My dearest Deborah:

It is with heavy heart that I write this letter.

As you are perhaps already well-aware, my mind has been drifting a bit as of late. I fail to immediately answer your questions. It’s like I’m somewhere in a dream world. I hear you speak, but it’s like I’m failing to comprehend your words. All of that has led me to the assumption that you must feel I’m coming across as an uncaring individual.

That is really not the case. I do deeply care for you, as I have for the past 32-plus years. I’ve enjoyed and still enjoy the love we share, but…dare I say it…there’s another in my life.

There, it’s finally off my chest, something I’ve wanted to do for some time now. I’m hoping that by being truthful, open and honest with you that you’ll understand the feelings I have for this other love of my life. With your love and understanding, perhaps all three of us can work through this situation.

Deborah, I love football.

Just seeing that oblong brown ball makes me feel like a young teen experiencing their first love. The smell of its leather is as sweet as honey. When I run my fingers across its white laces, my heart pounds so much to the point where it feels as though it may explode within my chest.

My passion runs so deep for this other love that it has led me to lie to you. I can only ask for your forgiveness.

On those Friday nights in late summer and fall when you thought I was here at the office, I was actually out covering high school football games. On Saturday afternoons when I told you I was visiting my sick great aunt in the rest home, I was in Murfreesboro, Greenville or Raleigh fulfilling my lust for football at games involving Chowan University, East Carolina and NC State.

As you may have noticed over the years, I’m never at home on Monday nights from September through early January. Again, I was able to convince you that my absence on that particular night was work-related. I must admit to you now that at 9 p.m. on Monday nights, I have a date with “Jaws” (Ron Jaworski), Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico. No, no, dear…it’s not that. That trio comprise the broadcast team for ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

When I hear Hank Junior’s “Are You Ready For Some Football,” my knees go as weak as a teenage girl getting her first kiss (not that I know anything about young girls and kissing).

I just hope you can understand. I promise that I’ll be faithful to you and only you just as soon as the final gun sounds to end Super Bowl XLVI (46 for you non Roman Numerical folks). Not that I’m counting or anything, but that big game is only 166 days away – Feb. 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, please overlook my absence from home. I still love ‘ya, but it’s football season.

If you cut your hair or change around something in the house, please don’t expect me to notice until Feb. 6 at the earliest.

With all my love,

Cal

Cal Bryant is Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. He can be contacted at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.