Welcome! This week we have another look at "The Kicker's Story, Part 1." The word prompt is "branch." Find out how the other authors have treated the word prompt by checking out their stories HERE.
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Someday,
maybe in ten years, he’d be ready to settle down and have kids. Maybe. He was
only twenty-seven. Why should he settle for the fruit of only one tree when he
was standing in the middle of an orchard? His father’s advice was, “Branch out,
son.” And Robbie took it to heart.
He focused on the
television and switched to the news. He liked to be up-to-date on stuff
happening in the world. He shifted his position, folding a pillow under his
head. Sure enough, after ten minutes he was sound asleep.
He awoke at
eleven, his body all cramped and his attitude cranky. He swore as he switched
off the tube and limped to his bedroom. He tore off his clothing and fell into
bed. Tomorrow, he had practice, but no game and no travel, until the end of the
week.
He lay in bed and
envisioned Lyssa Sebastian, the Coach’s daughter. He’d dated briefly. Much too
briefly. He hadn’t even gotten past first base before Coach strung him up by
his balls. Suddenly he’d been scheduled for six hours of workout time, starting
at six in the morning, every day.
He'd begged, he’d
pleaded, said his kicking leg was cramping up every day. Coach twisted his lips
into an evil smile.
“There’s one way
you can get out of this.”
“There is? Tell
me. Please. Tell me what it is. I’ll do anything.”
“Really?” Coach
had raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, please!”
Robbie was down on bended knee.”
“Okay. Stop dating
my daughter.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep. Stop dating
her and you can go on a regular workout schedule.”
Robbie resented
Pete Sebastian for his ultimatum, but he obeyed. He tried to let Lyssa down
easy, but she figured out what was going on. Robbie found out she’d stopped
speaking to her father for a month. She’d stopped speaking to Robbie forever.
He wasn’t too
sorry though. He knew he couldn’t date her forever without getting serious.
Coach would demand a proposal and Robbie wasn’t ready. And the thought of being
the Coach’s son-in-law gave him indigestion. Nope. He wasn’t ready to tie
himself to the Connecticut Kings for a lifetime. No way.
That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
Ah, there is a girl that could break him of his wandering ways. Hope she shows up in his future. Great job!
ReplyDeleteNothing like an ultimatum to turn someone's life upside down. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHahaha love what coach did! That's the way to get his daughter out of harm's way (at least this time).
ReplyDeleteLove this, From the first part where he wants to be with ALL the women to the end of the snippet where he doesn't want to be tied to Coach for the rest of his life. I foresee his determination to remain single is going to be tested.......
ReplyDeleteWhat a Casanova this one is!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling for all his thoughts of not wanting to settle down, he's soon going to have a change of heart.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to use the word prompt!