Chapter 34

The day after the troop banquet I got an e-mail from Zack Hayes. It said that Mrs. Paterno had been rushed to the hospital last night. Zack didn't have much information. He suggested I should send Mrs. Paterno a get well card. Zack said I could send the card to him since he didn't know the room number of her hospital room. I got the card later in the afternoon and mailed it to Zack Hayes. A small article on the back page of Monday evening's paper indicated that Mrs. Paterno was in the Centre County Community Hospital and her condition was serious.

Penn State sent me a large packet of papers on Wednesday. It included the letter of intent that they wanted me to sign on February 4th and the normal application that all prospective Penn State students needed to fill out to apply to the college. I needed to apply just like any other student even though I was going to attend on an athletic scholarship.

I got an e-mail from Zack Hayes that evening. It said: "Things are crazy here. Coach Paterno hasn't been in the Lasch Building all week. It's eerie. Coach Burton let us know that Mrs. Paterno had a small stroke. They're worried about blood clots now. Remember her in your prayers tonight." I did.

The sports section in the Thursday evening paper had a short article about Mrs. Paterno's illness. The article didn't provide any new information to me. It was beside a column by one of the sports writers. He correctly noted that Coach Paterno had been absent from the team all week.

Coach Paterno's current contract with Penn State ran out with the end of the bowl game against Kentucky. Everyone expected it would be renewed quickly. It hadn't happened yet. The reporter wondered if a sixth undefeated team and another national championship had quenched the fire that had burned in Coach Paterno since he started coaching in 1950.

He speculated how a man in his mid-eighties could handle running a major college football team and caring for a sick wife. He wondered if this would be the end of the line.

I hoped the columnist was wrong. Coach Paterno is a legend and I'd love the chance to play for him. I sent an e-mail off after dinner to Zack Hayes, hoping for more information. Zack replied that there wasn't any news about the coach or Mrs. Paterno.

I got home from school on Friday and found unwanted news in the afternoon paper. It said that the Penn State Athletic Department had announced that Coach Paterno would have a press conference at 4 pm. I tried the TV at 4 pm to see if any station was carrying the press conference live. None were. I found out what was happening at 5 o'clock. It was the lead story on Channel 8.

"An era ends today..." I knew the immediately. This wasn't good news.

" ... as the legendary coach Joe Paterno announced his retirement." They moved on to a clip from the press conference.

Coach Paterno stood behind the podium, looking more tired and older than I had ever seen him. He announced, "I'm here today with deep regret to announce that I will be retiring effectively immediately as head coach of the Nittany Lions. I've always told my kids that you need to set your priorities in life. Education is number 1, family is number 2 and football is number 3. I'm too old and stubborn to learn much. My wife needs me now, so I have to adjust my life to help and support her through her illness.

"I've loved every minute of my time here at the university. I will miss working with the kids. They have always helped keep me young. I still believe I could continue to be an effective coach, but family must take priority. I think we have an excellent class of recruits and believe that we have the makings for another great team next season. I wish I was going to be involved from day to day."

Coach Paterno introduced Graham Spanier, the president of the university. He said, "Coach Paterno is still going to be involved with Penn State Football. He is being named the 'Coach Emeritus' for the team. He will be involved off the field with the student-athletes as his time permits in the coming seasons.

"Coach Paterno has built a great football program here at Penn State. We wish to keep that tradition alive and well. We are prepared to announce Coach Paterno's successor now. I will let Coach Paterno introduce him."

Coach Paterno returned to the podium. "It is my pleasure to announce that Robert Burton has accepted the position of Head Coach for the Nittany Lions. I remember Bob's first time on the field as a Lion like it was yesterday. He was a tall skinny kid with an unruly mop of red hair. He wasn't our best quarterback, but he worked hard. He kind of reminded me of another skinny kid from the Bronx with black hair and thick glasses. He had an amazing curiosity for football. He was always asking me, 'Why do we run this play?'; 'How does that work?' Bob has taken that thirst for knowledge to the highest level. I am confident he has the ability to keep this program on top." Coach Paterno held out his hand, inviting Coach Burton up to the podium. "Bob? They're all yours now."

Coach Burton stepped up to the microphone, cleared his throat, smiled and said, "Thank you, Coach Paterno. I'm humbled to be standing here today. I have huge shoes to fill when I try to replace Coach Paterno. I'll do my best to maintain the traditions that have made this such a great team over the last five decades. I'm looking forward to the challenge of keeping our team on top. I know I'll be calling you for ideas, suggestions and criticisms as we move forward in the next season. I'm ready for questions from the press."

Wow! I was stunned by the way all of this had happened so quickly. It wasn't even a month since Coach Paterno and the Lions had won the national championship. How was this going to affect me? I watched and listened.

The reporters fired questions at Coach Burton, Coach Paterno and President Spanier furiously. Most of the questions were what you would expect. I paid attention when one of the reporters asked Coach Paterno about Mrs. Paterno's condition.

Coach Paterno explained, "Mrs. Paterno has had a mild stroke that has affected her left side. The doctors tell us that she will make a full recovery but she will need extensive rehabilitation and therapy. I have to concentrate on helping my wife through this difficult time."

Another reporter asked, "What does your new title mean? What are you going to do for the team?"

Coach Paterno grinned for the first time. "Coach Emeritus is Latin for 'get the old guy out of the way.' Seriously, Bob and I talked after lunch today about how I can help the program. He has asked me to oversee the academic support staff for the football team."

Coach Burton added, "I agree with Coach Paterno's philosophy about the importance of education in our football program. I expect the players to succeed academically and on the football field. I want every player to take full advantage of their athletic scholarship and receive their degree."

Another reporter asked, "Coach Burton, do you think any of the recruits that have oral commitments to come to Penn State will change their minds?"

"I believe the recruits will honor their promise to attend Penn State. I will be talking with each of them in the next day or two to clarify their plans. Penn State is still the national champion. It is a great opportunity for them to attend this university. That hasn't changed."

The reporters asked a couple more questions about Coach Burton's background to conclude the story. Channel 8 News moved on to the next story.

Coach Burton didn't waste any time calling the recruits. I got my call right after dinner.

"Hello?" I said when I picked up the phone.

"Hello, Kyle. It's Coach Burton. I guess you have heard the news by now."

"Yes. Congratulations on getting the head coaching job."

"Thank you. It's not under the circumstances I would have liked. How do you feel about the change?"

"I'm stunned. I was looking forward to working with Coach Paterno in the fall."

Coach Burton explained, "He'll still be working with the players in the fall, just in a different capacity. I intend for him to be active supervising student-athletes academic progress."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Can I be direct with you, Kyle?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Do you intend to fulfill your commitment to Penn State? Will you sign the letter of intent next Wednesday?"

"Yes, sir. Coach Paterno was only a part of the reason I choose Penn State. Zack Hayes has told me so much about you and the offense you run. I choose this team because I want to be a part of it."

"Excellent. I'm glad to hear that, Kyle. Do you have any questions about this?"

"Um ... just one. Have you talked to Christian Hunsecker yet?" Is he still coming to Penn State?"

"I don't know. He is next on my call sheet. How do you know Christian? I thought your team and his team were big rivals."

"Our teams are. We know each other through Boy Scouts. We were friends before we played football against each other."

"It will be nice to have friends on the team when you get here this summer."

"Thanks for calling, Coach. If you have any problems with Christian, let me know. I'll work on him too."

"Thanks for the offer, Kyle. Have a good night," Coach Burton said. He hung up the phone with that.

I got a call from Coach Pete Carroll at USC later in the evening. Ostensibly the call was to express his sympathy for my situation. He did indicate that he could make room for me at USC if I changed my mind in the next few days. I was a little ticked off about the call at first. I thought back to something Coach Burton had told me last summer. Every program is under incredible pressure to win. Jobs depended on winning. Winning depended on getting the best recruits possible. Coach Carroll was just trying to do the best job he could.

Mr. Montgomery, the sports editor for the evening paper asked Coach Caffrey to set up an interview and photo shoot for all the Wolverine players going to Division I-A colleges in the fall. He wanted to have photos of us when we signed our letters of intent next Wednesday. All five of us agreed to do it.

The interview and photo shoot on the 4th of February was fun. All of us had been interviewed by Mr. Montgomery multiple times. We felt comfortable with him. Coach Caffrey had us seated alphabetically at a long table on the auditorium stage; Ed, Hal, me, Drew and finally Jeremy. The photographer fired away furiously as we signed our letters: Ed for the University of Florida, Hal for Rutgers, me for Penn State, Drew for the University of West Virginia and Jeremy for the University of Notre Dame.

I signed my letter of intent as the cameras flashed in my face. This was it. Signed, sealed and delivered. Done deal. I was committed. I would be a Nittany Lion, most likely for the next four years – assuming I didn't screw up.

My friends were smiling and joking around when we finished our show. I joined in. I was happy but ... jeez this is such a big step. Am I doing the right thing? This is the biggest decision I ever made in my life. I hoped I made the right choice. My uneasiness didn't last. Zack Hayes would be there to help me with the transition. The two of us made a great combination together. I'd be fine.

The evening news had two brief mentions of me. The first was the story about the recruits that committed to Penn State. They said the top four recruits for this year were me, Christian Hunsecker, Trevor Conwell and Shawn Byrd. A total of nineteen recruits had committed to Penn State today. The reporter said three more were expected to sign shortly.

The second story was about the five of us getting scholarships to Division I-A colleges. The announcer commented that it was unprecedented in Lancaster County for so many guys from one school to manage this.

I received a congratulatory e-mail from Zack Hayes and Aaron Morano welcoming me to the team.

18:31:02 February 4th

To: fastwr87@redroses.net

From: hayeszr06@psu.edu

Subject: A Lion at last!

Aaron and I want to officially welcome you to the team Kyle. We're delighted you finally made it. Remember what we told you about staying humble. This place is crawling with super-size egos. Remember: 'I'm here to learn. I want to help out any way I can.' Repeat it until you are saying it in your sleep.

Be prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life. The coaches are perfectionists. You have a new offensive scheme to learn, new terminology, new plays, reads, everything. You're going to learn more football than you knew existed.

Good Luck. See you later.

Zack & Aaron

My sister and Cody got together at my house nearly every day after school. Most afternoons in December and early January were spent in the kitchen doing homework or in the family room watching TV. That changed as January wore on. They spent more afternoons in her bedroom with the door locked than downstairs. I knew they were fooling around together. I was a little worried about Liz. She had no idea what she was getting into with boys and sex. I wanted to help her.

I recruited Penny to talk with her one afternoon after Cody went home. Penny returned a couple minutes later. Penny explained, "I offered to talk with her about boys in case she had any questions. This is a direct quote: 'Tell my nosey brother to mind his own business.' I guess Liz will be on her own figuring things out with Cody."

I answered, "I hope she will be all right. I worry about her."

"That's because you're a good big brother. Liz will be fine."

I let things go as they were. Cody better treat my sister well. I'd have his head if he didn't.

After school on Friday I dropped Liz, Andy and Penny off at my house and drove to the outlet mall near Lancaster. I needed to pick up a couple new shirts and a tie for my date with Penny the next evening. We planned a nice dinner out for Valentine's Day. We were going out to Chris'. It was an excellent restaurant on the north end of Lancaster. Dad said they had fantastic food. The prices were high, but Dad willingly gave me some extra cash so I could show Penny a good time.

I picked up my new shirts at the first store. I decided to check out the sports store too. I ended up buying a customized Penn State jersey. They were able to put my number 87 on it. I wondered if I would be able to keep my number when I got to State College in the summer.

It was almost five o'clock before I got home. I took my purchases upstairs to my room. I don't know what I interrupted, but it certainly was something Cody and Liz didn't want me to know about. Cody rocketed out of our house about 90 seconds after I got upstairs. The poor kid's boner was hard as a rock. He hadn't made any effort to hide the thing – it tented his pants obscenely. He didn't make eye contact when I said hi. He mumbled that he had to get home immediately. He dashed out of the house, tucking his shirt in as he left.

Liz was in a pissy mood when she came out of her room a couple minutes later. I wished I could help her but I minded my own business the way she asked. She calmed down after dinner.

Penny and I had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant on Saturday night. It was our third anniversary since the first time we made love. That made the night extra special. Dad insisted that we had to have the bread pudding for desert. I thought that sounded pretty plain but I was wrong. Chris' bread pudding with caramel sauce was the best part of the dinner.

We went back home and spent the rest of the evening in Penny's bedroom. Penny's dad took her mom out to a dinner dance that evening, leaving their big house empty. Penny and I took full advantage of the privacy.

Penny got me worked up on the drive home. She had her hand down my unzipped pants half the way home. I was lucky I didn't drive off the road. She got me excited with her hand and then finished me off by sucking my cock when I was near climax. She had me hard again by the time we reached her house. We stripped off our fancy clothes on the way up the steps to her room. We really made the bed shake our first time.

We cuddled and kissed once we had our thirst for each other quenched. The second time was perfect. We made love slowly and sensually. We achieved synchronicity that time, our bodies moving together like we were one. We ended a perfect evening together with a long bubble bath. We declared our love for each other before we parted. It was hard to go home when it was time. That night was almost as special as our first night together three years earlier.

Penny and I got together again after lunch on Monday the 18th. It was President's Day and we didn't have school. We grabbed a quick sandwich and headed to my bedroom. We made out a few minutes and then stripped to our birthday suits. Some 69 came next. I lapped and sucked her outer lips while she bathed my cock with her tongue. Penny started sucking my long rod into her mouth while I worked a couple fingers into her warm, wet tunnel.

We slowly worked each other to a higher state of arousal. I teased and sucked her clit when she started to deep throat my cock. My fingers rubbed and pressed the bump inside her pussy when I felt the first tingles in my groin that foreshadowed my climax.

I sucked her clit into my mouth and pressed her G-spot when I felt cum rise out of my balls. Penny shuddered from my stimulation and swallowed hard, taking my hard cock down her throat. I pumped spurt after spurt down Penny's throat as she climaxed.

We pulled apart and collapsed when our orgasms subsided. I switched around and cuddled with my lover. We held each other and kissed for awhile. Penny played with my cock again until I was hard.

We made love that afternoon in our favorite position. I hoisted Penny's ankles up on my shoulders while she lay on her back. I drove my cock into my lover repeatedly. We both loved the deep penetration this position allowed us. Penny had repeated small orgasms as we screwed. I loved to grind my pelvis on her clitty while we fucked this way. I finally fired a load of semen into Penny when I set off another thrashing, screaming orgasm in my lover.

I pulled my wilted cock out of my lover and collapsed beside her, sweaty and temporarily satiated. When we recovered a little I spooned with Penny and held her against my body. Both of us loved to spend time together that way.

We had just spooned when we heard a scream from down the hall where my sister's room was. We heard Liz yell, "OOOWWWWW!" After a pause she said loudly, "STOP! Cody, stop!"

Penny and I disengaged. I asked, "Should we go check on them? That didn't sound good."

Penny shook her head and said, "No. You know Liz is only going yell at you and tell you to mind your own business. Let them be."

"I don't know, Penny. Something's up." I hopped out of bed and put on my boxers.

"Kyle, let them alone. Liz will never forgive you if you disturb them."

I hesitated for maybe ten seconds. Maybe Penny was right. Then I heard Liz scream, "YOU ... YOU BASTARD! MY FIRST TIME ... IT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS!"

"That's it! I'm gonna kill that little bastard!" I declared. Penny hopped out of bed too.

"Don't do that Kyle. Just talk with him. I'll talk to Liz and find out what is going on." Penny pulled my bathrobe off my bedroom door. "May I use this?" I nodded yes as I went into the hallway.

I was in time to see Cody slip out of my sister's bedroom. He was half dressed, wearing pants and a shirt that was still hanging open. He had his sneakers and socks in his left hand.

He said, "I ... I ... uh, got to go." He slammed the door to Liz's room. Cody's eyes bugged out when he saw me standing in the hallway at the top of the stairs. He froze. Cody pleaded, "Kyle ... she ... she wanted to ... I swear!"

I grabbed Cody by his right arm, just below the shoulder. I squeezed his arm and lifted him to his tip toes. "Ouch! Ow ... oww ... Please ... I have to go ... Got to go..."

"No. We need to talk first, buster." I dragged Cody down the hall to my room.

Penny, dressed in my robe, passed us. She knocked at Liz's door. "Liz? Are you all right? This is Penny. May I come in, Liz?" I heard my sister say yes after a few seconds. Penny disappeared into Liz's room.

I dragged Cody into my bedroom and slammed the door. I pushed him on my bed and stood in front of him. "What the hell did you do to my sister?" I demanded.

"Liz and I ... we ... she wanted to..." Cody stammered.

"Stop, Cody. Compose yourself then tell me what happened."

"You won't hit me?"

"No. I won't hit you. Tell me what is going on."

"Liz and I ... well ... we wanted to ... uh..." Cody face was bright red from embarrassment by now. I motioned for him to come on and tell me. "Liz wanted to have... " Cody flinched a little. I motioned again. "Sex. She wanted to have sex with me on Friday afternoon."

"OK. Continue," I said, trying to sound soothing.

"We thought you were your mother when you came home. We thought we had gotten caught. Liz and I decided Friday evening that we would try again today. We both want to know what sex is like. We think we're ready."

"What was all the screaming about, Cody?" I asked.

"It hurt more than we expected. I didn't mean to hurt your sister. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Kyle."

I said, "That explains the first time Liz screamed. What about the second time. Why did she call you a bastard?"

"I don't know. I just don't understand, Kyle. I was putting on my pants to go and she screamed at me. Why did she do that?" Cody asked, clearly perplexed.

I smiled. "You really don't understand why Liz is mad, do you?"

"No," Cody answered weakly.

I shook my head and laughed a little. It only increased Cody's discomfort. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have laughed at you. You two thought you were ready for sex. Boy, do you have a lot to learn. I want you to tell me in detail what just happened. Maybe Penny and I can help straighten the two of you out."

Cody started explaining, "I heard you and Penny having sex when I came upstairs. I was really horny and ready when I heard the two of you. Anyway I asked Liz if she still wanted to do this. She said she did. We got naked and I tried to stick my uh ... penis in her and..."

'Hold on..." I motioned for Cody to stop. "I need more detail, Cody. Did you do anything to get my sister ready to make love?"

"What do you mean?"

I asked, "Did the two of you kiss or did you play with her tits? Maybe finger her pussy?"

"We kissed for a minute or so. When I went to play with her titties she said she was ready to fuck." Cody blushed again when he said fuck. "Umm ... I mean have sex."

"You're not some innocent kid anymore, Cody. You can say fuck." I paused. "Did you get Liz wet before you went at it?"

"Um ... I'm not sure. Why?"

"It gets both of you slippery. The whole goal is to slide your cock in and out of her pussy. The wetter you get Liz, the better the sex will be for both of you. What position did you use?"

"Position? What do you mean?" Cody asked.

"Were you on top or was Liz?" I asked.

"Um ... Liz laid on her back and I got on top of her. Is there another way to have ... uh ... to fuck?"

"Mmmm ... That's not the best way for the first time. It would have been better if you had let Liz be on top. She can control how fast you penetrate her. Did she scream when you put your cock in her?"

"Yes."

"How long did you last? Did my sister cum while you were doing it?"

"She didn't cum," Cody explained. "I didn't last very long."

"A couple minutes?" I asked. Cody shook his head no. "A minute?" He shook his head no. I asked, "Less?"

Cody lowered his head and answered, "Yes."

"Look at me, Cody. I have enough information now to understand what happened." Cody raised his head and looked at me. "You were in a hurry to stick your cock in my sister today. You didn't get her properly worked up so it wouldn't hurt. You used a position where she had to lay there helpless. You stuck it in too fast. You probably pumped in and out a few times and blew your load in her. You got what you wanted and ran away. You left her unsatisfied, hurting and still horny. Liz is over in her room wondering why she ever wanted to do this with such a selfish boy. Is that accurate?"

"I guess. You make it sound so bad, Kyle." Cody said.

"I'm just trying to make you see it from Liz's perspective. You were really selfish today."

"What do I do now?" Cody asked.

"Do you still care about my sister?" I asked. Cody shook his head yes. "Good. What are you going to do to fix things between the two of you?"

"I ... I don't know," Cody said. I could see he was trying to hold back tears.

Penny knocked at my door and said, "Can you come out for a minute, Kyle. We need to talk."

I met Penny in the hallway. The two of us compared notes. Liz's story matched Cody's. I agreed we would talk with our charges for a little more and then try to get them together to make up. I returned to my room. Cody was still sitting on my bed. He wiped tears from his eyes when I came in the room.

"She hates me now, doesn't she?" Cody asked.

"No. She's mad at you but she doesn't hate you," I said.

I proceeded to talk to Cody about foreplay, oral sex, sexual positions, how to last longer and ways to satisfy your partner. Cody was particularly amazed at my description of oral sex.

Cody asked, "Penny really puts your penis in her mouth?"

"She does. It's great too."

"You ... You lick her ... her pussy? Isn't it like uh, gross?"

I explained, "If you get a little closer you can probably see the pussy juice on my face from earlier this afternoon. I love to give my girlfriend orgasms that way. I like to do that until she begs me to fuck her."

"Doesn't it taste bad?" Cody asked.

"It took me a couple times to get used to the flavor. I realized that it helped me get laid regularly. I got used to the taste." Cody seemed skeptical. "Come on. Think about it. If you help your girlfriend get off it makes sense that she'll be interested in helping you too."

"I don't know, Kyle," Cody said. "It sounds so weird."

"Take care of your girlfriend. Make sure she has fun with you. Everything else will work out. Can you try it, Cody?"

"I guess." Cody paused for a few seconds and continued, "You aren't mad at me for having sex with your sister?"

"I knew it was coming. I won't be mad at you if you treat her right and take care of her." I stared into his eyes. "I will be mad at you if you don't make up for this afternoon with my sister. Got it?"

"Yes. I got it," Cody answered.

"Go make up with Liz," I said. Cody got up and headed out of my room. As he got to the door I said, "Cody, one more thing. You can't go blabbing about today to your friends. Girls hate guys who brag about sleeping with them. Gentlemen never talk about it with someone else."

"OK, Kyle. I'll keep my mouth shut." Cody left my room. I heard him knock at Liz's door and asked to talk to her. Penny returned a minute after Cody left.

We discussed about our talks with Liz and Cody. Penny observed, "I'm glad you had a clue three years ago. I feel so bad for your sister. Her first time really sucked."

I smirked and said, "You can chalk it up to my misspent wild youth."

Penny chuckled, "Yeah you were a real wild man three years ago. I loved you then and I love you now."

"I love you too," I answered. Penny dropped my robe on the floor and joined me in my bed. We made love again, slowly but with considerable passion. We cuddled together when we were spent.

Penny asked, "Do you really think we'll be able to keep our relationship going while we're at college?"

"I don't know, Penny. I want to try. I love you too much to give up on us."

Penny hugged me. "Good. I want you in my life." I returned the hug and kissed her. In the back of my head I hoped the two of us could figure out how to remain a couple half a state apart. I really wanted it to work.

The Wednesday afternoon video study sessions of our last season were going well. Jake had mastered the study sessions in the past three years he participated. Ed and I talked with him every week when we were done to prep him to take over running them next winter when we were gone. Jeremy's most outstanding defensive students were Brett Fulmer and Tex Johansen. Logan was doing OK in the study sessions. He would be ready to back up Jake next season. I hoped he continued working hard. We were going to need him in two seasons to run the team.

The surprise stand-out student among the offensive players was Matt Sauder. Matt constantly was asking why we did this or how that worked. He was like a big sponge, soaking up all the knowledge we could give him. Garrett Houseman was going to have his hands full next season to be QB1 for the JV team.

Cody's abject apology to Liz the day they lost their virginities worked. They continued going steady. They continued their fooling around, but apparently without having intercourse. Cody would leave frustrated each afternoon before dinner. Liz was pissy too.