dash on the other side of the courtyard today, and for a split second, I thought it was Dart. I thought that I had finally woken up from this nightmare,” she sobbed, covering her face with her hands.

I lay my head on her shoulder, letting her know I was there for her. It was still strange to me how a month ago I was so mad at her, but now I wished there was some way I could take away her pain.

“Hey, girls.”

I lifted my head and saw Dash standing there. I couldn’t tell if he was mad, worried, or happy. He had his arms crossed staring at us.

“What happened? What did Coach say?” My heart raced, hoping that it was good news.

“I’m playing.”

I figured that there would have been more enthusiasm, but I knew it was going to be a whirlwind of emotions tomorrow. For all of us.

“Dash,” Daisy sniffed. “I’m really happy for you, but I can’t look at you right now.” She got off the bed, and raced to her room.

Dash lowered his head. He knew that it was hard on Daisy, seeing him all the time, but he couldn’t do anything about his looks.

“So, tell me what was all said.” I figured it might help him to think about football.

“Well, the professors told him I was in a good place, and since I got those extensions for the two papers. I’m in good shape.”

I tried to give him a big smile. “I’m so happy for you.”

“That’s a fake smile, but I know that you mean well.” He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Sorry, I’m worried about her.” I nodded over at Daisy’s door. “She saw you on campus and thought you were Dart.”

“I’ve been trying to avoid that,” he said softly.

“It’s hard. I know, but I’m really proud of you.” I took his hand in mine.

“I love you.”

This time a real smile appeared, and my stomach fluttered at his words. “I love you, too.”

“I’m going to head over to the house.”

“You want me to come over? Are you hungry?”

He traced the inside of my palm. “I need to be alone tonight, and you need to rest. You’ve helped me so much. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

It hurt my heart to hear such a sad tone, but an idea went off like a light bulb in my head. I sat up and got close to his face.

“You could make it up to me.”

“How?” His lips were close to mine.

“Four touchdowns.” I pursed my lips, almost touching his.

“Huh?”

“Don’t you remember? I told you if got four touchdowns, I would send you a naked picture of me? So, let’s modify it. If you get four touchdowns, then your debt is repaid.”

“Deal.” He closed the small gap and kissed me. “Please rest tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

~~

The sun was high in the sky. There wasn’t even one cloud. Daisy and I stood outside the gates of the stadium. We, along with thousands of other fans, had on a kelly green t-shirt with the number twenty-one on it.

“You can do this.” I rubbed her back.

“Dart would want me here, right? For Dash.”

“Yes. This is a big game for him.” I reminded her, hoping she wouldn’t have a breakdown right here.

“Let’s go,” she said firmly, holding her head up high.

We handed the attendant our tickets, and we walked in. The stadium was almost full when we reached the student section. Several people yelled for Daisy to come down to the front row. She gripped my hand tightly, and took me with her.

Then we saw it.

Lined up along the concrete barrier were signs for Dart. The two guys in the very front gave their seats up for us. We were right above Daisy’s sorority’s sign for Dart.

The crowd began to clap and yell as the players began to run out onto the field, led by number thirty-one. My Dash. I cheered as loud as I could for him.

Once the players were on the sideline, the announcer called for a moment of silence, for Dart. Everyone focused on the JumboTron. There were highlights of Dart’s career at Marshall. We watched him weave through the defensive line for a touchdown, jumping in the air with Dash, and lastly, it was his headshot. It was then that Daisy broke down. The crowd began to the chant “We Are Marshall.” As I tried to console Daisy, I looked for Dash on the sideline, but I couldn’t see him.

Daisy had calmed down when the whistle blew, and the players ran out onto the field. We kicked off to Southern Mississippi University, and the game started.

The defense held SMU and they had to punt the ball to us. It was run back just past the fifty-yard line. My mouth went dry when Dash’s number shone bright against his kelly green jersey. I watched him jog to the huddle, and then take his place on the scrimmage line. My palms were sweating as the quarterback called out the play.

This was Dash’s moment, my head screamed at me, as the ball was hiked. Dash took off like a racecar. He was, by far, the fastest receiver I’ve ever seen play. He threw his hand up, and I held my breath as the football floated in the air to him. He caught it with ease, and the crowd erupted, as he easily ran it in for a touchdown.

I was screaming for him. When I watched him turn, his head dropped. I knew instantly that he was looking for Dart, because they always celebrated their touchdowns together.

Daisy and I turned to each other, and we both were crying. This made us yell louder for Dash. We knew that he couldn’t hear us, but we did it anyway.

The rest of the first quarter wasn’t as eventful as that first catch. Then about half way through the second quarter, Dash did it again. This time, he was closer to us and our eyes connected. When he saw me he pointed at me, and I did the same thing back.

I was about to spontaneously combust with all the love and pride I felt for him at this very moment. Last week, I wasn’t sure if Dash would ever be on the field again. I was wrong. Here he was, and he was having an amazing game.

I was thankful for half-time for my nerves to settle down. Daisy had the same look on her face.

“Are you doing all right?”

“Yes, I am. I’m actually excited for Dash.”

“This game is a good one for the scouts to see.” I looked out to the field and saw the crowd moving around.

“I feel close to Dart here.” Daisy said.

“You do?”

“Yes, I mean, we all knew that Dart wasn’t going to the NFL, but,” a tear rolled down her cheek. “He talked about coming back here, with our kids, maybe even seeing them play.”

I didn’t know what to say to her.

“You know, I love you, Garnet. Right? I know I was a shitty sister, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“Well,” I paused, taking in her words. “I wasn’t a very good sister either, holding onto all those feelings, and not talking to you.”

“I guess Mom was right.”

“About us being each other’s best friend?”

“Yep,” she put her arm around my shoulder.

Mom was right.

Daisy was my best friend.

Chapter 34 – Dash

The third quarter started and I didn’t get a touchdown like I had in the first two quarters. My nerves were on edge. Between the scouts being here, my first time playing without Dart, and let’s not forget the memorial before the game started, I’m surprised that I didn’t run away.

Now, I was having a different feeling. I wanted to stay. I wanted to reach my goal for Dart, me, and especially Garnet. I couldn’t believe how much she’d supported me.

I love her.

I was going to make it to the NFL.

I jogged to the huddle and our quarterback called the play. It was for me. I nodded, ready to score again.

I lined up, listening for the call, and jumped off the line when the ball was hiked. I sprinted as fast as my legs would allow, as the ball was launched. I looked up, watching the brown leather, spiral to me.

The crowd exploded when I caught it. It was deafening, and it gave me the last burst of energy that I needed to cross the white line. That was three touchdowns, and we were leading twenty-one to three.

I turned and looked for Dart. My heart sank, when another teammate ran over to celebrate with me. It was hard to realize that Dart wouldn’t be jumping in the air with me anymore.

That was when Dart’s last words hit me.

I’m always connected to you.

He was right. We had a bond even stronger than being twins; we were forever linked together. I knew he was looking down at me, with my parents. They would be my three guardian angels.

I squinted at the student section, trying to see if I could catch a glimpse of Garnet. I had seen her before, with my other touchdown. I knew that her seats were above the sign from Daisy’s sorority for Dart. I could make out her red hair, and my heart beat faster. She was now my biggest fan, and I wanted her to know how much she meant to me.

The rest of the third quarter and most of the forth was about the same. SMU scored one more time, and it was now twenty-one to ten. Nonetheless, I went out on each play, I was called for, and did the best that I could.

During the last six minutes in the fourth quarter, the quarterback called for me. It was the same play that we scored on during the first quarter, and he hoped that it would work again.

He was right.

After I caught the ball, I practically jogged into the end zone. I had a smile on my face, and I remembered the bet between Garnet and me.

She’d keep me on my toes for sure.

The game finally wound down, and we won. We reclaimed our number one spot in the conference. I wanted to find Garnet right now, but I needed to shower and change.

When I reached my locker, I stopped and stared at Dart’s first. Everything lay out neatly and unused. The lump was in my throat, knowing that this was how it would be forever.

After I showered, I changed into my suit that we’re required to wear on game days. I wanted to find Garnet. I wanted to celebrate with her by holding her all night. When I walked out, I had to talk to a few local media outlets, a couple of scouts, and then I left the building.

She was the first person I saw. Her bright fire engine red hair was hanging around her shoulders, and her brown eyes sparkled. Dart once said Daisy made him feel like he could conquer the world, and I felt that way when I looked at Garnet.

“Dash,” Garnet ran over to me, leaping into my arms.

No matter how tired I was, I would always catch her. Just like she’d caught me from falling too deep into that deep hole of depression.

“I love you.”

There it was. The words I wanted to hear from the one who had saved me. I wanted to hear them every day.

For the rest of my life.