Page 37 of Off the Rim
"What?!" I shout incredulously, nearly knocking my chair over as I stand quickly. "Why?"
Coach Burke holds a hand out to calm me, also standing as my father passes him a folder of documents.
"That is a list of all the parents who make significant donations to this program. Donations that pay your salary as well as maintain this facility, which consequently was bought and paid for with donations from parents like me. Each of those parents has signed a petition requesting Vell's immediate dismissal orthey will take action. If you don't want to lose that funding, you might want to consider our demands again, Mr. Burke."
Dad assumes his master-of-the-world posture, using his considerable height to intimidate Coach. To his credit, Coach Burke doesn't shrink in my father's shadow. He glances at the contents of the folder, then sets it on his desk.
"As I've explained to you, and the other parents who I'm sure continue to call at your behest, there is nothing I can legally do to have Marcus Vell removed from this team. Mr. Vell has a near-perfect grade point average, works hard, and has no history of misconduct that would warrant dismissal from the basketball program.”
Coach shoots a glance at me, and I know he’s not going to tell anyone about the fight. I nod, letting him know I understand not to say anything.
“Your concerns have been noted, and I've discussed the issue with the Dean. Terminating Mr. Vell's scholarship or removing him from the team could result in legal action that could not only cause more financial damage than you are threatening, but it would bring negative attention to the school. The media would have a field day, especially considering that Marcus Vell is one of our top players and is a public favorite. He’s a shoo-in for player of the year if he keeps playing as well as he is, and so is your son, by the way.”Don’t bother, he doesn’t care about that.“Do you really want to bring that kind of negative press to this establishment just because you don't like the kid?"
My father is gaping at Coach Burke, shocked that anyone would dare speak to him that way. "Public favorite or not, that scum tried to blackmail my son?—”
"He did not!"
He shoots a warning look at me, one I'm quite familiar with. It's the same look he's given me for as long as I can remember, anytime I've dared speak up and negate his lies in public. The last time he leveled me with that look was at the Pinecrest Court House, the day he shut down the case against Marcus. After he made everyone sign ironclad non-disclosures to make sure he couldn't be embarrassed by the video evidence of my involvement with Marcus, I begged him to help repair some of the damage Kent caused. Marcus had been dragged through the mud, his reputation ruined on top of the damage done to his scholarship prospects. But my father wouldn't budge, only leveled me with that same glare and promised he'd make things much worse if I didn't fall in line.
I can't let him do this, not again.
"Marcus never blackmailed me. He could have, but he never did. That surveillance evidence was found by his coach and was used to prove Marcus' innocence, nothing more. He never did anything wrong, but he took the blame for Kent Richard's bruised ego and lost everything." I look at Coach. "You can't kick him off the team, and you can't bench him, either. He didn't deserve it the first time, and he doesn't now."
"This is none of your concern, son," my father says, his voice deep and menacing.
"Marcus is a good person. Better than you'll ever be. I don't know what your issue with his dad was, or what your issue is with Marcus now, but this needs to stop. Just let him be, Dad. He didn't do anything to you, or to me. But you treat him like he's a threat to your empire. Why is that?"
“You don’t know anything, and you’ll ruin your future by allowing that boy?—”
“Quit calling him that. He has a name. And if you try to force Marcus off this team, you’ll be forcing me off as well. And I will not go quietly. I’ll make sure this gets as much press as it takes to make sure you can’t ruin his future.”
“You’d throw everything away to protect the son of a grifter?”
“I’d throw everything away to do the right thing for someone who has had to fight harder than anyone I know just to survive. Marcus isn’t the bad guy here, Dad. You are. And I won’t let you get away with this.”
"This discussion is over," my father says before turning on his heel and walking out of Coach's office.
"The Dean and I are in agreement on this, Mr. James. I'm sorry if that doesn't fit into the vision you had for your son's time with us. You should watch one of the games and see how well-matched Ashton and Marcus are as players. They'll take us to the championship this year, I'm sure of it."
"I hope your shot at the championship is worth it, William."
Mouthing my thanks to Coach, I follow after my father.
"Dad, wait." To my surprise, he stops walking, though he doesn't give me the respect of looking up. He straightens his suit and brushes off invisible lint. The cold shoulder was always how he showed his disappointment. It hurt me when I was younger, trying so desperately for his approval, but if I got anything out of his visit today, it was the confirmation that there's nothing to admire about my father. For all of his riches, his properties and investments and ambition, he is nothing more than a bully whosteps on others to get to where he is. And I know, without a doubt in my mind, I don't want to be anything like him.
"Please drop this," I ask, bowing my head in humility. Not because I think he deserves my submission, but because I'll do whatever it takes to keep him from destroying Marcus.
"You never listen," he says softly.
My eyebrows furrow, confused by his complete change in demeanor. He’s almost somber, like he's exhausted by the whole ordeal. Maybe he is. Weary with disappointment in a son fighting against his own future success by allowing the likes of Marcus Vell to share the spotlight with him.
"People like him will never fit into our world."
"He doesn't want to fit into our world. He just wants to live his life. I don't understand why he threatens you so much."
"He'll just take advantage of you, Ashton. If he's his father's son at all, he'll hurt you."
"What does that mean? What happened between you two?"
