Secrets or Surrender

by Mary Tribbey

  Chapter 5

  Like a journalist with a new assignment, Joan spent time in the library during the next couple of evenings doing research on Lyle, Dave, and the Los Angeles Rams team. The newspapers were full of praise of Dave Allen, the reclusive quarterback for the team. He shunned publicity. Joan could completely empathize with his need for privacy. She was obsessed with staying out of the public eye, too.

  On Sunday she boarded a city bus in Hollywood near her apartment and joined the crowd heading for the Coliseum. She'd never been to the Coliseum before. The first thing that impressed her was its vastness. It held more than 100,000 people, although there were quite a few empty seats when Joan walked through the tunnel that led to her seat on the 50 yard line. The usher checked her seat location and then escorted her down the steps to a section of seats that was roped off from the general public. He led her to a boxed section that contained eight seats. They were all empty, except for one. A pretty blonde woman wearing a deep blue sweater and beige slacks was already settled into one of the seats. When the usher approached, she looked up with a huge welcoming smile. She stood up and took Joan’s hand.

  “You must be Joan,” she gushed in a deep Southern drawl. “I'm Cindy, Lyle’s wife. He told me all about you and how you saved Dave’s life. I was praying that you’d show up. Come on over and sit down. I don't know how to tell you how wonderful Lyle and the other players think you are. If I didn't know Lyle so well, I’d be jealous. I've never heard him speak so highly of any woman, except me,” she added with an infectious laugh.

  Joan sat down on the cushion Cindy put on the seat for her. She immediately liked this talkative, bubbly, warm woman sitting next to her

  “I'm sorry. I just babble on and on sometimes. Just tell me to be quiet. Lyle does this all the time,” she giggled, “but I usually don't pay any attention to him.”

  “I don't mind your talking at all. I've never been to a football game before, and I'd appreciate any information you can give me. Is it always so crowded at the games? I’ve never seen so many people in one place before,” Joan commented.

  Cindy laughed again. “You haven't seen anything yet. Since Dave's been playing here, this place is nearly always sold out! People still have 20 minutes before the game starts. Most seats will be filled before the kickoff. Would you like something to eat or drink? One advantage of being connected to the team is the concession people treat us like royalty.” Cindy waved to one of the concessionaires. He hurried over and gave her two large Cokes. Cindy rewarded him with a big smile, before he walked away and began hawking his drinks in the other sections. Joan took a sip of her drink and a handful of popcorn Cindy offered. All the time, Cindy kept up a running commentary on the players, the stadium, and the game.

  Joan’s head was swimming with the rush of information. “Whoa!” she ordered. “You lost me now. I never went to any football games before, although I must admit I read up on it in the library this week, so I could try to understand what I was seeing today. But all these names and terms, I'll never remember them all,” Joan protested.

  “You don’t have to learn it all. Just sit back and watch. I'll fill you in on what's happening. It's really a simple game, although the way Lyle and the other guys groan about all the plays they have to learn, you’d never suspect it,” Cindy giggled. By the time the game started, Joan’s nerves had settled down. She really liked Cindy and found herself laughing and having a good time.

  “I really like you, Joan. I hope you come and visit Lyle and me. I’d sure like to make some female friends here. Lyle and I are celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary tonight with a small group of friends who are going out for a drink after the game. I got a babysitter and everything,” Cindy bubbled. “I usually take the boys with me when I go out, but Lyle insisted we needed some special alone time for ourselves. He’s such a sweetheart! The other teams would never agree with that description. I don’t know how anybody could be afraid of Lyle. He's as sweet and gentle as a little puppy dog, but not on the field. When he’s playing, he's all business. I can't believe we've been married five years already. Joan, will you join us this evening? I don’t know many of the other players and their dates. We would really love to have you there. Please say you’ll join us. It won't last too late, because I don't like to leave the boys too long with a sitter. How about it? I know Lyle would want you there. He thinks you're super. We’ll make sure you get home safely”

  Joan laughed and agreed, “I'd be happy to join you, if you think I wouldn't be in the way. I must admit I think your husband is pretty special. I usually don't open up to people, but I found myself telling him things I never told anyone else. I can see why you two could be so happily married. You are both so kind and friendly.”

  Cindy gave her an exuberant hug and laughed. “Thanks, I’m so glad you are going to come with us.”

  When the game started, Cindy pointed out the key players. Joan referred to her program, and with Cindy’s help, she soon learned the names of some of the players. Cindy beamed with pride when she talked about Lyle and Dave. They had played football together in college and had been best friends ever since. She told Joan the names of the other players, especially the front offensive line because they were the ones who were with Dave at the dinner at Adam's Rib.

  “I don’t know how you can remember all those names. With their uniforms and helmets on, they all look like identical mountains of muscle,” Joan confessed. Cindy howled with laughter and agreed.

  After the ball was kicked off, the Rams took possession on the 20 yard line. When Dave ran out onto the field, the crowd roared its approval. On the first play from the huddle, they ran the ball around the right end for a 5 yard gain. They made a first down with the ball on the 35 yard line. With another rushing play, they continued moving down the field. Dave passed a couple of times. One went for 5 yards; the other was dropped. On the next set of downs, Dave dropped back into the pocket. He looked to the left, then right, and threw a pass to one of the wide receivers about 30 yards downfield. The receiver reached up, pulled it down, and ran into the end zone. The crowd was on its feet roaring and cheering. The sound was nearly deafening. As Dave ran off the field, he pulled off his helmet and waved towards the box seats where Cindy and Joan were sitting. The crowd roared again.

  Through the noise in the stadium, Cindy shouted, “That touchdown pass was for you. Dave told me he would get a touchdown in the first quarter for you. He asked me to tell you, but I didn't, because I didn't know if he could do it, because the Lions have a great defensive team. He said to enjoy the game, because he plans to put on quite a show for you,” Cindy added.

  Joan cheered along with the others. She watched as the Lions struggled part way up the field. They ended up punting. The Rams with Dave at the helm moved steadily up the field. He completed several more passes. When they were down at the 3 yard line, Dave faked a handoff to Alan, and then he ran untouched into the end zone for the second touchdown of the day. Each time he left the field after a good play, he waved. The crowd loved it, thinking he was waving to them. The game continued in the same way. The Rams played better than Cindy had ever seen them play before. Dave’s passing and scrambling inspired the other players. By the time the half ended, the Rams were ahead 28-0.

  Joan’s voice was hoarse from cheering so loudly. Cindy's wasn’t much better. During halftime, as they watched the cheerleaders perform, they visited and laughed some more.

  One of the concessionaires walked over with two large stuffed bears. One wore a jersey with Lyle's number; the other had Dave’s number. He handed Lyle's number to Cindy; then he smiled and handed the other one to Joan. There was a note attached to each one by a large silver and blue ribbon.

  Cindy opened her note and read it aloud. “My dearest Cindy Thanks for five wonderful years and two fantastic sons. I love you. Lyle.”

  With trembling hands, J
oan opened the envelope. She read the note out loud. “Dear Joan, Thanks for everything, from your number one fan. This game is dedicated to you. Without your quick thinking and actions, I wouldn't be here to play in it. Please come to the locker room after the game with Cindy. Dave.”

  Joan sat down holding the bear in her lap. Cindy noticed her quietness. “Will you come down with me? We are going to leave for my anniversary party from there. Lyle and Dave are really anxious to see you.”

  “I don't know. I hate being the center of attention. I feel uncomfortable in the limelight. I just don’t like fusses made over me,” she replied.

  “Don't worry. I'll be there. I won’t let anyone bother you. It would mean so much to me if you would go there and join Lyle and me for an anniversary drink. I'll promise to get you home safe and sound. Come on, you'll enjoy it”, Cindy coaxed. “Lyle won't forgive me, if you don't come.”

  “All right. I guess it can't hurt. I do want to wish you and Lyle the best on your anniversary. He is a special person, and so are you,” Joan murmured.