Lisa Schroeder - The Bridge from You to Me

After i shower and eat dinner, I head up to Murphy’s Hill to meet Benny. John Murphy was one of the greatest football players to come out of Willow. Rumor has it he wanted a place to party after games, so he went looking for a spot out in the country where he and his friends could have a good time without bothering anybody.

There’s an old lumber road, nice and wide, off West Valley Road and it leads to a small hill with a clearing among all the trees. There’s lots of space for cars to park along the road and there aren’t any houses nearby. I didn’t learn about the place until I got into high school, and that’s the way it’s always been, I think. It’s become kind of this sacred place for students of Willow High.

When I pull onto the road, I make my way up toward the top. Since it’s pretty early, there aren’t any cars to greet me, though Benny’s motorcycle is there. After I park, I grab the two lawn chairs from the bed of my truck. People either bring their own chairs or they stand, and I decided tonight was definitely a night we would want to sit and relax.

“Hey,” I say as I approach Benny. “Your brother come through for us?”

“Nope. Wasn’t home. And he didn’t answer my texts. Sorry, man.”

“That’s all right. I’m so tired, probably would have just put me to sleep anyway.”

We unfold the chairs and settle in. I take a deep breath, filing my lungs with the clean, fresh air that smells like earth and pine trees.

“Guess who I ran into in the parking lot after practice?” I say.

“Man, if you tell me the Hulk came by and I missed him, I’m gonna be really pissed.”

I laugh, because neither one of us will ever get tired of bringing the Hulk into our conversations.

“Not the Hulk. Meghan Cooley. It was kind of ridiculous how she was throwing herself at me.”

“Oh no. Hell no. You gotta stay focused on football.”

“Wait a minute. At least half the players on our team have girlfriends right now. If they can do both, why can’t I?”

“Because they’re better football players than you, that’s why.”

I pick up a small stick and throw it at him. He catches it and throws it right back. “You’re just jealous,” I say.

“You know she’s not my type. Look, I just think it’s hard enough for you right now. Don’t add one more thing to the

mix. Get through the season, you know?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. I told her to get lost in the nicest way possible. It was not a pretty scene. I’ll spare you the details.”

“Well, good. No girls, Pynes. That’s your motto. Got it?”

“So you probably don’t want to hear I’m bringing a girl to the creek party tomorrow.”

He shakes his head. “I’m telling you, a girl will just complicate your life, man. You don’t need that.”

“Maybe a girl would give me something else to think about besides football. I get sick of thinking about it all the time. Don’t you?”

He leans back, puts his head in his hands. “Nah. Football is my escape. It’s the rest of the shit I get tired of thinking about.”

When lauren greets me at the door, I almost fall over. I knew she was good-looking, but I didn’t remember her being this good-looking.

I tell myself not to stare, but man, it is hard not to.

She’s wearing a T-shirt and shorts, but a swimsuit strap tied around her neck tells me she has a suit on underneath. Her curly red hair falls around her shoulders, and her green eyes light up as she says, “Hi! Let me grab my bag and I’ll be right out.”

“Sounds good.”

As I move toward my truck, Mr. McMann steps through the open garage door. “Hi, Colby,” he says, extending his hand. “Good to see you. Thanks for inviting Lauren to go along with you today.”

“No problem. Should be fun.”

Lauren comes scurrying out with a beach bag over her shoulder. “I’ve got a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Anything else I need?”

“Nope,” I tell her. “I think you’re good to go.”

“Should we expect you for dinner?” Mr. McMann asks Lauren.