AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know, but it’s okay. I can always hope they trade me if it doesn’t go well.”
“Oh, God, get real,” Clare cried. “You’re moving to Detroit, the land of ice and snow, to be a success. Not to get traded.”
“I don’t think Oliver’s heart is in it,” Charlie said, laughing.
“It’s fine. I’ve got my dream. Just be happy for me that it wasn’t the Eagles. Add another two hours’ flying time to get from San Diego to Philadelphia.”
Joanne was devastated, but she tried to make the best of it. Her mind was made up. She was not moving to Detroit even if he gave her an engagement ring, and it didn’t appear that was going to happen either.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Oliver whispered. “Everything okay?”
“Detroit.”
“Yeah, sorry. But I’m psyched. Two guys from San Diego play for Detroit. I’ll hook up with them when I get there.”
“When is that?” Joanne asked, getting the countdown started in her head.
It was sooner than they thought. Getting picked meant Oliver had to leave school, but would be able to finish up online. The rookies were flown into Detroit, picked up at the airport, and escorted to a hotel close to the practice facility. His roommate there was former UCLA linebacker Jim Cleveland, who had been drafted in the second round.
After unloading everything at the hotel, they then headed over to the brand-new practice facility on a shuttle filled with excited and anxious NFL hopefuls ready to embark on this voyage. Oliver was so excited, he’d never been out of California, and Detroit was exactly what he expected: gritty urban sprawl.
As they pulled into the parking lot of the training center, there were dozens of die-hard fans waiting at the entrance gate, holding welcome signs, hoping to get their first look at the newest rookies. At the entrance of the building, there was a large sign stretched across that readDefend the Den!
Oliver was in awe as they were greeted by coaches, staff and legendary team members. Having the chance to meet real legends of the game was an unbelievable experience and solidified the significance of what he was about to embark upon. Playing football with the Detroit Lions.
***
It didn’t take him long at all to get acclimated. He immediately bonded with his teammates, especially Jim Cleveland, who was also from Southern California. The next summer weeks were crazy busy with practice, and then finally the first game with Arizona, a tie. The second game Jim hurt his shoulder, but they won, and during the third, another win, Oliver got knocked in the head with such force that he passed out for a minute.
The fourth game, they lost to Kansas City. The fifth, they beat the Giants, but Oliver got hit in the head again.
“Every time you get hit, we win,” Coach Clark teased. “Do you think you can keep it up?”
His parents saw one of the hits on TV, but also saw him get up and get back into the game after a break.
“Are they letting him back into the game?” cousin Joey’s wife, a doctor, had asked Joey. “I think they’re supposed to do a neuro check before they let him play again.”
So the next time Joey saw his uncle Charlie, who was also his boss at Fire Station #34, he asked about Oliver’s head.
“I’ll call him,” Charlie said, concerned. “It’s like his big head keeps getting in the way.”
So when he had a chance, Charlie called Oliver’s mother, now his ex-wife, and shared his concerns.
“Oh God, I hope they’re not breaking any rules. Can you do a conference call with him? I don’t want to call him and have to repeat everything he says to you.”
“Thanks, Clare,” Charlie said, shaking his head. “Hang up and I’ll call you after I see if he’s free to talk.”
Answering the call from his father, Oliver was free to talk. However, when he found out it would be a three-way call with his worried mother, he’d change the subject quickly.
“I think I’m going to get a dog,” Oliver said into the phone after allaying their fears. “Jim wants to get one, too.”
“How can you get a dog when you’re gone all the time?” Clare asked.
“The wife of one of the guys dog sits. They have a huge fenced yard with a heated dog kennel. And I won’t be gone all the time. Even if I play all twenty games, they’re not all away, and if they are, I’ll be gone three days tops.”
“But that means you’re never coming home again. A dog is like a kid. You see your father with the dogs. He doesn’t even like to take too long in the bathroom.”
“That’s not true,” Charlie said, embarrassed.
