Ho-hum.
But the evening wasn't a total loss; I found a good sandwich shop nearby and met up at the game with an old friend from the Merc.
___
After two hours in the car on Friday afternoon, I was more than ready for a bite to eat. While I usually just get to the stadium early and have a hot dog (or two) on Game Days, the rainy weather had me on the lookout for a place to eat indoors. As I made my way up North Randall Road I saw a sign: Galloway's Chicago Subs. Perfect!
I was the only customer in the store (it was early) and the proprietor made me feel more than welcome. "I'll have a Meatball sub, please," I said to him.
"Good choice," he replied. His approval brought a smile to my face. The locals like me already!
"You goin' to the game?" the other guy behind the counter, a teenager, asked me.
"Yep."
He gave me a funny look.
"Oh, don't worry," I reassured him. "I have my rain gear in the car." And I did -- a brand-new rain suit, a golf umbrella and waterproof boots.
The proprietor and the kid commenced giving me a detailed scouting report on the game. Even though they were both related to the Crystal Lake South quarterback, they were not particularly optimistic. Turns out the Gators, who defeated Cary-Grove on the road last year, had graduated a number of seniors. "They're a young team." Uh-oh. I smell a blowout.
I must have been their first customer in a while (or they thought I was Edgy Tim or something), because they were both unusually friendly. "This your first time in here?" the manager asked. "Have a free cookie!"
And when I went to leave after I finished, he came out from behind the counter, introduced himself and shook my hand. I only wanted a sandwich, I thought.
But -- I have to admit -- they were both very nice and even had me quietly rooting for the Gators by the time I left.
___
When I arrived at the stadium I was pleased -- for once -- not to be asked if I was a senior citizen. (At least people in Crystal Lake have nothing wrong with their eyesight.) I climbed to the top of the bleachers at about the 40-yard line and couldn't help feeling as though everyone was watching me -- and admiring my new rain suit. After I sat down, the woman next to me looked over and said, "Boy, you're really prepared!" Darn right, lady.
And a good thing too, because it was just about then that the heavens opened up. Ha! Nice and dry over here!
I got there just in time for the second half of the sophomore game, and it turned out to be a real barn burner. Cary-Grove scored the winning touchdown with no time left on the clock!
___
The rain finally let up just before the kickoff of the varsity game and that's also about the time my buddy Scherps showed up. I was surprised to see him dressed in only shorts and sandals! What would that guy in the sub shop say about that?
I hadn't seen my friend in several years, and we had a lot to catch up on: war stories about careers, kids and marriages; gossip about old acquaintances from the Merc; and even -- as was fitting for a couple of old guys -- tales of our various illnesses, ailments and the medications we were taking. We even compared notes on our respective colonoscopies! (Jim's father died young of colon cancer, so he's had a few.) I, on the other hand, have only had one, and I think that's enough. Scherps raised his eyebrows a little when I told him this.
"I figure the doctor has one chance to find something -- that's it!"
I'm still not sure if he was rolling his eyes at me or the uninspired play on the field. (Had to be the latter.)
But we covered a lot of ground, Jim and I, and resolved to do it again real soon. "Hey," he said as we were leaving, "Next time let's talk about politics."
You're on.
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