23 Part 18

I quietly opened the rear door of the gymnasium and stepped in easing the door shut. The entire student body had their backs to me facing the stage, Ms. Carter as usual was addressing the students. This was an annual assembly that regarding the entire school having to take the State Standardized Testing which they administered every year. It took a couple of minutes before she realized that I was standing on the back wall, she smiled in my direction, then went back to her address to the students. By now several students had turned in my direction, whispering to their neighbors to look back. A few more minutes passed, then finally Ms. Carter finished her instructions to the students. She paused slightly, then smiled leaning forward again into the microphone.

"Before I dismiss you to your respective classes, I have to say something to all of you. We have a visitor here today, a surprise even to me, which as you know, I am never surprised.", she stated.

"Please help me welcome a fellow student, State Football Champion and now a member of the Louisiana National Football Championship team, Mr. Brian Stevens.", she announced, pointing in my direction.

The students applauded as Ms. Carter motioned for me to join her on stage. I wave my hand back and forth in a negative manner, I did not want to go up in front of everyone. Ms. Carter would have none of my excuses.

"Mr. Stevens, you're in my school now, I can still give you a detention after school. Now get up here.", she exclaimed.

The entire gymnasium exploded into laughter, heckling and hooting at her last remark. I had no choice, I was stuck. I set my two large duffle bags on the floor against the wall and made my way up the center isle. I rounded the stage and climbed the steps and met Ms. Carter halfway to the podium. I bent down and gave her the customary hug we always shared whenever we ran into each other.

Coach Mike was right behind her with his hug and congratulations on the National Championship victory, I could see he genuinely meant it.

Ms. Carter whispered to me, urging me to say a few words to the students. I tried to decline, but you couldn't tell Ms. Carter no, she simply wouldn't accept it. I stepped to the microphone slowly, trying to collect my thoughts.

"Thank you Ms. Carter, Coach Mike, I appreciate the way you always make me feel at home here. But I really didn't plan on this, I just came to borrow Ash… uh…Ms. Thompson's car so I could get home.", I started.

The entire gym exploded into laughter, everyone looking in Ashley's direction, whom I finally noticed was sitting on the far left middle of the gym. Ms. Carter stepped up next to me and leaned into the microphone once more.

"Brian, please tell the students how it feels to be a National Champion, how college has affected you to this point.", she stated.

"I feel blessed, so very blessed for what I have been given both as an athlete and as a student thus far in my life. Growing up I have been so very fortunate to play football for outstanding coaches. First my Father, then Coach Mike, and lastly my college coaches.", I started.

I turned and looked back at both Ms. Carter and Coach Mike for a moment, they were both grinning ear to ear. I turned back to the students who were eagerly listening.

"For the guys sitting in this gym right now, who are fortunate to be playing for Coach Mike, don't take a moment of your time here for granted. I wouldn't be where I am at today if not for Coach Mike, what he taught me, the work ethic he instilled in me. As far as college goes, being a student athlete is the hardest thing I have ever done. You never have a chance to rest, you're either in class, studying or practicing. It's relentless, but it's all worth it in the end.", I said.

I then turned again and looked in the direction of Ms. Carter, who was standing behind me with her arms folded.

"Is that enough so I avoid the detention Ms. Carter ?", I asked.

The entire room once again exploded in laughter, everyone clapping in unison as the principle stepped over taking over the microphone from me.

"Yes Mr. Stevens, you're excused.", she replied.

She then quieted the students down and instructed them to go back to their respective classes, they had ten minutes to report to their teachers. I stepped off the stage as Ashley walked over and hugged me gently, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey hotshot, it's good to see you.", she said, stepping back quickly.

She instructed me to follow her to her classroom so she could give me her car keys. I followed Ashley out of the gymnasium and down the hall towards her class. On the way we ran into Stephanie Jenson, the new teacher at school, whom Ashley had over at our home last Christmas. Ashley once again introduced me to her, she looked even better than the last time we had met. We exchanged small talk for a second, then moved along to Ashley's classroom. She handed me her car keys, telling me she would get a ride home with Stephanie, I didn't need to come back to get her.

I drove home, unpacked and as usual began laundry detail. It took several hours, but I finished everything, put all the clothes away and decided to take a nap. It was close to five o'clock when I finally got up, Ashley still wasn't home. I went to the family room, turned on the TV and began watching a movie. I guess it was about thirty minutes later, Ashley came through the back door, announcing in her sultry voice that she was home.

"Hey Brian, what do you have planned for tonight ?", she asked.

"Nothing, I am staying home and relaxing.", I answered.

"Oh, ok... Well Stephanie and I are going to the movie's and out to eat after, you want to join us ?", she inquired.

As much as a night out with two beautiful women could be a much needed distraction from the hectic pace I had led for the past few months, I just wasn't up to it.

"No thanks, I am going to hang out here.", I responded.

"Ok, suit yourself.", she said, heading for her bedroom.

I heard the water running in the back bathroom, Ashley was in the shower. I was watching TV about thirty minutes later when she walked into the family room. She looked absolutely stunning, I had to look twice. She had on a very short black skirt, a very sheer white button down the front blouse, with black high heels. When she passed close to me, I could smell her fragrance, it lingered in the air, clean, fresh and intoxicating. She sat down looking at her watch, then glancing at the TV. Maybe fifteen minutes later, Stephanie blew her horn as she pulled into the driveway. Ashley jumped up, waved a quick goodbye and rushed out of the backdoor.

I laid around for a few hours watching TV, not much was on. I was just about to call it quits, when I ran across a program on the Sports Network pertaining to this year's draft class. I decided to watch for a while, maybe get some useful information. As is usual with programs of this nature, the glamour positions such as quarterback, running back, and wide receiver get top billing. Finally after about two hours, they got around to the defensive side of the ball. As I had been told, there was definitely a lack of pure quality pass rushers in this draft class. In fact after the top two obvious choices, they made mention of several underclassmen that might declare. I sat up startled as my name was mentioned, several highlights of the National Championship game was shown, especially the last defensive play I had made. Two of the three analysts on the show felt that if I declared, I could possibly be a late first round draft choice. They all agreed that while even young, I had a tremendous upside, and they thought I had the tools to play in the pro's. I watched for about thirty more minutes then decided to go and take a shower.

I took about a fifteen minute, long, hot shower. The water felt really good, bringing me back to life. As I got out the shower, I noticed I had forgotten to grab a tee shirt out of my drawer. I dried off, put my shorts on, brushed my teeth and walked to the laundry room to toss in the towels and dirty clothes. I stopped in the kitchen to pour a glass of tea before heading back to my room. I had just put the pitcher back into the refrigerator, when the back door opened , both Ashley and Stephanie walking into the kitchen. There was no where to go, I was trapped, just standing there in workout shorts and no shirt.

"Jesus Christ, this boy is some kind of fine.", giggled Stephanie, to Ashley, "Any way you can hook me up ?"

Ashley look at her friend kind of funny, grinning, but it was an uncomfortable one at best. She mumbled something back to her friend, I was not sure what she said.

"I'm sorry Ashley, I just got out of the shower, I forgot my tee shirt.", I said, extremely embarrassed.

"Oh honey, you don't need a shirt on my account. I could look at you all day and night. I have never seen muscles like that in person.", laughed Stephanie.

I excused myself quickly and went into my room and grabbed a tee shirt out of the drawer. I went back towards the family room and grabbed my normal spot on the sofa. Ashley and Stephanie stayed in the kitchen whispering back and forth quietly, I couldn't make out what they were talking about but they were obviously enjoying themselves. I decided to call it a night, turned off the TV and went to bed, it didn't take me to long to drift off.

I woke up Saturday morning early, it was about seven o'clock, I laid in bed for a few minutes listening to see if Ashley was up but I heard nothing. I got up, dressed, then left the house and drove into town. I stopped at the local diner and had breakfast, everyone was congratulating me on the big win. I finished breakfast, drove across town to the gym and stopped in to see Carl, as I always did. As usual the gym owner was already on the floor instructing people, answering questions, making sure things ran smoothly. He smiled as soon as he saw me crossing the floor towards him, excusing himself from his student.

"Well if it isn't one of my star pupils, great job in the big game, I saw every play.", he said, shaking my hand.

"Thank you Carl, I really appreciate it, we were very fortunate.", I answered.

We talked for a few more minutes, he offered me the use of his facilities while I was in town, as he always did, then excused himself back to his client. I left the gym, drove back across town to my house, it was close to ten o'clock when I got home. Ashley was up, drinking coffee in the kitchen as I walked in. She asked what my plans were for the day, although I really didn't have any. I really only had one thing, I really wanted to do before I left town. I went back into my room and unzipped the large duffel bag I had brought home with me from school. In it was all the gear we had been given before, during and after the National Championship game. As I sorted through the many shirts, shoes and warm ups, finally coming across the items, I had been searching for. I had been issued two jersey's for the National Championship game, I had worn one, the other was my backup. Each jersey was specifically cut for my size, my name and number embroidered on the back with the National Championship patch on the front of the jersey. I was intending to have the one I wore in the game framed and mounted for myself, the extra one I wanted to give to Mr. Timmons. Especially after he had so graciously given me his watch at Christmas time. I also had thrown a few pair of cleats in my bag, I fished out the shoes I had worn on the game, white tape still wrapped around both mid shoe areas for support. I took both the jersey and the shoes and went back into the kitchen. Ashley was still in the kitchen cleaning up as I tossed the shoes and jersey on the table. She turned and looked in my direction.

"What ya doing ?', she asked.

"I am going to give this jersey and the shoes I wore in the National Championship game to Courtney's Dad. Do you have a Sharpie around here anywhere ?", I answered.

"Yes I think I do, be right back.", she said, going back to her room.

She reappeared a minute or so later with three different colored permanent markers in her hand. She offered me all three, I chose the basic black one. I laid the jersey across the table carefully so that the number 99 was smooth and flat across the back.

"Is that a jersey from the Championship Game ?", Ashley asked.

"Yes, it is.", I answered.

"You don't want to keep that for yourself ?", she asked, rather strangely.

"It's not the jersey I wore in the game, it was my backup, I have the game worn jersey in my room.", I responded.

"Oh…well…. alright.", she stated, sounding disappointed.

"Is something wrong Ashley ?", I asked her.

"Well…. Uh…. I don't want to…..never mind."