Mom gasps. “Kiddo, are they playing you? You know Tessa and I have the poster ready to go.”
I laugh. “No, Easton is still benching me.”
“Oh.” She sounds confused. “What’s this football news then?”
I open my mouth to speak, but pause when I realize I haven’t actually said it out loud yet, not to anyone. This whole week has been a blur. “Well, I was contacted with an offer to transfer.”
“You were what?”
“Coach Patrick from Westchester Valley University contacted me with a transfer offer. You remember him? He came during scouting season.”
“I remember Coach Patrick,” Mom says cautiously.
“Right. You called him a ‘good guy’ at the time.”
“I think I also said ‘New York is pretty far.’”
“Yes, but circumstances change. If I knew then that I wouldn’t get any playing time at Easton, I never would’ve signed here on Decision Day.”
“Is transferring even allowed, Daniel?”
“Coach P told me that stuff like this happens more often than anyone thinks and to let him worry about any approvals. So, yeah.”
“So, you…you’re moving? To New York?”
“Yes. And I know what you’re thinking.”
“What am I thinking?”
“You’re probably thinking it’s reckless, and I’ve already devoted time to the team here. You’re probably thinking I’m letting them down, or I should stick to my word and wait it out. But, Mom,theydidn’t stick totheirword. They said I would play, and they took that away from me at the last possible second. It’s taken me a few weeks to wrap my head around it, but I’m happy with my decision to transfer and think it’s best for my future.”
“Okay, it sounds like you’ve given this a lot of thought. You know I’ll always support your decisions when it comes to football, no matter where you play. If you want to quit tomorrow, I’ll have your back. Football is a sport at the end of the day, and what you choose to do with it is all your own decision.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“Mhm. So, what did Grace think about it?”
“I’m telling her tonight, actually, but I know she’ll be?—”
“You’re telling her tonight,” Mom interrupts in a flat tone. “You’retellingher…tonight?” Her voice is more animated now, panic lacing her words.
“That’s what I said. Why are you saying it like that?”
“I…I thought you two were still together. Do you need to tell me something?”
“What? No. Wearetogether. We’re better than ever now.”
“Daniel,” she chokes out, sounding strained all of a sudden. “It’s a big deal that you signed without telling her first. How did that happen?”
My heart rate increases at her tight and uneven tone, and I stand up. “I wanted to tell her in advance, but I spent so much time researching the animal science program at WVU, speaking with teachers, and ensuring her scholarship would transfer over. The deadline just ended up getting ahead of me.”
“Oh, sweetie. I don’t think Grace is going to take this news the way you think she’s going to take it.” Sympathy leeches into her voice, and it bothers me.
“I’m not stupid. I know she’ll be hesitant. Gracie is always timid when confronted with new situations, but I’ll be there for her every step of the way like always. It was a narrow decision deadline, but I made sure she’ll be set up for success there. I did the research.”
“I know, but the most important research would’ve been asking for her opinion,” she gently responds.
My stomach sinks as I consider Mom’s words. “I should’ve slowed down. But I still know her better than anyone, and she’ll come around sooner than you think. She understands how much playing means to me, and she’s seen whatnotplaying does to me. Gracie is the most supportive person I know.”
