Playing the Game
By
Sean Gauthie
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CHAPTER 2
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The next morning, Jason's truck once again pulled up to Amanda's house.

"I had a really great time." Amanda smiled as Jason pulled her closer and kissed her deeply.
"Can I call you later?", he asked.
"Sure." She opened her door and climbed out.

They exchanged good-byes and Amanda watched as Jason pulled away. She had just had the most wonderful night of her life. So, she did what every normal teenage girl would do after something like that. She headed straight for her phone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About a month later, football fever had once again taken over the Westdale campus, and the now 6-0 Westdale Warriors were battling the 5-1 Lincoln Knights. It was almost half time, and the warriors led 21-14 with a minute left. Jason tossed a short pass to Nick, who caught the ball along the sidelines. Nick's foot had just barely landed out of bounds, when, from out of nowhere, one of the opposing players came charging, and drove his shoulder into him. Nick was launched into the opposing team's bench. Nick got up, ignoring the taunts of the players, and attacked the guy who hit him.

"What the $#@& is your problem man?" Nick pushed the guy, who wore number fifty-six.
The other guy pushed back. "I don't have a problem man. What's yours, can't take a hit."
"Yeah I can take a hit, legal ones!" Nick, now enraged, grabbed the guy's facemask and wrestled him to the ground.

It was now that everyone came to break it up, and it was Joey who ended up pulling his teammate from the fray.

"What the hell are you doing man!" He was barely able to keep Nick from wrestling free.
"I'm trying to kick that guy's @$$." Nick was trying his hardest to get away from the large arms that held him.

Jason came running.

He grabbed Nick by the facemask. "Let it go Nick! It's over, you're not helping the team any..."

Nick looked at his friend with angry eyes. "I'm gonna get that jerk."
"You're not doing anything, you hear me! It's over!" Jason was furious. He had never seen his friend lose control like this before.

While the players were arguing, the refs signaled that Nick had been ejected from the game. This infuriated him even more.

"What! What about him?" Nick shouted as he was led off the field by his teammates.
Coach walked up to him. "Shut up Benson. I hope you know you just hurt your team by acting like a child. Not only are you out of this game, but you're also out next game too. I hope you're proud of yourself boy. Get the hell out of my sight."

Nick slammed his helmet into the side of the water container, knocking it over. He cursed himself continually as he headed for the lockers.

Jason walked up to Neilson. "Forty-two seconds left Coach. What do you want to run?"
Neilson looked down at his clipboard. "Okay…run a twenty-two sweep right. Tell Trey to get his butt out of bounds. We don't have any more time outs."

Jason nodded his head and ran onto the field. He reached the huddle and filled in the rest of the players on what the play was going to be. The cadence was called, and the ball hiked. Jason spun around and tossed it into Trey's waiting arms. He hit the corner, and turned up field. Suddenly, a linebacker came lunging at him. His helmet crushed into Trey's leg. He yelled in pain as the popping sound of a bone breaking filled his ears. His eyes filled with tears of agony, but his heart was still as determined as ever. Pulling away from the linebacker, he hobbled his way to the out of bounds marker and dived over it, stopping the clock. The pain became too much for him, and he collapsed to the ground. His teammates came running as they heard his cries of pain, but were held back by the coaches and doctors that now surrounded him.

Coach Neilson knelt beside his fallen star. "You're gonna be alright son. Just keep still and let them help you."

Trey's eyes were filled with terror, and his teeth were gritted together. All around him, players from both sides, were kneeling down in prayer for the injured. A few minutes later, an ambulance made it's way onto the field, and Trey was helped into it, bringing cheers from the crowd. Order was soon restored, and the game continued. Forty seconds later, as the whistle blew signaling halftime, an attempted field goal sailed wide right, as the warriors failed to put any points on the board.

Inside the locker room, Jason sat alone. He wanted so badly to just leave, without finishing the game, without anything, and go see Trey. Jason looked up just in time to see Nick passing by across the room. He was now fully dressed, and looked over at Jason. He said nothing, only lowered his head in shame, and walked on. Jason's eyes hit the floor as well.

"You okay son?" Coach Neilson plopped down next to him.
"Not really coach." Jason didn't even raise an eye at him.
"Look son, when you've been around football for as long as I have, you see some tragic stuff. Now, I know you're scared, maybe even terrified about what's happened tonight. What you've got to ask yourself now is, do you give up and quit on your teammates, who need you now more than ever. Or, do you continue playing the game?" Coach rose to his feet. "Think about it. When you've come up with your answer, I'll be waiting on the field."

Jason continued to stare at the floor as Coach Neilson walked away. In his head, he pondered the question. It would be so easy to just quit, like Neilson said. But, in his heart, he knew only one answer. He reached for his helmet, and strode out to the field.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day, after practice, Jason went to visit his friend in the hospital. After a little searching, he finally found his room. He knocked a couple times before entering. He thought a smile would be great for a moment like this, but the sight of Trey lying in bed with a huge cast on his leg, and a look of sorrow on his face, quickly ended that thought.

"Hey." It was the only word that came to mind as he approached the bed.
"Hey", Trey replied sadly.
"How you doing?"
"Never better", Trey replied sarcastically.
"So uh…what'd they say…about you leg?"
Trey's eyes lowered. "They said that uh…they said…that I'll never be able to play football again."

Jason couldn't think of anything to say.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do man. Without football…how the hell am I gonna make a living?"
Jason looks at Trey confused. "What are you talking about man? There are plenty of things you can do."
"No there isn't. Paying football is the only thing I'm good at. Without that scholarship, there's no way I'm gonna get into a college with my grades. How the hell am I supposed to support a family like this?"
Jason lowers his head. "I guess…you'll just have to hold off starting a family, at least until you get yourself in order."
Trey shakes his head. "It's too late for that man."
Jason raises his head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Chanel's pregnant."
The shock hits Jason like a tidal wave. "Why…why didn't you say anything?"
"Yeah right, Coach would have my ass if he found out I got a girl pregnant." Trey's frustrated gaze turns away from his friend.

Jason looks at his troubled friend. He wishes there was something, anything that he could say or do to ease his pain, but nothing came to him.

"I'm sorry man…I really don't know what to say. But…I promise you…I won't leave you hangin man. You're my friend, and I'll never forget that."
Trey turned to him and smiled. "Yeah I know. You just make sure you get that scholarship and make it to the pros okay."
Jason leaned over and gave him a hug. "You got it man."

Jason turned to leave.

"Hey, what happened in the game?"
Jason looked over his shoulder and smiled. "We won, 63-17."

Trey grinned and Jason left.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later that day, Jason was sitting at home watching some TV, when his phone rang.

He picked it up. "Hello?"
"Jason, we got a problem." Joey's voice sounded serious.
"What is it Joey?"
"It's Nick."
Jason sighed. He hadn't spoken to Nick since the game. "What about him?"
"He and a couple of guys went over to Lincoln after practice. They jumped that guy, the one Nick fought with. I heard they messed him up pretty bad. I heard he had to be taken to the hospital.
Jason was pissed. "I'll take care of it. Just keep it quiet for now."
"Sure. Man, I don't know what's gotten into him. He never used to be like this."
Jason let out a deep sigh. "Yeah I know. I'm going now."
"Alright, bye." Joey hung up.

Jason slammed the phone down and hurried out to his truck.

A few minutes later, Jason pulled up to Nick's house. He noticed that the van Nick had recently bought was gone, but he didn't let that stop him from at least checking. He strode up to the front door and knocked. After a few seconds, a woman answered the door.

She had a surprised look on her face. "Jason! It's been so long since I've seen you. How have you been?"
"I'm fine Ms. Benson. Is Nick around?"
Her eyes suddenly looked saddened. "No, Nick hasn't returned home since he left this morning for practice."
Jason was a little worried. "Is every thing alright Ms. Benson. You seem a little…I don't know…worried."
She sighed. "It's Nick…I think he's…on drugs."
Jason's heart stopped. "What…how…how do you know?"
"Wait here, and I'll show you." Ms. Benson disappeared from the door.

Jason paced about the porch. His head was swirling. His best friend, the guy he's known since they were in diapers, was on drugs. No, he couldn't believe it, he wouldn't. There had to be some other explanation. Ms. Benson returned with something in her hand.

"This morning, after he left, I was putting his clothes away, and I found this." She opened her hand and there inside, was a tiny plastic bag filled with a white powder-like substance.
Jason was shocked. "Are you…are you sure that it's um…what I think it is?"
Her hand once again closed around the package. "Yeah…I already tasted it to make sure."

Jason turned away and leaned on the railing of the porch.

"Talk to him Jason. You're his best friend, he'll listen to you. Get my boy off this stuff." Tears began to stream down her face.

Jason turned and held her as she cried.

"I'll do everything I can Ms. Benson. I promise."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About an hour later, Jason sped down the highway. In front of him was Nick's van. It took a while, but he had finally tracked his friend down. He sped up and pulled up beside the van. He looked over at Nick, who waved back. Jason motioned for him to pull over, and Nick acknowledged it with a nod. A few seconds later, the vehicles had pulled safely off to the side of the road. Jason climbed out of his truck and quickly walked up to Nick as he climbed out of his van.

"What's up Jason. Where you been?" Nick was obviously high.
"What the hell are you doing Nick?"
"What are you talkin about, I'm goin home."
Jason was furious. "You're high aren't you. What the hell are you driving for, you wanna get killed or something."
Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I feel fine man."
"Really? I bet that guy from Lincoln wouldn't say that. Actually, I don't think he's saying anything at all right now."
"Oh come on man, we only roughed him up a little. Besides, he's the one who started it."
"Bullshit Nick! He called you a name. A #@$@# name and you put him in a hospital. Doesn't that seem a little extreme to you? You could have killed him!"

Nick lowered his head and remained silent.

"What the hell has gotten into you Nick. Is it the dope you're on? Is that what's been making you act like this?" Jason glared at him.
Nick eyes rose in a hurry. "What? What are you talkin about man, I ain't on no drugs."
"Dammitt Nick, don't lie to me. Your mom found the bag. She showed it to me when I went over there looking for you."
Nick's face hardened. "I swear to you man, I'm not on any drugs. I was just holding onto it for a friend.
Jason sighed in disgust. "How come I don't believe you Nick. How come, for the first time since we were babies playing in my backyard, I don't believe you."
"I'm not lying."

Jason lowered his eyes for a second, then returned them to Nick's.

"Fine, if you're so sure that you're telling the truth. Look into my eyes and tell me. Look into your best friends eyes, the guy who has always been there for you no matter what kind of trouble you got yourself into. Look into my eyes, and honestly tell me that you're not on drugs."

Jason stared into his eyes. In them, he could see sorrow and fear. Nick didn't have to say a thing. Jason knew he couldn't do it. He couldn't tell him that he wasn't on the drugs, because he was, and had been for almost a month now.

Jason shook his head. "That's what I thought."

Jason turned away from his friend, almost too ashamed to even look at him anymore.

"If you want to kill yourself, go ahead. But if you do, you'll have let down every person who's ever believed in you, including me." Jason walked back to his truck, leaving Nick to contemplate his words.

As he drove off, Nick climbed back into his van and sat there. Overcome with shame, he laid his head on the steering wheel, and cried.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Monday morning came around, and Jason pulled into his usual parking space in the Westdale lot. As he opened his door, Nick's van pulled into the space next to him. Nick climbed out and approached his longtime friend.

"I…uh…I'm sorry…about everything." Nick couldn't even look at him as he spoke.
"It's alright man. Just don't ever let it happen again."
"It won't…I swear. I'm through with that stuff." Nick seemed sincere.
"Are you sure, I mean, you sure you don't need any help or anything?"
"No I'm…I'm okay."

Jason looked at his friend and smiled.

"It's good to have you back man. I'd hate to lose another friend."
Nick nodded. "You're not gonna lose me, man. You're not that lucky."

Jason chuckled at the remark, and hugged his friend.

"I better not. Who else is gonna catch my touchdowns?"
Nick smiled. "Well, there's Trevor."
Jason's face lit up. "Trevor? Please, the guy is slower than my mother."
"Okay, what about Jerome? He's faster than me."
"Jerome couldn't catch a beach ball if it was already in his hands."
"You got a point there."

The two friends joked with each other as they headed off to find their friends.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That night, at around one o'clock, Jason was soundly sleeping, when his bedroom door opened.

"Jason…Jason wake up." His mother's sorrow filled voice awoke him from slumber.
"Mom? What…what is it?" Jason was barely awake.
"It…it's Nick."
Jason sat up. "What…what about him?"
Her eyes lowered, and tears began to form. "He's…he's dead."

Jason made no movement, and his face bore a look of shock.

"They found him in his van. They said it was a drug overdose."

Jason's head lowered and his eyes closed.

"I'm sorry son." Ms. Taylor turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Jason sat in darkness the rest of the night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The funeral was three days later and everyone showed up. The entire football team, except Jason, wore football jerseys bearing the number eighty, which was Nick's number. Jason stood off to one side, away from the others. Amanda sat beside Vanessa, whose crying drowned out the religious words of the attending priest. As the father concluded his reading, and everyone started leaving, Jason strode up to the coffin that contained the lifeless body of his best friend. His eyes were covered by the darkened shades he wore. From under his arm, he pulled out a folded football jersey. He unfolded it, and held it in front of him. Written in green was the name Benson. He carefully laid it over the coffin, and glared at it. Amanda approached him from behind, and took a hold of his hand. Jason looked at her, but showed no emotion.

"You want to leave", she asked.

Jason didn't answer, but started walking towards the truck.

A few minutes later, Jason and Amanda were sitting on the hood of the truck, over looking the town. Amanda was clueless as to where Jason was heading when he pulled out of the cemetery, but had soon figured it out on her own. He wanted go to the place where everything was perfect. The place where nothing went wrong and unhappiness could be escaped. And, as the sun started its decent behind the distant land, Jason spoke for the first time since he found out about Nick.

"He told me that it was going to stop, that he wasn't going to do it anymore." Jason's expression turned angry. "My best friend is dead and all I feel is hatred."
Amanda tried to comfort him. "It's okay."
Jason jumped off the hood. "NO! It's not okay. I hate him for doing this! I hate…I hate…I hate him for leaving me."

Jason collapsed into Amanda's arms in tears. It was the first time he had cried since he lost his brother Paul. Amanda held her broken friend, and let him cry.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Friday came along, and game time commenced as usual, though the excitement would never be quite the same again. As the warriors sat in their locker room, preparing for the battle ahead, their leader, the heart of the team, Jason sat alone in the corner of the room. As he sat, he thought back to what Coach Neilson had told him before. When faced with a tough challenge, you can quit, of continue playing the game. As Neilson called the players together to head out to the field, Jason figured out the hidden meaning in those words. In life, one will face great challenges that will test you, and, you will be left with two choices. Give up, or go on. Quit, or continue playing the game. And, as he strode onto the field, Jason made his choice.

~ END ~