Bleachers Read Free Page B

day when the runners and walkers drifted to the field for a few laps. Rake had never allowed such nonsense, but after he was sacked a movement arose to open the track to the people who’d paid for it. A maintenance man was usually loitering somewhere nearby, watching to make sure no one dared step on the grass of Rake Field. There was no chance of that.
    “Where’s Floyd?” Neely asked.
    “Still in Nashville picking his guitar and writing bad music. Chasing the dream.”
    “Ontario?”
    “He’s here, working at the post office. He and Takita have three kids. She’s teaching school and as sweet as always. They’re in church five times a week.”
    “So he’s still smiling?”
    “Always.”
    “Denny?”
    “Still here, teaches chemistry in that building right over there. Never misses a game.”
    “Did you take chemistry?”
    “I did not.”
    “Neither did I. I had straight A’s and never cracked a book.”
    “You didn’t have to. You were the all-American.”
    “And Jesse’s still in jail?”
    “Oh yeah, he’ll be there for a long time.”
    “Where is he?”
    “Buford. I see his mother every now and then and I always ask about him. It makes her cry but I can’t help it.”
    “Wonder if he knows about Rake?” Neely said.
    Paul shrugged and shook his head, and there was another gap in the conversation as they watched an old man struggle in a painful trot along the track. He was followed by two large young women, both burning more energy talking than walking.
    “Did you ever learn the true story of why Jesse signed with Miami?” Neely asked.
    “Not really. Lots of rumors about money, but Jesse would never say.”
    “Remember Rake’s reaction?”
    “Yeah, he wanted to kill Jesse. I think Rake had made some promises to the recruiter from A&M.”
    “Rake always wanted to deliver the prizes,” Neely said, with an air of experience. “He wanted me at State.”
    “That’s where you should’ve gone.”
    “Too late for that.”
    “Why’d you sign with Tech?”
    “I liked their quarterback Coach.”
    “No one liked their quarterback Coach. What was the real reason?”
    “You really want to know?”
    “Yes, after fifteen years, I really want to know.”
    “Fifty thousand bucks in cash.”
    “No.”
    “Yep. State offered forty, A&M offered thirty-five, a few others were willing to pay twenty.”
    “You never told me that.”
    “I never told anyone until now. It’s such a sleazy business.”
    “You took fifty thousand dollars in cash from Tech?” Paul asked slowly.
    “Five hundred one-hundred-dollar bills, stuffed in an unmarked red canvas bag and placed in the trunk of my car one night while I was at the movies with Screamer. Next morning, I committed to Tech.”
    “Did your parents know?”
    “Are you crazy? My father would’ve called the NCAA.”
    “Why’d you take it?”
    “Every school offered cash, Paul, don’t be naïve. It was part of the game.”
    “I’m not naïve, I’m just surprised at you.”
    “Why? I could’ve signed with Tech for nothing, or I could’ve taken the money. Fifty thousand bucks to an eighteen-year-old idiot is like winning the lottery.”
    “But still—”
    “Every recruiter offered cash, Paul. There wasn’t a single exception. I figured it was just part of the business.”
    “How’d you hide the money?”
    “Stuffed it here and there. When I got to Tech, I paid cash for a new car. It didn’t last long.”
    “And your parents weren’t suspicious?”
    “They were, but I was away at college and they couldn’t keep up with everything.”
    “You saved none of it?”
    “Why save money when you’re on the payroll?”
    “What payroll?”
    Neely reshifted his weight and gave an indulging smile.
    “Don’t patronize me, asshole,” Paul said. “Oddly enough most of us didn’t play football at the Division One level.”
    “Remember the Gator Bowl my freshman year?”
    “Sure. Everyone here watched it.”
    “I came off the bench in the