The Boy Finds Courage

Football Practice

       "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit " was all I could mutter to myself as I got ready for practice after the school day had ended. My heart was racing and I felt like I was going to be sick. "Five minutes, if you aren't out on the field you get extra laps" coach Karp's voice cut into my panic. I rushed to get my helmet and ran out onto the field just in time, but Greenlee who was nearly thirty seconds behind me just missed the five minutes as he ran up to the incredibly tense huddle. It was because I was there.
      "Okay team in light of new news I realize that you want to treat Matthew here differently. Because of the fact he is gay. Now you listen here you rats Matthew is still the team's best player and I expect you to pay attention to the game not his sexuality. If you have a problem with it you can leave this field right now because I am not taking him off of the team. If you are more focused on whether he likes girls or not you are not on this field for the right reasons." Coach's speech was to the point.
     "Coach you can't be serious you can't expect us the play with a fag", James said angrily.  I looked at the ground hating myself. "If you don't like it so much just leave because a team needs to be accepting of each other no matter what if we want to win this championship", Coach glared at him. "Last chance if you don't like it leave." James left snarling,"talk to me about being on the team again when he is gone". He looked at me pointedly and he gave me a look of pure disgust. When James left five other players left with him. It hurt knowing my best friend since preschool hated me now.
       "Good now let's get to practice we have a game in a few days", Coach told us and then blew his whistle to signal practice started. "GREENLEE LAPS NOW!!" Coach yelled. "Fuck", was mumbled from his direction and started his laps grumpily.
     Practice was hell. They let Joe Steele by a few times so he could sack me. No doubt about it I will have bruises tomorrow shit. When coach finally told everyone to hit the showers I hung back knowing the danger I would be in if I stepped foot into the locker room. So I busied myself by putting the practice equipment back in storage while waiting for the locker room to be cleared before I went in to get a shower.
     I got done quicker than I expected to so I laid down in the middle of the field wincing because all of my muscles ached. Groaning I looked over and saw the coach walking towards me. "Locker room is cleared son you can go hit the showers now." Getting up slowly I limped to the locker room because my leg had been injured at the end of practice.
     I went to grab my bag from coaches office but on the way I saw my locker had  FAGGOT was written on it. How wonderful I thought sarcastically. Now both of my lockers had been defaced. I took a quick shower and got dressed. Knowing how fast rumors spreads in this town I dreaded seeing my family hoping they didn't hear it but knowinv they would.
     Walking out of the locker room and to my car I saw my sister waiting. Fuck. I silently unlocked my rather nice Camaro and got in. "You know this doesn't change anything,right?" I looked down to my lap at my sisters words. Dad is not going to think so. "Yeah". The drive home was uncomfortable and tense waiting to see what going home would have in store for them.
       I parked in the driveway and sighed. I couldn't move, I couldn't even breathe this time. "Hey Matt, maybe it won't be so bad." His Carly tried but I was still too scared to walk into my house. Getting out was hell and approaching the house was agony. When I got in the door my father was there with a murderous look on his face.
    He is going to actually kill me, I am going to die. "Sweetie go to your room I do not want you to hear any of what I need to say." my father grinded out to my sister. She glanced at me and I nodded that I would be fine. She scurried off and when we had heard the click of her bedroom door close he turned to me. "Kitchen, Now"