The Desire Chapter II

Tweet Coach O'Brien sat in his office and rummaged through some paper work, in addition to his Jr. team coaching duties, he served as the schools administrator for athletics and he knew that a lack of organization now would cause nightmares when school started tomorrow.  In his mid 50s he put on a bit of weight over the years but much to his relief he still did not feel old.  The stress of coaching had caused his face to have some wrinkles, but nothing he couldn't live with.  As long as he felt good he would coach, this was his motto.  Coach O'Brien always left the basketball schedule last because he always spent the most time on it; and on this particular day he was very excited to get to it.  He had a rough idea of how he wanted to set up his team this year and could not wait to get started, even a trivial thing like printing out the season schedule gave him an excuse to plan for the season.  He knew that he would be without a few players, some told him that they were done with basketball while others would join coach Malcolm Floyd on the varsity team.  He knew for sure that he already had eight players who were committed to the junior varsity squad and knew that the team had a chance to be really good this year.  Having done this for a long time he knew when he had something special, and the run that the Panthers made from mid-December through the end of February of last year convinced him he did indeed have something special.  He chuckles a bit to himself when he recalls the day it started coming together.

"Are you allowed to be in here?"  Coach O'Brien yelled out from the other side of the gym as he briskly closed the distance between him and the startled young man he was confronting.  The time was close to 7am and he was not used to being at school this early, but he had received quite a few complaints from the school custodian about the big gym doors not being locked in the morning and had to investigate.  He suspected that whoever was opening the gym doors was a student from the school.  The gym stayed locked on Saturday's and Sundays and at night.  Mike O'Brien knew that the student had to do it very early, before any of the schools staff came in.  As he approached the youth he recognized the school's gym uniform.  "You know you could be suspended for breaking in here" He said calmly looking at the boy.  If the boy was afraid he did not show it.  He brushed sweat from his messy brown hair and placed the basketball that he was holding on the floor. "Sir..." he seemed to struggle for words, unsure if he should say anything but realized he did not have much choice so he continued.  "Actually, I sort of have permission sir, Mr. Lopez gave me a key".  Coach O'Brien almost laughed at the absurdity of what the boy said until he produced a key.  "Follow me" He said, "Mr. Lopez should be here" coach said glancing at his watch.  'why would he give him a key?' was the thought racing through his mind as he led the boy through the school.  The walk to the athletic administrations offices was a long and silent one; when they got to a door that said 'R. Lopez' coach O'Brien knocked and was let in.  "Already in trouble James?" said Mr. Lopez as he sat back down at his desk seemingly oblivious to the tension. "Robert?, you know who this is?" asked Coach, "Of course Mike" came the reply.  "I gave him the key, the kid has too much talent to be punished for moving here a month after tryouts, so I let him use the gym during the winter so he could stay sharp".  Coach O'Brien was having a hard time processing all of this.  He looked from Robert, a former player of his who now taught physical education here to the boy whose calm demeanor showed a maturity beyond his young complexion. "Mike, lets sit down shall we?" said Robert, he had been waiting for this opportunity and did not want to blow it. "You too James" he said beckoning the boy to an empty chair. "You have some serious explaining to do Robert" Coach O'Brien said, the slightest hint of a smile forming on his face.


A knock on his door broke coach O'Brien's train of thought "Its open" he called out lazily his expression went from boredom to surprise when he saw who walked in. "Mr. Johnson" Mike said standing up and shaking the mans hand "what a nice surprise".  Mr. Johnson, a very tall man with dark hair and a serious but friendly complexion smiled back "I just came by to tell you that I will be providing funding for this tournament I hear you may or may not be hosting" "How did you know?" Mike asked bewildered.  He was sure that only he and vice-principal Jeremy Roberts knew about his plan. "Its no secret that you have been asking for sponsorship help coach" Mr. Johnson replied smiling, "and given how you guys played last year I was too happy to provide. "Gary, you should'n.." "I did, its over".  Mike let out a deep sigh.  Gary Johnson was one of the best players in school history as well as one of the best students of his time.  His basketball career did not pan out the way he wanted it to but he was now a very prominent figure in 'Nextex' a pharmaceutical and physiotherapy company.  Mike O'Brien knew that he could not turn down this offer and decided to offer his former player some coffee.  Gary obliged and they began reminiscing some war stories from back in the day.

"Let me get this straight," coach paused before continuing: "James here" said Mike nodding at James who was sitting patiently in his chair "moved to the school in October and was told that he was not allowed to ask to play for us?  You know very well that I have an open practice policy until the 15th allowing late comers to come to practice and try out" Robert nodded politely  "But you felt that he should wait a year? why?" at this James displayed some emotion for the first time, Mike was convinced that the boy was nervous. "He has had ahhh some run-ins with players on the squad coach-- wait!" Robert held up a hand to stop the coach from protesting "He just moved here, he needed to accommodate to his surroundings and I felt that next year would be a better option, that's all".  Coach O'Brien glanced at the kid, then back at Robert. "Is he good, he must be if you have taken such an interest" Upon hearing this James almost fell out of his chair with excitement, he knew that this was the moment he wanted, a chance, and he was about to get it. "Have him practice coach, you will see for yourself, and at this point you guys do have a roster spot open I believe?"  It was true, Michael Gray had back surgery after the third game of the season and was out for another four months.  He was easily the best player on the team and coach O'Brien based the entire offense around him.  Sadly, since his injury, the losses had started piling up as the young and inexperienced team struggled on all fronts, sitting at a 1-7 record, they were the laughing stock of the league. "3:45 I want you in the gym ready to go, I'm giving you one practice to impress me James" "Thank you sir!" James did not even bother hiding the excitement in his voice "You are lucky that I trust Robert's opinion when it comes to these things, now get out of here".  James scampered out of the office, giving a very grateful look to Mr. Lopez as he went back to the gym to grab his things. "How often?" Asked Mike when he closed the door. "Every day since it got cold outside Michael" Robert replied. "The kids passion for the game is incredible" Sitting back down and unbuttoning his suit to get comfortable Mike looked at Robert and said "we need more than incredible to save this season".


Gary Johnson pulled into his driveway.  He stuck around longer than he would have liked but he had not seen coach O'Brien in a while and catching up never bothered him.  Besides, the joy he had for the second half of last seasons run was one that brought him back to his playing days.  Locking his car and stepping into his house he heard noise from the kitchen.  He greeted his wife Brianna and sat down. "You ready for tomorrows try-out?" He asked his son casually.  Tommy glanced up and went back to his food "I'd be on the team even if I didn't show up" he said.