Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Carson punched in the code to the front door at Happy Hearts and ushered Lily inside. He signed her in, and the receptionist buzzed the door leading to the classrooms. Lily was still too small to open it on her own, so he did so for her, handing her water bottle to her.
“Have a good day, Peanut!” he called as she raced down the hall, eager to get to the Orange Room.
Returning to his car, he drove to the field house for his meeting with Lisa. As he pulled up, he saw a woman getting out of her car. She noticed him and waited.
“Coach Andrews?” she asked. “Lisa Thornbach. Thanks for making time to meet with me.”
“You resemble your sister,” he said, shaking her offered hand as he balanced the box containing the coffeemaker he had bought.
“You must have kids,” she said, laughing.
“A four-year-old. Lily. Dr. Dickey is her new pediatrician.”
They entered the building and went straight to his office. Carson looked around and set the box down.
“Mind if I set this up while we talk?”
“I need to go to my office to grab a few things regarding the clinic. Be back in a few.”
By the time she returned, he had the coffeemaker plugged in but realized he still needed to buy pods for it.
He’d brought in a mini fridge yesterday so he’d have access to a place for creamer and drinks, as well as a place to keep his lunch.
He rarely left school grounds once he arrived, preferring to eat at his desk or with other coaches.
Lisa spread out a few folders on the table, and he retrieved ones which Sam had left behind regarding summer camps.
He also brought over his laptop, seeing Lisa had hers.
They spent the next hour discussing the general overview of what their two camps, running simultaneously, would accomplish, as well as smaller, organizational details.
He had managed basketball clinics at his previous assignment, and he brought a few ideas to the table that he wanted to implement for the boys’ sessions.
She liked everything he had to offer and promised to incorporate his suggestions into her own camp.
It was good that Lisa was so willing to be on the same page, and he felt they’d gotten off to a good start.
They talked their personal basketball philosophy next. Both prioritized player development and skills, with an emphasis on creating a positive, supportive team environment. Each shared specific examples, and by the end of their conversation, Carson knew they would get along well.
“I like that you promote sportsmanship,” Lisa said. “Too many kids pout when they lose.”
“It’s important to learn how to be a good winner, as well as being a good loser,” he said. “I try to make a lot of my basketball lessons life lessons. I want my players to be good people on and off the court. Winning at all costs is not in my playbook.”
“Can I ask one thing?” Lisa hesitated. “How do you interact with your athletes?”
“I’m not sure where you’re headed,” he replied, knowing she must have had a previous conflict.
She sighed. “Are you a yeller?”
“No way,” he said immediately. “I want my players to respect their opponents, as well as their coaching staff. I believe respect is a two-way street, and I would never yell at them. I may get a little over enthused at times, but belittling and berating a player isn’t in my nature.
Yes, I will get on to someone if they’re slacking.
If they make a wrong move in a game, we’ll watch film of that together and go over what they should’ve done and what their reaction should be the next time.
But I’m pretty even-keeled, both in practice and during games. ”
“I like hearing that,” Lisa said, her relief obvious. “I have that same outlook, though I can get a little heated during a close game. I think a positive attitude is important, both as a coach and player, and I try to model good character, as well.”
“Agreed. I want players to have the opportunity to grow. To become part of a team. To develop as players and into leaders. I also give positive feedback anytime I have something negative to say, trying to balance things out.” He paused.
“But I do believe in discipline. I have clear rules and consequences for breaking any of those rules. I hold players accountable, both on and off the court.”
She smiled. “We’re going to get along great, Coach. Our counterparts at the middle school definitely buy into what you’re saying. They’ll also be here for the basketball camps. Have you met Jackson Rudd yet? He’s your assistant.”
“I have briefly. He told me he’s also a part of the clinics. I’ve included him on the schedule. I’ve got campers rotating between various coaches for working on specific skills. Dribbling. Shooting. Footwork. Then we’ll come together in small groups to put those skills into play.”
Lisa stood. “Okay. I’m glad we’re in sync. I’ll be in the girls’ gym, while your camp takes over the boys’ gym. We used to have to share, but two years ago when the bond issue kicked in, we got a new basketball arena out of it.”
“I’ve seen it. It’s a beauty. I haven’t studied the schedule too closely yet,” he admitted. “I’m trying to familiarize myself with the fall sports and their schedules before turning my attention to basketball.”
She looked puzzled, and he told her, “I’m the new AD. Jon Earl is stepping back.”
“Didn’t know that.”
He realized she had been out of town and that the district administration hadn’t sent out any formal announcement to its coaches. He would follow up on that today and see if they would do so or if they thought that announcement would be more appropriate coming from him.
Lisa left, and he wandered down to Jon Earl’s office, not certain if the football coach would be there since most football personnel wouldn’t report back until right after the Fourth of July. Jon Earl was at his desk, though, and he motioned Carson in.
“Finding everything you need?” the older man asked.
“I am. I’ve got things arranged as best I can for now.
I know once the school year kicks in, things will get a little chaotic.
I’ll probably have to live through an entire school cycle and all its sports before I’m truly comfortable with the job.
Thanks again for the files you left and the instructions regarding what I need to do on a month-to-month and sport-to-sport basis. Those have been extremely helpful.”
“I want this transition to be as smooth as possible, Carson. Sometimes, people hog all the knowledge they’ve garnered over the years.
Don’t help out their replacements. Even want those taking their spot to look bad.
That’s not me. I’m a team player and Team Pirates all the way. You look good? We all look good.”
“I appreciate hearing that. And just having you here during this coming year to bounce ideas off is going to be really helpful.” He paused. “I have something important I’d like to discuss with you now if you’ve got a few minutes.”
Jon Earl’s brow furrowed. “Close-the-door important?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got time.”
Carson stood and shut the door, returning to his seat.
After Mila left last night, he’d consulted the district’s website pages for employees, searching through HR for any mentions of employees dating.
Only a brief paragraph occurred, stating that while Driftwood Bay ISD did not specifically prohibit a romantic relationship between employees, it strongly discouraged ones between supervisors and subordinates.
“I want to begin dating Mila Perry.”
Jon Earl let out a low whistle. “That’s probably the last thing I thought would come out of you.” He sat a moment, nodding to himself. “Have you and Mila talked about this? Because that’s serious stuff, Carson.”
“We have. I know she dated Sam before I arrived, and she said they informed HR about their relationship early on. I know this is different, though. Have you experienced this situation during your years in the district? Or somewhere else?”
“In my last position, which was two decades ago. The assistant principal started dating a teacher. He was divorced for years. She was a widow. Then he was promoted to principal. She was a department head and had to transfer schools. She went from being a big deal at the high school to teaching Texas history to seventh graders.”
“This is different,” he said. “Even if things grow serious between us and Mila moved down to the middle school, she’d still be a member of the athletic department. One I supervise.”
Jon Earl shook his head. “It’s a sticky situation, son. That’s for sure. Have you really thought this through? You’re new to the Bay. You have a lot to prove. Your little girl to think of.”
Stubbornness filled him. “You aren’t saying anything I haven’t thought of, Jon Earl. If I didn’t feel so strongly, I would’ve let it go. But there’s something there. Something I can’t even explain. Mila’s…special.”
The coach smiled broadly. “That she is. I’m glad you’ve taken a shine to each other, but this is above my pay grade.
My advice? Go to HR now. Get out in front of this before some busybody sees you with her and starts calling school board members.
This is a small town. Everyone is up in everyone’s business.
Gossip is the biggest pastime. If you want to try and make this work—both your new job and a relationship with Mila—you need to be proactive. ”
Carson stood. “Thanks for your advice. I’ll call her now. See if we can go to admin together and give them a heads up.”
Jon Earl leaned back in his chair, pillowing his hands behind his head. “You’re going to have a helluva fight on your hands.”
“Mila is worth it.”
He left the football coach’s office and texted Mila, asking her to call him ASAP. His cell rang less than ten seconds later.
“Hey. Did you talk with Jon Earl?”