“What was your dad’s name?”
“Gavin.”
Cole’s expression softened.
“He was a big fan?”
“The biggest.”
I laughed quietly.
“That’s unfortunately true.”
Maisie finally smiled.
“He said you were the best receiver on the team
even when you dropped easy catches.”
Cole put a hand over his heart.
“That sounds like a loyal man.”
“He yelled at you a lot too.”
“That sounds even more loyal.”
Maisie laughed, and hearing that laugh in a stadium Gavin had always wanted to bring her to nearly broke me.
Cole asked for the football.
Then he pulled a marker from his pocket.
“I usually just sign my name, but I think this one needs something better.”
He wrote slowly across the white panel.
When he handed it back, Maisie read the message.
