I want to be in on the action.
Even if the action occasionally includes wiffle balls, lip syncing, and high kicks.
I’m sofucked.
I’m going to have to walk into Declan’s office after the game tonight and tell him that I’m quitting. Because I’m going back to Rebel.
I woke up this morning and knew exactly what I was going to do today. I knew what to wear, I knew what I was going to eat, and I had a car pick me up and take me where I needed to go. There were no mason jars anywhere, claiming that Brussels sprouts or raisins are better than I am.
And it all felt wrong.
“Wilkins,” I say from where I’m leaning against the wall, waiting to go out to the bench.
“Yeah?” Then he chuckles. “I don’t know what to call you. I mean, obviously I should call you coach, but that feels weird.”
I nod. It feels weird to me too. “Call me what you always have.” There’s no sense in them getting used to calling me ‘coach’.
“Okay, Olsen, what’s up?” he asks.
“What’s your favorite movie?”
This obviously surprises him. “Huh, I don’t know. I really likeFerris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Solid choice, I guess. It’s a fun one.
“Why, what’s yours?” he asks.
A month ago, I would’ve told himThe Dark Knight, but today I say, “Monsters, Inc.”
He chuckles as do the other guys listening in.
“Isn’t that a cartoon?” Max Carson asks.
I nod. “Yep.”
“Yeah, with the big green monster, right?”
“The big monster is blue. The little round one is green.”
He laughs and nods. “Right. You like that one best of all? Of all movies?”
“I do. Makes me smile. It’s got a good message too.”
Ivan Kozlov pipes up. “Watched it with my nephew,” he says. “It’s good.”
“Yeah? Did you get the message?” Max asks.
“That we shouldn’t be so afraid. You just picture the things that scare you as cartoon monsters. Then you’re not so afraid anymore.”
I think that over. Okay, I guess that could be one interpretation.
Wilkins nods and then looks at me. “I like that. Thanks, Coach.”
I laugh. I had absolutely zero to do with any of that.
“Let’s go!” Coach Blake yells, and everyone heads for the door.
I bring up the rear, finding my place with the other assistants in the bench area. I’m able to lose myself in the game for several minutes, but I find myself scanning the crowd during a media timeout.
