The Finall Play novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: What Rory Saw

Rory found Elliot alone in the clinic after the meeting, wringing out a towel that did not need wringing.

"Nice speech," Rory said.

"Thanks."

"I mean it. I've never seen anyone shut Kestner up."

"He wasn't shut up."

"He was for about forty seconds, and I'll take it."

Rory dropped into the chair by the door, and the plastic complained.

He rubbed his beard.

He looked like a man who had come to say something and was working up to it.

"Can I tell you what I saw?" he asked. "Two years ago?"

Elliot set the towel down.

"You were there?"

"I was a junior. Second string, on the sideline." Rory looked at his big hands. "You think Tanner just stood there and waited."

"He did."

"That's what everybody saw. But I need you to hear the rest, because I think you've got it wrong."

A small cold feeling opened in Elliot's stomach.

"Go on," he said.

"When you went back out, Coach called Tanner over. Said, go warm up, Thurmond, you're next if he can't finish."

Elliot nodded slowly.

He remembered the sight of Tanner stretching along the sideline.

"That's what I saw," he said. "He was getting ready to take my place."

"That's what everybody saw." Rory shook his head. "Do you know what he said?"

"No."

"He said no."

The clinic got very quiet.

"He said what?" Elliot whispered.

"He told Coach, in front of the whole staff, that you couldn't lift your arm."

Rory's jaw worked.

"He said the doctor had told you to sit. He said if Coach sent you out, Coach would be the one who broke you."

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