Remember

Chapter 13

"Caroline, I need this logged." says Boone, handing me a file. This was my favorite part about being a coach. Coming in on a Sunday, early in the morning, in November, to shove game files into cabinets. 

On it, coach." I say, taking the file. I open the cabinet, and Alan's dad storms into the office. 

He slams a newspaper onto Yoast's desk. "Five times! Five times as player of the week!"

Yoast gets up. 

"He's not just some walk-on scrub, Yoasy! The boy's a player, he's a star!" continues Mr. Bosley. "And he busted his butt for you!" He turns on Boone. "I saw what you're doing, you blacks-"

"That is enough!" interrupts Yoast. "It's my call! Now listen. You just go on home now, Fred, before you do something that you gonna regret."

Mr. Bosley slowly walks out of the room, glaring at Boone's assistant coach, before slaming the office door behind him. 

"I'll be right back." I tell Yoast. 

I follow Mr. Bosley out the door and catch up to him. 

"Mr. Bosley! Mr. Bosley!" I call. He turns and waits for me. "The only reason Alan isn't playing right now is-"

"It's your fault!" He interrupts, jabbing his finger at me. 

"My fault?" I ask, slightly offended. 

"Yes, your fault." he sneers. "Every since you joined the team, Alan's been less focused on football, and more focused on what you think." he says. I back up slowly, but he just walks forward. He mimicks Alan. "Do you think Caroline will notice my new shoes? Do I smell bad? Do I look too sweaty?"

"Mr. Bosley, I don't think-" I say, chuckling nervously. 

"NO!" he yells again. "Don't you try your sweet little girl charm on me." he says. 

I remain quiet, and he slowly walks off again. 

I quietly walk back into the office and go back to filing. 

"Caroline, you're free to go." Boone says, packing up a few things. 

"Thank's coach." I say, grabbing my jacket. I quickly hurry down the street. If I can get back in time, I can go with Gerry to the Berg to play basketball. I walk into the house and grab my tennis shoes and start lacing them up. 

"Caroline, what are you doing?" my mom asks, walking in. 

"I'm going with Gerry to the Berg." I say, trying up my last shoe. 

"And what are you doing at the Berg?" she asks. 

"I'm going to play basketball." I shrug. 

"Caroline!" she scolds. "You are a lady! If your father were still alive..." she trails off. 

"What, because I'm a girl, I can't throw a ball into a hoop?" I ask. 

"You're lucky I let you wear those jeans to school. Now, dress nice. You're coming to church with your mother." she says firmly, shutting the door behind her as she leaves.