I had worried since spring that if we had two groups, it wasn’t going to work. I think we just found out how right I was.
WHEN I GOT HOME, MOM and Dad weren’t there yet. I went down and started dinner. I was deep in thought when Dad came in from the country club. He had really settled in and was enjoying his new job. I knew he used to love working at the park district, but this was a good move for him.
“What are we having?” Dad asked.
“Since we have zucchini coming out of our ears, I’m making a tomato, eggplant, and zucchini casserole, what Mary Dole calls ‘Ratatouille,’ plus hamburgers and a salad.”
The neighbors all had gardens and they were overflowing with fresh zucchini and tomatoes right now. We were catching the excess bounty. I think we had enough zucchini to last us the rest of the year. Over the years, we’d become creative in using them. Last night Mom had made meatloaf with zucchini in it. Not my favorite, but I was hungry and knew better than to complain.
Dad got himself a glass of iced tea and sat at the kitchen table as I cooked. We talked about Greg and Angie. Angie liked the daycare the university had for Kyle. Kyle didn’t seem to like his first day at all. They had used today as a trial run before classes started tomorrow. Greg told Dad that Kyle was being very clingy when he went to pick him up.
Then Dad asked about my big day.
“It was pretty much how I thought it would be. Coach Hope is trying to run us to death to weed out the ones who can’t handle it. Brad and five of his buddies cornered me in the training room. They warned me that if I didn’t do things their way they would hurt some of the guys.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was good, I kept it under control. They did try to hurt Jim, just before the end of practice. I was proud of my guys jumping in to protect him. It turned into a full-blown fight.”
“I take it you were right in the middle of it. What happened?”
“Well, for once I was nowhere near the actual start of the fight. I was with the defensive team, running drills. I ran over when I heard the commotion escalate. By then everyone was headed over. I saw Tommy Cox sneaking up behind Jim to sucker-punch him, so I got involved. I knocked him off his feet. Brad saw me coming and started to get his group of idiots under control.
“Tommy went nuts. He was focused on me. By this time, everyone else had stopped fighting. The first time he tried to charge me, Coach Hope clotheslined him. He got up and made another lunge at me, but Coach Hope had him under control. I still don’t know how he got away from Coach. I mean, the guy’s an ex-Marine and can handle himself. Tommy charged me and I put him down,” I told Dad.
“This is going to cause all kinds of problems,” Dad said. “You know your mom isn’t going to let you go back if it’s not safe. I never thought we’d have these kinds of problems here, especially with you playing football.”
“Dad, Coach Hope was furious. Anybody fighting will get kicked off the team. He’s going to watch us like a hawk. I think it’ll be okay. If not, I’ll talk to you.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to talk to Tony. Too many good things have been happening to have it derailed by something like this.”
I was sure Coach Hope was getting calls from several of the parents by now. Ever since the Kentucky camp, Brad had had a chip on his shoulder, and I knew why. I think if Isaac hadn’t said what a mistake it was to name Brad quarterback by default, we wouldn’t be in this position now. Brad had been bonding with the younger guys and starting to make friends.
Sure enough, not ten minutes later, Dad handed the phone to me.
“No, I don’t mind you calling, Coach. Our group is all getting together at the Dairy Queen to talk about it. It’ll be interesting to see how they react,” I said.
“Just make sure they don’t decide to retaliate. It would make the situation ten times worse. You need to get this under control, or this season will be shot. It’ll also kill the momentum we have going to get the sports complex built.”
Luckily Mom was still showing houses when I left. I didn’t need her getting mad and taking matters into her own hands. I would be sitting at home tomorrow if that happened.
WE ALL MET AT THE DAIRY Queen after dinner. The discussion didn’t start out well. The guys wanted payback. I knew we could just write this season off if we retaliated so I told them what Tami had said.
“Tami warned me this was going to happen,” I said, getting everyone’s attention. “She said Brad’s group would try some things. She advised us to be patient. She explained Brad’s under a lot of pressure. He has to step in and replace me. Not just replace me; he has to do his best to stop the whispers that he’s not good enough.”
“He’s not as good as you, and we all know it,” Mike said. “If we had a fair competition, I might beat him out as your backup.”
The truth was, Mike was right. He probably could beat Brad out. Mike had gotten much better over the last few months.
“Guys, Coach Hope has as much as told me he’s not going to give us a fair shot,” I told them.
That almost caused a riot. Finally, Wolf whistled loudly and got them to shut up.
“Let me tell you the second half of Tami’s prediction. She said Brad would fold under the pressure. If he even stumbles, and God forbid we lose a game, the town will be pushing to replace him. Coach Hope wants to make his legacy here. Don’t you think he’ll make some changes if we lose the first game ... or even if we struggle?” I asked.
Some of the guys nodded in agreement. You didn’t mess with football in this town. Coach Hope would either make a change or they would look for someone else to lead the team.
“For now, we need to be safe. I made the mistake of being alone this morning. Brad and five of his buddies cornered me in the training room. Starting right now, you must always have a buddy with you. This is going to blow wide open if we aren’t careful, and people will get hurt.”
THE DAIRY QUEEN WAS where all the teens go to be seen. When a large portion of the Lincoln High School’s football team is there, it tends to attract girls. When girls show up, then other boys show up. Thirty minutes after we arrived the place was packed. Dairy Queen should give us a free cone when we come in.
All the cheerleaders were avoiding me. No one was being rude. They just would say hi and move on. Gina and Alan showed up and she made a beeline for me.
“What’s this I hear you’re dating Lisa Felton?” were the first words out of her mouth.
I raised my eyebrows and decided just to play along.
“Where did you hear that? It’s supposed to be a secret,” I teased her.
“O.M.G., I can’t believe you’d do it!” Gina exclaimed.
“O.M.G., how do these wild rumors get started?” I tried hard to imitate her voice.
Even Alan chuckled. He knew if I tagged Lisa Felton, my world would get turned upside down. Tami might not be talking to me, but that wouldn’t stop her from sending a hit squad after my butt. Being in England wouldn’t stop a text message from changing my life.
“Don’t try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes. You’re dating her,” Gina told me.
“Okay, you got me. Just so you know, I’m also dating Hannah Minacci ... in my mind!”
Gina took a long look at me and then huffed. She turned to Alan.
“Is he or is he not dating Lisa?” she asked him.
“Not. He’s way too relaxed. He was pulling your leg about them dating,” he told her. “Now Hannah Minacci, that I’m on the fence on. He might have a shot at that one.”
I gave him a high five. Gina was not amused with either of us and went in to order.
“So, just between us, you’re not dating her, are you?” he asked.
“No, Kim Sun saw us at the diner across the hospital two Mondays in a row. Lisa’s little brother was sick, and she and I went there for a break. I was volunteering with my mom,” I told him. “I’d agree we’re now better friends, just not the hooking-up kind of friends.”