Page 10

Chapter

Five

W est sat opposite his former high school football coach. The office where they sat was quiet. So was the hallway and locker room. Three o’clock was practice time, so no one was present to disturb their conversation.

After greeting Coach Markham, they had talked about the most recent run up to the Super Bowl and the game itself.

Although West had always offered his former mentor tickets to the game, Coach Markham had never taken him up on it.

He’d told West he didn’t want any favors from a former student and that he was happy to sit in his La-Z-Boy recliner and watch the game in the comfort of his den.

The older man studied him now. West knew not to back down from the scrutiny.

“So, you really think retirement was the right move?”

“I do, sir. I accomplished everything I dreamed of doing. Last year’s ACL scare was a bit rough.

The work I put in, though, made me stronger.

A better, more sympathetic player. I wanted to prove to myself and all my teammates and the league that I could come back and do my job at the same level I’d been playing at prior to the injury.

I got things done this season, and now I’m ready to move on. ”

Markham pursed his lips in thought a moment and then said, “You could coach anywhere, West. The Cowboys would be happy to make a spot for you. The Aggies would do the same. You lifted their program at a time when they badly needed that done, and they’ve traded on their success during your years there, continuing to recruit and play well in the most competitive conference in college football.

You’d be a natural to coach at either level. ”

His mentor leaned back in his chair. “I guess what I’m asking is why high school.”

“For the same reason you coach high school, Coach,” he replied.

“You’ve had offers to move up to a larger district.

I know for a fact SMU and U of H has come knocking at your door before.

Yet you’ve stayed in small towns your entire coaching career.

Here in Hawthorne for the last eighteen, twenty years. Why do you stay?”

“Touché,” Markham said. “I’m in it for the kids. For the pure joy of seeing their faces light up when they get a play. To me, the bigger programs don’t offer the same advantages as working with kids in a small town does. My Hawks have heart, every one of them.”

“I feel the same. I have a lot to offer. I won’t sell myself short.

But I want to get back to my roots. Back to that unvarnished game.

I love football, Coach. I have since I first picked up a pigskin.

I want to spread that feeling to others.

I think high school is the last place a coach can make a true difference.

Not just about football. The higher up the food chain you go in football, the more specialized it gets.

The more knowledge you gain. The coaches around you are experts in a tiny fraction of the game, and they pour that knowledge into you.

“But I’m talking about molding character.

Not just teaching young men about football and how to be a better player.

I want them to learn how to be a better man.

How to take lessons from football and apply those lesson to their lives.

Very few kids on your practice field out there will go on to play at the college level, much less in the pros.

Yet every single player moves on after graduation to live his life.

I want to help prepare them for that life.

Use the tools they learned by playing football to succeed.

Leadership skills. Discipline. Teamwork.

All those things carry on beyond the football field. ”

Coach Markham grinned. “Hell, you’ve convinced me—and I’m the one who counts.”

“Exactly what does that mean?” he asked.

“Most applicants in the district interview with a department head or a committee. Then the principal. Your daddy allows me plenty of autonomy since I also double as the district’s athletic director.

If I want to make a hire, I can do so. I found out the very day you called me that I was losing one of my coaches. ”

“Did he land a higher position at a different school?” he asked, knowing public school coaches usually started in middle school, then worked their way up to high school. A defensive back coach would aim to move up to being a defensive coordinator. A coordinator looked to be a head coach.

“Nope. He decided to pursue a career in administration. Earned his master’s degree in public school administration.

Has plans of working on his doctorate now.

He interned as an assistant principal at HHS this past year, and he told me his heart is in helping all the kids in a school, not just the ones who play football.

He’ll leave at the end of the year for a high school in Wichita Falls. ”

“Good for him. It’s good to know what you want to do,” West said. “And I would appreciate your consideration for his position.”

Coach Markham laughed. “You don’t even know what positions he coached, West.”

“I’ll learn,” he promised.

“Fortunately for you, he was my quarterbacks and running backs coach. Also our offensive coordinator. That’s a lot to be on your plate.

” He paused. “No, I’ll shift things around.

I can’t waste your experience as a receiver.

You’ll handle QBs and wide receivers. I’ll move running backs to someone else on the staff. ”

“I can do whatever you ask of me, Coach.” He paused. “I want to be a team player.”

“Hell, West, I’d be a fool not to put you in his slot. That includes being offensive coordinator.”

“Will that cause some ill will with the other coaches who’ve been with the program? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

“I always have to do a little shuffling each season,” Markham told him.

“When you’ve got a winning team as I do, your assistants get plucked left and right.

I’m probably going to also lose my defensive line coach.

Maybe one more. Coaches are used to being shuffled around, West. You should know that.

And if you don’t, then that’s the first thing to consider.

Now, do you want a job on my staff or not? ”

“Absolutely,” he declared.

“Then it’ll be as my Number Two. Assistant head coach. You’ll specialize in the QBs and receivers. For now. We’ll see how things shake up by the end of the year.”

“What would I teach? I’ve got my composite in Social Studies. I kept up with the certifications and paid my fees over the years, just in case, so I’m good to go.”

“That’ll be for Dex Danby to decide. He’s head of the Social Studies Department.

For now, I’ll call central admin and let your daddy know you’re my hire.

Blanche Biggerstaff, too. She’s the principal here at HHS.

Been here three years now. Blanche is a good leader, and her boy is on the team.

Will be a junior next year. Second-string quarterback. ”

He raked a hand through his hair. “This is really happening.”

Coach Markham rose and offered West his hand. “It is absolutely happening. And don’t worry about nepotism. I’m the one hiring you. Not your daddy.” He grinned. “Besides, I’m getting a Super Bowl champ on my staff. The town’ll be thrilled.”

They shook hands, and Markham told him he’d be in touch soon. West would have to sign his contract. Meet with the principal and his department chair. Learn his teaching assignment.

“In the meantime, I have something for you. You’ll know to guard it with your life.

” Reaching for a notebook on the shelf behind him, he handed it to West. “This is our playbook. Revised from last fall. It’s what we’re going with in spring training this year.

I can have you visit practice a time or two, but until you’re officially onboard, you can’t do any coaching. ”

“I understand. Once I’ve signed the contract, can I at least tell people I’ll be coaching with you next year?”

“You can tell anyone now since I’ll call Dr. Sutherland and make it official with him.

I’d introduce you to Blanche, but she’s at some conference for principals and won’t be back until Monday.

In the meantime, that loud whoop you’ll hear will be your daddy hollering, happy to have you back in the Hawthorne fold. ”

“Dad will be pleased. And I plan to make him proud. You, too, Coach.”

“I don’t doubt that at all, West.”

He left, the playbook secure under his arm. By the time he saw Coach Markham again, he would know it backward and forward.

In the car, he let out a whoop of his own, one which would do any Aggie proud.

West couldn’t believe that he would be living in Hawthorne again, working at his former high school as one of the football coaches.

He’d also have lesson plans to create. Kids to teach in the classroom. His life was changing radically.

As he pulled out of the parking lot by the field house, he decided to do a little celebrating. In the Sutherland household, that had meant burgers, fries, and a chocolate shake at Burger Heaven. He turned in the direction of the town square, elation filling him.

The square wasn’t busy at this time of day, and he easily found a parking place across from Burger Heaven.

Opening the door, he pulled off his sunglasses and looked around, seeing only one patron sitting in a booth.

He swallowed, his heart slamming against his ribs.

Sitting there was the girl he had never forgotten.

Kelby Blackstone ...

He would know her anywhere. They hadn’t seen one another in over a decade, but she was a more mature, more beautiful version of the girl he’d briefly dated in high school.

Well, not even dated. He’d broken up with his girlfriend.

Kelby was his best friend’s little sister.

They’d just teamed up and gone to a bunch of senior activities together during those last couple of months of school.