by Lari Smythe
Chapter 15
The day at school was strange on so many levels, but most of all, my being there had the opposite effect Mom thought it would. While it was true I could tell seeing me helped some of the other students, it did more for me—I actually felt kind of bad for that.
"Okay, guys," Coach shouted, "bring it in."
The team folded in around Coach and we took a knee as we always did at the end of practice. In this case, an extremely easy practice.
"Real proud of you all for being here with everything that has gone on the last few days. Our undefeated season earned us first place in our division and a bye in the first round of the playoffs—give yourself a hand for that."
We all clapped, but it wasn't as heart felt as you'd have expected.
Coach folded his arms across his chest. "You're probably expecting me to give you a pep talk on how we need to pull together—given we have an undefeated season on the line—and put in some real hard work at practice, but, that's not what you're going to get—not from me. Sure, I care about our season—I know each of you do too. You all put in a lot of hard work to earn it. But, I don't have to tell you that there are way more important things going on now since Izzy's abduction." He looked at me. "You know I love the game, but well, the game pales in comparison to what's going on right now. Quite frankly, I'm shocked, and pleased, some of you are even here."
Coach took a deep breath. "So, we're not going to have any organized practices for the remainder of the week. I feel like you are a special group of young men—more than just teammates, so if you are so inclined, I'd invite you to stay after school, toss the ball around, or just hang out together and be there for one another during this difficult time. Next week, we'll talk about where we go from here. Okay, that's a rap fella's." Coach concluded. "Real proud of you guys."
"Does that mean we're throwing in the towel?" Alex asked as we headed back toward the school.
"No way." Matt chimed in.
"But no practice?"
"I'm going to go with Matt on this one. I think Coach knows we are all—" I searched for the word—"distracted. So I think he just wants to give us a break, let us sort it all out on our own, or as a team—whatever works."
"So what do you want to do?" Alex asked.
"Honest?"
"Yeah, sure."
"I feel like I just want to crawl into a hole."
"Man, that's rough." Matt said.
"Last time—well last time I felt like I had a choice you know, I could do something or not—this time, there's nothing I can do."
Alex grimaced. "You're not thinking like Izzy isn't coming back, are you?"
I shrugged. "I'm dead without her, that's all I know."
We walked the rest of the way back to the locker room in silence.
The next day, most of the guys showed up in the locker room after school, but true to his word, no Coach. Oh sure, he was in his office, but he made no effort to acknowledge our presence. A few of the guys asked me if there was any change, even though they knew there couldn't have been since they'd asked at lunch. We talked about the season, some special moments we each experienced and then guys started drifting off—headed home.
The following day was pretty much the same, but a few of us hit the weight room. It helped me deal with the anger. As I pushed the press bar past a personal best, I noticed Matt was beating the crap out of the heavy bag. Alex was jumping rope with a fire in his eyes I'd never seen. I couldn't say for sure that what Matt and Alex were doing was related to pent up anger about Izzy and the situation, but it sure seemed that way.
On Thursday, the entire team showed up and we all hit the weight room. It was definitely a stress release workout. I saw Coach at the door twice, but he never came in, or said anything. Most everyone was gone by the time I toweled off and headed for my locker. Coach was waiting for me.
"Still no word?" he asked.
"No, nothing yet."
"I see a lot of the team was here today. It must feel good knowing they support you like that."
I looked up at him and could see my confusion reflected in his face.
"You don't think they're here because they want to be, do you?" He sat down next to me. "The way I figure it, the majority of your teammates would much rather be off doing something else than hanging out after school. No, they're not here because they're dedicated to the program, they're here for you—for Izzy."
"You really think so?"
"Bet my life on it." That hung uneasily between us for a moment. "You given any thought to next week?"
"No." I said honestly. "I can't think about anything but Izzy—where she is—if she's safe, hurt, or even alive."
Coach grabbed the bench on either side of his legs and lowered his head, shaking it from side to side. "I know what you mean." After a few minutes of silence, he got up and went back to his office. I felt like he really did know how I felt, how much I hurt and to a great degree, he hurt for Izzy too. I finished getting dressed and headed for the door.
"Hey, Coach," I called into his office. "See you tomorrow."
He looked up, his eyes red and swollen. He nodded.
I made it to the doors before I turned back. "Coach?"
"Forget something?" he said.
"I was wondering," I said, glancing up at the clock, "do you think Ms. Moore is still here?"
Coach glanced at the clock and then picked up his phone. "Yes, Mrs. Hall, has Ms. Moore has left for the day... Really, well thank you." He hung up the phone.
"Coach," a voice from behind me said, "you have a few minutes?"
I turned. "Hey, Ms. Moore."
"Jason, how are you?" She looked at Coach for some indication of if she was intruding.
"Jason was just asking about you." Coach said.
"May I invaded the inner sanctuary of Warrior football?"
"Jason?" Coach said.
"Sure."
Coach stood, I was already standing, as Ms. Moore stepped into the office and found a seat. It was quiet for a moment. I'd gotten used to the awkwardness during the week. It wasn't anyone's fault, they just didn't know what to say around me—I got that, I didn't know what to say either.
"Can we help with something?" Ms. Moore finally said.
"I don't know—it's kind of last minute."
"Well, why don't you tell us what's on your mind and we'll go from there? That all right with you Coach?"
"Sure enough."
"Well, I was thinking that the last week has been pretty hard on most everyone—you know with everything that's happened." I tried to stay away from specifics—thinking or saying Izzy's name—I knew I would breakdown if I did. "So next week is our shot at regional's and—"
"Jason," Ms. Moore said. "I know you don't want to let your teammates down, but I don't think this is the time—"
"But it is the time." I interrupted. I glanced over at Coach. "Don't you see, I've already let my teammates down—my coaches—my classmates—myself and Izzy." I let my gaze fall to the floor. Just saying her name brought tears to my eyes. I paused a moment to regain my composure. I noticed Coach touch Ms. Moore's arm, I think signaling her to give me a moment. "Do you guys think it would be possible to do a pep rally Friday—tomorrow?" I looked up.
Coach had that proud smile on his face, but Ms. Moore looked shocked. "I don't know, Jason," Ms. Moore said, "it hasn't even been a week—"
"I know—I feel it more than anyone, but we need it—the team needs it—the school needs it—I need it. Izzy is a vital part of our team chemistry—without her, I don't know—but if the school rallied behind us, maybe we could beat this thing and rally to play a good game. Heck, at this point, just stepping out on the field would be a victory. That has to help everyone, right?"
Coach looked at Ms. Moore for a moment, and then to me. "How about at the end of the day?"
"Sure, I can see how that would be easier, but with the weekend and all, I think it would be lost. No, I think we need to have it early in the day."
"Young man has a point." Coach said.
"Anything specific you have in mind?" Ms. Moore asked.
I swallowed hard. "It can't be about Izzy, that would just bring everyone down even more. Like I said, Izzy means a lot to the team, and we're kind of lost without her. I know you probably don't see it, but in the locker room, the weight room, even just in the halls, there's this unspoken obstacle all the players are facing. Our chemistry is broken. As it stands, we don't have a chance in next week's regional's."
"That's completely understandable." Ms. Moore said.
"Sure, you're right, but we're never going to get this chance again. Izzy wouldn't want us to just lay down without a fight."
"So what are you thinking?" Coach asked.
"Like I said, Izzy meant—means a lot to the team—it's a huge deal she's not here, but we're great players, she just brought out the best in us. What we need, is some way to recognize each player and inspire him to go out on that field and play his best—to overcome what's happened."
Coach looked at Ms. Moore, and then to me. "Okay, son, you've got it. We'll work out the details."
"Thanks, I think it will mean a lot to everyone. I don't think a single player didn't feel better after a session with the heavy bag. Maybe, the students will get the same lift watching us play our hearts out." I got up.
"We're going to stay and work out the details." Coach said.
"By the way," Ms. Moore said, I heard Mrs. Snyder is awake and doing much better."
"That's great." I said. "Thanks for letting me know. Well, I better be getting home, I have a test to study for."
"Feel like pizza?" Coach said as I left his office. I guess he and Ms. Moore had a lot to do. I felt bad, dropping this on them last minute and all, but it was important and I was grateful that they were onboard. They were both real special people.
Mom was on the phone when I got home, but I just waved and headed upstairs to the shower. The shower felt great. Don't get me wrong, especially after such an intense lifting session, and of course the emotional drain talking with Coach and Ms. Moore had taken, but it didn't do it's usual magic. I hurt—I hurt everywhere—I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest—at times it was even difficult to breathe—there was just no fixing that.
We ate in silence like we had the last few nights. It was nice Mom was giving me space, but this time was different. Before, there'd always been this little edge she had about Izzy, but now, it felt like she missed her almost as much as I did and even more than that, she understood how I felt. I knew it was hard on her, not being able to help.
The next morning, Mom was in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee when I came down. We made the usual small talk—she asked about the math test I had—but nothing out of the ordinary. When she gave me a kiss goodbye, it kind of looked like she was wearing makeup, but I didn't think anymore about it, she probably had an early doctor's appointment.
Miss Berkshire was late to Advisory class, and as she set her things on her desk, Ms. Moore came on over the loud speaker.
"Students, faculty and teachers, we're going to observe a shortened class schedule today, we have a special surprise planned. At the end of Advisory, would the band report to the band room, cheerleaders to the gym and the varsity football team to the boy's locker room. Thank you."
"What's going on?" A girl in the front of the class asked Miss, Berkshire.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Another chimed in.
"I haven't a clue." Miss Berkshire said. "We'll just have to wait and see." She walked to the head of each row and handed out a stack of papers. "Please take one and pass the rest back."
Class went on like normal, until the early bell.
The locker room was all a buzz with confusion and anticipation. A couple of the guys said they thought we were going to step aside in the playoffs—they definitely didn't know Coach. Finally, Coach made an appearance.
"Everyone here?" He peered over us. "Justin?"
"I'm here, Coach." Justin said as he came out of the bathroom.
"Okay, I know you're all wondering what's up, but well, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. So, first things first. I want you all to put your game jersey on over whatever you're wearing—that's it, just your jersey."
"Mine still stinks." A kid said from the back of the locker room.
"Just wear it."
"Right, Coach."
"Once you're dressed, just hang out here until I come and get you. No one leaves the locker room."
"Got it, Coach." Matt said, stepping beside the door. "They gotta get past me first."
Everyone laughed.
Coach gave me a slight nod, and went into his outer office, closing the door behind him.
"What's going on?" A bunch of the guys started asking.
Matt looked at me. "They find Izzy?" The locker room fell silent.
I guess I should have figured that might come up, but I wasn't prepared for it—I mean I could see how you might jump to that conclusion if you didn't know—I just didn't expect it.
Alex stepped in as all eyes fell on me. "No, Cathy said there's still no news." You could feel the anticipation in the locker room wane.
"Sure, we're all worried about her," I said, "but we've got a game to think about."
Matt patted me on the back. "Give it a rest, Jason. We hear you, but seriously—you think we can play? You think you can play?" The guys started to turn away.
"Hold on a second." I said. "I'm not going to lie, I have no idea if I can play—heck its hard enough just getting through the day. I don't know what they've got planned, but what I know is that you guys have been here for me—for each other—all week and words cannot tell you how much that has meant to me. I don't know where I'd be if it hadn't been for you guys."
"Ah, don't go gettin' all mushy on us." Matt said. A few of the guys laughed, but it was forced.
I slugged Matt in the arm. "No, that's not what I'm sayin'. What I'm sayin' is that you guys have been here for me, to help me cope with what happened, but what about the rest of the school, our classmates, who's been there for them?"
"They had their parent's—the counselors." A boy in the back said.
"Did that help any of you?"
There was a lot of kind of looking around at one another, but no answer.
"They need us guys, more than just someone to root for, but someone to help them see past what happened. I told Coach, I have no idea what will happen when we step out on that field next week, but it's a victory, if we can just do that."
"You told Coach?" Matt said. "So you had something to do with this?"
"I don't know, not really, I just thought we owed it to ourselves to give this our all."
"So you're sayin' forget about Izzy and concentrate on the game—really?"
"No! I could never forget about Izzy, but do you think she'd want us to blow the only opportunity we will ever have at regional's—really?" I mimicked.
The guys kind of looked around at one another.
"No way," Matt said, "Izzy was all about fighting—going for it." That started a string of similar comments. This was becoming about Izzy.
"Okay, okay," I said to get everyone's attention. "One thing—not a word about Izzy."
"But—" Matt started.
"I know, believe me I know, but the kids out there need to forget about what happened. I've heard some kids sayin' they haven't slept a wink since the dance—they're scared. We need to go out there and help them forget—even if it's just for a little while. We can do that, I know we can."
Coach popped his head in the door. "Okay, fella's, when I call your name, I want you to line up against the wall out in the hallway." One-by-one, he went through the team roster. Once we were all out in the hall, Coach came out of the locker room. "Okay, you're going to follow me down to the gym—not a word got it—and then you're going to wait in the hallway. Mrs. Hall will send you in when I call your name, but you will stay back with Mrs. Hall until she tells
you to go into the gym. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sir!" We all replied.
We followed Coach toward the gym, but stopped a good fifty feet from the doors. You could see the repairs. They must have been completed last night, or early this morning. Coach continued on to the doors. He waited until his name was announced and then stepped into the gym. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but the gym was eerily quiet. Mrs. Hall walked a few steps toward the door—presumably so she could hear Coach better—but motioned us to stay put.
Finally, Mrs. Hall motioned the first player in line toward the gym. While the door was open, you could hear light applause. Mrs. Hall motioned for the next boy in line with similar results, when he went through the doorway. It didn't sound like this was going the way I'd hoped. I stepped out of line and walked up to Mrs. Hall.
"They don't sound very enthusiastic." I said.
She looked at me, empathetically. "Maybe it will get better as we go along." She motioned for the next player.
"Maybe, but it's not fair to these guys, right? I mean they work just as hard as everyone else."
"I think it's just—it's too soon." Mrs. Hall said. She motioned for the next player—same lame results.
"Would you please go tell Coach I need to be next."
"Jason, I—"
"Please?"
"Very well." Mrs. Hall motioned for the next boy, but followed him through the doors.
"What's up?" Alex asked as he walked up to me.
"It's not having the affect we hoped for—everyone is still so down."
Alex turned back toward the team. "Matt!"
Matt jogged up. "What's up?"
"The kids are still in 'whoa is me mode'—we need to fix that." Alex said.
"How?" Matt said.
Mrs. Hall came out of the gym. She got this mushy, warm, motherly look on her face when she saw the three of us. "I'll tell Coach." She turned and went back into the gym.
Alex put his arms around Matt and my shoulders. "We got this, right?"
Mrs. Hall poked her head into the hallway and waved us forward. We walked toward the doors with Alex's arms on our shoulders. As we approached, Mrs. Hall leaned forward and pushed the other door open. We stepped into the gym as Coach announced our names. None of us were prepared for what we saw.
On the right, the students were more or less—more less—clapping. On the left, the parent's were doing the same. Next to the parents, a group of maybe six to ten police officers. Across the floor from us, the cheerleaders were just standing there. Alex, Matt and I looked at one another, perplexed and then huddled up.
"Talkin's not goin' to work." Alex said.
"Not a chance." Matt agreed.
I nodded in agreement. "I don't want this to be about Izzy," I said.
"I know," Alex said, "but maybe a little—just about her and us, the football team—you know, the good stuff."
"I hear you," I said, "I just don't know if I can get through that."
There was some shuffling and quiet conversations started in the bleachers.
"What's up, fella's?" Coach said stepping into our huddle.
Matt looked over at Coach. "You okay with a change of plans?"
"What do you need from us?"
I waved Mrs. Hall over. When she joined us, I said, "Can you bring the rest of the team in?"
She looked at Coach, nodded and headed for the doors.
"Mrs. Hall," Alex called after her, "tell them to bring all the helmets—ours too." Alex looked at me for approval.
I nodded knowing how difficult that would be. "Coach, when Mrs. Hall gets back with the team, will you announce the entire football team?"
"You got it."
"We need to get this place loosened up." Matt said.
"That we do." Coach replied. "I don't think any of us realized just how hard this hit everyone—parents included."
Matt smiled. "I got this."
We put our hands in the middle—like we always did on the field—Coach included, did our chant ending with a loud "Warriors!"
Mrs. Hall was already gone and you could hear a slight commotion in the hallway as the team scrambled back to the locker room. It would take them a few minutes to get the helmets and get back. Coach walked to the podium, but stood silently as Matt started across the floor toward the cheerleaders. As he went, he started raising his arms up and down.
"Get up!" he yelled. "Get up!"
When he got to Lisa, he said something to her and then pointed to the band. The cheerleaders lined up with Matt at Lisa's side, and the band started the Warrior fight song. Alex and I gawked as Matt started doing the routine with the cheerleaders. There was laughter from the student section that you could hear over the band and a barrage of flashes from cell phone cameras. Poor Matt was never going to live this one down.
Alex and I looked toward each other. "Salute?" Alex whispered.
"Yeah, like the one we do with Izzy when we score." I replied.
"I got the parents." Alex said and headed toward that side of the gym.
I jogged over to the student bleachers and started a slow walk down the gym, pointing and then pulling my fist against my heart. After a few, just random gestures, I started pointing toward the student who looked the most afraid, or lonely, or sad. After a few more like that, I could see kids actually looking for me to point to them. I slowed, so I could point to each one that looked like they needed, or wanted the gesture.
The band finished the fight song, but just rolled into playing it again. I glanced over at Matt and he'd picked up the routine a little better, but that might have made it even more comical.
Suddenly, from behind me, Coach yelled over the loud speakers, "Your Warrior football team!"
Everyone stood, and cheered. I continued down the bleachers until I reached the end, not missing one kid. Alex and I met Matt at the cheerleaders.
"Nice job twinkle toes," Alex said to Matt.
"Thanks." I said to Lisa.
Her smile was genuine, but strained. We weren't done yet. As Matt, Alex and I jogged over to the team, the guys started our team chant, pumping their helmets over their heads. They tossed us our helmets and we joined in the chant. Finally, we ended with, "Warriors!"
Matt stepped into the middle before we broke. "Let's do this."
"Do what?" I said.
"Stack our helmets, like before."
"Matt, I don't know—"
"Trust me, this is what we all need. You go first, right in the middle of the Warrior logo on the floor."
"Okay." As I walked toward the middle of the floor, the team peeled back toward the entrance. Everyone in the bleachers remained standing, but the gym was so quiet, you could hear each one of my steps squeak across the polished wooden floor. I set my helmet down, and started back toward the team. Matt met me halfway, We slapped a high-five and then Matt continued on, placing his helmet next to mine. This continued, teammate by teammate until the last helmet was placed in the center of the gym in what had become a pyramid of helmets.
"Now what?" I said to Matt.
"Follow me." He led Alex and I over to the podium where Ms. Moore and Coach were standing.
"Thank you boys, that was beautiful."
"Sorry if we messed up your plans." Matt said.
"We're losing them." I mumbled.
"What do you mean, Jason?" Ms. Moore asked.
"They need to forget, we need them to forget even if it's just for a little while—that was the whole idea of this rally, to forget."
"Jason," Ms. Moore said, "no one wants to forget—to better cope, but not forget." She looked at Coach.
He took the cue and stepped up to the mike as everyone took their seats. "Students, parents, I want to thank you for your show of support during this difficult time. Principal Moore and I have a special surprise for everyone." Coach nodded to Mrs. Hall. She walked promptly to the interior doors, and then began to open them.
Coach said," Students, parents, fellow faculty, please join me in
welcoming Mrs. Snyder."
Everyone in the gym jumped up and applauded as Mrs. Hall pushed Mrs. Snyder's wheelchair across the floor. As they got closer, beneath her padded hospital helmet you could see the sever bruising on her face. The whites of her eyes were blood red. Alex and I walked up to her as Mrs. Hall stopped next to the podium.
"We're so glad to see you." Alex said.
"Are you okay, should you be out like this?" I asked.
"I'm going to be just fine, Jason, thanks to you. I owe you my life."
"No, you don't owe me, but seeing you is fantastic."
Coach pulled the microphone off the podium and held it down so Mrs. Snyder could speak.
"Thank you all," she said in a frail voice, "thank you so much for all your prayers and well wishes. As you can see, I have a ways to go, but the doctor's say I will be good as new in a few weeks. I also want to extend a special thanks to Jason. Without his act of bravery I would not be here today." She turned to me and Coach. "Bless you Jason."
Coach stepped toward me with the microphone. I shook my head, not willing to risk my voice.
The gym was in total silence again after the jubilation of seeing Mrs. Snyder. I walked across the gym to the stack of helmets and removed the one from the top. It wasn't mine, but that didn't really matter. The tears were welling up in my eyes, I was about to totally humiliate myself, but deep down, I didn't care. I took a few steps back from the pyramid and set the lone helmet on the floor, the mask facing the students. I paused, to regain my composure as best I could and then walked back to Coach. He handed me the microphone. I motioned for Matt and Alex to join me as I stepped toward the middle of the gym.
I turned to the parents. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy day to be here. I know I speak for the entire team when I say, it means the world to us. Thank you." I turned to the student side of the gym. "Thank—thank—" my voice broke as I looked into their faces.
Matt leaned over the microphone. "Thanks for showing us your support."
Alex followed and added. "This has been a tough week."
"Yeah," Matt said, "real tough, but you know that, it's been tough for all of us."
I had surrendered the microphone to Matt, unable to face my pain. "We need—" I put my hand over the microphone and Matt stopped. Matt nodded and whispered, "You got this. Me and Alex are with you."
I glanced over at Coach and he nodded that I should continue. "Be right back, guys." I whispered. Matt handed me the microphone and then I walked over to Mrs. Snyder.
"I think you all will agree, that no one feels the physical and emotional pain of last weeks abduction more than Mrs. Snyder and I—except maybe Izzy's family. I know you're all as glad to see Mrs. Snyder recovering from her injuries as I am. How are you doing?" There was an uneasy shuffling in the audience. "I'm not doing so good." I patted my chest over my heart. I took a moment to gather myself and noticed a few girls crying—Lisa being one of them. I ignored them as best I could and pressed on.
"You see stuff like this on TV, or hear about it on the radio, but it isn't supposed to happen to you—it happens somewhere far away to someone else. You, me, our parents, teachers & faculty don't know what to do—none of us do, we're hurt, afraid, probably both.
If you're feeling a little awkward about being here today, well, blame me, this was my idea. Ms. Moore, Coach told me it was to soon, that we needed more time and you know what, they were right." I looked around the gym, and spotted Mom—she was one of the ones crying, but I knew it was for more than just how she felt. I knew it was partly because she knew how difficult this was for me.
"I didn't want to think about this, I doubt you do either, but we have a chance to bring home a regional title to our school. I waved my arm across all the students—your regional title. Until yesterday, I don't think there was one player on the team that thought it was possible for us to even play that game." I motioned to the players who were nodding their head's in agreement. "So, you're probably wondering how could we play football after what happened, or maybe, what changed?" A good portion of the students were nodding.
"Well, the weight room was the answer for us. Please excuse me Ms. Moore, but there was something about beating the crap out of the heavy bag, or lifting past your personal best until you couldn't even lift your arms. Did it make the pain go away, no, but it helped get the anger out—the helplessness. Now, I can't tell you we're going to go out there and kick butt next week, but each of my teammates agree that just stepping out on that field will be a huge victory after everything that's happened.
"Yeah!" Matt yelled. A couple boys in the stands echoed Matt's sentiment.
"So Matt, Alex and I are thinking maybe the team could be your weight room—your heavy bag—that yelling and screaming for us to fight might help you cope with your own anger and helplessness."
A buzz of quiet conversation started in the student section of the bleachers.
"While you're thinking that over," I said, "there's one more thing I want you to consider. Every game this year, we started by bumping our helmets with Izzy as we took the field. Since she probably won't be with us for this game, we'd like you—each of you—to fill in for her."
It was quiet for a long moment until Mrs. Snyder pulled my arm down and spoke into the microphone. "I'm in."
"I'm in!" Cathy yelled as she stood.
"I'm in." Lisa said.
"We're in." the rest of the cheerleader squad said, joining Lisa. That started a barrage of students accepting the offer.
"Guys, you want to grab your helmets?" I whispered. We jogged out onto the floor and while the team retrieved their helmets, I picked up the solo helmet and held it between my hands at my waist—the mask still facing the students. The team fell in behind me. Matt and I looked over at the band conductor as the team raised their helmets over their heads.
"One, two, three, four!" Matt yelled and the band started the Warrior fight song again. When they finished, the team took a knee behind me.
"We hope you will come out to the game to support us—we've never needed you more." I pulled the helmet close to my heart and then pushed it out to arms length. "I offer you a chance to show Izzy your support."
Lisa immediately led the cheerleader squad across the floor. She brushed her hand on the helmet I was holding as she passed, and then fell in beside me. The rest of her squad did the same.
Student's began pouring out of the bleachers and lining up to show their support by touching the helmet.
"Will students please return to their classes when they're finished here." Ms. Moore announced. "Thank you all for being here this morning."
I was surprised when Dillon walked by after touching the helmet. Sure, it might have been peer pressure, but he did it just the same. I looked over and there were quite a few parents speaking to Mrs. Snyder. When I looked back, Officer Burns touched the helmet, to pay his respects, followed by he rest of the officers in attendance. I just stood there, tears streaming down my cheeks as the parents also walked by to touch the helmet.