Chapter 34

Luis

I don't know why I was leaving lunch early, just that I had to. I needed the time between lunch and Political Science to clear my head. It was "nice" that everyone thought I was doing a good job this week. Too bad I didn't feel it. Just what I needed, a downer going into tonight.

"You look troubled," Dr C said as he put his hand on my shoulder. One of the few people in this school, or anywhere, that could drape his arm over my shoulder and not be standing on a ladder.

"Yes sir. I don't feel I deserve the praise of the other Nakeds. Or you and Ms Carlisle."

"Luis, come with me." He steered me into his office and had me sit on one of the nice chairs in front of his desk. Instead of going around and sitting in the Throne of Power, he sat next to me. "Do I need to pull a Knute Rockne on you?"

"And what would he say right now?"

"One of my favorite quotes of his. 'One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than fifty preaching it.'"

"And, this relates..."

"In the case of this week, you've done a hell of a job leading by example."

"And, Tuesday morning?"

"Even more so. If you had done more to Will, everyone would have excused you. Instead, you showed tremendous restraint."

"And, yesterday?"

"You did what you needed to do and came back ten times stronger. You demonstrated the need to focus and concentrate. Just as you did when you left the cafeteria today."

"I feel like I ran away. Ran because I couldn't handle the bullshit."

"Do you think anyone in there thinks you ran away?"

"I don't know."

"I was keeping an eye on the table after I left. And, observing the other students and how they were handling the first Program week. What I saw was tremendous support for you. Including that wonderful person who pulled you up."

"Yeah," I felt a lopsided grin form on my face. "She's pretty special."

"How can you feel like a failure if you've brightened her day?"

"Uhm..."

"Not to mention how the Nakeds look up to you. You can't possibly tell me that anyone of them was faking when they called you Coach or checked with you when decisions were being made. Can you?"

"Uhm..."

"And, to pile on, something you're used to, Ms Carlisle, Coach MacFarlan, Coach Ames, and myself. Not to mention the whole team. As Tony Dungy said, 'I've always tried to coach people the way I would like to be coached; positively and encouragingly rather than with criticism and fear ... I've tried to be as fair as possible.' And, you, my friend, are that kind of coach."

"Coach Dungy set a lot of records, didn't he?"

"More than a few. His most consecutive play-off appearances still stands."

"As well as the barriers he broke down."

"Now, I should be the one to mention that." Dungy had been the first really successful black coach in the NFL. "Yet, I think you're set to break some barriers yourself."

"How so?"

"Well, how many Nobel Laureates in Physics played defensive line and went on to coach? Successfully at any level they chose?"

"Uhm..."

"Exactly! So, get your head back in the game. All of them."

"Uhm..."

"Luis, do what you need to center. Go to class. Then, prepare for the game. Next week, with most of the pressure off, tackle the Nakeds and the Program."

"First thing Monday morning."

"Good enough. Now, get out of my office before I notice you're not where you should be." He laughed and offered his hand for a shake. I stood and took his hand, then pulled him into a hug. "Go!"

"Yes sir, Dottore!"

"Get out of my office, you Italian criminal!"

"You're stereotyping," I laughingly said as I walked through the outer office, giving Mrs. Grant a wave which she returned with a wink. I seemed to be floating. As I reached the hallway, the bell rang. Off to Political Science I go. Somehow, I felt I was headed to the Emerald City.

Rebbecca

Rosalee did help me keep my feet on the ground all the way to PE. About halfway there, though, I seemed to want to sink into the floor.

"What's the matter?"

"I-I ... I don't know."

"Well, what just happened? One minute I'm holding hundreds of helium balloons and the next I'm trying to pull a subway train up to street level."

I couldn't help, I chuckled at that. Then the weight in my mind hit again. "I'm not sure. I'm concerned about Luis and his focus for the game tonight. I know that if a player loses concentration, he can get hurt."

"I can see that. That's why I'm giving Mike lots of space today."

"How are you two doing?"

"Fantastic. It looks like I'm going to Peabody after all."

"And, how far is that from the University of Maryland?"

"Not very far at all!" We shared a knowing look and an evil chuckle. "So, what else is on your mind?"

"Well ... that's a big I don't know. There is something niggling at the back of my mind. I can't bring it into focus and it won't go away."

"Is it about PE?"

"No. My only problem with PE is keeping from getting a black eye when I jump around!"

"What we talked about at lunch?"

"I do remember some of that!"

"Yeah, you were a bit distracted, weren't you?"

"Yep. And ... You know, that might be part of the problem."

"What way?"

"Well, we talked about intimacy and privacy before coming into the lunch room-"

"How so?"

"About how we both felt that our intimacy was something private."

"Okay. I can see that and understand it."

"Yet, here a few minutes later, we're getting each other off in public."

"And..."

"I'm conflicted."

"Well, it's not like you did it on the table or anything. You both were pretty discreet."

"But, still..."

"Look, I'll admit it wasn't private. But, it was loving and intimate. It wasn't done as a show. Just two people who are deeply in love with each other taking advantage of a moment to express that love physically. There was nothing blatant or crass about it."

I thought for a few moments and finally said, "You know, that's not what's bothering me."

"Well..."

"I don't know!"

"You're hopeless," she giggled as she dropped me off at the door to the boy's locker room. "Now, enjoy having your girls flying everywhere!"

Luis

Amazingly, people let my undressed state go unnoticed and Junior was left alone. It was a pleasant walk to class as I thought about Dr. C's words on leadership.

Automatically, I found myself doing deep, meditative breathing. My thoughts cleared, but an old song by The Band kept running through me. "Catch a cannonball, now, take me on down the line..." My bag wasn't sinking so low now, though, and the only devil waiting for me this evening was in the form of 11 gentlemen from East.

What can I say about Poly Sci? The Roman is back in Rome, again? I mean, honestly, how much can be taught about the Middle East? Everyone hates everyone else, wants what's there, or wants to control the critical trade routes. Frankly, if it weren't for oil and the Suez canal...

When the bell rang, a couple of centuries later, I pulled myself back to the world. As I checked myself out, I realized that my pulse must be in the low 50s and I was completely relaxed and connected to the energy around me.

Plus, I was able to see East's offensive sets and know, instinctively, how to react to each and how to direct the line and signal the linebackers. I was ready! We're going to win.

Being a "big game" was the key. It is the right time of the season for many colleges to make their last pushes for recruiting. The winner would see their players going to the better schools. I owed it to the team and the seniors to do my best. Plus, it was bragging rights for the two schools and all their supporters for the coming year.

I got hugs, slaps on the arm (and the shoulder from those tall enough). The walk was grand. I was relaxed, connected, and the sea of students parted as I walked towards PE to meet up with Becca.

"Hi, Sweetie!" she said as she bounced up to me and began to climb her mountain.

"Hi, Becca," I managed as she basically scaled me. "Ready for art?"

"Of course!" She gave me a quick kiss, jumped to the floor, grabbed my hand, and started pulling me down the hall. Damn, she was dancing again. I couldn't help but smile. "What are you doing this afternoon?"

"I'm going to do a light workout, just enough to loosen up. Then we've got a team meeting, shouldn't last too long. I was thinking about stopping by and seeing my favorite artist after that. You?"

She continued dancing. "Locking myself in a high tower awaiting my Prince so I can let my hair down and have him climb up to me."

"Best be strong roots!"

"Magical roots, just for you."

And so the trip to the Art rooms continued. A bit of madness, a lot of love. Surprisingly, no requests. When we got there, I got a big kiss and a nice full body hug. I could get really used to those.

Mid kiss, we were interrupted with a cough and a throat clearing. "Now that's something we should try to capture in class. And, speaking of class..."

"Sorry Francesca," I managed as Becca and I broke apart.

"I'm not!"

"Two minutes," Francesca said as she swept into class. "Good luck tonight, Luis."

"Thanks."

"Now, where were we? Oh yes." She poked me in the chest with her finger. "Before we get back to kissing, you're going to promise to dance with me Saturday night."

"Saturday night?"

"Shirley's party. Did you forget?"

"No. Just didn't shift gears fast enough."

"So, you're going to dance with me?"

"Well ... Do you like dancing with elephants?"

"No. But I think I'll love dancing with a certain mountain."

"Yep. Would love to dance with you Saturday night."

"Good. Now..." She put her hands on either side of my face and pulled me, willingly, down for one last kiss. Then she scampered, yes, scampered into class.

As I walked towards the gym, I realized that my heart rate was no longer in the 50s and Junior was doing his best to get my attention. Damn! The song "Voodoo Woman" by the Queen of the Blues, KoKo Taylor, came to mind. "She put a spell on me... "