Ryan didn’t know why Vinnie failed to come for him.
Finally, some attention was paid to the Lost and Found when Coach McGurk and Coach Lee discussed what to do with all the unclaimed items, which also included a set of earbuds, a set of gloves, a gold chain, and, of course, one standard issue jockstrap.
“Coach!” Ryan got excited when he “saw” the coaches as they loomed over the box of discarded and forgotten items. Coach McGurk’s belly pushed out his T-shirt, but Coach Lee remained trim, fit, and quite attractive. Ryan even found himself wondering what it would be like to be worn by the athletic Asian man.
Then, realizing a potential rescue was at hand, he snapped out of it. “It’s me! Ryan Standish! Get me out of here, please.”
Of course, despite his enthusiasm, Ryan the jockstrap remained quite mute. He wasn’t even able to exert the mental energy to give his flimsy form some fluttery movement that might have gotten the attention of the two coaches.
“Might as well toss all that stuff,” McGurk said.
Coach Lee looked like he might agree, but then he rubbed his chin. “Actually, I drive past a Thrift Store each day on my way home. I could drop the box off there and see if they have any use for any of this stuff.”
McGurk frowned as he gave the items one more glance. “One man’s trash is another treasure, I guess,” he said. “I wouldn’t give a dime for everything in that box.”
Coach Lee picked up the jockstrap. “This jockstrap’s still in decent shape.”
Ryan rejoiced. “Coach!” He tried to establish a connection with the younger Asian coach. “Can you…”
Ryan felt himself falling after Coach Lee dropped him back into the Lost and Found box before he could communicate with the man.
Ryan felt the coach pick up the box. “And don’t bother bringing that junk back if the Thrift Store won’t take it,” McGurk said.
Ryan felt panicky. It was bad enough being trapped as a jockstrap waiting for that no-good Vinnie to come back for him. If he was dropped off at a tacky Thrift Store, he might never get the chance to regain his human body.