Here is Chapter 10.
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RYAN'S ODYSSEY
CHAPTER TEN
I was trying to remember what the exact date of Pearl Harbor was, I knew it was some day in December 1942, but I couldn't remember if it was December 7 or December 8th. How did that famous speak go. So and so day, a day that will live in emphamy. Well anyway that's what I was doing when I heard my name announced over the intercom system to report to the football stadium. I grabbed all my books, and practically ran out the door. Getting a few stares from others trying to finish the quiz. I ran has quickly as I could without actually running in the halls, out the side door of the school building, across the street, and straight into the stadium. I looked towards the field, expecting to see Ryan in his familiar spot lined up behind John Titan, but was shocked when I saw Jarod taking the handoffs. My hands started to sweat, I was really getting worried about Ryan, if he wasn't on the field then where was he. I was doing my best not to let my emotions show. I don't want anyone to know the depths of my feelings for Ryan, so when Coach Lopez walked up to me, and told me that Ryan was in the fieldhouse, I acted like anyother close friend would.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Simple Roll out," he said, "I quess he cut wrong, cause he went down, and looks to be in a lot of pain."
We walked into the fieldhouse and that's when I saw Ryan laying on the trainers table with Ice packed around his knee. Oh shit, I thought, doing my best to hold the tears in. I wanted to rush towards him, take him in my arms and kiss all his hurt away. It took every ounce of strength I had not to do it.
"Hey bro," I said, "looks like you had a litte accident."
"Don't be a smartass," he replied, "go and get my truck and pull it over here, and then you are going to give me a ride to Angel Falls General, to get my knee checked. It will be your first official job as the new team manager."
"What?" I asked, not sure I had heard him right.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," he smiled, "we unannimously voted to make you our new team manager."
If it meant I would get to see Ryan naked then there was no way I was gonna pass up this opportunity. I ran out of the fieldhouse as fast as I could, I dont' think I had ever ran that fast in my life. I ran straight to Ryan's truck, and pulled it the gate in the front. Coach Lopez and myself helped Ryan to his truck.
He didn't say much on the way to the hospital and I assumed it was because of the pain he was going through. I didn't question him much, but figured if he wanted to talk about it, he would.
I hated all the lying I was doing. I knew I would have to keep lying, but how was I gonna convience a trained doctor that I was really hurt, without telling him why I was faking it. I hated lying to Kyle, what a way to start a relationship with a lie, and what if he found out I was lying, would he hate me, or realize I was only doing it to protect him. He looked real concerned, and I just hated to see him in pain over my lies.
Doctor Titan, who just happened to be John's dad took me back into the examining room.
"Okay, Ryan," Dr. Titan said, "Coach Lopez called and said that he thinks you hyperextended your left knee. Let's take a look at see if his diagnosis is correct."
"I knew he wasn't gonna find anything wrong with it, in fact he was probably gonna tell me he had never seen more healthy knees in his life. I had decided to trust him, beside what I told him was doctor patient confidentel.
I sat down on the examining table and tried to decide how I would tell him. I decided the best way was just straight forward.
"Doc," I said, "before you check my knee, I need to make a confession to you."
"What is it Ryan?" he asked.
"There is nothing wrong with my knee," I said, "I faked the injury so I wouldn't have to start the game on Friday."
He scratched the top of his head, shook his head and just said one word, "Why?"
I could no longer hold it back in and the tears slowly streamed down my face. "You wouldn't understand, but I just can't play in the game on Friday."
"If you can't tell me a good reason to fake a medical report, which is what I would have to do in order for Coach Benson to know you are really hurt, then I will have no choice but to tell the coach that there is nothing wrong with you, now are you gonna talk or am I gonna sing."
"Well I quess you leave me with no choice," I said, "but what I tell you in this room, doesn't leave this room, and if Kyle gets hurt because of what I tell you..."
"What does Kyle have to do with your faking an injury?" he asked.
I blurted it out real quick, "Kyle's my boyfriend, and Jarod threatened to out us, if I didn't let him start the game on Friday."
"Wow," Dr. Titan said, "I could have stood here quessing your reasons, but I would have never quessed that in a million years."
"Yeah, I know," I said, "football heroes can't be gay, it's just not the way it is. Gays are weak, effiminate types that walk with a swish and a limp wrist..."
"Bullshit," he yelled, "You confideded a secret in me, and know it's time for me to confide a secret in you. Do you know John's older brother, Kip?"
"Not personally," I said, "but the way John talks about him, I feel like I know him already."
"John will defend his brother 'till the day he dies, when they were growing up, they weren't really that close, and none of us could figure it out, until a few years ago when Kip came out to us. Yes, John's brother is also gay, and John loves him more then ever. Kip is John's hero, because of the strength he has. Kip doesn't hide the fact he is gay, and has told John not to lie about it. The reason I am telling you this so you will know that John will back you up one hundred percent, and I wouldn't be surprised if more of your teammates didn't."
"Like I said I'm not really worried about myself," I said, "The town would probably overlook the fact, at least until after I give them there first state championship, but Kyle is a different story. He would be picked on and harrassed, not to mention his mother is the biggest homophobic I have ever seen. So for his sake, I'd rather just keep it quit."
"I don't agree with what your doing," Dr Titan said, "but I'm gonna go against my better judgement and grant you this wish, but I will tell you that you need to trust someone."
He filled out a form stating the nature of my injury and when I would probably be able to return to practicing. I walked out of the office, thinking to myself, maybe I should tell John. And maybe, just maybe they would all stand behind me.