Chapter 30
Fin
Lacy’s tests made me late to the film room.
She ordered x-rays, straight on and lateral, and a CT scan, which she said would be more diagnostic.
If that was the case, I wondered why we wasted time with the x-ray.
I wasn’t the only player late. The trainers were passing out x-rays like beads on Mardi Gras.
Results…no—not yet.
“Come back before lunch,” she told me. “I’ll know more.”
“Lacy, you’re a godsend to the team, but I know my body. I’m beat up but fine.”
“Fin, I believe you. Let’s find out what the imaging shows.”
The entrance to the film room was in the front, making it impossible to sneak in late. As I stepped inside, most of the team as well as coaches had their eyes on me. I feigned a smile. “What can I say, Lacy Reynolds wouldn’t let me leave.”
“Take a seat, Graham,” Tilson said, before going back to talking to the team.
I took a seat in the second row near Dennison, Ortiz, and Morgan.
“As I was saying, we had five penalties called on us yesterday. I know that stadium was loud. That’s not an excuse.
Listen to the cadence. Don’t jump early.
And the holding calls” —he shook his head— “don’t get caught.
I’d tell you not to do it. Statistically, more holds go uncalled than called.
However, if we piss off an official, they’ll be blowing every whistle. I’m saying it. Don’t hold.”
The examination of the film from yesterday’s game went on for a few hours. Tilson did most of the talking, but Coaches Pratt and Brown interjected their thoughts. As the time ran closer to noon, Tilson stepped forward.
“As you’re aware, Mr. Hubbard’s service is tomorrow at eleven.
It’s going to be here in the inside practice facility.
Everyone on the team has been invited. You should have already informed Mr. Hubbard’s office of your attendance.
If you haven’t, do it. By no means is attendance mandatory.
Participation is up to you. There will be a strict no-phone policy.
No cameras. No recording equipment. If you bring a spouse or guest, that policy applies to them too.
All phones will be confiscated at the door and returned after the service.
For that reason, there will be security present, including a metal detector. ”
He took a breath.
“Ms. Hubbard is adamant that no reporters attend the service. This is for those of us who knew him and those who were fortunate enough to meet him to pay our respects. Once the service concludes, there will be a dinner in celebration of Mr. Hubbard.
“Ms. and Mrs. Hubbard debated about this detail, as they didn’t want the Coopers’ cooking and nutritional staff to be required to work.
The meal is being brought in from an outside caterer.
Take Wednesday and Thursday to recover from the first six weeks.
Those of you who need medical treatment, the training center will be open after the service and on the next two days.
Friday, we’re going to meet here and take a look at our next opponent.
Saturday, light practice. Next Monday we come ready to take on the Titans.
That means full pads on Monday. Any questions? ”
I heard Dennison murmur. The man was anxious to get into full playing mode. He didn’t say a word. No one had a question. The air was sucked from the room at the mention of tomorrow’s service.
“See you after lunch in your position meetings,” Coach Tilson said, releasing us.
Troy turned to me. “How’s she doing? Ms. Maeve.”
“It’s not easy. I didn’t know Mr. Hubbard. She sure loved him.”
Troy forced a closed-lip smile. “It’s selfish of me to want to practice.”
“Bye weeks are meant for physical and mental recovery,” I said, realizing this was only his second year in the league. “It’s nice when they come a little later in the season. Once we’re back, we have ten straight weeks. No rest.”
“Naw,” Troy said, “we’re not done the beginning of January. The Coopers will be playing all the way to the Super Bowl.”
My cheeks rose. “I like your confidence.”
“We’re headed to the cafeteria,” Dijon said, tapping my shoulder.
“I’ll see you there. I’m headed back to the training center.”
“How you feel?” Jamir asked. “You looked a little dazed when you were lying there on the field. I was glad when they sent you back in.”
Standing, I tried not to groan or grimace. “I’d lie if I said I wasn’t sore. That’s what two weeks are for.” I smiled toward Troy. “Besides, it doesn’t take too much energy to sit on the bench. That’s where I’ll be.”
Most of the others headed toward the cafeteria. A smaller group of us went the other direction, toward the training facility. Lacy’s gaze met mine when I entered. She waved me toward her.
“Come with me, Fin. I want to show you something.”
I stood taller, ignoring the sense of dread. “I figured you’d say all is good and let me eat.”
This woman was easily a foot shorter than I was, yet I realized she held the key to my future play. Lacy didn’t speak as she took me back to one of the exam rooms.
After closing the door, she spoke. “Have a seat. I want to show you what we found.” She remained standing. “Are you sure you haven’t had shortness of breath?”
“I told you, I’m fine.”
“Fin,” she said exasperatedly. “Answer my questions.”
“After the hit. I was winded. That’s all.” There was no way I was going to mention the stars. The trainers did concussion protocol in the tent.
“Nothing since that time?”
“No.”
She took the rolling chair and sat. We both turned toward her laptop.
“The reason your side is tender,” she began, “is because you have a hairline stress fracture of rib number nine. The bone isn’t split apart.
” She pointed at the screen. “Nevertheless, it is broken. The good news is that your lower ribs are what some call false ribs. They don’t attach directly to the sternum.
They’re connected anteriorly by cartilage.
They’re usually less stressed. No doubt, the cartilage is bruised. ”
“How long will that take to heal?”
She inhaled. “Full healing will take four to six weeks.”
She must have read my expression.
“A fracture like yours isn’t considered serious. You’ll probably be good to play in two weeks. I hate to give you this power, but you’re the judge of your pain. If your pain level isn’t high, you’ll play sooner.”
My mind was going through the season. I didn’t care that I was on the bench. I wanted to be out there on the sideline. “Okay, we’re not talking IR.”
“Injury reserve, no. You will go out on today’s injury report as questionable for the Titans.”
“That’s the only game?”
“Again, Fin, we’ll reevaluate. Quarterbacks can take longer because your position requires torso rotation and impact absorption. Take this week to rest. No weights. No running. No practice.”
“Our next practice isn’t until Saturday.”
Lacy bobbed her head. “It’s a good time for a bye week.”
My thoughts went to Vee. “Has the injury report gone out yet?”
“The coaches and executives have it. They won’t release it to the press until later this afternoon.”
Shit.
I needed to get ahold of Vee.
“Thank you, Lacy. I’ll do everything you say. Should I wrap it?”
“Not now. That may be in our plans for when you’re ready to start practicing.”
“Anything else?” I asked, standing.
Lacy stood with me. “The CT scan was to check your sternum and organs. You have a nasty contusion on your chest. The images came back inconclusive.” She lifted her eyebrows.
“That means nothing was detected. However, if you have any symptoms such as shortness of breath, increased chest pain, or pain of any kind that requires medications, come in. We’ll look again. ”
Vee had too many things to worry about. She didn’t need to worry about me. That didn’t coincide with my Fin’s-in-control model. “Is all that on the injury report?”
She shook her head. “Only the hairline rib fracture.”
“Thank you.”
“Remember, you’re not indestructible.”
“Believe me, I know.” Quickly, I made my way to my locker. Pulling out my leather duffel bag, I searched for my phone.
Without thinking, I hit the call button next to Vee’s name.
The call went to voicemail. Of course it did.
She was busy. While I’m more of a text type of person, I left a voice message.
“Hey, Vee. I just left the training center. Good news, I’m fine.
Bad news, that SOB fractured one of my ribs, number nine.
Trainers say my name is going out in this week’s report as questionable.
Not sure if you’ve seen the report. Didn’t want you to worry.
Fin’s-in-control is still the plan. See you tonight.
” I hesitated and looked around. Fuck it. “I love you. See you tonight”
I disconnected the call.
Tomorrow was going to be rough. A fucking fractured rib wasn’t going to stop me from being there for Vee.