Off the Crossbar

by David Skuy

  “I couldn’t afford the box. Forget about one lace,” he said.

  “Hey, listen to this,” Pudge said. “I was working at my Dad’s restaurant last night, when a big group of people came in. I recognized a few kids from Chelsea. They were all talking about their big school rally — I guess they do the same thing as us, announce the teams in front of all the students and hand out sweaters. Anyway, according to them, the coaches and players were just trashing Terrence Falls. They even dressed up a dummy with our sweater. It held a sign that read: Terrence Falls Down.”

  “Real funny crew they got there,” Scott muttered.

  “It would be amazing to beat those guys,” Pudge said. “They’re so full of themselves.”

  “Chelsea’s gonna be really tough to beat,” Zachary said, rolling his board back and forth with his foot. “Their team is stacked. We’ve got some talent, but we won’t beat them with skill. It’ll have to be a total team effort.”

  “We’ll just have to get ourselves a total team,” Scott said.

  “If you just get those skates,” Zachary said, “it’ll be a done deal. You can carve circles around everyone.”

  “I’ll have you know that I once actually scored a goal.”

  “You scored a goal in a game?” Nick exclaimed in mock amazement.

  “Okay, it was air hockey, but it still counts.”

  Charlie laughed along with the others at Scott’s joke, but he was nervous about the conversation turning to hockey. He didn’t want them talking about the vote.

  As if on cue, however, that’s exactly what happened.

  “What do you think your chances are, Charlie?” Zachary asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, being captain!”

  Charlie tried to downplay the entire thing. With a shrug, he said, “I honestly haven’t thought about it. Been too busy. I’ve got this book report for Hilton I’ve got to do tonight — and last night I had to read the book. Jake might be it.”

  “I hope not,” Nick said. “I don’t want to play on a team with him as captain. It’s bad enough to be on a team with him at all.”

  “He already thinks he’s captain,” Scott said. “I bet he went out and bought himself a shiny red C for his sweater.”

  “Where do you buy a C?” Nick asked.

  “At the C store,” Scott wisecracked.

  “I think Charlie’s got a real shot at winning,” Pudge said, seriously. “A lot of guys feel the same way. Ethan and Craig are good guys, but maybe not skilled enough to be captain. I bet Matt, Liam and Thomas voted for Jake, and that’s it.”

  “Charlie’s got five votes right here,” Scott said.

  “That’s not necessarily true,” Charlie said.

  “Actually, it is,” Zachary said. “We all voted for you.”

  Charlie felt embarrassed. At a loss for words, he finally managed, “I didn’t vote for me, so that’s four at the most.”

  They stared at him in disbelief.

  “Who’d you vote for?” Scott demanded.

  “I believe it was a secret ballot,” Charlie said weakly.

  “Cough it up,” Scott said.

  “I voted for Ethan.”

  They all groaned.

  “We’ll find out tomorrow, so there’s no point worrying about it now,” Charlie said, trying to put an end to the discussion.

  “I should get going,” Pudge said. “Good luck with the report tonight, Charlie, and thanks for the game. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” He waved to the guys and headed up the stairs.

  “I gotta fly also,” Zachary said. “I’m getting hungry, anyway. I’ll catch up with you dudes later.”

  Scott and Nick picked their bikes up.

  “I hope you realize,” Scott said, “that we’re racing back to my place, and the loser, who will be you, must say to the victor, who will be me, ‘You are the greatest bike racer I’ve ever seen.’”

  “I noticed you’ve taken the training wheels off your bike,” Nick replied.

  “I haven’t needed them for two weeks now,” he said proudly.

  “Start us off, Charlie,” Nick said.

  Charlie nodded and held up his arm. “Gentlemen, start your engines.”

  Scott made the sound of a revving motor.

  “On your marks, get set, go!”

  Charlie watched them tear off down the path and over to the road. He followed slowly, as he went to get his bike, thinking about what had been said. He’d been captain of almost every team he’d played on. He’d become used to wearing the C, so it wasn’t the responsibility he was afraid of. He had always tried to use his position to make the team better. He remembered his father telling him that the captain’s job was to give everyone else the credit when the team won. That advice had always worked, and being captain had been fun. He didn’t see much chance for fun if he was named captain of the Terrence Falls team, though. All he saw was a massive headache with Jake, and grade tens wondering why a younger kid was captain.

  He rested his bike against the side of the house and pushed open the front door.

  “We’re in here,” his mother called from the kitchen.

  Charlie walked in and headed to the sink to wash his hands. His family had already started dinner.

  “Grandma tells me you met a friend this afternoon?” his mom said.

  Charlie sat down. “We tossed the Frisbee around a bit.”

  “You also told her that you’d be home by six.”

  “Sorry, Mom. I lost track of time.”

  “You lost track of a lot of time — it’s after seven! I was beginning to get worried.”

  “Sorry,” he said again.

  “I assume you finished your book report.”

  Charlie flushed. “Not exactly. I have a little more to do on it.”

  “It’s due on Monday, right?”

  He nodded. “I was going to try to finish it after dinner … and I have tomorrow to work on it.”

  “I was in your room to tidy up before dinner, and I saw your report on your desk. It didn’t look as if you had only a little to finish. It looked as if you had the entire report to do — almost as if you hadn’t even started writing?”

  “Maybe I haven’t written a lot. But I know what I wanna write about … sorta.”

  “And you thought a game of Frisbee was a good idea in that situation?”

  “I guess it wasn’t such a good idea now that I think about it. I’m going to get started on it right after we eat, I promise.”

  He could tell his mother was angry. She was strict about school — his father had been too. They demanded good marks, and insisted that he get his work done on time. He knew he was in for it.

  “I’m not happy about this, Charles. But why don’t you clean up and I’ll get dinner for you.”

  Charlie was more than willing to let it go. He washed his hands, and then started to heap a massive pile of food on his plate. The Frisbee game may not have been a good idea, but he’d sure worked up an appetite.

  He listened to his mom and grandmother discuss the café, which was due to open in two weeks. His mother had just hired a waiter and an assistant baker.

  “I had to interview about a dozen people,” his mother said. “You wouldn’t believe some of them. They’d never baked professionally a day in their lives. Most just thought it would be fun. I doubt they could even roll out a pie crust.”

  “But you eventually found someone?” his grandmother asked.

  “A fantastic person. Shirley Goodman is her name. Lots of experience and a really nice personality — I think we’ll get along well. She’s also new in town, and seemed thrilled to get the job.”

  “I’m finished,” Danielle declared. “Can I watch the rest of my movie?”

  “Did you finish your homework?”

  “Did it at school.”

  “All right. Just clear your plate and toss it into the dishwasher.”

  Once Danielle had left the kitchen, his mother looked over at Charlie.


  “I’ve told you before, that there are some things we like to do, and some things we have to do. School falls under the second category — it is not a hobby. It’s important that you keep up with your work, and do your best. I don’t care about the marks. I care about the effort. Staying up past your bedtime because you haven’t been doing your work on a regular basis is not acceptable. I know you were up late last night reading, and you’re probably going to be up late again finishing that report. This has to stop. And if hockey is going to get in the way of school, then there won’t be any hockey. Do you understand that?”

  Charlie nodded. No point trying to defend himself. He shouldn’t have left the report to the last minute, and he never should have agreed to play Frisbee with Pudge. “You’re right. I’m having a bit of trouble organizing my time. Hockey’s not getting in the way. It’s only right now, with the tournament coming up. I’m gonna really buckle down from now on. I promise.”

  “That sounds good to me,” she said.

  “Do you mind if I finish my dinner upstairs? I’d like to get started right away.”

  “Okay. Just remember to bring your plate back as soon as you’re done, because I want to run the dishwasher.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Charlie gathered his food in one hand and drink in the other, and went to his room. He looked at the empty page on his desk and then over at the clock. He felt depressed. Another late night ahead of him — and tomorrow the assembly, where he’d find out who won the vote.

  12

  THE RALLY

  The girls’ and boys’ hockey teams sat together on the stage at the end of the cafeteria, which doubled as an auditorium. The room was abuzz with conversation as the entire school crowded in for the assembly. Groups of students huddled in the aisles gossiping and joking around, while just as many others wandered around looking for friends to sit beside.

  Principal Holmes tapped the microphone with his finger. “Can everyone take his or her seat — and quickly please,” he ordered.

  The students ignored him and carried on with their conversations.

  “People, I really need your attention. We need to commence the activities immediately.”

  He got the same reaction the second time. He was about to try again when Hilton came over, leaned over to the microphone, and said, “The sooner we get started, the sooner it’s over, so let’s everyone sit down and be quiet.”

  That did the trick. Almost by magic seats were found and talking ceased.

  Principal Holmes cleared his throat, and the sound echoed loudly. “Everyone knows why we’re here today. It’s hockey time! And we’ve got four terrific teams ready to play this year. I have high hopes for our greatest success yet. The other teams are in big trouble, that’s for sure. And you know what I think? I think Terrence Falls is going to win in every division this year, that’s what I think.” He stopped and nodded his head. No one uttered a sound. The entire student body was silent. Principal Holmes stared out at the students, somewhat bewildered.

  He coughed into the microphone, and in a more subdued tone said, “Without further ado, I’d like to call on the coaches to announce their teams. We’ll start with the junior girls’ team, coached by our new phys. ed. instructor, Ms Cummings.”

  Cummings came to the microphone, wearing black track pants and a blue sweatshirt with Terrence Falls on the front. She called out the names of her players, and then announced that Julia was the captain.

  A loud cheer went up, and Julia waved to the crowd before she put on her hockey sweater.

  “Hey look,” Scott said to Charlie. “Your girlfriend’s captain, just like you.”

  “Scott!” he hissed. “Don’t say that … the vote’s not … I mean …”

  “He’s still in denial — about Julia and about being captain,” Nick stated gravely.

  Charlie rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the podium. Cummings began to announce the senior girls’ team. Scott took some ribbing from his teammates when his sister was announced as captain.

  “It’s not fair that all the hockey talent went to the oldest child,” Nick said.

  “It’s not fair that I don’t have a chance to display my talent on the ice because I have to be your defence partner,” Scott shot back.

  Charlie interrupted their banter. “I think it’s our turn now,” he said.

  Hilton had taken his place behind the microphone. “Let’s have a nice round of applause for the junior and senior girls’ teams,” he asked. The students obliged with a lusty cheer. The girls returned to their chairs, except Julia and Scott’s sister, who were instructed to stand to the side of the stage.

  Hilton began to introduce the junior boys’ team. One by one the players were called, until the five nominated players remained. Then Thomas and Craig were called. This was the deciding moment. Charlie felt his chest get tight and a flush rise to his cheeks.

  Jake and Ethan tried to look cool, but he could see that they were also nervous.

  “Now for the names of the two assistant captains and captain,” Hilton said dramatically. “One assistant captain will be Ethan Mitchell.”

  The crowd cheered for Ethan as he went to get his sweater. It was down to Charlie and Jake. The entire school was dead quiet as they waited for Hilton to make the announcement.

  Hilton paused once more, and then announced, “The second assistant captain will be … Jake Wilkenson.”

  Charlie felt as if he’d been run over by a truck. Apparently, Jake couldn’t believe it either. He snatched his sweater from Hilton and stomped off to stand next to Thomas and Liam. Charlie knew Scott, Nick, Zachary and Pudge had voted for him. Incredibly, enough of the other guys voted for him too. He waited to be announced.

  “I give you the captain of the junior boys’ team: Charlie Joyce.”

  Charlie kept his head down as he crossed the stage. He noticed that most of his teammates clapped. He also got a nice round of applause from the audience, which he appreciated because few of them knew him by name. Hilton shook his hand and gave Charlie his sweater. He eagerly put it on. Hilton directed Charlie towards where Julia and Scott’s sister were standing, and returned to the microphone.

  “Now I’m going to hand the podium over to Mr. Hughes, the coach of the senior boys’ team.”

  Charlie looked over at his teammates. Scott gave him a big thumbs-up, and Zachary nodded approvingly. Then Mr. Hughes began to speak, so Charlie turned to look at him.

  “Congratulations, Charlie,” Julia said quietly. Her voice surprised him. Somehow he’d forgotten that he was standing next to her.

  “Thanks. Same to you.”

  Scott’s sister leaned over and said, “Congrats from me too. Scottie’s told me all about you. Says you’re the best player on the team, and a nice guy to boot.” She leaned even closer, and added in a whisper, “and I’m glad Jake isn’t captain.”

  Charlie didn’t know what to say. Julia didn’t say anything either, although it seemed like she was trying not to laugh.

  Hilton came up behind the three captains, and said, “Let’s keep the conversation to a minimum, so the crowd can hear Mr. Hughes, okay?”

  All three of them nodded guiltily, and stared straight ahead as the rest of the team was called out.

  Finally, it was all over except for the naming of the captain. This time it was no surprise. Everyone seemed to know that it would be Karl Schneider. The students cheered wildly when he came forward for his sweater. He smiled at the crowd and waved gallantly. Karl was over six feet, and weighed close to 190 pounds. His tight T-shirt displayed his ample muscles. Pudge had told Charlie all about the school’s resident superstar. He’d set numerous scoring records through the years, including the most goals for the high school tournament last year. Karl also played junior hockey, and the seventeen-year old was widely expected to be a first round pick in the NHL draft when he was eligible next year.

  “Perhaps a few words,” Hughes invited.

  Karl nodded
graciously. He took the microphone out of the holder and walked to the front of the stage.

  “Last year,” he began, “only one team, the senior boys, got to the finals — Chelsea beat us.”

  A few students booed loudly.

  “But that was last year,” Karl shouted.

  Everyone in the cafeteria shouted back, and soon they were all chanting, “Ter-rence Falls! Ter-rence Falls!”

  Karl held his hand up and things quieted down.

  “That was last year, and let me tell you, every Terrence Falls team has gotten better. I’ve seen the practices, and things are really looking up. I am going to make a prediction, and some may think I’m crazy, but I predict that Terrence Falls will win four gold medals at the tournament. In fact, I guarantee it. Four gold medals!”

  Karl held up his right hand, four fingers extended. The students did the same, chanting “Ter-rence Falls!” over and over.

  “Starting tonight,” he shouted, as if straining to be heard over the crowd, “we are going to start kickin’ some serious butt. And the butt we’re going to kick most seriously is Chelsea’s.”

  That got an even bigger reaction, and the students got to their feet and cheered Karl on. “I’m proud to be wearing this sweater. And I’m going to be proud of all our teams when the tournament’s over.”

  Karl punched the air with his four fingers still extended, then went over and shook hands with the other captains. Charlie was amazed at the size and strength of Karl’s hand, and he held on for dear life as the powerful boy pumped his arm vigorously.

  Karl stopped for a moment and said to Charlie, “I’ve seen you play, kid. Good luck and don’t make me a liar. Win that gold.”

  Principal Holmes took the microphone back from Karl and was telling everyone that regular classes would start in ten minutes. People began milling around the seats talking excitedly.

  “So when do you play your first game?”

  Julia was looking up at Charlie, catching him by surprise for the second time. It took a moment for the question to register.

  “We play at eight o’clock tonight, I think. I can’t remember exactly who we play, but we play at eight.”