[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

managed to secure a hold on Tony forcing him first onto his
belly and then slowly rolling him to his back. Although Scott
earned 3 points for exposing Tony's back to the mat, he was
unable to pin both of Tony's shoulders down for three
seconds. When the final buzzer rang, Scott had lost nine to
eight.
The Birmington team jumped up on their bleachers and
started screaming. With only two matches left, there was no
way they were going to win the meet, but this was the first
win for their team and their reaction was as if Tony had
trampled Scott into the ground. Scott shook hands and the ref
lifted Tony's arm as the winner. Sulking off the mat, Scott
plopped down to the side of the rest of the team as Josh
walked out for his match.
Both Josh and Power pinned their opponents and the final
score for the meet was a crushing thirty-nine to three. An
explosion of excitement rippled through the team and the
Brampton spectators. People rushed to the side of the mat
and everyone began hugging everyone else.
Once things had settled down, Derek looked for Scott but
could not find him. Looking over to where his parents were
sitting, he saw that Shannon was not there either. He walked
over to his parents who excitedly hugged and congratulated
265
Wrestling With Desire
by D.H. Starr
him, but pulled back when Derek didn't respond with the
enthusiasm they expected. When he spoke, his voice was
filled with sullen disappointment. "Where's Scott?'
His mother looked at him, her face drawn in concern.
"Once the meet ended, he left with Shannon." Derek's heart
sank. His mother placed an arm around his shoulder. "Would
you like a ride home with us honey."
"No, I think I'll head back on the bus. I'm guessing it's
going to be an awesome bus ride after this win." After his
initial wave of disappointment, Derek was sure that he had
summoned the will to sound and appear cheerful. Even so, his
mother was looking at him with the same worried expression
as before.
His father saved them both from having to address the
issue. "I bet you're right son." He placed an arm around
Derek's shoulder, giving him a half hug. "We'll see you at
home. That was some match, Derek. After the way he
trounced you last year, it was very gratifying to see you pin
that sucker."
Derek's face blushed. "I'm not sure whether that's a
compliment or not, but thanks...I think."
His father laughed and patted him on the back. "Always
wondering what others think aren't you son? For the record, it
was a compliment." His mother gave him a hug which was
tighter than usual and held on for longer than Derek would
have expected.
Derek's father touched his wife's arm. "Honey, you're
going to have to let go if he plans on making it home at all
266
Wrestling With Desire
by D.H. Starr
tonight. Half of his team is already headed out." She released
him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
As expected, it was a boisterous, celebratory ride back to
school and, for the ride at least, Derek was able to push
thoughts of Scott out of his mind.
* * * *
When Scott got into Derek's car the next morning, he was
unusually quiet. Sitting next to him, the silence made the gap
between the two of them unbearable. They had been so close
and now they were two feet apart and may as well be two
miles apart. Pulling to the side of the road, Derek turned to
Scott. "Are you ok?"
When Scott looked at Derek, his irritation was
unmistakable. "What are you doing? We have to get to
school."
"We have time. I'm worried about you, Scott. You haven't
been yourself for a while. We haven't been ourselves for quite
a while. I miss us. Don't you?"
Scott looked out the passenger side window, laying his
hands on his lap. After what felt like an hour, he spoke. "Yes,
I miss us. But what does that matter? It doesn't change
anything. It doesn't change my situation."
It disturbed Derek when he realized how relieved he was
that Scott missed their time together. When did I begin
doubting that? "I know it doesn't change your situation, but I
hate that we have been so distant from each other."
Scott pulled his stare away from the window and turned [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]