Page 50 of Everything's Better With You
While the kids continued to grumble, Joe walked through the lines to where Randy and Sandy were standing at the back.
“I’d like for you two to stand on either side and monitor. If any of the players are struggling, give me a nod. If any are fucking around, shake your head. I will deal with any misbehavior. Is that understood?”
The twins pressed their lips together and tried to pull their faces into solemn expressions but Joe could tell they were delighted to see him at work. They probably thought he couldn’t handle these kids. They had no idea how much experience Joe had with men just like these.
“I’m going to be instructing you to do things your bodies are not used to doing—”
“Cuz I’m not gay,” one of the boys muttered. Shame for him Joe had been standing close when he said it.
“Do I need to remind everyone in this room about the tolerance policy of the school? Hmm? Do I also need to remind you that some of your straightest football heroes have taken ballet to supplement their training for football? Or remind you that one in ten people is on the queer spectrum, so that means some of you in here, definitely playersyou’ve stood next to, people you’ve admired and respected? This is such a tired argument. I’d love just once for a puffed-up jock to be honest and say, ‘you know, I’m afraid of trying something new, but I’m here and I’ll do my best.’ I’d have a helluva lot more respect for that than for someone who thinks calling something gay is an insult. Please. If you have a question, ask it. If you want to laugh because it feels funny, go for it—”
“And,” Randy said, stepping forward to address the crowd. “If you want to make homophobic comments, you can leave right now and say goodbye to playing football at Greenvale College. Coach Payton’s rules. Any questions? No? Then I suggest you focus.”
Joe appreciated that Leslie had that rule, but he had this under control.
“I’m going to ask you to all take your shoes and socks off for the first part. I ran a disinfectant over the floor when I got here. The warmups we’re going to be doing will require careful articulation of all of the bones in your feet and it will also help you with balance.”
The kids mumbled a bit as they removed their shoes and put them on the sides of the gym and then they lined back up.
“All right. Let’s do this.”
Joe led them through a series of thorough stretches. A few of the players chuckled and more groaned at the unfamiliar muscles. Terrell stood with his back to the crowd so they could see both views. He was bigger than quite a few of the players, and Joe knew he was fast, agile, and flexible. A few of the players whispered and pointed, obviously curious about him.
“Okay, have any of you ever heard of barre classes?”
A couple of hands went up.
“Good. Barre is low-impact, high-intensity work aimed at increasing your muscle endurance, improving posture and balance, and it is guaranteed to make you want to cry.” Joe turned on the music, a mixture of old and new dance tunes that had a few of the kids bopping their heads.
“Is barre like ballet stuff?” one of the boys asked.
“Barre incorporates ballet technique, yes.”
“Man,” the kid said. “My mom made me take ballet for a while. That barre shit is hard.”
Joe smiled. “It is, but it’s good for you. And hey, at least you’re not out in that fun Iowa afternoon heat, am I right?”
An hour later, the players were all sprawled out on the floor panting, crying, sipping water, and sweating. They probablywishedthey were out in the Iowa heat right about now.
Joe waved to Terrell to join him and they walked over to Randy and Sandy. “Have they had enough?” he asked, nowhere near ready to stop.
Randy cupped himself. “I don’t know, man, but I’m in pain just watching.”
Terrell laughed and then covered his mouth. Randy assured him it was okay.
Sandy shuddered. “When you guys did that plié thingie and bounced like that forever? Damn.”
Joe smiled. “The first time I took a barre class I thought I’d died. I couldn’t walk right for a few days, and I had been dancing for years already.” He looked around. “If you think they can take it, I had a few more things planned.”
Randy and Sandy grinned at each other and Randy gestured to the kids. “Be my guest. If they’re still breathing, they can keep going.”
Joe looked to Terrell who had broken a sweat but shrugged. “I’m just getting started.”
Joe clapped him on the shoulder. “I love that attitude.”
Terrell blew out a breath. “Or I just know better than to say I’ve had enough. Youdoknow who my mom is.”
“Point taken,” Joe said, then he addressed the group.
