PLEASE NOTE: in Chapters 284 & 285 I mistakenly had Brian (old attorney) at two meetings and that should have been Tim. Sorry for the mixup and the unnecessary confusion.
I pulled into Wyatt's driveway and his grandfather came out and said Mike, let's go for a ride, I need some smokes. I laughed knowing that was an excuse so we could talk. As soon as I pulled out of the driveway he said Mike, just drive around. As soon as we were off their street he said Mike, your team is about to implode. Coach, please tell me something I don't know. Any suggestions? Mike, you are at the half way point of the regular season, undefeated and on life support so it needs to end. Mike, a lot of you, well those of you that matter on this team don't trust the coaches. While they have to a degree earned that, it is also unfair. Then he looked at me and said my snot nosed grandson is part of the problem as he is way too big for his freshman britches. I laughed and said well JJ told that to Dr. Johnson and said he would deal with eaglet. Coach Carson laughed at that and said well JJ needs to be in line. I pulled into a 7/11 store and he got out and went inside for cigarettes. When he got back he opened the pack, lit one and asked if I would put the roof down. I unlocked the front latches and pushed a button and sat there while the roof lowered. Then he looked right at me and said Mike, you need to do two things. He took a drag on the cigarette and then said, take the team back and play like you are fucking interested.
I just sat there and Coach Carson said Mike, I watched you play last year, well on film, and you carried that teams. You were willing to sacrifice everything to win that championship game and hell it landed you in the hospital. He paused, took another drag on the cigarette and said, I would bet that wouldn't happen this year. You have stepped back and let other players develop, they have already stepped up and now you to as well. As for the coach, this week is actually a bye week as your JV team would beat them. Especially this week as Wyatt will be playing with the JV, he needs to build relationships with his class. He won't play but he will be there and so will I. Mike you need to cut the ALL FOR shit and run the damn team. Let's get back and see what JJ and Josh have to say. I noticed he didn't include Wyatt but I didn't react to that.
When we got back to the house Coach Carson said sorry guys, I needed smokes, let's go in the back and figure things out. Once we were settled JJ asked, where is Wyatt? Look guys he wasn't invited. He will have to play here the next three years and he has too much drama on this team as it is. Then he looked at Josh and said, as for you, you will be here next year and without these two characters. Besides that sit-in was bull shit and I have had a various serious talk with Wyatt about his part in all this. Josh, you are a very good football player but it's not your team till next year, accept that and slow down. Then he looked at JJ and I and asked, so what do you two have in mind? I looked right at him and asked, please have Wyatt join us as he is officially QB1 and he needs to be here. With that coach Carson went inside and returned with a very pleased Wyatt.
While all that was going on I sat quietly there thinking and it was one of those moments when I totally knew what I had to do. I grabbed JJ and said we will be right back? We simply walked up front and I said JJ, you and I and mainly me need to run the damn show. I'll take the heat and on offense you and I will decide on what plays we call and when. Weston is a good play caller just very conservative and boring. Jim and I managed that last year and you and I will do it the same way this year. We will run the plays he calls until we see something better. JJ, I'm taking all the heat and I'm hoping you can deflect some. As for the ALL FOR shit that continues but we are paying lip service to it. JJ, snapped to attention and saluted and we joined the others.
JJ and I sat down and I took one of those deep breaths and said, here's the deal. We as players are going back to the way things were last year. I know that does t mean shit to the three of you, let me explain. Coach Weston and his staff are good coaches and they run a very conservative offense and at times last year, well many times, Jim and I changed the plays. Sometimes in the huddle and sometimes at the line. We will be doing that again with JJ and I calling the plays that change. Josh, you are a lot like I was. You had a good Sophomore year and we're more than surprised at what blew up with the recruiting this year. You need to merge the current Juniors and Sophomores and you him, I pointed to Wyatt, and start becoming a tight group for next year. I looked at Wyatt and said you might be QB1 but this is my team and therefore my huddle. You will simply run the plays you are given either by the coach or JJ and I. Yes you can audible but the change better fucking work. I'll take all the heat about this. Wyatt, you need to develop friends in your class and dress for JV games but if you play a down, I'll break your fucking arm, understood? Wyatt simply nodded.
As for the ALL FOR shit, as Coach Carson calls it, it stays but trust me when I say the ONE will be demanding a lot from the ALL. With that I said we will be given a time tomorrow for a team only meeting. Give the underclassmen a heads up, the seniors will understand. Then I looked at Wyatt and said we are either all in or all out, where are you? Wyatt said I'm in. His grandfather fucking exploded and looked at his grandson and said Wyatt answer the damn question. Wyatt, said I'm all in. Wyatt asked for a minute and I said sure but these two stay? Mike are you mad at me, did I do something wrong? I smiled and said Wyatt, I'm definitely not mad, I'm simply done and the drama ends now or I will personally see to it that people not on board transfer for smaller classes and a faith based education. I simply went to the car and drove home.
At my place I grabbed a beer and called Coach Weston. I laughed when he answered saying, now what? I calmly asked if he could please meet with me before first period? Apparently the PLEASE eased the tension and he said sure, my office at school. I said thanks and hung up. All I needed now was to hear from Dr. Johnson about the meeting. I just sat on the loveseat put my head back and closed my eyes. I was either zoned out of had dozed off when I became aware of lips on mine and a tongue trying to get in my mouth I opened my mouth and we kissed and then JJ laughed and asked, how did you know it was me? I laughed and said, well no one else would have the ball to do that. He grabbed a beer and sat down and said MJ, you have a lot of eggs in the air, can you catch them all? JJ, I can catch the ones that count and I pretty much claimed this year and turned the future over to Josh, Wyatt and I'm hoping Todd. JJ, we will be lucky to see them play once next year. Then to change the subject I said dude, are you aware we will have a dorm room next year? He laughed and said well yes and an apartment. So JJ how many bedrooms? He laughed and said one for you and me, then added well three when we each have company over or when the rents visit. I laughed out loud and said well does that mean a one bedroom apartment for us and a separate 2 bedroom for when we need it. MJ that would be perfect. JJ, I thought things would be less complicated and that sounds like an expensive cluster fuck. Look MJ, I'll pay for our place. I looked at him and said dude, money isn't the issue appearances are. He kissed me and said I'll see you at school in the morning. JJ, I have a meeting with Coach Weston first thing so I'll be there early.
Once JJ was gone I grabbed another beer and got clothes ready for tomorrow as I needed a suit for lunch and didn't want to be overdressed for the team meeting. Once that was done it was a long shower and I looked it the mirror as I needed to make a decision about shaving. That wasn't even a discussion and I simply shaved and jumped into bed.
I was up early and dressed for school, grabbed the coffee and drove to school. I parked in my usual place and went to the Athletic Office. I was surprised but Nancy was there and already on the phone and she motioned me towards Coaches office. When I got there I found Coach and Dr. Johnson. I simply knocked on the open door and went in and sat down without being asked. Coach looked at me and and said Mike, this is your meeting, so why we here? Doc, I didn't expect to see you here but I'm glad you took the time. Then I looked at Coach and said, just so you are aware, Josh and Wyatt will be dealing with the sophomores and juniors. Wyatt will be dressing for the JV games but not playing. The intent is for them to develop the future teams. The team would like you to call the plays and we will simply run what's given and the QB can as always call audibles. When I finished, Coach said Mike, thanks for the heads-up, is there anything else? I looked at him and said well I guess not as you'll have a busy day recruiting a team because by lunch you won't even have a 9th grade team to put on the field for homecoming. I simply got up and sat in my car until it was time for class. I went to class before most people were there and sat in my seat and was reading the current poem for English. The teacher came in and handed me a folder and I just looked and she said, it's the work you missed this week with you being out sick and all the meetings. You will need to get this done, there is no hurry, however, sooner would be better than later. She started to walk away and stopped and said Mike, Dr. Johnson would like to see you, have a good game tonight. I said thanks, collected my things and left. Now I was totally confused, both Coach and the English bitch being out of character. Walking to the office I just stopped in the hall and started to laugh. Kids were looking at me but it was either that or cry as there was a real DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE.
At the principal's office the secretary just pointed to Dr. Johnson's office. I knocked on the open door and he said have a seat and you can leave the door open. As soon as I was seated I was asked what I thought about Coach Weston's comments earlier. Doc, I have no thoughts as I am too confused. Besides I am done on so many levels that there is no sense going into that. What I can say is that I tried and I'm ready to leave it at that. Mike, what about tonight? Doc, I guess we will find out if coach as the balls to bench the starters in front of a homecoming event. Mike, Chuck just doesn't trust the freshman QB. Doc, that kid has looked at more game film than Coach Weston has and is also more prepared for a game than anyone else. Wyatt is a once in a generation QB. He will start as a freshman at a huge college and after two or three years be a very high NFL draft choice. Then there is the basic issue that JJ, Josh and I were left all summer to deal with, Sam. Then without a word and with the shittiest excuse known to man was shipped off to an AA school. Now I would like to get to history, at least that interests me. Mike, that's not in the cards as I have you all morning, let's go for a walk. I thought that was strange but said sure.
We went out the front door which faced RT 51 and through the visitors parking lot and headed to the South parking lot which was where the teachers and staff parked. Neither of us said a word and we headed towards the gate which lead to a path where the band used to enter the stadium. We were about halfway down and Doc asked so Mike will you walk down this hill in a cap and gown? I stopped and smiled and said, I have always assumed that would happen, now I'm not sure. Doc didn't push and just kept walking and all of a sudden we were at midfield and he stopped and said Mike, you have done big things on this field, is there any more left? I immediately ran to the bleachers and sat in my place in the top row, covered my face with my hands and started to cry. By the time Doc got to me I had dried my tears and was staring straight ahead. He sat down beside me and asked if I was ok? I laughed and said, yesterday I spent a couple of hundred dollars on a head doctor and all I had to do was take a walk with you.
He didn't push and just sat there and eventually I said Doc, I don't fit anywhere. I'm barely here, my senior year is in the shitter, business is talking way too much time, I have a toe in the water at CMU and I want to be at VT. I want to be there because I want to be away from here. That damn Trust started all this. That bitch Carrie is still in my head and ruins every relationship I have had with a girl since we broke up. Football here isn't fun and that's my fault. To be honest all I want to do is workout and fly. Yet that needs to be faster, higher and further every time I get in the plane. Doc, I have a lot yet I am missing one thing, my senior year as a high school kid. Why didn't anyone care enough to stop me? Every time I reach for a normal life it is a few more inches away from my grasp.
Doc, last year football wasn't a fluke. Well it was, but it was a fluke that started when we were in 7th grade. We were good even then and grew to be very good, but we did that on our own. There was no program to buy into. Without realizing it we developed our own program and most of us bought into that and the few that didn't, well they are not playing football any longer. It worked so well that there are at least 6 people on this team that will play big time college football next year. Then three or so will be playing on Sunday. Doc, it is our program and we run it and the time to reign in your senior class has sailed. Or as JJ would say, it's too late to close the barn door.
Coach Weston deserves better as he saved this fight last year. Right now it has become what it will be and he needs to work with Josh, Todd and those freshmen kids and develop a program he can live with. He needs to forget about those who won't buy in and stay the course. I got up and was asked, where you going? Well, to the athletic office. Mike, no he is coming to your office just relax and you two can work it out. Oh, your team meeting is here at 3. Doc, this has been my team since Jr. High. He smiled and said Mike, I know but you and I have a lot to work on because I am going to help you resurrect your senior year. Doc, understand this is our team and starting tonight you will see the real senior class. Coach Weston will have to realize this, help us be what we are and build for the future and for the record, I'm not helping as I'll have my own issues next year. Then I said thanks for all this, it matters a lot to me. He then called Coach Weston and when he got here we talked, yelled and screamed at each other for an hour and Doc watched and didn't say a word. At the end Coach and I managed an agreement, the one I wanted this morning at 7:30. We shook hands, thanked each other and I went home to change for my meeting with John Carson, Liam and Scott Cleary.
At my place I realized I had plenty of time and lit a cigarette and was sitting out back when Megan came up with Ashley. Megan smiled and said pleas put that out and when I did she handed Ashley to me. I smiled and said well this is way better than my other choice. Mike, I saw you home early and wanted to talk, how are you? I said well I spent time with a head doctor last night and all morning with the High School Principal. Actually I'm really good and thanks for asking. Mike what did you figure out? Megan, that my senior year was taken away from me. She smiled and said Mike, I tried to tell that to your dad and I'm hoping you will have that chat with him. Then she said your birthday is next week, what type of celebration would you like? Megan, one that doesn't exist. She laughed and said Mike, both Cole and you dad said that would be your answer, in fact Cole said those exact words. We sat quietly as I played with Ashley and then I said Megan, let me check on my schedule for next weekend and if it works out how about I take everyone to Oakmont for a family dinner. If that doesn't work, I'll order food and we can stay here. She laughed and said well you better give Clark some notice as I'll bet they haven't had an infant for dinner in decades. I just shook my head and she claimed Ashley and said have a good game, I get the sense that it will be worth seeing.
Now I was running a tad late and changed into a suit and tie and and drove to the Club. Everyone was there and Jake was taking drink orders and I ordered an Arnold Palmer and Jake looked at me and I simply shook my head indicating no. Then I was surprised yet another time when John said Mike, we all met here an hour ago as I wanted a casual conversation with you. Scott then said well I have another meeting and I said Scott, I'll walk you out. On the way I reminded him who he worked for and that I needed a detailed report on those earlier discussion before the end of the day. He said no problem and John did this not me. Seems that he has issues with his son. I said thanks and went back inside. Liam was alone and he said, I'll have that same report you requested from Scott in your email before I leave for the weekend. I smiled and said thanks. Then I asked if he was staying and he said nope, I have a report to write. John returned and Liam shook his hand and John thanked him for helping with the schedule change and Liam went on his way.
Jake appeared with the drinks and asked, is anyone eating and John said he would have a club sandwich with chips and I said I'll have the same but please all a small goat cheese and strawberry salad with the standard dressing. Once we were alone John said I let the other two eat and this was my idea as after talking with Wyatt last night I thought you might need some down time. Before I could say a word he said and those two were very well prepared and Liam at time is hysterical. I'm not playing games as this project is important and yet I know it will be a disaster. We are an insurance company not a medical company. But it will be what it is and I am covered as I have objected from the start.
While we waited on the food, I got a brief review of the meeting. Once the food came, I asked how Wyatt had survived the meeting last night? He smiled and said well you and his granddad said exactly the same thing to him with different words. Mike, I was amazed as what you said and how you said it mattered to him. I then went into a brief discussion of our team and my class. He let me finish and said Mike, I know all that. This job I accepted was a year long process and while I knew I had the job, I had to wait till the guy retired. We have known for a year we are moving here. Dad, doing his thing had extensive films on 5 teams. Your school was the perfect fit, we knew from reports from camps that Jim had an arm issue and that Sam is a wideout trying to play QB. We also know that the freshman class is very good and possibly as good as yours. We haven't told Wyatt all this but he should win 3 district championships and at least one State Title. Oh, dad feels he can manage Chuck, well almost as well as you do. Mike, dad has coached in Ohio for 30 + years and won a dozen state tit and he said you are the best linebacker he has ever seen, well when you want to be. I laughed and said, well he has mentioned that to me. Look John, thanks for lunch but I have a team meeting. Oh, promise me you won't over do it with Wyatt. He smiled and said totally understand and we shook hands and I went to my place to change into game day attire.
I changed into jeans and a tee and added a hoodie as the weather at night would get colder. I was ready fo the meeting and was going to the Tavern after the game but wanted to spend time with Heather. That however could wait as there was the nearly formal dance and all day Sunday. I drove to school, parked in my usual game night spot and went to the stadium. I was 15 minutes early and was surprised at how many guys were there then I realized it was just right after school. At 2:55 Paul, a senior starting tackle yelled, let's start as we all know if you aren't 5 minutes early you are late. I laughed and said, first of all this 1 would like to thank the ALL for the support on Wednesday, I was surprised and honored and it meant a lot to me. It was very public but it accomplished a lot. Coach and I with Dr. Johnson wearing a striped shirt and carrying a penalty flag have reached an agreement. I spent the next 20 minutes explaining the deal and how it was reached and what the non seniors needed to do. Then I said well this 1 is asking a lot of the ALL but you cooperation is needed. Can we all agree on that? There were questions all from underclassmen and finally Jim, who appeared from nowhere said guys, I'm all in and you need to be as well. If not you will be buying tickets to Three Rivers Stadium for the finals. Then he simply sat on one of the bleachers and quietly said One for all and the response was heard all over the neighborhood ALL FOR ONE. I said thanks and let's eat.
Jim, JJ and I started to the cafeteria and there was a jam at the door. Knowing that was unusual and indeed it was a there were a couple of Sophomores just standing there. I looked over their heads and saw the entire coaching staff sitting at a table in the back. I asked guys why we standing here? What I heard was, we thought this is for players we aren't goin in. I looked at JJ and he nodded and all of a sudden the three dudes were in the cafeteria. Jim, JJ and I grabbed some pizza and went and sat with the coaches. JJ in pure Texas speak said, cowpokes we don't want to sit here any more than y'all want us. Just make the best of it. A couple of coaches found that hysterical and started to laugh and that broke the ice. Eventually I started for the three guys who were blocking the door and Todd stopped me and said Mike, we already addressed those jerks, 2 are sorry and 1 simply went home. There will be shit about that but trust me he was given a choice and we didn't pressure him. I'm still hoping he comes back. Then he laughed and said dude, stay in your lane and deal with the present, we are working on your legacy and our future. I laughed and said thanks. I simply went and started to get dressed for the game. It was pants and those pads and a tee and I found my usual seat on the bench. I was shortly joined by someone I naturally assumed was JJ. When I looked it was a reporter. I simply moved to a different bench and was shortly followed. I looked at him and said dude, if you ever expect me to answer a question that you ask you need to vanish. I was soon joined my Jim and JJ and not a word was spoken. Once guys started to appear for warm I went inside and put full gear on and went to the field. I looked at the stands ad while it was an hour before kickoff and they were pretty full. On the way to the locker room coach asked are you guys good or will there continue to be push back? Coach we are good but those three were not MY Boys, Todd dealt with it and one dude quit. Well they think he quit and I went to the locker room. I made a mental note to have Coach remember that I'm not dealing with the kids. In the locker room coach talked about the big homecoming crowd and the whiteout and that we should watch our reads. Then as usual he asked if anyone had something to say. I surprised him and stood up and said, guys earlier today we decided on an agreement, there was a slight dustup a few minutes ago. I hope we all honor that agreement. It didn't go over well with the coach as when I said that last sentence I was looking right at him.
With that it was time to line up to run through the cheerleaders and that paper sign, the on the kid tripped on last week and it was captains first and that included Jim. Jim smiled and pointed to his shoulder I laughed and said right behind me and you can always just pop a pill. He looked at me and I said Jim, not here and not now but soon. The entrance went well as no one tripped. At the coin toss the visitors called tails and it was heads and as instructed I deferred and we were ready to go. The kickoff went well into the end zone and after three plays they were 4th down and 15. Josh had a tackle for no gain and another for a yard loss and I had a sack. It was a great punt and JJ returned it to mid field. I asked him if his right arm was hurt as he didn't fair catch the punt. On offense Wyatt was at QB and i was at half back and Todd was at full back and JJ was at wideout. The line was all seniors and had two highly recommended players and the other wideout was Wayne a junior and Chat was at tight end.
Wyatt entered the huddle and called a off tackle run for me. The play netted 3 yards. The next play came in and it was the same and this time Todd and I switched positions and he d,aimed 4 yards and I saw coach shaking his head as the position thing was not his call. The third play came in and Wyatt was pissed as it was the same play. I said Wyatt just run it and I told the linemen they needed to make it work. I thought Wyatt was going to blow a gasket. The line blocked and I broke it for 15 yards and a first down. The next three plays we're running plays and Wyatt was running the plays and now we were 3rd and 2 yards on the 19. It was another run play and Wyatt called it as given but at the line he looked around and yelled Red, 25R and he shifted to shotgun. I knew that play was a slant to JJ and those throws over the middle were tough and easily picked. I also knew it was both their favorite play. The play went off and JJ had a step on the defender but the pass was about a step too far and I saw JJ dive and make a circus catching was the first down we needed but not the TD we wanted. While laying on the ground with the ball and more than a bit late JJ got blasted and flags flew and he immediately jumped up and signaled first down and flags flew again. I just laughed as it was offsetting personal fouls, a late hit and taunting. Basically none of it maddened as it was first and goal on the half yard line. The first half went the same as Todd and I each had a hundred + yards in the half and Wyatt was stressed but ran the conservative plays he was given. The defense totally dominated as there was one first down and that was because Chad, decided to even up the hit on JJ.
As we had deferring we got the ball up 21-0 and JJ almost broke it for a TD but stepped out of bounds on our 40. On the way to the huddle Wyatt asked Mike, please can we skip this run play and end this? I smiled and said please run the play given. I wanted to see what he would do. I was pleased that he did that and as we huddled up I told him call whatever he wanted but it had to be an audible. There was a giant smile and he called the running play and said Purple is active giving everyone a heads up that the play might be changed. He lined up under center and looked around and White 423. I knew he was setting something up and we ran the running play and Todd gained 9 yards. In the huddle this time he called the running play and said White is active. Under center he yelled White 314. He took the snap and took 4 steps back and lofted a perfect spiral towards the right upright and JJ caught it in stride and an easy score. With the extra point we were up 28-0. Rod, kicked off and for the 5th time tonight it flew into the end zone. With the ball on the 20 they ran a sweep to my side and I was doubled teamed and they gained 9 yards. Thinking it was a good time to try something they came out of the huddle in shotgun and Josh looked at me and said team meeting at the QB. I gave them thumbs up and we both blitzed, being sure it was a long pass and we hit the poor QB at about the same time and the ball popped out and Chad picked it up and almost walked into the end zone. We were soon up 35-0 and the route was on. Clark finished up at QB and Todd stayed in and ended the night with 250 yards and we scored another 14 points. Statistically I had my best game of the season with just under 300 yards in offense, 3 sacks, 11 tackles and 6 tackles for a loss.
Once the game was over we shook hands with the other team and headed towards the band but the student section started yelling OVER HERE, OVER HERE. We stopped at mid field and looked as the band was at one end and the students were at the other. Then someone from the team yelled PLAY THE SONG. With that done the media descended and the questions started. Mike, that was a totally dominant team performance yet after the game you didn't do the ALL FOR ONE cheer. I smiled and said well the ALL wasn't there. It took a while but I was asked, who was missing? I said the coaches. Mike what was different tonight? I said well we had a complicated week and a lot of things were hammered out and we are united for the first time all year. So guys spread the word from East to West that we are back and a force to be dealt with not only this year but for the foreseeable future. Mike, is that a slap at the teams in the eastern part of the state? I said nope, we travel to the eastern part of the district next week and I heard their walls needed some motivational material. I thought it was fair to warn them. Right now nothing matters except not needing to buy a ticket to the stadium for the finals. Then I said thanks and showered and changed clothes.
Outside it was the usual group and I got a hug from dad, who said welcome back. I looked at Megan who smiled and winked. I grabbed Heather and gave her more than an appropriate kiss and we jumped into my car and drove to the tavern and what I hoped was the start of a fun weekend. We went into the Tavern and it was HI MIKE, GREAT GAME. HI HEATHER, GLAD YOU'RE BACK. I laughed out loud at that. I was thrilled to see Jim there and damn he had a date who he introduced as Carla. Heather smiled as she knew her, JJ appeared and h and Mia got the same treatment. Iced tea was beer and we had a blast and I paid a lot of attention to Heather to the point that she said Dude, slow down, I can't spend the night. I laughed and pulled her close and we kissed to the point where it was noticed by the natives, who started chanting, GET A ROOM. I didn't find that funny but wanted to know who was running that mob. On the way home I asked if Heather wanted breakfast and she said nope massage and hair appointment. I kissed her and said damn I could have done the massage and saved you the money. Mike, it's a real massage and I can tell you could never do that. I dropper off and drove to my place.
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