by Jennifer Carey

Created on: October 01, 2010

"Touchdown!"  The PA system screamed above the roar of the frenzied crowd as fireworks shot off by the JumboTron.  Their was a charge that could be felt in the air as strangers exchanged high fives...and then, the moment....Tom grabbed her middle and hugged her so hard she lifted off the ground.  She screamed in surprise, as well as joy.  She would have loved to say they looked in each other's eyes and bared each other's souls, but the truth was they were both wearing sunglasses on this bright October day.

Monica loved football, she loved the Buffalo Bills, even though it had meant years of disappointment. Of course, when her sister said she was getting a group of friends and family together to go to the game, Monica scrambled some of her tips together to join in on the fun.  If she had known that she would be meeting Tom in the parking lot - a friend of a friend- she might have done more than run a toothbrush over her fuzzy teeth that morning.  Well, she had also hid her hair under a baseball cap, thrown on a hoodie and ever figure flattering football jersey....

But yet there was a connection.  She managed a few coversations with him during the tailgate; bummed a light, showed off her ability to kegstand.  She had to cover him during the parking lot football game.  He worked at the Ford plant down the road, she waited tables and was taking some courses at ECC.  They both knew so-and-so, and tended to hang out at Mickey Rats on the beach over the summer.  It was a wonder they had not met before.

It was fall, it was football season.  Leaves crinkled under feet, laughter was in abundance .  The smell of charcoal filled the air, along with chilis, stews and wings.  The day was crisp as the sun teased them  - sometimes almost making them hot as it beat down on them, and then ducking behind a cloud so they could feel the light chill of the air again. 

The PA finished the Bills theme song after the extra point, and Tom leaned over and asked, "Can I get you a beer?"

It was fall, and love was in the air.

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