CHAPTER TWO
Marcus eyed the pitch. He had spent the past nine years here; two of those years he have been Capitan. Until six weeks ago, it had been his home away from home. Before, he had spent ten or more hours there six days a week for eleven months.
The only bad thing was he never got to see his three daughters and he didn't get to go to Katie's Healer appointments. (She was expecting twins in June.) Maybe it wouldn't be that bad. He held a university degree in Magical Creature Engineering. (It's the wizard version of a vet, expect the animals are a lot meaner and bigger.)
It wasn't like he had to get a job. He was getting a rather large pension from the Quidditch League. He had several million in the bank from Quidditch and a recent inherence. So, financially they were better than great.
So, it wasn't about money. He would just go crazy if he didn't get one. No way was he going to be stuck at home in a house full of crazy females for the rest of his life.
Nope, it just wasn't going to happen.
"Well, now, I didn't expect to see you here so soon," Head Coach Brent Holder said as he came up behind Marcus.
"I had to get my stuff," Marcus said.
Holder motioned to the bench on the sidelines. "Sit her down." Both men sat. "So, you done for good?"
Marcus stared out at the sunlight pitch. He was avoiding looking in the old man's eyes. "I guess."
"What'd you mean 'you guess'?"
"That's what everyone says."
"What do you say?"
"I don't know."
Holder pulled Marcus's head so he could look him in the eye. "Listen here, son, don't listen to them. They don't know you." The coach stood up. "They're a bunch of idiots sitting around waiting on a fat pay check. They don't care about people. By telling you that you're done, they just get that much more attention."
Marcus eyed his former coach.
Holder started toward the locker room. "If you ever want to come back, your spot will still be here."
"Okay."
"If you need any help, you know where to find me."
Marcus was pretty sure that he had heard this speech from somewhere. "Hey, did you come up with that on your own."
Holder laughed. "Yeah right boy. You should know me better than that." He smiled. "Just like I know you don't make your own plans."
"I do too," Marcus objected.
"Yeah, and the others are Comer's plans from Hogwarts."
"It's not my fault he gave them to me."
"Yeah, but it's the only way to kill the Kestrels." Holder paused. "You gonna leave them to us?"
Marcus nodded. "You never answered my question."
"Oh, from the wife."
"Why?"
Holder hit Marcus over the head. "That's none of your business." He continued to the locker room. "I met what I said."