“Bill Carl’s people just called. They have a suite available for Sunday’s game if we want it.”
“We want it,” I blurted.
“Don’t you want the details?” she asked.
I might have to fire her.
“Sure, but call them back first and take it.”
“I already paid for it.”
I let out a long sigh. Then I did a fist pump. We were going to a Cubs’ World Series game!
“So, do you want to know the details now?” Caryn asked.
“Yes, please,” I said in my best little boy voice.
“The suite holds fifteen people. I’m sure you’ll want Megan and me to go since we arrange awesome things like this for you,” Caryn said, making her pitch for two seats.
“Fine.”
“Do you know who you want to add to the list?”
“My parents, Greg and I guess Angie, my uncle …” I said and paused as I thought.
“What about Brook?”
“Yep. I should also invite her parents since they took me to a Cardinals game.”
“What about Phil?”
“Yeah, and I better invite Peggy, and I almost forgot about Tami.”
“That’s thirteen. Who are the last two?”
“Did you forget me? I count fourteen,” I said.
“You won’t be in the suite because Mr. Carl has arranged for you to be a batboy for the game.”
This is how Dare felt when he was told I would buy a drone. I’m sure I made Caryn’s day with my antics.
“I would suggest you take your grandma,” Caryn suggested, and I agreed. “That leaves one slot.”
I thought about Tim and Wolf, but if I took one, I would have to take the other, and I only had one slot. Then I ran through all my friends and stopped at Pam.
“Let’s ask Pam.”
“You got it, Boss. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
When we pulled up to Brook’s, Chuck was already on his phone to Fritz, volunteering to work security for Sunday. I sent Caryn a text to tell her that we needed two more tickets for drivers/security.
◊◊◊
Our last conference game was against St. Joe. They were the largest school in our conference, and they’d been both good and bad this year. I surmised they might be a major challenge for us if they decided to have one of their better games. It was Senior Night for them, so I expected a good game.
On the bus ride to St. Joe, Tim and Wolf cornered me.
“What are you doing Sunday? Want to come over and watch the game?” Tim asked.
“Bite me. Tami told you, didn’t she?”
“You can’t invite your two best friends to a World Series game?” Wolf teased.
“Okay, you can go,” I said, pointing to Tim. “If you get your girlfriend to give up her ticket.”
“Dick,” Tim grumbled.
Tami would break up with him before she gave him her ticket.
“What about me?” Wolf asked.
“Same deal, but you have to get Phil to give his up.”
“No problem,” Wolf said as he left us to track down my brother.
“That was mean. Your brother might not make it off the bus alive,” Tim predicted.
Phil, being one of the younger guys, had to sit close to the coaches. I grinned when Coach Hope sent Wolf back to sit with us.
“I’ll talk to him later,” Wolf assured me.
“All I ask is that he be able to play tonight,” I told Wolf, laying out the ground rules.
“There is the bus ride home,” Tim said helpfully.
I was torn between letting Wolf torment Phil and protecting him. I might have to make sure Phil sat with the coaches on the way home.
◊◊◊
When we arrived at the school, Coach Mason was waiting for me to get off the bus.
“Come on, we have to talk,” he said, not looking happy.
I wasn’t sure what I’d done, so I followed him in silence. He led me to the coaches’ office, where we found them all along with Jeff and his crew. Coach Mason leaned close so only I could hear.
“This wasn’t my idea.”
WTF!
Once we were in the cramped quarters, Coach Mason closed the door.
“I talked to Doc Grog,” Coach Hope began, and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room.
I closed my eyes to keep from screaming.
“Just tell me,” I said.
“You’re not dressing tonight. I want you to go up into the booth to allow the team to focus and not wonder if you’ll play or not.”
I looked Coach Hope in the eyes, and he didn’t blink. If I were being honest with myself, I would have to agree that I wasn’t ready. That didn’t mean I didn’t want to be on the sideline rooting them on. I guess I could see the logic of keeping me in the booth. From there, I could see the whole field and help Coaches Mason and Rector spot things.
“Is it okay if I take a walk?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Coach Hope said, sounding defeated. “Just be in the booth for the kickoff.”
“Yes, sir,” I said and walked out of the locker room.
My teammates’ faces showed their confusion as I left. I would leave it to the coaches to explain to the team.
My unhappiness was almost palpable when Jeff followed me out into the hall, and his cohort stuck a camera in my face. I glanced over at my favorite reporter, and he gave me a pleading look. I realized that this was documentary gold for him. When I signed up for this, I was smart enough to know that not all of it would show me in the best light. I stopped and began to talk.
