“When I was in LA, I worked with a hitting instructor who turned out to be the Cubs’ batting coach. He’s someone who helps recommend players for the Under-18 USA Baseball Team, and he plans to submit my name. If I’m selected, I’ll travel to North Carolina where 108 players from across the country compete in a tournament to see if they can make the team. The team would then compete in an international tournament in Mexico,” I said.
“What do you have planned for the following summer?” Wolf asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Last summer you went off and came home the best quarterback in the land. This year you plan to take on baseball. I just wondered what’s next.”
“I was thinking of going to comedy school so someone around here is funny,” I shot back.
“Well, I, uh … bite me,” he stammered.
I stuck my tongue out at him. Nope, I wasn’t falling for his stuff today.
After we had our fun, several of the skill players signed up for seven-on-seven. After everyone left, I followed Coach Hope to his office.
“I’m pretty sure you’ve signed up with the NCAA because we send them your transcripts each semester,” Coach said. “Let me get you the website address so you can find out. If you haven’t, you need to do it right away.”
“I’ll check with Tracy and Kendal. One of them may have signed me up.”
“Are you planning on being around this summer to get ready for the fall?”
“I’m gone for a month after school ends to shoot a movie. Then there are the baseball tryouts if I get selected. And then I have the actual games. If everything falls into place, I won’t be around much. If I don’t get picked, I’ll be here after the movie’s done,” I said.
“I hope you don’t get picked, if I’m being honest. We need your leadership.”
“Don’t sell the seniors short, Coach. They got everyone working out while I was in LA, and want to win State as much as you or I do. It might be good to have more leaders step up.”
“I agree, but we both know it would be better if you were here.”
“I understand, but I can’t turn my back on this opportunity,” I said.
He seemed resigned to the fact that I had prioritized baseball in front of football for the spring. He wasn’t happy it might take up my summer as well.
“I want your help with something else of a more personal nature. Cassidy told me at dinner last week that she doesn’t plan to go to college. She plans to join the Marine Corps when she graduates.”
“Is that what she really wants?” I asked cautiously.
“I think she believes that’s what I want her to do,” he admitted.
“You don’t think she’d be a good Marine?”
“Of course she would, but I want her to get a college education first. I joined because I was immature coming out of college and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. If she joins before she’s 20, she won’t go in as an officer. What I need your help with is convincing her to wait.”
I understood what he was trying to do and agreed to talk to her.
◊◊◊ Friday January 22
Before school, I had Brook backed up against her locker and was flirting when Lisa Felton came up and stood next to me. Both Brook and I looked at her. Lisa could still get a rise out of me, even though we’d resolved a lot of the sexual tension issues. I glanced over at Brook and saw she wasn’t thrilled with Lisa interrupting our fun. I think if you took a poll as to the girl at Lincoln High you would most want to spend an evening with, these two would come out on top.
“Hey, Lisa. What’s up?” I asked.
“I thought you were dating Halle,” she said.
Brook got an amused look on her face. The
“Uh, well, uh,” I stammered.
“The reason I ask is that everyone thinks the two of you are dating now.”
“Yeah, David. Everyone wants to know,” Brook teased.
“You stay out of this,” I grumbled at Brook.
“Halle says you’re not,” Lisa offered.
“I guess if Halle says it isn’t true, then we’re not.”
Lisa got a big smile.
“Good,” Lisa said and then batted her eyes at me. “Now that you’re a big star, I was wondering if you wanted to spend some time with me.”
I looked at Brook, confused.
“She wants to sleep with you,” Brook explained.
I moaned and rubbed my forehead. Somehow, I kept getting these headaches.
“I thought we’d decided that was a bad idea.”
Lisa gave me a look that had me take a step back. Brook broke out laughing. Mr. Happy liked Lisa’s look and tried to take over the body. Luckily the bell rang before I got myself into trouble.
◊◊◊
By second period, word must have gotten out that Halle and I weren’t dating, because I had two other girls approach me. I’d hoped not to have to deal with this at school. I wanted life to be normal here.
