Two weeks left until graduation. Those two weeks went by in a blur. It was a whirlwind push to the finish line. During the two weeks, the West Valley High yearbook came out. The only thing that mattered was the Senior Class Superlatives.
The guys poured over those during lunch, one day. They got a good laugh out of some of them like "Most likely to save a redwood tree goes to Susan," Tommy announced. They all laughed as that's something right up her cranky pants lane. She's always trying to "save" something. A few weeks ago she posted signs for "Save The Plastic Hairbrushes". Dutch wanted to say something to her about that, but he didn't. Which is a miracle in itself. Instead, he just mocked her behind her back, as she does him all the time.
This was followed up by Jimmy saying, "Most likely to end up on infomercials goes to Barbara." He laughed as he stated "Oh God. That's so true!"
Most school spirited went to Ali Mills, of course. She's a cheerleader and so gung-ho about school everything. Most likely to live in and help a third-world country went to LaRusso. No shock there. He's such a goody, goody do-gooder. Then the guys stopped caring about others and looked for their names (as well as Ava, Rachel, and Dawn's).
Dutch got several superlatives. He read them out loud with pride. "Most likely to fight aliens (true, I would), most likely to be late to graduation (true again), most likely to prove men can thrive living in caves (I'm not a caveman people. I do have standards.), biggest life of the party, biggest flirt, most sarcastic, most likely to appear on America's Most Wanted." He paused and said "Hey! Now that's just wrong."
To which Dawn agreed. "They got that totally wrong. It should say most likely to end up on Maury Povich with a who's your daddy segment."
She received a look from Dutch for that one. He pointed his finger at her and announced "That's wrong too. The correct TV show is most likely to end up on The Price Is Right. Man, I love that show. Dutch come on down!" Many eyes grew large and funny looks were given. Who knew Dutch is a closet game show lover? And the Price Is Right at that.
Next up was Jimmy who read his superlatives out loud too. "Most likely to get away with anything (Yes. I'm like a ninja.), most understanding (Ha!), biggest early bird, most likely to make a million before he's thirty, most quiet, and best eyes." He nodded his head. "Not bad."
With a big, goofy grin Tommy spoke. "Alright let's see... I got most likely to be a comedian, class clown, funniest, most random, biggest male gossip, the loudest male, most gullible, best bromance (me and Dutch... what the hell), most likely to become a talk show host, biggest drama king, and most likely to freak out if they don't get a Senior superlative."
His eyes scanned the group. They were all laughing. "This is not funny. How dare they say Dutch and I have a bromance? These people don't know anything. It's clearly Dutch and Jimmy." Dawn patted his arm.
Next came Bobby. "Mine are most likely to brighten someone's day, friendliest male, most laid back (whoever voted for that does not know me at all), most understanding, most dependable, cutest couple (Rach and me), the best person to be stranded on a desert island with, most affectionate (wrong again, that's Johnny), most likely to be caught sleeping in class (it was one time people), most likely to cheer you up, best smile, and most insightful." Johnny high-fived him.
Taking his yearbook, Johnny smiled and read. "Best dressed male (true), best hair (also true), most likely to be a model, best car (I do love my car), most athletic, heartbreaker, dream date, biggest night owl (wrong, maybe in past years), most intimidating, most likely to live happily ever after, class couple (Ava and me), sweetest couple (Ava and me again), most romantic male, most likely to stay friends (me and the guys), and most changed."
He loved the most changed. That's his favorite. People are able to see the change in him that he feels inside. Tuning both Rachel and Dawn out, he kept thinking about the most changed. It's funny because at the beginning of school he hated that word change. And truly he didn't even know he was changing. It came on slow and gradual that it didn't feel like anything was happening, but it did. Ava can be thanked for that. She helped him realize that he could be the man he's always wanted to be. She helped him be brave enough to transform his life. In a burst of pride, thanks, and love he kissed her neck and cheek.
Then it was Ava's turn to read her superlatives. "Most likely to succeed in life, best-dressed female, kindest, friendliest, most likely to win a sports medal, most athletic female, worst driver (Johnny, did you have something to do with that?), best sportsmanship, biggest dreamer, most likely to become a teacher, best all-around, Miss Congeniality, class couple, sweetest couple, most romantic female, most likely to stay friends (Rach, Dawn, and me), creative genius, and old soul."
She wasn't backing down on her earlier statement. "Johnny Lawrence, I know you had something to do with the worst driver. I may not be able to prove it, yet, but I just know you did." His face gave him away, as his eyes were looking everywhere but at her.
After the yearbooks and superlatives, came the school sports banquet. The guys are there representing the soccer team. Naturally, of course, Ava and Dawn with the ladies golf. Rachel came as Bobby's date. As the awards were handed out, everyone grew anxious. Usually, the football team lands the most awards, but this year (due to the soccer team's championship) the soccer team had quite a few.
Team MVP went to Johnny. The coach said, "For his outstanding playmaking, risk-taking, and leadership skills Johnny Lawrence is our team MVP." Everyone applauded. For his part, Johnny truly was humbled and not expecting it. He beamed his big, bright, toothy smile (the one that sets Ava's heart on fire).
The most improved player went to Jimmy. The best defensive player went to Bobby, as well as the best teammate award. Dutch received the team leadership award because the coach also thought his leadership skills were top-notch. And Tommy accepted the best points scorer. Ava, Rachel, and Dawn were proud of each one of them. Their applause was the loudest in the room.
But that's not all. Every year every member of the athletic staff votes for an outstanding player, from all the teams. It's the most prestigious award of the whole banquet and saved for the end. The school tries to get a speaker from that player's sport to speak. The outstanding player award is kept under wraps, until the banquet night, when the name is read out loud for the first time. It's a big deal and a huge honor. You can only speculate who it might be based on the speaker.
Everyone knew the award was going to a golfer, based on this year's speaker. Imagine Ava's shock when her hero, the great Arnold Palmer, showed up as the speaker of the banquet. Freak-out mode commenced. Regardless of who wins, she just HAS to get the man's autograph. Or at the very least shake his hand and let him know what an inspiration he is to her.
Johnny knew she was dying inside, just from the bounce of her leg alone. He placed his hand on her thigh, to help calm her down. Her fidgeting stopped. Knowing this is her sports hero, he has to find a way to get her close enough to meet him.
Mr. Palmer took to the podium with thunderous applause. Arnold Palmer is one of the most prolific speakers the school has gotten in years. Even if you don't play golf, the man's name alone is known enough to draw a crowd. He started his speech with "The golf course is a place where character reveals itself."
Ava sat in rapt attention. Even the guys sat there taking in his words, which were all motivating and true. Johnny and Bobby soaked in the words of "The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done. Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you. I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." Both boys took that to heart.
Then he spoke about winning. "You must play boldly to win. Winning isn't everything, but wanting it is. Concentration, confidence, competitive urge, and the capacity for enjoyment. That's what you need. Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character. This also applies to life. The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done. The road to success is always under construction. Establish a system you have confidence in and rely on it when you get into tough situations. And you will face tough situations. Everyone does. Trouble is bad to get into but fun to get out of. If you're in trouble, eighty percent of the time there's a way out."
Dutch loved that. He agrees with the man's statement about trouble. There's always a way out...
Mr. Palmer looked around the room and continued talking. "I can only tell you one thing that I do know for sure, I am a dreamer. There are not many people that will recognize or want to recognize the fact that they are dreamers in their own life ... I continue to get up in the morning, enthusiastically, and go pick up a golf club with the thought that I can somewhere find that secret to making the cut. That's just an example, but it applies to other things in life, too, and that's the way I live and the way I think, and the way I feel. I'm not much for sitting around and thinking about the past or talking about the past. What does that accomplish? If I can give you young people something to think about, like the future, that's a better use of my time."
This is one of the most memorable speeches Ava has heard in a long time. Then it happened. Mr. Plamer addressed the recipient of the Oustanding Player award. At the end of his speech, he stated for all to hear "And I have a few words for this year's outstanding player award winner. A golfer after my own heart and a huge fan I hear. Ava Lawrence, my words to you are this."
A huge inhalation of breath was heard from her, as multiple pairs of eyes (from all around the room) trained squarely on her person. Johnny slipped his hand in hers. Overcome with emotion, she tried to hear what Mr. Palmer was saying. "Great touch is often written off simply as 'talent,' which is crucial because a good swing can take a golfer only so far. I've seen thousands of fantastic swings in my day, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Swing your swing. Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No, swing your swing. Capable of greatness. Prized only by you. Perfect in its imperfection. Swing your swing. I know, I did."
After that, the head golf coach called her name to accept the award. All Ava could do is sit there shocked, with her hand over her mouth, in a gasp of breath, and tears. Johnny prompted her to get up. "Go on Babe. Go accept your award. You deserve it."
On shaky legs, still shocked and crying, she stood. A standing ovation was given her, as she made her way to the stage. It was there her golf hero embraced her and told her "Good job kiddo."
She accepted the award and hugged her coach. Everyone expected her to say a few words and she hates that because she's so at a loss for them right now. Somehow she mustered out the comments "At the end of summer, the night before the first day of school, I wrote in my journal. I wrote two things that I remember completely. First I wrote, that I want to do something incredible. Whether it's sinking a deep putt at golf, or taking a leap of faith. The second thing I wrote is that I wished for love. Well, my wish was granted on both parts."
Looking out over the audience, she continued. "I had one of the greatest golf seasons ever. Only capped off by the best game I've ever played in my life. I beat my best score. And I think that would have never happened if I had been playing solely to beat my opponent. As for the other thing, love, I get to share this moment with the love of my life. Which I never thought that would have happened either, but it did."
Trying to keep it short, she ended with "I believe good people finish first not last. I believe that if you try your hardest you will succeed. I believe that truth will always win out over lies. I believe that if you put your heart and soul into something that it will work out in the end. I believe that if you keep your head down and stick with it you'll get there eventually. I believe that love conquers all and things like faith and hope are worth following. I believe in true love. And I believe in following your dreams and keeping them alive. So, here's to all of you believers."
She thanked the room and exited the stage to wild applause. Back at her table, Johnny pulled her in for a hug and kiss. Not caring who saw, she kissed him with equal fervor. "I guess we both made it work, huh?" he asked. His face showed the pride he felt.
"Yeah. We did." Her eyes are only for him and currently, her golf hero, who came to speak at the awards ceremony. It's crazy how things work out like that.
After the banquet, Johnny went with her to meet Mr. Palmer. And that was when he gave her his Tournament Of Champions winning golf club. It's autographed and everything. She held it like it was the most precious, priceless fine china in the world. To her it is. Just like her grandfather, in Savannah, she's going to put it in its own display case.
When the Lawrence's arrived home, Johnny took Ava's honorary plaque and put it on prominent display on the fireplace mantel. He looked at her and said "I'm proud of you Babe. You deserved that honor tonight. I don't know if I've told you, but watching you play golf is like watching someone play chess. I'll never understand it but I'll be your cheerleader and biggest fan."
He locked eyes with her and held both of her hands. "And the truth is all of the things you've been through in your life with your eating problem, nasty rumors, your crazy cousin, and your annoying brother. All of it should have knocked your teeth out and left you bleeding on the floor, but it didn't. You're still smiling and looking pretty. Ava, I'm just so freaking proud of all you've accomplished. And I'm even prouder to get to call you mine."
That did her in. If he's proud of her, then she's even prouder of him. "You're brave and strong. You've fought, and loved, and won, and lost. And yet you walk tall, every day. Even if you're scared, you don't let fear get in your way. You are a force of nature. You're better than all the boys in our class, and even some girls. You don't give a damn what anyone thinks. That's what makes you who you are. Arnold Palmer may be my sports hero, but Johnny Lawrence is my husband. My husband is my true hero."
He pulled her closed to him and rested his forehead on hers. "Not to be a wuss or anything, but I'm feeling all fuzzy and wussy inside right now. The night before school started, while you were writing in your journal, I was out riding with the guys. We crashed a beach party with Ali and Daniel. That was when she and I had been a couple of weeks broken up. We had stopped on a cliff, overlooking the beach, and we were talking. I said I had one year to make it all work. That's what I wanted more than anything. I wanted it all to work out. Life, love, everything."
Taking a breath, he remembered it all so clear. "The funny thing is where I'm standing now is better than where I was sitting then. My personal life was a mess. I had no college prospects, no girl, no respect for myself, and I hated Sid. Everything is so different now. I'm married to the love of my life. I've got a full ride to college, along with you. I respect myself a little more, and that's all because of your love. I still don't like Sid, but I hate him a little less. And that's because of you too. I just..." He trailed off, the emotion rising in him.
"I'm thankful for you. I don't tell you as often as I should and I say stupid things, and get it all wrong. But I love you, Ava. I'm thankful for you and what you bring to my life. And if you stick with me it won't be easy, because I'll probably do something dumb that makes it difficult, but it'll be an adventure of a lifetime." He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and then wiped hers.
"I'm by your side until the end," she told him. All they could hear is the ticking of the clock and the mingling of their breaths. He picked her up and carried her into their bedroom and fell into her arms. And they loved each other in that moment with a passionate fire that burned bright and true.
**Author's Note**
All the words "spoken" by Arnold Palmer are his own, except for a few tweaks here and there. They are all quotes of his molded together to make sense for a "speech". I did not plagiarize, all credit goes to him (just to be clear).