Chapter 5

THE DATING TEAM had plans for the evening, too. They piled into three cars and went to Des Moines to see the latest Marvel Comics movie and mostly paid attention to the movie. There was a lot of shuffling around during the movie, though, so people got a chance to sit next to different lovers and girlfriends. They tried not to be too disruptive.

The date included relatively little making out. Everyone just wanted to be near each other. After the movie, they went to a local grill and had milkshakes, then went home. They promised Saturday night would be an all-nighter.

Dennis collapsed in bed and didn’t wake up until six when he needed to get to school to mow the football field again before Mr. Stackhouse came to pick up his mower.

The football field had been surveyed and stakes were planted where the corners and stripes would go. Dennis carefully mowed the sidelines first, then did a crossing pattern for the field itself. The new goal posts had been set and when he finished the field about nine o’clock, the mowing pattern was so perfect the field could have been played on without the stripes having been painted.

Dennis went into the athletic wing of the school where he was meeting with the team managers. Coach Byers was there to welcome him.

“I’m not going to run most of the meeting,” Coach said. “I’ll set the basics of the seasons and who is responsible for what, but I’ll turn it over to you for the specific duties and responsibilities.”

“I’m hoping the meeting won’t be too long,” Dennis said. “We need to get all the new equipment and uniforms unpacked.”

“Well, let’s get introduced and figure out who is who.” They went into the athletic conference room, which was also the health classroom and met the other managers.

“I never thought I’d see the day when we’d have a need for so many team managers,” Coach started. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you all. We’ve come a long way with sports in the past year, and we’re making a giant leap this year. It’s going to be a busy year.”

Dennis started a round of applause for the expanded program. Coach went on.

“Nearly every sport needs team managers. You are what can make our teams successful. How do you do that? By lifting the burden of managing schedules, equipment, uniforms, training, and team activities from the coaches so the coaches can focus on playing the game. Don’t let yourself slide into the role of glorified water boy or bat girl. While those are important functions, they are not why we need team managers. In the past year, we learned a lot about what a team manager can be and do from the person I’m going to introduce as the departmental Lead Team Manager. If you’ve got a question about how to do a job or where to find a rulebook, clipboard, or equipment bag, he’s the one you’ll go to.” More applause, this time led by a couple of the team managers who had worked with Dennis before.

“I want to talk about one other thing that I wish there was no need to discuss. We do not tolerate bullying, hazing, or abuse of any team manager, player, or coach. Not at all. Part of your responsibility is to make sure that doesn’t occur on your team. If it happens, report it immediately. If you feel like you can’t talk to your coach about it, talk to Dennis. If you can’t talk to him, talk to me or one of the other coaches. I don’t want physical, sexual, or mental abuse to ever find its way into the Bartley High School athletic program again. That’s all I’m going to say about it. Now I’m turning this meeting over to Dennis.” The managers all applauded Coach Byers again and were surprised when he simply left the room and left them in the care of Dennis.

“Coach is used to being a rousing speaker and getting teams fired up, but sometimes he forgets other important things, like finding out who the heck you are.” They all laughed. “So, I’m Dennis Enders. Coach asked me to take over the role of lead team manager for the department, but that just means there’s someone here to lead a meeting and to talk to if you can’t figure things out. I function in the role of team manager for the Angelines basketball team. But I also act as trainer for cross country, basketball, and track. I’m really looking for some of you to step up into that role as well. Let’s just start here on my right and go around the room with introductions.”

“Hi, I’m Rick Davis,” the first guy said. He was tall and a little chicken-chested, but seemed like a friendly guy. “I’m a senior and am lead team manager for the new Wolverines football team.”

“I’m Lonnie Rasmussen, a junior and equipment manager for the football team.” He was a classmate of Dennis’s and kind of grinned toward him. “I’m here because I’ve never taken part in anything at school and Dennis kind of showed us that we could all be a part last year.” He nudged the next boy who appeared to be a little on the slow side.

“Oh. I’m Trevor Miller. I’m a freshman and I get to do laundry for the football team.” He blushed through his freckles and short sandy hair.

“You’re going to be a great assistant manager, too,” Rick said. “You’re my right hand man.” He reached over and gave Trevor a high five. That was encouraging.

“Hi. I’m Olivia Factor. I’m a sophomore and am going to be the Team Coordinator for the football team. That means most of my work is in the office and not the locker room.” The other managers laughed. “Coach says he wants me to do some scouting of other teams, too. That should be interesting.” She had long brown hair, tied in a ponytail. Her black-rimmed glasses kept sliding down her nose. She might have been carrying a little extra weight, or like so many girls who were body conscious, might just dress in baggy clothes so she didn’t attract attention.

“It’s nice to have another sophomore girl on the team,” Lana said. “We’ll have fun! I’m Lana Brown, a sophomore, and assistant team manager for the Angelines basketball team. And I want to say something else.” She glanced over at Dennis and he nodded. “Dennis and I are two of the reasons there’s a no tolerance policy in the department when it comes to abuse, hazing, and bullying. We were both bullied and abused by our teams in the past. Let me tell you that if you are ever in that situation, the greatest ally you can ever have is that guy sitting over there. And I’ll do my very best to help and protect you as well. Anti-bullying isn’t something we just believe in. We are advocates and defenders and we won’t let that kind of thing exist in our department!”

Lana’s statement was so passionate that it took everyone by surprise. Then her classmate, Olivia, started clapping and reached over to hug Lana as everyone continued. Dennis decided not to make any more of it than what Lana had said. He turned to the next team manager.

“Hi. I’m Dick Ledbetter and I’m the lead manager for the JV basketball team and equipment manager for the track team.”

“I’m Noah Padgett and I’m a freshman. I’m Dick’s assistant on the JV basketball team.” Noah was a little on the pudgy side, but was just beginning to thin down as he grew taller. He wore glasses with a safety strap around the back of his head and a T-shirt that promoted a popular jazz musician.

“I’m Randy Peterson. I worked with Dennis on track last year and it was great. Oh. I’m a senior and lead manager for track and varsity basketball.”

“I’m Jayden Vogel and I’m a junior. Gosh, when Dennis started managing the girls’ basketball team last year, he started getting dates. I just thought if I helped manage a team, maybe I’d get a date or two, too. I’m assisting Randy on varsity basketball.” Jayden was a studious guy, kind of the male equivalent of Olivia when it came to computers and intelligence. Olivia gave him a curious look and might have been considering the possibilities.

“I’m Shelby Owens. I’m a junior and my friend Natalie convinced me I should work with the new volleyball team, so I got the job of lead manager. I feel like I’m in way over my head and will need all the help I can get, Dennis.”

“Not a problem, Shelby. And believe me, you can count on Natalie to fill you in on things, too. She might be playing, but she understands team management, too,” Dennis said. He turned to the last person in the room.

“I’m Thoms. I prefer the pronouns they/them. I’m not looking for a date. I’m a freshman and assisting Shelby on the volleyball team. I love the sport, but I have a bad leg and can’t play. I’ll do the best I can.” Thoms might have been the most androgynous person Dennis had ever met. Unlike nearly all the girls in school, her hair was cut short and she wore shapeless clothes that didn’t even hint at her—Dennis corrected himself in his mind—their physique or sex.

“Well, let’s start talking about some of the general duties of a team manager,” he said. “We’ll have additional meetings to go more in depth, but you should all have this page of duties, which is where we start from.”

They went to work and each showed his, her, or their willingness to help each other as well as to learn their duties. Dennis was pleased.

After a long day getting equipment sorted and uniforms hung, the team managers went home. Dennis had to go straight to work at home doing family laundry and helping with the weekly housekeeping. He didn’t mind the tasks as it gave him time with his mother and sister.

“Natalie is taking you to see Dr. Sachs on Tuesday,” Dot said. “But if you can tear yourself free from her for lunch, I’ll take you to County Seat and you can take your driving test.”

“Yes! I mean, of course, Mom. I can’t believe I’ll finally get my license,” Dennis said. “I’ll be happy to tear myself away from Natalie for a while. Maybe I can take her out later in the day.”

“I assumed so. But, Dennis, putting you in the driver’s seat means you have an extra level of responsibility. Don’t let having Natalie in the car with you distract you from driving,” Dot said. “I worry about you.”

“Is my growing up really hard on you, Mom?” Dennis gave Dot a hug and she looked up at her son. The summer had changed him in so many ways.

“Den, I feel like I missed something significant that was going on in the past year. I mean, I know what was going on, and I can’t believe I let it happen right here in my house,” Dot said as she helped him fold a batch of clothes fresh from the dryer. “I was just so happy that you had friends. Your girlfriends were like a play group that was mostly harmless. I didn’t even consider that you might be falling in love with a dozen girls. And I certainly never imagined you were becoming lovers. The other mothers and I decided to toss condoms at you to embarrass you and the girls into staying chaste. That kind of backfired.”