Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Cheese"

 

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "cheese". We have another episode of "The Kicker's Story", and a meeting between Tyler and Andrew Forge, Principal. Don't forget to visit all the stories this week. Find them HERE

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Tyler threw off the covers and slung his legs over the side. He yawned, scratched his stubbly face and pushed to his feet. A hot shower woke him up. He shaved and put on a long-sleeved navy-blue T-shirt and his best light blue jeans. He needed to look reasonably well put together. His former principal was a stickler for neatness and cleanliness. 

He remembered kids being sent home to change if they were too grungy. And he banned out-of-control facial hair. He checked the thermometer outside the kitchen window. Eighteen degrees. He shrugged on his down jacket and kissed his mother on the cheek. He pocketed the keys to Charlie's car and got behind the wheel.

Dread constricted his stomach. How could he eat when his anxiety level was over the top? What was he so worried about? It's not like Mr. Forge could do anything to him, right? He couldn't get expelled or anything. So what was the big deal? He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Still, his stomach knotted. He'd always craved approval from Coach Forge and Principal Forge. In high school, he'd worked hard to achieve respect.

Could one stupid game loaded with idiotic mistakes really destroy what he'd worked years to build? It seemed that way. He pulled into the small parking lot and shut off the car. He took another deep breath, swallowed and got out. Muttering to himself the words  he always said while running out on the field to kick, "I've got this." 

He opened the door. There was Andrew Forge, sitting by a frosty window, always drafty. He shuddered. Nervous and then freezing. Not a good combination. 

"Morning, Mr. Forge." Tyler plopped down into the booth seat opposite.

"Morning. Whatcha having this morning?" Mr. Forge asked.

"What did you order?"

"My usual. Vegetable and cheese omelet and sausage."

"Oh. Ok." Tyler didn't need to even glance at the menu on the table.

"Have whatever you want. Build yourself up. I'm assuming you'll be practicing today."

Tyler nodded. Winnie came by, holding a pot of hot coffee. She dropped a menu in front of Ty. "Coffee?" she asked, turning his mug over.

"Thanks. Yeah."

When she finished pouring, she spoke. "Whatcha having?"

"Pancakes and sausage, please."

"How many?"

"Stack. That's three?"

"Right. Coming up." She plucked the menu from the table and scurried away.

"Good choice. Carbs for energy."

Tension gathered in his shoulders. "Okay, Mr. Forge. Can we dispense with all this good manners and stuff? What do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about what went wrong in Las Vegas." Andrew picked up his mug.

"I don't know what went wrong." Tyler added a touch of milk to his coffee.

"I have an idea."

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by.