Prime Choice by Stephanie Perry Moore Read Free Book Online Page A

been in the school’s weight room a lot over the summer, our paths had never crossed. He’d invited me to his home for dinner, and had other team member meetings, but I missed them due to my trip to South Carolina and family vacations.
    I got called into the coach’s office before I could even put on my pads. I wondered, What does he want with me right now?
    â€œPerry Skky! I’m excited that you could honor me with your presence,” Coach Robinson said sarcastically.
    I sat down in a chair and said, “All right, Coach. You gotta problem with me or somethin’?”
    I wanted to have respect for the man, but he didn’t need to come at me like I was a chump player. The respect thing was a two-way street, and he needed to know that up front. I wasn’t asking for first-class treatment, but he wasn’t about to make me redeem my stripes again, either.
    He stood up from behind his desk. He was a buff dude. He came on around, looked me straight in the eyes and boldly said, “I understand that you can be a flash player. A lot of colleges think you got unbelievable talent. ‘Throw the ball to Perry. He can make amazing things happen!’ papers say. Well, on my offense, I call the plays. If I want you to get the ball, then, and only then, will you have it. I don’t like showoffs. I’m the coach here and I run the show, you understand?”
    â€œNever questioned it. Is that all?”
    What did he expect me to do? Get down on my hands and knees and worship him or somethin’? Yeah, right. He could talk all that lame stuff. I’d show him out there on the field that the team really did respect me.
    Almost reading my mind he said, “In order to be a leader, Perry, you gotta have the respect of your teammates.”
    â€œI do, Coach.”
    â€œI don’t think so. Marlon Barksdale was in here all summer going on and on about how you think the game is all about you.”
    â€œHe’s just hating.”
    I mean, that was a joke to me. Marlon was on the other side of the field with my same position. He was just jealous that the ball mostly came to me. When he did get the ball into his hands, he let the team down, missing catch after catch.
    In reality, he couldn’t keep up with me on any level. Academically, he wasn’t on the Principal’s List, making straight A’s. Socially, none of the girls were after him. He really had it out for me because my girl was the one he had wanted so desperately. She wouldn’t give him the time of day. Economically, his car looked like a broke-down Beetle, which could barely make it from point A to point B. And physically, he had nothing on me. He was a short receiver with sloppy hands, and he wasn’t as quick as he needed to be.
    Of course the guy was going to down me. Marlon couldn’t beat me, and I didn’t want him to join me. He was stupid and made dumb decisions. And in his mind, all he wanted to do was bring me down. But if the coach wanted to get on his bandwagon, fine with me.
    â€œWhatever, Coach. I don’t have the respect of the team, ’cause you listen to Barksdale. All right, cool.”
    â€œWell, you seem a little arrogant with me right now. Why should I think that you’re a humble guy?”
    â€œCoach, you’re getting on me, and I don’t even know you!”
    â€œSo, why don’t you make me wanna like you? Why are you making it so difficult?”
    â€œI give off what I get, sir. Not trying to be difficult, just being real. I won’t give you any problems on the field. If you wanna give me the ball, it’s your call. Is that all, Coach?”
    â€œFor now, Perry. That’s all.”
    Â 
    I was so sorry in practice that first day. For the second and third day, I wasn’t at full speed, either. Neither was the rest of the team. I wasn’t showing any leadership. I wasn’t trying to motivate them or correct them. Coach Robinson