This story was written for the
750 Word Project 2024
, below this line are exactly 750 words:
We were on the twenty-eight yard line; seventy-two yards from a touchdown -- trailing by five. Whole team in the huddle, helmets bent toward the middle; waiting for the play call.
"That cheerleader" the quarterback, said, "I bet good money she's got a red headed pussy."
"Rocky -- What the fuck! Call the goddamn play!" somebody shouted.
"Lighten up, man; get your priorities straight!"
Then he called the play; a twelve yard post pattern. I caught the pass for a first down.
Six plays later, the clock running down to zero, Rocky hit me in the back corner of the end zone: touchdown. We win!
Minutes later I 'ambushed' the afore mentioned cheerleader, picked her out of the crowd of frat boys, majorettes, the whole student body -- it seemed like -- swarming onto the field. ( I think she was angling in my direction on purpose. )
"I got Jerry Lee Lewis tickets," I told her. Didn't give her time to say, "... good game," or whatever else she might say. "He's playing down at the Cock Pit tonight."
"Ah... " She looked at me, hesitated. "I got plans; going over to a lake house party."
"Change 'em," I told her. "Jerry Lee don't come around often."
She didn't walk away, looked me dead in the eye; said, "... Pick me up at the Phi Mu. Eight thirty."
The local radio announcer grabbed me, stuck a microphone in my face.... Two minutes later I looked, she was gone.