Chapter 1

"Blue 23 ... Blue 23..." the quarterback grunted.

I tensed for the signal, knees flexed and arms at the ready.

"Hut! Hut!" Ed growled. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ed pull the ball up and step back from the line of scrimmage.

I took a quick step forward and to the left, faking a crossing route to the cornerback who was covering me. He started to move to my left. I planted my left foot and accelerated to my right towards the sideline. I passed the cornerback after three steps. I continued accelerating, flying down the field as fast as I could run. I glanced back around twenty yards downfield, saw Ed cocking his arm to throw the pass to me, and noticed the cornerback was about two steps behind me.

Ed launched a perfect spiral to me, just over my right shoulder, as far from the cornerback as possible. I raised my arms, caught the ball and pulled it into my chest. I slowed down in a couple steps, turned and faced the cornerback, Nick Zeimer, and grinned.

"Damn Kyle!" Nick exclaimed. "You got me again. I was sure you were going over the middle."

I chuckled. "This is why we are practicing this spring Nick."

"I know, I know. You're just too fast for me."

"It's not all speed Nick," I explained. "Watch my body, not my feet."

"I know Kyle," Nick answered. "It's easier to say than to do." Nick and I jogged back to the line of scrimmage to meet our teammates.

I patted Ed on the back and said, "Nice pass buddy."

"Of course it was Kyle," Ed said. "I've been doing this awhile."

"Ah, Mr. Modesty," I countered.

My friend Jeremy North, middle linebacker and defensive play caller, yelled from across the line of scrimmage, "Come on ladies, let's go! Quit jawing and let's run another play."

My friends and teammates continued our 7 on 7 passing scrimmage. We had started two weeks earlier when winter ended. Our high school team, the Wolverines, had finally managed to improve beyond the 5-5 and 4-6 seasons we had been having for the past decade two years ago.

Our first winning year, when I was a freshman starting on the varsity team, we went undefeated and managed to beat our nemesis, Central High School and go to the playoffs. We made it to the quarterfinals before we lost. Last season, my best friend, Ed Fritz, replaced our all-state quarterback who graduated. Ed did great for a sophomore starting his first year as quarterback. He was rated as the best quarterback in our league. We managed a record of 8-2 and beat Central in our first playoff game. We lost last November to the eventual division champions in our second playoff game.

Jeremy, Ed and I organized "unofficial" scrimmages the same way Zack Hayes, last year's quarterback, had a year ago. We expanded the practices by recruiting most of the varsity and JV defensive backs, linebackers, running backs, and receivers. Coach Caffrey, our varsity football coach, helped the three of us organize the scrimmages. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) carefully regulated a team's practices and Coach Caffrey couldn't be involved in these unofficial ones.

I sent in Tim Showalter and my brother Andrew, presumably our number three and four receivers next season. Karl Weaver, the other starting wide receiver, and I stood on the sidelines and watched the next few plays. Tim did OK, but not great. He had some speed, but dropped too many balls.

My eighth grade brother Andy played better. He probably was the second fastest person practicing today, after me. I expected Andy would make varsity next year when he was in ninth grade. He caught fifteen touchdowns in his first year playing football on the JV team. My brother seemed to have a knack for football the same way I did.

I glanced over at the next field where Jake Kring was running drills for the JV and eighth grade players. Their practice was going well too. Jake was expected to back up Ed next season. He earned the spot with his outstanding play last season leading the JV to a 7-3 record.

Between our informal scrimmages, the film study sessions in the winter, and the twice a week weight training we started after Christmas, our team should be strong, well drilled and football "smart" in a year or two. Two years ago we were excited to make the playoffs. That wasn't enough anymore. Our goal was to win the AAA state championship.

Our entire high school was sick of hearing about how good Central was. Sick of the 23 straight years they made the playoffs. We were extremely sick of losing to Central year after year for the last two decades. My friends and teammates wouldn't settle for anything less than excellence. That was our common vision.

Ed's yell brought me out of my reverie. "Kyle. You and Karl go back in. I want Jake to run our offense for awhile. Jake, Karl and I jogged into the huddle. Jake called a play. I lined up in my usual spot. Jeremy had substituted freshman Brett Fulmer for junior Nick Zeimer.

"Hey, Brett," I said as I lined up.

"Hi, Kyle," Brett answered.

Jake screamed, "Blue 23 ... Blue 23 ... Hut!"

I wanted to test Brett's speed. Jake had called a post route for me. I took off as fast as I could go. Brett followed a moment behind me. I streaked downfield. I glanced back towards Jake. Brett was almost even with me. Jake launched the ball when we were about thirty yards downfield. The ball was a little under thrown. I turned back and jumped to try to make the catch.

Brett mistimed the jump and was coming down when I snagged the ball out of the air. Brett collapsed on the ground. I landed awkwardly. My left foot came down on Brett's ankle. I tried to keep my balance, but my ankle rolled off of Brett's ankle.

"AAaeeeiiii," I screamed as the pain shot though my left ankle. I collapsed in a heap on the ground on top of Brett. I rolled off of Brett.

"Jesus, Kyle," Brett exclaimed. "Are you OK?"

"Owww!" I moaned "I twisted my ankle." I reached a hand up to Brett, who was now standing over me. "Help me up Brett."

Brett pulled me to my feet as Greg Harrison, our starting tight end, arrived to check me out. "Are you OK, Kyle? Can you put weight on it?"

"Let me try, Greg," I answered. I tentatively put a little weight on it. "SHIT! Owww! That hurts!" I screamed. I stood on my good right leg, holding my injured ankle off the ground.

"Let's get you to the sideline, Kyle." Greg suggested. Greg took one side and Brett took the other. They helped me hobble off the field. I stood on the sideline, tentatively testing my left ankle.

"What are you guys gawking at? Get back to practicing," I shouted. "Andy, take my spot. I want to see you guys work. Let's go!" Ed came over to stand with me as we watched Jake run our offense.

I carefully put some weight on my left foot and walked a couple steps. It hurt like hell, but I was tough. I could walk it off.

Ed said, "Jake is doing a good job running things." as Jake launched a deep pass to my brother. Andy pulled the ball in over top of Brett Fulmer.

"Good job, Jake," I yelled. "Good job, Andy." Our teammates lined up to run another play.

"How's your ankle, Kyle?" Ed asked.

"It hurts, but I'll be OK. I'll walk this off," I answered. I took a couple tentative steps. "Let's get Pete in Ed."

"Ellis, get in there." Ed yelled to Pete Ellis, our sophomore back-up tight end. Pete trotted in. Greg Harrison jogged over to Ed and me.

"What are you doing, Kyle?" Greg exclaimed as he eyed me. "Sit down. You aren't helping your ankle by walking on it! SIT!"

"I'm all right, Greg," I answered as I sat on the ground. "Stop worrying."

"Let me see it," Greg reposnded. "I ride along with my dad on the ambulance. I plan to get my EMT next year." He pulled up the leg of my sweat pants. He ran both hands up and down my ankle and leg. He switched and felt my right ankle.

"Hey. There isn't anything wrong with that one, Greg," I protested.

"Relax. I want to compare them," Greg answered. He felt my left ankle again. "Shit! You're really swelling up, Kyle. This isn't good."

"I'll be fine," I insisted. "Don't worry about me, Greg."

"Does this hurt?" Greg asked as he pressed my ankle.

"Shit! Yes it hurts!" I groaned "Stop!" Greg pressed and felt a few more times.

Finally he said, "This isn't good, Kyle. You need to have this x-rayed."

"Noooo!" I whined. "I don't need that, Greg."

"This is bad, Kyle," Greg continued. "You swelled up way too fast. A sprain shouldn't hurt this much. You're going to the ER! Call your mom or dad and have them meet us at Lancaster General. I'm taking you."

"I don't have a cell phone, Gre,." I answered lamely. My ankle was throbbing now. Greg seemed to know what he was talking about.

"Here," Greg said as he handed me his phone.

I reached my Mom and told her what had happened. She agreed to meet Greg and me at the ER as soon as she could get there. Jeremy and Ed got to practice the first aid carry we had learned in Boy Scouts. They locked their hands on each others wrists, hoisted me up and carried me to Greg's car. They helped me climb in. Greg headed west from our high school to the hospital on the north side of Lancaster.

Greg helped me hop into the ER and find a seat. Mom arrived about five minutes later. Greg and Mom conferred for a minute. Greg wished me well and headed for home. Mom and I waited an hour until a nurse took me upstairs for an x-ray. We went back downstairs and waited another hour and half to see a doctor.

A nurse came for me with a wheel chair. I hopped aboard and was wheeled to an exam room. The doctor was holding my x-rays up to the light to check me out. Mom and I waited expectantly for a couple minutes. The doctor was smiling when he turned to face me. "Mr. Martin, how are you doing?" the doctor asked.

"I've been better, sir," I answered.

"I'm Doctor Laukhauf. Hop up on the exam table please." the doctor explained.

Mom and the doctor helped me up on the table. Doctor Laukhauf poked and squeezed my ankle and foot. "Hmmm..." The doctor felt my right ankle. "OK. This doesn't look too bad."

"What's the verdict, doctor?" I asked.

"You have a high ankle sprain," Doctor explained. "It will be sore for a few weeks, but you won't have any permanent damage."

"OK," I answered.

"You didn't tear any ligaments or tendons. You don't have any broken bones. You have strained the ligaments in your ankle. I want you to stay off this ankle as much as possible. Use ice on it until the swelling goes down. That should take a day or two. I'm going to wrap it with an ace bandage to give you more support."

I asked hopefully, "Will I miss any school?"

"No. I will get you crutches to help you get around," Doctor Laukhauf explained. "I want you to stay off that ankle when you are at home. Keep it elevated."

"OK. How soon can I get back to practicing for football?" I asked.

The doctor asked quizzically, "Football? It's the spring."

"My team is doing passing drills this spring," I explained. "We really want to make the playoffs next fall."

"Oh. OK. Use the crutches for two weeks. No running for at least three weeks. Got it?" Doctor Laukhauf asked.

"OK," I answered. Doctor Laukhauf wrapped my ankle carefully, explaining how to do it as he worked. I was going to need to do this myself after today. The doctor adjusted a pair of crutches for my 6'-4" height. Hesitantly I tried them. Awkwardly.

Mom settled up at the billing office and then drove me home to our house in Paradise ... Paradise, Pennsylvania.

She popped some leftovers in the microwave for our late dinner. Dad, Andy and my 11 year old little sister, Lizzie, crowded around to get the news about my ankle. Mom and I explained my condition. I wolfed down my dinner and hobbled upstairs to study and ice my ankle.

Mom interrupted me for a phone call later that evening. She handed me the phone. I asked, "Hello?"

"Kyle, how are you?" my girlfriend, Julie Simpson, asked.

"I'm OK. I have a high ankle sprain. It's going to slow me down for a few weeks."

"Your Dad explained a little bit when I came over to study this evening the way we planned. It's only your ankle that's hurt?"

"Um, my other uh, equipment, is fine lover. We should be able to have fun in bed as planned next week during Easter vacation. You might need to be on top though."

"Goody! I love it when you make love to me that way, Kyle," Julie exclaimed. "I can't wait."

I sighed. "I wish you didn't have track practice after school tomorrow. I'd like to show you how much I love you."

"I'm sorry I'm so busy, Kyle. I appreciate how patient you are about my busy schedule. We will have to wait until Monday afternoon like we planned."

"I know. I'd like to slowly take your clothes off, play with your beautiful breasts, and lick your..."

My little sister Lizzie topped the steps and stuck her head in my bedroom door.

"Um ... um ... ice cream cone." I said desperately.

Julie said, "Huh, what?"

"Hi, Lizzie, what's up?" I asked, hoping Julie understood.

Julie said, "I see." as Lizzie answered me, "Mom is serving ice cream. Do you want some, Kyle?"

"Yeah sure, Lizzie," I answered. She disappeared down the steps again. "That was close." I said into the phone.

"Uh huh. What would you like to lick, Kyle?" Julie teased.

"I'd like to apply my tongue to your clitoris, lover. I want to stimulate you until you can't stop squealing."

"It sounds like fun. I can't wait. See you in school tomorrow, lover. Bye."

"Bye, Julie." I answered before I hung up the phone.

Lizzie returned with my ice cream a few minutes later. I turned on my computer and got on line to pass some time before I went back to studying. The computer chimed immediately when I got on line.

I brought up my IM program to see who it was.

CANOEGUY312: You around little bro?

I typed in my reply.

FASTWR87: Yes. What's up Will?

It was my 20 year old half-brother Will Henry. Will was a sophomore at University of Pennsylvania studying Physics.

CANOEGUY312: I just got back from a dinner with Abby. I'm so happy. I have to tell someone my news. Can you keep a secret?

FASTWR87: Sure Will. What is it?

CANOEGUY312: I asked Abby to marry me this evening. She said yes!

FASTWR87: WOW! That's big news, shorty. Congrats!

Will had called me "little brother" most of my life and I had hated that nickname until I passed him in height a year and a half ago. Now I teased my 6'-2" brother about being short. Will took the ribbing in good spirits.

CANOEGUY312: I took Abby to a fancy restaurant tonight and proposed over dessert.

FASTWR87: Cool! It's about time the two of you made this official. You have been dating the girl for four years. When's the wedding?

CANOEGUY312: In two years, after we get our bachelor's degrees

FASTWR87: How long do I have to keep this secret?

CANOEGUY312: Until next week. Abby and I are going to invite both families to get together for dinner. Probably next Wednesday.

FASTWR87: Could I invite Julie to the dinner? I want to make her feel like a part of our family.

CANOEGUY312: Sure. That sounds cool. You really like her, don't you little bro?

FASTWR87: I'm in love with her. I hope some day I'm the one down on my knee asking Julie to marry me.

CANOEGUY312: You are serious about her aren't you little bro?

FASTWR87: Completely. When do you and Abby get home for spring break?

CANOEGUY312: I finish my mid-terms tomorrow before lunch. Abby's last one is at four. We are going to have dinner at the dorms and drive home after that. I expect to hit Paradise around 9 o'clock.

FASTWR87: Cool! It'll be great to see the two of you again. See you tomorrow.

CANOEGUY312: See you later little bro.

--oooOooo--

On Friday at school Julie and I hung out together every second possible during the three classes we shared, during lunch and between classes in the hallway. The two of us had been nearly inseparable since we started going steady last Thanksgiving. It was wonderful.

I explained about the dinner that Will and Abby had planned and invited her. We kissed passionately at the end of school when Julie had to go to her track meet and I had to go home. I hated the fact that she was going to be away with her family for the whole weekend. Monday afternoon would be the next time we would see each other.

I went home and studied in my room the best I could. Andy's girlfriend of the month, Brittany Smith, arrived a few minutes after we got home. I was forced to listen through the thin wall that separated my bedroom from Andy's while he screwed Brittany again today. It was the third time this week.

Andy had become quite the lothario since he lost his virginity to a high school cheerleader last fall. Brittany was Andy's sixth girlfriend since then. His girlfriends didn't stick around long, but they seemed to have fun while they were with Andy.