Chapter 1

I was waiting at the police station. I could hear the cops trying to get a hold of anyone in my family to take me. My mother had not made a will yet, so I was stuck with no home for now. I just hoped my dad doesn't find out. I would never want to stay with him. I could hear the rain go against the window and the thunder was making the police station shake.

My mother had died, in a car accident, during the rainstorm. I was still shocked and I was hoping someone would wake me up from this nightmare.

My social worker came in. he was tall with olive skin and he was wearing a black suit with a black tie. He smiled for my benefit, but I could not smile back. I could not help, but think about how scared my mother must have been when she saw a car charge towards her.

"Hello, Charlie. How are we doing? Do you need water?"

"No… thanks" I mumbled. I then leaned back in the chair.

'Is there anyone we can call for you, to stay with tonight. We have paperwork, that can be done some other time. When you are ready"

When will I ever be ready? I am an orphan now.

I looked up at the ceiling. " Bombay"

"Sorry, son"

"Call Gordon Bombay. He's a friend of the family."

An officer that walked by, heard us. " I knew him, he was a lawyer. I think now he is a coach."

"Give him a call," said the social worker. He stood up and placed his hand on my shoulder. ' I'm sorry"

"Yeah," I said quietly

An hour passed and I wondered if Bombay was still in the states. He might be in Canada. I know his team had their last game there.

I could see all the woman cops looking at me, I could hear them say, " that poor boy"

"Charlie" I heard a familiar voice call out

I ran to it and I wrapped my arms around, my coach. I needed this hug, more than anything right now. I felt such anger and emptiness inside me. In Coach's arms, I felt calm.

He stroked my hair. I could see that he had more grays in his hair than before. I will have to inform him later.

'I'm sorry, Charlie"

We saw the tears from both of our eyes when he released me.

'Let's go" he touched my back and we ended out. It was pitch black and freezing outside. His limo was waiting in the front.

I went in the car and he shut the door behind me and then he went around the car and sat next to me.

"I'm sorry that I called. You were probably busy"

"No. it's fine Charlie" he said, sympathetically

The limo took off. I was trying to hold my tears in. I wanted to act like a man would at this moment. But I could no longer bear it. I began to cry and Coach took off his seatbelt and hugged me. " it's going to be okay"

"No' i said as my entire throat was dry. I could feel the hot tears come down my face.