I Woke Up 261 by M.P. Arsent
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Now I couldn't remember Stan ever calling me,other than to get back with something I had asked him about, and I had to wonder what new problem had befallen the company.
"Morning Stan, what's up?"
"Morning Dennis. Just calling to check on things. I noticed there was activity on your portfolio account this morning. You haven't made any trades in almost a year and a half, and after the break in I just wanted to verify that it was you who authorized the trades."
"Rest easy Stan, It was me. I thought I saw an opputunity so I jumped on it."
"Ok Dennis, just making sure."
"And I appreciate it Stan. Anything else I should be aware of?"
"Not at this point."
"Then have yourself a good day Stan. I have to be heading into class shortly."
"You too Dennis, and good luck with the meet this weekend."
"Thanks Stan, later."
I still had plenty of time but headed into campus anyway.
It was the usual 15 minute discussion and then reviews. Mine was last as almost always.
"Well this is a departure from the norm for you Mr Sawyer."
"It is but as you can see the stock I sold off is trending down at the moment. If this were for real I would have rode it out as they have several new drugs in the approval process. This being run in the short term however, well I hedged my bets I guess you could say."
"I quite understand. Well you still look to be in good shape Dennis. See you Thursday."
I hit the student union for my usual sandwich and sitting at my usual bench.
Pete and Susan stopped by for a couple of minutes.
"How we looking for the meet Den?"
"We're looking good, even though Coach Warren won't be there."
"Why not?"
"Crookshank has asked his case be reviewed and he can't compete while that is happening."
"Sounds like these guys will do anything to win."
"That was my read as well. So do me a favor. If you hear anything from any source that is putting down the team, try and put things right. If you can't speak from knowledge let me know about it so I can give the team a heads up."
"Anything like what?"
Now I could well have said something about Jacks porn career, but that had been told to the team in confidence.
"Can't even begin to imagine Susan. They could make up anything, but proving it is another matter. I mean it's pretty common knowledge that I'm gay, but if that had been dropped on the team just before we took the floor it wouldn't have been good. I've already talked to the team about anything that might come up from my past. Dana asked the team to standup with anything from their pasts and only one guy had anything to say. Before you ask,no I'm not going to tell you."
"Ok Dennis we hear anything, we'll let you know somehow. Likely shit won't start flying until they get here."
"Probably not, but keep your ears open anyway please."
"Will do Den. We need to get it in gear."
So they were off and I finished my lunch and walked around a bit before heading over to the Rec Center.
This was the last scheduled workout before the meet so it was a closed session. Today I concentrated on the rings, high bar, vault and floor excercise. The four disiplines where I had my triples. I figured if I were going to need any of them before the all state it was going to be this weekend.
Both coaches were there watching everyone pretty closely. The starting line up hadn't been posted yet. I was pretty certain that I would be on it as would Greg and Josh.
I had pretty much finished up when coach Warren called me over.
"Dennis, I saw you working those triples hard today. You think we're going to need them?"
"From all reports I do coach."
"I'd still like to hold them in reserve if we can."
"Then I have a suggestion coach. It's been rumored since the beginning of the year that I've been holding a triple in my floor for emergencies. If we need one let's use the floor and hold te others for the all state."
"Sounds like a plan to me Dennis. I'll tell coach Connors."
I hit the pool for my laps and then into the whirlpool, where I found Dana.
"What did coach want Dennis?"
"Setting up a bit of strategy for the meet. It's been rumored since the beginning of the year that I've been holding a triple in my floor. If we need it that's the one I'm going to throw, besides my high bar, and hold the other two for the all state."
"Sounds good to me. Where do you think we stand on the other thing?"
"Truthfully, I expect the shit to start flying at the team breakfast if not Friday night, if they are going to do it at all. I've told a couple of friends to keep their ears open for any shit around campus and to try and put an end to it. If they can't do that from their own personal experience for them to get in touch with me and then we'll see what can be done."
"You didn't tell them about Jack did you?"
"No that was told to us in confidence. Should it come up I'll ask Jack before telling anybody anything about it."
"And you're still not saying anything about what you found?"
"I gave the coach my word Dana."
"Ok, I got it. I'm outta here."
I stayed for a few minutes more and finally got out and hit the showers. I checked the car over and gave Karl the usual heads up call. The trip back to the apartment was quick and uneventful.
"Hey lover, anything happen today?"
"Nope just the usual Den. Practice go ok?"
"Yeah just fine. Coach and I decided if I need to throw one of the triples that it would be the final in the floor as the rumors have been around for that one all year."
"Here's hoping you don't need it."
"We should be so lucky. Spoke to Pete and Susan today. They appear to be doing well. I asked them to keep their ears open for any trash talk and to try and put an end to it. Think I might well ask the guys to keep their ears open as well."
"You think Crookshank might send some people out here to start rumors early?"
"Anything is possible Karl. Calling for a review of Coach Warren is pretty low in my opnion. He was found not guilty afterall."
"Yeah but from what you told me, they didn't ever find out who did do it."
"That's what he told the team. Wouldn't it be a kick in the teeth if this review did find out who it was?"
"Oh that would be priceless."
"To bad the results won't likely be in before the meet though."
"There is that. Supper's ready. Let's eat."
We settled down to supper and after things were cleaned up we hit the books, and then a little tv before we crashed.
Wednesday morning and we were up and out for our jogging with the guys and I did mention to keep their ears open.
"You think these guys are going to get that lowdown Den?"
"I think anything is possible Gordon, so I'm just trying to keep any damage to a minimum. I hope to hell I'm wrong, but this thing they pulled with the coach has got me wondering."
"Ok, we'll all keep our ears open."
We finished our laps and Karl and I headed back to get ready for the day. Karl and I were back to campus for our classes and they were pretty standard for the day.
After Taxes with Mr McEmber I was over to the student union for my lunch. Gordon and Aiden stopped today.
"Haven't heard anything yet Den."
"Yeah I don't expect there to be anything until probably Friday night at the earliest, but keep your ears open anyway."
"You think these guys want to win so bad they'd go to any lengths?"
"Knocking off the all state champs, and going into this years all state as the favorite is always something to be looked forward to Aiden, and would be a hell of a phsycological boost going into the all state."
"Maybe, but to get to it that way, well not very ethical is it?"
"Nope, not in my opinion. Coach Warrens either. He has flat out told me not to stoop to their level."
"You went looking anyway didn't you?"
"I had looked before he had spoken to me."
"And what did you find?"
I just looked at him.
"Ok I get it. Was it difficult to find?"
"I will neither confirm or deny as that would be telling you if I had found something or not."
"Fair enough Den. We've got to get to class."
I waited until it was time and then went over to the Risk/Rewards class. Having gotten through that I checked the car and then headed back to the apartment. I got things ready for supper. Karl showed up at his usual time and I could tell something was bugging him.
"What did you hear lover?"
"Somebody started a rumor that not only is there a gay guy on the team, but he's a child rapist as well. It's no secret who the gay guy on the squad is."
"So you think they may be after me specifically?"
"Face it lover, if you didn't compete the chances of the team winning are greatly reduced."
"And if I come out and say anything it looks like I 'doth protest too much.'"
"Would coach pull you for this?"
"He could but without specific charges I'm doubting he will."
"Why do I have a feeling that it's going to be a long couple of days Den?"
"Because more than likely it is. I need to call Dana."
I dialed Dana and he answered on the first ring.
"First Salvo has been fired Dana."
"Yeah I just heard. What are you going to do?"
"Ignore them unless somebody comes asking."
"And what are you going to tell them?"
"That I've never even been questioned in any cases let alone any charges filed, which is a matter of record if anybody will bother to check."