* * *
I sat back in the bleachers and recapped my first day back at school. I managed just fine as far as my thirst went, but I kind of knew that would be the case. Like I said, if I could manage Jason humanity would be no problem. The kids were nice, maybe too nice, but I was grateful. I figured in a few days, everything would fall back into a normal routine. I looked up when I heard footsteps on the bleachers.
"Cathy, what are you doing out here, you'll freeze."
She waited until she reached the top and sat down next to me before she replied. "Alex said I might want to see some of practice."
"Did he say why?"
"Nope. I bet Coach Singleton was glad to see you back."
"Yeah, everyone's been extra nice."
"Sounds like there's a 'but' in there." Cathy looked up. "Oh hey, here they come."
I stood.
"Where you going?"
"I thought I'd go down to the fence to watch, don't you want to be closer?"
"Sure, but they're going to practice on the stadium field today."
"Really?" I sat back down on the bleacher as the team followed Coach Singleton though the gates at the far end, closest to the school. Coach waved as he passed—so did the rest of the team.
"That was nice." Cathy said.
"Yeah, it was."
The team did two laps around the track to warm up, and then gathered around Coach. He looked up at me before giving them a little speech. He talked about how proud of them he was, how hard they had worked and that win or lose he wanted them to walk off the field on Saturday knowing they had given their all. He again looked up at me and Cathy. He didn't say anything, just stood there. Jason and Alex were first, then Matt as one-by-one the team stood and turned toward us. At first it was a bit disconcerting, but it became kind of a renewal of our unspoken bond.
I grabbed Cathy under the arm, and pulled her to her feet with me. "Go Warrior's." I said and then looked to Cathy.
"Go Warrior's!" We both yelled.
The team, pounded their fists against their heart, raised them above their heads and then pointed toward us.
"Alright," Coach said, "lets get to it."
Cathy and I sat back down as practice began.
"You think that's what Alex was talking about?" I ventured.
"Probably. It was pretty cool, right?"
"Oh, definitely."
Practice seemed normal enough—oh, maybe a little more intense, but nothing dramatically different than usual except, Jason only took a few snaps as quarterback. That was hard for me, because I knew it was my fault. I could only imagine how difficult it was for him. Cathy left with her mom about an hour into practice.
The lights were on since the sun set early now—probably why they were practicing on the stadium field, but finally, Coach sent the team to run a few laps, gave them a little pep talk when they finished and then sent them to the locker room. I walked down the bleachers and started toward the school.
"Did I tell you how glad I am to have you back, safe an sound?" Coach said as he walked up next to me.
"Yes you did—in class, but thanks, it feels good to be back." We walked about halfway to school. "Coach?"
"Yes."
"Are you punishing Jason for helping me?"
"What?" He stopped dead in his tracks.
"It was my fault—"
"Hold on there a minute. First, I am not punishing Jason for helping you. I would never do that."
"Then why?"
"Football is not about one player, no matter how good he is, and decisions come with consequences—even the right ones." He stopped as if considering. "Listen, Izzy, I admire Jason, and what he did, whatever that was—I'm so proud of him for the choices he's made in real tough situations both this year and last. He's a fine young man—got his head on straight if you know what I mean."
"Yes, I do."
"Izzy, football is more than just a game, it's about life. It teaches young men responsibility, teamwork, how to win, how to lose and how to make sacrifices for what they believe in. Jason made a choice—the right choice—and he knew it came at a price. Without 'the price', there's no sacrifice—it diminishes what he did. Do you see what I'm getting at?"
"Yes, but Coach, this was my fault, he was trying to help me."
"I know. Like I said, he made the right choice."
"Then he'll get to play?"
"I'm not naive, our chances of winning without him are miniscule. He's going to sit out for most if not all of the first quarter and then he'll go in and do his thing. If—big if here, the trainer clears him to play."
"Thank you, Coach."
Coach started toward the school, but stopped. "Izzy, Jason knew he'd have to pay a price, maybe his football future, or even more—I know what he was doing, I saw the marks on his arms—"
"Coach—"
"I don't want to know." He shook his head. "The boy risked his life for you and didn't hesitate, not for a second, no matter what the cost. He was solely focused on rescuing you. In my book, no one can love anyone as much as he loves you." He smiled as if considering. "Well except maybe how much you love him."