Glory Road

GLORY ROAD

by

John Labban

AuthorHouse™

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Phone: 1 (800) 839-8640

© 2008 John Labban. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/01/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4343-7799-9 (sc)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

All characters and events are fiction, and not based on anyone known by the author in real life. If they mirror actual names in real life, it was completely and solely unintended by the author.

The results of sporting events have been fictionalized by the author for pure entertainment purposes. If any events happened, they are only historically referenced. Any colleges or professional sports teams mentioned are only done so for the pure entertainment purposes only. No actions by any characters in the book are representative of those teams. While the teams maybe real, the events and characters surrounding them in this book are strictly fictional.

The newspaper articles contained in this book are all fictional in nature. The Quanah Register is not a real newspaper and all events are fictional.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

Chapter 79

Chapter 80

Chapter 81

Chapter 82

Chapter 83

Chapter 84

Chapter 85

Chapter 86

Chapter 87

Chapter 88

Chapter 89

Chapter 90

Chapter 91

Chapter 92

Chapter 93

Chapter 94

Chapter 95

Chapter 96

Chapter 97

Chapter 98

Chapter 99

Chapter 100

Chapter 101

Chapter 102

Chapter 103

Chapter 104

Chapter 105

Chapter 1

The snow fell heavily on a nasty winter night in Edmonton, Alberta in December 1987. Freezing and miserable, I was no in mood to be trudging through the snow. My brother trekked ahead of me with the firewood, covered in snow. Carrying the axe, I trudged through the snow; cursing the idea of gathering firewood in that harsh winter night. The night sky was so pitch black that you couldn’t see a thing in front of you. Suddenly, tripping on something; I fell face first into the snow.

God, I hate winter, I yelled.

Jeff turned around. He saw me lying there in the snow. Watch where you’re going!

Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s so hard to see in all this snow.

C’mon, Dad is going to be furious that we’re out this late.

Gathering the firewood, I jumped back to my feet while brushing off the excess snow. Yeah, harsh winters here weren’t fun. We continued along until we got back to the cabin. It took us a few minutes, but we got there in one piece – finally! I saw the look on Dad’s face. He wasn’t happy.

Where have you been?

Gave my father a quick witted answer. At the beach catching some rays.

Look here, Mr. Smartass….

Sorry, Dad! Luckily my father had a great sense of humor!

Mom came over to grab our snow-covered jackets.

Ron, they’re freezing.

Dad smirked. I didn’t know you could get so cold catching rays at a beach?

Dad grabbed the firewood, chucking the pieces into the fireplace one at a time. Mom brushed the snow off my brother’s jacket. Dad grabbed the last piece of the wood, throwing it into the fireplace while lighting the match. Finally, we sat by the warm fire. The smoke billowed out of my father’s pipe. He liked to sit by that fire every single night. Working in the freezing oil fields during the winter gave him an appreciation for hard work. Jeff thought that is the biggest reason why he sent us out to cut firewood in the snow. We thought deep down inside, he really wanted to mold us into real hardworking men. While Dad sat back in the recliner and watched the game, my brother and my mom ate as much stew as possible at the table. Sitting on the couch next to my father’s chair, I tried to consume as much stew myself as possible while watching the game. The fire felt real good. Finally, my body began to thaw out.

Well, I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Phillip Samuel Dexter. I lived in a cabin just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. Just ten, I was in fifth grade. My brother was twelve; well, about to be thirteen in just a few months. Myself, I wouldn’t be eleven until April. I actually liked living just outside of Edmonton. The only thing I hated was the nasty, bitter, cold weather we had to endure every winter. Because our father wanted us to be molded into young men, we always went out in the snow and cut firewood every winter. I knew my mom wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but at the same time; I think she agreed it was in our best interest. The only thing that winter brought that I liked was hockey season. I loved the Edmonton Oilers. I grew up learning to skate before I could even walk. Yeah, my dad, he loved hockey - I mean he really, really loved hockey! My father watched all the games he could, whether on television or at the arena. If he could score tickets to a game, my brother and I would be in tow with him on the way to the arena.

The other kids in my class loved sports. It’s all they talked about most of the time. The girls liked dolls. But the guys, we loved sports. Some of the American transplants, they loved football. Not Canadian football, but American football. All I heard from that boy behind me was how American football was the greatest game on earth. I vowed to talk some sense into him. My brother did the same. Jeff, he loved hockey like my dad. Swore he would never play another sport in his life. As for myself, well I must admit, I watched some of this American football. It piqued my interest, but I had no intention of letting my brother or father know anything about such matter. It was cold enough out there all those winter days and nights, that we’d have solid ice out there to play for months. But despite the cold, I couldn’t imagine any other life to live. My father made good money as an oilman, and my mother did fairly well as a nurse. Our grades were good every semester, not that we had a choice. Life, overall, was great!

We ate more stew and watched the game. Dad angled the TV so he could watch the game while he ate. My mother shook her head.

Ronald, you and that hockey.

Mary, this is sport that only God himself could have invented.

Don’t tell that to my father.

He can have that American football. I want the only sport on the face of the earth that counts – hockey!

Well, at least the Oilers won the Cup last year. Mom said to him, smiling.

My father smiled at my mom. Yep, and they’re going to win it again this year!

My mom grew up in the United States. She moved to Canada when she was young. She met my father while she lived in Edmonton. Needless to say, she took a liking to American football. Dad wasn’t arguing with Mom about football or hockey, but he sure wasn’t going to let us be drawn away from his game. My brother, he sided with my father. Turned out, that my parents both were right, since I actually grew to like both sports. I kind of liked that American football stuff. Just didn’t push the envelope too much, though. My father wasn’t going to have a son that didn’t take a love to his favorite sport first, and everything else second.

As much as I loved Edmonton, I always wondered what it would be like to live south of the border. Mom told me many things about the United States, but it was something you had to experience. The pictures of the beaches south of the border and all the sunshine kept my curiosity alive about life in the United States, although there would not be a word mentioned to my family about my fueling curiosity about the country to the south. I loved all those TV shows about the fun in the sun of the southern United States. I hoped one day to move there when I got older. At the time, we lived in Edmonton and living down in the US was just a pipe dream. Or, so I thought, at least.

Chapter 2

Summer 1988

Life was great, winter came and went. Jeff and I were out of school working with Dad during the summer months. Sure beat being cooped up in a classroom all day long. Unlike the nasty, harsh winters; summer was the direct opposite. You nearly had light all day. A few hours of darkness, but for the most part; daylight was in abundance. Really never got that hot, either. Seeing the heat wave in the United States that summer, I started to rethink the idea of living there. As great as it appeared to be there in the winter, I much preferred Edmonton during the summer.

Jeff and I were out in the woods playing around and cutting down some trees for my father. It was early June and we had to be back in pretty early. My father would not let us work past six. No, he wasn’t going soft. The Edmonton Oilers were playing on the road in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Dad, he was a workaholic, and he made sure we had the same discipline. However, when the Oilers were in the Stanley Cup, he came to a dead halt. Work was still important, but the Stanley Cup Finals was too important to miss. Edmonton led Boston three games to none, expected to wrap up the series and win the championship. The whole town was enamored with their beloved hockey team. The businesses on Whyte Drive hoped to be shut down until noon the following day if the Oilers won. Myself, I was glad the Oilers were about to win another championship. It was the only time in ages that Dad didn’t make us get up early during the summer months. He’d be so giddy about the title, taking a step back from his pedal-to-the-medal workmanlike approach.

Dad checked his watch. A few minutes to six. He took the tools from Jeff while giving us that look.

Boys, it’s time to call it a day.

We both smiled. Jeff was in high spirits.

Jeff turned to my father. Dad, we need to have them play every day of the year.

My dad shook his head and laughed. Forget that, I’d never get a thing done. And neither would you, young man.

Jeff and I laughed, while Dad shook his head and smiled. We got back right as Game 4 started. My father turned on the TV before he sat back in his recliner. Jeff and I sat on the couch and watched with nervous anticipation. The drama ended pretty quickly into the first period of the game. Edmonton raced out to a big lead over Boston and wrapped up their second straight Stanley Cup championship. Dad clapped his hands together while yelling with excitement, with the gloves and helmets flying off the players. The horns blared through the whole city. Whyte Drive was a scene of partying and mayhem. I really wanted to go there and party with the crowd, but my parents wouldn’t even entertain the idea. I vowed when I was older and could watch Edmonton win a title; I was going to make that journey over to Whyte and party like a crazed animal. At the time, though, I enjoyed watching my brother and father run outside the house yelling in excitement. Jeff knew that was his only chance to pull that kind of stunt in front of my father. Jeff took full advantage of the moment. Dad gave us a brief moment to act like crazed kids enjoying the moment.

Days after the championship celebration, we sat at the table eating dinner when the phone rang. Dad shook his head wanting to curse the person on the other end of the line for disturbing him during his meal. He answered the phone, never getting the chance to curse the person on the other end of the line. Mom and Jeff sat watching his reaction the call. He listened intently the person on the other end of the line. He told them he’d call them back the following day. As soon as he hung up, Mom looked at him weird.

Who was that?

Some big oil firm down in Texas, they want me to come down and work for them.

How much are they talking about?

More than I’m making now, Dad said to her with a grin.

Mom glanced at him, for a brief second. You know the boys have grown up here their entire lives?

Dad leaned back. I know, Mary. However, this is a chance of a lifetime to give them the opportunity to see something new.

Jeff put down his fork. Dad, I know that company in Texas is going to pay you a lot more money. However, you know that we are going to readjust our lifestyle and our entire lives are going to be thrown for a loop.

Dad eyed him. Son, life is all about changes. Nothing in life stays the same. You aren’t going to live in Edmonton your entire life. One day, you’re going to have to branch out and experience the world.

I cut in. Dad, but you’ve lived here your entire life.

He rubbed his chin, Phillip, boy, things in life change eventually. This would be a chance to give you and your brother, not to mention your mother a better life overall. We have a chance to open some doors to new opportunities.

I rocked back. It’s going to be really tough leaving Edmonton, Dad. The friends here, the life here. I mean we can’t go to any more hockey games, either….

Dad bowed his head. Yeah, Phillip, sometimes in life if you want something; you have to make sacrifices. I love the Oilers as much as you do son, but the opportunity to give you a better life comes before any sporting event. And, you know how much I love my hockey!

Mom shook her head. Boys, as much as I love Edmonton, I have to admit that your father has a chance to further his career with an oil giant. You love the life here, but you have to give the United States a chance. You may come to find out that it blows away any of your expectations.

Jeff sighed, I understand. I’m still torn though. I’m going to miss this place.

Dad smiled, Don’t worry, there is still a lot on the table for me to weigh. Leaving the only place I know home won’t be easy, Son. However, I need to think about your future as well. Your Mom as well, her future too.

Mom smiled, Boys, there is a lot to look forward to ahead. I think you’re going to be happy with whatever your father decides. Trust me.

Jeff became concerned. The look on his face said everything. He really thought Dad was going to take that job down in Texas. Dad mulled the offer telling us he had to sleep on the idea. It would’ve been tough to leave the very place he called home his entire life. Myself, I was torn. As much as living in the United States piqued my interest, Edmonton was still my home. I grew up there, my memories were there. My friends were there. My emotions ran high. I wanted the best of both worlds, understanding though that we could only have either or, not both.

Dad had a lot to think about. It took him several days to mull it over, but Dad saw the visions of success down south one night when he arrived home from work on Friday afternoon.

Chapter 3

Two weeks later, we were on our way to Texas. Dad gave his notice that following Monday morning. He wanted to stay in Edmonton. But he also wanted to give us the best life possible. There was no way he could’ve turned down a huge pay increase like the one he was getting from the company in Texas. I couldn’t believe my eyes; we left the only place we ever called home. My father took the job with a big oil firm in the city of Quanah. Tricon Enterprise, the leading oil-based firm in the northern part of Texas. We finished packing up the last few items in our cabin by late summer of 1988. The moving van pulled out of the driveway about an hour before we left. I took one last look at my room staring at the bare walls. The hour arrived, my parents summoned me to the car. The cottage cleaned out by the time my father handed over the keys to the realtor. Jeff sat in the passenger seat on the left hand side, smiling. He was excited about the change. I was torn. I was going to miss Edmonton, but it was exciting to get a chance to live in Texas.

The drive south towards Quanah, Texas took several days. My parents wanted to stop in each state along the way and take in the scenic view of the United States. Dad knew he would only have one chance to take in the scenery. Jeff sat back, soaking in the scenery and the landscape. I tried to get his attention, but he was zoned in on the pristine mountains. Mom smiled, really excited about a new opportunity. The further south we made it, the hotter it seemed to be. Jeff wiped his brow right about the time we crossed the Texas state line near the middle of the day. Wringing his hands in excitement upon arrival in Quanah. Dad made great time, by the time I glanced at my watch we were just hours from Quanah. We drew closer to town, while I gazed at the rolling hills and the mountains to the west. Finally, we reached the city limits of Quanah, Texas. Blew away even my greatest expectations. The town was nestled in the rolling hills, with the same feel of Edmonton. The population was nowhere near the city of Edmonton, but the city gave me the feeling we never left Canada. Oil rigs everywhere. Unlike Edmonton, it was scorching hot that summer. Dad weaved through the city until we pulled up to our new home. Jeff’s eyes bulged when he saw the new home. It was a nice, modest home in an upscale neighborhood. I was taken back. I knew my parents had good taste, but it was better than I imagined.

Jeff and I made our way to the front door. Mom followed behind us.

Wait a second, boys.

She opened the front door, so we can make our way into the home. It was breath-taking. Our bedrooms were in the back, and theirs was near the front. The kitchen was near the middle, and the living room was close to the hall that led to our bedrooms. Jeff and I ran around the house in excitement. Well, more for the fact that we were glad to finally be out of the car after days of driving to Texas. My father interrupted our running around.

Boys, help your mother carry all this stuff in the house!

Yes sir! we agreed in excitement.

We grabbed handfuls of stuff out of the car and brought it into the house. Making trips back and forth, it took a bit but we finally got our items situated. We stopped for a second to gaze at the swimming pool in the back yard. We’d never had a swimming pool in our own house. Next to the swimming pool, sat the hot tub. Dad said we’d need the hot tub during the winter months. Sometimes, it got to be as cold as Edmonton he told us. Great! I thought it never got that cold here in the southern US? Turned out, my father exaggerated that just a bit. Oh well, Jeff and I couldn’t have our spirits broken that quick. I made it to my room, on the right side of the hall. Grabbing the flyers, banners, and other items; I slowly began pinning them on my wall. A couple of hours later, my parents called us out of our rooms so we could go eat.

At the restaurant, my brother noticed a football helmet with an oil rig. He pointed to the helmet, catching Dad’s attention. Told my brother that it was a football helmet for the Houston Oilers of the NFL. Jeff lit up with a huge smile. I saw a silver one with a blue star. Dad saw the look on my face.

Dallas Cowboys! Rivals of the Houston Oilers!

Looking at my father, Well, I have a new team to root for down here, and one to root against.

You boys are going to get acclimated to this place pretty fast.

Dad was onto something. As much as I missed Edmonton, the change was embraced; slowly. The only thing I feared was making new friends in school. I thought making a new set of friends to be challenge. I scanned the wall to see a light blue jersey pinned against the wall with the oilrig insignias on the sides of the sleeves. I already found a new team named the Oilers that I embraced.

Our first night in our new home, I tried to sleep, but it was rough. Tossing and turning for most of the night, wondering what was ahead. Seeing the images of my life growing up in Edmonton, the thought of a new school in August was a bit unsettling. Finally, awakening next morning to the sound of my father working on moving everything in the house. Wandering out of my room and seeing the new setup. Quickly warmed to the idea of a new home. There was so much more space and Jeff already hit the swimming pool. My mother summoned me to the table to eat breakfast. While Jeff finished his christening of our new pool, we heard the door chime. Running to the door in excitement, I managed to wedge it open and see a rather big man standing outside with his wife and son.

Hello, may I help you?

He smiled, looking at me. Well hey there young man. Is Ronald Dexter here?

I paused for a second. Yeah, can I tell him who is asking for him?

The name’s Frank Beasley, son, I’m the CEO of Tricon.

Dad came up behind me. Frank, nice to meet you.

Ron, it is great to have you come on board at Tricon. I want you to meet my wife, Samantha.

Ventured to guess that Frank was about fifty-something. His wife seemed really nice, smiling and waving at us. His son was very outgoing. I could tell by the way he looked, that he carried himself well for a young age. While Dad met Frank and his wife, Mark introduced himself to Jeff and I.

I’m Mark, nice to meet you guys.

Jeff took the lead. I’m Jeff, and this is my brother, Phillip. Nice to meet you as well.

We exchanged pleasantries with the Beasleys’. Later that day, we met up with some more kids in town that lived close to our home. Mark introduced us to Aaron Jennings. Aaron was a cocky little punk kid with blonde hair. He noticed our accents.

Y’all must not be from around here?

My brother had never heard of this word, so he was taken back. Uh, no, we moved down here from Edmonton.

Edmonton, Alberta – in Canada?

Yeah.

I assume your parents moved here to work for Tricon?

Beaming a smile. Yeah, how did you know?

The look on his face said it all. That’s the only reason anyone moves here. Mark’s dad is the leader of the best company in town.

While Aaron made conversation, that tall kid walked up behind Mark and scared the daylights out of him with a loud slap. Well, that loud slap was his hands clasping together. Mark turned around and laughed when he saw Jason. Jason laughed at Mark, with Aaron getting a good chuckle out the whole thing. Jason as a little taller than the rest of us, and looked down at both my brother and I with a weird look.

Name’s Jason Sanders, introducing himself. Y’all must be new to town?

Jeff extended his hand, shaking Jason’s. Yeah, we just moved down here from Edmonton.

What made y’all come down here?

Raising my eyebrows. Our dad is going to work for Tricon.

Jason let out a big smile. Cool, my dad works at Tricon. He works for Frank.

Noticing Jason’s football by his bike, I thought these were kids I should befriend.

Turning to them, I assume football is popular around here?

Jason, Aaron, and Mark all stared at me. You’re kidding right? All three of them responded to me at once.

Taken back, Uh, I guess I take it that football is like a religion around here? Where I’m from, hockey is the big sport.

Jason smiled. That’s the one with all the fights, right?

Jeff’s eyes lit up. Yeah, that’s the one, buddy!

Jason handed my brother a football. Tell you what, since you’re new to town, we’ll give you some pointers on football, and in return, we’ll have to catch up on hockey.

Deal! Jeff exclaimed.

Later that day; Aaron, Mark, and Jason taught us a new game called Cowboys and Indians. I heard of the game, but didn’t really know the rules. We were about to learn pretty fast.

Mark handed us two toy cap guns. Alright, this is how it works. Aaron, Jason, and I are going to be the Cowboys. You and your brother are going to be the Indians. Basically, the Cowboys have to try and kill the Indians, before the Indians can shoot the Cowboys.

Grabbing me, Jeff pointed me to the other end of the field. Phillip, they go to that side and we go down here…. And try not to get shot!

Rolling my eyes at him. Okay, but this is a weird game.

Ducking through the rolling grass late in the evening, popping off those cap guns for hours. That game fast became a favorite. We must have played for over two hours, before Aaron’s mom came yelling to stop the party. His mom had a wicked look on her face. At the young age, I thought she was really good looking, although I chose to keep that to myself. She had a scowl on her face, with her hands placed squarely on her hips.

Aaron, you can’t stay out here all night!

Twirling the gun in his hand and sighing. Yes ma’am.

Turning towards Jason, I was amused by her accent. Hey, where is she from?

Looking funny at me, Jason smiled. Mrs. Jennings, she is from South Africa. Her family immigrated to the States when she was younger, I think.

Mark cut into the conversation. Actually, her family escaped South Africa to get away from the growing unrest. They used to be in the diamond industry, but they came here for oil. Go figure, though, who doesn’t?

Jeff shook his head, puzzled. Wasn’t there just a lot of turmoil there?

Mark rolled his eyes, Yes!

He saw the look on my face. Long story.

O-Kay, I muttered to him.

Like Jeff and I; Mark, Aaron, and Jason all grew up near oil. It was the one thing we had in common. While we were busy taking in the new lifestyle, Mom and Dad called for us to return home. Dinner was ready!

Chapter 4

Dad strutted the hallways of Tricon like he owned the place. His arms were muscular, and everyone stopped in their tracks. He walked right into Frank’s office. No one knew him. Dad started his new job at Tricon just days after we arrived in Quanah. Walking into the office on Monday morning, meeting with Frank for part of the morning. He and Frank discussed all the important details of his duties there. While Frank and Dad were discussing some important details, the older man with a tinge of gray hair walked into Frank’s office. Frank smiled while Bobby walked in. Dad turned around and noticed that man with a sharp suit and a gold watch.

Name’s Bobby Sanders, it is nice to meet you.

Dad got up out of the chair and shook his hand. I’m Ronald Dexter; it is nice to meet you as well.

Frank cut in. Ron, this is Bobby Sanders. He is our Chief Marketing Officer. I have known this man for what seems like an eternity. His son, Jason, is a good friend of my boy, Mark.

Dad turned to Frank. Yeah, Jason, he introduced himself to my two boys. And I remember Mark; they had nothing but good things to say about him. I think you both raised two nice young men.

Bobby smiled and shook his hand firmly. Thank you Ron, that means a lot.

You’re more than welcome.

Dad made his way throughout the office the first day on the job. Introducing himself to other co-workers, shaking their hands with a firm grasp. He made a great first impression. Like always, and that first day at Tricon, Dad left a great first impression by nearly squeezing some hands too hard. They respected his hard handshake, make no mistake. They knew he meant business. After his first day on the job, he came home and gave us nothing but positive reviews of Tricon Enterprise. The man who brought him on board, Frank Beasley; started the company from the ground up. Frank worked his way through life as an oilman who had a reputation for a hands-on approach. Frank worked in the fields before he learned the real ropes of the business. With his knowledge of the industry, he started Tricon Enterprise many years before I was born. With the fruits of Frank’s labor, came the spoils.

Before we started the new school year, Frank invited us to his house for dinner. My first impression of his house blew my mind. The house was a mansion. There were columns at the front of the house, with gold trim wrapped around the white stairs that led to the upstairs. Their kitchen was huge, decked with marble trim and pristine tiled floor. It must have had close to five bedrooms in there, or at least it seemed that way. Mark’s room was upstairs. They had a couple of extra rooms for guests. Jeff and I joined Mark in the living room to watch a couple of sporting events while my parents conversed with Frank and Samantha. I noticed they had a huge swimming pool in the back yard along with a sauna, within a pace or two of the pool. Frank went all out for Mark, building him a mini-football field in the back yard. Mark was a big football fanatic. He swore to my brother and I that he was going to be a star quarterback when he got to high school. Seeing the pictures of Texas football games all over the walls of the living room, Mark caught my attention.

My dad went to Texas. As you can tell, we’re big fans.

Turning to him. What about the Houston Oilers?

Looking at me weird, he had a smile. Buddy, they’re professional football. You know that Texas is college football?

Tapping me on the shoulder, Jeff caught my attention. Phillip, college ball is a step lower than the professional grade. It’s like NHL and the Canadian Leagues.

Jeff’s analogy quickly sank in. Frank was a big contributor the Texas athletic programs. Well, he was a big contributor to the football team with a few extra dollars to everything else. Our parents’ called us over to the table after Samantha finally prepared the meal. It was good; actually, it was really good. Steaks, potatoes, green beans, bread, and baked beans. The parents’ ate slowly, but we chowed ours down. I think Mark and I wanted to see who could stuff the most food down their throats the quickest the way we ate. Frank and Dad talked about the industry, while Mom and Samantha chatted about the town. My brother was pretty quiet, which indicated he liked the food. When Jeff didn’t talk much while eating, you knew the food was good. After we finished eating, we sat back for an hour and listened to Frank and Samantha tell us about life in Quanah and what to expect. My father listened to his stories about the industry and how we came in at the right time. The industry was booming and Tricon was taking more and more of the share in the market. With time passing, Samantha tapped Frank to let him know it was getting late. My parents shook their hands and thanked them for the meal. Jeff and I shook their hands and thanked them for everything.

On the way home, Dad smiled like a kid in a candy store. He was so giddy about the potential future that lay ahead. Jeff and I were due to start school in a few days. He was going to be in the eighth grade and I was going to be in sixth grade. Mark and Aaron were going to be in the sixth grade, along with Jason. Jason and Jeff were pretty good friends, and with them being so close in grade level; they were going to have time to interact during the school year. With the last couple of days left of freedom, we got one last chance to get the last of the games in the fields completed. Cowboys and Indians, we nearly played for hours into the night those last couple of free days that summer.

The day before school started that August, Jeff and I ran around the rolling, nestled hills of Quanah, Texas. We knew we had one day left before the new school year called our names. It was blazing hot that summer day. Jeff turned to me while we were running around having a ball.

I can’t believe Dad made that move!

I paused, for a second. Jeff, honestly, maybe it’s for the best.

I like this place, He exclaimed, But I am going to miss Edmonton greatly.

In due time, I think you’ll come to like this place. Plus, now I can get into this American football thing.

Jeff glanced down, Uh, nothing replaces the great sport of hockey, ever!

Still running ahead of him, I pointed to him. No, c’mon now I would never allow that to happen….

Jeff caught up to me, eventually passing me; while we ran in between the rows of barley in those fields.

You better now allow that, Dad and I will set you straight, He said laughing.

I think you’re going to get the football craze though, just wait and see.

He turned, laughing. Yeah, we’ll see about that Phillip.

By the time we arrived home that night for dinner, the realization sunk in; the new school year would be upon us with the coming of dawn.

Chapter 5

Fall 1988

I woke up early on Monday morning at the end of August. The alarm blared aloud shortly before six. Wanting to hit the clock, I thought better of the idea. The sun started to rise and the realization hit me – the school year was upon me. The dress code was well, non-existent. You could wear whatever you wanted. Except with my father, you had to show up to school like you would show up to work; properly dressed and well groomed. My brother and I were allowed to wear either collared shirts or dress shirts. We usually wore dress pants, making our father proud. Grooming my hair in the bathroom and brushing my teeth, Mom slowly came around the corner.

You look great!

Thanks mom. I muttered slowly.

I really didn’t want to go back to school after a summer of change. But, reality trumped fantasy. Dad dropped us off at school before he made his way to Tricon. Wishing us good luck, he turned us loose on the real world. Slinging my back pack over my shoulder, I calmly strutted up the steps of the new school. All the kids glared. Like, who is that new guy? Good God, he looks so different from the rest of us.

The halls were massive, leading me to believe that whoever designed this place liked mazes as a kid. Jeff strutted up the halls slowly behind me, before breaking away to the section for the eighth graders. Mark and Aaron caught my attention while I wandered the halls.

Hey, Phillip, where is your homeroom? Mark bellowed out.

Mrs. Chatton.

Mark rolled his eyes. All the way down the hall. Hey, when lunch lets out, make sure you come and see Aaron and I.

Yeah, will do.

While they walked away, I made my way down the hall. Took a few minutes, but I found her room. The door was cracked open and I heard the kids yelling and screaming. Mostly girls being reunited with each other after a long summer break. When I walked in, heads turned in complete silence. They knew that I was the new kid in town. The new kid always got the desk in the back of the room. Walking back to the desk, I saw a little chubby kid with blonde hair smiling.

I’m Ralph, it’s nice to meet you.

Uh, I’m Phillip, nice to meet you as well.

We spoke for a few minutes before Mrs. Chatton summoned our attention. Handing us our schedules for the upcoming semester. English and Science were in the morning. Gym and Math class were scheduled for after lunch.

Miss Baker was our English teacher that year. Ralph and I walked down the hall to Miss Baker’s classroom. Mark and Aaron were already there sitting down when I walked in, with Ralph in tow. They smiled and motioned for me to sit by them, but made obscene faces at Ralph. Ralph sneered on his way to the back to the back of the room. Aaron extended his middle finger in Ralph’s direction. I really didn’t know what to think. Ralph seemed like a nice kid, but there may have been more history than I cared to find out. Taking a seat by Mark and Aaron, Ralph sneered. Mark extended his leg out, tripping Ralph as he walked to the back. Ralph stumbled, nearly falling face forward. He looked at Mark with a sneer. Mark curled his lips and gave him a mean look. They hated each other. I didn’t know the history between Mark and Ralph, but I decided that I would stay out of the situation. The thought of creating too many enemies on the first day of school was not compelling.

I spent the rest of the day getting to know everyone at Quanah Junior High. I waved at all the cute girls right before I left. Jeff came up behind me and laughed.

Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to see cute girls like that.

Turning around, I caught his grin. He was smiling like he was up to no good. Jeff spent most of the day talking to all the girls in class. It helped that most of the girls spent the day looking at Jeff. They seemed to admire his good looks. He was slightly more built than myself. Jeff really wanted to meet all the new girls in Quanah. The girls in Edmonton were cute, but in Texas, they just blew you away. Mark and Aaron had their way with the girls in class. Jason came up behind us while we are waiting for Mom to pick us up.

I see you guys survived your first day of school here.

Jeff turned to him, laughing. Yeah, it’s going to be better than I thought.

Good deal, let me know if you need any help getting adjusted though.

Jeff shook his head. Thanks Jason.

Catching Jason’s attention, I had to inquire about something bugging me that day. Hey, what is the deal between Ralph and Mark?

Jason gave me a dirty look. The look on his face said it all. Um, Phillip, do yourself a favor and avoid hanging out with Ralph. He’s a disease.

It must be bad, huh?

Look, Phillip, his father was fired by Tricon a few years ago. He, like his old man, is nothing more than a cancer that is trying to ruin a company that was well within the right to fire his father.

Well, I guess I better just tread lightly this year.

Staring at Jeff and I. You’d be making a wise decision.

Jeff tapped me on the shoulder, with a scowl. You heard him.

Looking at my brother. I know.

I didn’t want to make enemies being new, so I thought well of Jason’s advice.

Jeff nodded to me, Hey, I don’t want to make any enemies here. I don’t give a shit if that kid takes a liking to you, but try and keep clear of any trouble this year.

Yeah, Jeff, I know, buddy. Yeah, he was driving home the point.

Good.

The thought of making enemies before friends around here doesn’t sound like a great idea.

Jeff smiled, Yeah, Phillip, I agree.

I turned to him on the way home. This place is sure different from Edmonton.

Jeff looked directly at the sky, Yeah, you can say that again.

I turned back towards him. "I have to say though, let’s give this place a chance. As much as I miss back home, maybe we’ll find this new place to be as good if not better than our home."

Ralph Anderson saw a new kid in school, a potential ally. However, Mark Beasley and Aaron Jennings had other ideas. Be damned if our father was going to work for the most powerful oil giant in town while he was going to do anything to cause trouble. That year, Mark and Aaron slowly slipped in subtle reminders about Ralph, and his family. They were personae non gratae, and it was made clear early that it was to stay that way.

Chapter 6

During our first semester of school in Quanah, we learned about the books and the rest that life had to offer. Jason helped Jeff and I learn about the game of football. His father, Bobby, wanted him to befriend us because he was friends with my father. We sat back in the gated back yard of the Sanders’ house learning how to run routes and throw footballs. Jason grabbed a football while Jeff and I watched him grip the ball.

You see these white laces?

Jeff paid careful attention. Yeah, I guess that is where you line your fingers?

Precisely!

Jason gripped the ball, reared back, and fired it into the net. Jeff picked up the ball and gripped it himself. He paused for a second, trying to get his form. Jeff cocked his arm back and let the ball fling. Perfect spiral into the net. The curiosity got to me about why Ralph hated Mark and Aaron. It was enough to drive me into insanity. While Jason was busy ripping another perfectly thrown ball into the net, the question escaped my mouth.

Jason, what’s the deal with Ralph and why he hates Mark so badly?

He turned to me, rolling his eyes. Look, his father was fired by Tricon several years ago after he started making accusations about Frank ignoring safety concerns or something like that. It was more out of jealousy that Mr. Anderson made those claims. He hates Frank because he was not able to build a company into a major player from the ground up. Ralph, he hates Mark because of Frank.

Jeff cracked a wicked sneer. He’ll get over it.

Jason cracked a smile. You stole the words out of my mouth.

At least I knew why Ralph hated Mark. Curiosity had a way of getting you the answers you needed. While we lived in Texas; Mark, Aaron, and Jason taught us all the rules to American football. They took us in and let us watch the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers on Sunday afternoon, so we could pick up everything. They loved Dallas, but I rooted for Houston. I loved the Oilers, whether they were from Houston or Edmonton. On Saturdays, Frank invited us to watch some of the Texas Longhorns games over at his house. By the time I got acclimated to the new life, the hockey season begun. Hockey was still my first love and the Edmonton Oilers were looking good for a three-peat. Calgary was strong that year, too, but I knew that Edmonton would wipe them out yet again, or so I thought.

Mom taught us the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday traditions since we were in the States. I liked Thanksgiving, well, I just liked the days off school and the turkey with all that other stuff. Jeff and Dad quickly grew to like the idea themselves, with Mom’s wonderful cooking. Dad must have eaten at least four plates worth of turkey, stuffing, and beans. Jeff ate about half, and since I could not even fathom what they took in, I just settled for one big plate. Dad, Jeff, and I settled down and watched the football games that afternoon to pass the time. Just as soon as Thanksgiving ended, the Holiday break was just around the corner. Two weeks passed, and before we knew it, the semester was over. Jeff and I looked forward to having some time off and getting ready for our first Christmas. Dad didn’t want to spoil us, but we knew he was going to break down that year. The big pay increase brought a huge bounce to his step. We thought he was going to get us a new football net so my brother and I could start getting ready to join the rest of the kids on the teams next year. But we knew we were going to get hockey equipment. That came first, period. Dad wasn’t going to stray from his first big love. However, he shortly realized by the time we moved to Quanah that football was king. He wasn’t going to have two boys left out of the biggest, baddest sport in town. No way, no how. Dad fantasized about having us playing ball and living the big American dream.

Chapter 7

The alarm blared while I rolled over to hit the clock twice. Jeff was already up and prancing down the hall. Just out of bed, I heard the door open to see Jeff smiling. We quietly strutted down the hallway. Jeff turned to me, while his eyes widened.

Yes! We are going to strike it rich today, Phillip.

I know, Jeff, I can see the boxes under the paper.

Should we wait for Mom and Dad?

Uh, I don’t know. They better hurry.

Just as we are about to circle the boxes, my parents strolled down the hallway – nearly half-asleep. They rubbed their eyes. Mom sat down on the couch.

What did you boys find?

Jeff smiled. Lots of goodies!

My father sat back in the recliner. Go ahead boys, go to town.

That was our cue. Jeff and I ripped through the paper as fast we could tear it apart. Everything we wanted sat under the tree. New football equipment, new hockey equipment, and cool looking toy guns so we could chase the other boys in the fields that coming summer. It was a Christmas to remember.

That Christmas passed with the new semester arriving in the spring of 1989. By that point, I became really good friends of Mark and Aaron. Jeff and I learned the game of American football really well. We learned the customs of the traditional American holidays from my mother. Our father never let us off the hook easy, though. He still made us work out in the fields some days after school to make us appreciate hard work. Even though we moved to Texas, my father still followed his beloved Edmonton Oilers. They made the playoffs that spring, eyeing a three-peat. They barreled through the first two rounds with ease. They faced Calgary in the conference finals. My father didn’t miss a game, and he wouldn’t let my brother or I miss one either. The series was seven, hard-fought and battle-tested games. It came down to Game 7. The series was tied at three. We knew for sure that Edmonton was going back to the Stanley Cup Finals. They had home ice for Game 7. The game went to OT. We couldn’t sit back in the chairs. We were on the edge of our seats. I’ll never forget that moment. Edmonton’s defenseman went to make a simple clear. He fired that puck right into the back of the goalie’s leg. We watched in complete horror as the puck rolled across the line. The Calgary players stormed onto the ice, with sticks and gloves flying everywhere. My father spat his drink all over the carpet in pure shock and disgust. My brother pulled the shirt over his face to conceal the tears welling up in his eyes. My father didn’t chastise my brother. He was so mad himself, he couldn’t see straight.

Moron! How could he be that stupid? My father yelled in anger.

I leaned back on the couch. Great, it’s over.

My father took a week to get it out of his system. He wouldn’t let it affect his work, but he was some kind of miffed that Edmonton lost on that play. My brother and I, we quickly got over the loss that summer. Mark, Aaron, and Jason were kind enough though to rub it in that Edmonton lost in such fashion.

Hockey wasn’t everything though. The rest of that summer, my brother and I were out in the fields with Mark, Aaron, and Jason chasing each other with toy guns. Cowboys and Indians. We loved that game. We’d play it for endless summer nights for hours. It was addictive. Summer went fast that year; it was amazing how quickly time flew when you were having a ball in life. Dad was rising within Tricon. Everyone there loved his work ethic. It was a new lease on life for him when he moved down there. We were making real good money at the time. That September, Jeff started as a freshman at Quanah High. At the insistence of my father, he joined the football team. He was growing bigger each year. He was a wide receiver. The first couple of games were rough, with Jeff adjusting to the speed of the game. My father gave him no option to quit. Dad had no pension for quitters, ever! During the course of that season, Jeff quickly adjusted to the speed of the game, catching one touchdown pass after another for scores during the second half of that season. Quanah failed to make the playoffs that year, barely. But the stage was set. Coach knew that one more season would be the time for Jeff and the boys to shine. By the time, we blinked, it was December 1989. Boy, time had flown by. Hockey season was well underway and Edmonton was back in the flow.

For Christmas that year, Jeff got new football equipment. Dad knew he was going to be a star player on the horizon. I got new football equipment because he wanted me to follow in my brother’s footsteps. As soon as school started in January, Jeff and I were back to the daily grind. He was working on getting better in football, even with the season nine months away. I would throw to him daily to get him into peak shape. That spring, he was really getting noticed by the girls. My father was impressed to say the least. Jeff brought home a blonde haired bombshell by February. Myself, I was still a bit on the skinny side. He was the better looking between the two of us at the time. He built his body like a rock. I was having trouble maintaining that form. My father wanted me to be built like Jeff. It just wasn’t that easy, since I struggled with some of the routines needed to build the muscle necessary.

Excuses, to my father; were for losers! He wasn’t going to hear excuses. I knew that I would have to shape up rather quickly. My father only wanted results, which he thought were for winners. As much as I hated lifting weights, I knew that I had no choice. With Jeff getting built, I needed to do the same. Oddly enough, the one of us who had no pension for American football came to like the sport as much as hockey. Jeff chided me about hockey being his first love, but in time the game of football slowly started seeping into our family. Mom loved the idea of Jeff playing football. Most mothers never cared for their sons playing the game, at least I saw it that way. However, Mom wanted Jeff and I to fit in with the new lifestyle. Football, in Texas, was and always will be king! Jeff and I still had our hockey goal in the back yard. But, before long, football slowly crept up there with hockey. Jeff had every intention of being a more-than-one-sport star. From a young age, he fell in love with the image of being that guy with the star status on campus and beautiful women. Ironically, he didn’t need to fall in love with that image. He was already on his way to that destination point. Myself, I had some work to do. Being the younger brother, I damn sure wasn’t letting my older brother have all the fun. Before long, I either needed to shut up or catch up. By God, I had no intention though of watching Jeff get all the star status around town while I was left in the shadows. That was not an option, nor would I entertain the idea, either!

Chapter 8

It was near the end of the spring semester in 1990. Jeff was about to finish his freshman year at Quanah High. The Edmonton Oilers were rocking through the season. They were still burned up over last year’s heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the conference finals. Jeff and my father fully expected Edmonton to take revenge against Calgary and win the Cup that year. We finished school at the last part of May. Edmonton met Calgary in the second round of the playoffs. In six games, they took complete revenge. My brother and my father, along with myself; were in complete elation. We didn’t know how to react. That victory was just too good to be true. We worked with my father in the fields, but he let us off easy again that summer. Edmonton went back to the Stanley Cup Finals that June against Boston. The series was over in five games. Just as we had done two years previous, my father let us sleep in the day after Edmonton wrapped up the Cup. He went to work following their victory like a kid who’d just gotten everything he wanted at Christmas. Dad was just too excited that Edmonton won again. We worked with our father the rest of that summer, but he was starting to ease up some. Jeff was going to be a sophomore and I was going to be in the last year of middle school. He knew that we were going to have to find work on our own in the next few years. When we didn’t work in the fields, we were back out playing Cowboys and Indians with the boys. It was amazing how fast time flew those years. I couldn’t believe that I was going to be a year away from being a freshman in high school!

September arrived that year with a bang. Jeff was back on the football field, already having gone through two-a-days in the blistering summer heat. Jeff was in the weight room most of the summer at the direction of Coach Hastings. He was getting bigger and I noticed, along with everyone else. That was the year they were finally going to make the playoffs. Mark and Aaron took notice, knowing they were going to be the next stars in line to bring a legacy home. That season started off with the best results you could have asked for, with Quanah blowing out the first couple of teams. My brother caught a few scores, and laid some vicious hits to defenders. Dad couldn’t have been more proud. Quanah lost a few games there towards the end, but they made the playoffs. Their first game was at Vernon, just down the road. I couldn’t forget that game if I tried. Trailing 29-26 with two seconds left, the QB launched the ball to the back corner of the endzone. Jeff made a diving catch with one foot just enough in bounds to win that game. I remember the sideline clearing out onto the field, with Dad screaming in the stands with elation. 32-29! Quanah won its first playoff game in nearly over a decade. Word spread around town about that catch. Dad went to work strutting his chest about that win. A week later, the fun ended. Quanah was beaten soundly by Midland. But the foundation was laid for a run over the next couple of seasons. Mark and Aaron were coming the next year to bring their talents.

That Christmas, Dad turned the backyard into a hockey and football center. He knew my brother was going to be a star. I wasn’t that much into football, but my father swore he was going to break that mold. He had a great job and two sons who were quickly