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everything and these gifts are for you. My name is Melissa, please let me know if there is anything I can get while here in the club.” She turned and left them at the table.
    There were two seats at the table of four with place holders labeled ‘Professor Shaw & Guest’. At each place was a sweatshirt, ball cap, scarf, and pom-poms all adorned in the school colors and logos. Donna said, “And you’re just teaching his payers, imagine if you had something going with the guy.” She giggled.
    “Don’t even go there”, Kelly replied
    The two ladies filed through the buffet and ordered champagne from the bar. Rather than eat at the table, they went to an outdoor balcony to enjoy their food and watch the pre-game warm up. It was a sunny crisp autumn day. The field was perfectly manicured and lined for the event and the maximum capacity crowd was filling the stadium. School colors for both squads could be seen throughout and the stage was set for another annual rivalry battle.
    Thirty minutes before kick-off, Coach Norris entered the All-Star Club to a cheerful round of applause. It was tradition for the coach to stop by the club prior to the home games and do a little glad handing with the boosters and alumni. Bigger than life, he moved through the crowd promising a good game and praying for a win. He saw Professor Shaw and immediately excused himself to visit her table.
    Throwing his arms open he hugged her upon reaching the tableside. “Kelly, I’m so glad that you’re here today. I want to thank you once again for working a miracle with another of our student athletes.”
    She returned the hug saying, “It’s good to see you too coach. I really haven’t done anything. They are all good kids and just need the right encouragement.”
    He smiled and held her by the shoulders, “Don’t be so modest, ever since Adam has begun private lessons with you he’s a changed man. If he’s not on the field, he’s in the gym. If he’s not in the gym he’s studying films. His grades are up and today he will get some playing time. I can’t thank you enough.”
    A crowd had formed around the two as they spoke. The boosters enjoyed their time with the coach and he could see that game time was upon them . Holding Kelly in one of his massive arms he turned to the crowd. “I promise you that our kids are properly trained and ready for the challenge they face today. God willing we’ll come out with a victory and no injuries. I hope you all enjoy the game. He gave her a squeeze and was gone. The next time she saw him he was on the side lines giving the pregame talk to his players.
    The first half was a battle. Both teams played well but mistakes were defining the game. With two forced turnovers on each squad the defenses were playing well and the offenses were matching almost point for point. The end of the half sounded and the teams went into the locker rooms with State up by three points. It was time for the half time show and fresh cocktails.
    The girls sat, drank and chatted about the game. An attractive women in her late fourties approached and asked very politely, “I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon.” She had a southern drawl that could have only been created from wealth in the south. “I thought I overheard Coach Norris mention,” she hesitated, “Are either of you Professor Kelly Shaw?”
    Surprised finding someone who knew her outside the walls of the university, Kelly said, “That would be me ,” and extended a hand. “Have we met?”
    “No Dear, but I must say that I’ve heard a lot about you. My name is Brenda Cook, my husband is Thomas Cook.” The woman replied as they shook hands. Kelly immediately recognized the family name. The Cook family had three wings and one library named after them on the university. The family had been influential in creating the school and was still very active with fund raising and grants for educational advancements.
    Kelly introduced Donna, “It’s a pleasure to