It Emptied Us Read online

  Jeff’s mom dropped off he and Tim at the party. Ike’s backyard was packed with kids. The smell of cigarettes filled the night. Tim saw that almost everyone he knew from West was already there. They hung out on one side of Ike’s yard while many unfamiliar faces turned to face Tim and Joe from the other side. Most of the Easties had beers. Some smoked. There was also a new smell hanging about. Some of the Easties smoked joints. Tim and Joe exchanged glances as if to say, “What the hell have we gotten into?” but moved through the crowd toward the music blasting from two huge speakers. There was Ike, and he had a huge grin on his face and a beer in one hand and burger in the other. He had cases of beer at his feet and joyfully passed them out to anyone who asked. So much for the Westie pledge.

  “Gentlemen, ah gentlemen, here you go. Have yourselves a cold one. What a night!”

  Ike handed two beers to Tim and Jeff.

  “No thanks, Ike.” Tim took the two beers and gave them to two Eastie girls. “What about the pledge?” Tim looked at his friend.

  “It’s a new year, boys. Stop being dramatic. You knew this night would come. Andy, Jeff, you take one.”

  Ike extended a beer to Jeff. He took it and then handed it back to Ike.

  “I’ll pass too, Ike. No thanks.” Jeff shook his head as he and Tim moved off. They grabbed a burger and some water. “We’ll be over there, Ike. Thanks for having us.”

  Tim waved back. Ike lifted a beer above his head and two Westie girls asked for beers and Ike obliged.

  Tim and Jeff moved off, saying hello to their Westie friends. Some ate burgers or hot dogs, but a bunch drank beers and some of them smoked, probably for the first time. Jeff noticed a couple Westies huddled with some Easties. The smell of weed drifted through the party. It was kind of hard to ignore.

  “What a scene!”

  It was the unmistakable laughter of Andy Jones who grabbed Tim from behind and wrestled him to the ground. As he straddled Tim, Andy pounded him with fake punches. Jeff jumped on top of the two friends and tried to pry Andy off the helpless and hapless Tim. The three laughed in hysterics and Easties and Westies ran over to make a circle around the three. Laughter erupted from everyone when Tim jammed his right knee into

  Andy’s crotch, just hard enough to make Andy roll off. Tim then jumped on Andy.

  “Get off me, you bastard! You win, you win!” Tim rolled off and Andy and Jeff lay on the ground and the crowd smiled to see such great friends. It was the unofficial signal to everyone that the gap between Eastie and Westie was bridged. Ike jacked up the rock music. Everyone leaped in unison to the blare of heavy metal. This was now the new sophomore class of Beaumont High School.

  “Here we are! Three of the best football players this town has ever seen. Can’t wait to play for the Warriors!”

  Andy clapped Jeff and Tim on the back.

  “Do you think we really have a shot to make varsity? Maybe you guys, but not me. There’s too much talent. I’m too slow anyway.” Jeff laughed. He knew he was a longshot. Still, one could hope.

  “We all have a shot.” Tim looked into Andy’s green eyes. “What do you think?”

  “Tonight, we’re all on varsity. Party!”

  Andy screamed and he dove into another pile of friends. He head-locked one Eastie guy and put his arm around a Westie girl. Tim and Jeff watched their friend and put their arms around each other. This was what it was going to be like for the next three years.

  “So are you going to get me a burger? How long do I have to stand here?”

  Tim turned around and in the dark he saw Donna Wilson walk toward him. She wore frayed, jean shorts and a blue and gold tank top. Her long blond hair was in a ponytail tucked through a Warrior soccer hat. Even though it was dark at the party, her eyes and smile lit the space around her with a golden glow. Tim felt the air leave his chest, again, like it always did when she showed up. They became close friends during freshman year. Tim watched Donna play hockey for the West freshmen. She didn’t so much skate on the ice. She glided around, past, and by would-be defenders. She scored almost at will, just like she did when she joined the soccer team when she moved in at the end of the fall season. Tim thought she was the best athlete in school.

  Donna came to all Tim’s basketball games in the winter and track meets in the spring. She cheered him on when he stole the ball for an easy basket or pulled away from the field at a track meet. They always seemed to be picked up from practice or games at exactly the same time. She teased him mercilessly, and Tim basically took it like a dope. Mrs. Wilson and Coach Joe would exchange glances as Tim and Donna jumped into their cars. But Donna and Tim were just friends. Most people thought of them as a couple, but Donna and Tim never held hands or never kissed. They glowed when they were near each other. Still, when they were together, the Westies, and now the Easties could see their connection. As for Tim, when he saw Donna, Jesus.

  “Didn’t see you there. You snuck up from behind, again. Why do you do that?” Tim laughed. His breathing began to return to normal.

  “Because I know I can. It’s fun to see you try to catch your breath. It’s like you’re all, ‘What light in yonder window breaks?’”

  She loved dropping Shakespeare on Tim since it clearly forced him to grope for some famous line, even if it didn’t quite fit the conversation.

  “Um, me thinks thou protest too much?” It was a lame attempt to keep up with Donna, and of course, Tim knew it. She laughed at him. Tim pushed her shoulder. “Alright. Alright! Enough. Do you want a burger or what?”

  “Me thinks thou protest just enough. Lead on, fair Hamlet.”

  And the two made their way to the grill and grabbed a couple burgers. Tim put on a bit too much ketchup. Donna grabbed extra napkins and held them in front of Tim dramatically.

  “I’m sure you’ll need some of these.”

  She stuck the napkins in her jean shorts. It forced Tim to look down at Donna’s long legs. God.

  A commotion grew over by Ike. And there was Bobby. He raised a beer high over his head.

  “Who wants another? What, do you think we’re going to live forever?”

  A bunch of kids rushed over, and soon, many of them downed beers with Bobby.

  “I’ll take one, you prick!”

  Andy moved over to the commotion and the blaring music and the beers and Bobby. This was the first time the two had been together since the East/West classic. A few kids hesitated when Andy and Bobby stood and faced each other. Just about everyone remembered Andy being carted off after the vicious hit laid on him by Tim and Bobby. He tried to calm everyone down.

  “Take it easy, everyone. I’m fine. It was a clean hit. It was a clean hit, wasn’t it, Bobby?”

  Both eyed each other like two prizefighters.

  “Damn right it was a clean hit.” Bobby stepped closer to Andy. It looked like he was about to draw blood. “Come here, you shit!” Bobby grabbed Andy and twisted him into a headlock. Surprisingly, Andy howled in laughter.

  “All right, all right, enough, you dink!”

  The two grabbed each other in a bear hug. The crowd let out their collective breath, as did Tim and Donna, especially Donna. She saw her twin brother act very differently when things got physical. She really never knew when her brother would pop. She saw him pop way too many times, playing sports, or in the hallways, or anywhere, really. She hated it. Especially back home in Ohio. But Bobby never popped at his sister, and he never, ever popped at his mom. Being in Massachusetts calmed her brother, although no one would have believed it.

  “So, drink up! What the hell?”

  Bobby grabbed another beer from Ike and shoved it at Andy. Andy screwed off the twist top and took a mighty gulp. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Again!” and Andy did.

  They drank all night and soon were plastered. They ambled about Ike’s backyard and jostled with new friends. They stumbled over to Donna and Tim. She took her hands out of her pockets and Tim wiped a bit of ketchup off his shirt.

  “So
Bobby, I see you’ve met Andy. Everything good between you two?”

  Tim remembered the hit he and Bobby laid on Andy at the East/West classic. Tim didn’t speak to Bobby after football season. Bobby went his own way and most times, Tim made sure to go in the opposite direction. Bobby spooked him. He saw Bobby pop a few times and it scared everyone involved. On one occasion, Tim stepped in to break up a fight. Bobby was pissed at some kid for bumping into him in the hallway and the kid mouthed off. Bobby busted the kid in the mouth and jumped on top and beat him with his elbows. Tim knew the kid who was being beaten and he jumped in and pulled Bobby off, but not before Bobby hit Tim with an elbow. It hit Tim in the jaw and he staggered back, but regained his balance and pulled Bobby away just before he jumped back on the bloodied kid. Bobby bristled to see his twin sister spend so much time with Tim, but he kept his distance and let his sister do whatever she wanted, even if it was to hang out with Tim the Prick, as Bobby liked to call him.

  “Yeah, everything is freaking good. Ain't that right Bobby?” Andy punched Bobby in the shoulder.

  “Can’t you see we’re best friends now? Are you sure you don’t want a beer, Donna?” Bobby extended a beer to his sister.

  “I’m alright.” Donna pushed the beer away. “Keep it under control, will you Bobby?”

  “Well don’t worry about us.”

  Bobby shoved his new friend back toward the party. Tim felt a twinge as his best friend moved off with Bobby.

  “You and Andy are close.” Donna saw the look in Tim’s eyes. “Don’t worry. Nothing can split friends apart.”

  Tim watched Andy meander off with Bobby and wondered if that was true.

  Chapter 14

  The Beaumont Varsity Warriors

  Tryouts for the Beaumont Varsity Warrior football team came to an end. The sun baked the players and coaches at the last scrimmage. The starters, guys like Zeke and Alex Jones, Quick Lou, Bill Bradner, and Steve Staber finished their part of the scrimmage. They were clearly the best players on the field. Coach Joe watched quietly from the sidelines. He preferred to let his assistant coaches handle the scrimmage. Now it was time to step back and observe. He noticed everything. Extra blocks, swarming tackles, hustle plays. He noticed the guy who quit during a play and the guy who did not give up. He never missed anything when it came to his team and his boys. Some of his best players did not stand out initially. A slight nod of encouragement or a quiet word of praise set a fire in a young player. And Coach Joe was never negative. If a player messed up, Coach Joe saw it. But he said nothing. It would be later when he would place a hand on someone’s shoulder pads and speak a word of encouragement.

  Bobby played with the returning starters. Even as a sophomore, Bobby dominated on defense. He sacked Zeke viciously on one play. He hung on to Zeke’s ankle, throwing the leg aside like a steak bone. He hauled down Bill Bradner from behind. Bobby’s arms slid down to Bill’s midsection and he held on with an iron grip. The team thought Bill died. He rolled on the ground in agony and wondered if he would be able to have children. The team howled. Bobby moved off. “Who’s next?” That stopped the laughter.

  Andy and Tim got their chance. Andy broke a tackle and drove fifteen yards for a first down. Tim took a swing pass and raced past everyone for a long touchdown, including Bobby. Tim felt Bobby’s hot breath right behind him. Tim tossed the ball to one of the assistant coaches.

  “Prick,” Tim heard Bobby mumble from behind.

  Jeff Tony did not fare well. He dropped a sure pass from Daniel Russell and missed a block on one of Andy’s runs. Still, he hustled everywhere and did make a nice catch toward the end of the scrimmage. He dove for the first down marker but came up short. Coach Joe watched Jeff’s catch from the sideline.

  Coach Joe called everyone into the gym when the scrimmage was done. This was the time for him to tell the team how many kids would make varsity. The magic number this year was 40. The team did the math. There were two slots for sophomores, and Bobby had one of those slots.

  “I’ll be meeting with all of you. You deserve that. Seniors, juniors, sophomores. No lists on a wall. I’ll speak to each of you man to man.” Tim and Andy sat upright. “OK. Take a shower. We’ll call you in.”

  The assistant coaches herded the team to the locker room. Sweat hung off each player. Not all of it came from practice.

  Each player spoke with Coach Joe. They appreciated his honesty. Kids who made JV were told what they needed to do to improve, but mostly, what they did well. Some were disappointed, but none felt slighted. They knew they would get their chance someday.

  Bobby came out of Coach Joe’s office. His expression was the same as always.

  “Shit yeah, I made varsity. Damn right.” He grabbed his clothes out of his locker and changed quickly and slammed the door shut. “Damn right!” He shoved past Tim who sat on the floor next to Andy.

  Then Andy heard his name. He and Tim sat back to back in the corner of the locker room. Tim got up and extended a hand to help up his friend. Their eyes met.

  “Good Luck.”

  “Thanks, Tim.”

  Andy moved hesitantly toward Coach Joe’s office. A sophomore had three years to make varsity. Not Andy. This was it. To play with his brothers on the Warrior varsity, for Coach Joe. Damn. This was his moment and it scared the crap out of him.

  Tim sat back down and splayed his legs on the floor. The locker area was empty. The thought burst into his mind that he held at bay all summer. “What if I do make the team?” Now that it came to the point, Tim was more afraid of making the team than being relegated to the JV. Would his teammates think he made the team because he was good or because of his dad? It wasn’t going to matter though. Andy was in Coach Joe’s office for a long time, much longer than Bobby or the other players. He was excellent during practices and scrimmages over the last week. Tim could not envision Andy playing JV. He was just too good.

  “Tim. Come on in.”

  It wasn’t Coach Joe’s voice. It was Andy’s. Tim stood up and walked toward the door. Andy held it open. His face was serious, but still, there was a twinkle in Andy’s eye. Tim walked in and felt like he was about to throw up.

  “Close the door behind you.”

  Coach Joe motioned Tim to a chair. Surprisingly, Andy did not leave. He stood against the wall.

  “As you know, the number of varsity players this year is 40. Andy makes 40.”

  “I understand, Coach. Andy earned the spot. You can’t keep him off varsity.” Tim’s voice was shaky.

  “Agreed. He’s earned a spot. The problem is, he thinks the spot should go to you.”

  Tim sat dumbfounded. He looked up to his friend. The same serious face remained, but this time, Tim barely made out a sheepish grin on Andy’s face. Coach Joe went on.

  “Andy did something that should have gotten him kicked off the team. I can’t believe it, really. He told me he wouldn’t accept a varsity spot if you weren’t given one as well.” Andy shifted his weight. Now his face beamed. “So I suppose I can’t move him to JV. He’s too good. So I’ve agreed.”

  “Agreed to what?” Tim looked at his dad and then over to Andy.

  “I’m giving a spot to you, too.” Tim sat for a while and looked at his dad and then at Andy. He got up out of his chair and Andy reached out and shook Tim’s hand.

  “We’ve dreamed of this for years. We play together. Right, Coach?” Andy smiled widely.

  “Don’t give me a chance to change my mind. Get out, the both of you.”

  Coach Joe turned to paperwork on his desk. The two young men left the office. Tim closed the door carefully behind him.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  Tim grabbed Andy by the shoulders and shook him.

  “We’ll be champions together! Champions forever!” Andy yelled and he lifted Tim up and almost slammed his head into the ceiling.”

  “You sonofabitch!”

  And the two hugged and danced around the lockers and didn’t notice Coach Joe lock up and wa
lk down the hallway.

  Chapter 15

  First Scores

  It was another great season for Coach Joe and the Beaumont Warriors. They steam rolled their competition. Zeke and Alex left no doubt that they were two of the best football players in Massachusetts. Zeke threw 12 touchdown passes and amassed over 2000 yards in the air. Alex hauled in 8 of those touchdown passes and ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns. Quick Lou, Steve Staber, and Bill Bradner were the best running back trio in the state. They played exceptional defense. Staber and Bradner lead the conference in interceptions and Quick Lou Zarro was couldn’t be blocked. He led the state in sacks with 20 and tackles with 104.

  Bobby was a madman. In one game, Bobby hit a player so hard the kid’s helmet flew off and rolled across the field. The crowd thought there was a head still attached. The team doctor spent the rest of the game making sure the kid knew what day it was.

  Beaumont took the field against a very talented Dracut Midshipmen team. They led Dracut 21-0 going into the fourth quarter. Tim and Andy saw limited action. Andy came in a few times to spell Quick Lou. Tim gave Bradner and Staber a breather here and there, but neither Andy nor Tim had been factors in the game. Both of them hoped they wouldn’t screw up if they got in.

  On a pass play late in the game, Daniel Russell was driven over backwards. He rolled over and yelped and grabbed his ankle. The team trainer came out and checked Daniel’s ankle. Daniel got up and some teammates helped him to the sideline. Coach Joe walked over to the bench and put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder pads and saw the exasperation in Daniel’s eyes. Daniel ripped off his helmet and slammed it on the ground. An assistant coach nodded at Tim to go in for Daniel. Tim raced onto the field and into the defensive huddle. Zeke met him there.