Page 109 of Beau & Autumn

“… Once the wedding season is over,” Autumn is explaining our future plans. “The weather should still be nice, and we can have all of our friends and family here to celebrate with us.”

“Something that you probably should’ve thought about sooner,” Ruth gripes.

She’s been making snide remarks under her breath as if nobody else around the table can hear, and my parents smile politely even when I can tell they’re uncomfortable. Chase keeps glancing at his wife, and I’ll bet he’s kicking her under the table. Can’t we just be civil for one evening?

“Well, the Titans are lookin’ a little more optimistic this year,” Dad says. Football is never a safe subject, so I don’t know what he’s thinking. But he ignores my pleading looks and ploughs on regardless. “Even if Callaghan does have a resume to feel good about, time will tell. Levis has potential, and as the quarterback I like that he can make throws to both sidelines, his deep balls may be pretty but with a better wide receiver he may have more success.”

Silence fills the table for a few seconds.

“Tell me about it,” Chase sighs. “While I appreciate Levis is a hustle player and he does it well, his injury risk is heightened, and what happens when he takes a bad hit and misses time?”

Dad shakes his head. “Was wonderin’ the same thing.”

“I keep hoping and praying every night that they work on building their offense. That takes time and they’ll have growing pains. If everything goes right, I think realistically it’ll be two to three more years until they’ll be really competitive.”

My dad loves the Tennessee Titans, and it seems so does Chase, but Dad’s also realistic. “Callaghan hired a whole new team, including strength and conditioning coaches. With Woodfin as the new director of sports performance, I’m expecting massive improvement, especially with injury.”

“What about Ridley and Pollard?” Chase goes on, referring to the receiver and running back. “Ridley has speed, and he can get in and out breaks, but Pollard is explosive.”

“Alongside Spears, the pair of them could be a deadly weapon,” Dad agrees, referring to the Titan’s third round draft pick. “His fourteen point seven target share was seventh in the league, even if his true talents were as a receiver. It remains to be seen how it’ll play out but my guess is it’ll be fifty fifty timeshare and Spears won’t be the lead linebacker.”

Well, at least they seem to be agreeing. I steal a glance at Autumn, and when her eyes meet mine, she smiles softly.

“Boys,” Mom chastises. “I’m sure all of this is fascinating to you. Ruth, are you a football fan?”

Ruth turns up her nose. “Not in the slightest.”

I sling an arm around Autumn. “Tell everyone who you root for.”

She narrows her eyes. “Shut up.”

“Team Tom Brady,” I laugh.

She shoves me in the ribs. “Technically it’s two teams in twenty-three years…”

“I rest my case. How are the Buccaneers doin’, sweetheart?”

Chase chuckles. “Nine wins and eight losses so far this season.”

Autumn pokes her tongue out. “Would anyone like some pie?”

Pie fixes everything in Autumn’s book. I lean down and kiss her shoulder, her bare skin soft is warm, just like her.

I notice Ruth hasn’t smiled once during the exchange. I really want to make things okay with them again, but then there’s that fine line of interfering and standing by my wife. I just hope she comes around.

Mom makes casual small talk with Ruth about her charity projects and Ruth politely answers. How Autumn shares DNA with this woman, I’ll never know, they couldn’t be more different.

The one thing I am proud of is how Autumn holds herself. How she doesn’t let her mom’s disapproval get to her. Inwardly, I know it hurts. I’ve held her while she’s shed tears and I can only hope that in time things will get better. I will do whatever it takes to turn her mom around if I can, though judging by the way she’s been avoiding me all night, I think this could be a marathon, not a sprint.

“What are your plans for my daughter once the honeymoon period is over?” Ruth finally addresses me. I almost sputter my coffee all over the table but manage to stop myself.

As I dab my mouth, I pique an eyebrow. “Plans?”

“Yes. For generations the women in my family, and the Davenports, have been home-makers and bore children.”

I know her parents are religious, but this is ridiculous.

“While there’s nothing wrong with being a homemaker, or bearing children, your daughter is proud of her career. And with all due respect, Mrs. Davenport, we’ve been married for less than a month. We’re still figuring things out.”

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