“When you say ‘security’ and ‘protect,’ are you talking about what Fritz does?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to be my trainer and security?” I asked to get clarity.
She smiled. I took that as a ‘yes.’
“Or someone like you,” she teased.
“Where are you going to find someone like me?” I fired back.
She bit her lower lip.
“I guess I’ll have to settle for you.”
I was glad that Uncle John was with us today. What Cassidy wanted to do would involve specialized training, especially the physical trainer part. He called Cassidy’s dad and had a long talk with him about what her goals were.
While Uncle John was on his call with Coach Hope, I called Fritz and talked to him. I told him I wanted Cassidy to start learning what was involved in doing personal security. He was aware that she could handle herself and was proficient with weapons, including guns. Personally, I could vouch that she was a better shot than I was with a paintball gun. I still woke up in a cold sweat when I thought about her shooting me in the balls. He had an idea that hadn’t occurred to me: with her being my age, she could act as my traveling companion without messing up his security staff assignments. He suggested that she might go with me when I traveled to Cuba, Japan, and Mexico this summer.
I’d been on speakerphone so Cassidy could listen in. In retrospect, it was probably a mistake to do that because her dad was toast. I hadn’t gotten his permission before she found out she might get to go on these trips. If he told her no, I might just stumble upon his dead body. I shook my head as I learned another lesson the hard way.
When I realized that Brook wasn’t going to be happy about not being able to go to Cuba, I cringed. I also wondered if we would have enough time to get Cassidy approved. The State Department had agreed to allow additional people to go if they had legitimate business reasons for accompanying me to Cuba.
Personally, I was happy that Cassidy might be with me. I had a feeling the movie would be stressful since the director didn’t want me. I’d need someone to talk to about other topics besides the film, or I’d focus on the wrong things. Cassidy could also help me continue my Japanese lessons while I was in Cuba.
◊◊◊ Friday April 22
Today, Pam was going back to school. I was told to pick her up, along with Tracy. When Fritz dropped us off, we found Lisa Felton waiting for us. She wasn’t alone; Jan and Piper stood next to Lisa. It made sense they were together since boys had abused each of them in one way or another. I just hoped this didn’t turn into a man-hater club.
It made me happy to see that Lisa was finally accepted. It also helped that she wasn’t wearing her short skirts anymore.
Today was test day. I think our teachers got together and decided they would torture us all on the same day. I was glad we’d put together the study-group system because with all the school I’d been missing, it had really helped me get back up to speed.
At lunch, everyone who helped with the picnic tables was asked to go to the shop so they could take a picture for the yearbook. I was glad they included all the kids in shop class who’d helped Wolf build them. We made sure he was front and center because he’d taken the lead. His shop teacher and Ms. Jaroslav bracketed him in front. They took the picture from atop a ladder so they could show the designs.
◊◊◊
When I finished school and was dressing for some batting practice before baseball, I was summoned to Moose’s office.
I found a man who wore an Alabama polo shirt talking to Moose.
“David, this is Coach Gat. He wanted to get some film on you. What a coincidence that you two would ‘bump’ into each other,” Moose said.
Moose must have liked this guy because he had recruiters stop by regularly and never asked me to meet them.
“Did Bo call you?” I asked.
“He and Coach Wilson both did. I was instructed to see if you would be a fit for Alabama baseball. I understand you’re a fair quarterback,” Coach Gat said.
“Frankly, I think I’m better on defense,” I said to plant the seed.
“Don’t listen to him,” Moose said, not taking the bait.
Coach Haskins walked in.
“Long time no see,” Coach Haskins said.
“You two know each other?” I asked.
“We attended a few coaching clinics over the years,” Coach Haskins offered.
“As I remember, you taught a few of those,” Coach Gat said.
“Maybe. You here to check out our boy?”
“Our football coaches told me I should probably take a serious look,” he admitted.
“He’s everything you want as far as talent and leadership goes. I think he would fit in on your team,” Coach Haskins said.
“Dear Gawd! You know how big his head is going to swell?” Moose complained.
“I have talent, and I’m a leader,” I said with a big grin.
“Get out of here and go lead the team in warm-ups,” Moose ordered.
“You sure he’d fit in?” Coach Gat shot my way as I left.
