Gemotions

The air in the coach's office felt thick, stifling. The ticking clock on the wall seemed to mock Coach Ramirez, counting down the minutes until he had to deliver the news. The boy, David, sat on the bench, bouncing his knee nervously.

He remembered the early season, David's quiet demeanor, the way he fumbled the ball during tryouts. Even though he’d improved, he'd had a hard time watching the kid. The coach’s own success seemed threatened by David's very existence.

He wouldn’t be sad. He’d be professional. But the way David’s face would fall would be sweet vindication.