“I’ll park the car where you can watch from the truck, but for the record Jeremy would never feel that way.”
Sara smiled and ran her hand over her legs.“Alright, let’s do it.YOLO, right?”
Miranda laughed.“Exactly.We’ll go this afternoon.”
*
After exercising thehorses, she had Sara and her walker loaded into her truck and parked at the edge of the field.This way Sara could see the practice and not have to get out of the cool a/c pumping inside the truck.Miranda pulled out a few snacks while they watched the beginning of practice.The coach clearly wanted Jeremy to play a lot because he had him running almost every play so far in practice.
“I think he’s really good,” Sara said.“I read he has the farthest throw in the county.”
“He must’ve gotten that talent from your side of the gene pool.”
“As long as that’s all he got,” Sara said.There was always a worry that Jeremy would get MS one day.
“All the tests indicate he doesn’t have the gene,” Miranda said.
“Oh, I see the sheriff over there.It’s so nice of him to take such an interest in Jeremy’s life.He’s been a great role model.”
“I agree, I’m just going to go say hi and try to speak to the coach.”
Sara nodded.“Thank you, Andy.Although he’s clearly talented, he looks so much smaller than all those older boys.”
“I agree.I don’t think he needs to rush onto varsity and risk getting hurt.”
“Agreed,” Miranda said and exited the truck.
Once she got closer to the field, she realized Wes wasn’t alone and Renn was leaning up against the fence along with Wes watching the kids practice.
The coach spotted her and reached the fence before she could get Wes’s opinion.He went on about how Jeremy was just the talent the team needed, and his academics wouldn’t be impacted.
“Look, Coach, I agree my brother is talented and your team may need him this year, but I don’t want to see him getting tackled by some eighteen-year-old twice his size.And neither does his mama.”
“You’re right to worry, Andy.If it were up to me, I’d have him wait another year or two,” Wes said, with no apology in his eyes for butting in.
And she appreciated his support.
“The fact is the team does need Jeremy, but he’ll also get more opportunity to make the big plays and get scouted by the top colleges.They want to see the rising stars as early as possible.The more time he plays as quarterback the better chance he’ll have at a full-ride scholarship.You don’t want to take that from him, do you, Andy?”
“Most college players were starters and on varsity the majority of their high school careers that’s true, but not all four years,” Renn offered.“He’ll get hit, and he’s not fully grown yet.One hit could eliminate any chance at playing in college.”
Jeremy jogged over with a big smile.“Sheriff, Renn, hey Andy.Did you see that last set?”
“Jer no one can deny your talent.We were all just discussing the timing for your next step.”
“So, you said yes?”
“We’ll talk to your mom tonight—you know ultimately it’s her decision—but we still both think you should wait.”
Jeremy’s smile faded.
“Your mom and sister just want to make sure it’s not too soon in your football career to move to varsity.Those players are a lot bigger,” Wes said.
“Yes, sir.”Jeremy nodded and he looked over to the truck but then painted back on a smile and waved to his mom.
“It’s a good idea to use this year to bulk up, perfect your skills, and reconsider next year.Your talent won’t fade,” Wes encouraged.
“Yes, sir.Alright I’ll be ready when they say I am, Coach,” Jeremy said and ran back toward his team.
