Post-season Legacy

      There was nothing in the autumn air to suggest to Cathy that this day was going to be a day that made a difference in the rest of her life.  The warm, fall wind was blowing ever-so-slightly, but there was no reminder of the single decision from so many years ago that would change the lives of the woman and her family—not to mention the choice that she would make that would change the lives of members of two other families. 

     Forty-three-year-old Cathy Winston was washing a few pots and pans in her newly- decorated kitchen.  The cooking island was full of fruits and vegetables to be prepared for dinner.  The new kitchen was ideal for Cathy because she could do her kitchen work and keep an eye on her ten-year-old son.  She could also easily watch television in the combination family room/kitchen while she worked. Her fifteen-year-old daughter was—as always—watching some sports program.  SEC football is really big in the fall in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.  The population is about evenly divided in their loyalties to Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

     Cathy and her family gave their allegiance to the Ole Miss Rebels.  Cathy had graduated from there twenty years ago, and her daughter Beth could hardly wait to get out of high school so she could be a coed at the University of Mississippi.  Ten-year-old

Bill did not know whether he wanted to go to college or not, but secretly Cathy hoped he would want to spend a couple of years at her alma mater.  Cathy’s husband had not attended a senior college, but he had become a devoted Rebel fan.  He was a farmer and did not get to go to many football games, but he loved attending basketball and baseball games at Ole Miss.  Cathy and Beth went to most of the football games on the campus, but this week the Rebs were playing in Athens, Georgia, against the Georgia Bulldogs.  Beth could hardly wait for the game to begin on television.  Of course, she was taping the game with her VCR so she and her dad could watch it over and over next week when he got home after working in the fields. 

     Cathy said, “Too bad your dad isn’t here to see the game, but all of the farmers really have to get busy with harvest season in October.  Beth, what time does the game begin?” asked Cathy as she turned toward the living area.

     “The pre-game show is on now, but they won’t kick off for about fifteen minutes,” announced Beth.  “Are you going to sit down and watch the game with me?”

     “Oh, I’m busy in the kitchen, but I can see the screen easily from here.  I’ll just keep working.  I can also see your little brother climbing in the trees outside.  I’ll keep up with the game in here.  If things get too exciting, you’ll hear me yelling, ‘Hotty Toddy!’”

     “Oh, Mom, why don’t you quit working and sit down during the whole game?”

     “I just can’t with supper to get ready before your dad gets here.  I’ll keep you company in a while.  Who will win according to the sportscasters?”

     “Everybody believes Georgia will beat us, but I think Ole Miss will win,” said the confident Beth.  Her mom only smiled because Beth was hardly ever wrong in her sports predictions