Chapter 5: Career choice and proud Mother

Dan Rose P.O.V (father of Stephen)

Today was a tiring day for me, students think that we don't know what is happening in school but most of the time we know, and when something big like this happens it's very likely that all professor and staff of the schools knows about it. We all knew who was the culprit but since there was no direct proof of what she did the schoolboard won't lift their little finger to do something in my opinion that's plain bullying but for some, it's just a harmless joke... for sure those who think that was bully themself back in their youth. I also saw good people who really care about their students today like Stephen's History teacher and Spanish teacher who asked me how my son was doing and if there was anything they could do, but sadly they were in the minority compared to those who just don't care or those who think it is a joke

The worst thing was that I couldn't do anything to help my son so when he asked me to go home early I thought that I could at least do this much of course I had to warn my wife about this so I called her to tell her what had happened to Steph today and he would be home and won't go back to school good things his exams done because dealing with something like this in exams period wasn't the best, pretty sure his grades would have plummet

I do not hate my job but that wasn't my dream job either recently I was offered the position of assistant coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores the head coach had led this team for more than 20 years already and he was looking for a good replacement for when he would retire me and another guy from Chicago were both offered a job from what I understand he wants one coach for the offense and one for the defense and we will take turn to coach offense and defense but on games day he will be the one calling the shot this means he wants to evaluate us our training method and how are we coping with higher level athletes.

I hadn't talked about this to my wife yet but I had already accepted the offer I was just waiting for this season to end also next year Stephen would be able to drive himself to school so I wouldn't need to drive him so nothing was stopping me to leave this school. As soon as he turned fifteen I took him to get his learner permit in order to move to the Intermediate Restricted License step he must have a learner permit for 180 days and 50 hours of practice driving with at least 10 hours of night driving with someone over 21 of course even if he hadn't driven for 50 hours we as parents were the one to sign the paper to say he has done it and I've let my son drive more than once and he was a good driver so I wasn't worried about letting him get his license.

I was a little sad to leave the team I had been coaching for the last 10 years but I knew they would be fine with Terrence, the only person besides me to know that I would be leaving at the end of the baseball season we've been friends for more than 25 years, we can even say we've been Best friends for 25 years so he was sad to see me leave but I could see he was also happy to finally have the chance to be the head coach and Stephen would have his Godfather here to keep an eye on him when I'll leave which was the biggest reason why I wasn't worried about leaving my current job. But my pride as a coach wasn't allowing me to think about anything besides my current job which was why I was sitting in my office with Terrence looking through the film from the last game we had played

'' So you really made up your mind Dan?'' asked me Terrence

''Shut up don't talk about this now we still have the state championship to take care of and that will be the last time I'll lead the team for the Music City Classic you'll be by yourself, Terry'' I told Terrence still looking at the television in front of me taking notes every now and then when I spotted something that could be improved on

''Humph do I need to remind you that I was coaching the Varsity junior team before you convinced me to come coach the Varsity team with you'' said Terry 

''You know very well that the game isn't the same even if it's just one level behind but I don't worry about you. I know you'll be just fine, talking about the Varsity junior team I'm sure the school offered you the Head coach position didn't they, how did they react when you refused?'' I asked him I was really curious about this

'' Well I may have hinted to them that I wanted your job hahaha they must be thinking that we got into a fight and I want to steal your job, you know Larry never liked you since you stole the love of his life hahaha the only thing he said was good luck but I could see in his scheming eyes that he will try something to get you laid off from the head coach position''

'' Hahahaha let him be I'm sure you're right he must be running left and right calling for favors or promising things he can't give to innocent people to get me fired oh I wish I could see his face when he realizes that his efforts were all for naught'' I said laughing my ass off just thinking about it

''I can always ask Lucy if we want insider information hahaha'' said Terry with a cheeky grin

''You'll never change you should really think about getting a wife men, we don't grow younger you know. Anyway that's it for me today I need to go home or my wife will kill me on the spot'' I said while turning off the TV and grabbing my car keys that were on my desk

'' Good luck Bro'' said Terry when I was walking through the door I didn't turn around I just held my hand over my head and waved at him while continuing my walk toward the parking lot

Catherine Rose P.O.V

After dinner, Stephen and I were watching a movie but halfway through it, I could see Stephen was having a hard time keeping his eyes open so I just told him to go to sleep. He didn't let me say it twice he just stood up kissed me goodnight then went right to his room, going to bed at 8 will make him wake up early but since he tired himself that much today maybe he'll just sleep until tomorrow night I thought

It really wasn't an easy day for him but I'm also glad it happened my son seems to have grown a lot today not physically but in maturity the fact that he finally decided to play baseball was probably the best news I heard this year Finally he is taking thing into his own hand and stopped caring about what will others peoples thoughts even if he can't play on his high school team there was a load of amateurs league around here, he can enjoy the sport he loves without worry but if my son is like his dad he won't be satisfied with this, of course, as her mother I would never tell him that he can't do it I'll be there for him if he succeed and even more so if he fail 

Looking at the clock hanging on my office wall I could read 8:34 I know Stephen told me that Dan would be late today but it was rare for him not to be home this late maybe I should call him to check on him I thought taking my phone in my hand just as I was about to dial his number a flash of light passed through my window only I car pulling into the driveway could do this pulling the curtains apart to look at our driveway I was right Dan had just pulled his car into the garage

I closed my PC and walked to the kitchen to make myself some tea the door that led to our garage was right in the dining room area, 'having direct access to the garage is really convenient' I thought. 

''IM HO....'' start yelling my husband as soon as he steps into the house

''SHHHHHH Stephen is sleeping'' I said to him a little bit annoyed by his antics who in their right mind would shout this loud when it is this late into the evening 

''Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know... wait what! why is he sleeping at this hour did you punish him Dear?'' asked me, Dan, with a puzzled look on his face

''Who do you take me for why would I punish him he didn't do anything wrong he could have just left school without telling us anything but he went to you and asked for permission to leave, as a mother I'm proud of our son I'm sure its not all children who would be this considerate toward their parents and would just act on their impulsive thought and leave school without a word'' I said to my husband

''You are right, he almost always makes the most logical and safe choices if it was me in his place I would have left in a heartbeat without caring about anything else, he clearly got this from you Honey'' Dan said while hugging me from behind with his chin resting on my shoulder

'' Okay enough tell me what you have to say'' I asked him I knew my husband well enough to know that with the way he was acting right now, he had something to tell me but wasn't sure how to go about it 

''Sigh, I can't hide anything from you I got a job offer I couldn't refuse so at the end of this baseball season I will resign from my current job at Stephen High School'' said Dan 

''WHAT!'' I exclaim loudly before putting a hand in front of my mouth realizing I had spoken louder than necessary with Stephen still sleeping upstairs

''In fact, we will be colleagues starting next year I got approached by the current Head Coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores I'll be one of the two new Assistant coaches it's a chance for me the pay is also a lot more attractive and it can lead me to coach at a higher level, so I took it I gave them my answer this morning'' said Dan with excitement

''That's wonderful, I'm proud of you love it's just sad that you can't be there with Stephen next year'' Dan didn't know I was talking about the fact that Stephen had chosen to play baseball I wonder how he would react when he learned about it (giggles)

'' Stephen will be alright and with the 'gift' your dad bought for him neither of us will need to drive him to school I'm just worried about his social life with everything that happened today, next year won't be easier for him but Terry will be there for him so it's not like he will have nobody to talk to'' Dan said walking to the fridge and opening himself a beer

''Our son is stronger than he looks he'll be fine and he probably learned his lesson now I'm sure the friends he will make next year will stick with him just like you and Terry did back in the days'' I said to my husband thinking about how Stephen looked tonight I knew he was ready to fully come out of his shell I'm sure he'll make plenty of friends next year 

'' You talk like he will suddenly change and make some friends, you sure more optimist than me Honey'' said Dan clearly skeptical about what I just said

''Events like today change a person, Dan. I'm telling you don't underestimate our son or you'll be in for a rude awakening later'' I said looking at him with a little anger showing on my face

''I truly hope you are right, Love. I really hope so'' he said before climbing the stairs probably going into the shower

'You don't need to hope for this since I'm sure of it' I thought sipping on my tea and imagining the future of my son