Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

37 - Jodi's Females

37

Jodi's Females

Monday & Tuesday, March 13 & 14

Kevin sent out permission slips to all the members of his girls' basketball squad. They were invited to dinner on Wednesday at his alma mater, as guests of the Mountain College women's team. The boys were a little jealous, but since all of them had a medal from winning the city soccer championship, they would be okay. In just the one day since he'd told them on Monday, every girl and her family had accepted. They were thrilled. While Kevin ate dinner Tuesday night, he reflected on how the invitation happened.

Kevin had attended the last game of the season for the Mountain College women's basketball team over the weekend. Miguel and Kevin had sat with Johnny, teasing him about how his wife had eclipsed his basketball success. But Johnny didn't fall for it.

"Yes, as a coach, she is far superior to anything I could have ever done while instructing others. However, I am a better drummer than she will ever be!"

All three cheered as Mountain pulled away toward the end, finishing an undefeated season in their league. Women's basketball hadn't become that popular nationally, not yet anyway, so there was no postseason to look forward to. They went out for drinks afterward, along with Jodi and her two assistant coaches. One was a Hispanic, Esperanza, who was happily married, so when Miguel sat between her and Johnny, he had no hope, despite her name. The other was a gal with no jewelry on her ring finger. Kevin sat between her and Jodi.

"My name is Kevin. I work with Johnny."

"Jodi told me. I understand you played on the team here at Mountain College. My name is Tonya Allen. I played basketball with Jodi at UCLA." Tonya looked to be Kevin's age, about 5' 9". She was a light-skinned black woman, with café au lait color skin, dark brown eyes, and short black hair parted down the middle, with bangs reaching to her eyebrows. She had a lively smile and a killer figure, obvious despite wearing only the standard coaching outfit of jeans and a Mountain College polo shirt. Kevin felt nervous.

She is so attractive."So what will you do now that the season is over? Recruit?"

"Yes, but not here. As soon as Spring Break is over, I start a new job as an assistant with Tennessee."

"Congratulations. Isn't their coach, Pat Summitt, about the same age we are?"

"True, and she has game. Got the job of coach four years ago, but still plays. Won the silver medal with the US in 1976, the first time women's basketball was ever in the Olympics. She's ticked about losing to the Soviet Union and says she wants to coach us to an Olympic victory one day. I believe her. That woman is a fireball. I see her helping to lead the growth of our sport for women."

"Sounds like a wonderful opportunity."

"It is. Jodi is a great friend and I've learned from working with her, but she's set here and content to coach at a small college. I'll get a good pay raise and can pursue my dream of coaching at a major college someday. It was Jodi's recommendation that got me the job. She and Pat are friends from coaching camps."

"So, uh, you're moving soon, you said?"

"Yeah, my flight is on Easter Sunday. Time to chill a little, pack up, and move."

"Um, maybe I could take you out for dinner before you leave?"

Tonya raised her eyebrows. "Sorry, Kevin, I'm busy. But you're sweet to ask." It wasn't too brutal a shutdown, but he felt the air let out of his bubble. He felt bummed and must have shown it. She noticed and put her hand on top of his. "I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner."