Читать книгу The Rassi - Sherman E Hister - Страница 9

The team this evening’s match is against happens to have a history with Finto and the squad he plays for. A match between the two teams is usually comparable to battle. Finto had Jules drive to the stadium, cutting it close to the start whistle being blown. On the way, he straps on his guards before lacing up his spiked boots. The stadium seems more active than normal. There was a reason for the lively atmosphere, that reason, a rival opponent. He kisses her before he gets out to go play. She watches him walk in as he approaches the stadium, his jersey reading number seven. Jules says a prayer after him, knowing in this match anything can happen. She knows who he will be playing against. The Baron Ruster has always considered Finto Negrassi an enemy. This was not known until the Rassi caught Baron Ruster underneath his automotive after their first match against one another. The Rassi didn’t ask him what he was doing. Instead the Rassi left enough impressions on the Baron to make sure he would keep the rivalry to the field. No one knew about this, but Finto and Baron Ruster. It came as a surprise to Fin because before the altercation, Finto admired the older Baron Ruster for his conduct on the field, not knowing what kind of person he really was. Fin even hoped they might be friends. The exact opposite was the case. Fin always kept a straight head about the Baron. He was never impressed by the Ruster’s unassuming evils. Finto stays sharp, always keeping an eye out for Baron Ruster’s antics. He knows that if the Baron can get away with something, he will probably do it.

The first goal goes to the opponent. A hard punt is too much for the keeper. Soon after the opposing score, the Rassi assists a teammate for an outstanding goal. This ignites the crowd, which usually ignites Baron Ruster. Finto glances to his position on the field. The Baron Ruster doesn’t seem at all upset. Finto notices that in fact the Baron had somewhat of a grin on his face. This catches Fin’s attention because he’s never witnessed this man smile. Then the Ruster even claps for Fin’s teammate with the same expression. The player who scored was just as bothered by this as the Rassi, but the game ensues, and they are unable to stay curious. Fin makes a mental note of this, and stays aware of where the Ruster is on the field.

The match goes to half, still one goal to one goal. When the teams get back to the field, Finto finds Baron Ruster in the same mood as before. He knows the Baron is doing no harm, but stays skeptical of such odd behavior from the Ruster. The match stays tied even though the play was some of the best football the crowd has ever seen. The Baron has yet to foul, and still seemed to have an uplifted spirit. Fin actually takes an eye off the Ruster for what seemed like a split second to look at Jules. Her expression let Fin know that he made a mistake. When he turned to find Baron Ruster, he noticed a down player on the green turf.

The player who was hurt was also the player who scored during the first half of the match. He was the team’s lead scorer. Finto doesn’t take long to get to his side while the Baron argued the foul with the official. Finto also noticed Baron Ruster had gone back to his normal self. A penalty kick is issued for the foul reconvening the match. Finto is not a revenge seeker, but he knows how to counteract.

Finto is a gifted and practiced player, enough to know he doesn’t need to flaunt his ability. Finto is not a footballer that fouls with a purpose to foul either. The only excuses Finto finds behind such fouls are not enough practice, and being out of shape, which can cause a player to lose integrity. This doesn’t mean he won’t. The match ensues near to the end with the score still the same so the play becomes more aggressive. Finto finds himself close to the goal with the ball. This consumes his concentration. He maneuvers by one opponent then another with his uniform whipping behind him in the wind his momentum was creating. The other team’s keeper was in position and only one defender was left between the Rassi and the goal. In a split-second decision, Fin notices his same color of jersey out of the corner of his eye. As motion seems to slow down, the Rassi passes the ball without a glance catching the keeper and the lone defender completely off guard.

Finto changed which way he was moving now in the direction he passed the ball because while his concentration had been on the ball, Baron Ruster got the chance to get himself in position to stop the play using any means possible. His only problem, he stopped paying attention to Finto. The Rassi can see exactly what’s about to unfold. Baron Ruster is getting ready to try and kick the legs out from under the Rassi’s teammate. The Rassi dives toward the two players. In mid-flight, he grabs Baron Ruster’s uniform trunks, pulling them down as he sailed through the air. Gravity does the rest. This restricts the Baron’s legs from kicking and he falls to the ground completely exposed. Finto’s teammate scores as time runs out. No one can keep from laughing as Baron Ruster struggled to cover himself, and escape the humiliating scene on the field. The crowd only laughed louder as the Baron was unable to pull up his shorts before falling repeatedly as he made his way off the field. The scene was to comedic for even Baron Ruster’s own teammates to keep from laughing at him even though they had just endured a loss. The Rassi is helped to his feet then waving at Jules who was laughing just as hard as the rest of the crowd. The teams shake on a match well played. The player Baron Ruster put down earlier in the match would miss the next few games, but should return for the end of the season.

Jules and Fin go to eat with some of the team then Jules is dropped off by the Rassi before he makes his way to the farm. Just before he drives away, Jules turns back and says, “Be sure to get food for Stone.”

Fin points at her replying, “Right.” She hops back to the car leaning in to kiss the person she loves. Then the black rumbler pulls away under the street’s electric light.