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Because he’s not paying attention to me. His thoughts are far away, probably on that someone at the door, and to prove it, he whirls around and leaves. He strides down the hallway of his cabin and goes to the front door.
Just when he turns the knob, I flip around and plaster myself on the wall, hiding away from sight.
I hear the door open, followed by Mr. Edwards’s voice. “Richard.” He sounds bored. “What do you want?”
“I’m surprised to see you’re up so early,” the man, Richard, says.
“When you knew there was a possibility of me sleeping, why did you come?”
Richard chuckles. “To wake you up.”
“Well, as you can see, I’m up and about. So you can go back now.”
“Not so fast.”
A few seconds of silence and creaking of the floor as if someone is shifting legs on the spot. And then, “Please don’t tell me that’s what I think it is.”
“I won’t,” Mr. Edwards says.
“Have you been drinking?” Richard’s voice has grown louder. “Never mind. Don’t answer me. I already know.”
“Why are you here?”
“Whose car is out front?”
I freeze at that.
That and gasp. Or almost gasp because I have the presence of mind to whip a hand over my mouth and catch it.
I swear I hear an imaginary clock ticking as I wait for Mr. Edwards’s answer.
“No one’s.”
“You’ve got company?”
My heart jumps in my throat and I press my hand on my mouth harder. Will Mr. Edwards tell him yes? Would he bring Richard out back to see me?
Oh God, I can’t see people without my disguise.
I can’t.
I can’t talk to them. I can’t look at them.
Richard will know who I am. He’ll know what I did, how I ruined things for Mr. Edwards.
He will. He will. He will.
As irrational as the thought is, I can’t shake it; then, I hear a sigh, followed by the words that bring me sweet relief.
“What do you want, Richard?”
A few beats of silence again before Richard answers, “The football camp starts next week, Graham. I’m here to make sure you know that.”
“I know.”
Richard makes a non-committal sound. “It’s surprising given that you’ve hardly been to any of the meetings.”
“I’m handling everything remotely.”
“So maybe your assistant forgot to mention that to me. When I had my chat with him this morning.”
“How do I know what my assistant forgot to tell you?”
“I’m not here to fight with you, all right? My daughter’s in town. I’m taking her and my wife out for a nice lunch. I don’t want to ruin my day.”
“Then don’t.”
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page. I want you to come in to school tomorrow so we can bring you up to speed, all right? I’d like my coach to get with the program. The one he’s supposed to have come up with himself.”
There’s a thread of sarcasm in there and it’s so thick that even I’m cringing.
I hear a sigh, a long one. I have a feeling it’s from Mr. Edwards.
“All right, look. The camp doesn’t start until next week. Which means I’ve got time. Just email me the program and I’ll go over it in my own time.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
Nothing except shuffling of feet and I can very well imagine that Mr. Edwards is either clenching his jaw at Richard or scratching his beard in a way that makes other people feel stupid.
“Yeah, I do. Why, haven’t I been clear enough about it in the past?”
“Graham, I’m going to level with you. I’ve known you a long time. You’re my friend, okay? I’m glad to have you back in town. Even though I don’t know how you live in this miserable house or how you’re still alive when you’re such a giant asshole that I want to kill you on a daily basis, I’m happy. But we’re not in high school anymore. Or at least, we’re not the ones going to high school anymore.”
“Yeah, I value our friendship too.”
“Now you listen to me, I’m not going to stand for any more of your bullshit. You show up for the camp, on time, fucking sober, okay?”
“Or what?”
“Or you’re fired. I’m not kidding around. I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve overlooked your drinking on the job, your unprofessional conduct and the fact that you don’t show up or if you do, you show up late. And I don’t want to remind you but I’ve even overlooked what happened back in Connecticut. You were accused of having an affair with a student. A minor, Graham. I know it’s not true. I know that. But it doesn’t matter. It does not look good period. But despite it all, I gave you a fucking job at my school. I risked my reputation for you. Because you’re my friend and I wanted to help you. But it’s time for you to pay me back for that. It’s time for you to pay me back for the favor I did you. Because it was a favor, understand? Don’t make me regret having your back.”
