[legendsport]

Fort Wayne, IN: February 20, 1924:

Jack Kristich was no longer running the American Football Association out of his restaurant. The AFA had come up in the world and warranted its own office in downtown Fort Wayne.

Rollie Barrell stood outside the frosted glass door, admiring the gold lettering that read "American Football Association League Offices" for several heartbeats before grasping the doorknob and entering the office.

Rollie smiled, Kristich had even hired a secretary/receptionist who sat primly behind a well-ordered desk facing the door. The young woman seated behind the desk nodded and smiled at Rollie before offering the expected, "May I help you, sir?"

"I'm Rollie Barrell. I have an appointment with Jack."

Her smiled widened a bit - was it a put-on? If so, she was very well rehearsed. Rollie felt genuinely welcomed and made a mental note to congratulate Jack on his hiring choice.

"Ah, yes, Mr. Barrell, the owner of the Detroit franchise. Welcome to Fort Wayne," she said as she rose to her feet. She motioned towards a trio of cushioned chairs and added, "Please have a seat, and I'll let Mr. Kristich know you're here."

Rollie barely had time to cross his legs before Jack Kristich stepped out of his office with the young woman trailing behind him and said, "Rollie! Good to see you. Please come in."

Rollie stood and thanked the young lady. Kristich held his arm out, motioning for Rollie to precede him into the office before saying, "Gladys, please get Mr. Barrell a coffee."

Gladys asked how he'd like his coffee. Rollie wasn't much for coffee, but he took it black - another nod to his no-frills father, who drank it the same way.

Rollie walked into Jack's office. It was modest, but neat and orderly. Jack had already proven himself a perfect choice to lead the AFA. His office simply reinforced that fact.

Both men seated themselves and got some small talk out of the way.

Jack broached the subject of Joe Barrell. As Carl Boon's longtime friend, Jack was bound to know about Joe's situation. And he wasn't too shy to ask about it.

Rollie sighed. "I think... and stress the word 'think' that the worst is behind us. My brother Jack did some favors for the North Siders, but he's let them know this can't be an ongoing thing. So far, that seems to be acceptable."

He spread his hands and added, "We'll see..."

Jack nodded but his face was grim. He spoke up, saying, "I know I don't have to tell you this, but we can't afford even the appearance of impropriety in the AFA. We're... reasonably healthy... but the college people continue to question our integrity and we're still shut out on the East Coast."

"I know - and so does Jack, and Joe for that matter."

"Good," Jack said with a firm bob of his head. "As for the situation that caused this whole thing?" he asked.

Rollie frowned. "Well... Joe's a father again. They named him Roger... Cleaves. As far as the world is concerned, he's legitimate. But the husband knows... he's obviously not happy, but he's tied up with the bootleggers and stuck as long as they tell him to stay away from Joe. The whole thing's a mess. Joe feels terrible, but he created this situation out of his own childishness."

"Agreed. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of his common sense," Jack said. He was tapping a pen on his blotter, deep in thought.

"What else is going on? How's your other football playing brother... Danny, I believe?"

Rollie smiled. "He's well. Getting ready for track and field season. He did get an invite to the Olympic trials in June. Decathlon. We're hoping he can get a spot, but trying to keep his expectations realistic. He's been in a bit of funk lately and just got some news that he didn't take very well."

"Hmm, sorry to hear about that. Anything you can talk about, or is it hush-hush?"

Rollie shrugged, "No, it's no big secret. My late brother Jimmy? His widow remarried - to Powell Slocum."

"The ballplayer?"

"The very same. Danny had a... I don't know... fascination with Claudia. That's Mrs. Slocum, now."

"OK, yes, I can understand that. Young love can be difficult, especially when it's not returned."

Rollie frowned and replied, "Exactly. But Slocum's decided to adopt my nephew, Jimmy's son, and Danny did not take that news well at all."

"That's understandable I guess. But the kid's already living with Slocum, so..."

Rollie nodded in reply. "Yes. He's raising the kid, and the rest of the family is fine with it. But Danny.... he got really close to young James when they all lived together in DC."

On that note, the men left the small talk behind and got down to business.

"I've done some research Jack and I think we should try to bring some like-minded people in on this."

Jack was nodding as he listened. "I agree. I think the time is ripe - and with our experience running the AFA, I see no reason why this wouldn't be a success."

Rollie took a sip of his coffee. Jack craned his neck and raised his voice, calling out, "Gladys! Can you please bring in my notes from yesterday?"

Rollie heard her muted, "Yes, sir," and then saw her enter the office with a folder in her left hand.

"Rollie, this is my niece, Gladys Summers. She's doing night school at Northwestern Indiana and working here for me. She's pretty much indispensable," he finished with a grin.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Summers," Rollie said as she handed Jack the folder.

"You as well, Mr. Barrell," she replied before leaving the office.

"She really is a wonder, Rollie," Jack said. "My sister's daughter. The women in my family have generally had prodigious intellects. Gladys is no different."

Jack tapped the folder laying on his desk. Rollie could see the writing, presumably Gladys' on the tab. It read "Basketball League."

"OK, let's get down to it, shall we?" Jack said and opened the folder.