“You didn’t tell us that,” Carson said, his head swiveling around to look at Robbie.
Robbie shrugged. “I didn’t think about it at the time.”
“Could you see them? Either the people or the pills?” Jack's pulse kicked up.
“Not really. I couldn't see them down there from where I was. The bench was in the way, and with the locker slats...” Robbie shook his head. “But I heard them scrambling around, picking them up off the floor.”
“Did you see what they looked like before they dropped them?”
Robbie's brow furrowed in concentration. “The guy had pulled them out of a baggie that was in his jacket. They were yellow. Oval. Kind of pale yellow, you know? Not bright or anything.”
Jack felt something cold settle in his stomach. Oval pale-yellow pills. That description could match a lot of things, but combined with the secrecy, the way they were transported in a baggie, the promise of improved performance, and the anger when they were dropped… it all painted a picture Jack didn't like at all.
“Anything else you remember?” Jack asked. “Any other details? Did the guy say anything else?”
Robbie shook his head slowly. “No. After they picked up the pills, they left pretty quick. The guy was still pissed, but he kept his voice down.”
Jack turned his attention to Ben, who looked like he wanted to disappear into the concrete bench. “Ben? Is there anything you want to add?”
Ben's throat worked as he swallowed hard. “Robbie told me and Carson about it after. That's all I know. I wasn't there.”
“But it bothered you,” Jack said gently. “Hearing about it.”
Ben nodded miserably. “Yeah. It just... it didn't sound right, you know? The way Robbie described it. If it was really supplements and everything was legal, why would the guy want no one to know?”
“That's a good question,” Jack said. He looked at Carson, who hadn't said a word since they sat down. “Carson? Anything you want to add?”
Carson's jaw worked for a long moment before he spoke. “It scared me,” he said quietly. His voice was steady but tight with emotion. “Hearing about it. Because what if it wasn't supplements? What if it was something bad, and one of those kids gets hurt because we didn't say anything?”
Jack felt his chest tighten. This was the weight Carson had been carrying. Not just the knowledge of what Robbie had seen but also the responsibility of knowing and the fear of what might happen if they stayed silent.
“You did the right thing,” Jack said, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “All three of you. By telling me, you did exactly what you were supposed to do.”
“Are we going to get in trouble?” Ben asked, his voice small.
“No.” Jack's voice was firm. “You're not in trouble. Robbie witnessed something that concerned him, and he talked to his friends. Then it was brought to a teacher's attention. That's what you're supposed to do.”
“What about the guy?” Robbie asked. “If you figure out who it is, will he know it was us who told?”
“I'm going to do everything I can to keep you out of it. But I need you guys to do something for me.”
All three boys straightened up slightly, waiting.
“If you see anything else, anything at all that seems off or makes you uncomfortable, you come to me immediately. Don't wait. Don't try to handle it yourselves. Just come find me. Okay?”
They nodded in unison.
“And one more thing.” Jack's voice dropped lower, more serious. “Don't talk about this with anyone else. Not your friends, not other players, not anyone. Just the four of us for now. Well, and Ms. Ayers if you can’t get me. Can you do that?”
“Yeah,” Robbie said.
“Yes, sir,” Ben added.
Carson nodded, his expression still intense. “Yes.”
Jack stood and clapped his hands once, shifting back into coach mode. “Alright. Get out there and start warming up. I want to see clean throws today. No lazy arms.”
The boys filed out of the dugout, relief visible in the way their shoulders relaxed as they headed back to the field. Robbie immediately started joking with one of the other freshmen, his natural energy returning now that the weight of the conversation was over. Ben grabbed a ball and started playing catch with another kid, though his face was still pale. Carson walked slowly to his position as pitcher, his movements careful and deliberate, his mind clearly still turning over everything they'd discussed.