Aaron stood, stretching as we talked. “Same old story. Budget cuts. We had this entire new initiative planned for juniors and seniors that was going to help with the cuts we’ve already had to make in the P.E. program.” Aaron paused and waved to Jake, who made his way toward us. “But.” Aaron stopped talking and just made cutting motions with his fingers.
“Talking about your vasectomy again?” Jake set his gym bag on the bench and nodded toward the other guys. “I doubt Wes is any more interested in the play-by-play than I was.”
Aaron flipped him off. “This funny guy.”
“Naya thinks so.” Jake checked his phone and then set it in his bag. I liked him for my friend—nice guy, career oriented, and he was even good with Aaron and Felicia’s kids, which was no easy task, as those kids had energy for days. I had never met anyone worse at basketball, though.
Aaron tossed him the ball, which he barely caught. “I think she means you smell funny. I’d say you look funny, but damn it if you’re not a handsome bastard.”
Jake laughed and tossed the ball back as the players on the court finished their game and our group began a shift forward. We stood at center court, waiting for the last few guys to join us.
“So, they cut your physical education funding?” I palmed the ball. Aaron hadn’t finished his story, but I’d loved my P.E. courses in school. I’d spent as much time as I could with my coach and around the school gym.
“Most of the little music, art, and P.E. funding we still had,” Aaron said. “It’s a mess. We had this peer health education program in the works, but that’s not going to happen now. Shame, too. It was a good idea.”
“Yeah,” I said, more to myself than anyone else, as Aaron got us organized into teams.
* * *
WHEN WE WALKED off the court and I checked my phone, I had a missed call I ignored, a text from Kelsey, and a FitMi notification. I paused for a second, thumb hovering over the preview.
The notification from the FitMi app read Bmoney34 logged three meals. It had been so long since I’d used the app as a coach, I’d forgotten to turn off the notifications, but I was glad she was jumping in. The other new client had been hit-or-miss, but I tapped the icon to send B a “good work” message. A text remained on my screen, and not the one I’d been hoping for.
Kelsey: I know you’re ignoring me out of spite. This is important, though.
“Haven’t seen you much. Work okay?” Jake’s voice cut into my thoughts, and I hit delete before tucking my phone in my pocket.
“Yeah. All great. Busy.” I’d missed the last few games. “How’s the new place?”
“Not so new—we’ve been there over a year, but come over some night for dinner or cards or something.”
Wow. Almost a year. I’d spent a lot of time with them for a while, and then I just kind of . . . stopped. Maybe there’s more going on with me than just it being February.
Aaron joined us, waving to a few of the other guys. “Wes, don’t let him sucker you in. What he lacks in basketball skill, he makes up for in poker. He’ll take all your money.”
“I barely have any left after playing with Felicia last time,” I said.
“Who do you think taught me?” Jake’s phone buzzed in his hand, and he apologized for needing to take it, heading for the exit.
I walked with Aaron while the squeak of shoes and the thud, thud, thud of basketballs hitting the courts sounded all around us. The entire game, I’d been thinking about Aaron’s program. I knew nothing about kids, but I’d wanted to be a teacher at one point, wanted to be like my coach. “That program that was cut at your school. How much would you need to save it?”
“The actual cost for the program isn’t much, but the bigger issue is the staff time. We lost someone we’re not going to replace, and the two people who were going to run it and train the peer leaders now have to be doing other things.”
Despite the coat I’d pulled on, the frigid February air hit me like a brick to the chest, a brick made of ice that exploded on impact. Next to me, Aaron swore under his breath.
“Gotcha,” I said. “So, it’s human resources you need.”
“People and time are harder to come by,” he said, pulling his keys from his pocket.
“Maybe we can help.”
“Your company?”
“Maybe,” I said, wheels already spinning. “Can you send me more information and I’ll look into it?”