Chapter 11

THERE WERE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE board of directors for the Oakdale association: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, player agent, finance director and equipment manager. Ted telephoned each of the seven the next day and arranged with them to be at his house at seven thirty in the evening for coffee and dessert and a special football film. He gave them no hint as to the nature of the film, but let them know that even one day's delay would be quite unfortunate. Nor did he mention that the full board was being invited.

Rita's special coffee cake took the edge off the surprise of finding that Ted had managed to stage an unscheduled board meeting and he got the film going immediately.

There was an ominous silence as Ted switched projector speed to slow motion for the down in which the Charger quarterback was taken out and it continued as he allowed the projector to continue through the next play without returning it to regular speed. Then Jerry Wilson asked him to run the two plays again.

"Who's eighty-three?" asked Jerry. "His face doesn't show up in this sequence."

"Wait. I'll pick up a play where it does." Ted rewound the film until he could show the broken up pass play.

Jerry studied the tight end. "That sonovabitch!" he said. "He lied to me! Demming lied and Dairyl Strong lied and the Terrence kid lied!"

"How do you know?" asked Jens.

Jerry snorted. "I know Strong! But number eighty-three on Ron's roster is Mike Terrence. The Terrence's were the couple who asked you how you could be sure Ted hadn't shown prejudice when he refused to pick up their kid."

"Oh!" exclaimed Jens. "Colored couple! And I showed them that nineteen of his thirty-five boys were black!"

"That's right. Run that play again, Ted and let Jens see for himself."

"You don't have to. Eighty-three was white in the film," Jens said. "What do you suppose made the Terrence kid lie to you?"

Jerry shrugged. His expression had the ugly look of lust for revenge. "Ron either bribed him or scared the hell out of him some way." He hunched down in his chair. "I'll sure as hell find out!"

Jens said, "We've seen enough, Ted. You can put away the projector for right now. How did you get this film?"

Ted explained.

"Then you have films of all the games your team has played this year too?"

"Yes, sir."

"And we can view them if anyone wants to know whether your kids play dirty."

"Absolutely!"

Jens scanned the angry faces about him. "Gentlemen, I declare that the association board of directors is now in formal session. The subject of the meeting is action on direct evidence of unacceptable coaching practices. Mr. Secretary, will you take notes, please?"

"I need some paper, Ted," the secretary said.

Ted handed him a tablet.

Jerry Wilson rose to his feet. "Mr. President?"

"Go ahead, Jerry."

"I move that the board take the following action: First, remove Ron Demming from any and all coaching duties effective right now; second, in form the federation of this action and forfeit all games that the Broncos have played this year; third, call Wes Burns of the Metropolitan Herald Express and give him an official statement-tonight; fourth, call a special board meeting for eight o'clock tomorrow night and direct Ron Demming and the Strong's and the Terrence's to be there."

"I second the motion," said the vice-president.

"Did you get that down?" Jens asked the secretary.

"Got it."

"Discussion?" Jens suggested.

No one spoke. Jens turned to Jerry. "What about the other boy the federation questioned?"

Jerry frowned. "Ron brought me that kid's birth certificate. I'll take it back to the kid's parents. I don't need it, now."

"If there's no discussion, well have a vote on that motion. Would you read it back to us, Mr. Secretary?"

The secretary read the motion.

"All those in favor, say aye."

There was a chorus of aye's.

"All those opposed, say no."

Silence.

"The motion is unanimously approved," announced Jens. "The secretary is directed to prepare a letter to the federation tonight for my signature. I'll deliver it to Don Beam personally in the morning. Jerry, why don't you call Wes Burns right now?" He glanced at the secretary. "Harlan, make a note that Jerry's to call Ron and the Terrence's and the Strong's tomorrow about that special meeting."

"Right, Jens."

"Is there any further business to be discussed?" asked Jens.

"Who'll the Raiders be playing in the play-off?" asked someone.

"With the Broncos disqualified-and all their games forfeited-the Saints are undefeated. The two guys that got hurt during their game against Ron's kids are back in action again." Jerry grinned at Ted. "They ought to have a special place in their hearts for Oakdale."

Jens looked up sharply. "That's right! They're going to be looking for blood! Jerry, get hold of their coach and lay this whole story out for him. I don't want that play-off to turn into a grudge battle."

Harlan Jones pushed aside his minutes. "Ted, do you think you can get the Saints' last game on film? The one they're scheduled to play day after tomorrow?"

"Probably."

"Look. Would you be willing to let them see any of your game films? It might put a good taste in their mouths."

"Sure! I'm not going to let them see all of them, but they can see any two games they want to."

"Any two? They can make their own choice?"

"Right."

Jens nodded his approval. "Good thought, Harlan. Jerry, when you talk to the Saints' coach, give him Ted's offer." He paused abruptly. "You don't want him to see that game against the Rebels, do you Ted?"

"Why not?"

"Because it was such a rout!"

"So? There wasn't an injury in it. And what's a lot more remarkable, there wasn't a penalty in the first half!"

Jens relaxed and smiled. "All right. I guess you can afford to let him see any of them." He sighed. "There's no further business. The meeting stands adjourned."

When Jerry had finished talking to Wes Burns, who promised to get the statement into Friday's afternoon edition and had left, Ted sagged with relief.

"I don't feel proud of myself," he mused to Rita. "Not a damn bit proud. But I've done what had to be done."

"And we're going to do the rest of what has to be done," she replied firmly.

He studied her. "You buy Cora's code, don't you," he observed.

"Of course! Don't you?"

"I guess I do. But down deep, I'm not comfortable with it."

Rita smiled and touched his hand. "That's one of the things I love you for, darling. You're an idealist."

Ted had trouble sleeping Thursday night and got up Friday morning with an upset stomach. Before night, Ron Demming would know that he'd been drummed out of the associations coaching staff. How soon he'd connect the fact with Ted was problematical, but young Teddy could hear the first hints about the Raider coaches as early as this afternoon. Ted knotted up each time the thought recurred.

But nothing was said Friday or Friday night and there was no evidence Saturday morning before the game with the Chiefs that the boys had heard any rumors.

The Chiefs played better than John Gale had expected. After a scoreless first half, they made a touchdown midway through the third quarter to take a six to nothing lead over the Raiders. It was three minutes into the fourth quarter before the Raiders came back. The Chiefs had possession of the ball and Ted was talking with Micky.

"What's the problem, Micky?"

"I guess we're not up, coach. Everybody knows the Chiefs aren't tough and I think the guys feel embarrassed about Oakdale having to forfeit all of the Broncos' games."

"Okay. Our timing's been off all morning, hasn't it?"

"It sure has! The way we have to wait around for each other we haven't been able to fool em once!"

"Remember the first series of downs against the Rebels?"

"Power plays over tackle?"

"Right."

"Sure."

"The next time we get the ball, forget about any other plays. Use that set."

"Okay. We'll try."

The Chiefs ran out of steam and punted from their own forty-eight yard line. Micky's offensive unit took over on the Raiders' eleven after a fair catch. The first play gained only two yards. The second, aimed at the same hole, gained six. Mickey gave Gregg a rest by sending Dana at the same hole on a cut-back and it was first and ten on the twenty-four yard line. They switched to the right side of the line.

Twelve plays later, the Raiders scored, with Gregg going over the goal line from nine yards out. Roger went over left guard to make the extra point. And the game ended with the score Raiders seven, Chiefs six.

Even the fans were listless. There were quick, quiet congratulations, but none of the excited re actions that there should have been with a play-off berth locked down. John Gale approached Ted sheepishly.

"I sure didn't expect an extra point to be important in this game!" he admitted. "We were flat," Ted said. "The kids were way down today. I think the coaches were, too." He shook his head. "No. I know we were."

John put his hand on Ted's shoulder. "There was some whispering in the stands today, Ted. It's pretty bad when a guy stoops so low as to spread that kind of lies around."

"What do you mean?" Alarm coursed through Ted.

"Demming. I guess he figures you were responsible for his getting nailed. He's trying to get back at you by spreading the worst kind of rumors about you and your staff."

"What kind of rumors?"

"Aw, you know the stuff that the magazines have been talking about for the last few years wife trading and wild parties and that stuff."

Ted stiffened and fought for breath. He was glad that John had been the first to bring the story to him. He couldn't face a more searching test.

"That kind of rumor?" he whispered.

John nodded. "I don't think any of us realized just what a small person Demming really was. This sure has showed us."

Ted clenched his jaw and swallowed.

"I wouldn't want to butt in, coach, but if I were you I'd ignore the whole thing. No one believes him."

Ted stared silently at John. Then he nodded. "All right, John. I'll take that advice. Thanks."

Afterward, he warned Bill and Al and repeated the conversation he'd had with John.

"If we can make it through the kids' questions, we're okay," he said.

"I doubt that it'll be a matter of questions." Bill studied his toe thoughtfully. "I've a hunch I'll be more like offering them moral support."

Ted nodded. Right now, he needed moral support from Rita.

After dinner that evening, Teddy came to him in the den.

"Dad ..."

"Yes, son."

"Dad, I had a little scrap after the game today."

"You?"

"Yes, sir. I belted a guy in the mouth."

"That doesn't generally prove much, Ted."

"No, sir. It made me feel a little better, though."

"What was the problem?"

"Coach Demming. I guess he's been passing lies around about you and Coach Ross and Coach Sharp. Anyhow, the kid who told me didn't believe it, only I didn't find that out 'til after I belted him."

"I'm sorry about that, Teddy. Is he okay now?"

"Yeah. He's got a cut lip, but we got some ice from the snack bar and put it on his mouth to keep it from swelling. Anyhow, the guys are awful mad about the way Coach Demming's lyin'. Even the guys on his team!"

"What makes them so sure he's lying?"

"Because he always lies or cheats. Like the fake birth certificate he got for one of the guys and gave to Mr. Wilson."

Ted gasped. The federation had been right there, too! "Teddy, lying isn't a profitable policy."

"Well, everyone lies sometimes, Dad. There's different kinds."

"It's better not to lie at all."

"No it isn't, Dad. Not always. Some things are more important."

"Like what?"

"Doing right by people."

"Oh."

Ted, Jr., excused himself. He'd taken care of the possibility that someone might report him to his dad for fighting. That obligation out of the way, he had things to do. Ted, Sr., grinned to himself and leaned back in his chair. Perhaps his son's generation had the pool of reserve strength that his own seemed to have lost. There was something a little awesome about a youngster who could so matter of-factly deny the absolute value of the truth. Awesome and frightening. It was like being cut adrift. He wondered what other fundamental values were different among the youngsters without their parents even being aware of it.