TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STICKY"

 Welcome! This week we have another episode of the book-looking-for-a-title -- Tyler Bentley's, the football kicker's story. Don't forget to visit all the wonderful Tuesday Tales authors HERE. Thanks for coming. 

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Although it was Christmas vacation, Ty figured the door to the high school gym wouldn’t be locked. Football coach, Derek Forge, was always there. Tyler tried the door and sure enough, it wasn’t locked. The smell of sneakers and sweat greeted his nose. He grinned. The place hadn’t changed in the years since he’d been there. And Coach Forge hadn’t either.

A red knit cap covered his bald head. In one hand he held a gooey cinnamon bun and in the other he bounced a basketball as he made his way across the court.

“What are you doin’ in here?” Coach yelled.

“Hey, Coach Forge, it’s me! Tyler Bentley.”

All burly six feet of Derek Forge stopped in his tracks. “You’re shittin’ me. Bentley? Is that you? Looks like you grew about six inches.” Coach dropped the ball, shoved the remains of the sweet confection in his mouth and closed the gap between them. He grabbed Tyler around the neck for a hug.

After a few seconds of cutting off Tyler’s breath, he let go. Coach never did know his own strength. Tyler coughed. “Geez, Coach. Kill me why dontcha?” He rubbed his neck.

“Always complainin’. Don’t be a wuss.”

“Nobody uses that anymore. Your age is showing.”

“You can call me Derek now. I mean, you’re not a kid anymore.”

Tyler stopped. Call Coach Forge, Derek? He couldn’t. He simply couldn’t. This man had been his inspiration since his dad died when he was twelve. Derek Forge stepped into Jeff Bentley’s shoes, taking Tyler under his wing.

Coach and his wife, Colby, the English teacher, didn’t have kids. Tyler had asked him about it once.

“What do I need kids at home for? I got all you right here. It would drive me nuts to have ‘em home, too. You’re all my kids and that’s plenty.”

Tyler had been grateful. He’d followed Derek Forge around like a puppy dog for the first year. Then the coach spotted Tyler’s talent and molded him into a star. Between his Uncle Charlie, Derek Forge and Forge’s brother, Andrew, school principal, Tyler couldn’t escape – he’d learned discipline, and how to work hard. He excelled at soccer and football. He played football in the fall and soccer in the spring. Agile and quick, Tyler loved soccer, but changed to football after a talk from the coach.

“Professional soccer is nice and all. And you’ve got the stuff to go pro, for sure. But football pays a whole lot better. Your Ma works hard pushin’ coffee and cleanin’ tables. Would be nice if you could help out. You won’t have much left over from professional soccer pay. Now football, on the other hand…”

As usual, Coach Forge had been right. Too slender to play, Ty had the perfect build to become a kicker. The strength in his legs from years of soccer helped him excel. Coach Forge set about training him. And with the help of Uncle Charlie, they turned Tyler into a star.

Colby Forge pushed Tyler to keep his grades up. He made the honor roll. With guidance and oversight from Andrew Forge, Ty got an academic scholarship to Kensington State University.  

Coach licked two fingers before a loud “meow” drew their attention. A cat scampered across the gym floor and twined herself around Derek’s legs.

“You still have Sasha?”

“No, no. She passed a few years ago. This is Mickey, her daughter.” Coach leaned down and offered his sticky fingers to the animal. She licked them clean. He picked her up and tucked her under his arm. “What are you doing outside? It’s too cold for cats.” He stroked her fur as he made his way to the door. 

Coach faced Ty. “So what the hell happened?” 

“What do you mean?” Tyler feigned innocence.

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always welcome!!