THE SOCCER PLEDGE



     David was everything that any young woman would have died for.

     He was seventeen, handsome and well-built, with the body of a Greek god. He was also extremely athletic, participating in sports of all kinds. However, the sports that were his favorites were the ones that had the young ladies who visited his private boys' school drooling. You see, David excelled mostly in sports that involved bare legs...tennis, swimming, diving and, most of all, soccer.

     After dressing for a game in his long-sleeved team jersey, dark blue knee-length shorts, dark blue knee socks and shoes, David would stand before the full-length mirror in the locker room, admiring his reflection.

     "Come on, Dave!" yelled Jim, his best friend and fellow teammate. "The game's getting ready to start!"

     "Coming!" David replied, grabbing the team ball as well as a last look at his reflection. Then, he turned to look at Jim and the team captain. Suddenly, a somber look came over his face. "Guys, I know we never lost a game before".

     "You're right about that!" said Mike, the team captain...a tall, handsome young man. "We're the best soccer team in the whole damn state...and we're going for the championship. You're going to take us there!"

     "But, there's always a first time. Anyway...let's make a pledge. If anything happens and we should lose...and, since I'm the goalie and I should be the one responsible for us not getting to the championship...I demand you and the team punish me for it, Mike".

     "What are you talking about?" asked Jim.

     "Look...we're all gay here. There's no doubt about that. We all know how we feel about each other...how we look at each other. Especially when we're in our team uniforms".

     "Get to your demand", Mike said, impatiently, a slight smile on his face.

     "If we should lose the game because of me and get kicked out of the chance to play in the state championship...I want you to punish me in whatever form and by whatever means you choose. Promise me".

     "Our team's never lost a game", Jim said. "What makes you think we will this time?"

     "Promise me!"

     Jim and Mike looked at one another...then at the other team members, who nodded...then turned back to David.

     "We promise", Mike replied.

* * * * * * * * * *

     That night, after the game was over, the team, now dressed in their school uniforms, met under a barely-used section of the bleachers that surrounded the field. Jim looked up at the bottom of the bleachers, in deep thought. Then, a hand touched his shoulder.

     It was Mike. He had a dour look on his face. Jim turned to look at him.

     "Jim, he made us promise", Mike said, glancing upward. "He lost the game for us...so, as the goalie, he had to be punished".

     "Punished, yes!" Jim said. "But, like this?"

     Mike turned back to look at Jim.

     "It was his own words, Jim...in whatever form and by whatever means we choose. The majority ruled for this form and means of punishment. Now, come on...or we'll be late for curfew".

     Jim nodded as Mike led him towards the back of the bleachers and the dormitory. But, before they left the field for the last time until the next school term, all of the team members turned and looked back from where they had just come.

     There was David...seventeen, handsome and well-built, with the body of a Greek god...and still dressed in his soccer uniform. Only now, he was hanging by his neck from one of the tiers of the bleachers...his hands tied behind his back...his head tilted to one side...his swollen, purple tongue visible in his slightly opened mouth...his blue eyes, the whites reddened by burst blood vessels, crossed and glazed over...his body stiff...cold...dead.

     The soccer pledge had been fulfilled.