The Suprise Visit written by Jimmy

 

The Surprise Visit

 

 

by Jimmy

 

 

Logan was sitting with Jayden, the pair eagerly looking at their roster for the following year.

It is the end of school, the school year is over and Logan is graduating. Jayden is a bit misty eyed but he tries to hide it. Even Logan Krueger isn’t as charismatic as his usual self. Most of the team is leaving their halls. All that will be staying are Gino, Jayden, and Logan; and he as their coach. Logan is in an accelerated program that he started his senior year. He wishes to be a wrestling coach…sometimes.

“I want Oliver and I want your cousin Junior on the team,” Jayden points out putting two names on the white board along with their photos. “That’s only four at the moment but…”

The door swings open startling the pair as they look over the photos and names of other possibilities.

In walks Doug, he looks angry and aggressive. Doug and Jayden are not friends, and frequently have quarreled. Most of the time, Jayden has won their fights but that does not stop him from rising to his feet, his dark intelligent eyes locked on Doug’s. Doug is holding a set of papers in his hands, but in addition there is someone in front of him. Jayden recognizes this individual too, he is the coach at Midtown, the other High School in Bartlet.

“You could knock” Logan starts but stops as the coach is coming towards him hand extended. He’s a burly man in his late forties, a friend of his father, or so he always says.

“Krueger, I heard about your internship. And you’re hiring on as the interim coach here at Bartlet and I have come to share some great news with you,” Coach Ronnie Anderson says clearing his throat. “I’ll be taking over here at Bartlet as Head Coach.”

The air seems to leave the room, and Jayden gasps softly, his eyes immediately torn to look at Logan. Logan’s smiling, but his blue eyes are trying to rage in the growing storm.

“I have a contract…”

“You did, then the Bartlet Community put in to have a new Midtown High School built which will take the summer and then some. In the meantime we will be condensing all sports teams. It will be a tight ship and—” Coach Ronnie Anderson turns to look at the white board with four names and photos. “It looks like you’ll need some new boys to fill out your roster. And not to worry, I can do just that.”

Jayden Gomez’s heart is hammering in his chest, a slight sweat breaks out at his brow and he still can’t take his eyes off of Logan Kruger, his coach, his friend. This was all supposed to be his.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still keep you Krueger. You’ll make a great second assistant coach. I’ll have my assistant show you the ropes, and how things are to be done around here.”

Coach Ronnie Anderson smiles, and it’s not a warm one. The office feels colder and just as Jayden thinks that this can’t get any worse he keeps on talking. “In addition, we will need only one wrestling captain. I have heard that you already presented the younger Gomez as captain, and frankly that was a bit…premature. I’ll have special tryouts for this position along with your other…candidates.” Coach Ronnie Anderson picks up a photo of Gino and Junior, huffs and places them face down on the desk.

Logan’s eyes have narrowed now and he is not shrinking down to this man and steps up nice and close, “I have earned the right to be Coach—”

“And you will be, my assistant. My assistant to my assistant...it's practically the same thing.”

Coach Ronnie Anderson turns to leave and as he does so he tells Doug, “Go on and tape that to the door so that everyone knows when tryouts are. Hope to see you on the mats Gomez…if you are still interested in wrestling...oh and Logan? Tell Bradley that I say hello, it's been too long since I have seen the little rascal.” Coach Ronnie Anderson chuckles but nothing seems to light in his cold eye stare as he focuses in on Logan. A moment later he is gone.

Before the door closes, Doug catches the paper and tapes it on the door, right over the nameplate Coach Krueger. Turning Doug points a finger directly at Jayden. “You’re going down.”

The door closes and Jayden turns to Logan and states the obvious question “What are we going to do?”

“We are going to wrestle Jayden, and take back what’s ours.” Logan grabs Jayden’s shoulder roughly and squeezes his muscle. “This is our gym, not Midtown’s and if they are coming to take it…we will show them how we fight for it.”

Jayden beams, “I’ll take down Doug…I’ve beaten him before, and I can do it again.” Jaden turns over the photos on his desk of his brother, not the best wrestler and the eager Junior who is showing such promise. Oliver Jackson a wild card that he doesn’t really know too well yet, but who still deserves a spot. “And I will make my team, my way.”

 

 

To be continued…