Chapter 24

The morning came and I rose early. Joe went with me to shower and shave. He said, “I’m meeting Barbara for breakfast.”

I smiled. “I’m meeting Alice for breakfast. She will have Marilyn with her. Bob will be meeting us all for breakfast. Marilyn and Bob are interested in each other. They spent the day yesterday with us and each other.”

“That’s good. I was worried at first since we had been together but she seems to have moved beyond me. We just weren’t right. Perhaps, Bob will be right for her.”

I smiled and said, “Time will tell.”

Cleaned up and dressed, I headed out. I realized that Bob was ten feet in front of me. I said, “Bob, wait a sec. We can meet the girls together.” He nodded and we did.

Alice scrunched up tight to me. Marilyn gave Bob a medium hug. We headed for the cafeteria and went inside. There were more people there but still not many. We got in a line for our meals and coffee. We sat down noticing that the tables were arranged differently. Alice and Marilyn sat at an end facing each other. Bob and I sat beside our partners. After blessing the meal, we ate and talked. Alice and I were facing the entrance and I noticed the looks she received though no one tried to sit close. I think she and Marilyn were sending a message to people that they weren’t available. I decided to wait and ask Alice later. It would tell me something about Marilyn’s attitude toward Bob.

We finished eating and left heading for our first class, English. We had found we all had this one together. The professor had us sit alphabetically so we were all separated. I was close to the back of a row while Bob was close to the front on the next one. It was a large class. We were handed sheets with assignments on it as well as reading for each class. We would have two written reports, due at the middle and end of the semester. We were told that participation was mandatory or pop quizzes would result. To participate, you had to be recognized first before speaking. The professor apologized for this procedure but said that the class size made it necessary. The roll had been called as we were seated and the professor immediately launched into a lecture. When the class was over, I had been able to comment as had Marilyn. It was over and we filed out heading for our next class.

Alice and I had a math class together while Marilyn had a history class and Bob went to an initial business development class. We all had an hour free after that and agreed to meet then in the girls’ dorm common area.

Alice and I enjoyed our math class which was a beginning calculus class. I had had some of what we would cover in my senior year of high school. We went through the class and lecture. On the way out, a guy stopped Alice and introduced himself. He asked her to be his study partner. She smiled. “I have a permanent study partner in Jerry. He’s my life partner, too.” Allen bowed out gracefully.

Holding hands, we left for the common area. Once there, we met Marilyn and then Bob. Each of us had one more class before lunch ... All four of us would have a biology class together and then eat lunch. I had another at one thirty which finished my day

We looked over our class materials and talked about our last class. Both Marilyn and Bob were surprised we were taking an advanced math class. They were also shocked that I had another class after lunch. I said, “It’s a geography class which is okay. I’m good at that area so, for me, it should be an easy class. After it, Bob and I have to go to football practice. That will take us to supper.”

“I will be in the practice field stands watching you, Jerry,” said Alice.

Marilyn smirked, “We both have football players to watch, Alice.”

Alice said, “I will bring a textbook for some studying, too. The guys won’t be constantly going. They will sit down and there won’t be anything for us to see.” She grinned.

Bob said, “I’m a little worried about when the biology labs might be. My understanding in reading the syllabus is that it will be once a week in the afternoon.”

I said, “Bob, you know my attitude will be to prioritize the lab.”

“Yeah. I would hope there won’t be any problems. The coaches should know that we’ve got to pass to play.”

“Well, I’m going to broach the subject today so we’ll know. Labs start next week on Wednesday for us since we’re all in the same class. At least, it’s not on Friday’s.”

We went to our classes and met for lunch. After lunch, the three of them would study while I went to my geography class. I met them in the common room. We walked together to the field. Bob and I dressed in our uniforms and went on the field. All the backs, offensive and defensive, were grouped to warm-up by running. Bob and I ran together getting warm quickly. It was, after all, hot this afternoon. Running was over and Coach Wilkins was there to meet all of us directing us to our various meetings. I went up to him.

“Coach, I’m going to have a biology lab on Wednesday afternoons starting next week. I will come to practice as soon as it’s over.”

“We can give you a waiver so you can make practices on time.”

“Coach, I appreciate that but missing the labs will put me behind in the class. I don’t want my future grade point average to suffer.”

“Short, we can live with it. You pick up the plays quickly and missing half a practice one day a week will not be that bad.” Bob was standing beside me and nodded grimly.

We walked away toward our meeting areas. Bob said, “I’ll try but I may have to get a waiver to be sure I stay on the team.”

I nodded. “Do what you think you must. I’ll help any way I can.” We separated and went to our meetings.

After a few minutes’ talk, we would practice with the rest of the defensive team using different formations and discussing what to do and why. We never did scrimmage with the offense this day. It was finally over. Alice and Marilyn came down from the stands to meet us while we were headed for the showers. I left for my shower with Alice’s kiss on my lips. Marilyn only had eyes for Bob though they didn’t kiss. She did hug his neck.

We showered and dressed. Bob and I exited the locker room together and met the girls. It was time and we went to supper in the cafeteria. We all sat down and I prayed.

As we started to eat, Bob said, “I will need a little help on the biology labs. Another player mentioned a lab and was told that he might lose his scholarship and place on the team if he didn’t use a waiver. I requested one which I was told will be issued for me to take in Monday. I’m not a great student so I will need some help.”