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Wednesday, November 6
Patriot Stadium, Williamsburg, VA
11:30 A. M.
The practice was eventful, the Minutemen players shouting and encouraging one another as basketballs flew through the air. Susan Kruegar (F/C, Raccoon) and Margaret Walters (Hyena, G) worked on pedaling recumbent bicycles while Nick Nwabudike (Elephant, C) and Desmond Macon (Siberian Tiger, F worked on their rebounding. Eleanor Rigby (Deer, G) and Vera La Tierra (Red Vixen, G) worked on their hand-eye coordination bounce-passing balls to each other and at angles off the near wall. Leonard Mack (Fox, F/C) and Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G) both worked on their shooting forms, a ball rack at their side.
However, one name was on all their minds: Crystal Davis (Cheetah, G).
It all happened so fast; what most of them remember is the guard curled up on the ground, her paws to her mouth, trying to fight back tears. There was only a few words said about it to reporters afterwards, including Furballer writer Almira Stanton (Hyena), who handled the Minutemen beat for Furballer Magazine.
And now they were just waiting.
In his office, Coach Morgan Roosevelt (Raccoon) had his phone to his ear, talking to someone. His expression was uncertain.
“Yes, I see… well, that’s about the best news that we could hope for. Thanks again, Dr. Blake. You have a good day and we’re looking forward to seeing Crystal back,” the coach said. He hung up the phone and sighed through his nose. It was one of those situations he hated: good news and bad news. He got up and made his way to the gym. When he entered, Donna Milligan (Giraffe, AC, WIL), one of the team’s assistant coaches, blew her whistle to stop practice.
“All right, huddle up, people. Got some news,” Morgan announced.
The players huddled around their coach and he kneeled down, grunting a little as he wasn’t as young as he used to be.
“Bad news first: Crystal’s jaw had to be wired shut. She’s on a liquid diet for a few weeks and won’t be ready to come back until mid-December at the latest. The good news is that she’s otherwise fine and will be with us by game time tonight.”
“Well, praise the Lord she’s well enough to come home,” Mary Wooten (Sheep, F) said with a smile. Everyone certainly agreed.
“Indeed so, Mary. All right, everyone. Pre-game meeting is here at four; Crystal should be back around there. In and Minutemen on three. One, two, three...”
“MINUTEMEN!”
* * *
4:15 P. M.
Crystal gingerly walked up to the practice gym. She was dressed in her best ladies business suit and was carrying a pad and pen. The doctor said she was ready, but somehow she didn’t feel ready. Maybe it was the jaw wiring that was all too noticeable in her mouth. Still, she pulled open the door and heard a single basketball bounce. Everyone must be getting dressed. Jake Masters (Orange Tabby Cat, retired) was there to greet her in the hall. He smiled as he saw her, picking up the ball.
“Hey Crystal, how are you feeling?” he asked, gently hugging her. Crystal smiled slightly, showing brace-like wires and jotted something on the pad:
“SORE.”
“Heh, yeah, I can imagine. Come on, everyone’s waiting.”
The two made their way to a separate area that didn’t stink of locker room musk where the players could go dress for the game. Crystal jotted something else down.
“DADDY CALLED. REALLY UPSET.”
“I don’t blame Healey at all.” Jake agreed, acknowledging his long-time rival Healey Davis (Cheetah, G, retired). “If it was before you were able to talk, you say anything?”
Crystal wrote some more:
“SAID I’D BE ALL RIGHT, WANT TO GET BETTER AND PLAY.”
The orange tabby nodded. ”Can’t disagree with that.”
Crystal just nodded herself in reply.
They arrived at the room and as Jake opened the door, Crystal noticed her teammates ready to go to the stadium for the game.
“Hey, Crystal’s back!”
“How’re you feeling, girl?”
“Whoa, is that a jaw brace?”
“Hope you’re not hurting or anything!”
Crystal basically gave a smile and motioned for the others to not crowd her in excitement. She jotted down more on her pad:
“GOOD LUCK TONIGHT, EVERYONE. GO OUT AND DECK THE WILDCARDS!”
Laughter and applause rang out throughout the locker room. More encouraging words couldn’t have been written.
Wednesday, November 6
Patriot Stadium, Williamsburg, VA
11:30 A. M.
The practice was eventful, the Minutemen players shouting and encouraging one another as basketballs flew through the air. Susan Kruegar (F/C, Raccoon) and Margaret Walters (Hyena, G) worked on pedaling recumbent bicycles while Nick Nwabudike (Elephant, C) and Desmond Macon (Siberian Tiger, F worked on their rebounding. Eleanor Rigby (Deer, G) and Vera La Tierra (Red Vixen, G) worked on their hand-eye coordination bounce-passing balls to each other and at angles off the near wall. Leonard Mack (Fox, F/C) and Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G) both worked on their shooting forms, a ball rack at their side.
However, one name was on all their minds: Crystal Davis (Cheetah, G).
It all happened so fast; what most of them remember is the guard curled up on the ground, her paws to her mouth, trying to fight back tears. There was only a few words said about it to reporters afterwards, including Furballer writer Almira Stanton (Hyena), who handled the Minutemen beat for Furballer Magazine.
And now they were just waiting.
In his office, Coach Morgan Roosevelt (Raccoon) had his phone to his ear, talking to someone. His expression was uncertain.
“Yes, I see… well, that’s about the best news that we could hope for. Thanks again, Dr. Blake. You have a good day and we’re looking forward to seeing Crystal back,” the coach said. He hung up the phone and sighed through his nose. It was one of those situations he hated: good news and bad news. He got up and made his way to the gym. When he entered, Donna Milligan (Giraffe, AC, WIL), one of the team’s assistant coaches, blew her whistle to stop practice.
“All right, huddle up, people. Got some news,” Morgan announced.
The players huddled around their coach and he kneeled down, grunting a little as he wasn’t as young as he used to be.
“Bad news first: Crystal’s jaw had to be wired shut. She’s on a liquid diet for a few weeks and won’t be ready to come back until mid-December at the latest. The good news is that she’s otherwise fine and will be with us by game time tonight.”
“Well, praise the Lord she’s well enough to come home,” Mary Wooten (Sheep, F) said with a smile. Everyone certainly agreed.
“Indeed so, Mary. All right, everyone. Pre-game meeting is here at four; Crystal should be back around there. In and Minutemen on three. One, two, three...”
“MINUTEMEN!”
* * *
4:15 P. M.
Crystal gingerly walked up to the practice gym. She was dressed in her best ladies business suit and was carrying a pad and pen. The doctor said she was ready, but somehow she didn’t feel ready. Maybe it was the jaw wiring that was all too noticeable in her mouth. Still, she pulled open the door and heard a single basketball bounce. Everyone must be getting dressed. Jake Masters (Orange Tabby Cat, retired) was there to greet her in the hall. He smiled as he saw her, picking up the ball.
“Hey Crystal, how are you feeling?” he asked, gently hugging her. Crystal smiled slightly, showing brace-like wires and jotted something on the pad:
“SORE.”
“Heh, yeah, I can imagine. Come on, everyone’s waiting.”
The two made their way to a separate area that didn’t stink of locker room musk where the players could go dress for the game. Crystal jotted something else down.
“DADDY CALLED. REALLY UPSET.”
“I don’t blame Healey at all.” Jake agreed, acknowledging his long-time rival Healey Davis (Cheetah, G, retired). “If it was before you were able to talk, you say anything?”
Crystal wrote some more:
“SAID I’D BE ALL RIGHT, WANT TO GET BETTER AND PLAY.”
The orange tabby nodded. ”Can’t disagree with that.”
Crystal just nodded herself in reply.
They arrived at the room and as Jake opened the door, Crystal noticed her teammates ready to go to the stadium for the game.
“Hey, Crystal’s back!”
“How’re you feeling, girl?”
“Whoa, is that a jaw brace?”
“Hope you’re not hurting or anything!”
Crystal basically gave a smile and motioned for the others to not crowd her in excitement. She jotted down more on her pad:
“GOOD LUCK TONIGHT, EVERYONE. GO OUT AND DECK THE WILDCARDS!”
Laughter and applause rang out throughout the locker room. More encouraging words couldn’t have been written.
Category Story / Miscellaneous
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 367 x 372px
File Size 18.4 kB
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