'Ontario?'
'He's here, working at the post office. He and Takita have three kids. She's teaching school and as sweet as always. They're in church five times a week.'
'So he's still smiling?'
'Always.'
'Denny?'
'Still here, teaches chemistry in that building right over there. Never misses a game.'
'Did you take chemistry?'
'I did not.'
'Neither didI . I had straight A's and never cracked a book.'
'You didn't have to. You were the ail-American.'
'And Jesse's still in jail?'
'Oh yeah, he'll be there for a long time.'
'Where is he?'
'Buford.I see his mother every now and then and I always ask about him. It makes her cry but I can't help it.'
'Wonder if he knows about Rake?'Neely said.
Paul shrugged and shook his head, and there was another gap in the conversation as they watched an old man struggle in a painful trot along the track. He was followed by two large young women, both burning more energy talking than walking.
'Did you ever learn the true story of why Jesse signed with Miami?'Neely asked.
'Not really. Lots of rumors about money, but Jesse would never say.'
'Remember Rake's reaction?'
'Yeah, he wanted to kill Jesse. I think Rake had made some promises to the recruiter from A&M.'
'Rake always wanted to deliver the prizes,' Neely said, with an air of experience. 'He wanted me at State.'
'That's where you should've gone.'
'Too late for that.'
'Why'd you sign with Tech?'
'I liked their quarterback Coach.'
'No one liked their quarterback Coach. What was the real reason?'
'You really want to know?'
'Yes, after fifteen years, I really want to know.'
'Fifty thousand bucks in cash.'
'No.'
'Yep.State offered forty, A&M offered thirty-five,a few others were willing to pay twenty.'
'You never told me that.'
