Senior Year Box Set

“I just assumed you’d be off on some adventure. This just seems so ordinary, but then again, you do get good grades,” he said while pointing to the book I was studying.

“I’m not a natural like your daughter. I have to work for my grades,” I said.

Coach Hope actually grinned, and Cassidy gave me a dirty look. She put zero effort into studying and was a solid ‘B’ student. Her dad and I both knew that if she tried, she would be getting ‘A’s.

“I wanted a chance to talk to you and the other boys I owe apologies to before school tomorrow,” Coach Hope said, getting to the point of his visit. “I’m sorry I didn’t talk to Wolf and Tim when they came back. If I had, none of this would have happened.”

“You didn’t think Alan was capable of doing it? Remember what he did to Lisa Felton?” I asked.

Alan had posted her private blog on the school’s internal message system. He’d lost access to students’ information and athletic websites because of his breach of trust. Looking back, that was when I began to think about him as no longer my best friend. When I thought he’d had sex with Tami, I was hurt and pushed him away. Without our friend Jeff around to curb his impulses, he’d turned into someone I seriously didn’t want in my life anymore, regardless of our childhood friendship.

Uncle John’s talk about circles of trust came to mind. There was a part where people who meant you malice had to be dealt with to protect your close friends and family, your inner circles. Alan had joined Mike Herndon and Cal Bell, Pam’s dad, in the ‘these people will do you actual harm and may try to get at you through your friends’ circle.

“I honestly thought that you two were just having a disagreement and would get past it. It never crossed my mind that Alan would pull something like this. I considered talking to Tim and Wolf, but the more I did, the madder I got. Here I thought we had an understanding, and they had broken it,” he admitted.

“I suspect Alan was in your ear the whole time, talking about how I thought I was privileged and could do anything I wanted,” I said.

Coach Hope’s face got pink as I hit the nail on the head.

“Alan is no longer a part of the football program.”

“I hope you locked him out of your football software. I wouldn’t put it past him to steal the content and then delete everything.”

“That was the first thing I did. Believe it or not, I did learn a few things in the Marine Corps. I should have taken my last review to heart. I was passed over for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel because I was deemed to be too inflexible and having control issues,” Coach Hope shared.

That made me sit up for a minute. Wow! Coach Hope really must be rattled. That was the kind of stuff you don’t usually share with anyone except the very few people you trust absolutely. Either that, or maybe I was becoming part of his innermost circle.

“I thought that was a trait of all football coaches,” Dad said to lighten the mood.

“You’re probably right,” Coach Hope said, then looked at me seriously. “I was wrong for what I did. You were right when you said all I had to do was communicate what my issue was. It was unfair of me to put you boys through that.”

“After the steroid debacle and then this, I have some serious trust issues right now. I thought we had a better relationship than that. I don’t think I’ve ever given you a reason to believe what Alan sold you. In fact, I’ve strived to be the consummate team player and tried to set an example in leadership. And frankly, it hurts a bit that you would think I would try to pull something like that. Especially after I went out of my way to make sure that Yuri, Roc, and Phil could join me in Mexico.”

“I understand and don’t blame you. At this point, all I can do is say I’m sorry and hope that we can work to put this behind us,” Coach Hope said earnestly.

I sat back and thought for a second. If Coach Hope left, we’d be okay for the season, but I couldn’t see Coach Mason or Coach Rector being here next year. I didn’t want Lincoln High football to implode as soon as I left.

But even more importantly, it would have a devastating effect on Cassidy, and also Coach Hope. I realized they were both my friends—my good friends—and they didn’t need to be hurt over this any more than they already had been. Words from the guys’ retreat came back to me. ‘To have a good friend, you must be a good friend,’ and, ‘If you want someone as a friend, you must be ready to forgive them for one great flaw.’

I smiled to myself. This decision, when put in perspective, was easy.

“One of my goals is to leave a legacy of excellence at Lincoln High. I think you’re going to be a huge part of that. More importantly, I consider both you and Cassidy as good friends, and I don’t want to lose that with either of you over this. If you need me to talk to Mr. Hicks, have him call me,” I said.

Coach Hope smiled sadly.

“I appreciate that. Now I need to go mend more fences, and then go face the music,” he said.