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By Randy Boyd

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Reprinted with permission

[Three characters in Walt Loves the Bearcat discuss the power of dreams (days before a championship game).]

“What’s the worst thing that could happen if the world found out about your private business?” asked Black Coach.

“Lose my career, chaos and disorder,” said Walter.

“And your worst shot?” Black Coach asked Bear.

“Armageddon,” said Bear. “Not in the biblical sense. Or maybe in the biblical sense, but just our own personal version.”

 “Now what’s your best shot?” asked Black Coach. “A best-case scenario for all your private business being cool and dreamy, and your public business being 2 legit? What would make the rest of your lives, from this moment on, a dream come true?”

Walter held Bear’s hand. “Us staying together, winning ball games, making great movies, being who we are, with absolutely no interference from anyone who doesn’t have our best interests at heart. Period. Oh, and good health for both our families.”

“Ditto on hubby’s wishes,” said Bear.

Dying to say hubby, weren’t you? said Walter’s look.

“Then why dream about the nightmare?” asked Black Coach. “Why don’t you two lovebirds dream the better dream? Do you either of you believe dreams come true?”

Walter and Bear remained blank.

“Well?” asked Black Coach.

“I’m here,” said Walter, indicating the ground beneath him.

“Do you believe anything is possible?” asked Black Coach.

“I do,” said Bear, grinning at hubby.

“How about Salt?” asked Black Coach. Walter hesitated.

“Gone leave Pepper hanging?” asked Bear, sounding urban.

“Yeager,” said Black Coach. “When you were walking around high school with your bad self, being the quarterback god you were, which did you think might happen by age 30: playing in a Super Bowl, or you sharing your dreams with this young black man who’s obviously very much in love with you?”

“Thing is, I got both now,” said Walter, “at age 31.”

“So you see,” said Black Coach. “Anything really is possible.”

The sunlight from outside shifted in the upper windows of the gymnasium, casting the space in a whole new light. Birds fluttered above in the rafters, a peaceful game of tag between two playmates in their own universe.

“Your dreams are your most powerful tool,” said Black Coach. “Has any great athlete ever achieved ultimate glory without first conceiving of the dream, then keeping that dream close to his soul while he slaves away trying to make it to the summit?”

“Preach!” said Bear.

“Your dreams are where you get in touch with your soul’s true desires,” said Black Coach. “It’s where God lets you test-drive anything you can conceive of. Then, after you test-drive it in your mind, you can decided if you want the dream to come true. The more you dream of it, the more it can come true, as long as you believe and act like you believe. And dream of it.”

“But what about my teammates?” asked Walter. “And the fans?”

“And the media and family and the owners?” asked Bear.

“What about them?” Black Coach moved toward the far sideline. “Leave that shit to other people—those are details! Did you dream of people throwing shit in your face as a kid? If you did, dream on: it’ll happen. Whatever you put your energy into will come true, true dat, as the kids say.”

“You know how guys in the league are, Coach,” said Walter.

“You’re in the league, I know how you are,” said Black Coach, more focused on leaving. “At least I do now.”

“You didn’t before?” asked Walter.

“Dirty on and on,” said Black Coach, fading from the gym, his voice echoing in the rafters: “Dream the better dream. The grandest dream. The deepest dream. The one that brings you the most joy. We’ll take care of the rest. Haven’t we so far?”