Chapter 24 -- Fantasy Football
I spent the balance of that week struggling within myself. I debated heavily the merits of telling the women about my encounter with Sienna or keeping that information to myself. I found reasons for both sides of my internal struggle, but the right decision was eluding me. We had a full team meeting at the end of the day on Friday and I knew I needed to decide by that meeting if I was going to share the information or not.
By the time that meeting rolled around, I still had not come to a decision. We all sat around the large table in the conference room as Leslie outlined some new plans and projects for our office. I was not listening. The only thing I could hear were the voices in my head, reminding me of the pros and cons of revealing the facts I knew. Our game was different, based on honesty. I should tell them what I know. Our game was different, based on trust. They should trust me to do right with my knowledge if I chose not to share it in order to protect them. They were all strong women, they didn't need my protection, but I cared for them and wanted to provide them protection anyway. I was far away and lost in my thoughts when it finally caught up to me.
"Are you thinking about something more interesting than what is going on here," Leslie asked me in a very teacher-like tone.
"Sorry," I repented quickly. "I have something to share with all of you."
"Well, please, go ahead," Leslie replied. "Never let work get in the way of a good story."
"Right," I agreed quickly, trying to deflect her agitation. "When I left the office on Wednesday night, I had a visitor waiting for me in the parking lot."
"After I left," Brooke questioned.
"Yes," I informed her. "I was about 15 minutes behind you in getting out of here and Sienna was waiting to see me."
"Go on," Emma urged, as she hung on every word.
"I won't give you the play-by-play, but I did learn some interesting facts," I informed them. "Sienna wasn't the one stirring things up with Jack, Kylie was. Sienna admitted it. But wait, it gets better. Her sister is now running their game."
"That makes some sense," Leslie admitted. "Mindy mentioned that Brad has been exceptionally smug on campus that last few days. He told Mindy that change was good and she was going to be sorry for choosing our game over theirs."
"Yeah, I think Ms. Samson has plans for their little boy-toy," I said. "She comes off as a woman who likes things her way. I think young Bradley is in for a rough ride."
"I don't like where this is headed," Brooke stated. "They are devious."
"I think we will be able to handle whatever they throw at us," Emma assured her.
"Well, now we all know the facts," Penny interjected abruptly. "Meeting over."
We all left the conference room and I went back to my office. I felt like a weight had been lifted after I told them. I had to continue to remind myself that this was a team. My independent spirit and desire to protect those I cared for was getting in the way of the ideals that made this game work. I needed to get control of myself.
The office was quiet for the rest of the time I spent there. I headed out just after 6pm and things at home were mostly quiet on Friday night as well. Vivian was at Emma's and Penny didn't get home until much later than I. When she did get home, I thought that I sensed some anger from her but we didn't get into it. I stayed out of her way and went to bed.
I spent Saturday running errands and doing research, as the day passed in a flash. Sunday was a day I had been looking forward to for a while. Each year, on the day before or the day of the Chargers first preseason game, I got together with 9 of my former college baseball teammates for our annual fantasy football draft.
We met just before noon that Sunday at Champs sports bar in Burbank. We commandeered 3 tables in the back corner of the bar and went to work. It was good to see all the guys again, as we got older there wasn't nearly enough time to get together and do things. I certainly missed the camaraderie. We caught up with small talk as analysis charts, magazine and even several laptop computers were lined up in preparation of today's event.
Fried bar food and pitchers of beer soon crowded the tables as our draft began. The afternoon was spent picking players and making deals until sometime that evening we had 10 teams ready for action and everyone surrendered their entry fee for the season. We split up the bar bill and said our goodbyes, knowing that we would see each other for our postseason get together. I left bar having had what I deemed to be a successful draft and an entirely way too enjoyable day with the boys.
When I got home, it was quite an odd scene. I pulled into the driveway and noticed that the house was mostly dark, aside from a light on in Penny's room. I made my way inside to find more darkness. I turned on a few lights as I made my way to my room. I passed Penny's room, observing that the door was shut, which was rarely the case. I changed into a t-shirt and shorts before heading back down to the living room.