Team Mom Read Free

nowadays.”
    â€œOh, what kind of meeting y’all have up in here?” she asked.
    â€œCommunity meeting, letting everyone know the streets are safe and hearing some concerns they have about protection and all the break-ins that have been occurring.”
    There was kind of an awkward silence now. She appeared to be holding back her thoughts on crime in the community and how well the police were doing. She’d just heard on her car radio about a young teenager who was kidnapped from her home.
    â€œBut one good thing came out the meeting,” he continued.
    She smiled again. She had just swallowed her thoughts about crime. “Yeah? What’s that?”
    â€œRecruited some fans for our first game.”
    â€œFans?”
    â€œSure did. Right at this meeting. It should be fun,” he said. There was another awkward moment, and he looked into the church, then back at her. “So I guess it’s my turn to ask. . . . What’re you doing here? Getting ready to ask the Lord to forgive your sins down at the altar?”
    He chuckled, and she smiled.
    She said, “Good idea, but probably too late for me. I work here.”
    â€œReally?”
    Her tone was point-blank and not very happy. “Really.”
    â€œNot the best, huh?”
    â€œIt’s okay,” she replied, as if trying to make herself believe it. Then she lowered her voice and added, “Actually, this fuckin’ place gets on my last nerve.” She looked around again. “But we do what we have to.”
    Coach was trying to read the woman, who had just cursed in front of the church, without judging her. All he could do was chuckle at her instincts. “Yeah, you are right about that,” Coach cosigned. He looked back at the church, then nodded to a few people who had been in the meeting with him who were walking past and wished them well.
    â€œSo I guess I will see you and J at practice tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay. Yeah, sure,” she agreed.
    Coach started to walk away in the direction of his car. He stopped and looked back when she called out his name.
    She said, “I got the flyer for volunteer positions on the team. Put me down for team mom.”
    He was taken aback, so much so that he even sat his briefcase on the ground. “Team mom?”
    She said, “Dang . . . Why so surprised?” Her face displayed amazement. Then she gave him a smile.
    Coach was amused at that moment. “Not surprised. Stunned a bit, though.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œBecause I usually have to beg someone to take the position.”
    â€œNot me. I can handle it, so put me down as team mom, okay?”
    â€œOkay. Thanks. It’s done. I’ll introduce you at the next practice.”
    â€œGood. See you then,” she said. She started on her way.
    Coach picked up his briefcase and turned around to leave, but then he twirled around and called out to her. “Wait a minute. I forgot your name.”
    She smiled. “It’s Shonda. My name is Shonda Black.”

4
    Luckily for Coach, it was Wednesday, which meant no practice. There was one place he needed to be besides that church to save his soul, and it was front and center at his favorite sportsbar. The plan was to meet his longtime friend Calvin Wilson to talk some shop, get a meal, and drink plenty of ice-cold beer.
    â€œYou want me to do what?” Calvin wanted to hear what Coach was asking one more time. This was right after Coach hit him with an unexpected request. Calvin was so surprised at his request that he stood up from his chair at the table, and that was when anyone looking could see he was about five-ten and had an athletic build. Just like a running back.
    â€œCalvin, this is serious. I need you to help me coach my team,” Coach repeated.
    Calvin looked at the near-empty pitcher of brew and began pouring it in his glass, then changed his mind. “Fuck it,” he said. And instead he lifted the