From Now Until Infinity

by Layne Harper

  Colin looks away from me and replies, “Thank you. I’m sorry that you had to do that.”

  “It’s all part of you being my Statement, right? Now, get out of that tub. I want to ride the Ferris wheel, eat fried Twinkies, and dance to George Strait.” I say the last part very nonchalantly.

  His beautiful green eyes grow wide in surprise, “Are you kidding? George Strait! Wow!”

  He leaps out of the tub in one fluid movement, grabs me, and spins us around my bathroom giggling like a little boy on Christmas morning. I’m now soaking wet, but I just don’t care. I’ve made him this happy.

  I finally feel like I’ve found a way to do something special for him. When we were dating previously, Colin became a professional quarterback making millions off of endorsement deals. I was a very poor college student. He was constantly buying me gifts, expensive purses, a luxury car, trips, clothes, and electronics. I never felt that I could reciprocate his generosity. It made me feel like a mistress or kept woman. Now, I can afford to give Colin presents and special treats like tonight. What a magical feeling!

  Sure enough, at five o’clock a black SUV pulls up outside. Colin is decked out in blue jeans, boots, a navy blue and white striped shirt, and a belt buckle that screams “I’m a cowboy.” He has mentioned at least ten times how disappointed he is that he doesn’t have his cowboy hat. I’m a bit disappointed also. Mental pictures of a naked Colin in just a cowboy hat are swoon worthy.

  I’m wearing jeans, a form fitting light pink sweater, cowboy boots, and my cowboy hat. I grab my phone, and Colin holds it at arm’s length snapping a picture of us. He hands me back my phone so I can check and make sure I like the pic. Not bad! He looks like a Greek god, and I look like a mortal. But, it’s our first picture together as a couple, and I love it. I quickly make it the background of my phone, and Colin does the same. We both look at each other and grin. It’s a mutual acknowledgement grin that “Yes! Indeed. We’re THAT couple.”

  Before we head outside to the waiting SUV, Colin pulls me to him with a very serious look on his face. I know that he’s about to start lecturing me about security so I stop him before he can begin. “Jenny has talked to the security team, and the rodeo’s providing additional security. We are going to be fine, Colin.”

  “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. You need to promise me that you’ll not go all Charlie on me and do what you want when you want to do it. We need to stay together and let security do their job.” He takes my chin and tilts it up so I’m looking in his eyes. “It scares the shit out of me to take you into a public place with so many people.”

  “I’m taking you to the rodeo. You aren’t taking me. I’ll be fine. And by the way, I had no idea that Charlie now has an alternate meaning ‘to be independent.’” Is he for real? I’ve been going to the rodeo since I was kid. We’ll be fine. I’ve also been by his side through the Texas A&M football mania days when we were mobbed every time we stepped foot in public. I’ve been through his rookie season of professional football. I know what going into public is like for Colin.

  The SUV driver drops us off at a special VIP entrance for Reliant Stadium. A team of three guys who look like their chests ate their necks flank us while the two rodeo security people with walkie talkies accompany us into the fair. I pretend that it’s perfectly normal for two adults on a date to be accompanied by five large men.

  One of the rodeo security people introduces himself as Butch. He asks us where we want to go first. Colin looks at me, and winks. “I believe that the lady wants to ride the Ferris Wheel.”

  I practically squeal with excitement. Although I’m not a huge fan of heights, I love the Ferris Wheel. My sister Julie and I would ride it three and four times in a row when we were kids and came to the rodeo.

  Butch radios someone and says that we’re moving towards the Ferris Wheel. Our group of security closes in around us as we make our way through the carnival.

  I’m assaulted by all the familiar smells and sounds of the rodeo. There’s the rich scent of mesquite wood burning as it cooks brisket, chicken, sausage, turkey, and whatever else that they’ve thought of to smoke. Then, of course, as we get near the animals you can’t miss the smell of animal poop. Colin laughs and whispers to me, “it smells like the locker room after a game.”

  The screams of children’s laughter are magical in the evening air. Kids are happily spinning around on the carousel and jumping in large bounce houses. We pause for a moment while we watch a boy about six-years-old throw darts at a balloon. He manages to pop three and win a small stuffed animal. His parents proudly high-five him. I study Colin’s face while he watches the family’s interaction. He’s envious. I know that he wants a child badly, and seeing all the smiles and laughter of the kids having a good time softens my heart considerably toward the idea. I can see us bringing our children here, but I’m reminded that they too will be flanked by security. It makes me sad but only for a split second.

  Colin takes my hand as we continue on our quest for the Ferris Wheel. I’m momentarily distracted by the pig races. “Oh Colin!” I squeal. “Can we stop and watch the pig races?”

  “Anything for you, baby,” he whispers to me kissing my forehead.

  “Butch! We want to watch the pig races.” Colin calls out to a very serious looking Butch. I can tell that Butch is not pleased with my detour.

  Security surrounds us as we take a seat on the bleachers inside the arena. I explain to Colin that the pigs race for Oreo cookies, and that each section of the bleachers is assigned a pig. It’s our job to cheer that pig on to victory.

  Colin flashes me his half smile. “Care to make a friendly wager on pig races?”

  “No!” I jab in the ribs. “This’s fun, not competitive.” I can’t believe that I just said that. I think that having the security around us is making me want us to be on the same team right now.

  I had forgotten to mention that the pigs are named after celebrities, and the announcer makes terrible pig jokes the whole time. It’s great entertainment!

  We’re introduced to the first set of piglets. They’re Harry Porker, Spamela Anderson, Taylor Swine, and Katy “Piggy” Perry. Our section is cheering for Taylor Swine. I clap my hands with excitement. Colin looks at me so amused. He leans in and whispers, “I don’t think that I’ve ever seen you this cute.”

  I kiss his cheek. I feel like a kid again. I’m the kid before my dad left my mom, and my control issues sprang up. I’m a kid at the rodeo watching pig races. I scream my head off for Taylor Swine. Colin even gets in to it and laughs as the poor little guy comes in second, but gets his Oreo cookie anyway.

  The announcer spots Colin in the crowd and points toward us. Colin shoots me a look of horror, and I just shrug my shoulders. The announcer says, “Looky folks who we have here. It’s Oinken McKinney.”

  Colin stands and waves as some people clap and others boo. This’s Houston after all, and Houstonians pretty much hate Dallas football. I touch Colin’s thigh, and he flashes me the “I’m going to murder you when I get you home” look. I bat my eyelashes back at him and smile. I know that he can’t resist me.

  Cameras around the arena are soon whipped out and we’re barraged by flashes. I pretend that I’m bored with the pig races and ask to leave. We exit and continue walking toward the Ferris Wheel. Butch is much happier that I’m not distracting us from our destination by stopping every few feet.

  I notice as we get to closer to the Ferris Wheel that news of Colin’s presence must have spread because people are pointing at him or snapping his picture. I’m very thankful for the security around us because if it was just the two of us, I think we might be surrounded by fans right now. No ones being overly aggressive or anything. We’re just being pointed at and whispered about like we’re animals at the zoo.

  The Ferris Wheel is stopped so we quickly get seated in the swinging seat and are buckled in. Colin pulls me tightly to his side and kisses my head. “Thank you. This’s been a blast so far, and w
e haven’t even made it into the rodeo.”

  I’m beaming. I snuggle into his side and enjoy my favorite ride, well, with my favorite ride. When we get to the top, we can see all the way to downtown. The sun is sitting and it’s picturesque. The rodeo is far below us. All we can hear is muffled crowd noises, mixed with carnival music. We’re all alone at the top of the world. Colin leans over and tilts my cowboy hat up so he can capture my mouth. We make out like two horny teenagers. It’s what you’re supposed to do at the top of the Ferris Wheel. When the Ferris Wheel begins to spin again, I notice that a crowd has gathered beneath us. People are snapping pictures of us and pointing.

  I wrap my arms around Colin’s neck and pull him to me kissing him like crazy again. Distraction is what I’m going for. Every second that Colin and I can be just the two of us is a victory in my book.

  He pulls away first, shaking his head at my bravado, and looks at me with a sparkle in his eyes. “Charlie, you better slow it down or I’m going to take you right here on this Ferris Wheel.”

  Giggling, I reply as I look around appraisingly at the car that we're sitting in. “Maybe. I like the way that the car swings.” Raising my eyebrow, “It could be interesting.”

  I’m rewarded by Colin kissing my forehead. Then, he notices the crowd. His face goes from boyishly playful to the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  “It’s okay. That’s why we have security,” I try to reassure him. I know that my reaction to the situation dictates his mood, and I’m determined for us to have a great time.

  When it’s our turn to step off the ride, security tightly surrounds us and Butch asks, “Where to next?”

  “Oh!” I squeal. “I want a fried Twinkie.”

  Colin scolds me as if he were my dad. “You haven’t even had dinner yet.”

  “So what? It’s the rodeo,” I kiss his cheek. “Live a little.”

  Security forms a tight circle - putting their arms out to keep a barrier between us and Colin’s fans. Colin pulls me to him and very protectively places his large arm around me. I look up and give him my best reassuring smile. I hope that by showing him that I’m okay, he’ll relax a little.

  It takes us longer than it should to get to the fried treat booth because we’re now surrounded on all sides about five fans deep. They’re yelling at Colin wanting his autograph or to take a picture with him. There’s even one girl who flashes us her boobs and screams her phone number at Colin. He pulls me tighter to him and whispers in my ear, “just ignore them.”

  I’m trying to ignore this scene, but it’s kind of hard when there’s a topless woman not ten feet from you. I’m very thankful to Brad and Jenny that they hired us security. I had no idea that Colin was this popular.

  I finally get my fried Twinkie, and it tastes like nothing more than a cream filled donut. I make tiny orgasmic noises anyway trying to tempt Colin into a bite. He gives my friend Twinkie a disgusted look and refuses.

  Fortunately the VIP food tents are very close by so we escape inside, and leave Colin’s adoring public outside.

  Colin and I both want bar-be-que. Butch leaves us to go make our food purchases while the other four security guys linger at the entrance to the tent finally giving us some privacy.

  I look around and realize that I recognize some of the faces. For a girl who’s not real up on pop culture, I’m proud of myself. I take out my phone and pretend to be texting while I take a picture of an actor that’s on some sitcom that Brad watches.

  I text him the picture with a message.

  Me: We’re having a good time. Thought I would send you some eye candy.

  Brad quickly responds.

  Brad: You’re the eye candy. Y’all look hot together.

  Me: What?

  Brad: It’s breaking news on the Entertainment Channel. Colin is with a mystery woman, and it’s not Sasha.

  I roll my eyes and put my phone down. Guess the cat’s out of the proverbial bag. Colin sits down with two plates of bar-be-que delivered to him by Butch. Mine is brisket, sauce, beans, and potato salad. His plate is filled with turkey and chicken with no sauce or any sides.

  “Brad says that we’re breaking news on the Entertainment Channel.” I just toss the little grenade out there to see what Colin’s reaction is going to be.

  His face doesn’t change. “What? No celebrity has gotten arrested today?”

  “Not today.”

  “You know, Mark says that I’m the Brad Pitt of football.” Colin’s sometimes too cocky for his own good.

  “Hmm…” I pretend to think about him being the Brad Pitt of football. With just my eyes, I look up toward the top of the tent and tap my right index finger against my forehead. Then, I dramatically reply, “I think that you’re better looking.”

  He takes a bite of his turkey and smirks at me while giving me a cocky laugh. “I think that you’re just slightly biased.”

  “Maybe I am, but I could totally be your Angelina Jolie.”

  “Wow! Charlie, I’m impressed that you actually know who Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are,” Colin teases me.

  I throw my napkin at him. “I’m not quite as clueless about pop culture as you think that I am.”

  Even in the VIP tent, our dinner is soon interrupted. Colin politely speaks to everyone that stops by our table. I wish I knew who these people are. Brad would so get a kick out of me actually meeting celebrities. When the sitcom guy that I took the picture of approaches Colin to talk football, I ask him if I can take a picture with him. He laughs and says, “Only if I can get a picture with McKinney.”

  It wasn’t like this when we dated before. Fans wanted to congratulate Colin on a good season and get his autograph, but he didn’t have other celebrities vying for his attention. This’s a wakeup call for me that things are indeed very different for round two of our relationship.

  I check my watch and realize that if Colin’s going to get to watch any of the rodeo, we need to get moving. I politely tell this to Colin in front of the sitcom star. He actually acts embarrassed and apologizes for taking up so much of Colin’s time. Yup! We’re in a different league here than last time.

  Security escorts us into Reliant Stadium and up to the third floor. There are VIP suite boxes that we can watch the rodeo from. Then, when it’s time for the concert, we’ll be some of the lucky few that get to watch George Strait from the stadium floor.

  Colin and I have a blast watching the cowboys ride bulls. We cheer on the chuck wagons that race around barrels. But, Colin’s favorite event is the calf scramble. High school students compete with one another to coax, catch, and halter one of the calves across the winner's line. The successful student receives money to purchase a breeding animal to be raised and shown at the rodeo next year. It’s really hysterical. The calves drag the poor kids all over the arena. They usually need help from another student to get the calf across the finish line.

  I take a minute and enjoy watching Colin watch the calf scramble. He’s happy. Since our reconciliation, it’s been one stressful event after the next. Tonight, his eyes are not creased. He’s laughing more than I have seen him laugh. Colin’s carefree and that makes everything worth it. I’d do anything to ensure that we have more happy times like this.

  When the lights go down, Butch taps us on the shoulder, and we follow him through a series of hallways and doors until we’re in the tunnels under the stadium. I lean over and ask Colin before we walk out onto the stadium floor, “Have you played here before?”

  “Yeah a couple of times,” he replies with a chuckle.

  I’m not sure if he’s making fun of me. I tried really hard for eight years to not know anything about Colin McKinney. That included watching him play football.

  I lean over to Colin and explain that the rodeo concert’s not your typical concert. First of all, every performer uses the same stage. It’s circular and rotates so that everyone in the stadium can see the performer. The other major difference is there are no stage decorations or props. It’s a small
stage so there isn’t room for sets. It’s a pretty intimate experience for such a large venue. Also, because a rodeo has just finished, there’s no floor seating. We’re handed a lawn chair and allowed to walk out on the sandy dirt floor. There’s no assigned seating so we’re free to put our lawn chairs wherever we like.

  Colin and I set up our lawn chairs giving us enough dance floor around us. I sit down and relax for a moment. I know that my cowboy is going to make me dance every dance with him when George Strait starts singing.

  “I can’t believe we’re seeing George Strait together,” Colin gushes like a little boy. “I’ve seen him a bunch of times in concert, but never with my best dance partner.”

  I squeeze his knee and snuggle into him as close as I can get. However, the lawn chair does a good job of keeping us mostly apart.

  The crowd erupts in yells, whoops, and screams as George Strait takes the stage. Colin and I jump to our feet.

  When George Strait begins to sing, Colin grabs my hand, and he leans in and yells in my ear so I can hear him over the screams of the crowd, “May I have this dance, beautiful girl?”

  I nod my head yes, and we begin to two step like the old pros we are. Nothing feels more right than being in his arms. He’s a strong leader, confident in his stance. I’m good at following his steps. We fit perfectly together when we’re dancing. The rest of the world melts away. It’s just Colin and me in our cocoon of happiness.

  Finally, George takes a break so we can sit down. I reach into my purse and pull out a bottle of water and offer Colin a sip. We work to get our breathing under control and enjoy listening to George Strait sing the next couple of songs.

  Then, he begins the first lyrics of the song that Colin sang to me last night when he thought that I was sleeping. I Cross My Heart is truly one of the most perfect love songs ever written. Colin grabs my hand, and we begin to dance together. He sings the words to me as I stare into his beautiful green eyes. When George gets to the lyrics, “And if along the way we find a day, it starts to storm. You've got the promise of my love. To keep you warm.” Colin stops dancing and looks at me with his piercing green eyes, “remember that, okay?”