The Coach

Pizza, Beer and a Movie

Sebastian

    The boys were warming up. We had just started practice, when I saw one of the teachers approach me. It was unusual to see a teacher come to the field at this time, so it might have been something important.

    "Coach Bradford, you are needed at Miss Torres' classroom. Your sister was involved in a fight," she said, trying to catch her breath, probably from trying to rush here.

    "What happened?" I asked, concerned about Martha. After a deep breath, she continued.

    "She was punching one of the boys in the classroom, and now they need you there"

    I didn't even bother to shower and change. I dismissed the kids and headed to Zoey's classroom. I saw Martha on the chair, with her head down, and sad. What happened to my little sister?

    Zoey was trying to explain the situation, but her attitude was way off line. I understood she was the teacher, but she was being a little... I rather not say the word. I tried to comfort Martha and ask for explanations as to why she punched the other boy.

    She said what happened and when Zoey tried to get an explanation from the boy; he didn't have any. They even threatened to call his parents, which scared him even more, but I didn't care. I just took Martha with me and headed to the car. I saw Zoey jog towards us as I was helping Martha into the car.

    "Sebastian, I am-"

    "It's Coach Bradford for you. Martha needs me so if you excuse me, I have to go home" I said, noticing how her expression changed from apologetic to shocked and disappointed.

    I didn't give her another glance, because I got in the car and drove off. "Sebastian, why are you mad at Miss Torres?" Martha asked.

    "She was supposed to be helping you"

    "No, Sebastian. She was doing her job, and I understand. She didn't hear what he said to me, so she was going for what she saw. Please don't be mad at her. She is a great teacher and I hate to see you arguing"

    I just stayed silent and called my office to take the rest of the afternoon off. Martha needed me and the job could be done without me.

    We arrived at the apartment. Martha went straight to her room and locked herself in. I went to take a shower and put on some comfortable clothes. Martha was still in her bedroom, so I knocked on the door.

    "Martha, come out, little pumpkin. I will make something to eat"

    "I am not hungry and stop calling me little pumpkin. You know I don't like it"

    "You used to like it when you were a kid"

    "But I am not a kid anymore. I want to be alone"

    I decided to let her be and went to the kitchen to get something to drink and maybe prepare a snack. I heard the door and went to open it, only to see Zoey standing there, with a big smile on her face, a six-pack of cheap beer on one hand and a big pizza box on the other.

    "Peace offering?" she asked, biting her lower lip, expecting an answer from me. I stood there for a minute, making her a little nervous to hear my answer. I looked down at the box of pizza and took it from her hand as I opened the door wide to let her in.

    She had a shy smile, and I bit my lip to hold a laugh. She walked in and put the beer down in the kitchen counter. I put the pizza next to them, and opened the box, inhaling the delicious smell of the meat emanating from there.

    "How is Martha doing?" she asked.

    "She is okay. She didn't want anything to eat, and she has been locked in the room since we got here," I replied, taking two plates from the cabinet and serving two slices of pizza in each.

    "Can I see her?"

    "I really don't think you should. Usually when she is upset, she falls asleep" I handed her one of the plates, while she opened the bottle of beer and handed it back to me. I took a nice gulp of it and took a bite of the greasy, cheesy pizza.

    "I want to apologize for earlier. I didn't mean to hurt Martha's feelings" she said, and I just shook my head and smiled, while I tried to hold myself from touching her.

    "It's fine. She understands what she did and understand why you were dealing with the situation that way. She is not expecting special treatment either"

    Zoey nodded and took a gulp of her beer. I could see she wanted to relax, and I really liked her this way. "I am glad she understands, I don't want-"

    I didn't let her finish when I pressed my lips against hers. I didn't want to talk about work anymore. I wanted this moment to be ours. I don't know what keeps coming over me, but I needed her in my life.

    "How about we watch a movie, and we forget this whole thing happened?" I asked.

    "Sounds good, coach Bradford" she giggled, and I groaned at the name. She got me there.

    "Don't call me that. I was angry and I don't even want to think about that either," I replied, taking a few more slices and heading to the living room.

    She chose a movie. I was glad it was an action movie, because watching a Rom-Com was going to bore me to death. She chose one with a lot of horror on it too, so she was snuggling against me and covering her eyes at the gruesome parts.

    I laughed at her reactions, and I loved it at the same time, because that meant I got to hug her.

    "Come on, it is not that bad" I said, still laughing when out of nowhere she smacked me in the arms, "ouch, what was that for?"

    "For being mean. Don't make fun of me. Horror scares me. I rather watch a good Rom-Com," she said, trying to change the movie, when I stopped her from doing so.

    "No, no, no. Either you watch this or we don't watch at all"

    "Very well, either we watch something else, or I go home" she said, crossing her arms, knowing she was my weakness. I still changed the movie and when she was about to stand up and leave, I grabbed her by the waist and sat her back, this time on my lap.

I was not going to let her leave now. We had unfinished business to attend to.