by Lari Smythe
Chapter 2
The last few days of summer passed quickly and then we were back in school. I stopped in to see Ms. Moore the first day, and while she was glad I'd toned down the black—I was actually wearing regular, faded blue jeans—I could tell she wasn't all that impressed with my eye makeup. It turned out there was only one AP Art class so at least Jason and I were together for that class, but that was the only one. The rest of my classes were okay, some of the same teachers and familiar faces. Being away from Jason for so long, was torture. Finally the last bell rang. The week was over and we had the long weekend.
Mrs. Snyder walked over to Jason, Cathy and my table. "Can you all bring in your portfolios next class."
Cathy nodded.
"Sure, Mrs. Snyder," Jason said.
"Uh, about that, mine was destroyed in a fire over the summer."
"Oh, I heard about that on the news," Mrs. Snyder said. "I didn't realize that was your house. It looked really bad, I was glad to hear no one was hurt. It's a shame, you had some wonderful pieces. Well, we'll do the best we can to put something together for you. I think I might still have a few of your drawings in the back. You all have a nice holiday."
"You too, Mrs. Snyder," Jason said. He draped his arm around my shoulder and we headed for the door. Cathy hung back.
"You coming?" I called back to her.
"Go ahead, I'll catch up later."
"You coming with Alex to the football picnic?"
"We'll be there."
"Okay, see you then."
Jason walked me out to my car. We we're just leaning up against the fender of Jason's Rover when Ms. Moore pulled up.
"How's art working out?"
"I'm behaving myself," Jason said.
"Me too," I added.
Ms. Moore smiled. "Is that yours?" she asked Jason.
"Yes ma'am, did some work for Izzy's dad and he gave it to me for helping." Jason nodded toward my car. "That one's Izzy's."
"They match," I said, stating the obvious.
"Yours was black last year as I recall."
"Yes ma'am, it was." She probably thought it was the same car.
"Well, I like the green much better. Oh, before I forget. Mrs. Snyder said yours was the house that burned down this summer. I'm so glad nobody was hurt. You didn't mention it this morning."
"We're staying with my sister and my dad thinks we'll have the house finished in a couple of weeks."
"Well, you've certainly been through a lot. I'm glad you and your family are okay. Well, I'm headed out for a little vacation."
"You deserve it, Mrs. Moore, you work really hard," Jason said.
"Well, thank you for saying that. I'm sorry I'll miss the football picnic tomorrow. Coach Singleton has high hopes for you this year. I'm really looking forward to some Warrior football. You two have a nice weekend." She rolled up the window and drove away.
"Checkin' up on us I guess," Jason said, leaning over and kissing me.
"Somebody has too." I pulled back from another kiss. "Did you think Cathy seemed a little distant?"
"You mean like not talking to us and sitting on the other side of the table? Yeah, now that you mention it."
"I'm kind of worried about her."
"Nah, she's fine, it's just well, knowing what she does it has to be kind of weird being with us."
"I guess. You don't think—"
"Nah, she's not going to say anything, not even to Alex." He gave me another kiss. "Listen, I gotta head back. Tell your dad I'll be there after practice."
"Okay. See ya." I gave him a quick kiss and then he opened my car door for me. I just sat and watched him walk across the parking lot to the gym. When he disappeared through the side entrance, I headed home. I passed a couple of motorcycles riding together on the way—that always alarmed me—but they were just regular people headed out for a weekend of camping in the mountains.
We all decided to hunt before Jason arrived even though it had only been a few days. The deer population was becoming very depleted since we'd been in the area for such a longtime, so we shared kills, only needing enough blood to better tolerate Jason. By the time Jason left that night, the entire house was framed and under roof. He wanted me to come home with him, but the coach had worked them hard and he was tired and sore, so I convinced him to go home alone and to get some rest.
The day of the picnic was rainy—which was great for me—but not so good for the picnic. Instead of outdoors, they held it in the gym. Like I said, it was perfect for me, no sun to worry about. Jason's mom seemed to be warming up to my being in Jason's life, we even sat together. I could tell she was troubled that I didn't eat, but she didn't say anything. Truth is, I was kind of sick with the heavy smell of all the greasy food and sweaty people. The school had turned off the air conditioning for the long weekend and the gym was hot despite having the windows open. I excused myself from the table and went and stood outside under the awning.
"There you are," Jason said, opening the door. "You okay?" He glanced back at the crowded room. "Oh, you want to go?"
"Aren't they announcing the players and captains?"
"Yeah, but I don't have to—"
"Yes you do. I'll be fine, just give me a few minutes."
"They're cleaning up. Mom is saving you a seat. See you inside."
I took some deep breaths to try and purge as much of the human element from my system as I could and then went back inside to find Jason's mom.
"Up here, Izzy," she called, waving at me. Great, right in the middle of the crowd. At least she was on the aisle. She scooted over as I approached.
"Thanks," I said as I took my seat next to her.
"This is going to be a big year for him, don't you think? I can just feel it."
"Sure, last year he proved he's Coach's go to guy."
"I like the sound of that, 'go to guy'. Looks like they're getting ready to start."
The boy's were on folding chairs with what appeared to be most of the younger ones on the left. I assumed they must be the JV team. Coach made his way to the portable podium. Everyone quieted down.
Tap, tap, tap. "Can you all hear me okay?" Coach said.
"Loud and clear." A somewhat familiar voice answered from the crowd. I looked toward where the voice had originated, but didn't see anyone I recognized.
Coach made some general announcements and thanked the booster club and everyone who had helped with the picnic preparations and then turned the podium over to the JV Coach. He talked about how hard they boys had worked and that he expected a better than average season. Then, he began to announce the name and position of each of the JV players.
I would have been bored to death if it wasn't for the anticipation of the varsity announcements.
"And finally, Dillon Curly will be quarterbacking this years JV team." the coach said.
A boy, red in the face, half stood before sitting back down. The previously familiar voice from the crowd half yelled, "That's BS." The outburst brought a scowl to the JV Coach's face and I followed his glare into the stands. And there he was, Derrick. Of course, I thought, Curly, Derrick Curly. So, Dillon was Derrick's little brother and from Derrick's outburst and Dillon's red face they must have expected Dillon to be on the varsity team.
Coach Singleton got up and took the podium, his harsh glare was fixed on Derrick before he spoke. "Well, looks like a great JV team this year." He cleared his throat while scanning the audience. His gaze came to rest on me for a moment and his expression softened—or maybe he was looking at Jason's mom, I couldn't be sure.
"Well, normally I'd go straight into the varsity team introductions, but we have some unfinished business from last year."
This time I was sure Coach was looking at me.
"Jason, come on up here."
Jason looked really surprised, but got up and walked across the gym to the podium.
Coach Singleton took a piece of paper out of his shirt pocket like maybe a prepared speech, but seemed to think better of
it and put it back in his pocket. Coach shook Jason's hand. "Well then, as most of you know, Jason stepped in as quarterback at the end of last season and did a great job despite some significant obstacles. For that, he earned last seasons most improved player, but that's not why I asked him up here today." Coach cleared his voice. "Over the years I've had the opportunity to coach some great kids, kids that worked hard, overcame adversity and became better people because they loved the game." Coach cleared his voice yet again. This was obviously difficult for him. "But, in all my years, I have never had one of my players put the welfare of a fellow student first—not the way this young man did." Coach put his arm around Jason's shoulder. "I won't go into the details, they're private—"
"Raincoat!" A voice blurted out, just loud enough to be heard.
Of course I knew exactly where it came from, Dillon. Poor Jason turned beet red as the JV coach stormed over and gruffly escorted Dillon out through the double doors into the hallway. Not to be outdone, Derrick stormed down the bleachers toward the doors, but two security officers met him and escorted him out of the gymnasium.
"That's bull Coach! That guy's a loser, everyone knows he got that freak pregnant."
The security officer's hurried him out through the doorway to the parking lot.
"Made her get an abortion too!" Derrick yelled before the doors closed behind him.
It was no surprise that the gym had fallen into an awkward silence. Jason's face was crimson and despite being black, Coach looked totally embarrassed as well. Why did Coach do this? Sure, he meant well, but seriously these were high school kids and by the time the next week of school was over the entire freshman class would think it was true. I wouldn't be surprised if even some of the students that knew better would doubt what they believed.
"Yeah, she's the one."
I glanced past Jason's mom to a freshman that was pointing at me.
"He got her pregnant?" the boy next to him gawked.
"My son did no such thing!" Jason's mom said.
The people around us turned to look as I let my head sink into my hands. Things had been getting better with Jason's mom, but I could feel the wall building between us again. I was so hurt, so ashamed that I wished I could disappear. I glanced up at Jason and the pain in his eyes was like a dagger to my heart, but then I realized, he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at his mom.
"Well," Coach began again, "as you can see, Jason put his entire reputation on the line, even risked not passing eleventh grade—mind you now, not a one of those rumors are true, just malicious high school gossip, nothing more." Coach pointed toward the audience and slowly moved his pointed finger across the bleachers. You could feel the uneasiness. "How many of you out there have faced a crossroads and not had the courage to make the right decision, or any decision at all?"
No one answered like you'd expect.
"And how about when you were seventeen?" Coach waited for what seemed like an eternity to let that sink in. "Come on now, we've all been there, faced that impossible choice. Well, that's what young Jason here faced, but he didn't hesitate to jump right in and help his fellow student. Oh sure, he had doubts and I know for a fact he knew it was completely possible he would be held back a grade and not be able to play football this year, but he didn't let that stop him."
It was quiet for a minute. I noticed Jason's mom shift in her seat.
Coach continued, "Not to take anything away from young Jason here, but he has one special mother. Would you mind standing, Nancy?"
I glanced over and saw Jason's mom adamantly shaking her head no.
"Well, that's okay, I guess that was a little presumptuous, my apologies. At any rate, you've raised one special young man and I am proud to know the both of you."
I looked up when I heard someone clapping, it was Coach. Before I knew what happened, the entire varsity football team stood and started clapping and then, everyone in the bleachers. Jason's mom was still sitting by me. I looked at her and silently mouthed, "I'm sorry."
She gave me a short, sympathetic glance and then looked away. It was easy to see she was still humiliated.
"Hold it down a minute. Could you please hold on just one more minute?" Coach said, quieting the crowd. "Hold on now. Well, I wasn't going to do it this way, but let me introduce this year's starting, varsity quarterback, Jason Whitaker."
"Yeah, Hollywood!" Alex shouted and the team started clapping again.
When they quieted down, Coach said, "Those of you who were at the games last year know we changed our style of offense when Jason stepped in as quarterback. Well, I'm here to tell you that you're going to see some real fireworks this year. We've completely revamped the offense and you're in for a real treat. I have high expectations for these boys—all of them—but they've put in a lot of hard work and showed real determination and all you parents out there should be real proud of your boys. So, without further ado, here is the rest of this year's varsity team."
One-by-one Coach called the boys names and they stood and acknowledged the audience with various gestures. For most of the boys there was a cheer from one or both of his parents, maybe a sibling or girlfriend. Coach introduced the defensive captain and then walked over to where Jason was sitting. Jason's mom got her camera ready.
"As you know, the captains are chosen by the team, and this year, the offense picked Matt Costas and Jason Whitaker as co-captains."
Jason and Matt stood and slapped a high five as everyone cheered.
"Well, that raps it up," Coach said, "I look forward to seeing you all at the games this year." A mad rush for the doors started. "If anyone would like to stay after and help cleanup it would be greatly appreciated," Coach yelled over the commotion.
I slid my legs to the side so Jason's mom could squeeze by. She took a few steps down the bleachers and then turned back.
"You don't mind if I stay to help do you?" she said.
"No, of course not," I said to the floor.
"Izzy," Jason's mom said.
I looked up.
"What happened here isn't your fault."
"Isn't it?" I replied.
"Well, I'm sorry you had to sit through that." She turned and walked down to the gymnasium floor to help. I knew what she really meant, she was sorry she and Jason had to sit through it.
The rush of emotions from being thrown back to that time was overwhelming and I sat frozen, alone on the bleachers. Jason and I had come so far since that dreadful time, yet here it was again, out in the open—well most of it—for everyone to judge. This was supposed to be Jason's big year, but the stigma that I brought threatened everything. Once again there would be the sideways glances, whispers and innuendos. I loved him too much to let this happen again.
"Don't even think it," Jason said.
I looked up into his beautiful face.
"But it's happening again."
Jason sat down next to me and put his arm around me. "Not if we don't let it."
We both looked down to the floor of the gymnasium at a boy pointing toward us. "Yeah, she's the one he knocked up."
Jason jumped up, flaring his chest and the two scampered out the side door. Jason reached down and took my hand. "Come on, let's help cleanup." There were several bags of trash piled at the base of the bleachers so we grabbed those and headed for the dumpster. Once we tossed them in, Jason put his arm around me. Despite my glum mood, the energy between us brought a smile to my lips and before I knew it, they were filled with Jason's kiss. I locked my arms around him and returned the kiss.
Jason pushed back. "That's my girl." He made the same motion between us he had back on the bleachers at the football stadium last year. "We are what matters, and we are all in, no matter what. Got it."
"Yeah, got it."
He wrapped his arm around me and we started back for the gym. I was on Jason's right, toward the curb. As we rounded the corner of the building, a ricer—Derrick—revved his engine and started toward us. I instinctively pushed Jason behind me to prot
ect him. Derrick skidded to a stop next to us. Dillon leaned out the window and yelled, "Losers!" He laughed and then added, "He's hiding behind a girl." Derrick gunned the engine sending a plume of oily smoke over us. The tires chirped and they took off across the parking lot headed for the exit.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Don't worry about it," Jason replied. He nodded toward the doors of the gym.
"Is that the JV coach?"
"Yep." Jason gave me a little squeeze. "Come on, lets see if there's anything else we can do to help."
The JV coach held the door open as we approached. "Jason, Izzy." He nodded as we passed.
"Coach," Jason replied.
Once we were inside, I whispered to Jason, "How does he know my name?"
"You kidding? The entire football team knows who you are and what you did last year to turn the team around."
"But—"
"Coach talks about it when he's trying to make a point about working hard and the spirit to win."
"But I thought that was kind of going to be forgotten. What was it he said, 'a lapse in judgment'."
"Some of the new guys needed a little inspiration and well, I guess he couldn't think of a better one. I know I couldn't have."
I pulled up as we rounded the corner of the bleachers.
"What?" Jason said, but then noticed his mom talking to Coach. "What are they saying?"
"I thought you didn't like me to eaves—"
He shot me an annoyed glare.
"Okay, your mom is saying she thinks I'm going to be a distraction."
Jason let go of my hand and started toward them, but I grabbed his arm.
"Wait." I cocked my head to the side to listen more closely. "Coach says he values your mom's opinion, but despite what happened here, that in all his years as a high school teacher and coach he has never seen a closer couple." I glanced up at Jason's smile.
"Your mom says that's her point."
"What's Coach saying now?"
"He's reminding her about what I did for you last year."
"Checkmate," Jason said. He looked down at me and must have sensed my hesitation. "Oh no you don't, you are not a distraction, you are my inspiration, I would do absolutely anything for you."
"I know." I patted his cheek. "I just wish I could get your mother to like me a little more."
"She's afraid of you, you know," Jason whispered.
"I thought she didn't remember anything about that night?"
"No, she's afraid you're going to take me a way from her, and one day, you will if I have anything to say about it."
"That's sweet, but one day at a time tiger."