Senior Year Box Set

My name was called, and I got my lock and started hunting for my locker because I didn’t recognize the number. I usually had my locker in the center aisle. I finally found it in the back row, and it was a small one that non-athletes used. There was no way I would be able to get my football gear in that locker.

“Hey, Coach, there must be a mistake. I can’t even get my helmet in that thing,” I said.

“All the bigger lockers are assigned. That’s all we have right now. If someone quits football, golf, swimming, or cross-country, we can get you a bigger locker.”

I knew that was bullshit because they’d built the Field House specifically for athletics, and there were plenty of large lockers.

“So, what am I supposed to do with my equipment?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Talk to one of the team managers when you come to practice tonight,” he suggested.

Coach Rector had little patience for stuff like this, so I would have to wait. I saw Alan’s hand in all this. I decided not to get mad about it. If I had to, I would just take my stuff home and store it in my car during the day. I was sure the fun and games weren’t over, so, between classes, I made a phone call.

◊◊◊

After I’d collected all my books and the information I would need for each class, I walked to the locker room. I smiled when I saw Jeff Delahey and his camera crew. He’d arranged to get full access this fall to do a documentary on the Lincoln High football program. The real reason was they wanted to follow around the number-one football recruit, and they knew I wouldn’t agree to do it otherwise.

“You ready for some drama?” I asked.

“Sure, what’s going on?”

“Someone’s upset I wasn’t at two-a-days. They assigned me one of those small square lockers this morning. I’m sure that there’ll be more antics today, so I thought you might want to document it for your show.”

“That sounds awfully childish, especially when you’re their starting quarterback and leader of the team. Why would they want to upset you over something like that?” Jeff asked.

“That’s an excellent question. I wish I’d thought of that,” I said with a smile.

“So, I take it your plan is to play nice and let me film them.”

I just nodded. Alan’s bullying tactics would only work if I pushed back publicly. Coach Hope would eventually get it fixed, but I would look like a jerk for calling Alan out.

Outside the locker room, I gave a quick interview about how excited I was to be back. I confirmed I was ready to put my full effort into helping my team win state this year. And I spent a minute talking about what a privilege it had been to represent the USA in the baseball tournament. We then walked into the locker room. I wandered to the equipment room to pick up my duffle bag with all my gear in it.

Jeff had pulled back to allow me to talk to the equipment manager. But instead, I found Alan waiting for me. I gave Jeff a hand sign to let him know that the fun was about to begin. We’d agreed that he could film it across the room as they’d wired me for sound.

“I’m here to pick up my equipment,” I said.

“Just a minute. Let me get it for you,” Alan said as he walked into the back and started pulling out things.

“I have a duffle in the back with my name on it,” I said.

Alan found it, and it was empty. It had held all my Range Sports gear and the things that Bo Harrington had gotten me. It also had shoes and other personal items I used.

“Where’s all my stuff?” I asked.

“It’s not yours, it’s Lincoln High’s. I gave it out to those who needed it,” Alan said.

“Well, you better get it all back. I paid for most of that gear.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. We just have what’s left. I guess you should have been here at the start of two-a-days.”

“Okay, I see how it’s going to be,” I said, and turned to walk away.

I glanced back and saw his evil grin. His eyes got big when Jeff and the camera crew walked up. Alan slammed the equipment room door so he wouldn’t have to say anything to them.

“This is fun,” Jeff said.

“Let’s go to practice. I’m sure I’ll get yelled at for not being dressed,” I predicted.

Coach Hope stood on the sidelines, talking to Coach Rector and Coach Mason. I walked up with Jeff and his cameraman in tow. Coach Hope looked at me curiously.

“Why aren’t you ready for practice? I thought you knew we were in full gear today,” Coach Hope said.

“I would be, but Alan gave my equipment away. Besides, Coach Rector gave me a tiny locker so I wouldn’t have any place to store it if I did get it,” I said.

“Hang on. Alan told me we were out of big lockers,” Coach Rector said in his defense.

Coach Hope gave him a withering look.

“Now that I think about it, that’s stupid. I’ll make sure you get a football locker,” Coach Rector said.

“Go get Alan. We don’t have time for games, and I don’t want David to miss more practice than he has to.”

“Should I start getting them warmed up?” I asked.

“Yeah. Lead them in warm-ups,” Coach Hope said.

Everyone looked at me funny. They were all in football gear, and I strolled out in shorts and a T-shirt.