Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 21:37:15 -0400
From: Alan A. <eastcoastasulax@gmail.com>
Subject: Jake Grimke Chapter 22

NOTE:  This is the fictional coming of age story of Jake Grimke as he
matures through high school, into college and eventually into
adulthood in the Baltimore, Maryland region.  It contains and embraces
accurate representations of life in Baltimore and its suburbs;
Maryland's traditional sport of lacrosse and the career path a
firefighter might follow in his profession.  All of the characters in
this story are fictional and resemblance to any one person whether
dead or alive is purely coincidental.  If you liked this installment,
please send me some feed back; I got a rough idea where this is headed
but I am always open to some suggestions. Needless to say, if you are
offended by handsome athletic young men growing up gay and the
obstacles they will encounter as well their personal triumphs, you
should use the BACK button on your browser forthwith.

Most of April was a blur for the Mohawks, their days and weeks falling
into a very predictable and regimented pattern of practice, practice,
practice, practice followed by game day.  The Severn Highlanders had
caught the attention of sports writers for both the Baltimore Sun and
The Washington Post as the boys lacrosse team became the high school
team to watch as they continued undefeated into early May against Glen
Burnie, Old Mill and their nearby rival, Annapolis High School.  On
the week between the games with Old Mill and Annapolis, the lacrosse
team from one of the top-ranked schools in the Baltimore prep league,
Calvert Hall, ventured into Anne Arundel County and lost to the
Highlanders.  Each win after a week of challenging practices bolstered
the confidence of each boy on the team until Evan finally said, "I'll
take game day any day of the week; they are a hell of a lot easier
than the practices we have been enduring four days a week."

"I think that's what Coach Dase and the other's have been trying to
cram into our heads," Syms said as the rest of the Mohawks compiled
their team standings both locally and statewide trying to figure out
potential brackets on their bye week Friday lunch period.

Aaron added, "We got the county championship in about three weeks.
Severna Park wasn't that strong this year like they have been in the
past; I almost think Annapolis could sneak in if they play as hard
against the rest of their opponents as they did against us."

"Listen, we just have to keep this up for one more month, just one
more month." the other Captain Grimke reminded his team mates, "Hey, I
don't have crystal ball here but look who is left;  Meade and
Southern; neither have been that strong before and both are barely
breaking even this year.   We keep our game up and we will be the top
seed for the county championship."

"And then what, a week off for the rest of the state to catch up,"
Evan reminded them, "I bet we play Port Deposit again.  They've only
lost one game this season and their defense is consistently keeping
the other teams in single digits."

Coach Dase walked out of the faculty dining room and stopped at the
boy's table asking, "So what do you guys have planned with a game day
off?"

Erik Syms fired off, "we were thinking we would run the stadium steps
just for fun Coach."

Coach Dase smiled, "I can see you and your security detail doing that."

Everybody else at the table laughed imagining Trooper Marsh with her
gun belt running with the guys wearing all their lacrosse gear up and
down the aisles in the stadium like they did almost every other day.
"Listen, you guys got two more classes this afternoon right," Coach
Dase said, "I'll cut you all a pass if you go check out Port Deposit's
game this afternoon if you catch my drift."

Jake listened intently at the suggestion and turned to Evan who nodded
yes.  Beecher was agreeable to anything that got him out of Organic
Chemistry and Erik was already calculating how to explain this
schedule deviation to Trooper Marsh.  Seeing his team mates in
agreement Jake said, "Enough said, we're in."

Evan called Jackie, Aaron texted Shelia and Jake called home and
talked to his dad for a minute saying he would be home for dinner but
later than usual.  Erik went through the extra steps of calling his
Mom and before she could call the state police watch commander to
approve the change, Erik said, "Fuck it, let's get going."

For the first time since becoming the governor's son, Erik eluded
Trooper Marsh as they went from the cafeteria to their lockers to
exchange books for jackets and backpacks and then exited the school
through the boy's locker room and out to the student parking lot where
they all piled into Jake's Saab and headed to Interstate 95 for the 90
minute trip into Cecil County.  Just as they cleared the Harbor Tunnel
in Baltimore, the familiar black Suburban pulled behind them and the
driver lit up the red and blue strobe lights concealed in the grill
and across the top windshield and tapped the electronic siren a few
times.

Jake pulled over immediately, nervous at first until he recognized
Trooper Marsh getting out and walking over to the right rear seat.
Erik rolled the window down for his admonishment from the trooper that
started with, "And where do you think you are going Mr. Syms?"

"To a lacrosse game in Cecil County," Erik said confidently, "didn't
the watch commander contact you?"

"He did, that's how I found out," Trooper Marsh continued, "why didn't
you just tell me?  You're not cutting school are you?"

"No ma'am, Coach Dase gave us all a pass," Erik said, feeling he had
the upper hand.

"Well, I see you are in good hands with your team mates here but that
doesn't mean I won't be a split-second behind your butt Erik.  Don't
sneak off on me like that again, young Mr. Syms; I don't like it and
you don't like me when I am pissed off at you."

"I'm sorry Trooper Marsh," Evan said as the cars whizzed pass them.

"Erik, call me Evelyn, okay?" Trooper Marsh said.

"Yes ma'am, I mean Evelyn," replied Erik.

"Listen," and with an eye to Jake, Evelyn continued "don't you boys do
anything crazy in this car, just take it nice and easy.  It's a Friday
afternoon and every nut is going to be out here trying to get home for
the weekend; I'll be behind you guys all the way.  And Jake, why do
you still have top up on this beautiful car on a beautiful afternoon
like today's?"

Without any hesitation, Evan and Jake released the front windshield
locks for the convertible top and it lowered into its stowage space.
Jake released the handbrake and eased into first gear with the big
Suburban behind him clearing the right lane so he could safely merge
back on to the interstate.  With Jake's IPhone docked, Evan scrolled
through the ITunes until he found Jake's playlist with the songs that
they were planning to do for the concert.   While Jake drove, Evan
played each of the songs and they all practiced the lyrics of the
songs in the playlist until they were just across the Susquehanna
River into Cecil County.

Seeing they were almost an hour early for the game, they stopped at
McDonald's for sodas, even buying Trooper Marsh an extra large iced
tea.  The four stood in their jeans and varsity letterman coats
talking to the trooper in her black cargo pants and forest green polo
with her Glock 9 millimeter holstered on the right side of her belt.
"You boys know what you are looking for here?" Evelyn asked, "this
wasn't just some sort of a joy ride; your coach sent you here with a
purpose."

"Yeah, he wants us to scout out Port Deposit," Aaron offered, "I guess
Coach Dase thinks we might be playing them in state's."

"Yeah well, do you guys know how to scout?" Evelyn continued.

Jake, forgetting the trooper's own lacrosse experience, "we watch for
their strengths and weaknesses, what they exploit on the other team."

"Good Jake," Evelyn said, "Aaron, you should be watching the offense
more than their defense and Evan, Erik and Jake, you guys should watch
their defense because that is what you are going to be playing
against.  You got to think the opposite of what position you play so
you can learn how they are going to play you, you guys got it?"

Evan jumped in, "Thanks Trooper."

"And for God's sake, put those varsity lettermen jackets away, you
guys will stick out like sore thumbs around here," Evelyn suggested.

Jake popped the trunk and their letterman coats were locked inside as
they drove the last mile to Port Deposit High School.  In the half
empty student lot, the Suburban pulled up next to the Saab and they
parked together.  The boys got out taking a look around and followed
the rest of the students and faculty meandering towards the stadium
before they made their way to the visitors side of the field and
grabbed seats together in the bleachers near the front row.

Not knowing the strength of Port Deposit's opponent, Rising Sun High
School, it was difficult to tell how hard their own potential opponent
was playing.  Port Deposit had the home field advantage and their
offense demonstrated good ball control and a willingness to take as
many good shots at the goal as they could.  Their defense was also
strong, able to assist their goalie and make the offense work hard for
each and every shot they tried to take against the home team.  Erik,
Evan and Jake also watched each face off, to see who they might have
to go face-to-face with to gain possession of the ball for their own
team.

Jake watched Port Deposit's defense line while Aaron told him what
they were doing well and not so well.  And for as hard as he tried to
focus on what Aaron was saying his mind wandered.  It was like there
was a fresh crop of new young athletic men dropped at his feet just
waiting for him to sort through as he watched the game, the bench and
the crowd in the stands.

At half-time, they found their way to the men's room to relieve
themselves from the sodas they had earlier.  They walked around the
track encircling the playing field before they found their seats again
and got ready to watch the second half.  With their butts planted they
watched the second half and from out of nowhere, Rising Sun High
blasted three unanswered goals right away into Port Deposit's net!

Jake watched with renewed enthusiasm, analyzing where Rising Sun had
changed their offensive tactics or perhaps Port Deposit's team got a
little cocky and complacent going into the half with a three point
lead.  Now, in under just five minutes of play, it was tied nine even.
 Jake actually found himself cheering for Rising Sun's attackers as he
watched Port Deposit's long-polers scramble on defense.

With the visitor's having a two point lead heading into the fourth
quarter, the game had taken on a new life.  The thought of an upset
victory by Rising Sun over their own cross-county rival enlivened the
crowd on either side of the stadium to cheer more for their favorite
team.  Evan, Aaron and Erik were getting caught up in the momentum of
the game that had changed so dramatically in the second half while
Jake's attention was beginning to be distracted by two male figures
near the Port Deposit sideline.

And while Jake should have remained focused on more on the game he
couldn't help but notice the pair.  Trooper Marsh had given the boys
the binoculars that were assigned to her SUV for the purpose of
watching some of the intricacies of the game they came to scout and
the strap was currently around Evan's neck.  With a quick nudge to his
wingman, Jake got the binoculars and trained them on the two men near
the home team's sideline.

Jake's line of sight was partially obstructed and since they were
watching the game as intently as the guys from Severn high school, it
was difficult at first to get a good visual on them.  Then Rising Sun
called a time out and everybody relaxed for a minute allowing Jake to
zoom in on the pair.  The taller of the two, at least 6'-2" was
wearing a light blue hoodie emblazoned with HOPKINS LACROSSE and black
Nike wind pants, also with the HOPKINS LACROSSE logo on the left
thigh.  His dirty blonde hair was buzz cut and he sported a full beard
of almost the same length.  "Bryant?" Jake asked himself.

His left hand was on the right shoulder of the young man next to him,
probably not even 21 and he whispered in his friend's ear.  Obviously,
Jake couldn't hear what was being said but he sure could see making
him start to smile as the familiar features became recognizable.  It
was Jake's Adonis, Jose, wearing a purple sweat shirt with the word
FIJI in big letters across the chest.

"Hey bro, you going to watch the game?" Evan asked, tugging on the
strap of the binoculars.

"Huh," was all Jake could muster.

"Earth to Jake" Aaron said sarcastically, "come in Jake"

Jake handed the binoculars to Evan, "Isn't that Bryant Williams from
lacrosse camp over there in the Hopkins hoodie?"

Evan raised the binoculars to his eyes, "yeah bro, I think your right.
 And who's that dude next to him, he looks familiar too, in the FIJI
shirt, whatever that is."

Beecher chimed in, "FIJI is a frat, my oldest brother was Phi Gamma
Delt at Maryland."

"That's Jose Valdez, Maria's son, we, met him after the Christmas
concert at Children's," Jake said to refresh Evan's memory.

"Oh God, this game is over for you," Evan said reading his wingman, "I
know where your mind is now."

Just the thought of being in the same zip code as Jose made Jake's
knees start to sweat.  Jake watched the game as much as he watched
Bryant and Jose, trying to determine if they were friends or more by
their body language.  With some minor commotion and signaling, Jake
swapped seats with Aaron so he could sit next to Erik.  "I need a
small favor bro," Jake asked Erik.

Erik, focused on the game, without breaking his concentration on what
was happening on the field said, "what's that J-man?"

"Um, think there's enough room in the Suburban for all you guys to go
back to Severn?" Jake asked his team mate.

"There's a ton of room in the war wagon," Erik said, referring to the
black Suburban, "but why dude?"  Why you going to leave us, that's not
like you."

"I see somebody I got to talk to," was all Jake said.

Erik leaned to his other side, "Troo...., um, Evelyn, we might have a
small situation developing."

"What's that Erik," Evelyn demanded to know in a tone that suggested
no details be spared.

"Jake says he has to talk to somebody and may not be able to give us a
ride home," Erik stated, "that's all he said."

Evelyn leaned past Erik, "What's going on Jake?"

"I just see a dude I remember from lacrosse camp, I want to go say
hello to him and his friend," Jake said honestly, "and who knows, if
we end up talking for a while, I may not get Erik back in time, or the
other guys for that matter.  I know I shouldn't impose on you but this
just seems like a once in a lifetime chance.  If you could help, that
would be great."

"You are not imposing but I'm not here to be your soccer or lacrosse
mom either, shuttling you boys to and from games and all that other
stuff, got it young man?" she said with a certain amount of trooper
authority.

"Yes ma'am," Jake said with a smile before turning to Aaron and
switching seats to be next to Evan again.

Jake looked at his diver's watch that he liked to wear and turned to
Aaron and said, "if I am not at the car at 6:00 pm, go back with Erik
and the trooper."

"What are you up to Jake?" Aaron wanted to know.

"Over there on the Port Deposit sidelines is a dude I recognize from
lacrosse camp.  I just wanted to go say hi to him and if we end up
hanging out for a little bit, it might be kind of too late to get you
and the rest of the guys back on time."

"Sounds a little fishy bro," Aaron said, "but we got your back."

Turning to his wingman as Jake finished talking to Aaron, Evan asked,
"I guess you are going over there?"

"Yeah, if I am not back at the car at 6 pm, catch I ride with the
trooper, okay?" Jake said, "I'll fill you in with the details later."

"Hey bro, good luck," Evan said as he gave Jake a quick hug, "I hope
he says whatever you want to hear; I mean that Jake."

With about five minutes left in the quarter and Rising Sun still
maintaining a two point lead, Jake handed over the binoculars to Evan
and offered a fist bump, "always and forever wingman."

Evan bumped back, "always and forever."

Jake ambled down to the track and walked the long way around to the
Port Deposit side line, maintaining a constant vision on Bryant and
Jose until he was on the same stretch of the straight-away as them.
Jake could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his mouth turning dry
and a rivulet of sweat dripping over his knee.

Jose spotted Jake first and did a double take to make sure it was in
fact, Jake Grimke walking towards them.  His smile broadened as Jake
got closer to them before Bryant turned to see why Jose wasn't paying
attention to the last minutes of the game.  Bryant began smiling too,
realizing it was one of his former camp mates closing the gap between
them.  Their welcoming smiles bolstered Jake's confidence and all of a
sudden, his heart didn't beat quite so hard, his mouth was a little
less dry and his knees a little less sweaty as he broke into a jog
towards the pair.