“Oh yeah.” She winces. “You’ll have to see if he has a contract. If he does, you can get one made.” She looks around, then leans over the counter to whisper, “It would be much cheaper and faster if you went over to The Sport Hut. They could make you anything you want, especially if he doesn’t have a contract to sell merch yet.”
“Is it in Ann Arbor?” I question softly so I don’t get her in trouble for telling me.
“It’s on State, just down the street.” She nods.
“Thank you.” I smile and peruse the store again to pick up a few things while I’m here. At the last second, I toss an adorable teddy with a varsity jacket in my basket.
The Sport Hut is much smaller and a lot less shiny. They have a big selection, but it’s mostly T-shirts and jerseys, not all the novelty stuff from the Den. After a brief conversation with the lady behind the counter, I pick out the jersey I want and tell her the name I want put on the back. “Number?” she questions, and I have to pull out my phone. I almost text Oswald but decide to check to see if I can find the info online.
“Twenty-five, please.”
“Okay, I have to finish up this order ahead of you. Do you want to wait, or are you going to pick it up later?”
“Um, does it take a long time?”
“I should have it done in about twenty minutes.”
“Oh, I’ll wait, thank you.” I wasn’t expecting it to be that fast. I walk around some more just so she doesn’t feel like I’m standing over her shoulder, but the process is pretty neat. The numbers and letters are already ready, all she does is line them up on the shirt then pull down a machine to press them on. Everything gets placed in a brown paper bag with the ticket stapled to the top.
“Thank you,” I tell her when I pick up my bag and walk over to the register.
“You’re welcome. Have fun at the game.” She waves, then pushes down the press again, doing the next order.
Memphis
I’m distractedand I know it, which means I’m really distracted. There’s a small line of students waiting for their fifteen minutes, and I’ve looked at my watch more times than I care to count, wondering when I can get the hell out of here.
It doesn’t help that they could have figured out half the shit I’m explaining on their own if they made the effort. I can’t even really blame them. High school is a joke when it comes to preparing students for the independence of college.
“When will we be talking about this in class?” The girl points at her computer screen.
I glance at the info. “We won’t. You’re expected to read the material and do the assigned work related to it.”
“But it doesn’t explain how I’m supposed to come up with the answer.”
“Have you read the article?”
“Yes.” She tucks her hair behind her ears.
“Did you agree or disagree with the representation?” Her shoulders slowly start to come up, but she doesn’t answer. “I would say read it again, knowing you need to form an opinion and answer why you feel that way. Did the information sway you in any way? What was it lacking if it didn’t?”
She takes a deep breath and reaches for her laptop. “Okay.”
The next person moves forward, and I check the time again. I can make it through another hour.
“Hey, Gravlin.” I look up at the door and see Bethany leaning her head in. “We’re meeting in the Lawyers Club for lunch. TA celebration for making it another week.” She points at me expectantly.
“Who’s letting you in?”
“Professor Daniels.”
I wasn’t planning on taking a lunch, but it’s hard to pass up the Lawyers Club. “What time?”
“Thirty minutes, baby! I’ll walk over with you.” She slips away before I can discourage the baby comment. The few students left in the room are watching me with interest, but I just get right back to work.
I check the door to make sure it’s locked after I leave the office, then pull my phone from my pocket. My intent is to send a quick text to Waylynn, but Bethany is already waiting for me near the stairs.
“Come on,” she urges as if I’m running late.
