As Tom waited for the Bimmer to be brought from the parking garage, a rough voice accosted him.
“Young man… I wanna talk to you. What’s your name?”
Tom blinked. “Uh. Thomas.”
“My name is Flanagan. I’m a strength coach at Syracuse University. If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?”
“Uh… just turned 18!”
“Oh! Did you graduate high school?”
“I, uh.., I think so.”
“You don’t know? Oh! Are you a Mind Storage patient?”
“Yeah! How’d you know?”
“Most people don’t need to think about whether they finished high school. Looks like you won that draw, Thomas. My cousin was Mind Stored but ended up as a skinny Asian man.”
Tom thought about this for a second.
“Let me ask you a question. Do you know how to play football?”
“Yeah! My high school team won the state championship last year!”
Flanagan furrowed his brow. “Southside… hm. Do you know the name of your donor?”
“Nick Martinez.”
Flanagan roared with laughter. “Nick Martinez! Oh, son, we need to chat. Are you in a hurry? Do you have time for a cup of coffee at the Starbucks?”
“Uh, I have lots of time. I’m pretty sure I just got fired.”
Flanagan walked over and handed the valet a folded bill, then pointed to the forecourt of the restaurant. The valet nodded, and Flanagan came back. The two men walked across the street to the coffee shop. They sat down with cups of iced coffee and Flanagan cleared his throat.
“Look, I’ll get right down to business. Nick Martinez was our top prospect. When he was in that wreck, we were afraid our season would go down the drain. We didn’t know he was a Mind Storage donor. But with you back… and seemingly jobless… I’d like to propose that you come up to Syracuse and play football.”
“I… don’t know how to play football. I was on the chess team in high school.”
“That is not a problem. We’ll redshirt you this year and teach you everything. Though I’ll bet your body remembers just fine… we can test that theory, if you want.”
“I need to talk to my fiancée and my son about this. It’s a big change.”
“Of course. Look, where do you work out?”
“At the Equinox…”
“On Ditmars Boulevard? Why don’t you meet me there at 6:00 tonight after you talk to your family? I’ll give you my card and my cell number.” He shook Tom’s hand firmly.
On the drive home, Tom switched between freaking out about his behavior during the partner breakfast and being excited to go play football upstate.
When he pulled into the driveway, he saw a familiar Land Rover.
“Chit,” he thought, “this pinche güey.”
He opened the door and saw Alice and Bill looking at him from the front living room.
“Come over and sit down, Tom,” said Bill. “I was just going over your actions today with Alice. I think you need to take some time to work out what you want to do. I don’t think I can have you back at the office. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the transfer had some hitches in it, and you’re clearly not the lawyer you were before. Add in your size and penchant for violence, and…”
Allie burst into tears. “What are we going to do? I’m not working, how will we pay the bills?”
Bill looked over at Tom. “Tom is a partner. Joseph and I are proposing to buy him out. In cash. That would give you a nice little fund for the foreseeable future.”
“But what is he going to do? Lay around all day and discover TikTok?”
“Actually,” said Tom, “I met someone outside the cafe, which is why I wasn’t here when you got here. His name is Don Flanagan and he’s the head strength coach at Syracuse. He offered me a full ride if I’ll go play football for them. I’m supposed to meet him at the gym to see what this body remembers.”
“I think you’ll make a great college ball player,” said Bill. “And if you want, you can do pre-law again. Maybe the knowledge is still dormant in your head. Once you get your stuff figured out, call me. I’m not pissed at you, just can’t risk having you bring the firm down.”
Tom nodded. Alice looked shocked.
Bill continued, “I’ll bring the partnership paperwork over in the morning. It’s more than enough for you to buy a home in Syracuse and live for four or five years.” He got up and made his way out.
Alice stared at Bill. “You… want to go back to college?”
“I hate to say it, Allie, but he’s right. I don’t remember anything. I’m having trouble thinking clearly. I remember knowing stuff, but I can’t remember what that stuff is. Sometimes I feel like Tom, and sometimes I feel like Nick. And I seem to have an anger problem and football may be a good way to redirect that.”
“So you want to… move upstate? What about Matt?”
“Matt hates his school. He hates everything about this place. He’s been bitching at me and Steve about it for more than a year.”
Alice thought about it. “Go meet this guy. But don’t sign any papers or agree to anything! I mean it. I’m gonna ask Bill to look over anything they might ask you to sign.”
Tom nodded.
“Now,” said Allie. “Matt’s still at school and has practice after. Steve’s at his office until late. You don’t have anywhere to be until this evening. And I deserve a little treat. Let’s go upstairs and you show me what it’s like to have an 18-year-old jock fuck me.”
Tom smiled deviously, then picked up Alice and slung her over his meaty shoulder. “Wait till you see what this kid was packing. You’re not gonna be able to WALK tomorrow, woman.” He chuckled as he sprinted up the stairs with his cargo.