Pass Me the Ball

Chapter 2 - Quarterback?

I sighed as I shut the driver door of my Ford ranger. I grabbed my bag out of the bed of my truck and headed to the football field. I heard the squeak and grinding of the old rusty gate as I opened it to pass through. I looked across the field to the guest's bleachers. There I saw coach tossing a football in the air in the distance.

"Adams" he yelled toward me.

I sat my bag on the silver metal bench placed just in front of the home team's bleachers for the team to sit on during games and made my way toward him.

"Stop there" he yelled when I got about 10 feet from him.

He threw the ball to me. I caught it with ease, clutching it to my chest.

"Throw it back to me. Each time you're not dead on I want you to step five feet back. Everytime I'm able to catch it without moving you take one step toward me."

Just one step if I'm good enough and five feet back if I can't throw? In my head I was thinking 'this is too easy'. But I'm not going to psych myself out. I did as I was told, only failing to get it directly to him twice, until I was dripping sweat and staring into his eyes. He patted me on the back.

"You have a great skill Adams. Don't get me wrong Danny is the greatest quarterback this school has had in years, but you... You've got something about you that tells me you're better. I'm gonna bring it out in you."

I smiled at him. I could see it in his eyes, he had faith in me, he believed in me. I nodded my head.

"Coach I can't promise I'm gonna be a perfect player, but anything you tell me to do I'm gonna do it no ifs ands or buts."

He smirked and nodded his head.

"Do everything I tell you and you may be the first female NFL player."

I nodded and for the next 3 hours we ran drills. Running and throwing and running and throwing, over and over again until it was done to his liking.

"Alright get a drink!" he yelled.

Feeling the burning in my lungs and the dryness in my throat I walked to my bag and grabbed my gatorade I purchased during lunch. I sat down on the bench feeling the chill of the metal on. the back of my thighs and took a deep breath, controlling my breathing. I checked my phone and realize it was 4:50pm. I looked up and coach was heading toward me with a full set of equipment.

"Here" he said as he handed me a helmet, pads, a girdle, pants, and a jersey. Number 1.

"Coach this is Danny's number."

He shook his head.

"I asked for him to change numbers after seeing you throw yesterday. He's now your right hand man, an excellent reciever and blocker. Number 2. You gotta work with him more than any other player on this team. He's going to become your brother, do you understand?"

I looked up at him with confusion, and surprise.

"Are you sure?"

"Do not make me regret this Adams. See you tommorow at 5."

And with that he walked off the field to the parking lot where I heard his truck start up and leave. At 5 when the girls all entered the field for a practice I was supposed to attend, I was still seated in the same spot staring at my jersey. MY JERSEY. Number 1.

"Sam, what are you doing here already?" Asked Becca as she walked over to me.

Without saying anything I handed her the jersey.

"Is this Danny's jersey? Why do you have it?"

I shook my head and looked up at her.

"It's not Danny's anymore. Say hello to your new quarterback." I said in disbelief.

"SAM I TOLD YOU!" she cheered.

I laughed and hugged her.

"Thank you Rebecca. Kick ass for me alright. I'll see ya tommorrow at practice."

I grabbed all my stuff and started to head back to my truck.

"I'll be cheering for you Adams! You're gonna make things happen!"

I smiled as I hit the parking lot. This time yesterday I was regretting entering that field in short shorts. Today I'm leaving this field a quarterback. I got into my truck headed home. I got a quick shower, ate dinner, told my mom that I did great at practice, and went to bed. Tommorrow, I was gonna be in pads, throwing a football for the entire team. An entire team that's going to be depending on me. An entire school that's going to be depending on me. Maybe this wasn't what I wanted after all.