The Perfect Couple

32

Monday, Caitlyn called the first committee meeting. We gathered in the small conference room and it was agreed that I'd welcome the next transfer student who came to Bayside.

Two days later a call came from the registration office. When I reported that I found a sullen faced girl named Roberta Blake. She had Lee said a word as I showed her around the school and campus and chattered about the activities that were open to everyone. At noon I took her to the cafeteria and introduced her to Nancy Dolan, hoot surprised me by being receptive to the idea of making the transfers feel welcome. She said she hadn't realised call Becky's article came out how hard it was for them.

"Do you play soccer?" She asked Roberta.

"A little bit." Roberta had begun to Brighten and I had a really good feeling when I went to sit with Marcus.

I told him about Roberta and he looked over to where she was sitting, talking to Nancy as if they were old friends.

"Good work, Black," he said. His grid of approval made me feel better than ever.

Later I wanted to tell Alan how well the program was working, but I had a feeling he wouldn't be awfully interested. Instead, I moved my head around, hoping he noticed the different shades the perm had somehow put in my hair and I said the one thing I was sure would bring a smile to his face.

"Hi, Mr Quarterback!"

He gave a low, deep laugh that was like music to my ears. "After the big game is out of the way, maybe we can have a Coke together to celebrate," he said.

I nearly choked as I realized I practically had a date with him. "That that would be fun," was all I could get out.

By the time Kim and I found our seats on the big game day I was too excited to sit down. "Isn't it wonderful to see the stands crowded?" I said, looking around Bayside Stadium. "And isn't it great that the rain went away after the way we were dumped on yesterday?"

Football could be played in any kind of weather, of course, but passing is Alan's strong point and a slippery field would make it harder for him to manoeuvre into position to fire a long pass.

"There are still some clouds in the sky," Kim observed, looking up.

I glanced up, too. "Those aren't rain clouds," I said. "Anyway, the sun will soon chase them away."

There was some scattered applause now now as the visiting team came out. But a minute later it was like an explosion as the Cougars took the field. I joined in the cries of "Go, Cougars, go!" Until Kim pulled me down into my seat.

"You won't have any voice left if you keep yelling like that," she told me.

The Eagles got the ball first and managed to score a field goal on our defensive team.

Kim groaned like a lot of people in the stands, but I told her not to take it so hard.

"Three points won't do them much good after Alan gets his hands on the ball."

Everyone seem to agree with me because the cheers were for Alan now, as our offensive team went into action.

"We want a touchdown! Come on, Rogers!"

While Alan was huddling with other players I leaned forward so I could see the bench. Marcus had suited up in case he should be needed, but I knew he wouldn't be . . . not unless Alan got the Cougars so far ahead that Coach Barnes benched him for a few minutes so that Marcus could get in a few minutes' playing time after all his hours of practicing.

Alan came out of the huddle to fall back and throw a twenty-yard pass. All the cougar fans, including me, went crazy. This was just the way with expected the game to go. After two more plays Alan quickly had it off the Ball to a running back to avoid being sacked. Amid loud cheering, the running back took it the rest of the way for the touchdown. With the conversion we were ahead 7-3.

The Eagles when Scoreless during their next possession.

"What do you want to bet he comes right back with a touchdown pass?" I asked Kim.

She didn't answer. When I looked at her I saw her face was turned up to the sky. I looked up, too and was surprised to see that a lot of dark clouds had moved in.

"Oh, no, it can't rain!" I wailed. But even as I spoke the words the first drops fell.

What happened after that can best be described as a tragedy. It was pouring by the time Alan came out of the huddle and raised his arm to throw the ball. The defensive players charged him and when he tried to evade them with his fancy footwork he slipped. To avoid a sack he dumped the ball and the Eagles were all over it. Within seconds they'd carried it into the end zone.

On the next possession they scored again.

They were ahead 17-7.

No matter how hard he tried, Alan couldn't get anything going. I heard that the people around me begin to grumble that he should give up his passing game and starts handing the ball off to his running backs more.

I felt sick sick, hearing Alan criticised. "They were all cheering him a minute ago," I complained to Kim. "It's not his fault it began to rain."

She studied her fingernails, something she did when she didn't want to comment on something.

"Don't worry," I said, more to myself than to her. "Alan we'll come back in the second half."

I felt a little better than and even managed to enjoy the halftime show. Tom was playing with the band and I joined Kim in applauding as they marched around the soppy field. All the time, though, I was thinking, if only it would stop raining. If only the sun would come out and dry the grass.

Then I found out it would be too late for Alan even if that happened. Just before the Cougars came out for the second half, announcement came over the loudspeaker.

"Marcus Lopez is now playing quarterback for the Bayside Cougars."