“Janelle . . . she’s . . . uh . . .”
“Pregnant?” Gordon finished for him. He threw his napkin on the table and stormed out of the house.
Malik jumped when something crashed outside. I set my hand on his arm. “I’ll go talk to him. You do whatever you’re supposed to be doing right now.”
I gave Gordon a few more minutes before going outside. I handed him his beer from the counter and stood next to him while the dark sky settled over us.
“He knows better.”
“He does,” I said in agreement. “We also know what it’s like to have out-of-control hormones.”
“I’ve worked so hard to give him a good life and have preached to him about being careful. He had his future in front of him, and now this.”
“He can still have the future you guys planned, and he still wants it. Malik is a great student and a strong athlete. I’ve already spoken to a couple of schools that were interested last year, and they’ll be interested this year as well. Malik will go to college, if that’s what he still wants.”
“Not with a kid. He’ll have to pay support.”
“With how athletes are treated these days, he’ll have funds. He also got a part-time job at the diner to start saving money.”
Gordon looked at me. “Did you set that up?”
“I put a feeler out to Lee. He’s always looking for help and is willing to work around Malik’s schedule.”
“How does this affect his status on the team?”
“It doesn’t, Gordon. He’s not in trouble. He wasn’t caught drinking or doing drugs. They’re two young kids who made a mistake. We’ve all been there.”
He shook his head and groaned. “Why didn’t he just listen to me?”
I let out a small laugh. “Did you listen to your father?”
“Nope, not a single word.”
“Me neither. Mine told me not to get married. I did, and look at where that got me.”
Gordon laughed, and then his demeanor shifted back. “As much as it pains me to say this, I hope that’s not next for Malik.”
I put my arm around his shoulders. “Talk to him. Malik is looking for guidance from you. He was afraid to tell you, which is why he invited me over. I’m not here to keep the peace or save him, but here as his coach and your friend.”
We stood there for a moment, staring into the nothingness. “Can you let him know I’ll be in shortly? I ...” He sighed. “I need some time.”
“Sure will. Thanks again for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”
Inside, I found Malik at the cleared table, doing his homework. He glanced at me expectantly. I kept my face as stoic as possible. “Give your dad some time,” I told him.
“Is he going to kick me out?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t get that impression, Malik. I think he’s more hurt than anything and scared for you.”
Malik looked out the window, where he could see his father’s silhouette.
“I’m going to go. Call me if you need anything.”
“See you tomorrow, Coach. And thanks.”
“Anytime.”
