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"Suck it up-he's supposed to be a football player," said Dad. He looked at his wristwatch. "Rutgers coach here any minute. Jody, better if Junie stays downstairs." "Why?" said Matt. Dad's mask slipped on. "This is for you, Matt. Someday you'll understand." "Understand what?" "Recruiter sees Junie, might wonder about you." 'I'm not ashamed of him," said Matt. "People don't think that way anymore, Larry," said Mom. "Football coaches do. Let's get Matt into college, please?" They ate silently until the doorbell rang. The Rutgers assistant was a big, friendly young guy who asked for a second helping of Mom's pie and Dad's opinion on the Jets' secondary. He had them in his pocket by the time he turned his attention to Matt. "That was some game yesterday, Matt. So let me ask ya, the pass-play or the interception: which lit up your tree?" Been there, pal. "Winning the game." He hooted and slapped the table. "Why did I know you'd say that? Some boy you got there, Mr. Rydek. Rutgers is the perfect fit. We got the big three: geographics, academics, athletics." Matt tuned out as the coach told them that Rutgers was near enough for friends and family to come out and root. A great university dedicated to a quality education. And the new head coach had been the receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys, was into a passing game built around a classic quarterback throwing to big, fast wide receivers. The perfect place to showcase Matt if he decided to try for the NFL before-wink to Mom-law school or medical school. He was winding down when he suddenly turned to Dad and said, "Heard good things about Rydek Catering." "We've been lucky." Dad playing humble hero. "You know, the athletic department gets a lot of alumni and corporate requests for catering referrals, especially now we've got the luxury boxes. That something you might be interested in?" "Might be." Dad was trying not to sound eager. "Give me a bunch of your business cards." The coach was at the door shaking hands when Junie and Romo clomped upstairs from the rec-room. "Hi," said Junie. "Hi. What's your name?" "Lawrence Michael Rydek Jr., but you can call me Junie. And this is Romo. She was named for Bill Romanowski, Dad's favorite player." Dad shot Mom a shut-him-up look, but the coach was laughing and clapping his hands. "That Romo looks like a smart, tough dog to me. Junie, soon's I get back to school, I'm gonna send you a Scarlet Knights T-shirt and cap, and a Rutgers dog collar for Romo. But you have to make me a promise." "Sure." Junie was bouncing on his heels. "When you come to Matt's games at Rutgers next year, you'll wear the cap." "Awwww-right." The coach waved and made his big exit. Division One performance, thought Matt. "He's very nice." Mom laughed. "Slick," said Dad. "I'd like to see a catering contract in writing." Robert Lipsyte is one of America's most well respected writers and authors. Perhaps best known for his work at the New York Times, Lipsyte was the Emmy Award winning host of the public affairs show The Eleventh Hour and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers including The Contender, The Brave, The Chief and Warrior Angel. His non-fiction work includes: Nigger: The Autobiography of Dick Gregory. To purchase Raiders Night go to www.harpercollins.com
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