Justin was surprised at Jake’s reaction and stepped back a bit. “But she apologized this morning and admitted that she should have let me take the trip!”

“Justin, let me tell you something. Under the circumstances, your mother was doing the best she could. She loves you, and would do any and everything to protect you. That’s all she was thinking about when she decided against your coming with us.” When Justin continued to sulk in silence, Jake added, “Dominique is a good woman, Justin. And you might not understand it now but everything that she does... she does for you.”

“That’s what she said,” Justin said as he continued to pout.

Jake smiled. “You remind me a lot of myself at your age and Dominique reminds me of my mother.”

This statement got Justin’s attention. “She does?” He listened while continuing to place his school clothes in his backpack.

“You know I grew up without a dad, right?”

Justin nodded, remembering the speech that Coach had delivered shortly after their first home game, when he’d told the players a bit about himself, and how his mother’s firm guiding hand and his love of sports kept him out of trouble.

“After my father died, my mother had her hands full raising four boisterous boys. She had to be strong to handle us, and often made us do things that I would rather not have done—my homework, for instance, and cooking.”

“But you’re a good cook!”

“And that’s because my mother forced me into the kitchen. I didn’t like it at first, thought cooking was for girls. If Mama hadn’t put her foot down, I may never have discovered how much I enjoy it.”

Justin chewed on his bottom lip as he pondered Jake’s words. He followed Jake out of the locker room and across the field toward the parking lot. “Do you like my mom?”

Jake was taken aback by the question. “Of course; I like all of my players’ parents.”

“Not like that,” Justin countered, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “I mean like her like her.”

He thought about making light of the question, but upon taking in the vulnerable look in Justin’s eyes, Jake decided on a more serious, yet still light approach. He stopped and turned to Justin. “Would you like me to like her like her?”

Justin shrugged, even as he dropped his head to hide a grin. “I dunno.” Pause. “I guess so.” He kicked a clod of dirt across the grassy field. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

“Yes.”

Justin squinted up at Jake. “I think she likes you.”

Jake worked to keep his voice casual. “Why’s that?”

“I heard her talk about you to Aunt Faith.”

What did she say? You shouldn’t be eavesdropping, is what he thought. And then, because he couldn’t resist, asked, “What did she say?”