The Fumble Of A Quarterback

Chapter 13: Your Speech, That Was...

Song for the start of the chapter!

Darla H

"Nojo! Are you ready for this? First game of the season!" Dad cheered as he ran down the stairs.

I nodded with a smile, trying to wake myself up. I slipped on my shoes and tied them. "Couldn't be more excited," I yawned. "I think we'll kill it today. We have good game plans."

"They're called plays."

I smiled shyly. "Sorry."

"No big dealio champ. We all know how you are with football. I'm just glad you're trying though. Anyhow, we should get going before the players arrive."

I nodded as I grabbed my backpack with things that I thought I would need for the day.

"Paul, don't forget, I'll be in the stands cheering you on," Mom said as she kissed his cheek.

"I'll be using that as my source of strength today."

She smiled as the two embraced for a moment. "I know you will."

Dad checked his phone then raised his eyebrows. "Ok, we got to get going!"

I gave Mom a quick hug then quickly followed him out the door to the car.

I wiped my sweaty hands on my pants. My stomach was in knots ever since I woke up. I tried to convince myself that this game would be fine, but I never sat and watched a game, let alone had emotional stakes in it. This was more than a game, it felt more like a class and today was the test.

"Nojo, relax. This game is going to be just fine," Dad said as we drove to the Woody, breaking me out of my consuming worried thoughts.

"How do you handle the nerves?"

"I tell myself that worrying solves nothing."

"That's not helpful," I mutter in disappointment. I was expecting some glorious fix, but that was something anyone could have told me.

He shrugged. "Well, it works for me. That and a kiss from your mother. Those are the two things that normally help."

"Somehow I think a kiss from Mom will have little effect on me."

He chuckled. "You might have a point." With that, he parked as OSU buses pulled into the lot. "THa's how we are getting to the stadium."

"The OSU public busses?" I asked. I thought it would be a little grander than this.

Dad chuckled as he got out of the car. "My Gooley, we can't park over at the stadium. It's crazier than your uncle on the fourth over there."

I shook my head as the players walked out of the Woody with their gear.

He said hello to everyone then got onto the bus. I followed close behind, unable to be as relaxed as he was. He whistled a catchy tune as he swung his took a seat at the front. He was completely calm, unlike me who felt stiff and clammy.

I couldn't work up a sentence as players greeted us, stepping on the bus.

"Nerves?" Tad asked from behind.

I nodded in silence.

"It'll be fine. Promise," he said, tapping my shoulder as the bus moved forward.

We drove through campus as we have done so many times before. I had rode campus busses countless times, but this time left me breathless. Every second that ticketed by made me feel more uncomfortable. I didn't know what I was doing here. I didn't know a thing about what to do.