The sun was setting on the coastal hills and across the Pacific Ocean. They were on their way to his Beach House, North of Monterey Bay. The drive was other-worldly beautiful. Their mood was subdued, as if they were journeying to another world.

"Ties are an unwieldy beast as regards the standings, but the good news is that despite today's tie, we end the season in second place," Griff said to Caydance. "That was pretty much ordained, even if we had lost this game. The Wolves will remain in first place, even if -- which I think unlikely -- they lost to Humboldt in today's game. As to third place, it looked like a toss-up between El Dorado, Lodi, and the finishing-the-season-strongly Humboldt Rangers, but I don't know how the tie will impact El Dorado."

Griff did not launch into an analysis of the just-concluded game. His team's forcing it into a tie with a last minute touchdown and the perfectly executed two-point conversion were a satisfactory take away -- as were the final one-by-one shaking hands and male arm to male shoulder exchanges with each of his players.

In the conversation gap, Caydance introduced the subject of dinner. "For dinner, we could stop at the supermarket and buy shrimp -- to begin with, while baked potatoes roast. We could buy steaks to throw on the grill at exactly at the right time. There is a six pack of Belgium beer in the refrigerator. I could make that salad you like with candied pecans and pear slices. For dessert, we could have strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. And then...."