Chapter 3
Jamie sat on the bleachers waiting for his team to arrive. Once they arrived, Jamie stood up.
"Everyone sit down!" Jamie shouted.
"Sir yes…" the team started to say before Jamie cut them off.
"I said sit down!" Jamie shouted. "I do the talking!"
The team sat down and Jamie stood on the gym floor facing them.
"Now I was in my office this morning going over the scores of the last three games and Principal Rimkus stopped by," Jamie said. "She rarely shows up to my office, but today she showed up wanting to talk about the team. And you know what she said?"
The team stayed silent.
"She was concerned because half of you are failing History!" Jamie shouted. "Now I made it clear that when you signed up to be on my team, that grades are important! Rimkus informed me that if you do not pass Friday's History exam, then we have to forfeit Friday's game!"
Jamie could see the worried looks on everyone's faces.
"Yeah!" Jamie shouted. "It's bad and it's unfair to your teammates who actually work hard and are passing their classes! Now there will be no practice today or at all this week! Everyone just needs to go home and study! I would hate to forfeit a game during my first year as basketball coach! For those of you who are passing your classes, I am very proud of you and I'm sorry that we might have to forfeit because of your teammates! Now get out of my sight!"
The team left and Jamie turned around to see Nathan and Keith standing there.
"You heard that didn't you?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah," Nathan said nodding his head.
Jamie, Nathan, and Keith sat on the bleachers. Nathan and Jamie explained what was happening to Keith.
"Remember when I didn't let you play your Gameboy for a week when you didn't participate in circle time?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah," Keith said.
"Well Jamie might have to do something similar," Nathan said.
"Yeah," Jamie said. "Some of the players on the team haven't been doing well in their History class and if they don't pass the test on Friday, then there won't be a game and we'll have to forfeit."
"But that's not fair for the players who aren't failing," Keith said.
"I agree," Jamie said. "It's not fair, but without enough players, we can't play."
Keith gave Jamie a hug.
"I love you Big Brother," Keith said.
"I love you too Little Brother," Jamie said.
"I understand if you don't feel like watching him," Nathan said.
"No, it's okay," Jamie said. "Keith always knows how to cheer me up. Besides, you and Mama deserve to go out to dinner."
"Thanks," Nathan said.
Jamie and Nathan shared a hug and Nathan kissed Jamie on the forehead.
"Don't forget me," Keith said.
Nathan gave Keith a hug and a kiss as well.