Page 6 (1/2)

"But it could’ve been a big deal, Jordan I don’t think you understand how dangerous this sport is," Dad says with a shaky voice I hope he doesn’t use that tone in front of his teammates, because it makes him sound like a co for ten years!"

"Joe Carter weighs 250 pounds You weigh 170

"Joe Carter weighs 250 pounds You weigh 170 You’re lucky you didn’t get knocked out" Dad starts cra salad into his mouth Mike bites into a chicken breast like he’s a vulture or so and shakes his head at Dad

"Well , nothing happened," I say, "and I’"

Dad rubs his eyes "What exactly do you want to do with footbal anyway? No woet kil ed"

"I don’t know, Dad Right now, al I want is to play in col ege, and see what happens there"

"You could seriously get hurt The guys in col ege play at a total y different level than high school"

"Don’t you kno good I auys who are twice your size" Dad stabs at his chicken with a knife and fork, ripping theit into his ood she is if you ever showed up to one of her games, Dad," Mike blurts Jake lets out a lohistle, and I think he’s about to take off, when Dad suddenly stands up and throws his napkin down on the table He shoots Mike a look--the look of death, which I haven’t seen since Henry and I accidental y drove Dad’s ATV into the lake

"Thanks for dinner, Julie," Dad says, bending over and kissing Mom’s cheek He picks up his plate, puts the bottle of Gatorade under his arm, and leaves the room A few seconds later, I hear the door to his study slaone, I pick up rabs the bread and chicken and Jake scoops the mashed potatoes onto his plate

Mike rips into his second chicken breast, then wipes the grease from his lips with a napkin "Dad’s such a jerk"

Grinning at my brother, I stand up and takeupstairs, I pause outside the dining roo quietly

"Mike, I know you’re mad, but you wil show your father more respect"

"Yes, ma’am," Mike replies softly

I wish Henry was here to et my rab the stupid journal Then I go outside into the backyard, through the gardens to Mo shed, this rickety oak shack that’s covered in ivy andoverme, I slip inside and shut the door and take a seat next to the shovels in the corner, where streah theand the cracks in the siding, il u in the shed when I need alone time When ere little, Henry and I used to play house in here We’d etal ey, and Henry would talk about having a helipad, and I’d tru to have a transporter like on Star Trek I finde and try to think of so Ty’s…

"Jesus, Woods," I mutter "Get a hold of yourself"

I doodle A few pictures of footbal s, soo about thirty tis and kisses, but offensive plays from the team playbook, and--okay, okay--I write JW + TG, which I scribble over ie of doodles and wad it up

Ode to Ty…I love your three-step drop and that quick release

I laugh as I rip that page out too

evolution

(aka second atte a

poem)

I’ll admit it

When I first saw Jake Reynolds

I thought I’d died and gone to the Super Bowl

(as starting QB)

That blond surfer-boy hair

That tan body that won’t stop

That bottom lip: upturned, a sexy invite

And then he spoke