The next class is Coach Mann’s. I missed his test as well. I am seething with rage from Mrs. Peabody Cunt.  I am hurting.

Coach Mann has said nothing to me about the missed exam.  The back of the class, under the aegis of Aron Rothman are hurling various objects. Coach Mann is chatting about

  am wondering when I am taking the exam. Unlike Mrs. Peabody Coach Mann has said nothing about my absence yesterday.

 

At the end of the class I limp towards coaches desk.

 

“David, I’ve meaning to speak with you, a word.”

 

I limp to the side of his desk and sit on the vinyl cushiony coach reserved for Curt Curtis, the teachers Aid.

 

I feel I am going to get it. I sit under the last of the Mohican’s poster.

 

“David, how’s your leg? I heard from Coach Ricca that you harbored an injury on the course last week.”

 

I Tell Coach Mann that it is a stress fracture. I tell him that I have been icy my leg for three hours a day .

 

I am expecting him to wail me. I am expecting him to sound like an truculent Vince Lombardi, informing me to suck it up, sailor. I am expecting him to whip at me a copy of yesterday’s quiz and tell me that I


“David I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope that this is only a minor setback in the outset of what is sure to be a formidable career.”

 

“I’m sorry I missed class. Yesterday. I had to go get x-rays. I was wondering if I could make up the test after school today.”


Coach Manm looks at me an smiles. Somehow his smile is inked in variegated valves of light.


“David I’m not going to test you.”

I stop and stutter and say huh.

“David you are always in class in the front row. You always take copious notes and ask questions. Those test are for the pleabs in the back row who don’t pay attention and who will never integrate the history of this planet we all find ourselves a part of into their lives before it is too late.”

 
Don’t stop running. Don’t stop reading and questioning things as well.”

 
I am embarrassed a Coach from a different sport is spending this much time with me.

“One other thing. Don’t miss the ship when it arrives to your port.”

 

He writes me a pass to Cool Joe Thomas class. I am hobbling alone in the hallway. When I arrive

Cool Joe Thomas looks at me.


“Yo Von Behren, you’re late. Where you been at walking around like you own the place?”

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