“Yes, that’s the one.You know what this means right?”
“Of course I do, it means I need to train harder and outscore everyone in the league, including Kyle.”
“Kyle?Oh, yes, him.You’re the best player in the league, playing for the best team in the league, who also happens to be the wealthiest.”
I can see where this conversation is going.I swear, he won’t be happy until I earn and hoard all the money like Smaug from The Hobbit.
“I’m just going to try and enjoy my football and be the best while I’m at it.Everything else is a bonus.”
“Football isn’t forever son; you will need a backup.Investments, business, branding.”
“I get that, Dad, but I’m not even in my mid-twenties yet.”
“And what if you get an injury that stops you playing?”
“Then I’ll open up a sanctuary for dishomed pets.”My truth comes spilling out.I’ve always wanted to tell my dad this—to tell him I want to do something worthwhile with my money.If football is my passion, animals are my love.I press the phone to my ear with my shoulder and take off my trainers and place them on the shoe rack in the cupboard.
“And with what money?”I can hear my dad say faintly, as I take off my shirt and dump it into the wash basket.
“Listen, Dad.I get it, but I gotta go.I’ve just got in from a run.And then Gaffer has asked me to look at some footage of past games.”
“Okay, son.Take care.”
“You too, Dad.”
He hangs up, and I strip naked and jump into the shower.
Chapter 13
Kyle
Today is one of my favorite days: It’s fixture day!
In an hour or so, I’m going to find out who I’ll be playing, if selected, of course, in the first game of the season.Training has been brutal, but the absolute best.I’ve been welcomed with open arms by everyone at the club, including the legendary captain, “Shippers,” the no-nonsense midfielder.
I thought he would be the hardest to win around, but he was very warm, friendly, and welcoming.The complete antithesis of his on-field persona.
Trish is in the kitchen making “healthy choices” snacks while we wait for the fixtures to drop.I’ve taken this moment to relax in the armchair by the window with my cassette player, listening to Johnny Cash.I’m living out my nineties fantasy with the world’s greatest singer—in my humble opinion—while I'm on downtime from playing for the world's most popular club—literal fact, argue with the wall.This is my life.And I've earned every bit of it.I can finally provide for my family.Mum and Dad won’t have to work anymore.Dad can get a new car.And Mum can finally buy the house off the government.Something she has always dreamed of doing.This is why I tolerate my “gift.”
“Here we are!”Trish says, holding a tray of what I can only describe as ‘shit brown’ looking parcels.I scrunch up my face to show my displeasure.“You can fix your face right now, Kyle.I didn’t work on these for a whole hour for you to give them that look.”
“Look?What look?”I ask, trying to sound innocent.
“You know perfectly well what look.Try it, it’s not going to kill you.”
“But it might.”
Trish puts the tray down on the glass table in the center of the living room and folds her arms and glares at me.Oh, fuck.I pick up one of the parcels and sniff it.I try to suppress my gag reflex, but ironically, I have a sensitive gag reflex… well, bedroom activities excluded.
“Oh, come on, they’re not that bad!Just try one.”
“What’s in it?”
“Ingredients that have been recommended by your dietitian.”Trish still has that unyielding look on her face, so I take the tiniest bite.I force it down and swill my mouth with the bottle of water beside me.“Oh, shush, it’s only dates, prunes, orange rind, lemon zest, almonds, almond butter, a few antioxidants, porridge oats, and protein powder all blended together.”
“That is an interesting combination of ingredients,” I say, trying to be as polite as possible.
“Is this your way of saying you don’t like it?”
