Chapter 4: Declined a Seat

On Monday morning I walked into the football office with both hands in splints.

The head coach sat behind his desk, and the athletic director sat beside him.

A single sheet of paper lay on the blotter between them.

"Sit down, Natalie," the coach said. "We want this settled before film."

The athletic director turned the page toward me.

I read it standing.

On Saturday, November 15, Ms. Cahill was offered a seat on bus two and declined it, choosing to walk to the team hotel.

It was signed at the bottom by Tate Rowley, Reagan Tull and Rhett Maddox.

"Declined," I said.

"The captains were very clear," the athletic director said. "Sign it, and we call this a misunderstanding."

"Nobody offered me a seat."

"The department's account is on that paper."

"I texted Tate at 4:50 to hold the bus ten minutes," I said. "He wrote back: Take your time."

The coach rubbed his forehead.

"Natalie, you went outside in a storm. That's not a decision I can defend."

"I was locked out of Harlan's stadium."

"Sign it," the athletic director said again, and held out a pen.

I looked at my splinted hands, and I did not take the pen.

"No."

The coach got up and checked his watch. "Film starts in four minutes. I want the whole team to see you're fine."

I followed him down the hall, because I had keys to return anyway.

The film room was full.

Forty-two players sat in rows under the screen, and Reagan stood at the side in her cheer jacket.

Tate was at the front with his shoulder in its brace, and his face went soft when he saw me.

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