Page 102 of A Whole New Play

I open the door and find Coach Palmer typing on his computer at his desk. He doesn’t look up. “Take a seat.”

I close the door behind me and cross the room to sit in the chair centered in front of his desk.

Coach Palmer keeps typing.

I wait.

Minutes pass. I resist the urge to fidget. Finally, Coach closes his laptop. He meets my gaze, and his expression is just as hard as it’s been since he learned about me and his daughter.

“Your focus wasn’t on the field today,” he finally says.

“No, Sir,” I agree.

“Is the custody issue any closer to being resolved?”

“The hearing is supposed to be in a couple of weeks,” I say. Though, Davis is trying to get it scheduled sooner. We’re both ready for this case to be closed.

Coach nods. “Good. I’m sure it will be a huge weight off your shoulders once that’s dealt with.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Silence settles.

I wait for him to move on to reprimand me for my performance today. I expect him to say the coaching staff is tired of my inconsistency and they’re going to bench me on Sunday to see how my backup performs.

I’m already resigned not to argue. The coaches have a job to do, and that is to win games. They’ve given me ample time to get my shit together, but I keep letting my personal life get in the way.

“I heard Valerie has a job interview today.”

I stiffen, taken aback by the unexpected subject. I’m not surprised Valerie told her dad about the opportunity, but I am surprised he’s bringing it up to me.

I nod slowly and once again say, “Yes, Sir.”

He leans back in his rolling chair and laces his fingers over his abdomen, watching me. “It sounds like a great opportunity.”

Except for the fact it means she’ll have to move half a country away…

“It does,” I agree.

“From what Valerie told me, she’s pretty much guaranteed to get the job.”

I have to swallow down the lump that forms in my throat before I can speak. “Yeah, it sounds like it.”

He furrows his brow. “And you’re okay with that?”

I frown. “What?”

“You’re okay with Valerie getting a job that will take her out of state?”

Of course not.

What is he playing at?

It’s my turn to lean back in my seat and cross my arms. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think I can be any clearer,” he clips, then asks, “Are you okay with Valerie getting this job and moving out of state.”

I could be honest and say no. I could tell him the selfish part of me hopes she doesn’t get the job. Or, if she does, she decides to turn it down.

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