Friday Night Midnights

Trouble with Positions

As I ran down the stairs after the call with Coach I could hear mom talking to Heidi. 

"What'd the lawyer say?" Heidi asked.

"He's gonna try and get her out without having to go to court."

"That's good right?"

"Yes. Very good. I'm worried about Ryder." Me? Why's mom worried about me? "He's been sleeping outside the past few nights and you know how he is with you two. You guys practically raised him for a few years." Wow. Didn't realize mom thought about that. 

"Mom. He's fine. He's just being Ryder. You know how he deals with stuff. He hides from it. He's good." I don't hide from stuff. Kaylie doesn't know what she's talking about.

"Ok sweetie. If you think so." Time to show my face. As I walk into the kitchen mom and Heidi look my way. "Hey Ryder. What'd Coach say?"

"He's not putting in Martinez but he is switching up every one's position. Don't know which option would be worse."

"So... your not throwing the ball anymore?" Mom asked. 

"No. I'm still quarterback, everyone else is switching though."

"OH. I get it. So you won't be throwing to Joel any more."

"Ya. Sure. Joel's not gonna be running back and Aaron isn't gonna be guard."

"Huh?" Mom and Heidi said at the same time.

"Nevermind. Mom, is Kaylie coming home soon?"

"Hopefully yes. I was going to see her today. Want to come?"

"Ya ok. When are you leaving?"

"Uh, I'll probably leave in two hours or so. Visiting doesn't start till then anyways."

"Ok. Can I go to Hermann with Joel and Aaron for a bit then?"

"Course. Be back in two hours."

"K bye mom. Heidi can I take your car?"

"No dumbass. You can't even drive. Give me a sec. I'll drive you."

"K cool. I'm outside."

After waiting for Heidi for a good 10 minutes, we finally started driving the five minutes to the field. I ran out of the car as soon as the front wheels touched the gravel of the parking lot. "One of these day's you're gonna kill yourself. You know that?" Heidi yelled after me.

"Ya... I'll be fine."

"Bye lil bro"

"See ya" I saw Joel and Aaron passing the ball back and forth. God Aaron can't throw. I swear, my sisters could throw better. I ran over laughing. 

"Torres. My sisters can throw better than that."

"Shut it Hill."

"Aaron. You run. Joel. Tackle his ass to the ground." 

"He won't even catch me." Aaron taunted.

"Oh ya? How bout you start running."

I was given the ball and bounced lightly between my feet setting up for the pass. I saw Aaron running down field with Joel just slightly behind him. If this is gonna make it to Aaron, he's gonna need to start sprinting or cut away quick. "TORRES. RUN" I yell at him. He runs a little faster but that just makes Joel run faster. Shit. I load up and release the ball aiming for just a little ahead of Aaron. He reaches for it but Joel puts on the gas, jumps, and grabs it out of the air. "Who were ya aimin for Hill?" Joel comments

"Shut it Wilson. You know exactly who I was aiming for."

"Ya well. Not my fault Aaron can't catch the damn ball." As Joel finishes that statement, Aaron comes out of nowhere and tackles him. Joel grunts as he hits the field. I burst out laughing. "Get the hell off me."

"I can't catch the ball but you can't tackle for the life of ya." Aaron retorts. He's right. If this is gonna be how it is on Friday, we're gonna be killed. Aaron eventually stands up and lets Joel scramble off the ground. We do a few more plays until Aaron finally catches the ball only to be tackled by Joel and drop the ball. 

"I'd rather sit on the bench than be put through this in a game." Aaron mumbles as he stalks off the field. 

"Dude. Come on." Joel responds. "You're not that bad. This is the first time you've played running back since you were like five."

"And this is the first time you've played guard yet you seem to know how to tackle."

"Guys. Stop. Aaron. Ya you can't catch but Joel. I'm watching the way you tackle and I swear it's like you're flinging yourself at him and hoping to God he actually comes down."

"Friday's gonna be a mess." Joel grumbles.

"You got that right." I say as I look at my phone. "Shit. I shoulda been home 20 minutes ago. I gotta go. See you at school."

"Want a ride?" Aaron questions.

"Na. I'm good. I'll run."

"See ya." They say as the stand back up and start passing the ball back and forth. 

When I walk in the door, I see Mom sitting on the couch waiting. For me. Crap. 

"Ryder. Finally. Let's go." She's frustrated. This is gonna be a long 15 minute drive.

When we get to the prison? Jail? Police station? I don't know what they call it. Anyways when we get to wherever Kaylie is, we walk up the front steps, in through the doors and walk to the booth where workers are behind the glass screens. "Hi. We're here to see Kaylie Hill." Mom says

"Ok and who are you?" The lady with big glasses and frizzy hair asks. 

"I'm Elizabeth Hill, Kaylie's mom and this is Ryder Hill, Kaylie's sister."

"Ryder Hill? I believe my daughter goes to school with you. Grace Tharuea?"

"Oh ya. She's in a couple of my classes." Her being Grace's mom makes a lot of sense. Can't believe I didn't see it before. They're practically identical. Minus the glasses. 

"So... Kaylie?" Mom impatiently questions.

"Right. Sorry. Can I see some ID please?"

"Of course." Mom pulls out her drivers license and hands it to Grace's mom. 

"Thank you. I will get a guard to let her out. She will meet you in the visiting room which is just to your left here through the doors." The lady says as she hands mom back her drivers license and starts to call someone on the desk phone. 

Mom and I walk through the doors and sit at a table on the far side of the room. There's lots of tables but barely any people. We're waiting for Kaylie for a few minutes in silence until a different set of doors open and my sister walks out with a guard behind her.