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We only used half of the field, so it was relatively easy to score.  Most of my team had no idea what to do, and actually Yasmine was the best player.  The opposing team was stacked with meaty mid-pubescent boys who took orders from a curly-haired shorter kid named Ali.  Yasmine had told me from the beginning that he was the fastest, to keep an eye on him because he was sneaky.  But he was easy to read — within the first 5 minutes of the game I was onto a pattern in his strategy and ripped his flag off nearly every time before he could get a touchdown.

Well, the blue underdogs still lost.  But it was at least a more exciting workout than jogging the track.

After the game, I noticed a group of guys approach Yasmine, Ali at the front of everyone, running his mouth.  I'm not sure what he said, but Yasmine's face dropped and I knew he was mocking her.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Izaak about to intervene but figured I knew how to better handle this little piece of shit.

"Bro, you gotta problem?  Why don't you get your beef out on someone your own size?"  I took a step forward, making my best effort to intimidate him even though he was almost as tall as me.

"Football is for guys.  You dykes always have to ruin the competition."  His voice cracked a little in nervousness.  "We always have to go easy on the girls."

"Bro, please," I laughed.  "I could beat you in my sleep.  Don't get all butt hurt cuz a couple of girls could kick your ass."  

A collective, "oooooooo" came from the boys behind him.

"Yasmine scored a touchdown and I got three.  How many did you make again?  Oh, that's right, ZERO."  His lips pursed and he grumbled something under his breath, looking like he was ready to deck me or cry.  I leaned in, gripping his shirt as I demanded through clenched teeth, "Go back with your tiny dick posse and leave my girl alone, or you'll have to answer to me."

Flushing, he pushed me away and stormed off, ignoring the laughter from his teammates.  

x-x-x-x

"I saw what you did for Yasmine today.  Thank you."

"That kid Ali was a fuckin' douche."

"I know.  He's caused problems for many weeks and it seems you may have finally ended it."  It seemed there was more he wanted to say, but he hesitated which I wouldn't have expected from an authority figure.  Was he finally seeing me as an equal?  "I prefer if you do not talk to the kids with such language."

"Bro, they've heard worse."

"Not from me or anyone who represents me.  Please respect this boundary."

There was a weird internal battle as I debated whether or not to keep pushing.  For some reason I chose not to.  "Okay.  He deserved it though."

"Maybe.  But don't do it again or there will be consequences."

During my walk home, I imagined various scenarios of getting punished by Izaak.  The handspanking had been so intense it piqued my morbid curiosity of how severe he could get with implements.  What did his collection even look like?  Would he use interrogation tactics on me?  How would he differ from Gabe and Toby?  So many questions to ask Molly later...