This choice: "...because I want you to help him." • Go Back... "Li is on the Varsity team because I want you to help him," Coach explained.
Marcus was taken aback. "What?"
Coach Packard smiled and shook his head. "Look, Marcus, you and I both can see that this kid's got some considerable talent. He could be just as skilled as you are someday. But in order for him to reach his full potential, he needs someone to show him the ropes. Someone who can show him just what a seven-foot player can do, not just because of his height, but in spite of his height.
"I've been following your progress since you first started back in seventh grade with Coach Estavez. Even back then you were big, but you didn't move like you were big. You've managed to push yourself to a peak of athletic ability most guys your size can only dream of. And I know it wasn't easy. There are so many things you had to figure out on your own, 'cause no one else could tell you how to do it. It's not like there was some extra tall senior around to take you under his wing.
"That's why I'm pairing him with you. You and he are the only two guys anywhere around here who might have any idea what struggles the other might be going through. He's going to need your guidance and encouragement if he's ever going to reach his full potential.
"And while you've got a lot of skills both on and off the court, you've still got a bit to learn when it comes to true leadership and humility."
Marcus felt a glare flaring up, but he knew Coach was right.
"You two are going to need to learn to lean on each other. You might just see him as your competition, but you should be seeing him as a friend. After all, I bet it would have been nice when you were younger to have someone around who understood how you felt being as tall as you are."
Marcus stewed for a moment in silence. Finally, he let out a long deep sigh. "Yeah, I get what your saying."
Coach smiled. "Glad that's settled. Now, go get yourself cleaned up, you smell like hard work, and unfortunately hard work stinks like a--"
But the coach cut himself off as he moved the papers he'd been working on off of his desk. For a moment he just started at the new pile sitting underneath the first. Then he let out a groan followed by a rather choice expletive.
"What's wrong?" Marcus asked.
"I forgot, because Li's just a freshman he has to have special permission from a parent or guardian to play on the Varsity team."
"Wait, really?"
"Yeah, it's a dumb rule the school board put in years ago. It hasn't ever really been an issue, but if I don't get this form signed and turned in to the central office by tomorrow morning he'll have to play JV."
Coach grabbed up the form and ran to the locker room, Marcus following closely behind. But when they got there, only Jackson Trotsky was left, zipping up his gym bag.
"What the-- what's going on?"
"Jackson, did Li already leave?"
"Uh, yeah, he was the first one out. He even managed to leave before the JV kids were done. I don't know how he does it, but he's pretty efficient at getting himself cleaned up."
Coach repeated his colorful word again, causing Jackson to blush slightly in surprise.
"Well, I guess I'll have to go talk to his parents myself," he finally sighed.
But Marcus had been thinking, and an idea had occurred to him.
"Hey, since you're wanting me to get to know him better and help him train, maybe I can take it to his parents for you."
Coach turned to him, a wary look on his face. "I don't know. It's generally against school policy to hand out student information to others, even other students."
"Come on, Coach. You know I wouldn't abuse that kind of information. You can trust me."
Coach pondered it for a bit. Finally, he responded.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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