"How’s school? What rank is your team currently?"
Anyone listening might think he's asking because he cares. I know better. "First, of course."
"Good. Always the best. Nothing else will do. Just remember, as I said, football is another trophy on the shelf. Your education and our family image are everything else." It's a speech I've heard a hundred times, a hundred and one times, and I don't need it again.
"Did you need anything else?" I keep my tone flat and businesslike so he doesn't chastise me further.
Thankfully, he can't see my face right now. "No, that's all. I'll make sure the secretary sends the invitation with the time. I’m sure I don’t need to put into words the ramifications this could have.”
He hangs up without another word, and I squeeze the phone a little too tightly, th
