Junior Year Box Set

“That’s an interesting getup,” Greg commented.

“You’ll stand out,” Dad offered.

“You think?” I asked.

They had the good grace not to laugh at me because they could tell I was starting to get nervous. I didn’t really care about the flashy jacket. It was beginning to sink in that this was a big deal. After all, I was about to walk into a room with some of the best athletes in the world, many of whom I looked up to. I was also up for the top high school award as male high school athlete of the year. I’d been told two past winners would be there tonight: LeBron James, who’d won the male athlete award, and Peyton Manning, who’d won the football award. They didn’t have an overall winner when Manning won.

Paul came in and told us he was ready to take us to Rita’s.

◊◊◊

Whoever was running this award show knew what they were doing, as far as the red carpet part goes. They had the cars all come to a staging area. We were told the proper procedure. A car would arrive every three to five minutes. You were to exit the car and allow the paparazzi to take your picture. Then you moved to an area with a large background screen covered with ESPY logos where you would be photographed. You were given a card that told you where you were to go to have an on-camera interview. Frank had given Halle and me our talking points, so we were good.

Fritz was driving Halle and me, and he turned back and smiled at us.

“You ready?”

“Let’s do this,” Halle said.

We drove the three blocks to the venue. I could see a pitcher for the Cubs on the red carpet as we pulled up. I hoped I would get to talk to him and maybe get his autograph before the night was over.

We waited until someone came over to open the car door. I got out and then helped Halle out. You would have thought we were in Tokyo. The paparazzi in LA were more geared towards the entertainment industry than they were towards athletics. The teaser at the beach had whetted their appetites with the juicy gossip that a new Hollywood couple was forming.

I glanced over at the Cubs pitcher, who’d stopped to stare, while the paparazzi went nuts, shouting questions and taking our picture. I could tell Halle was losing her nerve, so I put my hand in the middle of her back to steady her. In my head, I counted down the time before we could move to the next station. I wasn’t happy when the ESPY people held us there to feed the frenzy. I made sure that we turned to each side so all the photographers could get our pictures.

“Smile,” I reminded Halle.

She shook off her initial hesitation. One of the men shouted out that we should kiss. I would have to talk to Halle later about not doing everything they asked for. If you did it for one side, you’d better do it for the other.

When they finally motioned us forward, there were three limos backed up. We’d messed up their well-choreographed plans.

At the official photo location, they wanted me alone and with Halle. I also had them take a few photos of her alone. She wore a dress that matched my jacket in color, which made us stand out. I would have to thank Adrienne later for making us look good.

The paparazzi inside knew not to pepper us with questions; they’d be escorted out and banned if they did. Unfortunately, they were permitted to ask one that I hadn’t been prepared for and should have. It was …

“Who are you wearing?”

Uh-oh!

“I’m afraid it’ll have to remain a mystery,” I said with a smile.

We moved to the interview section, and I was happy to see Margaret Chin waiting there. She’d been the sideline reporter who had interviewed me for the King game in Indianapolis and when I visited Northwestern.

“You know how this works. Do you have any questions before we get started?” she asked.

“Do you want Halle to join us?”

“No, this will be sports-related.”

I nodded.

“Please keep in mind that I really don’t want to get crosswise with the NCAA, so we have to limit the topics to just sports.”

Margaret gave me ‘the look’! Cripes, I was getting it from female reporters now? I immediately changed into Dawson male defensive mode by shutting up and sat down with her to do the interview.

“I’m with David Dawson, the number-one recruit in the upcoming senior class. Elite 11 Co‐MVP last year; winner of multiple awards in football including Gatorade Player of the Year; and also currently trying out for USA Baseball’s Under-18 team that will compete in this year’s Pan Am games. How do you have time to do both football and baseball?”

She did five minutes of similar questions. At least she never asked me how I felt.

◊◊◊

In the hallway, after the interview, I pulled out my cell phone and called Adrienne.

“Hey, could you please call Dakora, ask them the price of the tux, and get them to email Caryn an invoice, today? I just now realized wearing it and not paying for it for a sporting event may be a no-no with the NCAA. So I want to pay for it today if at all possible.”