Running Loose

It’s Monday, the day before the next game against Salmon River, and Louie feels on top of the world. The evening with Becky was a dream: They enjoyed a dinner followed by the school dance. Dancing with Louie to slow songs, Becky rested her head on his shoulder, and they kissed in the car before Louie dropped her off at home. However, as present-day Louie reflects, “things start falling apart” (46) that Monday. In a rare move, Coach Lednecky gathers the team on the bleachers in the gym. He commends their performance in the previous game and expresses confidence in their chances against Salmon River the next day. However, he warns them about a transfer from California, a Black quarterback named Washington, whom he refers to by the n-word. Coach Lednecky instructs the team that the only way to stop him and other Black players is by playing aggressively, even hurting them. To Louie’s shock, the entire team agrees with this directive. Looking to Carter, Louie finds him shrugging.

Later, Louie asks Carter what he thinks about Coach Lednecky’s remarks. Carter brushes it off, suggesting that Lednecky didn’t mean anything harmful by it. Meanwhile, Boomer seems to thrive on the situation: His jokes about sending Black people back to Africa irritate Louie.