Steve and Ms. Walker were seated when Gwen arrived. Steve immediately stood and helped Gwen with her chair while Ms. Walker smiled her approval. Gwen once again wore the amazing red dress that Lisa had loaned to her. Steve wore a sports jacket over a dark mock turtleneck that emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful chest.Ralph Smith addressed the group. "Folks, we're in for a real treat today. In case any of you've been living in a cave for the past couple of months, you need to know that our high school football team is undefeated, and much of the credit for that goes to this young man, Steve Hammer, team quarterback."Even more amazing, at least to many of us men, is the fact that Steve has teamed up with this truly beautiful young lady, Gwen Anderson, who happens to have the number one GPA in her class, to entertain and amaze people with their dance skills. If any of you haven't already done so, I encourage you to search for Dave Kite's YouTube page. That young man has done a
"Honey, every woman that sees that boy is a potential competitor, if you're intending to keep him as your boyfriend. If you're going to break up with him, it shouldn't matter. As far as Diane and I are concerned, we're older and married, and want to stay that way, so we'll limit ourselves to a few harmless actions and fantasies," laughed Paula. "But if you want to keep Steve, there isn't a girl or woman around that can steal him from you. I've seen the way he looks at you. He's yours if you want him.""Then why was he out with that long legged redhead?" asked Gwen. "Why do I feel totally out of control here?""I can tell you the answer to that second question, but you won't want to hear it, at least not yet," responded Paula. "Ask Steve about the redhead if you really want to know. It isn't rocket science, Gwen. It's called communication. You sometimes seem better versed in rocket science than in relationships."The football team continued to win. Steve managed to post very impressive
"I don't know what you've heard about me, Steve, but I'm not going to have sex with you, if that's what you're after. I guess all males are, and you're certainly all male. Now for the weird part. I won't have sex with you, but I won't be with you if you're having sex, or any type of intimate relationship, with some other girl, or woman. I know that sounds crazy, or selfish, but that's how I feel. I'd rather not have a boyfriend than feel pressured to do something that I'm not ready for, or don't want. I have long range plans and I'm not going to do something stupid and screw them up. Now that you know all of that about me, maybe you'll want to find somebody else. I'll understand."Steve had listened to Gwen with great interest. This was the first time they had actually shared real feelings and hopes. He felt like he had just learned more about her in a two minute conversation than in the previous two months."Gwen, I realize that you're right. I haven't been totally honest with you, a
As Sparta's success increased, so did Amber Stahl's exposure on the local television channel. She was assigned to every game and finally had her own camera man during those tilts. Everyone in Sparta knew her by name and appreciated that she reported the team's successes so well. She was given ten minutes of broadcast time on the Saturday evening that Sparta won the regional title and qualified to play for the state championship. She had interviews of the coaching staff and players, including Steve. After a few football related questions, she sneaked a question about Gwen and their popular dance routines.Steve tried to remain calm and listen carefully to the questions so that he wouldn't sound like an idiot when he responded to the reporter's questions. He was somewhat surprised by the question but managed what turned out to be a great response. "That was something that just sort of happened. Gwen Anderson is a brilliant student, destined to become a great surgeon. She's not only a gr
"Holy cow!" yelled Amber Stahl as she watched in awe. "Tell me you've got that on video, Stan! Keep recording. We're looking at high drama here. I'm going on air in thirty seconds. I want the camera on me until something happens in the river.""Hello, Keith," began Amber as she spoke to the station anchor sitting in the studio, as well as thousands of viewers. "What was supposed to be a celebration and send off for the Sparta football team has suddenly turned into a struggle for life itself. A car with two toddlers just rolled off that hill and crashed into the river, taking the children with it. The mother is inconsolable. Just now a young man, Steve Hammer, the team quarterback, dove into the waters, presumably to search for the children. He must be down there over a minute already and the kids half a minute longer. How long can anyone survive under these frigid waters? Nothing is showing on the surface."Charlotte and Gwen heard the newswoman's broadcast as they huddled nearby. "Oh
Gwen gave Steve several breaths, all the time praying silently that he'd recover. Her heart felt colder than the waters she had so recently left. What if he died? She decided she'd breathe for him for hours if that's what it took. Suddenly she felt Steve cough. She quickly moved her lips off his and tilted his head to the side. A surprisingly small amount of fluid spilled from his mouth. Then Steve gasped for breath. Gwen watched Steve take several large breaths. Then, with tears streaming down her cheeks, she leaned back in and kissed his lips gently. She then pulled his head to her chest and hugged him as her tears of joy rained down on his face. Then she saw the blood!Steve's stomach was crimson as blood flowed down his abdomen and dripped onto the frozen ground. Gwen reached down and felt the red fluid, trying to convince herself that it couldn't be blood. As she rubbed it between her fingers, she soon realized that it truly was blood and it was coming from lacerations in Steve's
"Sure, that'll work for me," agreed Steve gratefully. "I'm really worried about not being allowed to play. Coach is a stickler about not allowing players to risk any unnecessary injuries, or playing hurt. He'll make you swear on a bible, Doctor, that it's okay for me to play. He's tough.""Now, Steve, could I ask how you managed to stay under water so long and survive?" questioned Laura. "You were down there for a few minutes, and the twins even longer. Was there some air trapped in the car? Did you receive those cuts from the car windows? Tell us how you managed to save those kids.""It wasn't that big of a deal, really," suggested Steve modestly. "I could hear the kids crying when I swam down to the car and could see an air bubble inside. I broke a window that was below the air space in the car so I wouldn't release all of the oxygen from the vehicle. I swam in, unbuckled the kids, waited until the water was high enough in the car to open the passenger door, and grabbed the babies a
Gwen made her way back to the E.R. and explained to Dr. Masters how Coach Watkins insisted on seeing her and why. Dr. Masters excused herself and headed for the waiting room and a discussion with Steve's coach.Once his x-rays were completed and read, Steve was wheeled back to the ER. Gwen pulled back the curtain and stepped alongside his bed."Gwen, I'm not sure how to say this. I owe you my life," began Steve as Gwen stood near his bed and listened. "I'll always be available for you. If you ever need anything I have, or anything I can do for you, just let me know. I'm serious as a heart attack. I feel a tremendous debt to you and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to repay it.""That's hardly necessary, Steve. I'm just glad that I was in the right place at the right time. I have no idea how you dared dive into that water and then go into that submerged car. Weren't you afraid?" asked Gwen."I was terrified, Gwen. But I was more afraid of how I'd never be able to look in a mirror