For Jack, Joe, and Charlie
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Greenwald, Tom, 1962– author.
Title: Game changer / by Tommy Greenwald.
Description: New York: Amulet Books, 2018. | Summary: While thirteen-year-old Teddy fights for his life after a football injury at training camp, his friends and family gather to support him and discuss events leading to his coma. Told through dialogue, text messages, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy’s inner thoughts.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017055217 | ISBN 9781419731433 (hardcover with jacket) | eISBN 9781683353928 Subjects: | CYAC: Football—Fiction. | Sports injuries—Fiction. | Coma—Fiction. | Hazing—Fiction. | Family problems—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.G8523 Gam 2018 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
Text copyright © 2018 Tommy Greenwald
Cover illustrations © 2018 Neil Swabb
Book design by Melissa J. Barrett
Published in 2018 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
Amulet Books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below.
Amulet Books® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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game changer n: an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something
WINNING THE
WALTHORNE WAY
WE ARE THE WALTHORNE WILDCATS.
WE WIN AS A TEAM.
WE LOSE AS A TEAM.
WE WORK TOGETHER.
WE PLAY TOGETHER.
WE FIGHT TOGETHER.
WE TRUST ONE ANOTHER.
WE PROTECT ONE ANOTHER.
WE SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.
WE DEFEND ONE ANOTHER.
WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER.
NO ONE IS ALONE ON THE TEAM.
NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN THE TEAM.
NO ONE COMES BETWEEN YOU AND THE TEAM.
WE ARE THE WALTHORNE WILDCATS.
WALTHORNENEWS.COM
MONDAY, AUGUST 22 9:47 PM
High Expectations for Walthorne Football This Season
In a tradition that signals the end of summer almost as much as back-to-school sales and falling leaves, the Walthorne High School Wildcats football program opened their preseason training camp this morning.
More than one hundred student-athletes, from incoming freshmen to returning varsity stars, gathered together at Wildcat Stadium, participating in what Coach Louis Bizetti called “the first step in our long journey together.” Coach Bizetti, the Hall of Fame legend who is beginning his sixteenth season leading the Wildcats, already has three state titles under his belt and thinks this year could make four. “I’m really excited about our chances,” he said. “We’ve got a ton of talent on this team, and I expect to go a long way.”
Captain Will Burdeen, a senior all-state running back and defensive back, echoed his coach’s sentiments. “We’ve got some great kids, and I’m really excited,” said Will, during morning stretching. “This camp will give the returning players a head start on achieving our goals while working the new kids in and getting them pumped up about joining our amazing program.”
Walthorne’s varsity season begins Friday night, September 16, with a home game against Ramsdale High School. The game is already sold out, but there is a standby list for cancellations—visit WalthorneWildcats.com for more information.
PART ONE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26
5:43 PM
HOSPITAL ADMITTANCE REPORT
EDWARD YOUNGBLOOD
13-YEAR-OLD MALE, HEAD TRAUMA.
POSSIBLE INTRACRANIAL BLEED.
NO EXTERNAL INJURIES.
COMATOSE, NEEDS TOTAL RESPIRATORY CARE.
CONDITION: CRITICAL
INSIDE
Light in the darkness
Circles without shape
Colors I can’t see
Memories I can’t feel
Voices but no words
Thoughts but no meaning
Come on, Eden, let’s do this
Don’t be soft
Can you hit somebody?
Show me you can hit somebody
Eden
Eden, come on
Come on
Eden
I’m
I didn’t
Don’t be a girl
This wasn’t
I’m falling
I’m falling
I’m
I’m
Is it raining?
6:51 PM
Group Text from Will
16 People
guys
just checking in to make sure
everyone has the latest info
incoming freshman ted youngblood is in the hospital from that hit he took at camp today
it’s pretty bad, not sure how bad yet but i heard he’s still unconscious
it sucks
even though these things happen in football sometimes it totally sucks
i want to make sure everyone is doing okay
everyone on the team needs to keep their heads in the game
be strong and stick together
never forget that guys!
if i hear anything else i’ll update on this thread
otherwise see everyone at practice monday 8am sharp
DR. SPARKS
Mr. and Mrs. Youngblood
I want you to know your son is in the best hands
He’s getting the finest care
The very best care
The most important thing for him is rest
So his brain can heal
And he needs to know you’re there
It’s important to talk to him
He can hear you, I promise
He is listening
Not in the traditional sense, of course
And we can’t expect any sort of response just yet
But he can hear every word you say
It’s very important to keep talking to him
One person at a time is best
Multiple voices can be too much
We don’t want to overwhelm him
But he needs to be stimulated
Stay positive and strong
Try not to sound upset or scared
Talk about anything you want, but stay upbeat
He will get through this as long as you’re right there with him
Remember
Every word counts.
MOM
Honey
Teddy
Can you feel my hand?
Squeeze my hand if you can feel it
Squeeze it, honey
Okay, maybe later
I
Am I too close?
I’m going to sit
I’ll sit here, okay?
I stopped by the house and picked up a bunch of your things
Some posters and your favorite pj’s and other stuff
But I forgot your pillow
I’m so mad I forgot your pillow
I texted Dad
He just left to pick up Janey, so I asked him to get it
I’m going to wash the pillowcase
Get it nice and soft just the way you like it
I know how much you love that pillow
I would get it myself, but I don’t want to leave you right now
I want to stay right here
I’m going to stay right here
I love you so much
I’m here
I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart
I’m never going anywhere again
I’m back
I’m here
I’m back for good.
DAD
Hey
Hey, bud
How’s my guy?
How’s my man?
You look great, Teddy
You look really good
You really do
I’m not just saying that
You look strong
Okay, so
Uh
I know you saw Mom
She hasn’t been
You know
It’s been a while, kiddo
But she loves you very much
More than anything in this world
She only wants to see you get better
We all need to be a family right now
Hey, look what I found
I guess I had it in the office
One of your first game balls
Oh man, remember?
The sixth-grade championship a few years back?
That was some game
You made that goal line tackle and the whole team jumped on you
Crowd going nuts
That’s what it’s all about
Remember they used to call you the “game changer”?
Man was I proud
Oh yeah
I brought your speakers
You can blast your music as loud as you want
So
Oh man
You’ll be just fine, Teddy
I know you will
You’re such a tough kid
So strong and tough
You look really great, though, you really do
Oh shoot
I got Mom’s text about the pillow, but I forgot to bring it
I better go get it
Okay, kiddo
Somebody wants to say hi
Go ahead, honey
Don’t be afraid
Go ahead.
JANEY
Hey, Teddy
Um
Hi
Are you
Are you doing okay?
Ugh
That was stupid
So
Yeah, no
They said
They said just talk to you like I guess I would talk to you any other day, right?
Okay, so
I can’t believe Dad forgot your pillow. Of course that turned into a whole thing, what else is new? But anyway, Dad is going back to the house to get it. It’s weird to see Mom and Dad together. Like, it’s the same, but different. Your hair is super dirty by the way. You’re lucky you can’t see it. I mean, obviously you’re not, but you are. What a mess, somebody should totally wash it for you, it’s like really greasy, and like, you would be so mad if you saw your hair right now, you would be like, so mad if you could see yourself. You know how you stare at yourself in the mirror all the time and I yell at you because I need the bathroom
Maybe Dad can get the nurse to wash it
I didn’t know they had men nurses
Or I guess I knew they did, but I don’t think I’ve ever met one before
Do you want me to check your texts? Or Dad can I guess
Alec texted me, he said he’s coming
He got a text from Camille, she is going to come see you too, with her dad
I guess a lot of people already heard about what happened, like the whole town has heard already, and everybody feels horrible, all the kids in your grade and stuff, they’re all kind of freaking out, especially the boys on the football team, I’m sure you know that already
Alec sounded so scared
Oh wait, I forgot Mom said I shouldn’t talk about that stuff
Uh
Yeah, so, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
Night, Teddy
Please come home
Wash that hair though, okay?
9:09 PM
Text from Alec
ethan
ethan are you there
dude what’s going on
pls text me back
people want to know how u r doing
just mking sure you’re okay
let me know if you want to talk about it
seriously ethan text me back okay??
Friday at 9:22 pm
Camille I don’t know if everyone heard but Teddy Youngblood was hurt today at football preseason camp. He is in the hospital and I’m not sure how serious it is but I think it’s pretty serious because my dad has been on the phone with different people for hours and it seems like it’s bad. I have been crying all night I feel like I have no more tears left. As soon as I have more information from my dad I will let everyone know and if anybody knows anything else they should share it too. I’m so scared.
37
Like · Reply
NURSE RICKY
Hello there, Mr. Edward Youngblood
I like that name by the way
I really do
Anyway
I’m Nurse Ricky
But you can call me just Ricky
I’ll be looking after you during your stay here with us
My job is to make your visit as comfortable as possible
So if there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to holler
Sound good?
Your family is here and they love you very much
That’s a good-looking family you got there by the way
Not too shabby
But it’s almost bedtime
Time to dream
Forget your troubles, come on get happy
We’re gonna wipe all your cares away
You know that song?
Of course not
It’s way before your time
It’s way before my time
You just get your rest, okay?
So your kid sister was giving me a hard time about not washing your hair
Feisty little thing, isn’t she?
Gotta keep on her good side, yes I do
So let’s do this
Here, let me lift you up just a little
Fix this mop up once and for all
There we go
There we are
That feels better, right?
That’s the way uh-huh uh-huh
I like it uh-huh uh-huh
That’s the way I like it
You know that song?
You don’t know that one either?
We need to educate you in the ways of music
Yup, there we go
This oughta make your sister happy
Tough little cookie, that one
Tomorrow we’re going to give you a bath
Deal?
Okay good, you just get your rest
My goodness you’re just a child
They’re just children
Just babies
Why is this world getting so crazy?
MOM
Sweetie
Honey
Tomorrow we start to fight our way back
We’re gonna fight, honey
The doctor said you could have a few more visitors
Friends and family only though
I guess the team wants to come
The boys who were there
They’re still shocked of course
But they were hoping to see you to mak
e sure you’re okay
That you’re gonna be okay
And I guess the high school coach who runs the camp
Coach Bizetti I think his name is
He called Dad
He wants to come by too
Supposedly he’s a legend around here, like a god or something
We all know how nuts this town is about football, right?
Don’t worry though, I won’t embarrass you by telling him how I really feel
I would never do that to you
Anyway, he wants to come say hi
Dad said the coach told him you’re a great player
Which is very nice, but honestly I’m more interested in finding out what happened
He needs to tell us exactly what happened
We have gotten so many calls and texts from people wanting to come
Everyone wants to see you, Teddy
Everyone wants to see you get better
But no one more than me and Janey, and Daddy
I’m so
I still can’t believe this
But if anyone can handle it, it’s you
So it’s time for bed I guess
But first I just
I just need to tell you something, Teddy
I need to tell you that I wish I’d been here
I just
I really do
So okay, sleep well, honey
I’m so glad Dad got your pillow
I’ll be right here if you need me
Right next to you
Right here.
10:32 PM
Text from Ethan
hey alec
thanks for texting but i’m okay
i don’t really feel like talking about it though
my parents are making me talk to some guy tomorrow
but whatever
thanks for checking in
10:49 PM
Group Text from Will
yo ethan this is will
captain of varsity
your buddy alex gave me your number
he said you texted him a few minutes ago
i hope you’re okay
so a lot of kids from camp are gonna be talking to these people from school
therapists or something
i’m sure you are too right?
just want to make sure you’re cool
thanks
Today 10:54 PM
hey ethan this is will again
just hit me back to let me know you got my last text
thanks