tob_id_3474
Mike knew better than to have the coach yell at him more than once, so tried a little harder and made it through the rest of the practice. As he was running off the field, he was told to report to the coach’s office. “Girl, family or school: which one is bothering you, son?” asked his coach. “ girl,” mike responded. “how did you guess?” “Sanders, I have been coaching football since before you were born, and every time I have seen a all-star play like a J.V.rookie, it’s been because one of those three.” Mike nodded. “sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.” His coach patted him on the shoulder. “this is a big year for you, mike. there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a full ride to the school of you choice. Just remember to focus on what’s really important. The other thing will take care of themselves.” Mike knew his coach was right. He should just let Angie go and move on with his life. But he still felt hurt, even betrayed. “it just makes me so mad, coach I trust in her . I opened myself up to her. I gave her all I had, and what did it get to me?” His coach pulled out some paper and a pen from his desk drawer. “that is a very good question. What did it get you?” he handed mike the pen and paper and said, “I want you to think about the time you spend with this girl, and list as many experiences, good and bad,
that you can remember. Then I want you to write down the things that you learned from each other. I’ll be back in an hour.” With that ,his coach left mike by himself. Mike slumped in his chair as memories of Angie flooded his head. He recalled when he had first worked up the nerve to ask her out, and how happy he had been when she said yes. Had It not been for Angie’s encouragement, mike wouldn’t have tried out for the football team. Then he though of the fights that they had. Though he couldn’t remember all the reasons for fighting, he remembered the sense of accomplishment he got from working though their problems. He had learned to communicate and compromise. He remembered making up after the fights, too. That was always the best part. Mike remembered all the times she made him strong and needed and special. He filled the paper with their history, holidays, trips with each other’s family, school dances and quiet picnics together. Line by line, he wrote of the experience they shared, and he realized how she had helped shape his life. He would have become a different person without her