I stuck around because the team was having trick-or-treat at the stadium for the team’s families and I was passing out candy. The Cheetahs went all out. The admin staff decorated the cafeteria so it looked scary, but not too much because most of the kids were young. I wanted to wear my Cheetahs sweater and khaki pants, but Hayley said I had to participate. She altered a dog costume to make it look like Crowbar, and we had a Cheetahs dog jersey made with my last name for Crowbar to wear. Totally over the top, but I knew the kids would love it. I checked my watch. The festivities would begin at six. I had time to eat my salad, watch part of the game, and get ready for the party.

“Great game, Coach,” Marcus said.

“You all held them to only seven points. Great game, Coach,” I echoed Marcus’s congratulations. I liked Marcus because he was dedicated and wanted this team to succeed as much as I did. He was considered washed up by many analysts, so he wanted to prove everyone wrong. He was doing a hell of a job. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Are you sticking around for the party?” I thought he had little kids, but maybe those were his grandkids. I told myself to pay closer attention to the personal lives of the people I worked with.

He rolled his eyes and pointed down at his frame. He played defensive tackle twenty years ago but slipped out of shape as the years rolled on. “I’m sticking around but I’m not putting on a costume so I’ll be there as an NFL coach.”

I put my hands on my hips and shook my head at him. “I’m disappointed.”

“You sound like my wife,” he said.

“I might be the only coach dressed up. You’re all going to feel so left out.” I was saying it to pump myself up the more I realized how few coaches were participating.

“I’m sure you’re going to look great. I’ll see you up there.” He pointed up at the second floor with his clipboard.

“See you later,” I said.

Crowbar and I grabbed dinner, then celebrated the win with a quick game of fetch. Crowbar loved children. Truthfully, I was doing this for him. He pranced around when I slipped on the Cheetahs jersey Hayley’s mom made for him. His was easy. I was going to need help getting into my costume. I put on spandex shorts and a T-shirt and looked at the furry full bodysuit I was going to have to wear for the next two hours.