Down Poison Chapter Seven

Eric stared up at the sky above him, frowning when he saw both Buddy and Tim lean over him. He felt a towel land on his legs and sat up, running it over his hair. How did Buddy expect him to go to the booster club meeting? There was no way he'd be dry in time and throwing him in the pool didn't exactly sober him up.

He shifted his weight, forcing his heavy body to a standing position. He was quite embarrassed at the fact that Tim had seen this whole altercation and feared that he would tell someone. How idiotic of him to go to one of his athletes houses like this. Shaking his head, he tossed the towel back to Riggins.

"I trust that you won't say anything about what happened here." Eric's voice was raspy and low as he glared at Tim from across the pool. Turning to Buddy, he gritted his teeth at the anger he was feeling towards the man. "And as for the booster club meeting", he paused, catching his breath. "We are going to be late." He walked past both of them and waited at Buddy's Suburban; the awkward tension between the three of them was too much for him to handle at the moment.

The last place Eric wanted to be was in public, especially at a meeting. He and Buddy had walked in about ten minutes late since they had to stop by his hotel room to get a dry set of clothes so the attention was already focused on both of them from the beginning. This crowd really annoyed him. They were so fake and phony that he wanted to sit there and point out each of their flaws. They put off this aura of being religious and Godly but you could see it in their personalities that they were the biggest hypocrites that Dillon had ever seen. He sat back in his chair and sighed, hoping someone else would begin the meeting. He hated being the ringleader when it came to stuff like this, and thankfully Buddy stood up and began talking.

Eric fidgeted in his chair, hoping that no one could see it in his eyes that he wasn't completely sober. His hands were wrinkled from being dowsed in water but he kept them under the table. He was so tired that he literally could fall asleep where he sat but he drank down some coffee in hopes that it would give him his second wind. He knew he was being paranoid but it felt as if all eyes were on him despite the fact that Buddy was the one speaking. He'd look in someone's direction and feel their eyes quickly move away in fear of being caught staring. Maybe the news of he and Tami splitting up were around town and that's why they were staring at him.

"So Coach and I have decided that we need some new balls for the girl's soccer team, right Eric?"

Eric looked up towards Buddy, nodding. No matter how hard he tried he could not remember the soccer coach's name. It was a detail he hadn't paid attention to. "Yeah, they are in need of some..." he trailed off, looking back down at the table. "She needs a phone in her office too." Glancing at the soccer coach, he smirked. "I don't want her barging in on me like she did a few weeks ago."

"I didn't barge in on you Coach Taylor. From what I could tell you were sitting around talking." The soccer coach was across the table from him and he could tell she wasn't happy by his remark.

He scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. She really had it out for him and he didn't know why. "Listen, I've been athletic director for a total of two weeks. I'm new at this so forgive me for not knowing what to do right off the bat. We will get you the needed supplies you requested..."

She interrupted him, her tone sharp as she spoke quickly. "Even if that means cutting the funds back on the football department?"

Shaking his head, he stayed quiet for a moment allowing himself to cool down before he said something he'd regret. "Yes, even if that means cutting back on our stuff." 'To hell with it', he thought. He was fed up with people saying the football team got everything and the other sports programs got the leftovers. Even if it were true it still was agitating. "When was the last time the soccer team went to the playoffs?" He stopped, allowing the question to linger. "When was the last time the soccer team made it to the state tournament?" Again he waited. "And best of all, coach, when was the last time the soccer team brought home a Texas state championship?"

The room fell quiet. Eric stared her down, patiently waiting for a response that never came. The soccer coach shifted in her chair, a small squeak from the wheels echoed loudly.

"Coach Taylor, maybe our program would do better if we had the proper equipment."

"With all due respect, you'll start seeing improvements in your staff and equipment when we start seeing an improvement in your performance and record. If you don't like that than I suggest you go coach for another school district." He stood up, grabbing his brief case. "Meeting's adjourned." He didn't wait and allow anyone else to speak and made his exit, stepping out into the parking lot. He wasn't sure if what he had just done was a good idea but he didn't care. He was tired of people razzing him about stupid minor things that in the long run wouldn't matter.

He felt an arm jerk him around and it was Buddy. Pushing him away, he tried to walk away and down the street but he felt his familiar grasp on him again.

"Eric, what in the HELL was that about?" He was inches away from Eric's face, and he could feel his hot breath sting his skin. "You had no right saying that!"

Eric arched his eyebrow. "Heh. So you don't want me telling the truth because both you and I know that's how it is! How about we stop blowing sunshine up their skirts and tell them how it is. Maybe they'll stop knocking down my door and start up winning athletic programs! This is stress I don't need and you of all people should know that."

"You said yes to being athletic director, Eric!"

Balling up his hand, Eric had the sudden urge to hit Buddy and get him away for good but the bigger man caught him off guard, and Buddy's right fist impacted Eric's face, the force of his punch sending Eric backwards and to the ground. His head hit the pavement behind him and an instant feeling of pain erupted through his head. He tried getting up quickly but Buddy had hit him hard and his body was not allowing him to move much at all. So bad did he want to stand up and return the favor but it wasn't happening. With the sluggish feeling from the alcohol in his system and the hard blow he had endured it was impossible. Running his hand over his cheek, he spit out some blood that had gathered on his top gum.

"Oh God, Eric I'm sorry." Buddy stepped towards him, offering to help him but Eric waved him off. "I don't know why I just did that."

Eric couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't amusing in the least bit but it was all his emotions could think to do. Maybe he deserved to be decked, which was one of the reasons he didn't fight back. He stared down at the ground and ran his hand through a puddle that had formed after a brief rain they had in the afternoon. "I got suckered into that and you know it. My pay got reduced. What other option did I have?" He moved his mouth up and down, trying to work out the stiffness that had formed in his jaw. "I have a family to support. How does the school district justify their reasoning to cut my pay after winning state? How Buddy?" He paused, spitting out another drop of blood.

The sound of passing cars could be heard on the street right next to the parking lot they were in. He could see the sympathy in Buddy's eyes but male bonding was not what he had in mind, especially with him.

"I'm not sure why they did that, Eric. It'll get better, you just have to practice at it."

Eric shook his head no. Pointing his index finger in Buddy's direction he retorted, "Don't patronize me Buddy. Don't patronize me." His voice was almost a whisper and was barely audible over the loud vehicles that scurried by. Finally standing up, he turned around and wandered down the sidewalk and away from Buddy. He wanted to be alone and away from any form of intelligent life.

"Hello?" Tami rolled over in bed, grabbing her cell phone. At first she didn't recognize the number but realized who it was the moment she hit the green call button. It was only around 10:30 and she was surprised at the fact that she was fast asleep so early in the evening.

"Tami, I'm sorry for calling you like this but it's about Eric again."

Tami sat up, smoothing over the comforter in front of her. Her stomach sank low in fear that something had happened to him. "Is everything okay?" She turned on the lamp on her nightstand and waited, hearing hesitation in Buddy's voice.

"He's okay Tami, nothing like what you are thinking happened. He had a bad day and I think he's needing you."

Tami moved the phone to her left ear, kicking her legs off of the side of the bed. So bad did she want to break down and vent to him but it wasn't the right time or place. Besides, it was Buddy Garrity. When was he ever someone she could open up to? She felt the warmth of tears streak down her cheeks, hoping that Buddy couldn't tell that she was crying.

"Did he go to his hotel room?" Her nose was stuffy and if he didn't pick up that she was sobbing than he wasn't a good observer.

"I don't know Tami. He huffed off before I could say anything else."

She nodded as if he could see her. "Thanks Buddy."

Hanging up the phone, she made her way down the hallway to Julie's room. Her oldest was still awake so she sat down on the bed beside her, wrapping her up in a hug. She didn't want to let her go, it was the only comfort from someone she had felt in so long. Julie returned the embrace, her tears soaking into Tami's shirt. Both sat quietly for a few minutes until Julie broke the silence.

"What's wrong mom?"

Tami pulled away, clenching her jaw. It wasn't right that her girls were going through this. What was she going to do to make it right? She was hoping time would play a factor in his recovery but it was only making things worse. The distance spent apart was like a canyon that seemed to grow bigger by the second. She didn't want to lose her husband. Reaching for a box of Kleenex at Julie's bedside she handed her one. Swallowing hard she mustered up the courage to speak, ashamed that she was placing this entire burden on her sixteen-year-old daughter.

"Can you watch Gracie for me?"

Julie nodded, her facial expression full of questions. "What is going on?"

"I think I'm going to go have a talk with your father." She paused, wiping away the moisture on her face. "Yeah, that's what I'm going to do." It was almost as if she had to convince herself to do it.

"I'll watch Gracie mom, it's no problem."

She hugged Julie again, running her hands down her long blonde hair. "I won't be late."

Eric began to doze off as he watched the Jay Leno show. He wasn't even sure what was going on or who the guest was but he liked having some form of sound over the silence that always made him think too hard. He held a beer can in his hand that was half empty and quickly set it on the table beside the bed in fear of spilling it all over the place. He wasn't sure why he was fighting his sleep; it was what he definitely needed at the moment. Giving in he sank low into the limp pillows, allowing his body to relax. He closed his bloodshot eyes and began to drift off when he heard three light taps on his door.

He didn't even make an effort to look up, keeping his head buried under the covers. "Who is it?" Why was it when he finally got to a place he wanted to be someone had to ruin it?

He groaned after three more taps. Who could be at his door this late in the evening? Eric threw off the mound of covers and sat up. He grumbled as he walked to the door and glanced out of the side window. Tami. He stopped abruptly, trying to gain his composure. He was excited to see her though he'd never let that show on the outside. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and welcomed her inside.

"What are you doing here?" It was weird asking his own wife that question. He'd never get used to living on his own. He ducked his head in fear that she'd see his swollen upper lip. It was something else she'd nit-pick, he was sure of it.

She sat down at the small table designed for two people, running her fingers over the wood. Eric took notice to her uneasiness and sat across from her. She had been crying. He could tell from how swollen her eyelids were.

"I got a phone call from Buddy Garrity." She finally looked him in the face. "What happened to you?"

He cradled his head in his hand, glancing at his feet. He finally noticed the ugly lime green carpet that cascaded across the floor. "Buddy and I had a misunderstanding. It's nothing."

"Did you hit him?" Her remark wasn't so much of a question but more of a comment as if she expected that he did.

Shaking his head no, he touched the cut on his lip with his index finger. "No, I didn't have a chance to. I wanted to though."

She frowned, and the look on her face made him nervous. He couldn't tell what she was thinking and that made him feel extremely awkward. Normally he could read her like a book. "Eric, I wanted to come talk to you. I want you to know that we are here for you. We love you so much. I...love you so much."

He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "You are here for me?" He picked at some of the mahogany on the surface of the table. He didn't want to lose his temper with her so he fought hard to keep a level head. "Funny you say that since I'm stuck in this shit hole by myself." His voice was calm. Trying not to yell was not a simple task for him.

More tears flowed down from her ducts. "You still don't get it do you? All of this time to think about it and you still don't understand?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Just leave Tami. If you came here to lecture me again don't waste your time. Besides, I was just about to actually fall asleep for once when you knocked." Deep down inside he wanted to grab her and kiss her, to feel her warm body up against his again but his pride said no. What he should've done from the beginning was say he was wrong, she was right and to hell with it all but he didn't see it that way. It almost wasn't worth it though, and his marriage was slowly dissipating. It took two to work it out and if she wasn't going to bend than why should he?

"I came over to try and fix this. To try and see some light at the end of the tunnel, Eric. Your girls miss you! What do I tell Julie when you don't come home yet again? Little Gracie wants to know where her daddy is. How can you put this all on me?"

"If memory serves me right you are the one that showed me where the door was." He strode back to his bed, his face blank from any form of expression. "Now I'm showing you where mine is. Please leave." He watched her silhouette leave and heard the door latch behind her. She had hesitated before she made her exit, making him want to run after her but his feet wouldn't move. He settled back down into the hard mattress, his body screaming out in pain from the exhaustion it was experiencing. Not even able to control it, a solitary tear trickled down his cheek and dropped to the pillow below him. He was coming off as harsh and evil but to be honest it was his only defense at the moment. He knew it wasn't like himself to not listen to Tami but he felt as if the world were against him. His pride played a huge role in all of this. It messed up another situation that could've been a turning point in this whole battle. Today was not a good day and he was glad it was coming to an end, praying that his outlook on life tomorrow would be better.

tbc...