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 wouldnât be any suspension. They had also asked me to spend the afternoon and evening with the team, just like normal. But I didnât feel right doing that. If Iâd 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 wasnât playing because of a mental problem.
âReggie, Iâm surprised to see you,â Mom said as I came in through the back door. âWhy arenât you with the team? You guys have Franklin tonight, right?â
âI couldnât do it,â I said glumly. âI just donât feel like I belong there today.â
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.
âI understand,â Mom said soothingly. âThis is a tough thing youâre going through.â
Mom broke away from me and hurried over to the stove. âSorry,â she said. âI have to stir this chili or itâll burn in the bottom of the pot.
âIâll tell you what,â she continued. âWhen Dad gets home, we can all have some of this. Then weâll go to the game together. Itâs not every game I get to sit with my boy.â
I smiled weakly. âI donât know,â I said. âIâm not sure I want to go tonight.â
âWell, you think it over. Let us know.â
âOkay.â 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.
âHey, Reg,â he said. âAre you coming down to have some supper with us?â
I got up and rubbed my eyes. âBe right down.â
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 hadnât been eating too much the last few days.
âDo you guys still want to catch the game?â I asked.
âIf you do,â Dad said. âI think it would be good for you to go, but weâd understandif you didnât want to. This must be a pretty weird Friday for you.â
âIt is,â I said. âBut I think I should go. Iâm a co-captain. Even if Iâm not playing, I should be there.â
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 weâd 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. âNo offense, Mom,â I said. âBut I donât think Iâll sit with you guys. As long as Iâm here, I should be down on the field.â
Mom grinned. âIâm deeply hurt,â she said. âBut Iâll get over it.â
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 Clarkâs speech.