Song of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh Page A

the field and Dane pointed out the teams already warming up. The band tuned their instruments and a whistle blew from either a coach or the bandleader.
    Ava walked with her arm through Dane’s, though he nearly tripped as he tapped into his phone and checked his e-mail. Sienna stopped frequently as they wove through people with hugs and exclamations of excitement at seeing her again.
    Friday night football was a community reunion. Since Ava had started her ministry, she’d been with a number of these families during the loss of a loved one or other tragedy. Dane was a social animal and had connected with much of the community at various sporting events since Jason was five.
    Ava noticed more people than normal looking their way and whispering over Sienna’s visit. Ava felt that mother-pride in her daughter. Sienna hadn’t married right out of high school, she attended a prestigious school, and she’d left Texas to do it. But more than that, today they were together.
    They searched for number twenty-two on the sidelines where the team huddled together getting last instructions from Coach Ray. Jason was sitting on the bench, which was unusual for the starting lineup.
    â€œDo people always stare at you guys?” Sienna asked, leaning toward Ava.
    â€œNever. They must be murmuring over how amazing our daughter looks.”
    â€œI’m sure that’s it,” Sienna said, rolling her eyes. “But this is so strange seeing all the familiar faces. I can’t believe I’m here,” she murmured as she waved to someone as they walked up the stairs of the home team bleachers, searching for a seat.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIt’s just so weird. You think high school is never going to end. Now my little brother is here, and I’m an alumni coming back to watch the games. The football players seemed so cool and grown up. I can’t quite get my head around the idea that Jason and his annoying buddies are out there, and I’m one of the old alumni we used to make fun of, wearing their high school jackets and T-shirts.”
    â€œYou made fun of my high school jacket?” Dane said with a shocked expression.
    â€œMaybe a little.” Sienna winked at her dad.
    Dane glanced out onto the field. “I’m sure Jason’s buddies would love to see you again. They all had crushes on Jason’s big sister.”
    â€œThey read my diary. I’ll never see them as anything other than little punks.”
    Near the top of the bleachers, they found a row unoccupied and settled in with their bleacher seats and blanket. Ava buttoned the large buttons on her jacket as the evening breeze carried a chill that crept around her neck. Dane had barely sat down before he hopped back up.
    â€œI’m off to get some food high in trans fat and cholesterol.”
    â€œWhat’s that—my daddy learned his first foreign language?”
    Sienna said.
    â€œDoc said family history can’t be ignored, even though my physical said I could still be playing college ball. What do my girls want?”
    â€œWhat’s the hurry?” Ava glanced at her watch. They still had twenty minutes before the game began.
    â€œYou never know what kind of line there’s going to be down there. I don’t want to miss kick off.”
    â€œNachos. The works.” So Sienna was eating, Ava observed with relief.
    â€œPretzel with salt and mustard. And two Diet Cokes— right?” Ava glanced at her daughter.
    â€œOf course.”
    Dane kissed each of them on top of the head before heading off, but Ava frowned as he slid his phone from his pocket. More business—would it ever end? At least, she hoped it was business.
    â€œAre you still in love with Dad?” Sienna studied her face.
    Ava squinted her eye as she studied her daughter in return. This was more than wedding jitters.
    â€œWhy?” Ava asked.
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. Just