Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

34 - Reggae

34

Reggae

Monday, February 20

There was never a Presidents' Day when Kevin was a kid. It was always two separate birthdays, celebrating Lincoln on the 12th and Washington on the 22nd. But in 1971, the federal government had consolidated the two, so now the third Monday in February was called Presidents' Day. A holiday, so Kevin had no work. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, like the woman he had just gotten to know so much better.

Kevin lingered in bed, his thoughts wandering to Ellen, and he kept smiling. A cowgirl. Oh, yeah.

He knew he'd been lucky, but he had made the choice to follow her home. He took a chance. Risk and reward. Without one, there is seldom the other.

Funny how both Amy and Ellen asked about me through our mutual friends, then decided they could be honest with me. I hope that means there's something about me that women feel they can trust. I want that. And for any future relationship, I need to find a woman I can count on, too.

He ran, ate, relaxed, read a novel, and rested. He smiled and daydreamed at random times all day.

Thank you, Ellen, for everything. You were exactly what I needed.

Tuesday & Wednesday, February 21 & 22

Both the girls' and boys' teams beat Portola. Because of the holiday, the boys played on Wednesday. Kevin figured that Otto Smith was probably irritated that he was missing the staff meeting, but there was nothing to do about that. He smiled. Gee, Otto, sorry I'm missing one of your exciting agendas. Please put the info in my box so I can read it at home when I have insomnia.

Thursday & Friday, February 23 & 24

The girls beat Mountain View 3-1 to remain unbeaten. They would play for the city championship next Monday. Kevin watched them and smiled. They aren't jaded or arrogant. They really enjoy their ride together.

The boys warmed up against Mountain View. Kevin saw his team had confidence, so different from their football and basketball teams, which had been more about damage control. The game began, and it looked like both sides were focused. Each had solid fullbacks able to limit the shots of their opponents. Thang slid a pass to Alfonso, who kicked a solid try from the left side, but their goalie was ready and caught the ball.

Mountain View took their goalie's long kick and went on the attack. John forced their striker to his left, where he tried a shot using his weaker left foot. It was well placed but slower, so Robert ran over and slid, picking it up. At halftime, there was no score.

Later, with just over a minute left in the game, Valle Grande's defense deflected the ball not only past their own goal but over the tall fence dividing the field from an unoccupied neighboring house. Kevin sent Graciela over there for the official game ball, but it would be a couple of minutes before she returned.

He called his team over. "John and Robert, take a chance and see if you can intercept their corner kick quickly. Alfonso and Thang, I want you two far to the left, and José, wide on the right, but hold there at first. When we get the ball, kick it long and to the left. Little Joe, move left and shout like you're supporting the attack. I want Mountain View to shade to that side. Then José, after Joe yells, I want you to streak down along the sideline, then cut toward their goal around the penalty area, about twelve yards out, and look for a pass and your opportunity. Good luck."

They nodded.

Mountain View kicked the ball in from the corner, high, but it was slowed down by the wind. Robert jumped and caught it easily, then immediately turned and kicked it long and left, past all the players. It was a race. Thang reached the ball first. Alfonso and Little Joe started yelling. Mountain View shifted to that side, with several players racing toward Thang, who paused to get the ball under control. Just before the defense reached him, he lifted a pass to the open area on the other side, where José was now running all by himself.