Senior Year Box Set

Later, it came out that his family and friends had spent over $1.6 million of his money in less than a year. He was getting huge bar-tab charges on his credit card for places he’d never been. He also related how he’d spent his time in warm-ups preparing for a playoff game. But then, during the game itself, he worried about whether the seats he’d been pressured to get would be filled, rather than focusing on the game.

He wound up not being worth much to anyone. It all happened because he let people take pieces of his time, attention, energy, and focus until there was very little left.

It was time to focus and to take charge of myself, if no one else.

I used my phone to make a short list. What did I want to focus on this fall, and in what order? Screw everything else.

Football

Being a good student

Recruiting

Relationship with Brook

I looked over the list and smiled for the first time in it seemed like forever. Now it was time to do something about it.

I looked toward the front of the plane. Tami saw me first and seemed concerned, but I gave her a smile and a wink, and she smiled back at me.

I tapped Dad on the shoulder. He looked up, startled.

“When we get back, as soon as we can make the time, I need to have a business meeting. I want to be sure you, Mom, Uncle John, and Grandma are all there.

He nodded his head, and I made my way to the front of the plane, to Wolf and Tim.

“Team meeting Monday before practice. Players only. I’ll square it with the coaches. Start spreading the word as soon as we land.”

They also nodded wordlessly at me. I turned to Brook, smiled, and motioned toward the back of the plane with my head. She got up and followed me back.

We sat down, and she cuddled me for a minute, her head on my chest. I eased her up to look at me.

“I have a lot to share with you, and I’d like your input on all of it.”

We talked for a long time. I shared a lot of my thoughts and ideas with her. Brook was smart, and she gave me a bunch of her own ideas.

Mainly, though, I could tell she really appreciated that I’d sought out her advice. That’s part of what relationships are about: sharing your troubles … and welcoming your partner’s thoughts.

◊◊◊

When we landed, we were greeted by thirty or so fans. I was glad we had our Michigan t-shirts on. Before we left, I’d scanned the Michigan recruiting message boards. They’d encouraged people to get out and let us know how much they wanted us to come to their school. I glanced over at Tami, and she gave me a knowing smile. Then I looked at Brook, and her smile turned into a delighted chuckle.

Things were looking better.

◊◊◊

Saturday September 24

I’d just gotten dressed when I heard Cassidy pounding on my door.

“What?” I grumped as I opened it.

She pushed past me into my room. I hid my smile when I saw she was dressed in a blue dress jacket, white blouse, and blue slacks. All she needed were Chuck’s shades, and she could be a junior G-woman.

“I’m your security this weekend. I want to be clear that where you go, I go,” she informed me.

Fritz and my dad had had a long talk about this weekend. Fritz had wanted to hire outside security because he was having meetings and training sessions with all his staff. He planned to use my attack as a wake-up call and remind them of their duties. When Brook came to me about flying this weekend, and Cassidy invited herself, I told them she could watch me.

Fritz and Dad were both against the idea, but I reminded them that I hadn’t asked Fritz to hire Cassidy just because she was my friend. This was something she wanted to do with her life. I pointed out she’d been my security in Cuba and Japan. I reminded Dad about spring break and how she helped protect everyone. Still, I was surprised when they finally relented.

For Cassidy, this was a big deal. This was her first chance to officially be in charge. I wasn’t about to make it hard on her, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t tease her a little.

“You packing?” I asked.

She gave me a scowl.

“No. Fritz wouldn’t let me,” she explained, and then brightened. “I do have this.”

She pushed her coat back to reveal her belt where she had an expandable baton. She took it out and snapped it to full length. Frankly, I was more worried she would end up using it on me.

We took the elevator down and met everyone for breakfast. Ty was pissed because we beat him and his family there. We were just getting our food when I spotted two recruits I’d met last year: Max Wilcox, who was a mountain of a man and who played defensive tackle; and Jay Edwards, a linebacker. I’d met them both on my campus tour last year.

While I was introducing them to everyone, Damion Roth, the Randy Moss clone who played ball for Wesleyan, joined us.

“I heard a rumor you’d be here this weekend. How you doing?” Damion asked.

“Good. You here alone?” I asked, not seeing his parents.

“I came with Mike and his dad. His mom went to Luke’s game.”