Student Body - Taking One for the Team (7 page)

After Brenda left them in order to mingle with the crowd, Kelly and Donna filled their plates at the buffet.  As before, they ate outdoors while watching the last of the team warm ups. Donna said, “It appears that you’ve become somewhat famous here.” She grinned taking another bite of food.

Kelly raised her eye brows, “Yeah and I’m not sure what to think about it. Brenda seems nice, but there’s something more behind the mask. I guess all I can do is enjoy it while it lasts. There’s no harm in getting better seats at the game. You don’t mind coming with me do you?”

“Not at all, on my salary, free food and drinks are always welcome.” They laughed.

Thirty minutes before kickoff they went inside to hear the coach speak to the influential supporters and have another drink. As if on cue, the elevator doors opened and the larger than life personality of Coach Norris poured into the club. Many clapped and cheered send well wishes for another big win. He moved from table to table promising them a good game and hopefully a victory.

By the time he made his way to Kelly a crowd had formed and followed him. He hugged her in his massive arms. “Kelly, I think you’re the best good luck charm a coach could have.” She hugged him back enjoying the attention. He asked, “Have you had time to talk with our new star receiver? If so, any words of advice?” He held her by the shoulders waiting.

She gave him the run down, “When last we spoke, Adam had reviewed half of the available films. He thinks A&T will play a zone defense. So run some crossing patterns, find the seams and hit the receivers in the gaps. They’ll respond with man coverage, use fly routes and out routes to spread the defense. You’ll have to bounce back and forth as they change. Adam says by the second half they’ll double team him, have the QB pull off Adam and look for the open man.”

The crowd around the coach was silent as the new member of the All-Star Club gave her report. Coach Norris pulled her into his arms saying, “I love it! She’s got our kids doing their own scouting report.” The crowd cheered, “I’ll share those insights with the coaching staff.” As he let her go he said, “You are on
e hell of an asset to this university, and don’t you ever forget that.” He gave her thumbs up and headed for the elevator.

The game opened with A&T kicking off and the first play from scrimmage started at the thirty-five yard marker. Adam Carlson, wearing number 26 was one of two
starting receivers. The offense broke from the huddle and lined up to begin the battle. At the snap, both receivers ran to the seam in the zone coverage and darted into the center of the field, a crossing pattern. The quarterback delivered the ball squarely into Carlson’s chest. He caught the ball in stride and had it not been for a lucky single handed trip he would have visited the end zone one the first play. A first down would have to do.

After a few small yardage running plays, the team was forced into another passing play. Again they called for a crossing route and Adam easily reigned in the ball. With blinding speed the kid maneuvered past both safeties and raced tot eh goal line a head of the pack of defenders.

In what was becoming a regular scene, Adam handed the ball to an official and humbly jogged back to the side with his team mates patting him on the helmet. The band played and the cannon blasted announcing the first score of the game. Many around her congratulated Kelly for the insight. “Nice call Professor Shaw”, she heard from behind her and smiled and waved.

The defenses dug in and neither team scored for the remainder of the first quarter
. The squads exchanged ends of the field and the game continued. Just as predicted the A&T defense moved to man coverage. Adam lined up to the far right side of the formation. When the ball was snapped the defender did his best to contain the faster receiver but to no avail. Carlson ran a perfect out route catching the ball and stepping out of bounds with a twenty seven yard gain. Two more running plays tightened the defense bringing them closer to the lanes they assumed would be run through. Once again Adam Carlson faced down the defending cornerback. He blazed past the young man and when in the open the ball landed gracefully in his hands. With little effort he coasted into the end zone for the second and last score of the half.

The All-Star Club was ecstatic with their team’s first half performance. Brenda Cook returned to Kelly’s table with a bottle of champagne for a half time celebration. “Well done, Professor Shaw
.” They raised glasses in a toast. “It was exactly as you called it, crossing routes followed by out routes and then a go route! Two scores and a shutout, how did you do it?” Brenda asked.

“Again, I didn’t do anything with exception of giving a young man access to his natural abilities. He needed to know what was expected of him and how to achieve it, Adam Carlson did the rest. I will meet with him next week and praise him for his knowledge, hard work and overall performance. He’ll be rewarded and that’s all any student athlete wants, direction, acknowledgement and reward.” She raised her glass again.

Brenda shook her head, “Such modesty. I just want to know how you do it. You have something special the kids take to, something they respond well to. I wish I knew what it was.” She sipped her champagne, “Perhaps I could attend one of your private lessons sometime?”

“As much as
I’d like that, it’s the first rule I share with the student, private lessons are private. It gives them a safe space to explore and question. They find that what was not there before can be found in this new and empty space of learning. It seems to be working.” Kelly smiled politely hoping desperately that she had averted a confrontation.

“You’re right, and if it’s not broken…” Brenda smiled and leaned in to hug Kelly. “You just let me know if you ever change your mind. Now let’s see another good half of football!” And like a social butterfly, Brenda Cook fluttered off to another group of people.

When she was gone Donna said, “I think she wants to crash your party.” They laughed but Kelly was uneasy about the request. Thankfully the second half began and she was able to forget and concentrate on the game.

The second half of the game was a variation of the first. The A&T defense had no answer for the
speed of Adam Carlson. They tried zone coverage, man coverage and when they double teamed him, he would guide the defenders away from the open receivers. The sports announcers called it ‘a clinic of perfection’ and ‘textbook style beat down’. At the final whistle the score was 42 to 3, the A&T offense had produced one three point field goal of total offense.

The Club was a cacophony of cheers and clapping until the closed circuit television changed to the image of Coach Norris and his star receiver Adam Carlson. The coach made a few opening remarks but the nation wanted to hear from their new star. A reporter opened the questioning, “Adam, how were you able to pick apart the defense? It was if you knew their next move before they did.”

The camera zoomed to a full screen of Adam Carlson’s sweaty face and matted hair. He said, “First I’d like to thank the coaching staff for providing all the tools we need to be a great team. Next you have to look at the locker room full of hard working guys who make this possible every week. Robbie had a great day at quarterback, Stan, Tommy and Mike had some big hits that really turned the tide and kept A&T out of the end zone. It was a complete team effort and those guys need to hear it. Other than that, I was able to get in some study time on films and we prepared based on what we saw. They’re a good squad, but I think we were just a little better prepared for today.”

In the All-Star Club the boosters commented on the poise and good nature of the kid on the television screen. He gave credit and took time to acknowledge the school, the
staff and the team. They viewed him as humble, modest and insightful. “Sounds like the image of you Professor Shaw.” It was Brenda Cook again. “You have made him in your like image.” She said paraphrasing a bible verse. “You ladies have a good weekend and with luck I’ll see you sometime this week.” Before Kelly could ask what she meant, Brenda Cook disappeared into the crowd.

The school was buzzing the following week. Adam Carlson had set a new freshman record for most passing yards in a single game. The football team was undefeated. The boosters and alumni were both ecstatic and through it all, many credited Professor Kelly Shaw the success.

Tuesday morning after class Professor Shaw returned to her office to grade papers and to make herself available to students in need of her counsel. The crisp autumn day made for a nice walk across the campus and reminded her of why she began a life as an educator. Life for these kids was the university, everything they knew existed within the campus walls and prepared them for real life beyond. She loved her career and was happy that she and the administration had come to a compromise regarding student athletes. If she couldn’t teach them English Literature, she could impart other lessons. She smiled and unlocked her office door.

The office was filled with books, papers, and periodicals piled on the desk and various shelves and filing cabinets. It was crowded and overflowing but it was also home to her and her students during normal classroom hours. Kelly unloaded the next wave of papers she received for grading. With several hours free before her next class, she secretly wished for the students to leave her alone. There was enough time to finish the freshman term papers and get in an hour or so of reading, one of the few personal thing she enjoyed.

From her bag she produced her latest literary venture into erotic fiction. The book was titled ‘
Wanting Control – Secret Chronicles Series Book #1
’. The main character was considering an extra-marital affair in which she would be the controlling
sexual partner, but she desired the male to be her submissive servant as well. The book allowed the reader to see inside the life of the main character and her fantasies of sexually controlling the men in her life. Many of the female administrators were reading the book, but most were attempting to keep it secret.

Kelly took her seat and dug into the stack of papers. With five papers graded she reached for the sixth as there was a knock on the door.
So much for getting in some reading today
, she thought as she said, “Come in.” The door pushed open and there in her office stood Brenda Cook.

“Professor Shaw?” Brenda said opening the door.

“Mrs. Cook, please come in.” She said again. “To what do I owe this pleasant surprise visit?”

“Please, call me Brenda.” She moved to hug the professor. “I had some time on campus today and wanted to see the command and control center of our most valuable educator.” She laughed.

Kelly knew that it was no coincident for the leading university booster to just happen into her office during the only free time of her day. This woman was purposeful in everything she did, the question was…why? Offering her a seat she said, “I’ll call you Brenda if you will call me Kelly.” They sat, “I am so happy to see you. This is my only time in the office today, if you’d come by after lunch we would have missed each other.”
So, how did you know and why are you really here?

Brenda Cook smiled slyly, “I suppose you’re too smart to know I didn’t just happen to walk in. Saturday after the game I asked the coach to check your schedule for a time when I could find you in the office. He did and here I am.” She paused a moment. “I don’t think you understand how valuable we
see you. As I was saying Saturday, Tom and I, as well as many others, have worked hard to promote this university and all of its programs both academic and athletic. It’s rare that a professor sides with us outside the realm of academia. Further, to have an educator give of themselves as tirelessly as you do is remarkable. We just want you to know how much we appreciate your efforts.”

With Brenda coming clean about her knowledge and intent Kelly was somewhat relived. She didn’t want to feel like she was being deceived or lied to; she liked Brenda and many of the people at the All-Star Club. “I appreciate everything and it’s important to feel valued. I love being here and participating in the education of the kids. I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I guess that I owe you a debt of
gratitude as well. I don’t think we hear this kind of thing enough and I hope other professors will get on board and work to promote every facet of the school. I find it exciting to be part of it all.”

Brenda could see the spark in her eye and felt the sincerity in Kelly’s message. “You don’t have to thank me, we all do our part.” Her gaze drifted to the book on the corner of the desk. “Wanting Control
, are you reading this?”

Kelly could feel the heat rising in her face, “I must admit that I am. You recognized it, have you read it?”

“Oh yes, I have and most of the women in the Boosters Club. It’s funny how many women want to take charge in the bedroom and are too afraid to talk about it. When this book came out, all of that changed. I shouldn’t tell you this but Tom and I have our little role reversals from time to time. I’m not sure if he lets me be in charge and likes me to be in charge. In either case, the book has opened the discussion among most of the women I know and all of them want an opportunity to take charge in the bedroom.” Brenda laughed, but Kelly Shaw knew that there was more to it than just a simple role-playing game. This woman liked the power she wielded and worked hard to maintain control in every aspect of her life. She doubted that Brenda Cook relinquished any part of her authority in or out of the bedroom. The book just gave her an avenue to discuss it and find out about the habit of others.