The Autumn Classic

Wearing the silver and blue cheerleading outfit Randi Leiner paused a moment standing beside the metal gates protecting graves donated by the Center Township for the purpose of honoring a Native American family who tragically perished due to a preventable domestic violent incident. According to local newspaper accounts Center Town High School South construction workers were working when they discovered remains making civic leaders immediately designate a peaceful area for them to rest in peace. Stating an education place like an upper-level academy where social maturity is learned through interaction using classroom study this private cemetery would be a perfect neighbor and should be welcome by any misunderstood spiritual communication.

“This real estate expansion all happened when I was in grammar school,” the senior who was celebrating her final pep rally performance explained hoping the spirits listened while quietly laying in the ground, “operation art of the deal,” the monologue continued, “then the President was busted due to some tape recording. Apparently, the civil disturbance created a ruckus when water flowed like a tidal wave through the gate not big enough to stop it.”

Turning her head, the bonfire was all a blaze while chants proclaimed the South Eagles were going to beat the Northern Lions in the Autumn Classic football game played early the next morning. There was only one reason for this sixty-minute clash that divided the community on Thanksgiving, bragging rights with a side dish reminding student’s what happens when family altercations spill over into major arguments.

With the festive celebration still in high gear Randi found a springy step that brought back electrical enthusiasm especially when noticing Bruce McSherry and his varsity jacket. “So, did you get me my homecoming flower for the dance?” She gave a cheerful shout out despite not being heard due to a guy thing preoccupation.

Giving up Randi returned, and her squad was getting ready to disperse for the evening, “The apathy in this town is breaking us apart,” Yvonne reported feeling her date Craig’s cold shoulder.

“So, what do you want to do now?” Randi the Captain asked, “get a pizza at Timmy’s Leaning Tower of Italian Gourmet Fixings?”

“We need to get home, it is a school night without any classes tomorrow, if you know what I mean and I know you do,” a statement came from the dark.

“That is true,” Randi formally closed the gathering and told everyone to be back on the field eight am sharp.

In true weekend fashion Randi woke before the sun started to rise and took the Leiner’s only car down to Southern Eagle country. Already, the school busses arrived from the other side roaring their engines like orange and black lions.

Still on her mind, the dilemma, was Bruce going to present a homecoming flower along with asking the magical question, ‘are you going to the dance with me?’. But those issues should not matter since more important things were priority other than relationship complications. Beating the Northern Lions who were here when the 20th Centry started and the whole family feud saga leading to a graveyard in Southern Eagles backyard.

“Not communicating that must have done it,” Randi thought about the reason for the initial fight grabbing a donut from the booster club booth, “thank you,” she told them before meeting the fellow club members on the sidelines.

For the most part this year’s edition was a traditional Autumn Classic with the Eagles making more points sending the Lions into hibernation until next fall.

Later in the day feeling happy about the victory she arrived back home and when the car rested in the driveway Randi’s seatbelt unfastened. Seeing in the rearview mirror Bruce’s family station wagon pull onto the Leiner’s property a relaxing trust ended the teenage anxiety.

Bruce stepped out approaching the other vehicle like a police officer signaling a driver over for something wrong.

“Randi,” Bruce smiled, “what are you doing?”

“Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner,” she responded.

“You are always so busy,” said the adolescent wearing his athletic sports coat that advertised he kicked a ball around for an hour and a half, “you were awesome, and looked really pretty today.”

“And the football team won,” the cheerleader observed the flower in Bruce’s hand, “did you see my moves, Bruce?”

“Well, I was not playing in the big game,” Bruce logically mentioned, “do you want to go to homecoming with me?”

It was then the whole stressful conflict disappeared giving way to resolution, “Of course Bruce I will go to the homecoming dance with you, that was my goal to get you to watch me instead of worrying about what was on the scoreboard,”

“Isn’t that why you date a soccer player?” Bruce referenced making both laugh knowing they were good friends and that was something to be thankful for on this special day.