Andrew Chapter 21: Mike’s Introduction To The Football Team

[sl97aq]

Once Andrew and Mike came downstairs for supper, Andrew’s father had everything ready. Since it was after six pm, the news was already taping.
“Aren’t Mom and Sarah coming home for supper?” Andrew asked Chad, suddenly noticing that they weren't home.
“I may have forgotten to mention their trip out of town this weekend,” Chad realized. “Sorry about that. But they'll be back in time for your birthday tomorrow.”
“That’s okay Dad,” Andrew assured him. “I’m not upset that she and Sarah aren't here; I’m just surprised. It is my birthday weekend after all.”
“Don't worry son, they'll be back in time to celebrate your 18th birthday,” Chad assured him. He glanced at Mike and added, "I'm sure that no one wants to miss such an important birthday. Sit down please.”
Mike and Andrew sat down as Chad set all the food on the table. Then Chad said grace and began passing the food around the table.
“So, it’s time to talk about Christmas Break,” Chad informed Andrew, once they started eating.
“What about it?” Andrew asked. “What do you have planned? And isn't it a little too early to talk about that? It's two months away!”
“I’m not the one who has the plans for you,” Chad replied. "That's why we have to talk about Christmas Break right now."
“Oh no,” Andrew groaned, as he saw where Chad was going with the conversation. “I was hoping for a quiet Christmas Break. I have had enough of the media frenzy since September.”
“No media at OPP Headquarters or the military base,” Chad reminded him. “But there will be some at the University of Miami.”
“What does the military have to do with my Christmas vacation?” Andrew asked. “Are we starting the military testing too?”
“Yes we are,” agreed Chad. “Now that you are approaching your full potential…”
“Thanks to a few genetic modifications that you gave them the idea to implement!” Andrew interrupted.
“Please allow me to finish!” Chad snapped. "Especially since I told you everything I know about that this morning!"
“Sorry about that Dad; you're right,” Andrew realized. “I guess I wasn’t thinking before I spoke.”
“Just save your questions until the end,” Chad advised his son. “Then you can think of your questions while I speak. Now, as I was saying, it’s time to show the military the progress you have made. They want to see how strong you have become.”
“When do we determine that?” Andrew asked him, starting to get excited at the prospect of showing off his true strength.
“Just before Christmas,” Chad replied. “But we go to OPP Headquarters first for strength tests.”
“What kinds of strength tests?” Andrew asked.
“Nothing you haven’t done before,” Chad replied. “Car lifting, mostly. Of course, they will probably throw in a few taser tests as well.”
“Taser tests?” Andrew asked in shock. “You’re going to let them zap me like a bug?”
He seemed to forget that Margaret's fire bolts, the magic equivalent to tasers, had hardly hurt him at all.
“Could you take your shirt off for a moment please?” Chad asked him.
“Why should I take my shirt off?" Andrew asked his father uncertainly. “Didn’t you say I should keep it on?”
Despite Andrew's reluctant words, he didn't hesistate to take his t-shirt off and expose his muscular upper body.
“Look in the mirror,” Chad told him, astonished at Andrew’s incredible physique.
Andrew looked and grinned at how much he dwarfed Mike and even his father.
“See you’re larger than all but the biggest pro wrestlers now,” Chad informed Andrew. “So you will not be hurt by the taser shots. Besides, it’s time to see your enhancement has fulfilled its true purpose.”
“What purpose would that be?” Mike asked them, looking confused. "What are you two talking about?"
So Andrew and Chad told him the entire Enhancement Story.
When they were done, Mike was amazed. “You’re doing all this for the Canadian Forces?” he asked in surprise.
“Yes we are, because we want to help bring all the soldiers home to their families,” Chad replied. “We looked long and hard for a way to help people realize their full physical potential without relying on illegal drugs.”
“It looks like you found the way,” Mike realized. “Andrew is one of the nicest guys I know. If I had known that all football players were so…approachable, I would have talked to him years ago.”
“Better late than never man,” Andrew said, grinning at him. “I’m glad that you took a chance and came to talk to me. I'm also glad that you're helping me with Physics. I wouldn’t want to lose my athletic scholarship because I got bad marks, would I?”
“Very good thinking Andrew,” Chad commended him. “I hope that you will appreciate all the help Mike is going to give you.”
“I will," Andrew assured him. “I’m going to show him how to get as muscular as me!” He flexed his massive biceps and grinned. "That's how I'm going to thank him for tutoring me!"
“That's a very good idea son,” Chad commended him, covering up his shock at just how big Andrew had become. “May I continue telling you my plans for the Christmas holidays please?”
“Of course,” Andrew agreed. “So what happens after OPP Headquarters and the military base?”
“New Years in Miami,” Chad replied, “courtesy of Coach Malcolm. He has decided to give you a proper tour of the campus, when he has more time than just a weekend. So he thought that after Christmas would be a good time for that.”
“But I thought he told us that the strength tests were in March,” Andrew said.
“They still are; this trip to Miami will be more like a holiday,” Chad replied. “He gave me four tickets. Since your Mom is taking Sarah to her future school, with Sue, Chris and Steve, you can pick two others to come with us.”
“That's a hard choice,” Andrew realized. “But I know that Ralph and Connor are busy this holiday. Carrie is free and it would be great if she got to see more of her future school. How about you, Mike? Would you like to come along this time?”
“You want to bring me along?” Mike asked Andrew in shock. “I just met you eight days ago Andrew!"
“In a way, you’ve known me for the last few years, through your brothers' association with me,” Andrew corrected him. “Just not face-to-face, that’s all. Besides, don’t you want to see your future school for the first time?”
“When you put it that way, I’d be glad to come along,” Mike decided.
“Good, I’m glad that’s all settled," Chad remarked. “Now I need to talk to you about your birthday present Andrew.”
“What birthday present?” Andrew asked him, looking confused.
“How would you like it if I turned your car into a sports car?” Chad asked him.
“Would that be wise?” Andrew asked. “You know how shy I am. I’m not sure that driving around in a fancy sports car would be appropriate. It might look like I was flashing your money around. What would everyone else think, especially those kids whose parents can't afford to have their cars tricked out? If I had a fancy sports car and all the other kids didn't, wouldn't they get jealous?"
“That is a very modest answer Andrew, and those are very good questions as well,” Chad realized. “But don’t forget what your Mom and I told you and Sarah a few years ago. When we realized that we would have higher-than-average incomes, we had a choice to make. We could have a big fancy house and fancy cars, or we could set that money aside for you two. That way you could have all the opportunities that we did not have. By giving you this gift, as a reward for getting into a great football school, this is our way of saying ‘Good Work’.”
"I haven't got into the University of Miami yet!" Andrew reminded his dad.
"But you will get in; I have no doubt about that, especially after seeing how well you performed those football drills on our last day there," Chad reminded him.
“That’s a good point Dad,” Andrew agreed. “I do see what you're saying. There is a part of me that would love to enjoy my status as a Football Star. But I’m just afraid to enjoy it too much.”
“You asked earlier what everyone else would think,” Chad asked. “I can tell you what will happen if you start refusing the attention people give you because of your achievements: they will begin to think that you are ashamed of your gifts. Or maybe you are ashamed of me, and how I had you enhanced without asking you first.”
“Don't worry Dad, I don't blame you anymore,” Andrew assured him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m just shy.”
“You certainly weren't shy when you hurled the tree across the road!” Mike reminded him.
“Nor were you shy when you tilted your car effortlessly, with one hand,” Chad added.
“I guess you’re both right,” Andrew realized. “I just have trouble drawing the line between appreciation and showing off. I need some help with that because I am having trouble enjoying my celebrity. Do you have any ideas on how I can get help dealing with all the attention?”
Hmm, Mike thought to himself. I know someone who could help him.
“I think the best way to handle the attention is to just get used to it,” Chad advised him. “Don’t forget, the media televises the college football games, nationwide. They also interview the football players afterward.”
“I had forgotten about that,” Andrew realized. “I guess five days away from Miami has made me forget a lot of what we saw down there. It's a good thing we took lots of pictures. I guess I should get used to all the attention, and enjoy being a football player. As long as no one thinks that’s all I am,” he added, glancing down significantly at Mike.
“What do you mean?” Mike asked uneasily, uncomfortable with Andrew’s gaze.
“You thought I was just a hulking football player who wouldn’t bother associating with a runt like you, didn’t you?” Andrew growled. He grinned to let Mike know he wasn’t angry. "I hope that you have a better opinion of me now."
“You’re right, I do have a better opinion of you now,” Mike agreed, relieved that Andrew was not really angry. “However, if you want me to continue to have a good opinion of you, please don’t call me a runt anymore. I don’t like being reminded of how small I am next to you.”
“I’m sorry man," Andrew said. “I didn’t mean to put you down.”
“Does that mean that if you lift me up again, you’ll leave me hanging indefinitely?” Mike asked him with a big grin.
“You’re really funny man!” Andrew laughed, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. “What a joker! You should have no trouble helping me get used to people admiring me.”
“Why don’t you two go out and have fun with the guys tonight,” Chad advised. “I’ll call the auto shop and get the appointment made to ‘trick out’ your car tomorrow. Then it should be ready for school on Monday.”
“Good idea Dad,” Andrew said. “Thanks a lot.”
“Have fun you two,” Chad said, waving as Andrew and Mike headed outside.
“We will,” Andrew promised. “Thanks Dad.”
Andrew and Mike headed outside and walked down the driveway to Andrew’s car. They were almost at the car when Chad came running out with Andrew’s t-shirt and football jacket.
“You almost forgot these,” he reminded Andrew. “I know you’re tough, but you don't want to freeze to death, do you? It gets quite cold at night these days."
“Thanks a lot Dad,” Andrew said. “What time do you want me to come back home?”
“I think that I will let you decide your own curfew from now on,” Chad decided. “You will be an adult tomorrow, and you will soon be at U of Miami. I’ll just see you when you get home.”
“Thanks a lot Dad,” Andrew grinned. “You can trust me.”
“I know that son,” Chad agreed. “You proved that you were trustworthy when you exceeded my strength and did not use your size to intimidate me or your mother. I’m very proud of you.”
“Aww stop it Dad; you're going to make me cry!” Andrew admonished him. “You know how sensitive I am!”
“Sorry about that,” Chad apologized. Then he laughed and added, “Some tough guy, almost reduced to tears by a few compliments!”
“Hey, you’d better watch what you say!” Andrew growled in fake fury, grinning at Chad. “I’m a huge muscle freak and I could…”
“Could what?” Chad asked, grinning back at Andrew. “What are you going to do son: lift me up with one hand? Oh wait a minute, you've done that already! But at least you're not acting shy now.”
“Very clever Dad,” Andrew realized. “Thanks a lot."
“You're welcome Andrew," Chad said. "See you guys later!” he shouted as Andrew and Mike drove down the street.
“Your Dad’s a great guy,” Mike informed Andrew, once they were out of sight of Andrew's house. “He really understands what it’s like to be one of the guys, doesn’t he?”
“Yes he does,” Andrew realized. “Even though it is has been 25 years since he was a high school football star, he has had the same kind of attention at his work. But now it's time to talk about the current generation of OD football players. The senior team members are all at the park downtown. Do you want to come with me to the park and meet them tonight?”
“What will all the team members think when they see me?” Mike asked uneasily. “I’m not a football player.”
“Well, that’s true,” Andrew agreed. “Don’t worry though; they won’t bother you if you’re with me. In fact, it might be easier to get along with them once they find out that we are helping each other out.”
“You mean how I’m helping you with Physics in exchange for weight-training?” Mike asked him.
“Exactly,” Andrew agreed. “You’re a really smart kid, you know that? Wait, you’re probably 18 now. That means you’re a smart young man. Sorry about that.”
“I’m afraid I’m used to it,” Mike remarked sadly. “People see me as a kid because I’m so small.”
“I didn’t mean to remind you of that,” Andrew assured him. “It’s time we did something about that. I have to get you into the weight-training diet as well. Then you can play a sport like me someday.”
“That would be great,” Mike agreed. “It would certainly go a long way to helping me fit in at a big football school like University of Miami.”
“I know; you mentioned that earlier, about eight days ago in fact," Andrew agreed. “Are there any more questions you wanted to ask? We’re almost there.”
“Why did you not dismiss me without a thought when I asked you, on October 7th, if you could help me work out?” Mike asked.
“Well, the fact that you showed enough courage to come up to me and introduce yourself went a long way. Most people are too scared of me to even wave if they don’t know me. I remember how scared the Twin Lakes players were that day when they saw how much I had grown over the summer. And they have known me for years!”
“I remember seeing the fear on their faces,” Mike realized. “Do you think that your willingness to talk to me had something to do with me asking you for help with weight training?”
“It didn’t hurt,” Andrew agreed. “I love working out. When I find someone who is interested in it too, I really want to get to know them better. It also helps that you are going to the same school as I am next fall. Well, I hate to cut our conversation short, but we’re here.”
“Already?” asked Mike, surprised. “That went quickly, didn’t it?”
“Yes it did,” Andrew agreed, getting out of the car. “Follow me.”
Mike got out of the car and followed Andrew into the park, where he could see the football players waiting for them.
“Hey, what’s up guys?” Andrew greeted them all.
“You’ve-you’ve grown even more in the week since we got back from Miami,” Connor stammered. "So I guess it's your height and weight that's up tonight!"
“Yeah, pretty impressive isn’t it?” Andrew bragged, stretching casually to show off his biceps. When he saw everyone staring at him open-mouthed, he shrugged and asked, “What? Do my arms have some fat on them or something?”
“Obviously not!” Connor laughed, relaxing immediately.
Everyone around him laughed as well, and Andrew was relieved that his joke had snapped everyone out of their shock.
"I didn’t think so,” Andrew grinned. “If my arms have anything on them, it’s muscle!”
“Well I’m catching up,” Steve remarked, stepping out from behind Connor. “Maybe I should take off my shirt and show everyone how muscular I am now.”
“Go right ahead,” Andrew agreed. “Let’s see if your muscles can match mine!" He took off his jacket and shirt and stood there bare-chested, as everyone gasped in awe. “We already know that you can match my strength,” Andrew added, smirking. “We’re both tanks now!”
"What do you mean?” Ralph asked him. “I’m confused; can Steve lift a car as well?”
“Yes he can,” Andrew replied, grinning as Steve put a finger to his lips, trying to shut him up. “If you don’t believe me, ask Mike here. He saw the whole thing. Unfortunately for Steve, everyone else who saw it ran after him with cameras, trying to get his picture.”
Everyone turned around to look at Steve in amazement.
"Thanks a lot Andrew!” Steve snapped. “I was trying to keep that quiet!”
“Now you know how I felt about the media frenzy,” Andrew remarked. “Do you now understand why I have an allergy to all the cameras?"
“I guess I do,” Steve realized, comprehending Andrew’s statements now that he had experienced the same media frenzy himself. “If I had realized how it was going to affect you, I would never have tried to shove the whole hero thing down your throat."
“It’s not that bad,” Andrew assured him. “Just make sure it stays in its place, like around you guys. I don’t need to hear about it everywhere I go. Understood?”
“I guess you’re right,” Steve realized. “I also realize that I don’t have to be jealous of you anymore, since I match your strength now.”
“Let’s arm-wrestle to make sure,” Andrew suggested. “There is a picnic table right over there that should be perfect.”
"Good idea,” Steve agreed, leading all the guys over to the table and sitting down.
Andrew sat opposite him, and everyone crowded around them.
“You should officiate man,” Connor suggested to Mike. “What did Andrew say your name was?”
“I’m Mike Stevenson,” Mike replied, shaking Connor’s hand. “I just met up with Andrew this afternoon.” He was about to mention how he had met Andrew, after Andrew shoved the tree off the road, but then he decided not to. “He’s going to help me work out, and I’m going to tutor him in Physics.”
"Are you Mark Stevenson's brother?" Connor asked Mike. When Mike nodded, Connor added, "So you're hoping that Andrew can train you to play football just like he did with Ralph, myself and your brother?" Mike nodded again, so Connor said, "Welcome to the O.D.C.V.I. Football Club. Get ready to officiate this arm wrestling match."
Mike turned to Andrew and Steve and said, “Put your hands together gentlemen.” Everyone around him started clapping as Andrew and Steve locked hands. “That's not exactly what I meant,” Mike said to Ralph. “But I guess it’s a good idea: each of you clapping for your favorites. Ready, Andrew and Steve?”
“Yeah man,” Andrew growled. “Just get it over with. I want to break this punk in half!”
"Okay, go!” Mike shouted.
Andrew and Steve began straining their arms, their biceps bulging as they tried to force each other’s arms down. Half the crowd chanted for Andrew, and half chanted for Steve. Andrew began to gain the upper hand, in part because Steve was intimidated by his fierce competitive look. Steve focused and tried to force Andrew’s hand back up. But he was too late; Andrew forced his hand down to the tabletop.
"I win,” Andrew gloated, breathing heavily. “Good match man; you almost beat me.” He looked up to see Steve glaring at him. “Uh, maybe we should make it best two out of three,” he added. “How does that sound?”
"Gee, you think so, do you?” Steve snapped sarcastically. “What a great idea!”
“Why you little punk, how dare you speak to me like that!” Andrew snapped. “You want a war, I’ll give you one!”
So Andrew and Steve locked their hands together again, Mike shouted “Go!” and the battle began once more. This time, Andrew took the offensive early, but he apparently used up too much energy and wore himself out. That's why Steve managed to force his hand down to the tabletop.
"I win this time,” Steve grinned at Andrew. “Who’s the little punk now?”
Andrew glared at him, after shock flashed across his face for an instant. But inside, he felt relieved, since he now had some company at the top of the strength pyramid.
"Don’t forget what they say,” Andrew reminded him. “The winner of this battle will be the winner of the war. Are you ready?”
"Yes I am ready, to beat you once more,” Steve predicted, with a cocky grin.
"Not this time Steve,” Andrew warned him. “Not this time.”
“Are you guys going to chirp each other all night long, or arm wrestle?” Mike blurted out without thinking.
“Picking up the football terms already, I see,” Andrew remarked. “But you’re right; let’s do it!”
"One more time gentlemen,” Mike stated. “Ready: go!”
Steve took the offensive right away, fueled by his success last time. But this time, he was the one who overexerted himself. Andrew fought back, slamming Steve’s hand onto the tabletop with a loud smack.
"Owww!” Steve shouted. “That hurt man!”
“Don’t forget who’s boss around here!” Andrew ordered him. “Just because you beat me once doesn’t make you the big man at school! You got that, little man?”
“I’ll remember that,” Steve assured him, massaging his sore hand. “You got pretty aggressive and cocky, didn’t you?”
“Just got caught up in the spirit of competition Steve,” Andrew declared, realizing that Dr. Johnson’s words ‘typical arrogant jock’ described his behavior during the contest. “I hope I didn’t hurt your hand, man.”
“Naw, I’m tough, I can take it,” Steve gloated. “I’ll show you.” He punched Andrew in the face before Andrew could prepare, and Andrew actually flinched. “How’d that feel Andrew?”
Andrew punched him back and Steve flinched too.
"It felt great,” Andrew bluffed. “How’d that feel?”
"Good job; you can still hurt me," Steve replied. "But less than before,” he added with a cocky smirk.
“Wow, you guys are too strong to really hurt each other!” Connor marveled. "I bet if you hit one of us in the face like that, we’d be in the hospital for weeks!”
“You’re joking!” Andrew stated. “Nothing you could do could make me punch you. If I got mad enough, I’d just do this!” He stepped forward, hoisted Connor up in the air by his shirt and held him there effortlessly. “How’s the view from up there, man?”
“Oh it’s fine,” Connor stammered. “But I thought you said you would only do that when you were angry, not calm!”
“Oops, sorry man,” Andrew apologized, setting Connor down gently. “I didn’t mean to get carried away.”
“I’m the one who got carried away!” Connor reminded him. “With your help!”
"I guess I walked right into that one,” Andrew realized.
“You walked right into this as well!” Connor shouted, belting Andrew right on the chin. Andrew just grinned at Connor, who shouted: “Rats! I hurt my own hand!”
“Did I forget to tell you that punching someone in the face is the best way to hurt your own hand?" Andrew asked him with a cocky grin. "That's what you get for being overconfident Connor! Only big strong guys like Steve and I won't get hurt if we punch each other in the face. Try to remember that the next time you feel tempted to punch me in the face."
"I'll remember that Andrew," Connor assured him, feeling slightly ashamed that he had just acted like a dumb jock.
"Well now that the fighting is over, let’s go get something to eat,” Steve decided.
“We’ll meet you guys there,” Andrew informed his teammates. “I’d like to speak to Mike alone for a few minutes if you don't mind."
"Okay man," Ralph agreed. “See you at the Westmount Tim Horton’s.”
Everyone walked up to Mike, shaking his hand and introducing themselves. Then they got in their cars and headed west to Tim Horton’s.
Andrew looked down at Mike and asked, “So what did you think of the guys? We’re not a bunch of big dumb jocks after all, are we?"
“No you’re not," Mike agreed. “But I never said that you were. It looks like you were right. They didn’t bully me at all. In fact, they seem to have accepted me, especially after they learned that I am going to be one of your trainees, just like Ralph and Connor."
"I told you that they'd accept you man," Andrew informed him with a big grin. “I knew they would accept you once they got to know you. Also, Connor did not say ‘Welcome to the O.C.D.V.I. Football Club’ by accident. Look at this picture."
He pulled a picture out of his pocket and showed it to Mike.
“They created the O.D.C.V.I. Football Club Sandwich?” Mike asked. “Is that why you’re going there? They made your team a special sandwich?"
“That’s true,” Andrew agreed. “But I also wanted to talk to you about something else Mike.”
"What’s that, big guy?” Mike asked.
Andrew smirked and Mike grinned when they both realized that the term 'big guy' was an understatement when it came to describing Andrew's size.
“You told everyone when you met me earlier today, but I’m glad that you didn’t tell them how you met me," Andrew informed Mike. "I really appreciated that man. I get enough admiration from the guys as it is. I don’t need them to know that I can hurl trees across the road! The attention would never stop! I think we're lucky: it seems that none of them saw the news footage of me shoving the tree off the road this afternoon."
“I got the feeling that if you had wanted them to know how we met, you would have told them yourself,” Mike realized. “Why didn’t you want them to know that you shoved a tree off the road?”
“I just told you: I’m pretty shy,” Andrew replied. “If Carrie had not pushed me into it, I probably would not have done that in the first place. I didn’t want the attention from all the people who saw me perform such a great feat of strength."
“Even though you helped many people in the process?” Mike asked incredulously. “You accomplished in one minute what many people with chain saws would have taken hours to do! How can you be ashamed of the attention from that?”
“Aww, stop it man; you’re embarrassing me,” Andrew mumbled. “I just don’t like the media attention and I get more uncomfortable with it the more attention I get. That’s why I hid my true strength from the people who saw Steve tilt the car back towards me. I’d appreciate it if you kept that to yourself.”
"Sure I will,” Mike agreed. “But how are we going to deal with your shyness?”
“Maybe I should talk to someone about it,” Andrew realized. “Do you know anyone I could speak to?”
“I think I know someone you can talk to,” Mike offered. "You can talk to my father when you take me home. He's helped a lot of sports stars deal with the attention their athletic accomplishments generate."
"How did he learn to do that?" Andrew asked him, curious to know more. "What kind of work does he do?"
"I’ll tell you about it later," Mike decided. "Right now, I think we should go meet up with the guys at Tim Horton’s.”
"Good idea,” Andrew agreed, leading the way to the car. "What time do you want me to take you home?"
"My father is fine with you bringing me home anytime you want," Mike replied. "Since I turned 18 on Thanksgiving weekend, he lifted my curfew and lets me stay out as late as I want. Since I told him I'm out with you, Mark's former trainer, he has no worries about my safety around a bunch of football players."
"Well I'm glad that he trusts me so much," Andrew said quietly, feeling very humbled by the faith Mike's dad had in him. "I'll be sure not to keep you out too late," he added, as they got into the car and put their seatbelts on. "I wouldn't want to abuse his trust."
“I wouldn’t worry about that Andrew,” Mike assured him. “Now that you’re a famous high school football star, everyone admires and trusts you!”
Mike grinned at his new big friend and Andrew grinned back, pleased that Mike was no longer scared of his great size and strength.
Andrew started the car and then drove it up the street to the west end of town, where the guys were waiting.