NOTE: This is the fictional coming of age story of Jake Grimke as he matures through high school, into college and eventually into adulthood in the Baltimore, Maryland region. It contains and embraces accurate representations of life in Baltimore and its suburbs; Maryland's traditional sport of lacrosse and the career path a firefighter might follow in his profession. All of the characters in this story are fictional and resemblance to any one person whether dead or alive is purely coincidental. If you liked this installment, please send me some feed back; I got a rough idea where this is headed but I am always open to some suggestions. Needless to say, if you are offended by handsome athletic young men growing up gay and the obstacles they will encounter as well their personal triumphs, you should use the BACK button on your browser forthwith.
Most of April was a blur for the Mohawks, their days and weeks falling into a very predictable and regimented pattern of practice, practice, practice, practice followed by game day. The Severn Highlanders had caught the attention of sports writers for both the Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post as the boys lacrosse team became the high school team to watch as they continued undefeated into early May against Glen Burnie, Old Mill and their nearby rival, Annapolis High School. On the week between the games with Old Mill and Annapolis, the lacrosse team from one of the top-ranked schools in the Baltimore prep league, Calvert Hall, ventured into Anne Arundel County and lost to the Highlanders. Each win after a week of challenging practices bolstered the confidence of each boy on the team until Evan finally said, "I'll take game day any day of the week; they are a hell of a lot easier than the practices we have been enduring four days a week."
"I think that's what Coach Dase and the other's have been trying to cram into our heads," Syms said as the rest of the Mohawks compiled their team standings both locally and statewide trying to figure out potential brackets on their bye week Friday lunch period.
Aaron added, "We got the county championship in about three weeks. Severna Park wasn't that strong this year like they have been in the past; I almost think Annapolis could sneak in if they play as hard against the rest of their opponents as they did against us."
"Listen, we just have to keep this up for one more month, just one more month." the other Captain Grimke reminded his team mates, "Hey, I don't have crystal ball here but look who is left; Meade and Southern; neither have been that strong before and both are barely breaking even this year. We keep our game up and we will be the top seed for the county championship."
"And then what, a week off for the rest of the state to catch up," Evan reminded them, "I bet we play Port Deposit again. They've only lost one game this season and their defense is consistently keeping the other teams in single digits."
Coach Dase walked out of the faculty dining room and stopped at the boy's table asking, "So what do you guys have planned with a game day off?"
Erik Syms fired off, "we were thinking we would run the stadium steps just for fun Coach."
Coach Dase smiled, "I can see you and your security detail doing that."
Everybody else at the table laughed imagining Trooper Marsh with her gun belt running with the guys wearing all their lacrosse gear up and down the aisles in the stadium like they did almost every other day. "Listen, you guys got two more classes this afternoon right," Coach Dase said, "I'll cut you all a pass if you go check out Port Deposit's game this afternoon if you catch my drift."
Jake listened intently at the suggestion and turned to Evan who nodded yes. Beecher was agreeable to anything that got him out of Organic Chemistry and Erik was already calculating how to explain this schedule deviation to Trooper Marsh. Seeing his team mates in agreement Jake said, "Enough said, we're in."
Evan called Jackie, Aaron texted Shelia and Jake called home and talked to his dad for a minute saying he would be home for dinner but later than usual. Erik went through the extra steps of calling his Mom and before she could call the state police watch commander to approve the change, Erik said, "Fuck it, let's get going."
For the first time since becoming the governor's son, Erik eluded Trooper Marsh as they went from the cafeteria to their lockers to exchange books for jackets and backpacks and then exited the school through the boy's locker room and out to the student parking lot where they all piled into Jake's Saab and headed to Interstate 95 for the 90 minute trip into Cecil County. Just as they cleared the Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore, the familiar black Suburban pulled behind them and the driver lit up the red and blue strobe lights concealed in the grill and across the top windshield and tapped the electronic siren a few times.
Jake pulled over immediately, nervous at first until he recognized Trooper Marsh getting out and walking over to the right rear seat. Erik rolled the window down for his admonishment from the trooper that started with, "And where do you think you are going Mr. Syms?"
"To a lacrosse game in Cecil County," Erik said confidently, "didn't the watch commander contact you?"
"He did, that's how I found out," Trooper Marsh continued, "why didn't you just tell me? You're not cutting school are you?"
"No ma'am, Coach Dase gave us all a pass," Erik said, feeling he had the upper hand.
"Well, I see you are in good hands with your team mates here but that doesn't mean I won't be a split-second behind your butt Erik. Don't sneak off on me like that again, young Mr. Syms; I don't like it and you don't like me when I am pissed off at you."
"I'm sorry Trooper Marsh," Evan said as the cars whizzed pass them.
"Erik, call me Evelyn, okay?" Trooper Marsh said.
"Yes ma'am, I mean Evelyn," replied Erik.
"Listen," and with an eye to Jake, Evelyn continued "don't you boys do anything crazy in this car, just take it nice and easy. It's a Friday afternoon and every nut is going to be out here trying to get home for the weekend; I'll be behind you guys all the way. And Jake, why do you still have top up on this beautiful car on a beautiful afternoon like today's?"
Without any hesitation, Evan and Jake released the front windshield locks for the convertible top and it lowered into its stowage space. Jake released the handbrake and eased into first gear with the big Suburban behind him clearing the right lane so he could safely merge back on to the interstate. With Jake's IPhone docked, Evan scrolled through the ITunes until he found Jake's playlist with the songs that they were planning to do for the concert. While Jake drove, Evan played each of the songs and they all practiced the lyrics of the songs in the playlist until they were just across the Susquehanna River into Cecil County.
Seeing they were almost an hour early for the game, they stopped at McDonald's for sodas, even buying Trooper Marsh an extra large iced tea. The four stood in their jeans and varsity letterman coats talking to the trooper in her black cargo pants and forest green polo with her Glock 9 millimeter holstered on the right side of her belt. "You boys know what you are looking for here?" Evelyn asked, "this wasn't just some sort of a joy ride; your coach sent you here with a purpose."
"Yeah, he wants us to scout out Port Deposit," Aaron offered, "I guess Coach Dase thinks we might be playing them in state's."
"Yeah well, do you guys know how to scout?" Evelyn continued.
Jake, forgetting the trooper's own lacrosse experience, "we watch for their strengths and weaknesses, what they exploit on the other team."
"Good Jake," Evelyn said, "Aaron, you should be watching the offense more than their defense and Evan, Erik and Jake, you guys should watch their defense because that is what you are going to be playing against. You got to think the opposite of what position you play so you can learn how they are going to play you, you guys got it?"
Evan jumped in, "Thanks Trooper."
"And for God's sake, put those varsity lettermen jackets away, you guys will stick out like sore thumbs around here," Evelyn suggested.
Jake popped the trunk and their letterman coats were locked inside as they drove the last mile to Port Deposit High School. In the half empty student lot, the Suburban pulled up next to the Saab and they parked together. The boys got out taking a look around and followed the rest of the students and faculty meandering towards the stadium before they made their way to the visitors side of the field and grabbed seats together in the bleachers near the front row.
Not knowing the strength of Port Deposit's opponent, Rising Sun High School, it was difficult to tell how hard their own potential opponent was playing. Port Deposit had the home field advantage and their offense demonstrated good ball control and a willingness to take as many good shots at the goal as they could. Their defense was also strong, able to assist their goalie and make the offense work hard for each and every shot they tried to take against the home team. Erik, Evan and Jake also watched each face off, to see who they might have to go face-to-face with to gain possession of the ball for their own team.
Jake watched Port Deposit's defense line while Aaron told him what they were doing well and not so well. And for as hard as he tried to focus on what Aaron was saying his mind wandered. It was like there was a fresh crop of new young athletic men dropped at his feet just waiting for him to sort through as he watched the game, the bench and the crowd in the stands.
At half-time, they found their way to the men's room to relieve themselves from the sodas they had earlier. They walked around the track encircling the playing field before they found their seats again and got ready to watch the second half. With their butts planted they watched the second half and from out of nowhere, Rising Sun High blasted three unanswered goals right away into Port Deposit's net!
Jake watched with renewed enthusiasm, analyzing where Rising Sun had changed their offensive tactics or perhaps Port Deposit's team got a little cocky and complacent going into the half with a three point lead. Now, in under just five minutes of play, it was tied nine even.
Jake actually found himself cheering for Rising Sun's attackers as he watched Port Deposit's long-polers scramble on defense.
With the visitor's having a two point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the game had taken on a new life. The thought of an upset victory by Rising Sun over their own cross-county rival enlivened the crowd on either side of the stadium to cheer more for their favorite team. Evan, Aaron and Erik were getting caught up in the momentum of the game that had changed so dramatically in the second half while Jake's attention was beginning to be distracted by two male figures near the Port Deposit sideline.
And while Jake should have remained focused on more on the game he couldn't help but notice the pair. Trooper Marsh had given the boys the binoculars that were assigned to her SUV for the purpose of watching some of the intricacies of the game they came to scout and the strap was currently around Evan's neck. With a quick nudge to his wingman, Jake got the binoculars and trained them on the two men near the home team's sideline.
Jake's line of sight was partially obstructed and since they were watching the game as intently as the guys from Severn high school, it was difficult at first to get a good visual on them. Then Rising Sun called a time out and everybody relaxed for a minute allowing Jake to zoom in on the pair. The taller of the two, at least 6'-2" was wearing a light blue hoodie emblazoned with HOPKINS LACROSSE and black Nike wind pants, also with the HOPKINS LACROSSE logo on the left thigh. His dirty blonde hair was buzz cut and he sported a full beard of almost the same length. "Bryant?" Jake asked himself.
His left hand was on the right shoulder of the young man next to him, probably not even 21 and he whispered in his friend's ear. Obviously, Jake couldn't hear what was being said but he sure could see making him start to smile as the familiar features became recognizable. It was Jake's Adonis, Jose, wearing a purple sweat shirt with the word FIJI in big letters across the chest.
"Hey bro, you going to watch the game?" Evan asked, tugging on the strap of the binoculars.
"Huh," was all Jake could muster.
"Earth to Jake" Aaron said sarcastically, "come in Jake"
Jake handed the binoculars to Evan, "Isn't that Bryant Williams from lacrosse camp over there in the Hopkins hoodie?"
Evan raised the binoculars to his eyes, "yeah bro, I think your right.
And who's that dude next to him, he looks familiar too, in the FIJI shirt, whatever that is."
Beecher chimed in, "FIJI is a frat, my oldest brother was Phi Gamma Delt at Maryland."
"That's Jose Valdez, Maria's son, we, met him after the Christmas concert at Children's," Jake said to refresh Evan's memory.
"Oh God, this game is over for you," Evan said reading his wingman, "I know where your mind is now."
Just the thought of being in the same zip code as Jose made Jake's knees start to sweat. Jake watched the game as much as he watched Bryant and Jose, trying to determine if they were friends or more by their body language. With some minor commotion and signaling, Jake swapped seats with Aaron so he could sit next to Erik. "I need a small favor bro," Jake asked Erik.
Erik, focused on the game, without breaking his concentration on what was happening on the field said, "what's that J-man?"
"Um, think there's enough room in the Suburban for all you guys to go back to Severn?" Jake asked his team mate.
"There's a ton of room in the war wagon," Erik said, referring to the black Suburban, "but why dude?" Why you going to leave us, that's not like you."
"I see somebody I got to talk to," was all Jake said.
Erik leaned to his other side, "Troo...., um, Evelyn, we might have a small situation developing."
"What's that Erik," Evelyn demanded to know in a tone that suggested no details be spared.
"Jake says he has to talk to somebody and may not be able to give us a ride home," Erik stated, "that's all he said."
Evelyn leaned past Erik, "What's going on Jake?"
"I just see a dude I remember from lacrosse camp, I want to go say hello to him and his friend," Jake said honestly, "and who knows, if we end up talking for a while, I may not get Erik back in time, or the other guys for that matter. I know I shouldn't impose on you but this just seems like a once in a lifetime chance. If you could help, that would be great."
"You are not imposing but I'm not here to be your soccer or lacrosse mom either, shuttling you boys to and from games and all that other stuff, got it young man?" she said with a certain amount of trooper authority.
"Yes ma'am," Jake said with a smile before turning to Aaron and switching seats to be next to Evan again.
Jake looked at his diver's watch that he liked to wear and turned to Aaron and said, "if I am not at the car at 6:00 pm, go back with Erik and the trooper."
"What are you up to Jake?" Aaron wanted to know.
"Over there on the Port Deposit sidelines is a dude I recognize from lacrosse camp. I just wanted to go say hi to him and if we end up hanging out for a little bit, it might be kind of too late to get you and the rest of the guys back on time."
"Sounds a little fishy bro," Aaron said, "but we got your back."
Turning to his wingman as Jake finished talking to Aaron, Evan asked, "I guess you are going over there?"
"Yeah, if I am not back at the car at 6 pm, catch I ride with the trooper, okay?" Jake said, "I'll fill you in with the details later."
"Hey bro, good luck," Evan said as he gave Jake a quick hug, "I hope he says whatever you want to hear; I mean that Jake."
With about five minutes left in the quarter and Rising Sun still maintaining a two point lead, Jake handed over the binoculars to Evan and offered a fist bump, "always and forever wingman."
Evan bumped back, "always and forever."
Jake ambled down to the track and walked the long way around to the Port Deposit side line, maintaining a constant vision on Bryant and Jose until he was on the same stretch of the straight-away as them. Jake could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his mouth turning dry and a rivulet of sweat dripping over his knee.
Jose spotted Jake first and did a double take to make sure it was in fact, Jake Grimke walking towards them. His smile broadened as Jake got closer to them before Bryant turned to see why Jose wasn't paying attention to the last minutes of the game. Bryant began smiling too, realizing it was one of his former camp mates closing the gap between them. Their welcoming smiles bolstered Jake's confidence and all of a sudden, his heart didn't beat quite so hard, his mouth was a little less dry and his knees a little less sweaty as he broke into a jog towards the pair.