Page 42 of The Substitute

“Hey, don’t be using the Y word. You know they prefer snow people,” Blondie, one of our D men, chides. “Tedster will be big mad if he hears you.”

I don’t know what to say to that. “How come no one told me this before?”

“Do you even pay attention?” Osha asks.

“To keeping track of someone else? No, can’t say I have.” I’m starting to realize why they weren’t excited about the prospect of being captain…

“Well, it’s your job now!” Lancelot passes me a phone. “This has the numbers to page.”

“So I just page him and wait?” I ask, hoping I don’t have to do this before every practice. “How’s he been getting to practice the last few weeks?”

“I’ve been doing it, but shit, now that coach has picked a new captain, it’s on you dog.” Lancelot holds up his hands.

“This should have been disclosed before I accepted the captain’s spot,” I mutter, sending Teddy a page.

“It’s in the terms and conditions you signed!”

“You’re not serious…” I wait for someone to laugh, but no one does. I knew Teddy was…unique, even different…but the caption really tracks him? “Fine, so what now? I just wait for him to answer the page? Practice is in five fucking minutes.”

“Did you check the AirTag?” Blondie offers.

“Is that on this phone, too?” I pull up Find My. “Found him.”

“Good. Now if he doesn’t make it here, you have to go get him and not be late, or Coach will have your ass.”

“Now I’m in trouble if he’s fucking late?” I ask and a few of the guys chuckle but I’m not sure why. “What’s funny?”

“He was probably getting laid,” Shredder says.

“Ah.” That at least makes sense.

I start getting ready, changing into my practice gear, when the doors open again.

“Tendy! We were worried about you, buddy!” Blondie hollers.

“I almost fell into a manhole!” The big guy shakes his head and pats a few players on the back as he passes them.

I know this guy is Tobi’s brother because of his last name but honestly…how? Maybe Tobi will know.

Ambrose: Is falling into a manhole a euphemism?

Tobi: Not if my brother said it

I have so many questions, but they will have to wait.

Teddy starts pulling on his gear, which takes forever since goalies have more shit than the rest of us.

Tobi doesn’t talk about his brother much, and since I’m familiar with family bullshit, I don’t push it. But I wonder if Teddy would tell me anything…

“What color hat are you making this time, Tendy?” Shredder is pulling on his skates.

Huh?

I turn around to find the big man bouncing on his toes in excitement. What. Is. Happening.

“Green with gold glitter!” he shouts and fist pumps the air. “It’s gonna be so cool!”

“You make hats?” I ask.