The Bleachers by Grisham John

Author:Grisham, John [John, Grisham,]
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-06-10T04:00:00+00:00

The Bleachers

“And we were so emotional,” Neely said. “I think all fifty of us were crying when the game was over. We’d just pulled off a miracle, against impossible odds. With no coaches. Nothing but sheer guts. Just a bunch of kids who’d survived under enormous pressure. We decided it would be our secret. Silo went around the room, looked every player in the eyes and demanded a vow of silence.”

“Said he’d kill anyone who ever told,” Paul said with chuckle.

Mal skillfully poured a pint of molasses over his next target. “That’s a good story. I figured as much.”

Paul said, “The odd part is that the coaches never talked about it either. Rabbit kept his mouth shut. Total silence.”

Chomp, chomp, then, “We sorta figured it out,” Mal said. “Knew something bad happened at halftime. Neely couldn’t pass, then word leaked that he was wearing a cast the next week at school. Figured he hit something. Figured it might’ve been Rake. Lots of rumors over the years, which, as you know, ain’t hard to find in Messina.”

“I’ve never heard anyone talk about it,” Paul said.

A pull on the coffee. Neither Neely nor Paul were eating or drinking. “Remember that Tugdale kid, from out near Black Rock? A year or two behind you boys.”

“Andy Tugdale,” Neely said. “Hundred-and-forty-pound guard. Mean as a yard dog.”

“That’s him. We picked him up years ago for beatin’ his wife, had him in jail for a few weeks. I played cards with him, somethin’ I always do when we get one of Rake’s boys in. I give ‘em a special cell, better food, weekend passes.”

“The perks of brotherhood,” Paul said.

“Somethin’ like that. You’ll appreciate it when I arrest your little banker’s ass.”

“Anyway.”

“Anyway, we were talkin’ one day and I asked Tugdale what happened at halftime during the ‘87 title game. Clammed up, tight as a tick, not a word. I said I knew there’d been a fight of some sort. Not a word. I waited a few days, tried again. He finally said that Silo had kicked the coaches out of the locker room, told ‘em to stay away from the sideline. Said there had been a rather serious disagreement between Rake and Neely. I asked him what Neely had hit to break his hand. A wall? A locker? A chalkboard? None of the above. Somebody else? Bingo. But he wouldn’t say who.”

“That’s great police work, Mal,” Paul said. “I might just vote for you next time.”

“Can we leave?” Neely said. “I don’t like this story.”

* * *

They rode in silence for half an hour. Still flying with all lights on, Mal appeared to doze occasionally as his ponderous breakfast got digested.

“I’ll be happy to drive,” Neely said after the car eased onto the gravel shoulder and flung rocks for half a mile.

“Can’t. It’s illegal,” Mal grunted, suddenly wide awake.

Five minutes later he was fading again. Neely decided conversation might keep him awake.

“Did you bust Jesse?” Neely asked as he tightened his seat belt.

“Naw. The state boys got him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.