It’s Wednesday night and, as usual, we are at the field having dinner as a family. It’s nice that Josephine is back to joining us for our nightly picnic. I have yet to contact Brian’s attorney, but I already signed the paperwork. I’ll be emailing it back tomorrow. I wanted one more night to sleep on it to ensure I’m making the right decision and not making it in haste because of the court bribe. I think it’s horrible that a parent would put their child through that, but I can’t stop it either. I’ll be damned if he is going to put my son through a trial.
We’re wrapping up our meal when Jason’s eyes go wide with fear, and his body starts to tremble. Jesse and I both turn to see Brian walking toward us. “Gabe and Jason, go pass. Mom, take Grace to practice please.” Jesse dishes out instructions.
Everyone scatters as Brian nears, and the two of us stand. “You have some massive balls showing up here,” I sneer.
He shrugs. “Have you made a decision?”
“What’s your rush?”
“The cops were at the house today asking if Melinda was going to press charges. We told them we would make a decision by tomorrow.” His brows raise.
“Why couldn’t you just call? Leave me a message. You have to show up here? Your son is shaking in fear over you. Is that really what you want?”
“No, what I want is to keep my ass out of jail. Now do you agree or not?”
So much for sleeping on it. He’s such an ass! I don’t care anymore, I’m done with this. “We agree. Your attorney will have the signed paperwork back tomorrow. Now, drop the charges.”
He shakes his head. “Not until it’s signed.”
I pull the paper from my purse. “I’ve already signed. How do I know you’ll hold up your end of the deal?”
He pulls his phone from his pocket. “Hello, Officer Burgess. This is Brian Morgan.” He pauses. “I’m calling to let you know that my wife’s attorney and mine came to an agreement, and we won’t be pressing charges.”
He presses the speaker button so we can hear the officer. “I’m glad you were able to work it out. I hate to see a young boy’s life ruined.”
“I’m glad we were able to work it out too. Like you said, the boy is young and doesn’t need a record over one silly mistake. Thank you for your help with this matter.” He cuts the call before the officer can say anything more.
“Done. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”
He turns to leave just as parents are starting to show up for the meeting. There is so much I want to say to Jesse right now, but we change the subject not wanting team parents to hear our business. We don’t mind our close friends knowing, but football isn’t quite like baseball was. The team is so big and not all the parents hang down on the field. There are a lot of them whom I’ve barely spoken to. The mom squad has stayed intact, but that’s pretty much it.
Mike, the president of our league, comes over to our practice field. “Hi, Karen.” He wraps me in a quick hug before he shakes hands with Jesse. “Are all of your team parents here?”
“Just about.”
Brianne and Aiden come running down the hill. “The last of them just got here.”
He shakes his head. “Of course, they’re late.”
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to get this meeting started because practice starts in five minutes, and I have a team to coach as well.” He pauses for a minute to give Brianne a chance to get closer. I want to laugh because I know that’s his way of letting her know she’s late. “We have told you on a number of occasions if you have a problem talk to your coach, and if you’re not happy with the results come to me. I want you to know that still holds true, but being the issue was brought to my attention, directly from a concerned parent, I feel it’s important that I address it.” He pauses for a second. “Coach Jesse was accused of not playing all his players, and when they are playing they are not getting their minimum of ten plays. I know sometimes things move fast on the field, and we try hard to give kids an even number of plays, but it’s not always easy. That said, I assure you that your boys are getting their play time as long as they are within the appropriate weight and are willing to play. If your child comes to us and tells us they feel off today and don’t want to play anymore, then we’re not putting them in. I know it may piss some of you off, but this is for the safety of your child as well as every other child on the field. If you have a problem or a question, please feel free to see me, but I ask that you do it after tonight's practice or before tomorrow's since I need to get to my team.” The parents all nod their agreement. “I’ll leave you to Coach Jesse as I’m sure he has a few things he would like to say.
“Thanks, Mike. As Mike said, my number one concern is the kids’ safety. Last week, Brady got hurt on the field because a child who didn’t make weight was playing when he wasn’t supposed to be. That team forfeited the game because of it. I will not allow a child who does not want to play on that field. I will not allow a player who does not make weight on that field. I work incredibly hard to ensure that those who want to play are out there getting plays in because that is where they learn the game. Yes, I’m teaching them and conditioning them here, but out on that field is where they get all their experience, and that’s where they will truly learn.” Jesse pauses. “Does anyone have any questions?”
Michelle raises her hand. “Will you notify the parents if it’s their child who doesn’t want to play?”
“Absolutely. I don’t want to see kids give up at this point, but if they truly do not want to be here I will let you know. I can tell you, Michelle, your kid is doing great, and it’s obvious he wants to be out there.” Appeased with Jesse’s response, Michelle smiles, silently thanking Jesse for his response.
“Are there any other questions? I want to get to my boys.” He glances around, and parents start to disperse. “I guess we’re good.” He turns to me. “I’ll see you after practice.” He starts his practice, and the girls and I go for our walk.
I tell them all about my conversation with Jason before practice and how he handled it. “That poor kid. I feel so bad for him. You know DJ didn’t take it well when I told him his father passed on, but hearing your father doesn’t want you is so much worse.”
“I know. It broke my heart, but I didn’t want him to think I was the reason his father wasn’t seeing him. It may sound selfish, but I didn’t want that to come between us.”
“I don’t think that’s selfish at all,” Misty says. “I think it’s damn brave you had the conversation with him.”
“I agree. Josh knows what it’s like to not see his father for long periods of time, but Kyle is sure to show him that he is loved each and every time he comes home,” Lori says.
“Well, I told him that Jesse loves him and that we are here for him and will help him through it. He was very appreciative and thanked Jesse when he got here.”
“Awww, that’s sweet,” Stella says.
“I know, right? I swore Jesse was going to cry.”
We’re so deep in conversation we almost lose track of time. Practice comes to an end, and the team gathers for me to release them to their parents. The ladies all gather their kids and bid us good night. Brianne storms down to the field as one of the last parents to get her kid and from the look on her face, I have a feeling it has to do with the meeting.
“Coach Jesse!” she shouts out as she approaches us. “Can we have a word with you please?” Aiden stands by her side. “Aiden has something he would like to say.”
“Coach, I’m sorry I purposely overate this week so I wouldn’t be able to play.”
He shrugs. “You don’t need to apologize to me. If you don’t want to play, just don’t come. You don’t need to overeat to not play.”
He looks up at his mom and then back to Jesse. “I want to play, Coach.” His words are coerced. I can tell from the way he looks between his mother and Jesse, plus his voice is shaky.
“Then you need to start putting your all into both practices and the games. If you get on the game field and you’re not trying, I will pull you.”
“Yes, Coach,” he says, sounding sad.
“Have a good night.” Brianne’s jaw drops as we walk away. Clearly, Jesse has nothing more to say to her or him. As usual, he walks me to my car so we can get home. We need to get the kids cleaned up and ready for school tomorrow.