Chapter Eleven

Sonny

Returning to the pitch is proving to be a lot more than I bargained for. It has been seventeen months since I touched a football. The thing feels foreign in my hands, better yet, I can't focus on the game. My mind keeps wandering and it has been a whole four hours since we took an actual break.

Before we know it the lights are beaming across the field.

"Can we at least take a break?" I complain.

Robert walks around like he owns the place not having any of it. This is the most serious I have ever seen him.

I am doing what I can but each time Antwon, the biggest guy in the team comes at me with even bigger, bone-breaking intentions, lucky for me I have been hitting the gym.

"Everybody take five."

Antwon resigns from making my life hell. I pick myself up from the ground.

"Good game!" Pedro gives me a pat on the shoulder.

"Yeah, if you were playing grandma..." Robert chimes in. Pedro takes to the stands laughing.

"Hey!" Robert comes at me full frontal like he is going to attack me. I cannot say I did not see this happening.

"Seriously Sonny - I might need you to take this seriously. Just like everyone else you need to earn your spot."

"I am doing the best I can."

"No you are being your usual entitled."

I stop walking, "What are you talking about?"

"What do you think the whole point of this exercise is? I am talking about scouts coming to watch us play. My shot at something... their shot-" He points at the rest of the squad who are too tired to intervene.

"This is not just a game to any of us - it's everything- remember that."

"Wait. I didn't sign up for this. You needed me remember that."

I turn away and he nudges me back to face him.

"Robert..." I warn him.

"Actually... actually you did sign up for this the second you made a choice to play this Saturday, now you remember that, responsibilities lil' bro." He lets me go and starts jogging towards the rest of the team. Is it too late to bring up the fact that him and his team mates ambushed me in the hallway early today trying to further convince me to join the squad?

Out of everyone my dad is the most excited about my returning to sport, as Robert predicted. Even when we were 'okay'- that was before -the bet, he never called me for anything on a Tuesday.

"It is only one game dad."

"Regardless I am proud of you son."

My dad always finds ways to nudge me into following his footsteps, that is sport and business.

"Add it on your college resume."

Of course.

I can tell from the way that he is talking that he is astonished - celebratory even, after all that over paid shrink told him to give me some distance and time to find myself again - some kind of exercise to create some kind of trust around the vortex of our relationship for me to heal at my own pace blah blah blah

"Sonny... ?"

"Yes dad...I'm still here... "

I hesitate.

"Speaking of resumes I wanted to ask about the Breton and Bean scholarships, are you giving them out this year?"

I pause.

"See I am a part of a tutoring program so I have this student... a senior... I wanted to know if she is eligible and the requirements."

My heart beats out my chest.

"She?"

"A student dad."

"Just kidding around, hey you know what that's a good endeavor."

"Well it is for college so..."

"All the same, giving back pays back." His favorite saying of all time.

"Well first we will have to check her background, grades, extra credit amongst other things that can make her eligible." I stopped listening at "...check her background." The girl robs stores for goods sake. He continues, "I am sure she can be a contender after all you have got her back. I will ask Bradley to draft all of the requirements and email them to you if that is ok with you."

"Thank you dad."

"Ok good stuff. How is Coverton treating you?!"

"So and so -"

"So and so is not bad son. Karmen, your brother joined the human resources department ..." At this point I have left the conversation. I can't hear what he is saying. I am thinking about Liebenberg a town that cast me out and that is where he is answering his phone calls.

"Because we are in the summer season but I am sure grandpa will be able to drive down there and see how he can help him with the farm situation."

"Look thanks dad about the scholarships. I have to go."

"Ok son," he knows the conversation is over, "Do take good care of yourself. I am really proud of you and please whenever you need anything ,football tips, feel free to call me."

"I will."

Of course I can't tell him I am only playing because Robert blackmailed me. I had no choice in the matter. He kept threatening to call and tell him about the fight and its denominator. Basically I am doing this for a girl named Kelly Martins whom I am not even slammin' it with.

Great. I cut the phone.

Now I am thinking about slammin' it with Kelly.

And it doesn't end there I like it... I like it a lot.

*****

During the next session Couch Crenshaw and his assistant Mr. Spades makes sure to take things up a notch. At some point I think I am going to pass out. It was never my intention but I have blended in quite well with the team, must be a force of habit (being that I was in a football team all my life until two years back).

Robert runs after me afterwards. He manages to reach me by the parking lot. I am about ready for another take-Coverton-high- football seriously lecture - and I should their team isn't even half bad in fact they are brutal. They have to work a bit harder to beat a team like my old one but yeah - they are on their way.

"You don't have to keep remindi-"

"No, no,no,no,no- actually, I want to say good form out there today on the field. Look I know the past days have been super intense but that was an epic show, great passes, awesome team spirit. I am proud of you."

"Yeah? Thanks bro." I frown, so did not expect that.

"Anyways..." the glint returns in his eyes.

Here goes nothing.

"I know you said no parties at your crib."

Classic Robert.

"And we would normally do one at Rey's or Tuckers but it's a school night and their folks are around. Anyways the team wants to celebrate and it would really be a big deal to us if you just let us throw a little shindig at your place just to celebrate."

"We haven't even played yet. What's there to celebrate?"

"A great session for starters and to loosen the squad before the big game- there won't be no getting buzzed Carl and Ethan will do that for us. It's just girls and fake poisoned punch." He laughs his unruly, wicked, I-am-a-menace laugh. "I have no idea why girls like to pretend as if they are so wasted, I mean we would make out with them anyway."

"Whatever. See you at home."

"Yess. Sonny you are the best. I promise just a little get together. It will all be under control."

Yeah I have heard that one before.