by Lee Magnus
They entered a restricted area leaving Trey’s personal guard behind. He followed her down a brightly lit hall to turn right into a key carded room. On a desk sat a large box addressed to Janet Boatright.
“Oh, Trey! It’s here!” She sounded like a teenage girl who was just approached by the most popular guy in school.
“What is it?”
She opened the box, scraped away layers of biodegradable packaging peanuts then removed a plain wooden box. She opened the housing to reveal something protected by layers of bubble wrap.
She looked at Trey like it was her birthday and about to open the best gift.
She carefully removed several pieces of tape then unwound an oval object with an inscription carved into the face.
“What’s that say?” Trey asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied inspecting the intricate letters.
“It looks like a warning,” Trey said ominously.
“Yeah. It does.”
She rested the dark stained wooden piece onto the bubble wrap and said, “This came to me from the chieftainess of a native tribe in Utah. Her family passed it down for over two thousand years. She reached out to me over a month ago wanting to protect it. She doesn’t have any other family to pass it down to.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know. Let’s open it to find out,” she said excitedly.
She began to carefully pry open the object.
“You’re gonna open it?” Trey said worriedly.
She looked at him curiously, “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“The warning,” Trey stated.
“We don’t really know that’s a warning, plus, I’ll be very careful.
Trey looked at his mom cautiously as she rolled the wooden egg shape until she found the spot she was looking for. She then carefully pried the pieces apart revealing a stunning headdress made of gold and jewels. It was designed to wrap around the wearers head which would then prominently display wide bands of feather-shaped gold strips slightly layered side by side. Each feather was encrusted with red and green jewels. The golden feathers tapered in size from about seven inches in the middle front to one inch in the back. Raised shapes of familiar animals made of differing colors of metal decorated a thin band circumferencing the base. It looked as if it were used as a crown.
“That doesn’t look like it was made by anyone in ancient America,” Trey said insinuating his mom may have been scammed.
“I know. Isn’t it beautiful?” she said disregarding his doubtful tone. “I think it came from Egypt.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I’ll have to look, but I think these are ostrich feathers. See how wide and bowed they are?”
“Yeah. They don’t look like the ones in your collection. But how? How did a family in Utah thousands of years ago come across a headdress such as this?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask those questions. I just said yes and had it shipped here rather than the office across town considering most of my time is spent here with my exhibition.”
Trey inspected it further and noticed a striking feature. A small thin piece of metal shaped into a fist holding a single rose. It was placed precisely in sync with the rest of the design. He wouldn’t have noticed had he not seen that color of metal before. It wasn’t gold, but another metal that was copper in color but nearly blended in perfectly.
Is that a – He looked closer – a portal key? He was so surprised he nearly said it out loud. But it looks different than Lyza’s. He dared to lean in closer. He reached his hand to caress the intricately constructed feathers. As his finger came into contact with the piece a heart-stopping pulse rocketed through him. The pulse forced him to a knee like he’d been punched in the stomach. He coughed several times before catching his breath.
“You ok, honey?” Mom said as she looked over a paper.
“Yeah. I just uh –“ He noticed his mom wasn’t paying attention, so he didn’t finish his excuse.
He peered at the artifact and dared to touch it another time. As his finger pressed against the cold metal, nothing happened. He pressed it several more times finally picking up the piece.
“No! No! Trey. Don’t touch it. It says here that we shouldn’t touch it. Tarnish and such I suppose.”
He gently set it down. His mom quickly went over it with metal cleaner and specialized utensils.
With urgency in his voice he said, “What do you intend to do with it? You can’t display it considering it isn’t Native American.”
“Easy, T. You’re right. I can’t display it and I don’t know what to do with it. I’ll probably get the curator of the National Museum of History to take it.”
“No!”
She looked at him strongly.
He backed off and said in a less forceful but equally urgent tone, “I mean, no. I don’t think you need to tell anyone about it yet. Let’s do some research first. Maybe we can find something online. It looks very important. I don’t think anyone needs to know we have it.”
“Why do you have such interest in ancient artifacts today?”
“Well, uh, Kathy,” He thought quickly. Aunt Kathy was talking about Grandpa and got me interested in his work. I guess I just have that side in me,” he gave an uneasy smile and shrug.
She regarded him another second or so, smiled an enthusiastic mama smile then said cheerfully, “Ok. Let’s do some research and see what we can come up with. It’ll be a fun thing we can do together.”
Trey took a picture of it with his phone then said, ”You need to put this somewhere no one can find it.”
“There are lockers near the cleaning lab. I can put it there anonymously.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks, Mom,” he said then hugged her. “We have to go now…my game.”
“Ok. Let me take this to the locker.
She rewrapped the case placed it back in the box then carried it away. A few minutes later she returned with only a locker key in her hand.
“Ready to go?”
“Yep.”
Trey’s heart pounded. His mind struggled with questions about how this could have possibly found its way to his mom by chance. It was too circumstantial she received it knowing what he was currently facing and his family’s history with such artifacts.
They reentered L’Enfant Metro Station and took a west bound train back to Tyson’s Corner where they previously left the car. He didn’t notice the security detail following nor did he consider rogglets on this trip while his mind raced over the discovery of the headdress.
~~
They drove to the soccer complex where he began to prepare his mind for the match against Ridgeview and pushed away the revelation of the artifact for the next ninety minutes. His mom wished him luck and gave him another hug. He then ran off to the sidelines to meet his team.
Coach Rafiq addressed the boys, “Ok team! Ridgeview is a formidable opponent. They haven’t yet been defeated. Today that changes! Let’s stay focused out there, play your positions and most importantly communicate! One, Two, Three!”
“Pirates!”
“Good luck,” Trey said to Davis as they took the field. Davis simply returned a nervous smile.
Trey causally waived to Don and Donald in the stands then gave a smile and salute to Leslie who sat on the front row.
“Pop, Pop, Snap,” on his shoulder alerted Trey of Tessie’s presence.
“Thanks Tessie!” he whispered. “Now get out of here before someone sees you!”
Tessie popped away as Trey smiled at his fan support.
Trey walked the slightly dampened pitch toward his position at right midfield repeating a mantra under his breath, “I move the ball well. I pass the ball well. I shoot the ball well. I move the ball well. I pass the ball well. I shoot the ball well.” Over and over.
His boots gripped firmly in the grass. The significance of the day’s previous excitement – a distant memory. His intense focus was solely to perform the job at
hand to the best of his ability.
“I move the ball well…”
The sidelines were packed – everyone eager to see the battle between two undefeated teams. Trey took his position. Shortly after, the whistle blew indicating the start of the match.
Ridgeview launched aggressively with several successful passes, then turned the ball over to the Pirates right defender. He passed back to the keeper who booted it down the left field.
Several change of possessions later Ridgeview’s center midfielder sent the ball to the right forward who placed a perfectly lofted ball into the path of their striker’s head leading to the first score of the game, prompting glorious cheers from the Ridgeview supporters.
A few change of possessions later, Trey received the ball from a defender then one-touched to Robbie, the right forward.
“Get open, Davis!” yelled Robbie.
He dropped it back to Trey who placed a target leading pass back to Robbie who caught his fullback on the wrong foot. Robbie attempted to center the ball, but the center fullback punted it away from Davis.
“You have to make space, Davis. Otherwise, the defender or keeper will get the ball every time.”
“Shut up Trey and do your job!” Davis spouted.
After several more possessions, Phillipe sent the ball to Trey who dribbled past a midfielder with a shoulder feint, then a defender with a stepover. He continued toward the left side of the field before passing it off to the left winger. Trey moved forward into open space toward the goal. The left winger centered it. Trey had a nice shot but let it go to the better positioned Davis. Davis missed the pass completely, watching it exit the back of the field.
“That was your ball, Trey! Why didn’t you score!” yelled Davis.
Trey and Phillipe shared a concerned glance, then moved back into position to defend the goal kick.
After a few more possessions the whistle blew twice indicating half time.
“Dude,” Phillipe said to Trey as they walked toward the sideline. “We’re gonna lose this game if Davis keeps hacking. We have to do something about it.”
“I know! He’s killing us.” He looked toward the bench. “I’ll talk to Coach. I’ll see if he’ll rearrange the positions for the second half.”
Coach Rafiq addressed the team, “Guys, you’re doing well but we’re not finding many open shots on the goal.” Trey and Phillipe looked at each other. “Robbie, you as right forward need to move more center to draw the defense away from Davis. Trey, you and Phillipe keep doing what you are doing. Defense, you are outstanding let’s give them a hand. Keep it up and we will come out of this with a win!”
“Coach,” Trey said in private as he followed Rafiq away from the team.
“What is it, Trey?”
“Davis isn’t getting open. Put me at striker and we’ll win this game.”
“I won’t change it now. Give him the opportunities he needs. Help him get open.”
“I can’t play the game for him, Coach,” Trey said emphatically.
“No, you can’t. You’ll just have to do the best you can in your position.”
Trey looked out onto the field then said, “The best I can…in my position.”
Rafiq gave a questioning look in response to Trey’s comment.
“Ok! I’ll do the best I can!” Trey said with a big smile running out onto the field.
Startled at Trey’s instant change in demeanor he yelled, “Play your position, Trey! Play your position!”
Back on the pitch, Trey gave Phillipe a straight-faced nod. Understanding what to do he nodded back. He did the same to Robbie the right forward. Davis dropped the ball back to Phillipe, the center midfielder, to start the second half. Phillipe passed to Trey who passed forward to Robbie. Trey darted into open space past Davis separating the defenders. Robbie quickly sent it back to Trey who nailed an upper left corner goal. The home crowd cheered wildly at the quick score.
“Yeah!” shouted Rafiq. “Nice goal, Trey! Play your position!”
“Why didn’t you center it! I was wide open!” hollered Davis at Robbie.
“Davis, try slowly drawing your defenders away from the goal then quickly turning back to your right. That should give you enough space to receive a lead from me,” Robbie said. “Then all you have is the keeper to beat.”
“Who’s the striker here, huh? I know what I’m doing!”
They returned to their positions. Trey, Robbie and Phillipe shared a confident nod.
Ridgeview kicked off the ball to continue the game. Several possessions later Trey won the ball from a Ridgeview forward near the penalty arc after a blocked corner kick. Way out of position he had no one to pass to. He drove the ball with quick precise movements. He spun around a midfielder, sprinted, stopped the ball short with the inside of his left foot then redirected the ball with his right to avoid another midfielder. He passed to Phillipe who caught up with the drive. Phillipe immediately one-two’d it back to Trey. Trey stepped over, then shot it through the legs of a defender to continue the run which drew various shouts from the crowd, “Meg!” He glanced at Davis breaking out to his left with an arm up and a defender on his heels. Trey chose to ignore the incompetent striker. He snaked past the last defender, then powered a shot over the keeper to put the Pirates ahead by one. The crowd rose to their feet cheering at the change in momentum. Ro-berts, Ro-berts, Ro-berts they chanted.
”Coach! They’re completely ignoring me out there,” whined Davis holding his arms wide.
“Trey! Robbie! Phillipe! Use your striker! This is a team effort!”
“Ok, Coach!” Trey said as the three players smiled at each other. “Phillipe! Coach says we need to use our striker!” Trey yelled with adrenalin saturated veins.
“Ok Trey! Let’s do it!”
Ridgeview kicked off again, Phillipe intercepted an errant pass to the center midfielder. He dribbled past a defender toward Davis at a left angle to the goal. Trey dashed into the open no more than seven yards to the right of Davis. Phillipe quickly passed to Trey who boomed the ball off the angled back of Davis propelling it into the net. Davis plummeted to the ground face first from the force of the strike. The crowd cheered wildly at the goal.
“Congratulations Davis!” Trey said happily to the downed boy. “You scored your first goal as striker!” He ran off to give Phillipe a high-five before settling into his position at right midfield.
Trey made one more impressive goal by streaking through the defense to place a well faded left footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal to complete the hat-trick. Three whistles followed to give the Pirates a firm victory over Ridgeview. Cheers from all around as the champions left the field.
After Rafiq dismissed the team, Trey replaced his soccer boots with athletic shoes then heard from a familiar voice, “That was a brilliant game you played!” He looked up to find Lyza from the other side of the fence. “I’ve never seen a right midfielder make so many goals in one game.”
Trey’s elation faded into worry, “You! What are you doing here?”
“What? I can’t watch a sports match in my free time? That striker of yours sure is a nasty kid,” she said smiling.
“Yeah. He’s not very nice. But I feel bad for what I did. I should have included him in the second half. I didn’t have to embarrass him.”
“He was embarrassing himself. He deserved it. Plus, he got credit for the goal which will look good on his record,” she replied.
“I suppose so. But no one deserves to be treated poorly.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“That was a good game you played today,” said Coach Rafiq from behind as he joined the conversation. “I’m disappointed you didn’t play your position, but you helped us come out with a win and I appreciate that. You have your position back.”
“Thanks, Coach! I won’t let you down again.”
“I know you won’t,” he said with a fatherly smile. “I just wanted to teach you about commitment and communication. Cl
early you didn’t learn the latter.”
“I have now.” Trey hung his head seemingly ending the conversation.
There was a momentary pause before Trey said guardedly, “Hey, Coach.” Rafiq regarded him with tender concern. “I feel really bad about today…you know…how I treated Davis.”
“I know you do. You’re a good kid. Don’t let it eat you up inside. You have to let those things go. It also wouldn’t hurt to let Davis know how you feel.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. I’m sure he’s super angry with me. I’ll try to catch him at morning break Monday.”
“The sooner the better. You two have a long season together.”
Rafiq then took a significant interest in Lyza. “Who’s your lady friend? Do I need to be concerned?” he said in such a rich romantic voice that Vicente Fernandez’s legs would’ve quivered.
“No Coach,” he said giving the man a strange look. “She’s a friend…of my mom’s. This is Lyza.”
“Oh, if only my beautiful mother, rest her soul, had friend’s as fine as yours,” he said continuing to pour it on while staring into Lyza’s big blue eyes. “Carlos Rafiq,” he said holding out his hand. “It is very nice to meet such a lovely person as you, Ms. Lyza.”
“Thank you for your generous complement. I am likewise pleased to meet you,” she said taking his hand with a charming smile.
Focusing his attention back on Trey he said in his former coach’s voice, “Remember, Coach Wood next week.”
“Ok, Coach.”
“It has been a pleasure, hermosa dama,” he said passionately regarding her one last time while walking away – gently sliding her hand out of his.
“That’s some coach you have there. He must be very popular with the ladies,” she said affectionately.