Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 44: The Game Beyond the Field

After Judah learned of the fantasy league, he quickly realized just how deeply it affected the team dynamics. Parents began to approach him regularly, expressing their concerns about kids' playing time—even if the child wasn't their own.

"Judah, can we talk?" Mike said one afternoon, clipboard in hand. "Billy hasn't been getting enough touchdowns lately. You really need to make sure he's on the field more often."

Judah tried to keep his focus on the team's overall performance. "I'm prioritizing the season record, Mike. Everyone will get their turn."

"But this is about our fantasy teams too!" Lisa chimed in. "If my kids don't score, we're going to lose points. Can't you just adjust the plays a little?"

Judah felt the pressure mounting, especially when parents started offering him gifts to sway his decisions. One day, he came home with an assortment of items: a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, and a six-pack of beer. His friends were baffled.

"Where did all this come from?" Jackson asked, raising an eyebrow.

"They're from the parents on my football team," Judah replied, a mix of disbelief and annoyance in his voice.

"They bought you beer? And flowers?" Jackson couldn't wrap his head around it. "Man, coaching kids sounds like a sweet gig if you're raking in gifts like that!"

Judah frowned. "It's not about the kids anymore. It's turned into a fantasy league competition, and they're don't even care about their own kids anymore if they're not on their rosters. It's sad, really."

Jackson laughed, shaking his head. "This is ridiculous. But honestly, it sounds hilarious. I have to see this for myself."

The following Saturday, Jackson decided to show up for a game. Judah stood on the sidelines, clipboard in hand, trying to keep his focus on the game. The energy of the kids on the field was electric, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off among the parents.

As the game unfolded, Mike's son, Tommy, scored a touchdown. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Judah's attention was drawn to Lisa, who rushed over to Tommy with an exaggerated grin.

"Great job, Tommy! That was amazing!" Lisa exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him. "I think with that touchdown I'll beat your dad this week!"

Tommy looked bewildered, glancing around for his own dad. "Uh, thanks, Lisa," he said slowly, his confusion evident. "Where's my dad?"

Lisa waved a hand dismissively, still gushing over Tommy. "I'm sure he's just busy. But you were fantastic out there! Keep it up!"

As Mike approached, he noticed Lisa's excitement directed solely at Tommy. He gave a forced smile, trying to mask his annoyance. "Hey, Tom, great job," he said, but he was clearly frustrated. "Maybe next week don't score or, better yet, fumble the ball. How about that?"

Tommy's smile faded as he looked up at his father, disappointment creeping in. "Uh.. Dad?"

Meanwhile, across the field, Jerry's son, Kyle, was struggling to find his rhythm. After the game, Kyle trudged over to his dad, hoping for some words of encouragement. But Jerry's expression was anything but supportive.

"Come on, Kyle. If you were more like Tommy out there, I'd have you on my team," Jerry grumbled, shaking his head.

Kyle's face fell, confusion and hurt evident. "But I tried my best..." he mumbled, looking down at his cleats.

Judah felt a tightening in his chest as he witnessed the interactions. The joy of the game was slipping away, overshadowed by parents' obsession with fantasy league points. He turned back to Jackson, who was watching the scene unfold with an amused expression.

"Looks like the parents are more invested in their fantasy teams than their kids," Jackson remarked, shaking his head.

"Yeah, and it's not what I signed up for," Judah replied, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on his shoulders.

As Jackson watched from the sidelines, he struck up a conversation with one of the dads who was deeply invested in the fantasy league.

"You know, I just picked up David last week and as a running back, I think he's the best we've got," the dad said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "If you have some time. You should join us. The competition is fierce right now. Games are close."

With the father's words, Jackson realized he could get into this. He began to see the appeal of managing a fantasy team, and by the end of the game, he decided to join the league himself.

But it wasn't long before Jackson began dominating the fantasy league, much to the apparent frustration of the other parents. He had been winning week after week and it seemed to be none other than Judah's fault for introducing him to the team. At the same time, Judah also was neglecting his duties as coach, as they saw it, considering he would accept their bribes but not so much in terms of affecting playtime or routes.

"Let's vote to remove him as head coach," one parent suggested during a heated discussion. "He's not even paying attention anymore!"

Judah, caught in the crossfire, found himself facing the consequences of a situation he never intended to create. The focus on individual performance had overshadowed the very reason he started coaching: to inspire and connect with the kids.