The next morning, my dad didn't mention the night before. He went about his business like usual and left the house to meet a friend from work. The following week went much the same way. I'd wake up and eat breakfast and he'd say the usual "how are you how are your grades blah blah blah" and then he'd go to work and I'd go to school. I'd get home and make dinner, we'd eat then we wouldn't talk the rest of the night. Although it seems cold, things worked better like that. The memories I have of high school are few and far between. I hardly remember my classes and teachers, I only recall that each week's passing was marked by the Friday night football game and the parties afterwards. The next week's game against Herndon was not going well. I sat in the stands with Sheryl Yoast and listened to her enthusiastic commentary. "Rev Harris is a great quarterback," She explained. "He's got a good arm and he's a fast runner."

"What about Sunshine?" I asked, curious about my friend.

"Coach says he's got real potential. He can throw it a mile but can't pitch it a yard." Sheryl shrugged.

The next thing I remember is Rev lying on the ground with Ray and Lewie standing over him. The entire team was crowded around him. Lewie was so apologetic, swearing he yelled the play but Ray denied hearing it. That's when I knew.Ray missed the block on purpose. I had never been more disgusted in my life. Boone helped Rev off the field and walked over to Ronnie. Sheryl sat their wide eyed and open mouthed. "They're putting Sunshine in! I hope he's ready!"

"He's ready. He's going to win it." I knew it. Ronnie had to do it he deserved it. He was the first person who'd befriended me and I wanted to see him win it so badly. Sunshine was visibly anxious when he went in, but ended up nailing the play.

The titans went on to win again, continuing the undefeated streak. When the game was over, I went down to the locker rooms to congratulate Ronnie. "I am so proud of you!" I ran up to him and gave him a hug.

"Not bad for a second stringer." He grinned.

"So what are we doing tonight?" I asked. "Going down to the A&W. Most of the guys already left but Gerry asked if I'd wait for him. He said he had to talk to Ray."

Ray. I'd almost forgotten about him. "He missed it on purpose."

"I know." Ronnie sighed. "Gerry's kicking him off."

I gasped. "I thought Boone didn't cut players."

Sunshine shrugged. "He's making an exception."

We walked to the parking lot where Ronnie and Gerry's cars were parked side by side. A few moments later, a visibly shaken Gerry walked over to us.

"How'd it go?" Ronnie asked.

Gerry shrugged. "He's pissed. I haven't seen him that mad in a long time. He said some stuff.I don't wanna talk about it." He got in his car but didn't start it, he just sat there looking off into space. "Ronnie you go ahead to meet the guys. I'm gonna go and." "Talk to Gerry? I'll meet you guys in a while." With that Ronnie got in his car and sped away. I climbed into Gerry's Camaro. He looked over at me briefly then returned to his spaced out frame of mind. "Gerry what happened?"

He sighed. "Ray didn't block for Rev on purpose.you probably figured that out. So I told Boone that he should be off. Boone never wants to cut people so he told me if I felt that strongly I had to go tell Ray myself. So I did. God, I never saw him so mad. Ray and me've been good buddies for a long time and now so it was hard for me to say. But goddammit some of the stuff he said about Julius and Rev and the other guys.I never heard anything so racist and cruel in my life. Then he started." Gerry stopped. "What?" I asked. "Never mind." He looked away from me. I bit my lip. "Did he say something about me?"

Gerry sighed. "He said we're a bad influence on you. He said that we're forcing you not to date him and stuff. Then he started saying how you didn't have a mind of your own and that you couldn't figure this stuff out for yourself."

I contemplated this for a moment. "So in other words I'm a stupid girl who can't possibly do anything on my own. Glad I know where I stand."

"I'm so sorry I had to tell you that."

"Don't be. Gerry, Ray was your friend for a real long time. It must have killed you to have done this tonight. I think that its real brave. " I smiled at him weakly. Gerry smiled back. "Thanks Ash. You know, I'm really not in the mood for A&W. You mind if I just drop you off and head home?"

"Sure. Are you going to be okay?" I asked. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Well call me if you need anything."

He grinned and gave me a hug. "You are the best Ashley. I'm really glad you came here."

He pulled up to the A&W and I got out of the car. "Thanks to you, I'm glad I came too."