Chapter Eight

Russ feels love from his dad for the first time. :D

Friday finally rolled around. After a long day at school I got ready for the game. Bridger and I changed in our room. I was putting on my pants when I looked over at him, “how are things?”

“They’re looking good actually. I have scouts in Reno that are looking for me.”

I sighed, “So you better leave soon.”

He looked at me and nodded, “Russel this will only be temporary. I just need to be in a place where scouts will see me. I’m good enough that I could get in anywhere.” I nodded as I tried to again fathom the idea that he was leaving. He quit what he was doing and walked over to me. His large arms wrapped around me comfortingly. “Russel, you know that if I didn’t have to I wouldn’t leave you. You’ll be fine. You need to find your own way anyways.”

I shook my head, “I’m fine thanks.” He laughed and untangled his arms from around me, “When are you going to tell the parents?”

He looked at me, “I’m trying to figure out a way so that I don’t have to.”

“Good luck with that one.”

 

We laughed and joked around the rest of the time up until the game started. The sky was still light as we finished our warm ups. We all walked over to the side of the field. The crowd behind us cheered and clapped. Out of the corner of my eye I saw three people making their way out to the field. Mr. Williams was one of them he carried two microphones. The crowd whooped and cheered as they walked out onto the stage. The announcer came over the loud speaker. “Before we start the game tonight we’d like to take interest in two very special people. On the field are Parker Reeves and Hayden Young. These two have been singing the opening rendition of the national anthem since they were seven. These two kids started out together and they’re ending together. We would like to thank them with an honorary spirit award.” Mr. Williams handed them two plaques that they both looked at for a moment and then waved to the crowd.

The announcer continued, “Let’s turn our attention to the south end of the field where the flag is raised. Please remove your hats and show your respect.” The crowd got silent and we all waited for the crowd to stand. We removed our helmets and held them at our side. My right hand covered my chest like it should and I looked up at the beautiful emblem of our freedom with great pride. As the crowd fell completely silent I heard Hayden’s beautiful voice take over. Not long after Parker joined in. Together their voices twisted up and down through magical harmonies. I felt the crowd suddenly relax. I did the exact same. As Parker sang loudly with Hayden they almost gave us hope. The hair on my arms started to stand up and I felt my knees actually go weak. Bridger wrapped his arm around my shoulders and supported my weight. I looked up to him and smiled, this could possibly be the last time I stood on this side line with him. Emotions overwhelmed me but I somehow kept them under control.

The song ended with a bang and the crowd erupted in a roar. I clapped my hand against my helmet loudly and cheered. My dad yelled, “Alright boys get out there.”

Bridger wrapped his arm as best he could around my shoulder pads. His lips grazed my ear and he said, “I love you no matter what happens. That’s something you won’t hear from dad. But know that I love you.”

“I love you too.” Bridger pulled away and kissed the top of my head. He slid his helmet on and put his mouth guard in. He smiled once and ran through the line of men out to the field. My dad slapped the back of his helmet as he ran out.

My team played a wonderful game. Although the opposite team was up by two touchdowns and an extra point the score was 13-0. It was the last quarter and there was only about seven minutes left in the game. We were inches from the goal. The center hiked the ball and it went into Bridger’s hand. A running back was running through the end zone trying to get free. The crowd stood up as they saw there was an opening. Bridger saw and tossed the ball with a perfect spiral. It landed perfectly in the running backs arms. The crowd stood and screamed. Bridger put his hands up in a touchdown signal and cheered.

The teammates slapped him in the back of the helmet or in the butt. He jogged off the field with great pride. This really was the love of his life. Nothing made him feel better than football. And nothing made him feel more proud then when my dad congratulated him.

The kicker ahead of me ran out onto the field and they got ready to make the extra point. The ball was hiked and I watched the ball fly freely through the air. It went through the white goal posts directly in the center. I saw now why he was first string. When whistles were blown and people started to leave the field our tem took a knee. Everyone in front of me soon fell to the ground on one knee. My father and the health trainer ran out onto the field. It was the kicker. He’d been hit and wasn’t getting up.

Sudden panic filled me. My hand began to shake at my sides. Someone kneeling next to me pulled me down to one knee. I was completely frozen. The kicker had been hit and slammed his head hard into the ground. He was out for the rest of the game. When we stood again Bridger caught my eye. Fear was also in his.

The defense went out and played hard they stopped the other team at their fourth down. The punter kicked it letting our team get the ball. We ran it as far as we could before we were tackled. Our offense and defense switched casually. My heart was racing and I couldn’t breathe. If they got another touchdown I would be out there. As we played we ran down the clock four minutes, five minutes, Three minutes, two minutes, one minute…

In one last final attempt on a fourth down Bridger threw the ball into the end zone for a complete pass. I felt the world under me fall apart. The whole football game was on me. Every member of this team was staring at me hoping I could do it for them. Every person in the crowd looked to me to get the ball between those two metal poles. My dad called me, “Russ get over here.” A large crowd of guys gathered around. “We can’t go for two points we have to go for the kick. Do you think you can do that?” No I screamed, NO NO NO.

“Of course coach.” The referees talked about a call for a moment letting the pain and fear settle in my stomach suddenly from behind me I heard someone calling my name.

“Russel, Russel.” I spun around to see Parker leaning over the bars holding the crowd up and away from us. My eyes got huge, “Russel, you can do it.”

“Alright Russel get out there.” My dad grabbed my pads and threw me out onto the grass. The large lights shone down on me from above. The crowd yelped and cheered. The cheerleaders screamed trying to give me hope. I swallowed hard and tried to take a deep breath. I looked back at the crowd they were cheering and clapping. Then I looked below my father had his hands on his hips and was giving me the ‘you know how I taught you’ look. Then my eyes fell onto Parker. He was resting up against the bar with his chin placed on his hand. He smiled crooked toward me. He saw me panic and then gave me the thumbs up signal. Bridger patted me on the shoulder and looked at me through the metal cage sitting on his face. He nodded and then ran off to his line.

I stood in front of the large line of men hoping that somehow I could pull myself together enough to kick this stupid ball. The center held the ball deep into the ground. The boy who was to catch my ball looked just as nervous as me. I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to focus. I had done this a million times. My dad took me out every weekend and had me kick balls. This was nothing, second nature even. My eyes opened one more time. The ball was hiked and the boy below me caught it. He planted the end in the ground and held it there. I bit my lip and my nose flared. I cocked my leg back and slammed into the ball. I closed my eyes. A member of the other team grabbed my jersey spinning me around. I waited for the crowd’s reaction before I opened my eyes again.

They erupted in one giant scream and my doubts now turned into rejoicing. There was only about thirty seconds left in the game. I had done it, I had won the game. My dad screamed from the sidelines, “We aren’t finished yet boys!” He was right we still had to kick it and try and hold them back. People smacked my pads and my helmet over and over. My eyes looked up to the cheering crowd. Parker was still leaning against the rail with a bright smile spread across his face.

I walked to the back of the football team and looked up at him. “That’s my boy.” I smiled the biggest I could. “I’ll pick you up after the game.”

I nodded and he pushed off from the bars. I watched as he walked away. When the final buzzer rang declaring us the winners the team swarmed around me. They picked me up and put me on their shoulders. The crowd cheered and I rejoiced. Finally when the team set me down my dad grabbed me by the shoulders. He brought his mouth closer to me, “I’m so proud of you my boy.”

Author's Note

I have this thing with football don't I? it's great, you can't deny it. haha. If you live in a family where your brother plays that's basically how the household revolves.