The tension was obvious as the team gathered around Coach Reynolds before practice on Monday afternoon. Coach would normally follow up on the previous Friday’s game and set the tone for the coming week with a few words each Monday, but this was different.
He cleared his throat. “I assume most of you guys can read,” he said, smiling a little awkwardly. “So you’ll already know about the story in the paper this weekend.”
Heads nodded all around. A few players turned to glance at Ricky, who was suited up for practice and standing near the back of the group.
“I’m only going to address this issue once,” the coach said sternly, his gaze meeting individuals’ eyes in the group. “I don’t want to hear about that subject around practice, or in games, or anywhere near this team. To me that whole issue is separate from football. You guys just worry about the game, and I’ll worry about that stuff.”
Matt wondered how Ricky would fit into the whole let’s-just-be-normal theme. He knew how self-conscious he would be if he was in Jackson’s shoes. But Coach Reynolds hadn’t mentioned Ricky by name or gone into any specifics.
“Now, let’s get to work,” the coach said. “We’ve got Mandela on the road on Friday. If we win, we’ve still got a shot at the playoffs. If not, well, there’s always next year.”
Coach Reynolds was true to his word. He didn’t mention the lawsuit and, as usual, he ran practice crisply and efficiently. The only difference Matt could detect was that Ricky was suddenly now taking equal reps at quarterback along with Keith Vickers. And unfortunately for the Stingers, starting quarterback Kyle James was still sidelined with the knee injury he had suffered against Churchill.
Matt quickly realized that the coach was simply following court orders. He had been directed by a judge to reinstate Ricky Jackson, and that meant that Jackson was once again the team’s backup quarterback. The injury to Kyle James meant Jackson might even be the starter against the Mandela Lions this Friday.
Jackson didn’t look particularly comfortable during practice, however. His throws were wobbly, he bobbled a few snaps and he seemed a step slower than usual. He wasn’t moving with anywhere near the confidence Matt had admired in him since football workouts began back in August.
Ricky wasn’t alone at practice. His father leaned over the chain-link fence for the entire session, carefully watching everything that was going on. Beside him stood a man in a dark suit, taking notes.
“Kicking team!” yelled Coach Reynolds toward the end of practice. “Let’s get out there in field-goal formation.”
As Matt joined the rest of the kicking team, he noticed both Charlie and Ricky moving out to the middle of the field. Dougan sprinted confidently to the huddle, while Jackson jogged slowly, looking toward the sidelines where his father stood, motioning for his son to hurry up.
“Okay, you guys split the reps,” Coach Reynolds said, eyeing Dougan and Jackson. Matt was happy to hear this. At least Coach wasn’t dumping Charlie just because Ricky’s suspension had been lifted.
Matt held for the two kickers as they took turns booting the ball, at distances increasing in range from fifteen to thirty-five yards. Charlie was stroking the ball nicely, but so was Jackson. At the end of the session, the two kickers had essentially competed to a draw. “Nice work, fellas,” the coach said.
Charlie grinned and offered a hand to Ricky, who slapped it. It was nice to see the two of them being friendly, Matt thought.
“That’s it for today,” Coach Reynolds said. “Back at it tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock.”
The coach headed to the locker room, with Matt, Charlie and a few of the other players several steps behind him. As he passed Frank Jackson and the man in the dark suit, Coach Reynolds did not acknowledge their presence.
It was chili for dinner that night. It was one of Matt’s favorite meals, maybe not Mom’s fanciest dish, but one that always hit the spot. He dug into his large, steaming bowl with gusto. Football made him hungry.
“So, Matt,” his mother said. “I hear there’s quite a controversy around the team.”
Matt nodded. “It’s pretty messed up,” he said. “Ricky’s dad is suing the coach. Ricky’s back on the team, and poor Charlie’s caught in the middle.”
“I feel sorry for Charlie,” his mom said. “That boy deserves to be kicking for South Side.”
“Yeah, me too,” Matt said. “But I kinda feel bad for Ricky too. I can’t imagine living with a jerk like that for a parent.”
Mom frowned. “Matt, you shouldn’t talk like that about somebody’s dad,” she said. “Then again, you’re probably right. Getting a lawyer seems to be an awfully extreme step to take.”
“Mom, if I was benched for some reason you didn’t think was fair, would you get a lawyer and sue the coach?” Matt asked.
It had been a serious question, but his mother just laughed. “I can barely afford regular briefs for you, kiddo, never mind legal ones.”