Unstoppable by Tim Green Page A

warm-up drills, but when it came to game time, Harrison had to take a seat on the bench.
    Coach put a hand on his shoulder pad and leaned over to whisper into his helmet’s ear hole. “Trust me, if there was any way to let you play, I’d do it. My career is hanging on this doggone game. We should win it, though, Harrison. We really should. Then next week? Look out.”

Chapter Thirty-Six
    THEY DID WIN, BY two touchdowns. The team cheered and swarmed Coach, everyone reaching out just to touch him, and his face seemed to shine. When they got home after a long bus ride from East Manfield, Jennifer—who had driven to the game in her car—met Coach at the door and kissed him until Harrison blushed. They separated and both of them laughed as they each put an arm around Harrison and led him inside.
    Jennifer took a roasted chicken out of the oven and pots of mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed corn off the stove. Harrison wolfed down his food, hungry for the coming week, and eager to build his muscles and strength for the first football game of his life.
    On Sunday they went to church. After a midday meal, Harrison put on some jeans and a T-shirt and met Justin at Dr. Smart’s big house on the hill. Justin led him around to the back, where a lawn mower sat in the detached garage.
    â€œYou ever drive one of these?” Justin pointed to a green John Deere riding mower.
    â€œI can drive a tractor,” Harrison said. “That thing is easy.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll let you do the easy part, this time.” Justin pointed to a push mower in the corner. “Next time, you do the grunt work.”
    â€œI’ll push today.” Harrison reached for the small mower. “I owe you.”
    â€œNo.” Justin guided him toward the rider. “Just watch. I’ll do the detail work today, everything around the edges. Trust me, it’s a good payback. I’ll be done with this whole job in half the time and I need that. Doc doesn’t like to hear the mowers on Sunday.”
    Harrison looked toward the house. He was hoping he might see Becky. “Are they home?”
    â€œNo, but Doc said they’d be back at three and he asked me to be finished by then.”
    â€œWell, let’s go,” Harrison said.
    They finished right at three and were putting the mowers away in the garage when they heard Dr. Smart’s Suburban pull up in front of the house.
    â€œDoc’ll be happy.” Justin wiped sweat from his forehead. “Come on.”
    Harrison followed Justin down the driveway, passing the house and the circular drive in front. He glanced up, hoping to see Becky, and was surprised not only to see her but to see her walking toward them with two bottles of orange Gatorade.
    â€œHey, guys.” She held out the bottles and smiled. “Dad said the lawn looks great and you need to stay hydrated. Here.”
    Justin accepted the folded money she handed him. “Thanks, Becky.”
    â€œDid you get all those math problems done, Harrison?” she asked.
    â€œUh, yup.” Harrison hated the sound of his low, gravelly voice.
    Becky smiled. “Well, see you tomorrow.”
    They watched her walk back up the hill. She turned and waved before disappearing into the house.
    Justin stood frozen in place. “Man, she is the bomb.”
    â€œCome on.” Harrison tugged Justin’s sleeve. “It’s not polite to stare.”
    On the street, Justin told him the next job would be tomorrow after dinnertime. “I already told Mrs. Peabody you’d be working with me, but I’ll meet you there and show you where everything is and pay you for today. That’s only because I’ve got to get change for these bills.”
    â€œYou don’t have to pay me for today. I’m working off my sub.”
    â€œOkay, I get it. Still, that was what, six bucks? You just made yourself fifteen, so I owe you nine.”
    â€œYou get thirty dollars