Alex tried to keep her features relaxed. She didn’t know how this lady could tell her she was throwing her career away, “No it is not true Ms. Gent,” she said shortly, “I have considered quitting but nothing is final until you are dead. I have yet to talk to Coach Aldrich.”
“Thank you Ms. Paine.” Ms. Gent said backing up.
A man stepped forward, “Frank Mitchell for ESPN.”
Alex nodded, “Yes, Mr. Mitchell?”
“Are you prepared and willing to be the first female offered a contract into the big league, if you quite?”
“I realize that is a big issue Mr. Mitchell, but not a big issue to me. I play because I love it, not because of records or anything else. I can’t see myself playing for a career. If I do decide to quite it will be because I am ready. Even if I do continue to play for the university, I strongly doubt I would ever consider the pros.”
“Thank you Ms. Paine.” He said backing up
“If you guys want to talk to someone, talk to this man, Colby Jacobs, one of the best on the team.” She pulled Colby over and the reporters asked him a few questions. After awhile they finally dispersed.
“They started getting her at 8, that’s when I called you, and a lot of them even left before you got here.”
Alex shook her head, “it’s all screwed up. Well, I better go. Will you be okay by yourself?” she asked laughing
“I think I can survive without you.” He said smacking her on the butt as she walked off. Alex laughed
Nick opened the car door and yelled, “I SAW THAT!”
Colby laughed and bowed deep at the waist, “My humble apologize.” He yelled back
Alex slipped into the car and sighed, “Well, that was fun.”
“What are you going to do?” Nick asked
“I don’t know.” Alex told him honestly
*THE NEXT DAY*
Alex walked thru the guy’s locker room, “Boys, cover it up, I’m coming thru and I don’t want to see it.” She made her way to the coach’s office and opened the door, “Hey Coach.”
He flipped the TV he was watching off and turned around in his chair, “You handled that quite well.”
Alex shrugged, “thanks.”
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“I don’t know. What do you think I should do?”
He sat back in his chair and looked at her, “You have strength Alex, something you don’t see a lot in women. You can get that ball to the plate just as easy as batting an eyelash. You could easily go pro if you wanted. What do you want to do?”
“I want to play, but I don’t know about going pro.”
“Then play, and forget about the pros.”
Alex grinned, “Well, I guess I’ll be playing.”
Coach grinned at her, “You want to tell the media or do you want me to?”
“I’ll let you do that.”
“You gonna train this summer?”
“Here and there.”
Coach nodded, “But if I see you slacking, you’ll be in everyday.”
“Got it Coach.”
