The Roar of the Crowd Read Online Free PDF Page A

untouched for a score.
    Manny ran eight laps like that, two full miles, jogging on the turns and sprinting on the straightaways. He was sweating heavily and panting hard, but he felt good now. He’d be ready next time. He wouldn’t go down so easily.
    He wasn’t big, but he was quick. He’d have to avoid getting hit by the bigger blockers, or dodge enough to minimize the impact. Playing smart was just as important as playing tough. He could take the hits, but maybe next time he’d get the chance to dish one out instead.

8
    Never Quit
    “A t least we’re keeping our uniforms clean,” Donald said to Manny as they kneeled on the sideline at Monday’s practice. Except for some warm-up laps and calisthenics, the subs hadn’t had much to do.
    Coach Reynolds had kept his starters in for the entire scrimmage, hoping to build more consistency in the offense. He hadn’t said much about the loss to South Bergen, just that he hoped his team had learned a few things in the game and that there was still a long season ahead.
    “We might even meet them again in the playoffs,” Coach said. “I think we’ve got the best defense in the league. If we can establish a running game over the next few weeks, then we’ll be a tough team to beat.”
    Nothing had been mentioned about the special teams, but maybe that would come later in the week.
    “Think we’re still on the kickoff team?” Manny asked Donald.
    Donald just shrugged. “Don’t know. I started worrying about it Saturday night though. A lot. I threw up that pizza when I got home.”
    “I probably would have, too, if I’d eaten any,” Manny said. “I felt better yesterday after I ran. I just needed to do something, you know? There was nobody to hit, so I just ran my butt off.”
    “I watched TV all afternoon,” Donald said. “That didn’t help much.”
    “Giants won.”
    “I saw it.”
    Manny kicked at the dirt. “Think we’ll get in today?”
    “Doesn’t look like it.”
    They stayed put for fifteen more minutes until the coach blew his whistle, then ran three laps with the rest of the team. Manny finished well ahead of everyone else again, having plenty of unused energy.
    “I’m supposed to be gaining weight,” Manny said after the run, walking off the field with Anthony. “If all I do is run, I’ll never put on any pounds.”
    “Maybe you could run behind me and pick up all the weight I’m shedding,” Anthony said with a grin. “I’m down five pounds since last Monday.” Anthony patted his belly. “But I’m constantly hungry.”
    “Me, too,” Manny said. “You’ve just got a bigger place to hold the food.”
    “Yeah, but it’s getting smaller,” Anthony said. “See you tomorrow at school.”
    Donald and Manny walked toward home, carrying their cleats in their helmets. The air was less humid as autumn approached, but the days were still quite warm.
    “We getting something to eat?” Donald asked.
    “Yeah. But I’m not going in there if you’re going to rip them off again.”
    “I won’t,” Donald said. “I told my dad about that apple pie and he made me go back and pay for it.”
    “Really? Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “I didn’t think it was any big deal.”
    “What did they say at the store when you went back?” Manny asked.
    “Not much,” Donald said. “I didn’t exactly tell them what happened. I just handed the guy at the cash register a dollar and said they’d undercharged me for something. He goes ‘Well, it’s great to meet an honest young man.’ I just smiled and walked out. Mr. Honesty.”
    Manny laughed. “I almost went back and paid them for you. I figured I was just as guilty for letting you do it.”
    They’d reached the grocery store. Manny reached into his sock and took out a dollar bill. “My mom’s making rice and beans for dinner. I can pig out on that. All I need right now is a soda.”
    “Me, too,” Donald said. “I wanna get home. I’ve got a ton of homework.”
    “Think we’ll