The Legends (30 page)

Margaret smiled at her young friend’s attempt at nonchalance. “Tell me this. How is your friend Chad?”

This time Brian smiled and shook his head. “Well you know, Chad is Chad. At least he doesn’t call me “my small friend” any more. But he still thinks he is a much better soccer player than he really is. In fairness he has scored a few goals in practice matches and when that happens, there is no living with him because he relives every detail with anyone who will listen. Fortunately Kate and Charlie are pretty good at straightening him out.”

“Well maybe that is just his way of trying to be popular and make friends,” Margaret offered.

Brian thought about that for a moment before replying, “Maybe so. Chad is not that easy to figure out. I think he kinda likes Kate because he talks about her often enough. But then sometimes he pretends like she isn’t there and spends loads of time talking to another girl called Siobhán. Now that doesn’t bother Kate in the slightest but I know her well enough to know that trying to make her jealous isn’t going to make Kate like him any better. Who knows, maybe it is Siobhán he is interested in after all. You never know with Chad.”

“So do you… ah… hang out with Chad?” Margaret asked.

“Not really,” Brian replied, “except when I am with the gang and he happens to be along. The thing is he is into all sorts of things like television, video games and music and I couldn’t be bothered with all that. I would rather be working on my soccer or hurling or running with Gráinne or even just working out with the weights my dad gave me last Christmas. We are just interested in different things.”

“I can understand that,” Margaret replied. “But you know he is also new to the area and he didn’t go to the local grade school here so he could be a bit lonely even though he might not show it. I think you should be especially nice to him, just in case, after all, you are teammates.”

“You know me,” Brian said with a smile. “I try to be nice to everyone. Even though it can be a little tough with Chad, I will do my best.”

“I’m sure you will,” Margaret said, again marveling at the wonderful young man who had actually said he loved her and called Margaret his granny.

The success of St. Killians’ Soccer Team, led by their young superstar, created a predictable interest in the program. In prior years the team would consider itself lucky if more than a dozen supporters stood near the touch lines watching the matches and most of them would have been related to the players. As the word of the team’s success spread that number grew so significantly that spectators were now three and four deep along the lines and, in their efforts to see the action, were making it difficult for the linesmen.

Although unexpected expenditures were the last thing that the principal needed, Brian Freeman ordered the erection of temporary stands at the school’s field to keep supporters and curious on-lookers from spilling out onto the pitch. In truth, he had little choice and now Mr. Freeman’s difficulty was replacing the expenditure in his already tight budget. He even seriously considered passing a basket like they do in the church. On a positive note, as his vice-principal Pauline Dwyer pointed out, the publicity would certainly do the school no harm. He did, however, draw the line at a request by the media that they should be provided with an elevated platform at the top of the bleachers, equipped with tables and chairs, from which they could report on the action.

While most of the supporters were attracted by the team’s recent results there were a few who had backed the team from the first match. Charlie Pembroke, an excellent soccer player in her own right, had always attended her brother’s matches. Because her loyalty was not usually reciprocated by Chad supporting her efforts, and because she had better things to do with her time, Charlie decided that she might attend, if it was convenient. But then Brian O’Sullivan appeared on the scene and her curiosity overcame her annoyance with Chad.

Since she didn’t want to appear to be too interested, she talked Kate and Libby O’Donnell, Siobhán Tierney, Maeve O’Brien and a couple of other girls into joining her. Charlie knew Siobhán had a thing for her brother, so that was no problem, but Kate and Libby and never seen a soccer match and hadn’t the slightest interest in the sport so that was a bit more difficult. Ultimately, she convinced Libby that Brian would really love it if she supported the team, knowing full well that where Libby went, Kate was sure to follow. After that first match, however, Kate was a willing participant. And as for Libby, she was always the first supporter at the field and when the stands were erected, she claimed the best seats, the top two rows in the center of the pitch, for the girls.

As a result, the other girls could make their way at their own pace assured that the seats would be waiting for them. Of course it didn’t take long for the other students to recognize that those particular seats were reserved, even if Libby was not there to make the point. As for Libby, she was not the slightest bit bothered by the fact that she had to sit alone for at least a half-hour before the match, because Brian always came over and spoke to her and just before the kick-off he waved up to her in the stands.

One crisp cold autumn afternoon the girls sat huddled together in their accustomed seats. Although there was still a bit of warmth in bright sunshine, the chill in the air reminded everyone that winter was not far off. On the pitch, the referee blew his whistle and the match began.

Charlie watched the match intently, a true student of the game, while the other girls chatted about any number of things. When they first started attending, Charlie was annoyed with her friends because she couldn’t understand how anyone would make the effort to brave the elements and then not watch the match. After a few matches, however, she didn’t mind because she was perfectly willing to trade the girls’ company for their total lack of appreciation for soccer. Occasionally, however, she was surprised.

“It's hard to believe, Charlie” Kate said quietly on one such occasion, “that the fellow in the middle of the pitch, is our Brian. It’s like, like he’s totally in charge, no question about it.”

Charlie smiled without taking her eyes off the match, “For a boy who wouldn’t say boo off the pitch something must happen to him when he crosses the line. Look at him directing traffic, even telling the seniors where they should go.”

Hearing the last remark, Maeve leaned over and said, “I’d like to tell a few seniors where they should go as well.” Both Kate and Charlie shook their heads in unison.

Just then Brian anticipated a lane opening up and his pass was perfectly timed to meet the onrushing striker who found himself with a clear path to the goal. As the crowd roared, he took two touches but just as he was ready to shoot, he lifted his head at the last moment and his strong shot passed well over the bar. The crowd groaned while the striker banged himself on the forehead, fully aware of his mistake. When he looked up to Brian to apologize for blowing a perfect opportunity, he was greeted with an encouraging smile and handclap as the young midfielder back peddled into position for the goal kick.

“See that,” Charlie said encouraged by Kate’s interest in what was occurring on the pitch. “Brian saw that passing lane open even before it was there and the pass could not have been more perfect. But then that shot… terrible… you just can’t lift your head or the ball will go high every time.”

The technical comment was a bit beyond Kate’s comprehension, but she had her own observation, “Did you see how that senior, Stephen, looked at our Brian like he was begging forgiveness for messing up the shot and then there is Brian telling him it was alright. Who would have thought it?”

Not to be left out, Libby added, “You know what I heard. I heard some of the older boys saying the Bri.. Bri.. is a legend. What do you think that means? I thought legends were old or dead.”

Kate turned to her sister and replied, “It’s like slang Libby. It means he is a better player than everyone else, not that he is old or dead.”

“He is good, isn’t he?” Libby said happily.

“Oh he’s good all right. And will you look at his body,” Maeve said. “Look at the definition in his legs and then there is his rear end. Did you ever see anything so beautiful?”

All the girls smiled at the remark, even Kate, but she quickly replied, “What are you like Maeve? Will you ever get off the stage? People will hear you.”

“Just what I would expect out of you,” Maeve replied with mischievous grin not the slightest bit concerned that she might be overheard, “but I dare you to say it isn’t true.”

Kate said nothing but rolled her eyes, which sent everyone into a fit of giggles.

Charlie looked over at her friends and said, “You know girls, there is a fairly good match going on out there, if you would care to look.”

Just then Brian launched a perfect pass from nearly the center circle toward the right flag. Chad Pembroke was playing the wing and he gathered the ball in stride and headed toward the corner. Chad lost his opportunity for a quick cross as the defender scurried back into position. Still in possession, Chad faced the defender faked to the left and attempted to dribble around his opponent. Unfortunately, he was quickly dispossessed and his plea to the referee for a foul was totally ignored. He stood for a moment with a shocked look on his face but when he realized that no one was paying any attention he hustled back to defense. In the stands, Charlie shook her head and covered her eyes.

Siobhán, however, was quick to come to Chad’s defense. “Did you see that Charlie? Chad was hacked. Why didn’t the ref blow the whistle?”

If she expected sympathy from the player’s sister, Siobhán was mistaken. “Actually,” Charlie replied, “Chad should have crossed the ball immediately because he had two teammates in the box but either he wasn’t good enough to do that or he decided to put on a show and he definitely wasn’t good enough to do that. In the end, he ran into the defender not the other way around. That would never be called a foul and I am a little embarrassed for his whining about it.”

“Oh… never mind,” Siobhán said, apparently missing the point. “Well he certainly is the best looking boy on the pitch.”

The remark brought more giggles from the girls. Libby added, “Well he does have very nice hair.”

“Thank you Libby,” Siobhán said.

“His legs are a bit skinny for my taste,” Maeve added with a smirk.

“They are not skinny,” Siobhán responded indignantly. “He is just tall. Kate, what do you think?”

“I think he is a fine looking boy,” Kate replied without elaboration.

“And not a short little fellow like Brian,” Siobhán added defiantly.

Even Charlie was distracted from the match by that comment. “Now Siobhán,” she said. “There is no reason to get on Brian. Besides he isn’t short at all, not anymore. He has to have grown three or four inches in the last month and I doubt he is finished.”

“And he’s very nice,” Libby added.

“And he shows up at all my matches,” Charlie said emphatically.

Just then, Brian ran an overlap into the left corner. He juked the defender beating him to the end line and headed along the line toward the goal. Just before he was closed down by the center back and keeper, he expertly flicked the ball over their heads and Billy Hagerty, who found himself all alone in front of the open goal, made no mistake heading the ball into the back of the net. The supporters stood and cheered as Brian and the rest of the team congratulated Billy as they ran back for the restart.

When the match restarted, Siobhán turned to her friends. “Why is it always about Brian?” she asked. “Did you see that goal? Wasn’t that a brilliant header?”

Even Kate with her limited knowledge of the game stared at Siobhán, her mouth open in mute surprise.

“Because,” Libby said triumphantly, “Brian is a legend!”

All the girls laughed at Libby prompt proclamation except Siobhán who rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Maeve, who was a great one for stirring the pot, poked Siobhán in the ribs winking at her when her friend reacted and said, “So Charlie… Brian attends all your matches does he? You wouldn’t be a bit sweet on him would you? Would you like to share some news with us…perhaps you two are an item.”

Although she recognized the question for what it was, Kate looked over at Charlie curious to hear the response.

Charlie’s pale white skin took on a reddish hue as she attempted to ignore the remark. “If you don’t mind, I am trying to enjoy this match. And if you really want to know, Brian is a friend, nothing more. He attends my matches because he likes to watch soccer, and we are also pretty good, in case you didn’t notice. He also watches me play because I watch him play, unlike certain unnamed relatives of mine, so there.”

“All right, all right,” Maeve replied pleased that her remark had its intended effect, “no need to get your underwear in a twist.”

Charlie shook her head in disgust and returned her total concentration to the action on the pitch.

Just then, Brian intercepted an errant pass from one of the central defenders, cleanly beat the other defender and sailed in on the unprotected keeper. Realizing that a score was inevitable, the keeper was undecided whether he should come out to cut the angle or remain back. A bit late he moved toward the onrushing player keeping his body square to the goal as he had been trained. Brian moved toward the left bringing the keeper with him and faked a shot to the near post. The keeper dived in that direction and Brian rolled the ball to the right, directly into the path of Chad Pembroke who had no choice but to kick it into the net.

Chad, having seen entirely too many premiership celebrations, ran toward the bleachers, emulating an airplane, until he slid to a stop in front of the supporters. The other players, including Brian, gathered around him patting him on the back and messing his hair. The referee blew his whistle threatening a card for excessive celebration, and that, along with Coach Mac’s admonition brought the celebration to a close.

In the stands, Siobhán was jumping up and down as if Chad just scored the cup winner. She stumbled a bit against her friends who could only smile at her enthusiasm. Eventually they were able to pull her down into her seat before Siobhán fell into someone, but she continued to clap and shout.