Paralyzed by Jeff Rud Read Free Book Online Page A

Then we went over plays and strategies with the coachesand slowly got dressed for the pre-game warm-up. Tonight, I was heading home.
    The coaches had intercepted me first thing that morning at school to tell me that the newspaper story was wrong. There wouldn’t be any suspension. They had also asked me to spend the afternoon and evening with the team, just like normal. But I didn’t feel right doing that. If I’d been wearing a cast on my leg or had my arm in a sling, it might have been okay. Those things were almost expected for a football player. But what was I supposed to do now? Wrap my head up in a big bandage? I had no way to explain to the guys on the team that I wasn’t playing because of a mental problem.
    â€œReggie, I’m surprised to see you,” Mom said as I came in through the back door. “Why aren’t you with the team? You guys have Franklin tonight, right?”
    â€œI couldn’t do it,” I said glumly. “I just don’t feel like I belong there today.”
    Mom walked over to me and wrapped me in a big hug. Although I was now at least five inches taller and twenty pounds heavier than her, I still felt like a little kid whenever she hugged me. It still made me feel better too.
    â€œI understand,” Mom said soothingly. “This is a tough thing you’re going through.”
    Mom broke away from me and hurried over to the stove. “Sorry,” she said. “I have to stir this chili or it’ll burn in the bottom of the pot.
    â€œI’ll tell you what,” she continued. “When Dad gets home, we can all have some of this. Then we’ll go to the game together. It’s not every game I get to sit with my boy.”
    I smiled weakly. “I don’t know,” I said. “I’m not sure I want to go tonight.”
    â€œWell, you think it over. Let us know.”
    â€œOkay.” I nodded. I was suddenly feeling very tired. I went upstairs to my room,flipped on my stereo and plopped down on the bed.
    I must have dozed off because it seemed like just a couple of seconds later, Dad was knocking at my bedroom door. He poked his head inside and smiled.
    â€œHey, Reg,” he said. “Are you coming down to have some supper with us?”
    I got up and rubbed my eyes. “Be right down.”
    Mom and Dad were already eating when I sat down at the dining room table. I dug into the big bowl of chili that Mom had laid out for me. Even though it had been a terrible day, the chili, topped with grated cheddar cheese and accompanied by garlic toast, tasted great. It felt good to get some comfort food in my stomach. I hadn’t been eating too much the last few days.
    â€œDo you guys still want to catch the game?” I asked.
    â€œIf you do,” Dad said. “I think it would be good for you to go, but we’d understandif you didn’t want to. This must be a pretty weird Friday for you.”
    â€œIt is,” I said. “But I think I should go. I’m a co-captain. Even if I’m not playing, I should be there.”
    I could tell my decision made Mom and Dad happy. Even though I was the one who put on the uniform every week, both of them really enjoyed the whole Lincoln football experience too. I was pretty sure they would have been disappointed if we’d all stayed home for what was possibly the biggest game of the year.
    On the way to the stadium, I tapped Mom on the shoulder from the backseat. “No offense, Mom,” I said. “But I don’t think I’ll sit with you guys. As long as I’m here, I should be down on the field.”
    Mom grinned. “I’m deeply hurt,” she said. “But I’ll get over it.”
    I knew from the lack of noise as I entered the locker room that the coaches were already delivering their pre-game message.
    I rounded the corner into the main dressing room area, just in time to hear the last of Coach Clark’s speech.