Peyton shakes his head. “I know it’s a risk, Coach, but I think we can do this.”
I consider him for a minute before waving him on. I have confidence in my team. They’re good kids. They’re smart, and take just enough risk without being too willy nilly.
Peyton explains what he wants the team to do, but I can already tell that theyhavebeen working on this. Each of them knows their place and positions. They’re excited and ready.
We break and I watch as they file back on the field. I’m not sure exactly what they’re calling this. It’s a Hail Mary and yet… not.
Cody doesn’t call anything. The ball snaps and Cody turns the other way and sprints a couple yards, which has their team confused. Adam, who had slammed into one of their linebackers, suddenly spins them around like they’re dancing and lets go of the man he’s had in his hold before taking off down the field. Cody and Adam aren’t looking at each other as they run in opposite directions, though Cody has slowed considerably as he turns around and starts jogging in the correct direction this time.
“What are they doing?” Norman asks, warily.
I chuckle. “Winging it?” I suggest.
But they’re not. Adam looks over his shoulder and throws his hand up as he continues forward. Cody unleashes the ball. His ball control is enough to make any man drool. It’s a high arc, a perfect spiral, and headed directly for Adam.
The other team is bearing down on Adam now, but not before he gets himself under the ball and catches it while he’s righting his body to cover the remainder of the feet to the goal. The whole play is so perfect, that it looks like the ball is on a string.
He’s untouched when he crosses into the end zone.
Cheers erupt and I hear the commentators yelling over them, amazed and excited.
“Huh,” Norman mutters.
I shrug. “It seems like a lot of excessive energy, but apparently the confusion worked.”
“It’ll only work this once.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I say with a smile as I watch my boys celebrate. “It’s not something they can pull off every game, but I would wager a bet they could make it happen once more this season.”
Our kicker gets us the extra point and we’re now ahead by four. We win the game with that score and I’m nearly vibrating with pride at how they played.
“One game closer,” I tell them before letting them go. “Keep it up. I know you have it in you. You deserve the championship.”
My team runs back to the locker room. Everyone except Cody. When he lingers, I hold my arms open for him and he sinks into another hug. This time, he doesn’t let go for a very long time.
There’s a lot of judgment about staff touching students, but here’s the thing. We’re adults. Cody is twenty-one. He knows how to say no. And I’m sorry, but when one of my kids needs a hug, they’re getting a fucking hug. Fuck all the idiots out there who can’t tell the difference between preying on people and comforting them.
“My grandmother is in the hospital,” Cody whispers. “She raised me and it’s really getting to me that I can’t be there with her. There are days she’s doing really well, and then there are days when she’s not. I’m terrified that she’s going to die and I’m not going to be able to be with her. I talk to her every day, but… what if I don’t get to say goodbye? What if I don’t get to tell her how much I love her?”
I can hear the tremor in his voice as he tells me. My arms tighten a little more. Closing my eyes, I try not to cry with him.
“If you need to go to her, then you should go,” I tell him. “There’s nothing wrong with putting college—and football—on hold for a year. It’ll still be here when you get back. Scholarships, agents—they’ll all take this into consideration.”
Cody takes a deep breath. “I know,” he admits. “I’ve thought about it, but she keeps telling me to stay and… I just don’t know what the right decision is.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. You check in with me frequently about your mental state and I’ll let you keep playing.”
“Promise,” he says.
“You also need to know when it’s time to ask for help. I understand you want to do as your grandmother requests, but if you need to be with herfor you, then go. Whether it’s for a day or a year or something in between. It’s not only about what she needs but what you need too.”
He sighs and pulls back. “Thank you.” His eyes are bloodshot.
I pat his cheek. “Life can wait. Not forever, but it can definitely wait a while. Good family is most important.”
Cody laughs quietly and rubs his eyes. He nods. “I appreciate it. And… and the hug. Thanks.”
Grinning, I slap his arm. “Sometimes a good hug speaks to a lot inside you.”
