This Time (3 page)

"
Good for you," Elaine whispered, tears in her blue
eyes.

"
What happened?" Reese prodded.

"
I started attending a new church right after Christmas.
Every Sunday, week after week, the sermons, the worship songs,
everything seemed to be tailored just for me. The Lord removed my
tinted glasses, and I saw how prideful I had become and frankly, it
scared me. I hadn't been praying, or reading the Word. Finally, my
own stench got to me, and I committed several months to intense
prayer, even fasting some. I put my life on the altar and told the
Lord to take it all."

"
And He lead you to retire from football?" Reese
asked.

Burke stopped pacing and
rested on an ottoman, elbows on his knees, shaking his head as if
he didn't believe the answer either. "Dad, when you encounter the
love of Jesus, everything in life pales. At least that's how it
seemed to me. Last season I couldn't imagine ever leaving football.
I lived the game. It consumed me. When I finally got quiet enough
in my soul to listen, the Lord began to whisper to me in ways I'd
never encountered before. He gave me a choice. I could continue in
football, and He would bless me because He loves me and that's the
kind of God He is, or I could take a new road He offered. It seemed
to me to be a higher, narrower road. I knew my success would be
measured by a different standard. So, I chose."

Silence. Everyone was lost
in thought and reflection. Finally Elaine said softly, "You chose
wisely, Burke."

"
No glory goes to me, Mom. I just knew He'd called me to a
new life," Burke said.

"
What's next, then?" Reese wanted to know.

Burke did not hesitate.
"I'm coming home."

"
Here? To Haskell?" Dean asked, surprised

"
Home. Haskell." Burke let out another stunning
confession.

"
Why here? Your home in Denver is lovely." Elaine asked
intensely. "You have friends, a church family and an established
life there."

Burke actually laughed as
he thought of the reason. "Tyler McDermott and I'd been talking,
reminiscing about old times when he suggested I come to the reunion
and help him emcee the weekend events. Then I talked to Gates
Fuller. You know, she still giggles like she did in high school?
Anyway, it just hit me; it's time to come home. Truthfully, I've
had a hankering to move back to Haskell for a long time. I could
never figure out how to do it."

"
Burke," Reese started in a fatherly tone. "You're a grown
man and I'm busting my buttons over here to hear my son say he's
choosing Jesus over fame and fortune, but coming back to Haskell,
well, it won't be like coming home from college for the summer.
This is a small town. We're simple people. You've lived a life some
people only see on TV or at the movies. Will you be happy
here?"

"
Hush, Reese," Elaine interjected. "If the boy wants to come
home, don't discourage him."

Reese continued with his
serious tone. "In the fall, when your team is playing football, you
won't be on the field. You'll be here in Haskell where the biggest
events of the fall are the Fair and Homecoming."

"
I know, Dad. Believe it or not, it sounds wonderful to
me."

"
How'd you get out of your contract?" Dean asked.

"
My contract ended last season."

For the first time, Jack
joined the conversation, an innocent desperation in his voice. "The
Bronco's need you, Uncle Burke."

Burke chuckled. "You think
so Jack?"

Jack nodded vigorously.

"
I used to think they needed me, too. And maybe for a time
they did, but there is plenty of excellent talent coming up behind
me. One of them will stand out next season."

"
That's like saying the Bulls could replace Michael Jordan,"
Jack reasoned with a moan.

Everyone laughed. "You
have a point there, Jack," Reese commented.

Burke shook his head in
sincere humility. "I appreciate the comparison, Jack, but I'm not
football's Michael Jordan."

"
Don't underestimate your abilities," Reese said.

"
I never have Dad. You wouldn't let me."

Dean and Jack's head bobbed in
agreement.

"
I just want you to be sure, Burke. Though, I must confess,
it's not like you to quit. Never seen you give up on anything
you've put your mind to do."

"
Well, that's not entirely true, Dad," Burke whispered,
instantly reminded of a commitment he'd abandoned years ago. He'd
rather face a line of determined defensive tackles than to look
into Belle's eyes after twelve years. Elaine reported to him that
she was the "Belle of the town" as a member of the town council,
and was turning the Bar J into a successful business.

"
What were you saying, Jack? Sorry, I drifted off," Burke
said, realizing his nephew was talking to him.

"
Dad said you were going to make a movie."

Dean corrected his son.
"No, I said I read in the paper he might do a movie."

"
Are you?" Jack asked eagerly.

"
The movie is on hold. My agent is busy sending me sitcom
scripts for guest appearances. One is to be a regular member on a
sports parody show. Last night he called and said he'd lined me up
with a few engagements this summer, but other than
that…"

"
Burke," Reese started, "you've been in the football
limelight since you were in high school. What are you going to do
with yourself?"

"
I believe the Lord lead me in my career even when I wasn't
serving Him wholeheartedly. I can't doubt Him now that I've
completely laid myself open to Him. I believe he had something in
mind before I took the challenge of the narrower road."

"
Any ideas of what He might have in store?" Elaine
asked.

"
For one thing, a simpler life, Mom. Less of me, more of
Him."

"
The Lord's ways are not our ways. They are infinitely
better," Reese said.

"
Exactly," Burke agreed. "This is a step of faith for me.
Don't misunderstand and think this has been an easy decision. I've
struggled with God over this, but I have a profound sense of peace.
And that is what I'm using to confirm my every move. I'm letting
the peace of God rule my heart and mind."

"
What about Grace?" Dean asked.

All eyes were on Burke,
repeating Dean's question. What about Grace?

"
She's trying to understand. We are at different places in
our lives, which makes it hard. She's leaping into the height of
her career, and I'm bowing out of mine."

"
Will she move here eventually?" Elaine asked.

Burke grinned, the motive behind
his mother's question thinly veiled.

"
Is that your subtle way of asking if we are getting
married?"

"
You could do worse, brother," Dean said, teasing, a glint
in his eye. "Much worse."

"
The question is," Burke began slowly, "could I do
better?"

Dean pondered his
question. "Only you can answer that, I guess," he said after a
moment.

Grace Peterson, Burke's personal
Hollywood star. Despite all efforts to keep the relationship
private, they had become the couple to talk about. He, as one of
football's most eligible bachelors, and she as one of Hollywood's
most beautiful and talented actresses.

Reese slapped his hands on
his knees and stood. "Well, I'm convinced. Welcome home. It will
be good to have you around for a while."

"
Maybe you could come to our football practices," Jack
suggested wildly.

Burke laughed. "I'd love
to, Jack. I don't want to interfere with Coach Anderson's program,
but I'd love to help out if he needed me."

Elaine stood beside her
husband. "I'm sure the Lord will open that new door for you soon.
His timing is perfect!"

Reese clapped his hands
together. "Diamondback Steak House, on me!"

Cheers of agreement filled the
room.

"Let me call home. Elise
and Molly can meet us there," Dean said, reaching for his cell
phone. He dialed his wife and daughter.

Burke agreed dinner
sounded good, but suggested the family go ahead without him. He'd
meet them there. "I got a few things to do here first."

He walked with his family out to
their cars and waved good-bye, reminding them to order him a nice
thick porterhouse steak, medium well, with a baked potato. He went
inside and sat in his grandfather's prayer chair and closed his
eyes. He prayed for a few minutes, listening and waiting, a
peaceful habit he'd come to love.

His thoughts and prayers drifted
to Belle. He winced as he imagined the confrontation that awaited
him. Deep in his heart he understood that part of facing the future
meant facing the past.

Mentally, he'd prepared to see
her again, but he had to confess that the idea brought certain
trepidation. For days now, he'd rehearsed various reunion
scenarios, bracing himself for her reaction.

If she greeted him with anger,
he'd remain calm. If she melted into a puddle of tears, he'd
respond with tender words of comfort and regret. If she ignored
him, he would subtly pursue her. And, if she demanded an
explanation…

The thought moved Burke to
prayer again. In the twelve years that had passed since he'd last
seen her, he'd not forgotten the devastating way in which he'd left
her. Yet, he struggled to connect with the feelings that had
gripped him on that dreadful day. Time, and the Lord's forgiveness,
had washed away the panic he'd felt then, and healed his own broken
heart. Now, as he contemplated the only explanation he had to offer
her, it sounded trite and hollow, void of good sense.

He sighed and got up from his
chair, reaching for his car keys. The family would be waiting at
the restaurant by now. As he walked to his car, his thoughts still
trapped in the past, he wondered at how he could have caused Belle
such an avalanche of pain.

When Belle walked into the gym
on Thursday, it had been utterly transformed. Hay bales lined the
walls, and loose hay covered the floor. The tables were draped in
bright red-checkered table clothes with shiny tin lanterns as
centerpieces.

Overhead, thousands of balloons
and streamers hid the steel beam ceiling. Meg Witherspoon, with her
decorating committee, bustled about adding the final touches and
setting placards on the tables.

"
Meg, this is wonderful," Belle said, breathless.

Meg brushed a wild curl
out of her eyes and smiled. "Thank you. It went smoother than I
thought."

"
Your crew has obviously worked very hard. The class will
appreciate all you've done."

"
I took the liberty of thanking myself. I put Tyler
McDermott and his wife at my table. Also Burke." Meg gave Belle a
sideways glance with raised eyebrows.

Belle turned away.

"
Good for you. You can have the honors."

"
Burke is bringing a date." Meg said without any
preamble.

"
Oh?" she said, feeling herself bristle. She wanted to act
and sound casual, but the quiver in her simple "oh" gave her
away.

"
Gates told me today. Grace Peterson is flying in to join
him."

"
Grace Peterson is coming to our reunion?"

"
Got the placard right here," Meg flashed a small pale green
card in front of Belle's face.

She sighed and rubbed her
forehead. "This reunion is going to turn into a circus."

"
No, it isn't Belle."

"
A U.S. Senator, a famous football player, and a Hollywood
starlet. It's going to be a circus."

Meg stationed another
placard, smiling as she said. "Well, it won't be dull, that's for
sure. When we graduated, I never imagined that we'd have such
famous alumni."

"
Life is full of surprises, eh Meg?"

"
I can't wait to meet her. I hear she is
stunning."

"
I'm sure she is," Belle answered.

Meg faced her with her
hands on her hips. "Come on, aren't you the least bit
curious?"

She came back with a
quick, "No."

"
Well then," Meg started, holding up Belle's placard. "I
have one last placard and it's yours. Where do you want to
sit?"

"
Anywhere but near the circus."

"
You're the reunion chairperson, you have to sit at one of
the head tables."