My dad doesn’t look quite as excited about my outlook for the season as I do.” “We’ve had this talk before Ronnie.” He starts.
“I know I know. I’m not gonna quit or anything like that, but dad you gotta understand me on this one. Baseball is my thing and basketball is my other thing. This is just a favor for Adrian. I’ll ride the pine and maybe start working my pitching visualizations to get ready for baseball. This is a good thing!”
He pauses and takes a deep breath before responding. I think its life lesson time…
“Ronnie, when you commit yourself to something, no matter what it is, you give it your all.”
“But dad…”
“But nothing.” He says cutting me off. “You don’t coast, you work hard, and you do your best. And if this kid Rich is as good as you say, you need to watch him, study him, and learn.”
I might’ve skipped the whole Rich The Rich Kid might be a huge jerk and certainly won’t be willing to teach me anything part when I was telling my dad about practice. So the whole learning from him thing will probably be easier said than done. But looking at how serious my dad is looking at me this might not be the time to bring that up so I just nod.
“You know anything can happen in sports so I just want you to be ready and to excel.” He concludes.
I know he wants the best for me and he’s usually right about this sorta stuff but I think he might be being a tad overdramatic this time. I finally have a no-pressure sports season to look forward to and I’m gonna enjoy it!
And as we continue to drive my mind starts to wander…Hey I wonder if I can help Billie and Adrian come up with some cool goal celebrations?
A couple of uneventful days pass and we’re back at practice. More stretching and more running (ugh). Once practice really starts, Rich The Rich Kid gets most of the goalie time which gives me more time to think about goal celebrations. Now I’ve been thinking about this for days but I still don’t have anything good. This is so hard! Think Ronnie! Ok it has to be cool of course. It should look spontaneous but we gotta choreograph it…
“Williams!!!”
Uh? What? Coach G is yelling for me (hopefully not at me). Either way this is embarrassing. He calls for me to switch with Rich The Rich Kid who laughs under his breath as I walk by. Can’t worry about that though, focus Ronnie.
This time we’re doing 2-on-1’s. Kinda like a fastbreak in basketball. Hmmm, I’ve actually had bad experiences with those but that’s another story…Can’t worry about that either, focus Ronnie!
Billie and Adrian are up first.
Hopefully they’ll cut me some slack. Adrian starts out with the ball and they both start coming my way. Is he gonna pass or shoot? Pass or shoot? I have no idea but they’re getting close, I gotta make a decision. I think he’s gonna shoot it so start to dive in his direction. But as soon as I move, he drops off a pass to Billie. I’m still in the air as I watch the ball roll towards Billie. Once she gets it, she’ll have a wide-open goal just waiting for her to kick into. This is gonna be a disaster!
I land and continue to watch helplessly. The ball is one bounce away from Billie, and then it happens. Billie misplays it and lets the ball bounce away from her foot! She has to scramble to get back in front of it, she barely does and tries to kick it but the ball goes sailing wide. A miss! I’m saved! I’m pretty sure they didn’t do it on purpose but I won’t complain. Good looking out homies!
The next two step up. They look serious. I better get serious too. They start towards me passing the ball back and forth to each other like pros. Uh-oh. I don’t know what to do so I just kinda…freeze. And this time I’m not so lucky as my inaction allows them to score an easy goal. The next go ‘round I just straight up guess wrong and boom, another goal allowed. I probably should’ve watched Rich more closely instead of thinking about celebrations.
I give up one more goal and Coach G has seen enough. He pulls me (in practice!) and puts Rich back in. He laughs again under his breath as he walks past me officially making him a jerk. A great goalie (he resumes saving every shot) but still a jerk. I think I’ve cemented my spot on the bench which is a good thing but honestly, right now, I feel pretty bad. Is that weird?
I do start paying attention though. Not for any potential game time action, but just so I don’t get embarrassed (if Coach G ever does put me in goal again).
Practice mercifully comes to an end with no further incidents for me. Billie and Adrian come up to me and ask if I want to stay late and face a couple more shots to work on my game. But I’m still kinda (and by kinda I mean very) embarrassed so I’m just ready to get out of here as soon as I can. And the worst part is I finally came up with a pretty cool celebration for them (I know I said I paid attention but my mind did wander off for a couple of minutes, don’t judge me). But I’ll just have to show them later.
As soon as I see my dad pull up, I head out. He gets right to the questioning including asking me if I paid attention during practice and studied Rich.
“I sure did dad.” I reply energetically.
And technically that’s the truth. Now I conveniently fail to mention I did so after a pretty bad showing on my part, but that’s not important right now. The important thing is that I did indeed pay attention and study…eventually.
Now I’m laying in my bed looking up at the glowing stars on my ceiling, thinking. Then boom it hits me! My new life plan! Ok all I gotta do is get decent enough at goal keeping to not look bad at practice. Everything else will pretty much work itself out. We’ll win games thanks to Adrian, Billie, and Rich The Rich Kid, I won’t get embarrassed and it’ll be smooth sailing to baseball season. It’s a brilliant plan if I do say so myself (and I just did)!
The next day at school I let Billie and Adrian in on my masterplan.
“So what do y’all think?” I ask excitedly.
They look at each other a bit perplexed then turn to me.
“Is that it?” Adrian replies with a question of his own.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well…it’s not much of an actual plan. Like how are you gonna get decent enough?” He responds.
“And what does decent even mean?” Billie adds finally chiming in.
Hmm, I thought my two best friends would be a little more supportive than this. Sure I don’t have any specifics to give them but they’re just supposed to say okay to my plan anyway. It’s fine though, I’m still confident everything will work out.
At home after dinner, I lay my plan on my dad. Hopefully his response is more positive than Billie and Adrian’s.
“Since when did decent become your goal?”
Eh’nt!!! I was wrong about that.
“I can’t be great at everything dad.” I respond (in something of a whinny voice).
“But you can always strive to be great son.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“I never said it was. Nothing worth having is easy. Not in sports or in life.”
More of my dad’s classic words of wisdom. It’s a good point and it’s something I’ve experienced firsthand. I had to work so hard to succeed at baseball then turn around and grind even harder to get good at basketball. He’s definitely speaking facts. Buuuut…
“This is different. I keep trying to tell you dad.”
He shakes his head, he’s still not hearing me.
“And like I keep trying to tell you, anything can happen. You’ve been through this not once but twice…”
I see my chance to finally make my point and cut in (respectfully of course).
“Exactly dad! I did work hard to become great and then two crazy situations forced me into the
spotlight…”
Wait a second, maybe I should give you all a quick rundown in case you don’t know exactly what happened.
Billie was our star pitcher but then got hurt in the championship baseball game and I was thrown in and finished off the win (thanks to my “Magic William
s Arm” that kicked in at just the right time). Then during basketball season, I worked to become a free throw shooting expert to make myself useful to the team which worked out pretty great…except for that one time. But even that kinda worked out. Confusing I know but that’s a long story (that I’ve actually already told if you’re interested). But anyway, now you’re in the know so back to me and my dad talking…
“…so there’s no way something crazy would happen three times in a row. I shouldn’t have anything to worry about this time.”
He sighs loudly and pauses for a minute, thinking. I don’t think he’s convinced. What else can I add to my argument?
“Okay Ronnie.” He finally replies.
Wait? Really? I win?
“We’ll just start with the improving part and go from there.” He says and gets up from the dinning room table. “We can kick it a little bit in the backyard this weekend.” He adds before leaving the room.
Cool! That started off rough but ended up going a lot better than I thought it would. Good job Ronnie! I mean sure, my dad made a good point about crazy things happening in the past but I’m confident it won’t happen again, it can’t happen again.
I know I’m right! Right?
Now it’s game week and today is our final practice before our first game. Coach G has been super serious today, so much so that Rich has gotten all the goalie practice today. I’m not complaining though. No practice, no embarrassment (see my plan is going perfectly so far).
Once practice ends it’s time to get our jerseys. I’m actually kinda excited for this (I always like to look good). I know our colors are black and purple but I haven’t actually seen our uniforms, or should I say kits as they call them overseas (I googled that).
We gather around Coach and he pulls out the jerseys first. And wow, they’re pretty sweet! They’re mainly purple with pinstripes going down it and each section between the pinstripes are a different shade of purple. Across the chest it says “PANTHERS” in a cool black font. On the sleeve there’s a panther head. The panther is black and is staring straight ahead super intense. And to finish it off, the numbers on the back are in gold. So clean! The shorts are all black with purple and gold lines running down the sides and another panther logo on the front. And the socks are purple with pinstripes. I may be sitting on the bench all season but I’m gonna be looking good doing it.
Now I just need to secure my lucky #8. The returning players get to pick first but we only have twelve players total so I should be good. Rich The Rich Kid skips to the front of the line like it’s nothing and takes #1. That’s usually Billie’s number. I look over at her but she doesn’t react at all (she’s always so cool, nothing bothers her). Adrian takes #10 (“For Messi” he informs me and Billie) which he is really excited about as he holds it up high over his head like he just won a trophy.
As the two new kids, Billie and I wait patiently at the back of the line. #5 goes, then #20, #17, #2, #13, #9 (whoa that was a close call), and 00 (totally random) are all taken. And finally, it’s me and Billie’s turn. #8 is in my grasp! I wait as Billie goes first. She’s got a few numbers to choose from, but with #1 gone I wonder what she’ll go with…”
“Number eight!” Billie announces excitedly.
My heart stops. What’s happening!?! She knows that’s MY number why would she do that? What am I gonna…
“Just kidding.” She says with a wink.
My heart restarts. Billie and Adrian laugh. I would too but I’m still too shook.
“I’ll take number three.” Billie states, finally giving her real answer and then turning towards Adrian and I
“It’s for Wendie Renard.”
I look at Adrian, he looks at me, then we both look at her like who is that?
“She’s the best female defender in the world and the captain of the French national team. Plus she’s black girl magic.”
I look at her really impressed (I guess I’m not the only person googling soccer players around here).
Now it’s my turn. And before Billie or Rich change their mind or some mystery teammate appears outta nowhere, or anything else weird happens, I tell Coach I select #8.
It’s in my hands! It looks even fresher up close. It almost makes me want to actually play in a game…almost. I throw it on over my shirt just to check it out. Hmmm it fits kinda big, the sleeves are down at my elbows. My skinny arms are certainly not helping. This is slightly disappointing.
Coach G notices the look on my face.
“Do you want to change numbers? We have some smaller…”
“Oh no thanks!” I jump in.
No need to let him finish because even if the jersey was a 3XL I ain’t giving it up. It’s my lucky number. It’s a must have!
“Ok, ok.” He responds shaking his head and looking at me like I’m a crazy kid before walking off.
We all grab our shorts and our socks before coach calls us all to the center of the pitch. It’s time to announce the starters.
This isn’t exactly rocket science so there’s like zero suspense. Billie and Adrian have been killing it so it’s no surprise when they’re named the starting strikers (they do all the offensive stuff).
And in the least surprising announcement in sports history, Rich The Rich Kid is named the starting goalie. My only issue with that is Rich’s smug reaction. Like we all know he’s good but he doesn’t have to rub it in our faces every chance he gets. But it’s whatever. I’m on the team, my friends are on the team and I got my number so I’m good!
Next, Coach G starts to talk about the upcoming game, but I’m so mesmerized by my new jersey (plus I won’t be playing anyway) I kinda zone out. I only check back in once he’s dismissing us
and Billie, Adrian and I start walking towards the parking lot.
“These uniforms are lit!” Billie says to us holding up her #3 proudly.
“Y’all know I wouldn’t invite y’all onto a team and not have y’all looking fresh.” Adrian replies. “I just wish the panther was a little more aggressive, like biting another animal or at least growling and showing some teeth.”
Billie and I laugh. Adrian is so extra.
And you know what? Today was actually a pretty cool day. I go to meet my dad and show him my fresh kit.
“Check it out!” I say to him holding up my jersey, “I got number eight of course.”
He looks it over thoroughly. He seems impressed.
“Looks good.” He says finally.
I smile in agreement.
“Too bad you’ll never really show it off.”
Ouch! That stings.
“That’s how you want it right?”
I don’t really have an answer for that. I mean, I don’t want to play, we all know that, but I don’t wanna say it out loud at the moment. I just sit in silence. Today just turned pretty uncool.
We’re both quiet the entire ride home. We pull into the driveway and I move to open my door, but my dad stops me.
“Look son, I hope you know I want the best for you and I want you to do your best. Can you do me one favor?” I nod.
“Think.”
“About what?” I ask slightly confused.
“About how you felt when I said what I said earlier about you not playing. About how you feel right now.” I pause but he continues.
“If you want to be better, to be ready to play and to win, I’ll be here and ready to help.”
I’m still silent. I don’t know what to say or do.
“Like I said, think about it.” He says with a smile returning to his face, and we both exit the car and go inside.
I don’t say (or even eat) much at dinner. I thought I had it all figured out, I thought I had a plan…
Once again, I find myself in bed looking up at my ceiling. I kinda wish I could just fly away into the stars right now. I just don’t know what I should do. I don’t really want to play…but it would be sorta fun to be out there with Billie and Adrian
. But seriously, there’s little to no chance I’m gonna actually play…but what if I do?
I’ve got some thinking to do…
It’s the day before the game and Billie, Adrian, and myself are sitting at the lunch table at school. There’s no “soccer” table like we had for baseball and basketball (those were both…let’s say…interesting). And there’s zero buzz at the school about the game. For one thing, I think it’s because it’s soccer. And secondly, we’re not an official school team. As a matter of fact, the three of us are the only kids from the school on the team.
I’m chilling, listening as Billie and Adrian are talking excitedly about the game.
“I can’t wait to get out there and start scoring some goals!” Billie states.
“It’s almost time for the Kid Messi to do his thing!” Adrian adds.
“I just wish kids here at school were into it.” Billie then says as she’s looking around the cafeteria.
“This is bigger than a school sports team.” Adrian starts to explain. “This is an elite club and we only play other specially put together elite teams.”
Can’t be too elite if I’m on the team I think to myself. And of course, as soon as I think that, they both turn to me.
“You excited?” Adrian asks.
Hmmm, am I excited? I’m not really sure. The answer should be yes, first games of a season are usually super exciting but we all know I’ve been having a hard time figuring out my role in all this recently. Oh, but Billie and Adrian don’t know that.
They’re both staring at me, I guess they want an actual answer.
“Uh…”
The bell rings ending lunch. Saved by the bell! I kinda do an awkward half-nod and shrug as we get up. This is one of the few times I’ve ever been excited to go to class.
At home, like at school, there’s little to no hype about tomorrow’s game. Dinner is just another dinner. No one even brings the game up. And afterwards, my dad doesn’t even do his traditional, asking me if I wanna practice in the backyard, thing he does the night before every first game. I guess I kinda asked for this but it’s still kinda weird.
Kickin' It With Dad Page 3