Twelve Men in the Huddle, page 26
“I don’t believe it,” said Pete. He was halfway through the article. Looking over his shoulder was Connor. “It’s too convenient.”
The second half of the article quoted Dr. Harper on several occasions. The team physician noted that within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the skin-to-skin contact between Tucker and Kelly scientifically explained the whole situation. He applauded Tucker for coming forward with some very private medical information, to put the whole situation to rest. Harper noted that Tucker was well respected by the administration and players, and would continue on as the head trainer. Lastly, he reassured the readers of an ongoing internal review of training room protocol, including the importance of hand washing and glove wear. Every current Tarpon player would have the option to be tested for elevated testosterone levels, at any time. The physician was confident in stating: “we learned from our mistakes, and hopefully our experience will benefit university training rooms around the nation.”
“Sounds good,” said Connor. “I mean, I’m not a doctor, but it sounds possible. Right?”
“Oh, it’s possible,” said Pete sarcastically. “But not probable.”
“Why not?” asked Eugene. “Maybe he washed his hands before taking care of me. That’s why I’m not buffed.”
“What about me?” asked Pete. “Lance never worked on my body.” In his mind he could never tell the players of the conversation overheard between Dr. Wong and the trainer. “My levels were through the roof.”
“I don’t know Pete, it sounds good to me,” replied Connor. “Maybe we jumped the gun.”
Pete shook his head and finished up the article, which quoted both President Davis and Athletic Director Foster. Each man spoke highly of Tucker, coming forward at a crucial time in Tulsa Valley history, in order to set the record straight. They noted his reputation as a trainer to be stellar. Each administrator gave their full support to the head trainer, reassuring everyone he would remain on staff and be on the sidelines for the big game. His contribution to Tarpon athletics over the years greatly outweighed the recent disclosure, which although unfortunate, was ultimately deemed innocuous.
“Wow,” said Connor. “It makes out Lance to be a hero.”
“So much for our conspiracy theory,” said Eugene. “C’mon Connor, let’s go. Coach wants us at the hotel no later than eleven.”
“Yea, maybe Harper was right,” said Connor. “We have been watching too many crime shows on TV.”
Pete went to respond, but the sound of his cell phone interrupted. Looking down at the screen, he noted the caller to be Dr. Harper.
“Hello,” said Pete, as he stepped into the kitchen.
“Did you read the article?” asked Harper. “It was in today’s Eagle.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Well, what do you think? I mean it was courageous of Lance to come forward with such sensitive information. Especially his infertility.”
“It’s a lot to digest at once.”
“Apparently he’s had a low sperm count for years,” said Harper. “And some sort of congenital anemia.”
Pete didn’t respond. He wanted to blurt out Tucker’s sexual orientation to implode the whole story, but dared not. Lance had no reason to be concerned about fertility.
“I’ll be honest with you Pete, for a moment there, you almost had me on that whole T:E ratio scheme. It was a brilliant hypothesis. You should write a medical thriller about it.”
“The article didn’t clarify why the lab found epi in the trainer’s cream,” said Pete coldly. “Explain that.”
“Peter, Peter. Let it go,” said Harper. “Who knows what Lance was rubbing onto his skin? I’m sure he contaminated the trainer’s cream also. I’m just glad he had the guts to tell us about it. He just walked into my office out of the blue, and told his story. ”
Pete was speechless. He drifted back into the living room where Connor was packing his bag. The two Tarpon players didn’t seem to have a care in the world. They bought into the story without reservation.
“Listen Pete, your parents are going to be here by lunchtime. I’ll have Grady G pick them up at the airport. Dinner will be at six o’clock, so make sure you’re here. All right?”
“Yea, yea,” said Pete. “Thank you very much for putting them up for the night Dr. Harper. I really appreciate it.”
“I’ve also set a plate for your girlfriend.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your girlfriend, Chloe, she didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“That she called here yesterday. She needed my home address to drop off some article of clothing your mom forgot to pack. Do you know she booked a motel room way down in Benton for the game? I told her don’t be silly, and to stay at my house. We have plenty of room Pete. So she’ll be staying here also.”
“I see.”
“She’s a wonderful young woman Peter. You should count your blessings. You two have a bright future together.”
Pete’s mind was now reeling. With Connor shipping out, his apartment would be empty for the night. If Chloe caught wind of it, she would go ballistic.
“This is it Pete, the big game. So enjoy it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity young man.”
“I’ll see you tonight Dr. Harper. Thank you.”
Pete just shook his head. Everything was a bit amiss in his life. Eugene brought him back to his senses by swinging Connor’s duffle bag over his shoulder, purposely hitting Pete in the head.
“Let’s go Swagner,” said Eugene. “We’re bugging out.”
Coach Hayes’ plan to hide Connor Kelly worked to perfection. The trio’s walk across campus was unobstructed, as they headed to a hotel two blocks from the stadium to spend the night. A steadfast Tarpon tradition before any big game, the upper three floors of the complex were booked for the team with the remaining two floors below vacated. The local police would then cordon off a one-block radius in all directions from the hotel. The process guaranteed a quiet night for the team, preventing any goon from the opposing team to disturb their sleep.
“You’re walking pretty good,” said Pete to Eugene. “I hear you’re dressing for the game.”
“Yea,” replied Eugene. “The leg feels great. I won’t be able to kick, but at least I’ll be in uniform. I can show the pictures to my grandkids some day.”
“There’s Coach Hayes,” said Connor as they entered the hotel lobby. “Nice outfit.”
The head coach wore checkered trousers and a floral shirt, ignoring any sense of fashion. He was headed towards the elevator.
“Cannonball!” said Hayes. “We messed up the press boy. They’ve been looking all over campus for you. They’re about as dumb as a June bug in July.”
The four men entered the elevator car with Pete to the right of Coach Hayes, and Connor and Eugene to his left. The coach smiled broadly as Eugene pressed the button for the fifth floor.
“Thank god this steroid mess is over,” said Hayes. “Lance is a saint.”
No one responded. Coach Hayes then leaned a bit forward and looked over at Eugene. The punter was staring forward. Hayes grinned at him and looked back at Connor.
“A relative?” asked the coach.
“Excuse me?” said Connor.
“The boy.” Hayes pointed his left thumb at Eugene. “Is he your cousin or something?”
“Coach, that’s …”
“Are you coming to the game young man?” said Hayes with a broad smile. He spoke loud and slowly, as if talking to a rube. He reached out his hand to shake with Eugene. “I’m Coach Buford B. Hayes. It’s a pleasure to meet you son.”
Eugene just stared back at his coach, not accepting the handshake.
“Coach, that’s Eugene,” said Connor quickly. “Your punter. Eugene Blatt.”
Hayes just stared back at Connor, a moment of awkward silence in the car. The ‘bing’ of the elevator announced the fifth floor.
“Oh yea, yea,” said Hayes with a shake of his head. “I just didn’t recognize the boy. I’m sorry. That’s right, Eugene. Eugene from Baltimore.”
“Tampa Bay,” said Eugene.
“Yes. Yes,” said Hayes. “You look different young man. Did you get a haircut or something?”
“No I didn’t coach. But I did get a steel rod put in my right leg.”
“Right, right,” said Hayes as the group exited the elevator. “Well listen men, team meeting in the conference room at two o’clock. See you then.” The elderly coached walked away towards his room, embarrassed yet unapologetic.
“Real nice,” said Eugene. “I get my shin bone peeled open and rubbed in the dirt, and he doesn’t even remember me.”
“He’s getting old,” said Connor.
“I’m sure he’d remember the dickhead who did it to me,” said Eugene, now upset. “I can’t believe that. What an insult! The guy’s a complete idiot.”
After carrying one of Connor’s bags into his room, Pete exited the hotel, to walk back towards his apartment. Halfway across campus, he ran into Heather. The two hadn’t spoken in weeks, ever since the trip out West. She didn’t appear to be in a good mood but Pete needed to speak to her.
“Heather, good morning,” said Pete.
“Good morning,” came the terse reply. She continued to walk forward, opposite Pete’s direction.
“Where you headed?”
“Administration. Have to drop off a letter to Mr. Foster.”
“How about some lunch?” asked Pete. “Do you have time for lunch?” While speaking he hustled alongside of her, trying to keep up with the pace. Her body language already suggested ‘no’. “Maybe even a cup of coffee or something? I’d like to talk to you.”
“What about? Chloe? She’ll be expecting you back home.”
“She’s gone,” said Pete while continuing to shuffle forward. “Believe it or not, Connor’s been staying with me over the past few days. It was our hideout.”
“Connor Kelly was staying with you?”
“Yes,” said Pete. “It was a surprise to me. Coach Hayes…”
“Listen Pete,” said Heather. She stopped her forward progress and faced the doctor. “You’re a wonderful person and it’s been a pleasure working alongside you, but let’s leave it at that. O.K.?”
“What, I don’t know what you mean?”
“Yes you do Pete. Obviously you have something special going on with Chloe, which is fantastic. I’m happy for the both of you. But I don’t want to be a part of the equation, nor should I.”
“But Chloe has been gone, back up in Scranton.”
“Listen Pete, don’t pull a ‘Jamal’ on me. I’ve had enough let downs in life already. Have a nice day.” She went to step forward but he blocked her progress.
“Heather please,” said Pete. “I just want to talk to you. I’m trying to make sense of this whole situation. Please. There have been some misunderstandings.”
“Is she coming to the game tomorrow?”
“Who?”
“Chloe.”
“Yes,” said Pete.
The response prompted Heather to step past him, and begin walking forward. She shook her head in disgust.
“Heather, please. Nothing is making sense around here,” said Pete. He again was trying to keep up with her, but she didn’t respond. “First you won’t talk to me and now this whole crazy testosterone story. I’m losing all sense of reality Heather. Please, talk to me.”
She kept walking, straight into the administrative building, leaving Pete outside without saying another word. Fifty minutes later she exited the building, surprised to see Pete sitting on a bench. He stood up as she approached.
“Heather please, there’s nothing going on between Chloe and me. Trust me.”
Heather blew right past him.
“Heather, I can…”
“You know Dr. Wagner,” shouted Heather while turning back into his face. “Guys like you and Jamal make me sick.” She was pointing her finger in his face. A few students passing by took note of her tone. “You have no conscience, no moral compass.” Her face was turning red as she stood on her toes, still with a finger raised. “I’m not going to fall for your choirboy act Wagner. I’ve been around the block a few times, so you can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine – and just leave me alone!”
“But Heather…”
“What kind of person are you? At least Billy Mo was honest with me. I’ll give him that! That’s more than I can say about you.”
“I don’t understand?”
“Pete, you’ve got a girlfriend with a diamond ring on her hand. What don’t you understand? Do you think I’m stupid or something? Just get away from me, and leave me alone.” A tear appeared in her eye and she shoved him aside. “Leave me alone, please… just leave me alone.” She stormed away.
“A diamond!” yelled Pete. He raised his hands in disbelief. “What diamond! There’s no diamond! When did you see a diamond on her hand!” He ran back to her side, but she refused to answer. “There’s no diamond Heather, she never gave it back to me. Trust me, I didn’t put a diamond back on her finger. I can’t believe it!”
She continued to walk away, wiping another tear from her eye.
“Heather, we’re not engaged! I’ve never seen the diamond ring on her hand. When did you see it? I can’t believe she would do such a thing. I don’t believe it Heather. I just don’t believe it!”
“I saw it when I stopped by to pick you up for our trip out West!” shouted Heather. “When she answered the door all smug and sassy. She flashed that boulder in front of me with a “take a look at this” attitude.”
“What?”
“That’s quite a ring Pete. It almost blinded me.”
“I can’t believe she would have done such a thing.”
“I saw it again at the airport Pete, when she was about to fly out. That’s right, you just dropped her off. Don’t tell me she wasn’t wearing it a few minutes earlier? You must have seen it.”
“Absolutely not!” cried Pete. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it! She’s such a… oh, the nerve of that girl!” He paused, putting all the pieces together. Now it made sense. His former fiancée had stoked the feminine fires of Heather. No wonder she was so crazed. “Heather please believe me, this is all news to me. I did not put that ring back on her finger. You have to believe that. Nor did I know she was flaunting it in front of your face. I’m so sorry.”
“You expect me to believe that Pete? That your former fiancée, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, is walking around pretending to be engaged to you? Yea, that’s believable!” She stormed away.
“Heather, please! It’s the absolute truth!”
“Goodbye Dr. Wagner. Have a nice life!”
Pete bolted ahead and blocked her path. She stopped directly in front of him with a look of scorn. Her chest heaved up and down in rapid fashion. She went to sidestep him but he reacted, not letting her pass.
“Get out of my way Wagner.”
“No.”
“I said, get out of my way!”
“Absolutely not. Not until you listen to me. I’m not letting you get past without hearing the truth.”
She stared him down, but he refused to yield, realizing this may be his last chance to salvage their relationship.
“All right,” said Heather. “This is ridiculous. Please, step aside.”
“I know it all sounds unbelievable and it is ridiculous, but what I’m telling you is the truth Heather. She’s not my fiancée – period. I’m sorry if she has been pretending to be something she is not. Honestly, I had no idea.”
She stared him in the eyes.
“You have to believe me. It’s the god’s honest truth.”
She continued to stare.
“Go ahead, ask me anything about us. Absolutely anything,” he said confidently. “I have nothing to hide.” As soon as the final syllable departed his lips, a smirk appeared on her face.
“Did you sleep with her?” was the immediate question. “Since she’s been down here Pete? Did you sleep with her? Yes or no?”
He hesitated. It was a fatal pause. She rocketed past him.
“You’re a pig!” she screamed with a dismissive wave of her right arm. “An absolute pig. Stay out of my life!”
“Heather, I can explain…” came the futile yell. He didn’t even attempt to follow her. “It’s just that I was so messed up from the breakup and…” He began to speak a bit more quietly as she walked away, not wanting to shout. “… And all of a sudden there she is at my doorstep, apologizing, and saying how much she cared about me. What was I supposed to do? Not listen to her? Not give her another chance?” His talk turned to a mumble as she vanished from sight. “… I mean … what was I supposed to do? I have no idea what I’m even trying to say. Ah, who cares? I’m just a stupid idiot whose best friend was screwing my fiancée. Oh, you’re such an idiot Wagner. Such a stupid idiot.”
He turned around in a daze, wandering in the opposite direction. All was lost, and she was gone.
“Dr. Wagner, good morning,” said Athletic Director Vern Foster. “Are you ready for the big game?”
“Yea,” said Pete in a morbid tone. “I guess so.”
“What’s the matter? Oh, was that Miss Jackson you were just talking to? She must have told you the news.”
“News?”
“Yes, a real shame actually. It caught me off guard.”
“What news are you talking about?”
“She just handed in her resignation,” said Foster with a shake of his head. “I mean it’s public knowledge now. Miss Jackson took a job up north.”
“You’re kidding me,” cried out Pete. “Why, I mean when? When does it start?”
