A Goal for Joaquin (10 page)

Sometimes Cocoa joined their planning sessions, but most days she either rode the bus home from school or walked downtown to Marge's Cafe where she worked part-time waiting tables. Joaquin had mixed feelings when Cocoa joined the group. On the one hand he was always happy to be near her, but at the same time he felt awkward and shy around her. Some days he and Kari and Meta went to Marge's Cafe for their strategy sessions. Joaquin always worried that he would spill his Pepsi down the front of his shirt or trip getting out of the booth and look stupid in front of Cocoa. Even though he tried to look at Cocoa as just another kid who liked to play soccer, still he had a tough time looking beyond those big dark eyes. In his honest moments, he had to admit to himself that he was developing a crush on Cocoa.

Joaquin was successful in convincing Julio to add his name to the list of soccer recruits. He'd never played soccer before, but he was an excellent sprinter on the track team. He was defending conference champion in the 100 meter dash and had finished third in 200 meters. Since track was a spring sport, there'd be no conflict in his playing soccer in the fall. Joaquin convinced Julio that with his speed he could be a real asset to the team even if he had limited soccer skills and experience. A really fast player can save a close game by catching an opponent on a breakaway run at the goal. He can also serve as a decoy on offense. No team can ignore a lightning fast forward racing toward the net. Of course, Joaquin was pleased to have Julio sign up for the team because they had become friends. He looked forward to the fun of playing soccer next year season for a team with players who were his friends.
 

Still in the back of his mind he couldn't ignore the strongest passion for his playing on a new team—his burning desire to get revenge against Coach Sommers and his former teammates at Lakeshore. He couldn't repress images of himself scoring the winning goal against Lakeshore. He loved to imagine the painful grimace of Sommers' big red face.

 

Chapter 12

 

By the end of February, the soccer organizers had secured fourteen commitments to play on the team the following fall. In addition to Kari, Meta, Cocoa, Joaquin, and Julio, nine other students had agreed to play. Of this group three were eighth graders who would be freshmen in the fall making them eligible for the high school team. This group had been overlooked until Julio sat in on one of the after school planning sessions. Only six of the nine had ever played organized soccer, but they all gave their solemn promises that they wouldn't change their minds. With fourteen commitments, the group felt sure they could convince the school board to sponsor a team.

One day after school Joaquin was sitting in the school cafeteria with Meta, Kari, Cocoa and Julio. All were enthusiastically planning their presentation to the school officials. Confidence was running high about the possibility of actually forming a team. Reluctantly, Joaquin raised a question that took some joy out of the conversation. “I don't want to change the subject,” he started, “and I don't know that this is really important to start worrying about yet, but I was just wondering if any of the players in our group ever played goalkeeper. I mean, I know we can put somebody back there and teach them to try to stop balls from going into the net, but in order to win games we're going to need a decent goalie.” Everyone was quiet, obviously surprised by the tactical question raised by Joaquin.

Julio responded first, “Joaquin, we haven't even got a team yet, and you're worried about who's going to play what position. I think we need to tackle one problem at a time.” He reached over and landed a fake punch on Joaquin's shoulder. “Come on, man, let's just worry about the school board now.”

Kari gave Meta and Cocoa a funny look, then she turned to Joaquin. “Well, you've raised an interesting point, Joaquin. Actually, this is something we discussed when we started making plans for the team. You guys wouldn't know this, but one of the most talented goalkeepers in the state just happens to be a student here at Willowdale.” Meta let out a little chuckle when Kari pronounced the word “student.”

“Great, why didn't somebody tell me?” Joaquin asked as he picked up the list of players and scanned through the names. “Which name is it? We should include him in our planning sessions. A good goalkeeper can be the heart of the team. Especially one just getting started. Wow, you really think he's the best goalie in the state?”

“His name's not on the list,” Kari answered. “I said he was one of the most talented goalies in the state. I didn't say he was going to play for our team.”

“I don't get it,” Julio cut in. “If he's so good, why isn't he signed up for the team?”

“Yeah, we've got to talk to this guy. I can't believe you haven't mentioned this before.” There was a mixture of confusion and anger in Joaquin's voice.

“Well, there's a slight problem with getting this guy to play on our team.” Cocoa spoke each word slowly and cautiously.
 

“A problem?” Joaquin asked. “What kind of problem? If he goes to this school, he can't play for another team can he?” He seemed dumfounded by the conversation.

“Well, I'll give you a hint about the problem.” Kari sounded sarcastic as she spoke. “Here it is in one word,” She paused a few seconds and then continued. “Here's the clue—Monte.”

“Monte. What's that supposed to mean?” Joaquin was getting irritated by this mysterious conversation. “You guys aren't making any sense.” He got that same hollow feeling in his stomach that he had the day he thought Kari and Meta were putting him on about Cocoa Mareno. For a second he wondered again whether this whole soccer thing was some elaborate scheme to make him look stupid. After what happened at Lakeshore, he was always a little suspicious of people when it came to soccer. He looked at Julio for support. “Do you understand what's going on here?”
 

Julio gave a disappointed laugh and nodded his head. “I think I know what Kari is talking about,” he answered.

“Well, would you tell me? I feel like I'm lost in a deep dark forest here,” Joaquin said.

Cocoa gave Joaquin a sympathetic look and said, “Evidently, you don't know who Monte is. If you did, you'd understand the problem.”

“You're right. I don't know anybody named Monte. Maybe somebody can fill me in so I don't feel like some kind of idiot.” This conversation was obviously taxing Joaquin's patience.

“Well, I'm sure you've seen Monte Rose around school,” Cocoa started.

“Yeah, he's here at least two or three days a week,” Kari cut in with a sardonic laugh.

“You must have seen him,” Cocoa continued. “He's the guy that's either roaming the halls or sitting in the office. The kid with the bushy red Bozo the Clown hairdo.” She held her hands about six inches from the sides of her head to emphasize what she was saying.
 

“You mean the guy who wears the baggy pants with pockets that are down around his knees? And the green hooded sweatshirt that we could all fit into at the same time? That's the guy you're talking about?” Joaquin was dumbfounded by the revelation. “This guy is the best goalkeeper in the state?” He paused to digest the realization. “I saw him doing laps around the gym floor on his skateboard the other day. I thought Mr. Henderson was going to have a heart attack. I don't believe it.”

“Now you know why we never brought it up.” Meta said resolutely.

“I can't believe this guy was a great player.” Joaquin sounded like he was about to collapse in a state of shock. “What makes you think he can even play?”

“I've seen him play,” Kari answered. “He moved here from Milwaukee when he was in seventh grade. He'd been on the state Olympic development team and had traveled all over the country competing in tournaments and camps. He played club soccer in Madison the first year or two that he lived here. I watched him. He was unbelievable. Nothing could get by him. Heck, he must be six-foot-three, and his arms are like eagle wings. He moved like a cat and always seemed to know where the ball was going to be.” There was a hint of admiration in Kari's voice.

“Well, maybe this is a stupid idea, but has anybody thought about talking to this Monte guy about playing on our team?” Joaquin asked.

“Well,” Meta said, “there are rules about playing high school sports. For one thing you need to have at least a C average in all your classes. Plus you have to sign a code of conduct contract that says you won't smoke or drink or use drugs. I don't know if Monte even goes to class. Besides, I'm not going to go up and ask him if he wants to play on a our soccer team. I think he and his friends look scary. What do the rest of you think?”

“I agree with Meta,” Cocoa said. “I don't think Monte would be eligible to play even if he wanted to. And I don't think he's played in a couple of years. I suppose we could ask him, but I don't think it would help our cause if we show up at the school board meeting with Monte in our group.”

“Man, there's no way we could get that guy to sign a code of conduct,” Julio said, “He and his friends are the biggest troublemakers in school. I can't imagine him joining a sports team.”

Joaquin looked down at his hands and didn't respond. He could understand where his friends were coming from, but still he couldn't help imagining playing a game against Lakeshore and having a player in the goal who could stop every shot the opponents fired at him. So what if he looked funny, he thought. Wouldn't it be worth it to know our net was safe?

“I can see what you're thinking, Joaquin, but you don't know Monte like the rest of us do. Believe me, there's no way it could work having him on our team. I mean, we have to think about building a decent reputation if we're going get support from the town and the school. We can't get that if we let guys like Monte play with us. It sounds mean, but it's true. We've got to look out for the good of the team.” Kari looked straight at Joaquin as she spoke.

“I know you're probably right, but I hate to leave a guy out just because we don't like the way he looks. I've been through that, and I didn't like it. I mean, do any of you know for sure that he's a doper or a smoker? Maybe we should at least talk to him and give him a chance.” Joaquin looked from face to face as he talked. No one responded. He swept the hair from his forehead and twisted his head from side to side to work a kink out of his neck.

Finally, Kari spoke for the rest of the group. “Well, I guess I don't care if you want to talk to Monte. But I'm not going with you when you do. I suppose the guy deserves a chance to turn us down.” She paused to allow her friends to jump into the conversation, but no one did. “I guess I don't really know that much about him. You're probably right. We shouldn't judge a guy by his hair and clothes. Besides, if he can still play, he'd be a heck of an asset to the team.” She smiled at Joaquin as she finished.

“I agree with Kari,” Meta added. “Let's at least ask Monte if he wants to play. But maybe we should wait till after we go to the school board. And I nominate Joaquin to be our spokesperson to talk to Monte.” Everyone laughed and seconded Meta's nomination.

“Okay, I'll talk to him,” Joaquin said. “Chances are he'll tell me to get lost, but I think it's worth a try. Who knows, maybe he's been waiting for an invitation to play?”

“All right, so Joaquin talks to Monte, and we all go in and talk to Mr. Tobias tomorrow about getting our proposal on the school board's agenda for the next meeting.” Cocoa stood up as she spoke. She put on her jacket and flipped her long ponytail so that it cascaded like a waterfall down back. She waited for a response. She received nods of agreement, but no one spoke. “I better get to work, or Marge will be having a cow wondering where I am.” Everyone laughed as the meeting broke up.
 

“I got the car today, so if anybody needs a ride home, I'll take you,” Julio offered.
 

“My dad said he'd stop here on his way home from work,” Joaquin said. “But thanks for the offer.”

“We'll take a ride to my house,” Meta said. “It's only a couple of blocks, but it's pretty cold out.”

“You can drop me off at the restaurant if you don't mind going out of your way,” Cocoa said.

“No problem, I just have to run to my locker, and then I'll meet you at the front door.” Julio spoke over his shoulder as he headed up the hallway toward the junior lockers. Joaquin grabbed his book bag and headed for the front door to watch for his dad. He said good-bye to the girls and told them he'd talk to Monte the first chance he got.
 

* * *

Two days passed before Joaquin got up the courage to approach Monte. The idea had seemed a lot easier in the abstract than it did in actuality. Twice he'd seen Monte loitering in the hallway with his friends, but Joaquin hadn't been able to gather the courage to approach them. Finally, on his way to lunch on Thursday, he saw Monte in the corner of the cafeteria. He was juggling a hacky-sack with two of his friends. Joaquin felt nervous as he approached the group. He had a queasy feeling in his stomach as he walked toward them. It was similar to the feeling he used to get when he passed groups of gang-bangers when he lived in San Diego. Of course, he didn't really feel physically threatened by Monte and his friends, still he was anxious about walking up to the group. He stood watching them kick the beanbag sack from person to person until Monte noticed him standing there.