After Life by Andrew Neiderman Page A

Jessie
    surmised the gymnasium was ready to burst at its seams.
     
    Henry's saving us seats, Bob said when he joined them in the lobby.
     
    The junior-varsity game had already begun and was in the third quarter.
    Jessie heard the cheerleaders chanting.
     
    As they entered the gymnasium the crowd let out a roar.
     
    We just scored, Bob explained. Tracy and he guided her to their seats,
    which were right behind Lee and his team.
     
    Lee's way over by the scorer's table, Tracy whispered. He sees us and
    is waving.
     
    Jessie lifted her hand.
     
    He's smiling, Tracy said as they arrived at their seats. Henry Young
    was waiting.
     
    What a night, what a night, he said, his voice vibrating with
    enthusiasm. We're gonna win the junior varsity game. Good omen, eh,
    Bob?
     
    Yes, sir, Bob said. Jessie sat between him and Tracy.
     
    Glad you came, Jessie, Henry Young said, squeezing her hand. It's nice
    to see wives supporting their husbands. He leaned over to whisper in
    her ear. Men need to be stroked. We're all very vulnerable and very
    helpless, you know. His breath was hot on her ear.
     
    Yes, she said, smiling. I know. She leaned toward Tracy. Is Marjorie
    here? she asked.
     
    No way. She never came to a game, even before her breakdown, Tracy
    said. Lee came to their seats before the junior-varsity game ended and
    kissed Jessie. This is one helluva crowd, he said, his voice revealing
    how impressed he was. Got to get into the locker room and give the boys
    their pep talk. Tell them to give 'em hell, Henry advised. Good luck,
    honey, Jessie said, squeezing her husband's hands. She felt his sweat
    and knew how nervous he was. Her heart pounded in anticipation and she
    wished more than ever that she could see. Lee must have gotten to them.
    The boys look up for it, Bob began when the team entered the court,
    accompanied by a thunderous cheer. Jessie felt the stands rattle and
    the floor shake. Ooo, this is exciting, Tracy said.
     
    Lee is talking with the referees. He looks very calm and very handsome.
    A good-looking jock, Bob said. He's got that jock arrogance. Look at
    how he holds his head. Lee's far from arrogant, Jessie said. Well,
    he's swaggering over here, he said when the buzzer sounded. Our varsity
    cheerleaders are taking the court. Those are cute uniforms, aren't
    they, Trace? Um, she replied quickly. Could you describe them to me?
    Jessie asked. I guess they're something like Playboy bunnies with a
    ball of black-and-gold cotton on their tight rear ends, eh, Trace? I
    guess that's the best way to describe it, Tracy said dryly. I'm
    surprised these uniforms were approved she said, loud enough for Henry
    Young to hear. But if he had heard her, he didn't respond.
     
    Easy, Trace, Bob said, his voice testy. Jessie sensed a veiled warning.
    If Tracy was so prudish she thought, why did she permit such disturbing
    decor in her home? I'm only expressing an opinion. I can still do
    that, can't I? Tracy asked. Bob ignored her question. The team's
    gathered around Lee, Jessie, and he's giving them some last minute
    instructions. The boys look fierce, don't they, honey? Like they want
    to tear their opponents to pieces, Tracy said. The cheerleaders
    introduced the players, ending each introduction with the phrase, He's
    our man. If he can't do it, no one can. There was another roar from
    the crowd as the players took the court. The referee is tossing the
    ball, Bob said. Oh, damn, he exclaimed when the whistle was blown
    immediately again. What? Jessie heard the crowd groan. They claim
    Hodes pushed his opponent off as he jumped. Can you believe it? They
    start the game by giving them a free shot. Jesus. The game continued
    and Bob did his play-by-play, priding himself on the accuracy of his
    descriptions. Rather quickly, however, the game degenerated into a
    shoving match. In the first quarter alone, two of Lee's players and two
    of the opponents were ejected for fighting. Then the refs began to call
    foul after