"Okay, so. How many downs before the ball is turned over again?" I ask for what I think is the third time.

Jake—ever patient with my lack of sports-ball knowledge—laughs and explains it again. "The other team automatically gets it wherever the play is called dead on fourth down, but most teams will punt it away after an unsuccessful attempt on third down."

I'm still not sure I understand, but there's something to be said for watching it in action. I just never thought I'd be watching it while simultaneously not trying to shit a brick over the fact that my kid is on a field, about to be run down by boys who are twice her size.

"Okay, I think I've got it. I mean, I don't, but hopefully it'll stick when I watch the game," I say with a sheepish smile. "Don't be surprised if I ask again in ten minutes."

"I won't," Jake teases back. Then he slides an arm around my shoulders and gives me a gentle squeeze. I take the opportunity to draw a little closer to him on the bleachers. "Don't worry about it so much. It took me a long time to figure out what Trav was talking about, too."

I look down on the field and see Jake's brother talking to a group of players that includes Riley. Him being the coach at least gave me a little peace of mind when she became determined to try out for the team. He treats Riley like she's family, and I know he'd never let anything happen to her.

Anything beyond the normal bounds of football, which is something I'm still coming to terms with. But I'm improving, I think. I managed to stop myself from telling Riley to wear an extra layer of padding before I dropped her off.

That's something, right?

"Sorry it took so long," a voice says from the aisle.

I look up and see Julie carrying a paper sack and a drink carrier loaded down with three drinks. I take the carrier from her and distribute the drinks, then stash the bit of cardboard beneath my seat.

"They're still doing warmups," Jake assures her. "Game should start soon."

"Oh, good. I was afraid I missed something." She opens the sack, and the most amazing smell wafts out.

A very, very familiar smell.

"Hold on. How did you get cheeseburgers from Gracie's?" I ask, looking at the wrapped parcel in awe as she hands it to me.

"Eric's got a kiosk set up. He usually comes to the games and stays until he sells out. Have to get there early, or you're stuck with stale popcorn," she says, making a face.

"You're a lifesaver." Jake grins, raising his own burger as if in a toast.

I couldn't agree more.

And honestly, it's not just here. Julie moved in not long after Jake did. He sold off his house, and we used the money to help pay for everything she needed, and to handle the things her scholarship wouldn't cover.

She's going to UK, so she's gone a lot now, but she's still been an amazingly positive influence in Riley's life. They're taking things slow. Really, really slow, thank God. Last I heard from Riley, they were mostly just going to be friends until she graduates and starts at UK, too.

I'm not really sure what "mostly friends" entails, and I'm not sure I want to ask. As long as they're both happy, I'm happy.

As I open up my burger, I hear the telltale sound of an out-of-tune high school instrument. The band starts, which I guess signals the start of the game. One of the choir kids sings the national anthem, and I watch in awe as a scrawny kid punts a ball all the way down the field.

Then recoil in horror when the guy who catches it is immediately pounded into ground.

Jake senses my unease, and leans over, his shoulder nudging mine. "It'll be okay. Those big guys lining up right now? They're there to keep Riley from getting hit like that."

I just nod, and watch my kid jog out to the field. She looks so small compared to everyone else, but maybe that's a good thing. There's a wall of surprisingly large muscle in front of her, keeping her safe from the other team. And if she does get in trouble, she can probably slip free.

By the time she gets the ball in her hands, I start to relax. As I watch her chuck twenty and thirty yard passes like they're nothing, I actually begin to enjoy it.

"I knew she was practicing a lot, but I never expected this," I say.

"She's really great," Julie says with a dreamy smile. "She works really hard at it."

Pride swells within me and I smile. "Yeah. Yeah, she does."

It's been almost a year since we moved to Glen Springs, and in that time, I've gotten to see my daughter blossom into a strong, confident young woman. She's still got an attitude, but honestly? I kinda like that about her.

I'll never tell her that in the middle of an argument, but that fire and grit is pure Riley, and it's been really cool to see it mature into this.

The game seems to go well for GSHS. We score two touchdowns, only letting the other team get a field goal by the time the second quarter ends, and I start to think I can handle this just fine.

But in the third quarter, everything goes all to hell.

The big guys on the other team are getting closer and closer to Riley. I can see her panic each time, and when she does, the ball gets thrown away, not making it to the receiver. Travis pulls her aside, and she manages to keep her cool after that.

Maybe a little too well.

Some beast of a teenager comes barreling through the line, gunning straight for Riley. I yell for her, try to get her attention, but she's focused on making the play. The ball leaves her hand right before what has to be a senior just slams into her, knocking her to the ground.

"Riley!" I'm on my feet, not even trying to hide my panic. My instinct is to go to her, and I make to move, planning to just jump over the damn bleachers if I have to. Whatever gets me to her faster.

But Jake puts a hand on my arm, his fingers warm and soothing. "Hey. She's okay. See?"

My adrenaline's pumping so hard that I'm shaking, but when I look back at the scene of the crime, I see Riley's not there anymore. She's already moving up to the new line of scrimmage like it never happened.

"She's okay," Jake repeats, and I let out a breath, finally sitting back down as the game continues on.

That's all I've ever wanted. For Riley to be okay. For her to be happy and fulfilled and safe. And she is. She's all of those things and more. As much as I might still freak out from time to time, I know she's going to be okay.

Better than okay.

And thanks to Jake, I am, too.