Friday

Boredom is at the root of teenage deliquent behavior. On Friday nights in high school, my friends and I used to order pizzas to the homes of other classmates for a good laugh. It helped us deal with being teenagers in a town where the most interesting thing to do after 9 p.m., other than being at the movies, was to either do drugs, drink excessively, or go to sleep and hope for a great wet dream. 

Years later, through all the boring Friday nights, I have a clean criminal record. Only one of my friends has been arrested on a Friday night, and it was for Disorderly Conduct. I can't say the same about the guys I've coached. Friday is a bad day in "the Bubble."

One boring Friday night, K-Solo devised a plan with his friends. The execution of this daring heist would mean lots of laughs and liquor afterwards. This plan was several notches above calling in a pizza order to somebody else's home, or getting drunk with some friends. K-Solo and friends went for the gusto.

I randomly ran into K-Solo by the Financial Aid Office late one summer. At first glance, he looked like a basketball player (Yes. I stereotyped in this case). Aside from seeming tall sitting down, he happened to be wearing basketball shorts and sneakers. K-Solo asked if I was the basketball coach after I dropped a few hints to others around him about being el jefe of our Men's Basketball program. We then went to my office to talk about my program.

Me: Where are you from?
K-Solo: I'm from CT, sir.
Me: What position do you play?
K-Solo: I play all positions.
Me: (Bubble bait) Based on your own abilities, at what level do you see yourself playing?
K-Solo: (Bubble confirmation) I think I'm D1, honestly.
Me: (half smile) I guess I'll have to work you out to determine that.
K-Solo: I'm fine with that. When's good for you?
Me: How about tomorrow afternoon? What are you majoring in?
K-Solo: Tomorrow works for me. I'm not working. Human Services, sir. I'd like to help people.
Me: (thinking not a customary response at this level) I'll see you at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Don't be late.
K-Solo: I'm never late, sir. I'm very responsible.

After he left my office, I googled him and found out that he (along with some friends) attempted to rob a vacant liquor store and was caught escaping with quite a bit of brew in the back of his pick-up truck.