AS Savannah had expected, the atmosphere in the Butlers’ backyard was somber. The funereal gloom, however, was in strange contrast to the scene that greeted her when she stepped onto the back patio. If not for the sagging pool cover and the winter coats people were wearing, the gathering could have passed for a Labor Day picnic that had pushed on into the evening.

The wooden patio extended some twenty feet from the house before opening onto the cool-deck of a kidney-shaped swimming pool. Beyond the pool was a quarter acre of thick manicured grass, all contained inside an eight-foot privacy fence. It was quite a spread for Killington, Texas.

Given the reason for the occasion, Savannah was mortified to find ice chests scattered around, all brimming with cold beer and Dr Pepper. Card tables were strewn with bowls of Fritos and Ruffles and plastic tubs of guacamole, pimento cheese, potato salad, and Ranch Style Beans. As of yet, the food appeared to be untouched. A number of flaming tiki torches bathed the scene in a soft warm glow, and a few electric space heaters had been strategically placed throughout the yard to counter the chilly air.

Savannah’s entrance had so far gone unnoticed. The guests, whom she estimated to number about a hundred, were spread evenly around the pool. From his perch at the end of the diving board, Principal Hodges was holding the rapt attention of every moist eye, droning ruefully into the microphone of a portable karaoke player. Most of the guests appeared to be parents of the players. There were a few faculty members in attendance, maybe a handful of Killington students. Savannah saw no sign of her father, and didn’t know whether to be grateful or concerned.

Knowing how restless the Jackrabbits had been getting on the bus, she knew she had no time to waste. Steeling herself, she raised her hand and interrupted the principal midsentence. “I have something to say!”

All eyes turned to her. Murmurs spread through the throng of people.

Savannah shared a look with the principal.

Then Mr. Hodges cut his eyes to Coach Hickham, who had suddenly emerged from behind the pool slide. Before her father could instruct her otherwise, Savannah pressed her way through the crowd and stepped onto the diving board.

“May I please make an announcement?”

Mr. Hodges fidgeted with his tie. “Gee, young lady, I didn’t know you were—”

“Savannah, what’s going on?”

She looked down at her father. “I’m about to tell you … all of you.”

The coach eyed her with suspicion. Mr. Hodges scratched his head.

Savannah had considered several variations of what she had to say, but given the time constraints, she opted for the one that went right to the point: “I’m here to tell you that the Jackrabbits are alive.”

The long silence that followed was split by the sound of the swinging gate at the back end of the property.

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