Chapter Fifty-Six - Bacchanalia
For the second straight year there was more at stake in Atlanta than a mere SEC Championship game. Last year in Atlanta, a ghost from my past waited in a hotel room. This year, there was the hope of a future with my long-lost brother. I’d talked with Raul in College Station about wanting to bring him to Norman, have him start being a part of the family. He’d been receptive, more than I honestly thought he would be, but insisted he wanted to do it the right way.
To me, that sounded like he wanted to wait until the offseason, when things were less hectic for me, and I thought it an entirely considerate request.
Jessica, however, saw it differently.
“He has to sever his ties with whoever he’s working for,” she said flatly when I informed her of how the meeting with Raul went after I returned to Norman.
“He isn’t working,” I said puzzled, brows furrowed together. Jessica never forgot a detail like that once she’d been told it and the sudden slip-up left me puzzled indeed.
“You dolt,” she sighed, “I know he’s not officially working. Remember what you told me Leslie said about Raul? Two-bit criminal?”
“He’s got to separate himself from whoever, or whatever, he’s working with to make sure they don’t follow him. At least, he better.”
My reassurances that Raul wasn’t planning on bringing his criminal lifestyle to Norman weren’t enough for Jessica.
“If he’s coming to be a part of the family,” she asserted, “I’m green-lighting it.”
“No offense, Flyboy, but you haven’t always made the best decisions about handling these kind of things.”
Before I could protest, she planted a firm kiss on my cheek and turned on her heel to leave my office.
“Just make sure that next time you meet with Raul to discuss him moving to Norman, that I’m there.”
And with that, it was decided. When Raul called me in late November to inform me he was ready to talk about coming to Norman, we made plans to meet in Atlanta—a trip I insisted on paying for—on conference championship weekend to hammer out the details.
Instead of staying home with the kids as she had the last two SEC Championship Games, Jessica came with me to Atlanta, sending the kids to spend the weekend in Colorado with her parents, to officially meet Raul over dinner at Bacchanalia.
I was more nervous for Jessica finally meeting Raul than I had been in the National Championship Game the season before, not because I thought Jessica was against the idea of Raul slowly joining our family, but because for as much as I had grown to like my brother, he was admittedly rough around the edges.
By the time our drinks had arrived—with Raul thankfully ordering a seltzer water instead of a double-shot of tequila—my worries had melted away. Raul was indeed on his best behavior, perhaps realizing the exact reason why Jessica was in attendance, and while Jessica’s tone had started chilly and reserved, she had quickly loosened up after the first few awkward moments.
“As much as I’ve enjoyed meeting you, Jessica,” began Raul after all of our meals had been finished, “I believe we have some other matters to discuss.”
“And unless I’m mistaken, that is the exact reason you’ve flown all the way to Atlanta, no?”
Jessica nodded, wiping the edges of her mouth with the napkin, leaving a smudge of bright red lipstick where her lips met the white cloth.
“My concern, Raul, is not that you’re looking to take advantage of Armando. But more that you don’t know how to not be involved in crime and will inadvertently, bring the very thing we’ve worked so hard to leave behind, right to our doorstep.”
“The family business, if you will. One that Armando has worked diligently to break the cycle of.”
Jessica had kept her tone measured as possible, a minor miracle considering the disdain I knew sat right underneath those words, but one look at her face showed how serious she was.
The only way I can describe the look on her face is simply: a death stare.
This wasn’t just a decision to let someone into our small family circle, it was letting someone who carried the stigma of my family name into our lives. One she was right, I had worked tirelessly to scrub from my own name.
To his credit, Raul didn’t let Jessica’s death stare, or her words, rattle his composure.
“Jessica, I assure you. I hear you. The gift Armando is offering me is not being taken lightly. I know what is at stake.”
“Armando spoke to the nation less than a year ago, publicly distancing himself from our father. And I, as much as I detest it, am my father’s son. I have lied, cheated, and stolen. Those things, I am not proud of.”
“But, I never had a chance to be anything else. Until now.”
“I don’t say this lightly. This is likely, my one and only chance to escape the life I’ve lived for as long as I can remember. I know this isn’t charity, that I must put in the work myself to keep my nose clean. But I promise you, I am ready.”
It wasn’t the end of the conversation, the next thirty minutes consisted of Jessica, Raul, and myself talking about conditions, expectations, and uncrossable lines. But Jessica’s murderous look had softened at the edges after Raul’s brief speech and the longer the conversation went on, the warmer her features became.
When Jessica told Raul that he would have to get his own place in Norman, that she wasn’t going to be taking care of another child, Raul smiled warmly.
“I would never think of imposing like that. Taking care of three children? I don’t know how you do it, chica.”
Jessica lost it, doubling over in laughter at my own expense. I gave Raul an apprehensive look, arms thrown into the air in exasperation.
“My own brother. After all I’ve done for you,” I mocked.
“From where I’m sitting, Jessica is the one pulling the strings, mano,” he chuckled.
Jessica pointed one finger at Raul in a “you’re right” gesture, before lightly slapping me on the shoulder.
The conversation about Raul’s integration into our own family continued through dessert and by the time we had finished our meal, almost everything was set in place.
“There’s about a three week stretch after the SEC Championship Game until Armando will be traveling for the Quarterfinal matchups,” Jessica had started, attempting to plan on the first steps to Raul’s move to Norman.
“If we win the SEC Championship Game,” I interrupted.
Jessica shot me a quick glare that said plainly, ‘don’t interrupt me again.’
“I know how it works, Armando,” she fired, before turning to Raul and continuing. “So, as I was saying. After Armando wins the SEC Championship Game, we’ll have about three weeks of down time. How about, if it works with your schedule, you come up in a week and we’ll start looking at apartments?”
Raul opened his mouth to argue, before Jessica interrupted. “I don’t know your financial situation, and I won’t ask you to explain it. Armando and I will help with your new place—with the expectation that you pay us back and a requirement that you start working before the new year.”
Raul, perhaps not wanting to look the gift horse in the mouth, stayed silent, another minor miracle knowing he was as prideful as I was.
“I’ll call my friend Sophie,” she said turning to me, “She started working as a realtor this summer. We’ll get her to show Raul around.”
Then, leaning into my shoulder so Raul couldn’t hear her whisper, she added with a soft laugh: “Sophie is single, maybe she’ll be able to help keep him on the right track.”
The Florida Gators—the only SEC team to beat me since joining the Sooners—still waited in less than 24-hours. But as I drove Jessica back to the hotel, I couldn’t help but marvel at the circumstances.
Less than a year apart and the ghost of my father was once again alive and well. Only this time, I wasn’t running away from the past, but toward the future.
No Father's Son
-
redsox907
Topic author - Posts: 5588
- Joined: 01 Jun 2025, 12:40
-
djp73
- Posts: 12841
- Joined: 27 Nov 2018, 13:42
No Father's Son
caesar hates baker mayfield who wore #6 at oklahoma
-
redsox907
Topic author - Posts: 5588
- Joined: 01 Jun 2025, 12:40
-
redsox907
Topic author - Posts: 5588
- Joined: 01 Jun 2025, 12:40
No Father's Son
2031 SEC Championship Preview - #10 Florida (10-2) Vs. #1 Oklahoma (11-1)
Boone Tillman // Sooner Born • Published: December 12th, 2031
They say when your favorite team becomes a juggernaut, you get spoiled by success. I think it's safe to say the Oklahoma Sooners are reaching that point. The number of fans I've seen posting online this week about how it would be embarrassing to lose to the Florida Gators is astounding. People forget, we had been in exactly ONE SEC Championship Game before Leon. ONE!
Now, we're on the verge of winning our third straight. I'm all for wanting the good ol' boys to win, but let's put some things in perspective.
We'll get Coach Leon's take on this, and more, in the conference championship edition of the "Schooner Scoop."
•••
#1 Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) | Description | #10 Florida Gators (10-2) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 97 Overall // 96 Offense // 99 Defense | Team Rating | 87 Overall // 86 Offense // 89 Defense Armando Leon (53-5) | Head Coach | Daniel Alvarez (10-2) Air Raid | Offensive Scheme | Power Spread 3-3-5 | Defensive Scheme | 3-3-5 Tite 45.3 (6th) | Offensive Points Per Game | 35.3 (32nd) 21.2 (12th) | Defensive Points Per Game | 27.3 (63rd) 466.7 (17th) | Offensive Yards Per Game | 432.0 (41st) 320.1 (5th) | Defensive Yards Per Game | 403.1 (80th)
Oklahoma Sooners | Description | Florida Gators --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 95-61 | Combined Record | 107-61 @ Miami (10-2) W 31-26 | Week One | Liberty (3-9) W 52-17 Nebraska (7-5) W 81-14 | Week Two | Mississippi State (7-5) W 24-16 South Carolina (2-10) W 44-10 | Week Three | Arozpma State (11-1) L 56-21 Oregon (10-2) L 38-35 | Week Four | BYE BYE | Week Five | @ Ole Miss (4-8) W 28-14 Auburn (9-3) W 59-7 | Week Six | LSU (6-6) W 38-20 Texas (9-3) W 49-24 | Week Seven | @ Alabama (10-2) W 49-35 @ Vanderbilt (2-10) W 45-17 | Week Eight | Missouri (7-5) W 30-27 Oklahoma State (9-3) W 37-7 | Week Nine | @ Arkansas (6-6) W 38-31 @ Texas A&M (5-7) W 23-16 | Week Ten | Georgia (8-3) W 34-27 Kentucky (6-6) W 38-17 | Week Eleven | @ Auburn (9-3) L 35-28 BYE | Week Twelve | @ Notre Dame (5-7) W 44-28 @ Tennessee (10-2) W 52-48 | Week Thirteen | BYE @ LSU (6-6) W 49-30 | Week Fourteen | Florida State (7-5) W 38-21
Oklahoma Sooners Florida Gators --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HB Tyler Ryder (83) Dislocated Shoulder (1 Weeks) | Injuries | DE LaMichael Whitted (87) Forearm Fracture (1 Week)
Oklahoma Sooners 2031 Stats Florida Gators --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SO Markelle Nickey (88) 244/336 (72%), 2,552 Yds, 32 TD, 12 INT| QB | SR(RS) Danny Darrisaw (81) 262/401 (65%), 3,629 Yds, 30 TD, 9 INT SO(RS) Dillon Slye (94) 111 Att, 717 Yds, 5 TD | HB | JR(RS) Rashaun Creer (88) 242 Att, 1,094 Yds, 20 TD JR(RS) Johnny Chubb (91) 52 Rec, 703 Yds, 7 TD | WR | SR(RS) Johnny Robbins (85) 63 Rec, 1,182 Yds, 9 TD JR Maurice Lucky (81) 62 Rec, 816 Yds, 17 TD | WR |SR(RS) Kion Leckey (91) 78 Rec, 996 Yds, 3 TD FR SS Quincy Enagbare (80) 82 Tkl, 12 TFL, 4.5 Sack, 4 INT | DEF | SR(RS) MLB Jermaine Mixon (89) 80 Tkl, 5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, INT SR MLB Gordon Paul (92) 74 Tkl, 21 TFL, 7.5 Sacks, INT | DEF | SR(RS) DE Devin Walters (90) 29 Tkl, 13 TFL, 4.5 Sacks JR DT Cole Leo (93) 31 Tkl, 24 TFL, 9 Sacks | DEF | JR(RS) DE Mo Prince (86) 15 Tkl, 8 TFL, 5 Sacks JR(RS) CB Antwan Phung (88) 51 Tkl, 5 TFL, 6 INT | DEF | JR(RS) CB Darin Forsett (82) 55 Tkl, 2 TFL, 2 INT
Conference Championship Matchups
ACC: #3 Miami (10-2) vs #2 Duke (11-1)
American: #20 North Texas (10-2) vs #7 Tulane (12-0)
Big 12: #22 Oklahoma State (9-3) vs #8 Arizona State (11-1)
Big Ten: #5 Ohio State (11-1) vs #4 USC (11-1)
C-USA: Sam Houston (10-2) vs FIU (11-1)
MAC: Buffalo (9-3) vs Toledo (11-1)
Mountain West: Wyoming (10-2) vs Nevada (7-5)
Pac-12: Boise State (9-3) vs Colorado State (7-5)
Sun Belt: Georgia Southern (8-4) vs Louisiana-Lafayette (11-1)
•••
Schooner Scoop
BT: "Coach, I touched on this in the intro, but want to get your take on it. How do you feel about the shift in perception among Sooners fans who are now beside themselves at the thought of a loss. Do you take it as a compliment to what you've built here, or does it get tiring as the lofty expectations you already set for yourself get shot into the stratosphere?"
AL: "I think you have to look at it as a compliment, Boone, or you're going to drive yourself crazy. I'm aware of the rollercoaster of emotions fans go through, while I try my best, I sometimes get sucked into the black hole that is social media on occasion. But you have to view that as a positive. They expect greatness because you've shown them what greatness is. Without the commitment to excellence we brought to this team, who knows if they'd be in a third consecutive SEC Championship, defending back-to-back National Championships. You look at what we've done in the last three years and frankly, it would be an insult if they didn't expect greatness."
BT: "As noted, this is your third consecutive SEC Championship Game. Across from you is Daniel Alvarez, coaching in his first. Alvarez had a tremendous run with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, amassing a 44-10 record, but even then he only captured one conference championship while in Conway. What are you going to try and capitalize on early to take advantage of that lack of experience?"
AL: "It's gotta be adjustments. I can't speak for Daniel—I've never met him outside of the SEC Media Day—but I know one thing that hampered me as a young head coach was falling in love with your own game plan. We all love to see when something we've worked on is executed to perfection. But what separates the good coaches from the great isn't when everything is working; it's when nothing is working. You gotta have the selflessness to admit: this isn't working, then work on a new plan to win the game."
BT: "I know the coach is different, but I'd be remiss to ask: is this a revenge game for you? In case the folks at home don't remember, the Florida Gators are the only SEC team you've lost to in Norman, back in your first year after a 52-51 defeat."
AL: "Ya know, I still go back and watch tape from that game when I feel my head getting a lil' too swollen. But to answer your question, no. This isn't a revenge game. Different coach, different players, different stakes. When you start making games personal, you risk giving the other team the momentum you tried to generate. It's just a game we need to win to get one step closer to our goal of a three-peat."
•••
Everything that's happened comes down to this. When you look at it, there are only four games left in this season, God willing. But it all begins with an SEC Championship win.
We've made it this far. I ain't hopping off this train till it's off the tracks and on fire.
17 Florida, 41 Oklahoma.
-
Captain Canada
- Posts: 7375
- Joined: 01 Dec 2018, 00:15
No Father's Son
Site-wide rule: We don't lose to the Gators.
Go forth and conquer.
Go forth and conquer.