I was sitting on the sidelines, still buzzing from the chaos of the fight earlier. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and grass, and I was trying to shake off the craziness of the day. Then I spotted Hadassah and Coach Reid over by the snack table, and my heart sank.
Coach was grinning like a kid on Christmas, bending down with a big tub of ice cream in his hands. Not just any ice cream—the ice cream that had been recalled for giving kids way too many cavities. It was practically a dental death sentence, and he was handing it to Hadassah like it was candy.
“Come on, Haddie! This stuff is the best!” Coach chuckled, his voice booming with excitement. “A little sugar never hurt anyone! You gotta live a little!”
I felt my stomach twist into knots. “Coach, no! You can’t give her that!” I shouted, sprinting across the field, my heart racing. “It’s recalled! It could ruin her teeth!”
Coach looked up at me, his expression amused. “Oh, relax! She’s a kid; let her enjoy some ice cream! It’s not like she’s eating it for breakfast,” he said, waving me off like I was just being dramatic.
But Hadassah was already digging in, spoon poised like a champion ready for battle. “Don’t worry, old man! I’ll brush my teeth after this,” she laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She scooped up a giant chunk of the forbidden ice cream and popped it into her mouth, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, but still!” I pressed, my panic rising. “You don’t want to end up in the dentist’s chair for a year straight because of some stupid ice cream! What if you have to get a root canal?”
“Relax, sperm donor!” Hadassah shot back, her mouth still full of ice cream. “I can handle a little sugar. It’s not like I’m going to die from a scoop of ice cream!”
Coach chuckled, shaking his head, clearly unfazed. “Life’s too short to worry about cavities, Harrison. Besides, what’s a few sweet treats in the grand scheme of things? You think I cared about cavities when I was a kid? No way! I lived for the sugar highs.”
“Okay, but you’re not a kid anymore!” I shot back, frustration spilling over. “You’re supposed to be responsible! What if her teeth start falling out?”
“Responsibility is overrated sometimes,” Coach said with a wink, ruffling Hadassah’s hair affectionately. “Let her enjoy herself, you know? You’re a good kid, but you need to learn how to loosen up.”
I crossed my arms, still fuming, but deep down, I knew he had a point. I watched as Hadassah beamed with happiness, her laughter ringing out like music. She was in her element, blissfully oblivious to the risk of cavities, and it tugged at my heartstrings.
“Fine, but if she ends up in the dentist’s chair, I’m blaming you,” I grumbled, my irritation fading as I fought back a smile.
Hadassah just grinned wider, her cheeks full of ice cream as she took another big bite. “No worries! You’re just jealous you didn’t get any!” she teased, sticking her tongue out at me. “What’s the matter, bitch? Afraid I’m going to enjoy my life?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, right! I’d rather not risk losing my teeth,” I shot back, but even I knew I was losing this battle.
Then, without warning, Coach leaned down conspiratorially, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You know what, Haddie? Let’s make this even better—why don’t we see how many scoops you can handle before practice? Bet you can’t beat me!”
“Challenge accepted!” she exclaimed, her competitive spirit igniting as she grabbed for another scoop of the dangerously delicious ice cream.
Watching them, I felt a wave of warmth. This was more than just ice cream; it was about living in the moment, about bonding over something as simple and sweet as a treat. I realized that sometimes, you just had to let loose and enjoy life—even if it meant facing the consequences later.
As Hadassah dug into that forbidden ice cream, laughter filling the air, I knew I’d remember this day forever—not for the fights or the drama, but for the sweetness of it all.
“Just don’t come crying to me when you can’t eat chocolate for a week after your dentist visit!” I called out, shaking my head with a grin.
Hadassah just laughed, her joy infectious, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
