For The Love Of The Game

Chapter Three

  Friday came quickly, Miss Connors hasn't really spoken to me the last few days and my mood had gotten back to normal. All was well on the football field and I was ready for the game tonight.

I was currently in Miss Connors room helping her grade papers, she didn't have a class this period so I helped her catch up on grading. It was actually weird to be in here alone at first, but I quickly got use to it "are you ready for the game tonight?"

  I looked up and grinned her red pen was in between her lips as she was looking down at a piece paper, "yeah it's the first game of the season I'm always ready to play."

  I had found out she was a huge football fan, and even loved watching practice. That helped me a lot with the weirdness I was feeling, once I found that out she was a sports nerd.

  "Obviously this town is excited as well, everything closes before the game.". She had a funny expression on her face.

  "Yup they want that fourth championship, I don't blame them I do too."

  We chatted a little more and I found out she had been really good in basketball, actually got a full ride scholarship to a university and that's how she paid for college.

  It didn't surprise me that she was athletic though, she was tall, and you could tell she took care of her body.

  We didn't have practice today of course but we did have our pep rally, one again the whole school and most of the town attended.

  Most of the kids went home after school but on game day I never do I  made my way into my locker room changing into shorts and a t-shirt before going to the football field.

  Coach already knew my routine and had my catching nets already set up for me. I usually worked out until about 530 before getting ready for the game, at first coach hated it, said I would get tired, but then when he got use to my work ethic he never said another word. What coach would after winning three straight championships.

I warmed up and stretched before picking up a ball and throwing it towards the net, my philosophy was every ball I missed counted as 20 push ups.

My first round I missed three throws as I began to do my push ups I saw a shadow coming up from behind me. It startled me causing me to jump up and spin around. Miss Connors jumped back quickly when I scared her, I noticed she was in shorts and a t-shirt "sorry Miss Connors didn't know you were out here usually I'm out here alone." I gave her a quick grin.

  "I was coming to run on the track for a bit, all this work aren't you going to be tired before the game?"

  I laughed, "as long as I don't miss my throws and have to do push ups then no I won't be.". I dropped back down to finish my first set of push ups before  standing up and running down to the net and starting my next round of throws.

  I was on my fifth round of throws taking a break before continuing, I spotted Miss Connors running her laps, her strides we're even, her breathing was steady, and I'm sure she was closing in on two miles without breaking a sweat.

  She really was like my dream girl, athleteic, loved sports, and not bad on the eyes. There was just two problems, I didn't know if she was single or gay, plus she was my damn teacher.

  Game time, it's almost time to take the field, my heart is pumping, my adrenaline had taken control, the bell starts chiming, and we take off through the tunnel, the crowd roars when get on the field, we take our place on the sidelines, I look around to see kids running around with jerseys and numbers painted on their little faces, and it's mostly my number 10.

  I glance through the stands and find two pairs of familiar eyes and I have to control the urge to vomit as I spot my mother and father sitting in the stands with their bodyguards around them. I didn't attempt to wave and neither did they, I looked over at the teachers section and my heart began to race harder as my eyes locked with hers. She gave me and small wave and mouthed the words good luck.

  We destroyed them the game was over at half time because we were ahead after 45 points, I went over to the fence and was talking to some little kids, it made their day thinking they were talking to a pro athlete or something.

  "Hello Ruby," I glanced up and came face to face with my mother.

  "Mother," turning my head and looking at him straight in the eyes, "father."

  "Don't look so happy to see us, daughter," my father was mocking me.

  "I could say the same, are y'all leaving now that you've made your yearly appearance."

  My father's face changed as anger flashed through his eyes, "I wouldn't test me child, we are leaving in the morning and I expect you home within the hour."

  I went to say something but was cut off by an angelic voice, "RJ omg y'all were amazing."

  I looked up to see an overly excited Miss Connors, " thank you Miss Connors. This is my parents Regina and Bill, mom dad this is Miss Connors."

  Everything in their demeanor changed as they shook her hand, "Miss Connors it's nice to meet you, but we must get going, we will see you at home sweetheart."

  I gave him a go to hell look before nodding as she spoke, "nice to meet you too and please call me Emily.". So I finally got a first name and it suit her well. Once my parents walked off she turned to me, "they seem just as nice as you."

  I was already turning on my heels and spoke before I thought, "don't let them fool you." I cringed as the words came out, before she had a chance to respond I took off towards the locker room to join my team mates.

  I walked through the front door and there was an eerie silence, I looked around before starting towards my room, before I made it I was slammed into a wall with a throat around my neck.

  "That's the wrong room sweetheart," the fire raging through my father's eyes made me feel like a small child. It never failed when I was around him I felt weak, even though my body could out muscle him any day, my mind made me feel like a small fragile child.

  I looked down seeing the whip in my father's hand, "dad please don't." I knew being was useless but I did it anyways. Eventually I just closed my eyes trying to find a happy place and Emily Connors was the only thing to the came to mind.

  I was forced out of my dreams into reality when I woke up the next morning in agonizing pain and blood stained sheets. My door opened slowly and Alice came in with a hot water bucket and cleaning materials, "are they gone."

  "Yes dear now rollover and let's get you cleaned up." I loved Alice she was so sweet and took care of me after my beatings, when she first found out she wanted to go to the police, I talked her out of it and my parents basically paid her to keep her mouth shut. They agreed to pay her medical expenses, plus Alice and I both know my father is not a man to cross.