“We won’t let that happen. For right now, you have Brook, and you should enjoy being with her.”
“You don’t think she and I will make it?”
Tami laughed.
“I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell you that she’ll be with you forever. A lot will depend on what you decide in the spring.”
“What do you mean?”
Tami took a deep breath before she continued.
“You’ve been procrastinating on deciding what you’re going to do with your life.”
I chuckled.
“You mean, I need to figure out what I’ll be when I grow up. Kim said that you didn’t have to start figuring that out until college,” I deflected.
“This spring, you have to start making decisions. I know you think you can do everything, but is that really true? Look at Tim Tebow. Once he didn’t make it in football, he got a minor league baseball contract. Do you honestly believe he’ll make it to the majors?”
I hated it when Tami was right. I doubted Tebow would ever make it. He simply hadn’t played enough high-level baseball.
“If your dream is to play in the major leagues,” Tami continued, “then you should probably sign a minor league contract right out of high school.”
“But I have the movie commitments.”
“And you should do what you agreed to. I’m just saying that college might not be the best route to the major leagues. I also know that from the time you were little, you’ve always wanted to play baseball. Can you honestly say that’s changed?” she asked.
I looked over at the dancers and was shocked when I saw Dare dancing with Gina. Would miracles never cease? Before I could get sidetracked, I refocused on my conversation with Tami.
“I don’t know. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy in football,” I hedged.
“If I had a say in it, I would tell you to stop playing football for your long-term health. The more I read, the more I’m convinced that you’ll end up with some kind of debilitating issue like brain damage. Players talk about all the aches and pains. I don’t see why you need to subject yourself to that. It’s not like you’ll need the money.”
If Tami had said that last week, I would have scoffed. What teenager doesn’t think they’re indestructible? After the accident, I had a whole new appreciation for what could happen to you. I’d been lucky my elbow hadn’t shattered, and my hip been worse. I’d been bruised and battered, but nothing permanent. How long would it be before I blew a knee out or was struck so hard in the head that I’d never be right again? Could I even come up with anyone in the NFL who hadn’t missed games because of injuries who wasn’t a backup?
“I see your point, but I’m not ready to put football behind me. I love leading our team to victory.”
“Baseball has a team,” Tami shot back.
I knew she was trying to make the point that I shouldn’t forget my baseball dreams just because I’d been recognized for my football skills. Last summer had proven that I could compete in baseball with the best in my age group and be successful.
“It’s not the same. Yes, you’re on a team in baseball. To be honest, though, baseball is a much more individual sport. Do you understand what I mean?”
Yes, many parts of baseball take teamwork. A well-turned double play takes teamwork, for example. A bunt to move runners along the base path. Hitting your relay man to gun down a runner. You had to practice all those plays with others to be successful.
In football, though,
Tami just nodded.
“Then again, I could try to do acting full-time,” I suggested.
“Or you could focus on raising your family and getting a job,” Tami shot back.
I thought about my parents, and if I were honest, I would much rather do my mom’s job. At least she had some freedom with her schedule. I couldn’t imagine having to work a set nine-to-five. I tipped my hat to everyone who did that.
“How did we get off on such a deep subject as my future?” I asked.
“You were worried our relationship had changed,” Tami reminded me.
“Promise me that you’ll always be my friend.”
“Just try to get rid of me,” she assured me.
Tim came back and claimed his girlfriend. I saw Dare dancing with Brook. I would bet that drinking beer had lowered someone’s inhibitions.
◊◊◊
Towards the end of the party, I needed to use the restroom, and there was a line. Sometimes, being a guy has its advantages. I hobbled into the woods to relieve myself. I’d just finished when I found Pete Yoder and his buddies, the three little bullies who had threatened Dare, blocking my way back to the clearing.
“Looks like you’re not getting around so well. You don’t seem nearly as tough as you think you are.”
It was plain that they’d been drinking and had gained some beer muscles. I had a bad feeling they might be able to take me. I needed to talk my way out of this.
