Football Captain Finds His Way

She entered the mercantile, looking for someone rather than something to buy. Samantha Red found him, the football team captain, working alongside his mother. Jay asked his mother if he could be excused and if she wanted to come inside for a visit. Secretly, he liked to see her, too. His mother gave him a look and then a nod as she smiled at Samantha.

“Samantha Red, you smell like the beauty of the fireflies at night, illuminating fiercely and brightly to attract a mate with the one light they have. Over the meadow, they fly so gracefully."

"What are you talking about? Everyone knows that's visual and not the olfactory nerve sensory at work."

"Oh, my dear, but the meadow they fly over is rich with smells that hide: moles, rabbits, foxes, and other nocturnal creatures seek food or a chosen one for life. Are you telling me none of those creatures or the meadow tickles your olfactory senses?"

"Well, no. I spoke of the beauty of fireflies not being a smell. Surely, you must see what I am pointing out."

"No. We shall go tonight to find them. How does that sound to you?"

"I say yes. The fireflies are so abundant over the meadow this time of year. I can hardly wait to catch some."

"Me too. The delicate firefly demands careful capture to preserve its light and continue to entice mates once they are let go. I want to see that with you."

"Yes, that sounds lovely. It almost sounds too good." She wiped her brow and feigned weakness in her legs. Dots of perspiration sat on her top lip.

He offered her a seat and water.

"Are you okay? What's the matter?"

"Oh, it's time to eat." She blinked her eyes; he looked into those deep blue-green eyes and saw something beautiful, wild, and free.

"Here, let me get you something to eat. Just wait here. I'll be back in a jiffy."

She looked out the window with a smile on her face. Her plan was working. He was interested in her welfare and fussed over her, which was what she wanted.

He buttered the bread and thought, wow, that was too easy. She swooned too easily. It'll work out just fine at the firefly capture tonight. Despite his best efforts, his face showed a ridiculous grin.

He brought her the sandwich and offered her a glass of soda.

"Thank you. I'm lucky you and I were talking when I went weak. Otherwise, who knows what may have happened? It wouldn't've been as good as this moment."

"Yes, it was fortunate. Maybe you'd like to stay while I finish my work? We could do something until we have to catch the fireflies unless you have some plans already."

"Me? Have other plans? Yes. I do. But. I can cancel them if you'd like to hang out. It's just tea with my mother and aunt. They happen regularly, and I'm sure they would understand. I'll just call them and explain."

"I'd like that. I'll leave you alone to make your call."

He left her alone but kept an ear to the wall to listen to her "phone call." 

"Hello, Judy? You aren't going to believe this. Are you ready? I'm sitting in the Baker boy's house. Jay Baker just made me lunch and brought me a soda. Oh my God, he's so handsome. He asked me if I had plans. I made something up so he doesn't think I do nothing and have no social life."

"You shouldn't lie. That's not good. If you lie from the beginning, it's all downhill from there," Judy warned. "You'd better come clean and fast. Look, I have to go. Have fun. But come clean, now."

"I will. Thanks, Judy. Bye."

He returned a minute later and sat beside her on the couch.

"I've finished all my work for the day. Would you like to go to the park?"

"Wait. First, Jay, I have to tell you something."

"Okay. What is it?"

"I lied to you earlier. I didn't have any plans. I made it up because I didn't want you to think I did nothing and didn't have a social life. I'm sorry. I know it was wrong. I understand if you don't want to collect fireflies with me now." She hung her head and was out of breath.

"Easy. I lied to you, too. I stayed back this morning to meet you by accident—on purpose—but it was planned. I knew you came to the store at this time every day because my parents told me. I asked if I could stay today to meet you. I've wanted to ask you to go collect fireflies for a while now. You're beautiful too, like a beautiful symphony sounds to the ear." He winked at her and reached for her hand.

She let him, and she batted her eyelashes. Her face reddened, and he moved closer to her on the sofa.

"Have you ever seen me and thought about what it would be like to meet me?"

"I have seen you around. You'd have to live in a cave not to know who you are in this town. But why me? There are plenty of better-looking girls than me."

"I don't see them like you do. When I look at you, 'it's like running with the wind. And finally, jumping in'. Other girls don't do that for me—only you."

"Wow! That sounds great." She giggled. "Nobody has ever said anything like that to me. I'd be delighted to go to the park with you. Maybe we should go by my house to get my coat or sweater for the evening's cooler temperature?"

"Nah, I'll give you my letterman sweater; don't worry."

They got up, walked on air to the door and entered the street. Their smiles were undeniable.

At the park, they talked about their dreams and futures. They shared some common goals. They smiled more than anything else and got closer and closer.

Samantha leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Jay responded by turning to kiss her on the lips. They knew at that moment they had all the time in the world.

The evening was warmer than they expected. Fireflies filled the air.

"Oh wow, Jay! Look at that one," she said. Her voice elevated with excitement.

"Isn't it awesome? Right here is one of my favourite places at this time of year. It's like the catch-and-release rush fishermen get when they reel in a big one and then let it go. When I'm here with my fireflies."

"Yeah, I get it." She smiled at him as the moonlight caressed his cheek. His long face with high cheekbones looked aglow.

"They're so majestic, like nature's free nightlight party lanterns. Like every night in the spring and summer, it's something to be celebrated. Life. Wouldn't you say?"

"I would. Thank you for bringing me here. A special place in my heart with a special guy."

He pulled her close for another kiss. Longer than just a peck. Their lips locked, and their tongues explored one another's. The burning inside their bellies rose into their throats as their hearts beat like woodpeckers peck.

They returned from the woods in a magical, haze of bliss. Their happiness was impossible to ignore as they kept looking at one another.

His urge to help her through the rough terrain at night came in waves. He saw her as more and more admirable with each step. Her independence amazed him.

More importantly, Samantha Red caught Jay Baker's eye. The football team captain—and the desire of every young girl in the community—nobody could figure out why he liked Samantha. The one-armed, club-footed, awkward girl.

Everyone in town knew scouts for the colleges were looking at Jay, and he would attend a Big Ten school on a full-ride scholarship. He and his family would make a decision before the fall hit.

The guys on the team saw the happy couple and thought Jay was dared or it was a joke. Samantha joined the social scene after Jay corrected them; everyone liked and accepted her.

They realized she had a lot of spunk and was a great person. Each night, a group now went to watch the fireflies, and it was fun. The months went by, and Jay looked scrawny.

"Samantha, can we see the fireflies without everyone tonight? I know another place to go. I'm sure we'll see fireflies there, too."

"Of course, Jay. Whatever you'd like to do tonight is fine with me." She glanced at him, one eyebrow raised, as she put her hand to her head to think. She knew something was up.

They got to the open field where Jay's grandfather grew up. Jay's uncle now owned the farm. Jay sat in silence and watched the fireflies for a long time. Samantha by his side.

"What's going on, Jay?"

"I'm sick." He looked at her then turned away. "I don't want to see your face when I tell you what I'm about to tell you."

"What? What do you mean? All those times you went to the big city, you weren’t meeting with scouts from the big ten schools."

"No, I was getting treatments. I have stomach cancer."

"Oh, my God. Are you still getting treatment? Why didn't you tell me before now? Are you in pain?"

"I didn't want to tell you because I wanted to see how I responded to the treatment. Right now, I'm in remission because they caught it early. But I'm losing weight. They told me the hormones would cause me to gain weight; my doctor doesn't like me losing weight. I don't know what it all means. Especially for you and me and our goals."

"What do you mean? Have you changed your mind? Are your goals different now?"

"My top goal is survival; the rest are all the same."

"Okay, good. So are mine." She took him in her arms and kissed and hugged him. Her mouth and his were like old friends meeting, their tongues embracing. She knew he was the guy for her. Nothing was getting in her way, including cancer. "That's my number one goal too."

"Thank you, Sam."

"Jay, you know I..."

"Shh. It's okay. I know. Me. The same for you."