Suspended by Robert Rayner Page B

softly.
    â€œI saw the photos of you in your Montreal Marvels uniform at your house,” I confessed.
    â€œI suppose you saw the photos of my father, too.”
    â€œYes. Then I saw him on television, and I guessed he was your dad soon after that.”
    â€œYour grandad was a soccer star, too, wasn’t he? My dad used to talk about him.” Ice looked at me. “And you’re real proud of him, and he’s, like, an inspiration to you, and you’re thinking my dad should be an inspiration to me, aren’t you?”
    â€œSomething like that.”
    Ice shrugged and shook his head. “It doesn’t always work that way.”
    â€œWas he disappointed when you gave up?”
    â€œWas he ever. He hardly talked to me for a year. He still doesn’t say much to me.”
    â€œEven if you don’t want to play, you could coach,” said Toby.
    â€œYou’re a great coach,” Julie added.
    â€œThat’s what Miss Little said.”
    â€œWhen were you talking to Miss Little?” I asked.
    â€œShe was at the game. She recognized me from when I was in her kindergarten class at Brunswick Valley. She asked me if I’d help coach the soccer team when it started up again. She said she was sure you’d be playing next season.”
    â€œThat’d be great,” I said. “You might even start playing again.”
    Ice shrugged. “Maybe.”
    Grease had left the wall to tinker under the hood of the van. He slammed it shut and joined us beside the cemetery gate.
    I said, “Thanks for driving us around, Grease. We owe you.”
    Ice shook hands with Toby. “So long, Big T.”
    He offered his hand to Julie, saying, “You take care, darling.”
    She flew at him and hugged him. “You, too.”
    He held his hand out to me. “Stay cool, Shay. Seek glory!”
    â€œThanks for being our coach,” I said.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œWhat for?”
    â€œFor bringing me back to soccer.”
    We shook hands.
    Ice said, “Let’s go, Grease.”
    â€œWhere to?”
    â€œMain Street Parallel, I guess.”
    The van pulled away silently. “Cemetery Road Wanderers” was still painted on its sides.
    We walked through the cemetery towards Main Street.
    Julie said, “I don’t know whether to wait for Mom to find out what happened or just go in and tell her myself.”
    â€œGlory always has a price,” I said.
    Just then Toby’s stepdad pulled up beside us in his truck.
    â€œI’ve been looking for you — ever since Mr. Justason called the house. Your ma’s been worried.”
    â€œWe were playing soccer at the Back Field,” said Toby.
    â€œNo you weren’t. For one thing — I checked there. And for another — you’re suspended from playing soccer.”
    â€œOh — yes. I forgot,” said Toby. “We were …”
    â€œGet in. Your ma’s waiting — and she’s not happy,” said Conrad. He added, to Julie and me, “Do you want a ride?”
    â€œWe’ll walk, thanks, Con,” I said.
    â€œYou’d best get home fast. Your folks are waiting, too.”
    When we reached Julie’s house, her mom was standing at the door, her hands on her hips. As soon as she saw us she started, “You can get yourself in here mighty fast, young lady. You’ve got some explaining to do.”
    I walked on in the dusk to my house. Through the front window, I could see Grandad in his armchair. I let myself quietly into the house — hoping he might be asleep. I peered in the dimly lit living room; Grandad didn’t stir.
    As I was about to creep upstairs, I heard, “Do you have something to say to me?”
    I stood in the living room door. “I broke some rules at school, Grandad.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI got suspended from soccer.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œAnd I lied to you.”
    â€œI know that,