Free Redhead Blitz by Janie Mason Page B

“Thirty-five is open!”
    The pass was thrown.   For a fraction of a second, the fans collectively held their breath, all eyes on the ball as it sailed right into the arms of the receiver.
    “Touchdown!”   The call came from the referee and was echoed from the visitors’ stands.   Loud groans of disappointment and even a few muffled curse words followed from the home crowd.
    Gigi’s gaze went back to Sean, and she couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across her face.   No stomping or screaming, no hissy fits or accusatory finger-pointing.   He’d put his headset back on, tucked his clipboard under his arm and was clapping to his players.   The kind of clapping done to motivate, to get players’ heads back in the game, past the disappointment and back on track.
    And it worked.   Throughout the game, Gigi spent more time observing Sean than watching the plays.   He appeared focused and in control, no matter the score.   The Lions spent as much of the game ahead as behind, but by the last two minutes they were winning with a score of 24 to 21.
    L.R.’s frantic signaling, along with the white fabric of her skirt waving to and fro, caught Gigi’s eye.   Al Matthews, along with one of the assistant principals, stood next to L.R.   What was the other man’s name?   She was too excited about the game to recall.   From L.R.’s movements she could tell the principal wanted her to join them down on the track.   She stood and quickly made her way down the stairs, not wanting to block the spectators’ view.   The police officer positioned at the entrance to the track hesitated letting her through, but Gigi directed his attention to the signaling administrator.   He mumbled an apology, let her pass, and she crossed the track to stand with the top brass.
    “Since we’ve still got lots of work for you, we didn’t want you to get trampled in the victory maul.”   L.R.’s eyes crinkled in excitement.
    “That’s for sure.   I need you at work Monday morning.”   Al’s smile was genuine, although Gigi thought his gaze held a hint of sadness.   She’d noticed the emotion several times at the office.
    The remaining seconds ticked away.   Al explained how Sean had the Lions playing conservatively now in order to prevent losing possession of the ball.   When the crowd counted down the last ten seconds and then the final whistle blew, she whooped and cheered with the rest of them.   She was going to have calluses on her palms from all the high-fives and clapping she’d done tonight.
    The players and coaches trotted across the field exchanging “good games” with their opponents, and then the Lions ran past the administrators’ little cluster and toward the locker room.   Gigi thought she met Sean’s gaze for a second, but they ran past so quickly, she might have imagined the connection.
    “In celebration of the Lions’ first win of the season, I’d like to treat you all to ice cream,” L.R. said.
    Al and Gigi accepted.   Chip Knight— that was the assistant principal’s name—thanked L.R. but begged off, saying he wanted to get home to his wife and baby.   The rest of them agreed on the place, choosing an ice cream parlor at a distance from the school in hopes of avoiding the crowds.
    “See you there.”   Gigi waved to the pair and slowly followed the crowd out to the parking lot.   Probably because L.R. had chosen an ice cream parlor for their celebration, all the way there Gigi’s mind kept replaying her earlier fantasy about Sean and the fudge sauce.   Unfortunately, she’d have to settle for hot fudge on her ice cream.
    Fifteen minutes later, her stomach twisted as she spotted her ex-boss, Pete, entering the ice cream parlor.   Before she could hide behind L.R.’s shoulder, the jerk saw her.   He plastered on his smarmy, insurance salesman smile and maneuvered his way over to their table.
    “ Gigi , what a nice surprise to see you here.”
    Her nerves prickled, wondering if