A Red Lighter

Connor: Sorry Mom

I watched as Caleb walked into English late, and by the look on his face I knew something was off. When he took the empty seat next to me, I could see his lips were a little swollen and his hair was ruffled. I wasn't going to say anything about it till; Mrs. Drake asked if he had a late slip.

"Umm no" Caleb's face fell as he dug in his pocket "but I have a pardon"

Usually I'd think nothing of a pardon, they happened all the time. A kid got held back for a minute or was called out of class. But when I saw that it was the coach's messy signature at the bottom my heart dropped. And I was more than pleased it was the last period so I could ask him what was wrong.

Of course when you want nothing more than for something to end it never does. And the whole time the teacher went over proper grammar I couldn't help but think of ways to ask him what the hell the coach did. When the bell finally did ring Caleb raced out of the classroom. Something was off and when I looked at his desk carved into the table were the words sorry mom. I didn't know what that meant, why would he be sorry? Rumor had it his mother killed herself.

I took it Caleb wasn't coming over, especially when I left I saw him boarding the bus to go home. Even though I really wanted to know what was going on, it was clear he didn't want to talk about it. And like always I didn't push, maybe he needed to work something out. I wish I could save him, just hold all the evil and bad in his life at bay. But I clearly failed, I let coach hurt him today, something about his mother is clearly bothering him and if the look on his face made any indication. There was no way in hell this kid would talk.

I sat in the locker room deciding whether or not I should confront the coach. I knew that if I didn't my head wouldn't be in the game, but then again if I did it wouldn't be in the game either. And I wish I could just forget about it but I couldn't, my mind wouldn't allow it.

I was doing fine during the game; I hadn't thrown any interceptions and only got tackled once. So we were looking good, up by a touchdown and it was only half time. Coach seemed to be off his game though, eyes focused hard on the bleachers. Usually I'd think nothing of it but me being the curious little bugger that I am I tried to look for what had the coach locking eyes. It didn't take me long before I noticed all by himself a slender black haired boy, with freckles that danced along his nose.

Caleb looked so small and helpless from a far, his shoulders hunched and knees drawn ever so slightly. Anybody would think that he was just shy or socially awkward, which to be fair he was both. But maybe it was the way he looked as if he was seconds from breaking down if you talked to him or the way he'd flinch whenever you called his name. Something was wrong; coach and Caleb seemed to lock eyes, because sudden fear ran through them before he lowered his head to the ground. Sudden anger ran through my veins and I wanted nothing more than to protect Caleb.

"Kay" coach's voice was harsh "we have to win this... Connor great job out buddy but we need more hustle, we have the lead keep it that way" I was just about to speak when I was pushed onto the field by a couple of my colleges.

We ended up winning the game and even though I was happy, I couldn't help the cruel gut feeling I had when both Caleb and coach were nowhere to be seen. I rushed into the locker room as fast as I could, pushing past my friends. The coach's office wasn't locked and even though I burst in and Caleb was nowhere in sight I had to bring it up.

"What... you do to Caleb isn't okay" my voice was low dangerously low and I glared as the coach locked the office door

"I don't do anything to him"

"I walked in on you... and listened as Caleb puked his guts out and cried" I threw my shoulder pads on the ground "you hurt him, sent him to the hospital...You have to stop...my dad's a cop" coach wrapped his cold slender fingers around the collar of my shirt and pushed me against the wall

"I'd never hurt Caleb.... I love him"

"He's a kid you sick fuck" I spat done with the conversation

"Ha love has no bounds.... And I'd like to see you try and take him away from me, your dad may be a cop but Caleb, would never tell" deep down I knew that was right, I noticed Caleb's sweater sprawled across the floor.

I grumbled as he pushed me out of the office, nearly tripping over my own feet. All the people in the locker room stared as I stormed out, still dressed in my attire. I stomped over to my car only to be pulled out of my line of target by the smell of smoke. It was a long shot a lot of kids smoked but when I turned the corner I found Caleb. Knees drawn up to his chest as tears tracked down his face.

"Caleb?" I asked cautiously

"Today's my birthday" he throat was raw and he seemed to choke on his words, crying but his eyes never left from the stop they locked on, the route 70 overpass.