Gemotions

The air in the cafeteria was buzzing with after-school chatter, but Coach Jackson found a quiet corner table. He had a few minutes before the meeting, enough time to organize his thoughts, and steel himself. He'd done this before, unfortunately.

He pulled the player’s folder from his briefcase, the manila envelope worn around the edges. He read the summary again, not to refresh his memory, but to reaffirm his decision. The information was factual, precise, objective. He knew his role, and this was part of it.

He pushed his chair back, his movements economical. Then, he got up. He began walking toward the coach’s office. He put on a smile as he approached the door.