Page 29 of Ready to Score

“The scrimmage is important,” Alonzo said, finally looking up at her, his dark eyes glistening. “Coach Dunn always says that we can’t be part of the team if we don’t show up.”

Alonzo was taller than Franny, so there was no squatting downto try to get to his level. All she could do was put a hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me. There’s not a single person on this team who would want you putting this game before your family when you need to be with them instead. Do you understand me?”

The boy didn’t say anything, but he gave a small nod. Franny watched his face crumple in real time, his mouth turning down at the sides as his big eyes overflowed with tears until they started falling down his face.

She let out a sympathetic little coo. “Can I hug you?”

Alonzo nodded again, and she grabbed him up in her arms, holding him tightly as his body shook with sobs. She rubbed his back, encouraging him to let his emotions flow. Only when his sobs turned to sniffles and his frame stood mostly still again did she speak.

“I’ll tell you what… Jaxon?” The boy was still next to them, quiet concern written all over his reddened face. “Go grab Coach Dunn for me, will you? Tell her it’s very important.”

“Nooo…” Alonzo’s voice was muffled in the collar of Franny’s polo.

“It’ll be okay,” she said. “Trust me. I’ve got you.”

He stayed in her hold until Jaxon ran back over with Jade on his tail. Dunn eyed the scene in front of her with clear apprehension.

“What’s going on? We kick off in less than ten minutes, y’all.”

“I don’t think Alonzo is in any shape to play today, Coach.” Franny made sure to keep things professional in front of the kids.

Jade moved closer to inspect Alonzo. “Holton, talk to me.”

“I’m sorry, Coach Dunn.” The boy’s lips quivered. He looked close to crying again. “I… My…”

It became clear that he wasn’t in much of a state to communicate effectively either, so Franny pulled away from him so she could talk with Jade one-on-one. “His father had a heart attack last night. I don’t know everything, but he’s apparently still in the hospital.”

Dunn paused, then looked past Franny to Alonzo. “Does your mama know you’re here?”

She didn’t coo at him or seem overly sympathetic, just laser focused.

“I don’t know,” Alonzo said. “She sent me and Nia home with my auntie earlier today because we had been there all night. I know we were supposed to go back to see him tonight, though.”

“All right. You’re not playing today. I’m going to call your mama and tell her what’s going on, then I’m going to find somebody to take you home. Jaxon, take Alonzo over to the bench and sit with him until I get there.”

“Yes, Coach.” Jaxon nodded like a soldier who’d just been given marching orders.

“Holton,” Dunn called out before the boys left earshot. “This team is your family too. We love you. You’re not letting anybody down by taking care of yourself. Please remember that.”

“I will,” Alonzo croaked.

“And if anybody has anything to say about that, you let me know, and I’ll set them straight. Now go on, sit your butts down. I’ll be over in a minute.”

They watched the boys until they’d made it to their destination.

“Do you need me to go look in the team files for Alonzo’s mother’s number?” Franny asked.

Dunn shook her head. “Nah, don’t worry about it. I’ve got it in my phone.”

There was an awkward silence between them. It was a bizarre thing too. The heaviness of the situation they’d suddenly found themselves in paired with the buzzing nature of competition in the air made it impossible for Franny not to get jittery.

Franny pulled at her earlobes a few times. “I barely knew what to do besides get you… It wasn’t weird that I hugged him, was it?”

“No, it’s all right to comfort them. But you can’t let that get in the way of solving the issue. These kids need help and guidance and stability. That means knowing when to be soft and when to at least put on the mask of somebody getting down to business. I may not be the one they come to for hugs, but they should always know they can come to me to get help when they need it.”

“So, what you’re saying is both of our approaches were needed and we actually made a pretty good team.”

Jade rolled her eyes so far into the back of her head that Franny was afraid they might stay there. “I don’t have time for this foolishness tonight, Lim. Let me go call this boy’s mama before you get me started again.”

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