A Man In Motion Beats Texas

"How'd it go? How was practice?"

"Oh, tremendous."

Corky made a face at the sarcasm.

For a long time that evening, after his four children were in bed, McKay sat in front of the color TV, half-watching and half-working on a piece of scratch pad—x's and o's.

" Rock Hudson's only been married once, right?" Corky said. She had been watching a late movie with Rock Hudson and Doris Day.

"I don't know, Cork," said John McKay. "I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to keep up with the old Rock."

"Ohhhhh," said Corky.

McKay put the felt pen down. "That's it, Cork," he said.

"I don't see how Texas can possibly make a first down." He smiled. "Until after the kickoff."

On Friday morning McKay packed his bag to move into the peacock and parrot suite for the weekend. The morning paper had USC a five-point favorite. "That's logical," he said wryly. "Maybe if we lose two more quarterbacks we'll be favored by 14." Michele, his 15-year-old daughter, had left a good-luck charm by his plate, as is her custom. This time it was a Mexican coin. A good-luck charm is whatever Michele wants it to be, McKay said, and put it in his pocket. They waved him goodby and Corky called out, "Glad you got a chance to see us." McKay smiled to himself as he pulled out of the driveway.