Anthony's Story by MELODY DUPREE (first ebook reader .txt) 📕

they were dating and who would get the pullout bed on the couch that same night and who got the floor. Once that was settled I lunged for my blanket and pulled out the pullout couch bed. Junior took the bed with Jason reluctantly climbing in next to him and we all went to sleep. We rotated for the whole week up until the game where I had the bed and went to sleep cuddling next to Anthony. For game night our parents packed our Gatorade’s and a change of clothes because afterwards we would be going out and partying.   

“Hey coach said you’re supposed to play with your former teammates today so he can see how good you are,” the captain said and I nodded.

I went to the visitor’s locker rooms and slipped in past the team and donned my former jersey for the last game of the season. After this game I would never wear it again. I left the corner where I was hiding and approached Junior and he turned to face me with a blank expression on his face. I filled him in on what the other captain had said and he went to find my new coach to see if it was true. When he came back he had a shit eating grin on his face and I knew the deal we had made was off.

“It’s a shame I didn’t tell them my counter for quarterback fake out,” I thought and went to the bench and sat next to Anthony.

I looked up at Junior and he immediately began lecturing us on how important it was that we win this game. I sighed and threw and arm around Anthony’s shoulders. I tried to hide my yawn but Junior caught it and smacked me upside my head.

“I won’t tolerate people falling asleep on me either,” Junior yelled getting in my face.

I looked down at Joseph who had fallen asleep with his head against Jamie’s knees and nudged him. When that didn’t work we all scooted away from Joseph and watched as he got doused with a shower hose. He woke up spluttering and coughing and dripping wet. Just then coach came into the locker room and saw Junior putting away the shower hose and Joseph dripping wet and immediately benched Junior for the whole game. I got to play in Junior’s place instead of him. I suited up and we headed down onto the field as the announcer’s voice ripped through the stadium announcing the fearless Baltimore High School team. We ran onto the field and the loudest one’s cheering had to be my dad and his former teammates. We took our positions in the center of the field while Junior went and sat down on the bench in front of his dad. I looked over to them and then looked at my coach before the whistle was blown and took my position behind Anthony as Joseph took his place beside me. I tore my eyes away from the field for a second and almost missed the ball being snapped. I caught the ball and went tearing down the field as all three opposing linebackers came bearing down on me. I ducked, dodged and went flying over people as I ran for the touchdown. I braced myself and took to the air and somersaulted in midair to land on my back in the end zone.

“What the hell was that,” I heard Anthony scream at me as I got to my feet.

“That was me making a touchdown for you with a little dramatic flair. You are welcome,” I said and we returned to the sidelines as the others took positions on the field.

I stopped in front of Junior and held out my hand praying to god he wouldn’t make me look like a fool in front of everyone. He took my hand and said, “That was really something but you need to work on your landing because you are going to hurt yourself if you land the wrong way on your back and I think you said you wanted to be a pro football player.” I let out a laugh and let go of his hand and we sat down to watch the rest of the quarter. It was two quarters into the game when I saw him. A thin black boy standing behind a tree wearing nothing but rags. But even in that he looked good. I got up off of the bench and walked around the bleachers before beckoning him to follow me. He shook his head and pointed at Mel Johnson and mouthed ‘I want her to notice me.’ I nodded and walked behind the bleachers to Ms. Johnson’s seat and I gently tapped her on her shoulder.

“What Michael,” she hissed turning around to look at me.

“A thin black boy in rags wants your attention, Ms. Johnson,” I said and pointed in his direction.

She looked in the direction I was pointing and paled to a whole other color. I beckoned to him and he came and stood beside me. He leaned in close to her and whispered something that strangely sounded like she would be having another child but this one would be a girl. I looked at her to gauge her reaction and heard the boy whisper Anquan’s name as the father of the child. She nodded and dismissed him and he simply disappeared into thin air. I walked away from my current position and went and sat back down on the bench beside Anthony. I didn’t see the glare that Mel Johnson was sending me but even if I had I would never dare repeat what I heard to no one. Finally it was time for half-time.

“Finally the game is half over,” Anthony groaned as he dumped his head in the ice bucket.

“I agree but now it’s time for you, Jamie, and Joseph and Jason to take the brunt of the action. I am not doing another somersault in midair just to score a touchdown. We are now using quarterback fake out and we are going to use it good. Jason they don’t know the counter so they can’t stop it. If I was playing with them we would have stopped it in action. But I swear we never talked about the counter because before there wasn’t one but I see one that no one else saw. Now let’s get out there and you main four keep focused or we can kiss that trophy goodbye. Let’s win this thing and show them who is boss around here,” I said and we ran out the locker rooms like mad men.

As the game winded down the score was 59-25 with Baltimore High in the lead. With one more final play left on our books I was ready to piss Melissa Johnson off. So with two minutes left on the clock we ran the best play on the planet and won the trophy for the game. "Hate to say it guys but I am really going to miss playing football with all of you," I said as we headed to the locker rooms to change into party clothes. That was my last night with them and I was going to live it up.

Imprint

Text: MELODY DUPREE
Images: NINA KARI
Editing: MELODY DUPREE
Translation: MELODY DUPREE
Publication Date: 09-07-2013

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