The Coach

New Hire

Zoey

    “Good morning, class. I hope you’re all doing well today” I said as I walked in the classroom. My students were sitting quietly, waiting for me to start the class.

    I took attendance and I noticed Martha was missing. “Has anyone seen Martha today?” I asked them. They looked around, shrugging their shoulders and nodding their heads negatively.

    “Morning, Miss Torres! I am sorry I’m late. My brother brought me today and he has an interview at 9” Martha walked in, out of breath, probably running to get here.

    “It’s okay Martha. But I will have to talk to your brother about bringing you late. And what kind of interview does he have?”

    “The one for the football coach position”

    Curiosity killed the cat. I don’t even know why I asked about it or him. I wondered myself, why does an architect need a job as a coach at a high school? I decided to shrug it off and start my class. I had a surprise math test for them today, and couldn’t stop laughing at their groans.

    “Now, come on. You’re all smart kids. I’m sure you are going to be able to do this, which includes you, Gary! This is the last time I tell you to pay attention to class” I said in the sweetest voice possible.

    Gary turned around and looked down, ashamed. I passed down the tests and walked to him. He had attention deficit and I was working on helping him, it takes a lot of patience and love. I sat on the chair next to him and put the test down on his desk.

    “Come on Gary, I know you can do this. Just try to focus. Do you want to sit away from everyone so you can do the test?” I asked, showing him a soft smile.

    “No, Miss Torres. I can do this” he took a pencil and worked on it right away.

    “That’s my boy. Good luck” I ruffled his hair and headed to my desk. They were my kids and I would treat them like my family. In this society, a lot of people make assumptions about them, and I was here to make sure they were comfortable.

    I had also requested a few students who didn’t need to be here, but they were happy to join the class just so my students felt included. They were very helpful when I needed them.

    I sat down on my chair and waited for them to finish, while I read a book on coaching tips. Just a little over an hour I checked how my students were doing. While I walked around, I noticed Gary having a difficult time.

    "What's wrong, sweetie?" I said, leaning down a little to check on his test.

    "I can't do this, Miss Torres. I am getting too distracted and I can't get anything done" he was frustrated and I could notice he was getting irritated.

    "That's okay Gary, you don't have to do the test. Just take a deep breath and relax"

    "I can't! I couldn't even do one single question, and I got so distracted!" he was raising his voice and my other students were looking back at us. I sat on the chair and moved closer to him, as I was trying to calm him down with soothing touches to his hair.

    "You can do this Gary. I believe in you. If you want, let's do the test a one on one, just you and me after class. What do you think?" he looked at me and he nodded, "Just relax and try to keep yourself busy in the meantime. I will keep your test on my desk and we can continue on it later"

    The bell rang and they all handed me their tests before walking out. "Have a good day kids, and please try to pay attention to your other classes"

    Martha walked to me and when she handed me the test, she looked at me with little doe eyes. "What is it, Martha?"

    "I was wondering if you are going to coach the team today," she asked, making me curious as to why she wanted to know.

    "I might. Maybe Principal Gibson wants me to give the new hire a tour of the field and have them meet the team" I replied, smiling at her and watching her leave the classroom.

   At that moment, principal Gibson was coming in with him. Sebastian Bradford. "Hello, Zoey. Let me introduce you, Sebastian Bradford, he will be the new coach of our team"

    "We have met before, yesterday actually. Nice to see you again, Mr. Bradford" I said, shaking his hand and melting at the toothpaste commercial smile he gave me. I laughed at the thought and they both looked at me like I was crazy.

    "It looks like you love to laugh at certain situations," Sebastian said and I took my hand away.

    "Just when I am nervous. It is nice to see you again" I said, repeating my greeting from a minute ago.

    "I need you to take Mr. Bradford to meet the team now that you are not teaching any class at the moment and it is time to practice with them," Gibson ordered and I nodded, taking my phone and keys with me. We walked towards the locker room where the kids were already getting dressed for their practice.

    "There you have them, your team, Coach Bradford" I pointed him to them and he walked in, looking around. I noticed there was a smile on his face, as if he was in his own world.

    "This is amazing. I can't wait to work with them. It really brings a lot of good memories" he said, his smile never fading as he went to greet the kids. I was moved by his reaction and the way he was interacting with the boys.

    "Something tells me you had a good time back in high school" I mentioned.

    "Yes, a great time. I loved playing football, and this here gives me a sense of fulfillment"

    "What about your career? Doesn't that do it for you?"

    He looked at me and shook his head. "The only fulfillment I get is the chance to build that school for disabled kids," he mentioned and that hit me.

    "A new school? Does that mean, the kids will be taken from here to that school?" I asked in disbelief. I was not going to have it. I was working hard to include them in a normal society and they want to exclude them to a special school.

    "Yeah, is that wrong?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, which was the only thing he probably knew what to do.

    "Of course it is! Why would you want them away from a normal education? I am already teaching them special education and they are also happy here"

    He shrugged his shoulders, "We already have the contract, and we are going to build it, whether people like it or not. It will benefit the kids and I am sure you as an expert in teaching them, you can get a job in there"

    I couldn't hear anymore. I dismissed practice and sent the kids back to their next class. I walked out, ignoring him as he called me. Typical rich people. I understand they want the best for the kids, but to me, the best for them is to feel like they belong.