Page 115 of A Game as Old as Time

Gunner took a deep breath as the trainer started to reset the pads. A shout from Andy at one of the assistant coaches, who was trying to walk him through release techniques, only added to the noise.

Shit.

It was all moving so fast. JT fell down beside him on the bench.

What are we doing out there?

His eyes began to tear up as the trainer pushed down on his shoulder. His head was spinning, and the shouting match between Emilio and Ty was only making it worse.

“It’s just…it’s just unfair man. They are so goddamn big and fast!”

Emilio pounded his fist against a locker, quieting the room.

It is unfair.

Gunner’s shoulder was starting to spasm. The adrenaline had exhausted his body, and he took a few more deep breaths before trying to stand. His legs shook beneath him.

“Here.” Coach Bianchi extended his hand, pulling him up.

Thanks, Coach.

Gunner nodded, noting that Coach Bianchi’s normally stern and rigid in-game stare was soft and unfocused.

We let him down.

Any strength Gunner had left faded away. He adjusted his shoulder pads and watched his coach walk slowly to the front of the room.

I hate this.

Coach Bianchi took a second to adjust his visor. A deep exhale spun him around to the group.

“You’re probably right, Emilio.” He paused and surveyed the room. “It probably is unfair. I mean, I’ll tell ya, boys, I have coached college teams that didn’t have that type of size and speed.” He lowered his head and propped his leg up on the bench in front of him. “But hell, I think most of us have already realized that life…well, that life really isn’t fair.”

He peeked over at Gunner, who took a step forward.

“Because if it were, you would have a different coach standing in front of you right now. A great man, a great leader, and a great father.”

Dad.

Coach Bianchi dropped his leg and grabbed a football. He remained silent for a few moments, and when he continued, his voice was quiet.

“You know, when I first moved to this town, people kept talking to me about a saying you had. A saying about moments and not letting themslip by.” He tossed the football in the air and caught it. “And for a while, I had a hard time figuring out what it all meant.” He smiled and slapped the pigskin. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had moments in my life, gentlemen. I married the woman of my dreams. I watched the two most beautiful little girls be born and grow.” He pointed the football out across the room. “And I won a lot of football games.”

Gunner’s feet continued to inch forward, his coach’s voice drawing him in.

“But I’ve also had a lot of bad moments in my life.” He bowed his head. “I lost the strongest person I had ever known. A woman I loved more than anything in the world. I watched as my own flesh and blood struggled, and lost, and were injured by the world. By people I had believed in.”

Damn.

Gunner took a knee, ignoring the knives digging into his shoulder and chest.

“And I thought to myself, why would anyone want to live or even remember these moments?” He laughed under his breath and looked back up. “But then I met you young men. Young men who know all too well how cruel and unfair life can be.” He took a few steps across the front of the room. “I watched as a town, lost and scared, turned to a bunch of high school students to heal them. Now.” Coach Bianchi chuckled. “Now tell me, how unfair is that?”

He outstretched his arms and shook his head.

“A bunch of grown men and women turning to all of you and asking for help? How the hell would you know what to do?” He was gripping the football tighter as his eyes lowered. “But you know what I found out, gentlemen?”

Gunner’s leg was starting to shake, and his blood was flowing a little faster.

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