Part Eleven
Back on JV?
Adam clapped as JV made another goal. The score was 5-2 during the third period. The buzzer sounded a few seconds later for the end of the game.
He was really relieved to see Charlie. Skipping school for a week would not look good to Buckley or anyone on the alumni. Adam wondered if his friend's scholarship was in jeopardy because of how he had been since the start of school. Charlie was a lot of things, but Adam was glad to see that he still was not a quitter.
His friends were playing as a team again too. They were flying together once again. He had not really seen that at the grudge game with Varsity.
It was now Monday, three days after Hans' funeral.
As he watched JV cerebrating their win, Adam could not help but smile. It was a wistful smile, but it was more than he had done before the dinner prank. With the exception of the game of schoolyard puck on Saturday, there had not been much to smile about.
That game had been one of the best times Adam had since starting Eden Hall. At least for a few hours he could forget his problems. It was great just to play once again with his friends, something that he missed. Even though Adam and Charlie had not talked that day, they, besides the rest of the team, acted like nothing had changed.
Waiting until JV left Orion to change, Adam made his down to the player's box where the coach was. "Coach Orion?"
Orion turned around to face him. His expression registered some surprise at seeing him. "Banks. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at practice?"
Adam was not sure how he was going to approach Orion about this. He would want to know why, and Adam did not want to give the real reasons. After all Orion had put him on Varsity, or the most likely case, let Wilson have him on Varsity. But he could not fault Orion for that, could he? If he had been in Orion's place he may have done the same thing.
"Yeah." Though he had to catch a local bus as soon as school had let out to make it to this game. "I want to come back on JV. Varsity wasn't," he paused, "what I thought it would be. I felt I learned a lot more from that first practice on JV then the past three weeks on Varsity." Adam knew what he just said was pathetic, and Orion would want a better explanation than that. But he could not tell him about what had really been happening.
Orion's face turned into a look of two things, one of surprise and the other was concern. He remembered that day with Adam's roommate and Vanderbilt all too well. Something was going on with the teenager, but he could not push Adam into talking. "I wouldn't mind you back on JV, and I will talk to Wilson about it. But now with this meeting tomorrow, I don't know if talking with Wilson will do any good." Adam's face looked a bit confused. "Didn't Dean Buckley talk to you?" Orion asked. The teen shook his head, no.
"Buckley talked to the team earlier, there's a board meeting tomorrow. The alumni are withdrawing the Ducks' scholarships." If Orion was going to say anything else after that, Adam interrupted him before he could continue.
"They can't do that!" Adam knew about Riley's father wanting his friends out of Eden Hall. He could not do that to his friends and him. But he thought about it for a moment. "Can they?"
Orion's face hardened. "They're going to try. But like I told JV we're going to fight it. Are you going to want to be at the meeting?"
Adam gave a short nod and said, "I'll stand with JV, I have a contract too."
"Would you like to ride back to school with everyone else?"
"No, thanks," he answered and started to turn around to walk away before Orion could protest.
"I'll talk to Coach Wilson." Adam heard Orion tell him. Looking back at the JV coach, he merely said, "Thanks."
After arriving back from playing against Stratton Meadows with the Ducks, Ted Orion headed back to his office. Looking at the scrap of paper that Charlie scribbled a number on; he picked up the phone and dialed. Thankfully the person he was trying to reach was home. After talking for a few moments, Ted hung up and headed back out.
Knocking on the door to one of the finer Minneapolis apartments, he thought that Gordon Bombay did not spare much expense.
"Come in, Ted." Gordon said as he opened the door. "Would you like something to drink? Water or ice tea?" he asked as he led Ted into a small living room.
"Ice tea would be good. Thank you for making time to speak with me," Ted said as he sat down on the couch.
"It's no problem. You were pretty vague on the phone. I assume you didn't want to be overheard if that is the case?" he asked as he handed Ted the ice tea. Gordon made himself comfortable at the other end of the couch.
Ted nodded his thanks and said 'yes' to answer Gordon's question. He continued to tell Gordon what happened on the bus with Dean Buckley. "Can they do that? Can you help in any way?" he asked when he finished.
"No. They do not have just cause to terminate the kids contracts. How are the team's grades and performance on the ice?" Gordon wanted answers to some questions first before letting Ted know that he would represent the team. Hell, he would represent the entire team even if the alumni had a good reason to kick the Ducks out of Eden Hall.
"All of them are keeping their grades A's and/or B's. Some are close to C's, but they were trying to keep it to B's," Ted answered, knowing that JV thought his B's or better rule was harsh. But they were all trying to keep their grades up because of it. Hockey was important to them, but they needed to know that their education was what was going to get them along in life, not hockey.
"As for their performance, they're starting to play as a team, and to play defense as well as offense. As for the first few games, they were not so great. We tied with Blake and lost with Jefferson last week." At Ted's next sentence he smiled, "But today's game with Stratton Meadows, we won 5–2."
Gordon smiled in return, whether or not Ted realized it, but he had pride in his voice for the win the team won today. And why should he not? Gordon knew the feeling well.
"That's what I thought, the board doesn't have a concrete reason to terminate the Ducks' contracts. If they weren't playing well then, yes. But they tied the first game, and yes, lost the second, but you just told me they won this one. And because the Ducks aren't good enough for Eden Hall isn't a reason." Gordon could not believe that adults could be so snobbish, well childish really. Just because they had money and others did not have money did not give them the right to feel they were better then them. But Gordon remembered and knew all to well that he was just like that four years ago, and even like that about a year and a half later at the Goodwill Games. It had taken Hans, Jan, and the Ducks to make him realize that both times.
"Let me get some information together about this, I am more then willing to represent the Ducks to keep their scholarships. Is there anything else you want to discuss?"
"Actually, there are three matters I want to bring up. One, Charlie came back onto the team. I believe you had a hand in that?" it was more of a statement than a question.
Gordon did not have to say anything, nor did he have to fake putting a look of surprised innocence on his face. He had not known Charlie was going to ask Ted if he could go back on the team. But considering what Charlie had learned about Ted the other day, it did not surprise Gordon one bit.
"Next, the enforcer you had on Team USA, Dean Portman, he is still in Chicago?"
"Yes." Gordon had not expected Ted to bring Portman up.
"Can you talk to him into coming to Eden Hall?"
"You are so sure that I'm going to be able to keep the Ducks in Eden Hall, Ted?" Gordon had no doubt the Ducks would be able to stay, but he wanted to see if Ted believed in his ability to do his job. How he was so sure, no he was not overconfident, but the alumni did not have solid means for the Ducks to have their scholarships revoked.
"Honestly? I really don't know. But Charlie says you're good, so I'm willing to take his word for it. But all I know is that we are going to need all of the help we can get to prevent Varsity from winning the Freshman/Varsity showdown. We need Portman's enforcer skills."
Gordon was impressed with Ted's belief in Charlie, and just like he told Charlie the day before yesterday, they did learn something from each other. But he knew that Ted had a good point in wanting Portman on JV. Gordon had been thinking of talking to Portman about coming to Eden Hall. Besides being on the team, Portman could get the same excellent education as the Ducks were.
"I'll go to Chicago as soon as we make sure the Ducks are still going to be in Eden Hall. I was thinking of visiting Portman anyway."
"Thank you." Ted said with relief. He continued, "The third matter is Adam Banks. You are well aware that he is playing on Varsity?"
Gordon nodded. As much as he would have liked Ted not to put Adam on Varsity, the Ducks were not under his charge, Ted was. But they would always be his kids.
"I talked to him after the game today and he asked if he could come back on JV. I told him I would talk to Coach Wilson about it."
"Did Adam give any reason why he wanted to be back on JV?" Gordon inquired. He knew there had to be more bothering Adam than just Hans' death, but he could not just invade on Adam's space.
"No, not really. But I get the impression that he doesn't like being on Varsity."
Gordon wondered how Adam was really doing. Did he want to go back with the Ducks because he would rather play with them? Or was it because being on Varsity was so bad the he wanted to be back with the Ducks?
"Perhaps I can talk to him," Gordon said. Adam had appeared quite fine with everyone Saturday. He knew that with Adam, he could hide what he was feeling and the teen was not one to talk too much of his problems or concerns.
"Adam is in the dorms, not at home," Ted told the other man.
Gordon was not expecting this, but it should not be a surprise. Philip Banks could let his son stay at the dorms if he wanted Adam there, or if Adam wanted to be there.
"Ted, if you get the chance, talk to Adam. He probably won't talk about it, but try, alright?" Gordon knew that this was really out of his hands, and this was something Ted needed to do. Knowing he had to go to talk to Portman, so he would not be able to talk to Adam. Whatever the reason, Gordon did not think it was his place to talk the fourteen-year-old, as much as he wished to.
Nodding, Ted said, "I'll try." But if he could not talk to Adam, than who could?
Charlie walked through the arena, heading for Orion's office.
The coach was looking over some papers. Charlie knocked on the open door to gain his attention.
"Charlie." Ted said glancing up. Looking at the clock he said, "It's almost time for the board meeting."
"I know. Did you get in touch with Coach Bombay?"
"Yes, he'll be here."
"Great!" Charlie exclaimed with a grin. "Now we've got a chance."
"You do." Ted smiled. "Was there anything else?"
"I just wanted to give you this." His face was serious once again; he handed over his Duck jersey.
Orion took it and put it in one of the desk drawers. He took it as a sign of trust on Charlie's part to give his jersey to him. He only hoped what he had to say next would not shatter that trust. "Thank you. I want to tell you something. Adam Banks is going to be coming back to play on JV." He did not wish to tell Charlie the reasons why Adam wanted to come back. If Charlie wanted to know, then he would have to ask Adam himself. But could Charlie talk to Adam? Ted could not tell him about the concerns Gordon and he had, because it would just alarm Charlie.
Charlie was not expecting this. Adam is coming back?
"We're getting a new player. Adam Banks." The memory came back to him like Bombay was standing there and saying it again.
Orion spoke again after Charlie had remained silent. "Is this going to be a problem?"
Thinking for a moment, Charlie finally said, "No." But he wondered why Adam wanted to come back, but he was not going to ask.
"Good. I'll see you and the rest of JV in five minutes."
"See you." That said, Charlie left.
Heading in the direction of the boardroom, Charlie thought of the game of schoolyard puck they had. The Ducks had a great time playing at the old court the other day; Adam seemed fine. But Charlie was not stupid; something told him that Adam had not known how he was going to react.
So why does Adam want to come back? Since we treated him like a friend this past weekend? But we should have treated him like our friend even when he went on Varsity, especially me. Charlie sighed. He was not going to get answers to his questions unless he talked to Adam. Before coming to Eden Hall he and Adam had been the best of friends and could talk about anything. But now that was different.
"We're just glad you loaned us Banksie, so we'd have a chance to beat you guys in the annual Freshmen/Varsity showdown." With that remembered statement, Charlie now realized what this was all about. Riley. So that was it.
Charlie frowned. So Adam was sick of being a pawn between JV and Varsity. But he had to admit that he wanted Adam on JV because he knew full well they needed any help they could get come Friday. That was if they were even playing.
Charlie reached the boardroom. He saw that the rest of the team, including Adam, was already waiting for the meeting to begin. He also saw his mom and some of the parents of his friends. There were also students here too, Linda being one of them. She looked pretty in the dark green corduroy jumper she had on.
"Charlie, where were you?" asked Russ walking toward him, forcing him to take his eyes off Linda and talk to his friend.
"Talking to Coach."
"I'm surprised that Banks is with us." Russ said for Charlie's ears alone.
"Why? He has a contract, just like the rest of us." Charlie kept his voice low as well.
"He can afford to be here, Charlie. But we'll have to leave at end of the semester. Plus there's the fact he's on Varsity."
"No we won't, that includes Adam too." Charlie stated firmly. Adam won't be on Varsity for long, Charlie thought.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see." Noticing Orion and the rest of the team were filing in the boardroom Charlie followed them.
Russ could hear the cryptic tone in Charlie's voice, which he had no doubt that he and the others would find out why sooner or later. But now was not the time to worry about it. They had to hope a miracle would happen so they could stay in school.