Chapter 13: Let the Boy Play
Date: September 20th, 2023
Location: Parking Lot of Ellington Central High School, City of Ellington
Time: 6:17 PM (Local)
Sophomore Year, 1st Semester
After the excitement died down on the field, Coach Selene ended practice and accompanied Allen, Aiko, and Kayla to the parking lot. She decided that it would be best if she personally talked to Allen’s guardians about him playing as she could already see the arguments that would occur. A group had gathered around Allen in the parking lot until Coach Selene had dispersed the overeager students. Brad soon pulled into the parking lot and spotted the coach standing with Allen and he let out a long sigh. It could be said that Allen’s arrival to the family marked interesting times.
“Coach Selene, good afternoon. Everything alright?” Brad jumps straight to the point.
“Everything’s fine. I just wanted to ask if I could come over this evening and speak to you and Mrs. Summerton about Allen.” Coach Selene responds. Brad eyes Coach Selene for a few moments before turning his attention to Allen. Allen’s blank face offers no explanation. “That’s fine, I hope he didn’t cause you trouble during practice.”
“No…none at all….” Coach Selene mutters under her breath.
“So. What was that about?” They are riding home from the school and Brad’s curiosity finally gets the best of him. The ride had been silent up until this point. Allen, Kayla, and Aiko ride in the back. Kayla stifles a laugh as her stomach stills hurt. She looks at Allen and gives him a sly grin before responding to her dad.
“Allen tried out for football. The coach wants him to be the new starting quarterback. “ The van goes silent as Brad focuses on driving. Kayla, Aiko, and Allen all look at each other with questioning looks. Allen leans in and whispers to Kayla.
“I think you broke him.” Kayla turns her head towards her father and observes him for a moment.
“Dad, you good?” A few moments of silence pass before Brad responds.
“We’ll discuss this at home with Laura and April.” Those are the final words of the rest of the ride.
Date: September 20th, 2023
Location: Summerton Residence, City of Ellington
Time: 7:10 PM (Local)
Sophomore Year, 1st Semester
Allen is starting to wonder if every decision he makes in this world will be discussed at a military tribunal. He sits at the dining room table with everyone else currently in his life sitting opposite of him. Well, except for Kayla and Aiko. They sit on either side of him as if offering their support. Coach Selene had arrived earlier and leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. She was mentally fortifying herself for the onslaught of questions that she was sure was coming her way.
“So, Allen.” April takes the lead in examining the defendant. “What transpired this afternoon that warranted Coach Selene coming to the Summerton residence today?”
“I caught a football.” Is Allen’s short response. Eve scolds him in his ear for his flippant response. Amy facepalms and Laura narrows her eyes at Allen. She offers one word in response. “Explain.”
Allen sighs and straightens his posture. “Aiko and I were in the bleachers, and she was refreshing my memory about football. I heard everyone yell and I reached out and caught the ball….” Kayla interrupts him with a shout. “With one hand!” Laura, Brad, and Amy glare at her and Kayla shrinks down into her seat in response. Amy rolls her hand forward to Allen. “Continue.”
“One of the players taunted me and I threw the ball back to her hard. Coach Selene had me walk down to the field and run some plays. She told me I had the position.” As Allen finishes the last statement, three heads turn as one towards Coach Selene. She stands up under the sudden scrutiny and clears her throat.
“They might have an issue with him being a boy, but he is definitely capable of playing.” She finishes her statement with a nod. Aiko gets her phone out of her backpack and waves it around to get everyone’s attention.
“I have video!”
She hits play on the video and all of the adults, to include Valerie gather around the small screen to watch. Coach Selene has a smug look on her face as if the video vindicates her crazy idea. Brad, Laura, Valorie, and Amy’s eyes get wider and wider as they watch. Allen knows when they get to the part where he pegs Sarah in the face because the crowd groans in the background and Amy fixes Allen with a glare. He winces at the look. “You may have gone a little overboard with that last throw.” Eve offers helpfully in his ear. Allen nods in response as he suffers Amy’s glare.
“Well, Allen definitely has the talent to play. Might as well let him.” Laura says as Amy and Brad look at her with open shock. Amy sighs and reaches for her phone in her coat pocket. “Going to text the boss and see what she says.” Amy fingers fly across her screen as she aggressively texts her boss. Valorie looks at the video being replayed by Laura and then back up at Allen.
“What’s your deal?” Allen jerks at her question.
“I’m just me. I’m going to continue being the best me as possible.” Allen says as he leans back and crosses his arms. Everyone freezes at the simple, yet philosophical response. The adults find themselves nodding along to the words and Kayla, Valorie, and Aiko can’t seem to formulate a response. Amy goes back to typing on her cell. After reading the responses, Amy huffs and looks at Brad and Laura.
“My boss said she had no problem with it as long as Brad and Laura okay it.”
Brad looks at Laura and chews his bottom lip. He then utters the words that have killed millions of children’s dreams throughout history. “He could get hurt.” Laura hears the sound of a crowd groaning through the cellphone.
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“I’m not worried about Allen getting hurt.” Coach Selene nods her head enthusiastically by the wall. It looked like she may have cleared this hurtle but Coach Selene was preparing herself for watching a person give birth to an actual cow when she approaches Ms. Willow about this. Brad looks at Laura before turning his head to Allen.
“You can play, under two conditions.” Brad ensures he has Allen’s undivided attention before continuing. “No playing hurt and no unnecessary risks.” Allen nods his head in assent. Coach Selene walks over to the table and offers her assurances.
“I’ll personally see to that. As it is, I’m going to have to convince Ms. Willow to allow it. If anything happened to Allen, my head would roll.” Amy had given up on the conversation and leaned back on her chair. Allen notices an unreadable look on her face. Allen looks at the adults talking and speaks up.
“I’m going to talk to Amy on the front porch.” Laura waves him on and he takes it as an agreement before giving Amy a questioning look. She gets up and walks outside with Allen behind her.
“So, what’s up?” Allen asks as he and Amy reach the front porch.
“You make my job very difficult, you know?” Amy says with a huff.
“I promise, it’s not my intention. I’m just trying to adjust to my new life here. It’s hard not remembering who you are.” Amy has to stop herself from snorting at Allen’s excuse. She eyes him a few moments before responding.
“I was excited when my boss told me that I was assigned to you. You are my first official assignment and I just wanted to make sure that you are safe. Yes, my career may ride on this but that’s not what this is about. It’s plain to everyone around you that you are special. Everyone can see it. I just worry that you are just trying to prove something and will end up getting hurt. I may not be your family, but I am starting to see myself as somewhat of a big sister or possibly an aunt to you. I’ll always have your best interest at heart. I just want to see you safe and happy.” Amy ends her speech as she looks out on the front lawn while leaning on the railing. Allen contemplates her words for a few moments as he joins her.
“I promise that I’m not trying to prove anything. I may not remember my past, but I feel like I was stifled. Maybe, I’m just making up for lost time. Maybe, you’re right and I need to slow down.” Allen looks right into her eyes. “But I am sure that I’m not going to limit myself to the expectations of others when it comes to my happiness and successes.” Amy looks back out across the lawn at these words. She exhales a long, drawn-out sigh.
“That’s fair. Please just make sure you don’t overreach and hurt yourself. You may have only been here for 4 days, but the people around you all care about you and want the best for you. It’s clear that you’ve made your way into Brad and Laura’s hearts. You draw people, even me. I can’t explain it. Just be safe and prioritize that over anything else.” Allen nods and offers Amy a hand. She smiles and shakes it. Amy looks at Allen one more time before walking into the house. Allen goes back to leaning on the front porch railing. “Amy’s status has been updated from “friendly” to “Ally.” Allen nods at Eve’s decision.
Allen walked back into the house and rejoined the group around the table. Brad had suggested Chinese for dinner. As they waited for it to arrive, Laura went into the living room and retrieved something she had picked up on the way home. She walked back to the table and tossed it to Allen unexpectedly to see his reflexes for herself. As a booklet twirled through the air like a frisbee, Allen reached out and snagged it without looking. He paused his conversation with Aiko and brought the booklet to his face. It was a study guide for obtaining a license and a motorcycle endorsement.
“You’ll have to apply for a permit first and then a motorcycle endorsement. Once you study up and think you are ready, I’ll take a day off and take you to the DMV.” Laura says as she watches Allen quickly skim through the guide. Eve is scanning and compiling the information into a suitable format for Allen to study. Allen continues to focus on the booklet while simultaneously conversing with Aiko and Kayla about the events at practice. This doesn’t escape Amy’s notice.
“You probably gave poor Millie a heart attack with what you said to her. It’s not nice to tease her. The boys really don’t pay attention to her as much because she isn’t skinny like most girls.” Kayla scolds Allen while waggling a finger in his face. Allen pauses his reading and looks up at Kayla.
“What? I wasn’t teasing her. She may be curvier than most girls, but she is still pretty cute, and I’m sure her personality is way better than Sarah’s. I meant it when I said I’d rather go on a date with her than Sarah.” He goes back to reading the booklet. Brad has a proud smile on his face at hearing Allen’s words. Kayla just shakes her head. Aiko musters up the courage and turns to Allen.
“W-what about girls like me?” She asks shyly. Allen sighs and puts the manual down. He then turns to Aiko.
“Look, I don’t get hung up on looks. Small breasts, extra curves, whatever, I don’t care. If I can’t talk to them on a meaningful level, then I’m not interested.” He watches Aiko’s reaction for a few moments before picking up the manual again. Aiko mulls over his words for a moment before addressing him again. “C-can I take you to the mall Saturday? J-just dinner and a few arcade games. “Mike & Buds” has food and games.” Allen closes the manual as he realizes he won’t be able to study at the table with so many people around trying to talk to him. As he’s trying to formulate a response to Aiko’s question, Amy interjects.
“How about we all go. Don’t worry, we can still give you and Allen space to hang out. It’s just that Allen is still adjusting to life here and trouble seems to follow him.” Aiko nods her accent as she watches Allen. He decides that it’d be pretty harmless and offers Aiko a smile. “Sure, let’s do it. Sound’s like fun.” Aiko has to stop herself from punching the air. The food arrives and the rest of the night passes with Kayla’s impassioned, and theatrical retelling of Allen’s try out. Allen wanted to point out that the video Aiko recorded was suitable, but Kayla was having too much fun being the center of attention. The impromptu party eventually breaks up and everyone says their goodnights.
Date: September 20th, 2023
Location: *….CLASSIFIED….*
Time: 7:23 PM (Local)
Sophomore Year, 1st Semester
While Allen and the rest enjoy their Chinese food and Kayla’s reenactment of practice, an entirely serious conversation is taking place in an undisclosed facility. Colonel Stryker stands in front of a curved table with five stern faced women sitting on the opposite side. The one in the middle wears a military dress uniform with 5 stars on her shoulders. The other four wear professional business attire.
“Colonel Stryker, I’m getting pressure from our higher ups to move Allen to a secure facility.”
“General Solomon, with all due respect, I believe that would be a mistake.”
“Please explain, Colonel Stryker.” General Solomon leans forward and interlaces her fingers on the table in front of her.
“Ma’am, I believe by ingratiating ourselves with him, he’ll be more amenable to cooperating with us. Second, it is of my professional opinion that if we attempt to “secure” him, not only will he thwart our attempts, but we may also well drive him into the arms of our country’s rivals. We have intel that the Sino-Asian Alliance may have operatives on the way to attempt contact. I’ve already made arrangements in Ellington to secure the city with more assets.”
“How so, Colonel?”
Colonel Stryker smirks at this. “Coffee.”
“Coffee?” General Solomon says as she raises an eyebrow.
“Yes, Allen Stryker is seeking employment. We are going to open a coffee shop close to the Summertons and staff it with operatives. We’ll also offer Mr. Stryker employment. We will be close by in case we need to move to secure him and be able to monitor him. It will also serve as our base of operations in the city. The plan is already in the works.” General Solomon thinks over Colonel Stryker’s words.
“There is also the fact that you and this pilot share the same last name, some claim a conflict of interest.” General Solomon watches Colonel Stryker’s face as she says this.
“I admit my curiosity as well. I believe my service career is more than enough to prove my effectiveness and loyalty. I have looked into my family and see no direct connection between us. One of my scientists has a strong belief in the multiverse theory and I am finding it hard to dismiss her hypothesis. I plan to make direct contact with Mr. Stryker under the guise of owning the coffee shop. His last name will not stop me from carrying out my duties.”
“Fine, Colonel Stryker. We will go with your recommendations for now until the situation becomes untenable. Mark my words, if we pull the plug on this operation, YOU WILL carry out your orders and secure the asset.” General Solomon says this as she points her finger towards the colonel. The other women nod their heads in agreement. Colonel Stryker steps back and offers a crisp salute in response. General Solomon dismisses her, and she performs an about face and walks out of the meeting. Once Colonel Stryker gets to the hallway, her phone chimes from a text message. She reads the message from Agent Lynch and laughs as she starts walking down the hallway and types her response.
“That boy may not have an actual connection with my family here, but he definitely has the blood of a Stryker! Hahahaha! Quarterback!”