Chapter 8

That night, Wallace Henry calls Calvin while the two of us are studying in Calvin’s room.

“It’s Wallace Henry,” Calvin says, covering the phone with his hand. I shut my book and move over to sit next to him.

“Yes,” Calvin says and then, “Iggy’s here too if you want me to put you on speaker phone.”

There’s a pause, and for a moment I think that he doesn’t want to talk to me, just to Calvin, but then I hear Mr. Henry’s voice.

“I watched your videos,” Mr. Henry says.

Iggy and I both hold our breath and hover over the phone.

“Are you there?” he asks.

“Yes, sir,” we say at the same time.

“I showed them to some people around here, and Coach Washington wants you both to come out for a visit. I’ve scheduled it for the last Friday of this month, the same weekend as the last-chance camp. That way, we pay for your plane tickets, and you get a tour, plus a chance to watch the Titans play against the Branford Bears on Saturday. On Sunday you’ll have to take a bus to and from the camp to be sure we don’t break any rules, but we’ll take care of you once you’re back on campus. For now, work hard and be ready. The coaches at the camp will be clocking your speed and testing your strength and endurance. Run all your basic drills. Know them blindfolded.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying to take it all in: an official visit, watching the Titans play the Bears, last-chance camp, drills, coaches. It’s all happening so fast.

“I’ll have someone here take care of your tickets, and I’ll email you the details.”

“We won’t disappoint you,” Calvin says.

Mr. Henry is silent a few moments then says, “Coach Washington makes the final decision. I just bring him the talent. There have been dozens of prospects who have visited the school already, and there are only a few more scholarships left. This isn’t a sure thing.”

“We understand,” I say. “We’re prepared to work hard. Can you tell us what Coach Washington is looking for?”

“Speed and strength,” Mr. Henry says. “Practice as hard as you can to get things right.”

After Mr. Henry ends the call, Calvin and I don’t move right away. Then we both start yelling. No, not just yelling, roaring. Making so much noise that Calvin’s parents both run into the room.

We tell them everything, and then I call my mom.

This starts to feel real for the first time. Calvin and I might have a future on the field—as teammates—after all.