Game Changer Read online

  Today 11:01 PM

  ethan you there?

  i hope you’re not mad or upset at what i said to you at camp today

  we were all a little freaked out because of what happened

  i hope it didn’t sound like i was blaming you, it’s nobody’s fault, remember that

  Today 11:22 PM

  you don’t have to text me back

  np i get it

  stay cool tomorrow

  hope it goes okay

  SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

  8:45 AM

  PATIENT REPORT

  MODEST IMPROVEMENT.

  MRI REVEALS SWELLING OF THE BRAIN.

  REMAINS IN A COMATOSE STATE.

  BREATHING WITH ASSISTANCE.

  CONDITION: CRITICAL

  WALTHORNE DEPT. OF EDUCATION

  PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO RECORDING

  SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 10:19 AM

  MR. RASHAD: Hi Ethan, I’m Mr. Rashad. It’s good to meet you.

  ETHAN: You too.

  MR. RASHAD: So. Please, take a seat, make yourself comfortable. Did you want to ask me anything before we get started?

  ETHAN: Not really.

  MR. RASHAD: Okay fine. I can tell you a little bit about myself, if you want.

  ETHAN: Yeah, sure.

  MR. RASHAD: Well, I work for the town of Walthorne as a therapist in the education department, where I’ve been for twelve years. I love working with kids, talking to kids like you about anything and everything. And just so you know, I’m a huge football fan. Played it in high school, still watch it every weekend. Greatest game in the world, in my opinion. What happened to your teammate is a tragedy, in so many ways.

  ETHAN: Yup.

  MR. RASHAD: So, right—that’s pretty much my story, unless you have any questions.

  ETHAN: Nope.

  MR. RASHAD: Okay, great.

  ETHAN: Actually, why are you tape-recording this?

  MR. RASHAD: Good question. Basically, I’d rather talk to you without the distraction of having to take detailed notes the whole time, and the recordings help me when I need to refer back to the session. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I can certainly take notes instead.

  ETHAN: No, it’s fine.

  MR. RASHAD: And Ethan, I just want to make sure you realize that you don’t have to do this at all, if you don’t want to. It’s standard procedure to talk to kids who witness something like this, and your parents thought it might be a good idea. None of us ever knows quite how we’re going to respond to a traumatic event, and it’s important to be aware of what might happen. And if you want one or both of your parents to be with us when we talk, that’s fine too. Totally up to you. Good so far?

  ETHAN: Sure, yeah.

  MR. RASHAD: Okay, great.

  ETHAN: So you’re not, like, a cop or something?

  MR. RASHAD: A cop? Oh no, no no, nothing like that. Like I said, I’m a therapist with the school system. Did you think I was with the police?

  ETHAN: I wasn’t sure.

  MR. RASHAD: This has nothing to do with the police.

  No one did anything wrong. This was a terrible injury, a student was badly hurt, and we’re just checking in with the kids to make sure everyone is doing okay. That’s the deal.

  ETHAN: Right. Well, I’m doing fine.

  MR. RASHAD: Great.

  ETHAN: So you’re talking to other kids?

  MR. RASHAD: That’s right, my colleagues and I are hoping to talk to as many of you all as possible.

  ETHAN: Uh-huh.

  MR. RASHAD: It’s really just about helping you and your teammates deal with whatever you might be going through.

  ETHAN: Okay. A lot of them aren’t really my teammates though, like the older kids. I’m not even in high school yet.

  MR. RASHAD: Got it. So, should we jump in? Do you want to talk about what happened?

  ETHAN: Well, I mean, that’s the thing. Nothing really happened.

  MR. RASHAD: Well then, how about we talk a little about when Edward got injured—what you were feeling, how you reacted, that kind of thing.

  ETHAN: I told my parents ten times. The Rookie Rumble ended and Teddy collapsed. I don’t really remember anything else.

  MR. RASHAD: The Rookie Rumble?

  ETHAN: Yeah. That’s what they call the scrimmage on the last day of preseason camp. It’s just for incoming freshmen.

  MR. RASHAD: Ah, got it. But Edward didn’t collapse during the scrimmage? He collapsed right after?

  ETHAN: Everyone calls him Teddy. Yeah, right after, I guess. Doesn’t that happen sometimes though, with like, concussions and stuff? Like, a delayed reaction or something?

  MR. RASHAD: I’ll leave that answer to the medical professionals, but as far as I know, it’s possible, yes.

  ETHAN: So then yeah, I guess that’s what happened.

  MR. RASHAD: So you don’t remember how you felt, or how you reacted, when you saw Teddy collapse?

  ETHAN: I was shocked. Like, in shock, I guess. This kid who’s an awesome athlete and loves football more than anything in the world was lying on the ground unconscious right next to me. Like, who wouldn’t freak out, you know?

  MR. RASHAD: I completely understand. What about in terms of how you feel about football? Do you like playing? Does this make you feel differently about the sport at all?

  ETHAN: I love football. It’s always been my favorite sport. I mean, it’s a little different now, I guess.

  MR. RASHAD: Different how?

  ETHAN: Well, for one thing, I used to be one of the best players, but not anymore.

  For a while, I was one of the bigger kids in my grade, but then I stopped growing and now I’m pretty small.

  MR. RASHAD: Ah. Yeah, well, unfortunately size matters in football, that’s for sure. It’s a dangerous enough sport as it is.

  ETHAN: Yeah, I guess.

  MR. RASHAD: Have you ever gotten injured playing football?

  ETHAN: I—yeah, once, in like fifth grade or something. I sprained my ankle. Not that bad though.

  MR. RASHAD: You’ve been lucky. You probably know this already, but a lot of people are starting to think football is too dangerous and kids shouldn’t be allowed to play. Especially kids your age and younger. It’s an ongoing discussion among coaches, educators, and parents.

  ETHAN: I guess.

  MR. RASHAD: But you think you want to play in high school?

  ETHAN: Being on the high school team is pretty much all I’ve thought about since forever.

  MR. RASHAD: Yeah, I get that. Being part of a team, part of something bigger than yourself, is one of the greatest things in life.

  ETHAN: Yeah.

  MR. RASHAD: Are you and Teddy friends?

  ETHAN: Everyone is friends with Teddy. He’s like, the best athlete in the grade, pretty much.

  MR. RASHAD: It must have been so hard to see your friend so terribly hurt.

  ETHAN: He’s—

  Is he going to be okay?

  He’s going to be okay, right?

  MR. RASHAD: I hope so, Ethan. We all hope so.

  INSIDE

  I love the game

  The shapes

  The bodies

  The grunts

  I love having the one thing everyone else wants

  I love running to daylight

  Shifting

  Escaping

  I love knowing they’re coming

  I love bracing myself

  I love getting hit

  I love falling

  I love the pain

  It hurts

  It hurts so bad

  And it’s the greatest feeling in the world.

  DAD

  Hey, buddy

  Whoa, look at you

  You look great

  Good night’s sleep?

  Good dreams?

  What’s—

  You look like you got some rest

  And your hair’s all washed

  Man, you are a heartbreaker, buddy boy

&n
bsp; Man

  Big day today

  Gonna be a good day

  And hey, Coach Bizetti called me again this morning

  He feels so terrible about what happened

  Absolutely heartbroken

  He said you would have been a terrific football player

  Incredible potential

  I said “Hey, let’s not rule anything out, okay?”

  Stranger things have happened, right?

  But yeah

  I mean I know you playing again is a long shot

  But you never know

  So anyway, this coach

  He told me he has a daughter, Camille, who knows you?

  He said she’s having a really hard time with this

  She’s probably crazy about you, like all the girls, huh?

  My son, the ladies’ man

  Anyway

  The coach is helping to organize some sort of event for tonight, up at the high school, so people can come together and support you and pray for you

  I bet the whole town is going to show up

  This guy seems like a terrific coach who really cares about his kids

  He was telling me about all the precautions they have in place

  They take the safety of the players really seriously

  The equipment is the best

  State-of-the-art helmets

  That’s why this is so weird

  I told him this wasn’t anyone’s fault

  How could we know what would happen?

  A fluke, just a horrible fluky thing

  He seems like a good man

  Anyway

  Oh hey, guess what? Nana is coming to see you today

  She can’t wait to see you

  Is the temperature good in here?

  I know how cold you like your room

  You got that from me

  We used to argue about that all the time

  Me and your mom

  She was always cold, I was always hot

  She would have piles of blankets on top of her and I would be sweating and opening all the windows

  It was amazing how different we were

  We were so different

  Not that that explains what happened, but anyway

  It’s pretty hot in here

  I’ll talk to someone about the AC

  Oh, we got your class schedule, it looks good

  First year of high school, Teddy

  I’m jealous

  Being a kid, that’s really so awesome

  You’re going to have a blast.

  JANEY

  Oh wow, Teddy, you look so much better

  I guess now it makes sense that Camille likes you

  Even though you’re a totally annoying older brother almost all the time

  I promise not to tell her that

  Not yet anyway

  Wait, what did I want to tell you? Oh yeah

  I wanted to bring Ollie but Dad said I couldn’t, so instead I brought this picture of him, which I’m going to leave next to your bed because I bet you miss him a lot. As much as he misses you probably. Last night, he was so funny. We got him this new toy that has like nine squeaks in it, and after he destroyed one squeak, he would go on to the next one, it took him about an hour to destroy the whole toy, which Dad said is a record for him. The house was so quiet except for Nana talking on the phone and Ollie squeaking his toy. Dad said he doesn’t like buying toys because they’re such a waste of money, but I said Ollie loves them so much even though they don’t last very long. Mom used to say the same thing, so tonight I’m going to order some more toys online. And when Dad came home, he smiled at Ollie, and it was the first time I saw him smile in a while

  Tonight I’m going to Mom’s, we’re ordering Chinese

  I know, can you believe it?

  I just asked and she said yes

  But don’t worry, I’ll save you some, I promise

  I have to go to soccer, but I’ll be back later

  Wake up soon, Teddy

  Please

  Ollie misses you and I miss you

  Even though you’re annoying

  Ha

  Just kidding

  Come home, okay?

  MOM

  Hi, honey

  Did you sleep okay?

  Was the pillow okay?

  I washed the pillowcase again last night

  I don’t mean to obsess about the pillow, but I can’t help it, I remember it like it was yesterday

  Do you remember?

  You were six years old and I got you a new pillow, and I walked into your room the next morning and found it on the floor, and I asked you why and you said, “I want my old pillow,” which I was just about to throw out because it was so ratty and old, and to this day you’ve never let me replace that pillow. And you hated all the pillowcases too, remember? Because they were too itchy? Every night, I’d put a new pillowcase on your pillow, and every night, you’d take it right off, so I searched and searched for the perfect pillowcase until finally three years ago I found it. I’ll never forget coming into your room the next morning and you were sleeping and the pillowcase was still on your pillow and I swear to God it was like a miracle

  Anyway, they brought a bed in for me

  More of a cot, really, but it’s pretty comfortable

  Can you smell my coffee?

  You used to love the smell of coffee

  I’m going to wash up before the doctor gets here

  I’ll be right back

  I’ll be right here if you need anything

  I’ll be right here.

  DR. SPARKS

  Well hello there, Teddy

  Nice to see you

  Just need to check a few things

  Will only take a minute

  Good

  Terrific

  You’re a strong young man and you’re doing very well

  You’re in fine shape

  Football shape, I believe they call it

  I bet you hit that hole hard, huh

  Impressed by the lingo?

  Don’t be so shocked

  I’m a big football fan, especially college football

  My dad played in college, and he’ll tell anyone who will listen all about it, too

  My brothers played in high school

  I played a little field hockey myself

  There’s nothing like being part of a team

  I really do miss it

  I know your teammates are excited to get you back

  They want you with them

  When you’re on a team, you’ll always be part of that team

  The important thing for now is to get plenty of rest

  We’re taking very good care of you, that’s a promise

  And your family is here and they love you

  I look forward to talking with you

  You seem like a fine young man

  Get some rest.

  Saturday at 11:13 am

  Camille PAGE FOR TEDDY!!!!

  Please like this page!!!

  Teddy Youngblood was hurt at football yesterday

  He has a head injury and it’s serious

  Teddy and his family are in all of our thoughts

  Also there is a service tonight at the high school

  Please come so we can be together

  Please use this page to share any thoughts you have about Teddy

  As we pray for him to make a full recovery

  Please pray for Teddy!!!

  27

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  Saturday at 11:20 am

  Emily Camille I am so upset. Teddy please please be okay I am praying for you so hard

  20

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  Saturday at 11:39 am

  Will Hey Camille and everyone, my name is Will Burdeen and I’m the captain of the high school football varsity. On behalf of the team I just want to say how much we are all pulling for Teddy, he’s a really good kid and a great football player, we know he’ll pull
through and we can’t wait to see him back on the field.

  29

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  Saturday at 11:47 am

  James I agree with what Will said, Teddy is a great athlete and a tough competitor and he’s going to make a great Walthorne Wildcat football player someday.

  14

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  Saturday at 12:08 pm

  Frankie That would be amazing but I don’t think Teddy is going to make a great football player someday, or any day. If he has a really bad head injury then his playing days are over, unless he and his family have a death wish or something

  2

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  Saturday at 12:39 pm

  Camille Hi Frankie, I don’t know you but just fyi this page is not meant for negative comments, it’s to post thoughts about Teddy and pray for his recovery.

  16

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  Saturday at 12:43 pm

  Clea This is so sad. How did it happen? Does anyone know?

  4

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  Saturday at 12:44 pm

  Darren What do you mean? I think it was just a terrible football injury, right? Why, did you hear something else?

  Like · Reply

  Saturday at 12:51 pm

  Clea I don’t know, nothing I guess, I thought I heard that maybe it was more complicated than just a regular injury, but I mean I have no idea of course

  Like · Reply

  Saturday at 12:54 pm

  Jackie Wow really, where did you hear that?

  Like · Reply

  Saturday at 12:57 pm

  Camille Guys don’t. Seriously this isn’t about that. Just please pray for Teddy which would be so amazing and helpful. Thank you!! Think positive!!!

  14

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  Direct message from Will

  Saturday at 1:12 pm

  Hey alex

  You are best friends with teddy right?

  Let me know how you’re doing with all this

  Coach Bizetti and the team want you to know that you

  don’t have to worry about football right now

  None of us are thinking about any of that

  We just want teddy to get better

  And remember we’re a team

  We stick together

  Also if you hear from that kid ethan let me know cool?

  Let me know if you need anything okay thx

  Saturday at 1:22 pm