Small Town Boy

Chapter 22

"For some of you, this might be your last high school game. Make it count! Leave everything out there and you might get one more!" Coach Hudson yelled for what must have been the hundredth time this week. The team responded with a rousing cheer which drowned out his next sentence. The atmosphere was tense but electric. I was nervous, but also ready to get out there. Coach Hudson finished, and then stepped aside, allowing Owen to step up to address the team. His arm hadn't healed as quickly as hoped, and so there was no chance he would be playing, but he was still our captain. 

"Boys." He began, a smile creeping across his face. "I've loved being your captain for the last year, and there is nothing more that I would like than to be out there with you. Nevertheless, you guys have gotten here on your own. You don't need me! Go out there and win this thing! Let's finish on a high!"

There was another raucous cheer as Owen too stepped aside. He walked over to stand next to Parker, who was standing to my left.  Parker held out his fist, giving his best friend a grin, a gesture that Owen reciprocated with his good arm. If this was the end, it would be a sad day for them. They still had half a year together, but next year, they would go their separate ways.

Coach Hudson then told us to finish getting ready and to be ready to go out onto the field in five minutes. I rushed to grab another sip of water and to fix one of my socks. 

Even before we stepped onto the field, I could feel the energy. As the season progressed, the crowds grew, despite the cold weather. The potential for playoffs had built the interest. And then it was time. For the last time, I watched my brother run onto our field to play. In a weird way, I felt proud of him, in the sort of way he always talked about being proud of me. There was an enormous cheer, the sound blasting across the grass. It seemed like the whole town had come down to watch the game. Every seat in the bleachers was occupied, and there were people with their own camping chairs lining the perimeter of the field. Even behind them, there was another row of people standing. 

"Shit." Ben gasped. "I'm nervous all of a sudden."

"I know..." I trailed off. 

"I'm honestly just glad I don't have to start." He remarked. "You'll be fine though, you always are." 

"Thanks, man." I smiled. 

We ended up losing the coin flip, which was a bad omen, but the other team chose to have the ball first. It meant I would have a few minutes before I needed to play. 

Our defense rushed onto the field, Coach Hudson having to shout louder than even just to get his instructions across. I waited on the sideline, a few feet away from Coach Ramirez. In between us was Julian, who was talking with Coach Ramirez about where they expected the other team would be weakest. I was trying to listen, but due to the noise, I could only make out every second word. 

Then, as our defense managed to bring down one of the opposition players after only a few yards, a hand clasped my shoulder. I jumped, remembering the way Reed's hand had pulled me away from the crowd at Calvin's party. It couldn't have been him though, I could see him about 30 feet away. 

"Jeez." Parker laughed. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Good to see you've brought some good jumping legs to the game." 

"I was focused, and you did it suddenly," I explained, excusing my surprise. 

"Sure little bro," He shook his head. 

"What do you want?" I asked, changing the topic. 

"I wanted to see my favorite brother." He answered. 

"I'm your only brother, stupid." I reminded him. 

"That's why you're my favorite." He grinned. 

"You are seriously unfunny," I told him. "Like, at this point I don't think I'll ever be an uncle, because your jokes are too bad even to be dad jokes."