Okay I will
Thx for checking in
MOM
Honey, Alec is here
He’s outside with his parents
He is brave to come here
It says a lot
He’s a real friend
It’s not easy
We’re going to let him see you for a few minutes
He just really wants to say hi
The doctors think it’s okay
A good idea, even if just for a few minutes
He really wants to see you, and I bet you want to see him too
Hold on okay?
ALEC
Hey
Uh, hey
So, like
How are you doing?
They treating you okay in here?
I
Yeah, so
You got a window
That’s cool
The view is pretty good
That nurse is pretty weird
Funny though
I never met a guy nurse before
I bet the food sucks, huh?
Can you
You probably can’t eat yet
So yeah
Camille started this group online
Which was really awesome
But then right away it got a little weird because a few people started talking about how it happened
You know, like, was it really just a football injury or not
But Camille was like, shut up, that is so inappropriate
So I heard too that the varsity might cancel their first couple of games
Or even the whole season
One of the captains DM’d me
That kid Will
He keeps calling me Alex, which is pretty funny
I’m too nervous to correct him though
Anyway he said, uh
He said that Coach Bizetti told him we shouldn’t be thinking about football right now
Which is
Which is, uh
To be honest I don’t know if I ever want to think about football again
I mean
I always loved being out there with you and the guys and stuff
And sometimes it was so awesome, like I totally remember the first time I ever scored a touchdown, in fourth grade. I was about to get tackled but you threw this amazing block and I just barely made it into the end zone, and you were the first kid there. You picked me up and gave me this massive hug and we yelled at the top of our lungs and it was so great
I’ll never forget it
But now it’s like, I don’t know
I just
I’m not that into it anymore
I haven’t been for a while
I didn’t want to tell you because you’re my best friend and I know how much you love it
But, like
My parents are saying there’s no way you’re going to be able to play again, like, ever
And I definitely don’t want to play if you’re not playing
So anyway
Oh yeah
This kid Will also wanted to know if I’d talked to Ethan, but I haven’t
None of us have
Ethan answered one text but that was it
I kind of wonder how he’s doing though
Must be like
Must be really weird for him right now
I mean it’s weird for all of us, but probably especially for him, because of what happened and everything
Wishing it never did, you know?
But
Someone said Ethan deleted all his accounts
I guess he just doesn’t want to deal with all this right now
I feel bad for him
I feel like this whole thing started when I hit him
I should have helped him up
If I did, maybe things would’ve been different
But you can’t think like that, right?
But this sucks so bad
Oh, hey, yeah, I also heard the varsity wants to dedicate the season to you
And they want you to come to a game and, like, do the coin toss or something
That would be cool
So, um I should go I guess
Tonight there’s this thing at the school
Think about the coin toss thing, okay, Teddy?
Everyone’s praying for you
I’ll be back tomorrow if it’s okay
Hang in there
See you later, Teddy
I’ll
Yeah.
NURSE RICKY
You know what the thing is with growing boys?
You start to stink
That’s right
B.O.
And plenty of it
So how about a wash?
How about that bath?
You won’t even know I’m here
Well, maybe you will, a little. Just need to shift you around a little bit
That’s it
Dang, you’re a big kid, you know that?
Good thing I work out
Free weights
But football, I mean come on
Never in a million years my friend
That’s a dangerous game
Too dangerous for my blood
Makes people crazy
We were savages once
Still are, I guess, right?
So yeah, no
Not a fan of that crazy game
Whoops
I need to watch my mouth
Now
There we go
Perfect
All good
All perfect on the outside
Now let’s get that inside figured out.
Saturday at 2:08 pm
Rafael I just wanted to say I don’t really know Teddy but one time in the library I couldn’t reach a book because I’m short and Teddy was there and he got it down for me and he seemed like a really nice kid so I really really hope he gets better and is okay.
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Saturday at 2:16 pm
Clea Yeah I heard he’s like the nicest kid ever. Also my friend heard some kids downtown saying that there was a fight during the game or something and that’s how Teddy got hurt, does anyone know anything about that??
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Saturday at 2:43 pm
James Hey first of all there was no fight, and second of all who are you? it’s not cool to spread rumors which you know are BS
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Saturday at 2:58 pm
Camille Hi Clea are you new? What grade are u in? I don’t think I know you but nice to meet you, I agree with james tho, rumors don’t help anybody right now, especially Teddy, thanks and I hope to meet you soon at school or wherever!
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NANA
My, Edward, look at you
You are making me worry you know
You are making me very upset
I’m not happy with you right now, young man
Not happy at all
Your father told me to be nice and upbeat, keep it light
Yes sure
But for me, this is how I do it
By acting normal, right?
Not sugarcoating it
So that’s what I’m doing
I’m behaving the way any person would when they see their grandson lying in a hospital bed
I mean, oh my goodness, look at you
And what did I say about football?
What did I say?
I don’t get it
It’s a stupid game
Smashing into one another for fun
It’s not normal
A young boy like you
Not right
I told your father I didn’t want you playing that game
All the newspapers tell you how dangerous it is
I read all the articles and saw the television shows
Grown men, famous football superstars, retired
&n
bsp; Now they can’t go to the bathroom by themselves
They don’t know where they are or who they are
Can’t remember their own names
All because of football
Their brains are like scrambled eggs
Everyone knows it
We’ve all seen it on the news
And what happens?
What happens?
No one listens
Your mother agrees with me, but then she decides to go live her own life, well good for her
Your parents are too busy fighting
No one’s paying attention while you go out there and run around like a maniac trying to kill people
You think that makes you a man?
That’s not what a man is, Teddy
It’s nonsense
I told your father sports make people crazy
They make him crazy
Screaming like an idiot
Win win all the time
The stress and pressure on children
This is the end for you and football
This is it
Such nonsense
Okay, that’s enough of that
When you get better we are going to the movies
Popcorn and Raisinets mixed together like always
Right, Teddy?
Right?
Okay, I’m getting it together
If you can stay strong, I can stay strong, am I right?
Am I right, Edward?
Wait a second it’s
I think your mother is here
I don’t want to see her right now
I just can’t
Oh
Your dad is with her
Oh boy
I’m going to go
I don’t want to see them together right now
I would get very upset
I don’t need that and neither do you, my sweet little boy
Not so little anymore
So I’m going to go
I’m staying at the house
Be back tomorrow
You look as handsome as ever
Such a sweet boy
My sweet little Teddy Bear.
Saturday at 3:07 pm
Jackson Teddy I’m pulling for you buddy. You’re definitely the most awesome kid and an amazing athlete, probably the best in our grade. I’m proud to be your teammate and I can’t wait until you’re back on the field with us. I will be there 2night. LET’S GO
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Saturday at 3:26 pm
Ellie I heard it wasn’t a fight exactly, whoever said that, but something weird definitely happened at the freshmen game, that’s how Teddy got hurt. Girls were talking about it at practice
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Saturday at 3:55 pm
Will Can we let Teddy get better without all the stuff about was there a fight or not, that’s crap and you know it, show some respect everybody
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Saturday at 4:07 pm
Henry Hey Will just because you’re the captain of the football team doesn’t mean you get to bully people . . . we have a right to know the truth. Seriously we all want Teddy to get better but if something else happened, people have a right to know and he would want us to know.
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DAD
Hey
So, was it good to see Nana?
She’s
She’s a tough lady, your grandmother
Believe me, I know how tough she is
Teddy, hey guess what
I got a message from Coach Bizetti, he’s on his way
He seems like a class act
He said the whole football community is very shaken up
The high school team canceled the first scrimmage
Not surprising, right?
So also, I know they’re taking care of this
Getting to the bottom of what happened
All the equipment is going to be reexamined and double-checked
Especially the helmets
The coach is on top of it, and the school too
Which reminds me
I got a call from the principal
I think her name was Dr. Calder?
She’s getting involved
She was talking about how this is happening more and more
They’re doing studies
They’re getting better equipment and medical procedures but there’s always a risk
The principal is very concerned
She made it sound like they might drop football or something
So I told her the story about the time you scored three touchdowns last year and afterward I told you we could go out to eat anywhere you wanted to celebrate, and you said you just wanted to eat hot dogs at home with the guys from the team, because you all wanted to be together, and that’s what football is all about
I told her you loved the game and we don’t blame anyone for what happened
But I think she’s worried we’re going to sue or something
Everybody is worried about lawsuits these days
But we would never do that of course
Okay, enough about that, let’s talk about something else
So guess what?
Janey had her first soccer game today
Mom and I both went
I know, right?
When’s the last time that happened?
We were all a little nervous, but Janey played great
They had her at midfield and she got a goal and two assists
It was just a practice game, but you would have gone nuts,
Teddy, I swear
Oh
Hold on, my phone
Someone’s calling me, I’ll be right back
Hey, Teddy, I’m back, buddy
That was Coach Bizetti
So get this
This is crazy
Believe it or not, he’s being told he shouldn’t come visit you
I guess there are some people blaming him
Like it’s his fault
He told me he had to call a lawyer
A lawyer, can you believe that?
I told him that’s ridiculous, he can’t control everything that happens on the field
It was an accident
A sports injury
Horrible luck
I told him not to listen to those people who are stirring up trouble
Told him we want him here and that it would be good for you
So he’s coming
He’s in the middle of organizing this event for tonight, but he’s still coming
He seems like someone who really cares about the kids
I swear sometimes I just don’t get it, how people can be so hateful
He wants to see you and tell—
Huh?
What?
Whoa, Teddy, did you just squeeze my hand?
I felt that
I’m
I’m going to go find someone okay?
Hey, kiddo, this is great
I’m with you all the way on this thing, Teddy
I’m with you all the way.
MOM
Teddy
Teddy
Hi, sweetheart
I just talked to Dad
He told me
He told me you squeezed his hand, Teddy
I can’t believe it
I told the nurse, he was so excited
He’s getting the doctor
Can you give me a little squeeze?
A little squeeze?
Just a little squeeze, honey?
A little squeeze?
Okay
Whenever you’re ready
It can be later
For now, I just want you to rest
Your dad told me he invited Mr. Bizetti to come today
Coach Bizetti
I know he wants to see you
I understand, I’m sure he cares,
but I just don’t know if this is the right time
I don’t even know this man
I understand why your dad thinks he can make these decisions without me—I get it, I really do
But I don’t know
I don’t know if seeing this man, and being reminded of what happened, is good for you right now
But your father has
Well, you know
So I agreed
And the rest we can discuss later
Because I know you’re hearing every word we say to you
I know you’re with us
And I really just want you to rest, I really do
So I said okay, but just for a few minutes
And he’s bringing his daughter
I don’t know her, but Dad says she wants to see you too
And Dr. Sparks says visitors are good
It’s good to talk to people
And to listen to people
As long as it’s not too much for you
I’m worried it might be getting to be too much
Everyone wants to see you
Everyone loves you
I love you
The nurse, Nurse Ricky, needs to do something now
Hold on, honey
He’s going to make you more comfortable okay?
Okay, honey?
NURSE RICKY
Careful now . . .
Let me just slide this under your backside . . .
We don’t want you staying in one position for too long
The human body needs to move
You gotta move it move it
There we go
There
There we go
Oh P.S.
There’s a fine young lady outside
Waiting to see you
Bring your A game, son.
Saturday at 4:22 pm
Amanda Noooooo I can’t believe this is happening right now. I can’t believe a sport where people smash their heads against each other is still legal, what is wrong with this country??
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Saturday at 4:29 pm
Jessica Uh you’re wrong, football is an amazing game and yes injuries are terrible but I’m a girl and I watch it all the time because it is amazing to watch. Baseball is boring, you have to wait forever for something to happen, they just spit and scratch themselves the whole time. Football is total action. And also they are being incredibly careful with safety these days but nothing is 100 percent foolproof. You could get injured in other sports too you know, like people get hurt in soccer and basketball all the time.
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Saturday at 4:36 pm
Emily Camille wants everyone to go to the thing at the school tonight if possible. Do it for Teddy. I just saw Teddy two days ago at the beach. I am praying for you Teddy with every bone in my body. You are the most awesome guy, so funny and always a smile for everyone. I am crying right now.
Game Changer Page 3
