Chapter 10

Saturday, April 5, 2031 – West Chester State University – Farrell Stadium

David was excited as he prepared for his first track meet on the Avon Grove team – the Golden Rams Invitational. This meet was even larger than last week’s meet. Forty teams from Pennsylvania and Delaware were attending. His mom, his brothers and his sister were there to cheer him on.

David had earned spots in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. Coach Weaver had him practice the 100-meter hurdles a few days but decided that wasn’t going to be David’s event. He also practiced with the 4 x 100-meter relay team. He would be a backup in case someone got sick or hurt. Spots on the relay team were based on past meet performances and David had not had an opportunity to perform ... yet. He confidently expected to be named to the relay team before their meet with Bishop Shanahan in Downingtown.

David was in the second heat for the 100-meter preliminaries. He easily beat the other seven runners with a time of 10.75 seconds. David watched the other heats. Two other boys ran in under 11 seconds – a boy from Conrad Weiser, up in Berks County and a boy from Monsignor Bonner, from Philly. David pushed himself hard against the competition. The three competitors separated from the field in the 100-meter dash. His closest competitors stayed close, but he managed to cross the line ahead of the best of them with a time of 10.69 seconds.

Coach Phillips met up with David at the finish line. “Excellent work, Martin,” Coach gushed. “You just earned yourself the anchor slot on the 4 x 100-meter relay next meet. Keep up the good work.”

“Thanks, Coach,” David replied. He was pleased but not satisfied. How was he going to close the 0.28 seconds between his best time and his father’s standing PIAA AAA record of 10.41 seconds? David had to find a way to beat his dad’s record. That would earn him some bragging rights in his family.

David placed second in the afternoon when the 200-meter dash was run. The kid from Monsignor Bonner bested him 22.71 to David’s 22.79 seconds. David watched the 4 x100 relays. The Avon Grove team made the finals but placed sixth of twenty teams. Could David help enough to boost the relay team to the top? They would see how things worked on April 15th.

Monday, April 7, 2031 – NovaCare Complex – Philadelphia, PA

Kyle, Ryan Reynolds and Ed Fritz were sitting in Kyle’s office, just finishing up a review of the playbook.

“I assume you will want me up in the booth feeding you my observations the way I did in Pittsburgh,” Ed commented.

“Of course,” Kyle agreed.

“I can do the same,” Ryan added. “I enjoy the view from the box. I’ll feed you my thoughts too, while you call the plays.”

“You’re the offensive coordinator,” Kyle responded. “Calling the plays is your job.”

“Um ... are you sure?” Ryan asked, more than a little surprised. “You are noted to be one of the best play-callers in the league. Are you sure you don’t want to continue calling plays?”

“It’s your job,” Kyle answered. “I am the head coach. Calling plays isn’t my job anymore. I fire up the troops, manage the clock, call replay challenges and decide strategy. You call the plays.”

“Your offense is new to me, and I didn’t call plays at the Raiders,” Ryan explained. “Joe Perry liked to call his own plays.” Coach Joe Perry had been the head coach of the Raiders when Ryan was promoted to offensive coordinator in his final season at the Raiders.

“You’ll learn,” Kyle replied. “You can practice by gaming it. NFL Challenge has a coach’s mode.”

“It does?” Ryan said. “I don’t recall seeing that in the game.”

“It is there, if you know how to turn it on,” Kyle said. “I’ll get my brother to put together an updated roster for our team after the draft. Take a couple afternoons, shut the door and run the game in real time mode. The computer can handle the Eagles defense as well as the offense and defense for whatever team you play against. You call the Eagles offense in the game. That is how I practiced calling plays a few seasons ago when I started.”

“You’re the boss, Kyle,” Ryan agreed. The three continued their discussion for another fifteen minutes before Kyle dismissed Ed and Ryan. Ryan collared Ed in the hallway after the meeting.

“Him turning play calling over to me is amazing,” Ryan commented. “I expected Kyle would want to continue calling plays. Did you expect this?”

“Of course,” Ed replied. “Kyle’s following the Steelers’ example. I was in the same meeting some seasons ago when Zack turned play calling over to Kyle. You’re the OC. Kyle figures calling plays is your job, not his. All he wants is for you to do your job as he sees it.”

“This is so different from the last time I was the OC,” Ryan marveled.

“You were in a tough situation with the Raiders,” Ed responded.

“Joe Perry is an offensive guy,” Ryan said. “He liked calling plays and continued doing it. I helped him from the booth.”

“How’d that season work out for you guys?”

“We went four and twelve and got fired,” Ryan replied.

“We’ll follow the Steelers model for job responsibilities,” Ed said. “We ... I mean ... they went to the Super Bowl last season.”

Wednesday, April 9, 2031 – Corning Memorial Stadium, Corning, NY

Ryan Reynolds drove their rental car down through Corning. His boss, Kyle Martin, rode shotgun and gave Google Map directions from his phone as they looked for the Corning-Painted Post High School. Ed Fritz watched from the backseat. He spotted the odd triangular brick building with buses parked outside first.

“Turn left here,” Ed announced. “I see the high school.”

“Ed’s right,” Kyle added, “Corning Boulevard is this left turn.” Traffic was light and Ryan was able to dart from the right lane across two lanes into the left turn lane without causing an incident. They waited for the light to turn green. Ryan followed Corning Boulevard about a hundred yards east when Kyle called out, “I see it. Turn right at the next driveway.” Ryan pulled the rental car to a stop in a parking space one space over from a red pickup truck.

The Eagles coaches hopped out of their car. The driver of the pickup truck hopped out too. Smiles appeared on Kyle’s and Ed’s faces. Ed slapped the man on the back and shook hands.

“It’s good to see you again, Gary,” Ed exclaimed. “It’s been too long.”

“It has been, Ed,” Gary agreed. “Coach, you look good. You look like you’re ready run routes in the NFL.”

“I can still run the routes,” Kyle said as he shook Gary’s hand. “I just can’t beat the secondary anymore. How about you? Are you ready to run some routes too?”

“I brought my old cleats,” Gary replied. “I don’t know how well I can imitate an NFL receiver, but I will do my best.”

“You will do fine,” Kyle said. “Let me introduce you to Ryan. Gary, this is Ryan Reynolds, the Eagles offensive coordinator. Ryan, this is Gary Harrison, an old friend and younger brother of a high school teammate of Ed and me.”

“Good to meet you, Gary,” Ryan said as he shook hands with Gary.

“What’s the plan, Coach?” Gary asked.

“We hang out here until the QB gets here,” Kyle answered. “He’s a three-year starter at Cornell. He’s a big kid who shows some promise. We are here today to check him out and see if he is worth more of our time.”

“That’s cool,” Gary said. “You guys looking for a backup quarterback?”

“We are looking to look,” Kyle answered. “We don’t know what he is. We just know at his size and intelligence; we need to check him out thoroughly.”

“I’m in,” Gary said. “It will be fun to run some routes. My wife was teasing me I will feel it tonight when all my muscles are knotted and sore.”

“Penny will tease me the same way too,” Kyle allowed. “How are the girls?”

“Jenna started kindergarten this year,” Gary answered. “Haley is teething. That is a real delight.”

“I remember,” Kyle said. “My Robbie has the opposite problem. His baby teeth keep falling out. My oldest, David, is still pining for his lost girlfriend from Pittsburgh. Jessie is boy crazy. Danny is torn between being football crazy and trying to figure out girls. You’ll see something similar as your girls grow up.”

“How are your kids doing, Ed?” Gary asked. A small, dirty, red Nissan SUV pulled in as Gary asked the question.

“They’re good,” Ed replied. “It looks like it is show time.” He gave the young, early twenties driver a big smile and a wave.

The young man stepped out of the SUV and joined the cluster of older men. “Coach Martin, it is good to see you again,” the young man said.

“Gary, this is Aiden Anderson,” Kyle said as he indicated Gary. “Aiden, this is Gary Harrison. He is going to help us out today. You remember everyone else from the combine, I trust. Aiden nodded his head in agreement.

“Let’s get started,” Kyle announced when introductions were completed.

“Did your wide receivers get here yet?” Aiden asked.

“Gary and I will be catching the passes for you today,” Kyle announced. Aiden tried to hide his surprise, unsuccessfully. Kyle just smiled.

“OK ... I guess. Throwing to a Hall of Fame receiver will be an honor,” Aiden managed to say as he recovered his equilibrium.

“Let’s just toss the ball around a little and get your arm warmed up,” Kyle suggested.

Aiden started tossing the ball with Kyle and Gary. Aiden warmed to the idea of throwing the ball with Kyle. It really was an honor to play catch with a receiver as famous as Kyle. Gary Harrison confused Aiden. What was this guy in his mid-thirties doing here? Gary had a slight paunch and his dark, curly black hair was thinning on the back of his head. Gary showed good hands, catching just about any pass Aiden threw him. Ball with some zip? He caught them easily, like he had been doing it half his life.

“You ready to show us your stuff, Aiden?” Kyle asked after about six or seven minutes of warm-ups.

“I think so,” Aiden agreed.

“I will run outside and deep routes,” Kyle said. “Gary will work the inside routes. We will alternate running routes. We’re not twenty-two anymore and I know I’ll need to catch my breath after I run a post or flag.”

“You’re the boss,” Aiden agreed.

“Ed and Ryan will observe you for a bit as you throw. They may give you suggestions. Try them out and see how they feel.”

“Will do, sir,” Aiden agreed.

Kyle and Gary ran routes, starting with flats and curls before moving up the route tree to comebacks, outs, curls and digs. Finally, they tested Aiden’s arm strength with some corners, fades and post routes. At the start most of Aiden’s balls were catchable but not as crisp as Kyle might have liked.

Ed and Ryan gave Aiden suggestions as they worked the route tree. Kyle and Gary both saw the balls come in a cleaner and more accurately. Ed and Ryan gave Aiden situations and had him demonstrate lobs over an on-rushing lineman, drilling the ball in when he might be hitting a tightly covered receiver and throwing the bomb downfield for Kyle on fade routes.

On one of the walks back to the line of scrimmage, Gary commented to Kyle, “This kid has some potential, doesn’t he?”

“I think he may,” Kyle admitted.

“His throws remind me somewhat of Matt Sauder,” Gary said, referring to his high school teammate. “Matt was the best QB I ever worked with at any level. It’s too bad he didn’t get a chance at the pro level. I think he would have been a good one.”

“I can’t argue with you,” Kyle agreed. “His state high school championship and his collegiate national championship at Penn State say a great deal about Matt’s talent and leadership ability.”

“It’s too bad he broke his leg when he did,” Gary added.

“It is,” Kyle agreed. “Injuries are one of the hardships we football players endure.”

Ed and Ryan had Aiden throw a dozen deep balls to Kyle on corner, fade and post routes. His deep balls were impressive. Kyle had no problem hauling in every pass. Ed waved Kyle and Gary back to the huddle with Aiden and Ryan.

“Do you need more, Coach?” Ryan asked.

“No, I think I have what I need to see,” Kyle replied. “Ed? Ryan? Have you guys seen what you need to see?” Both agreed they had seen enough. “Would you care to join Ed, Ryan and me for dinner, Aiden? To thank you for taking time out of your day to work out with us.”

“I would like that, Coach Martin, but I have a mid-term in International Labor Law on Friday,” Aiden replied. “The course is a bitch.” Aiden blushed as he realized he uttered a vulgarity to this important coach. Kyle didn’t blink.

“I know how the tough courses are,” Kyle said. “How does your agent feel about you taking courses this spring instead of concentrating on prepping for the draft?”

“I don’t have an agent,” Aiden replied.

“Oh ... uh, OK,” Kyle stuttered. “Did you work out at all preparing for the combine?”

“I’m a real student, Coach,” Aiden explained. “I love football and played it well in high school. It was a delight when Cornell decided they would accept me at the college level. I am a long shot to make it into the NFL. I need to concentrate on my degree rather than wasting a semester prepping for the NFL only to be dissed and not drafted.”

“I can see where you are coming from,” Kyle said. “Do you have a passion to play in the NFL? What happens if a team drafts you in a late round? Would you play for them?”

“I love football,” Aiden declared. “If a team drafts me, I will play and have a blast doing it. If not, I will have my degree and can continue my original career plan, international law and business.”

“You might be surprised, but I felt the same way when I was a senior,” Kyle said. “I blew off most of the combine prep my agent wanted me to do. I needed to get my teaching degree. If the wrong NFL team had drafted me, I would have been perfectly happy as a high school teacher and a football coach.”

“You did no work to prep for the drills at the combine?” Ed asked, incredulous.

“None at all,” Aiden confirmed. “One of our trainers at Cornell reviewed what the drills would be, so I knew how to run them, but that was the extent of my prep.”

“Your numbers at the combine were uh ... underwhelming,” Ryan said gently.

“I know,” Aiden said. “I have to take care of the big things in my life first. Doing well at the combine and playing in the NFL aren’t that important. My education is.”

“Amen, brother,” Kyle said. “You are preaching to the choir. I guess on that note, we will let you get back to Cornell and studying for that mid-term.”

Kyle, Ryan, Ed and Aiden headed out to the parking lot. Gary locked up the gate to the stadium field. Kyle thanked Gary for helping when they finished. Gary headed for home. Kyle huddled with Ryan, Ed and Aiden.

“Coach Martin, it was an honor to throw passes to a Hall of Fame receiver,” Aiden said when they reached the cars in the parking lot. “Who is Mr. Harrison? He seemed pretty sharp for ... uh...”

“ ... an old guy,” Kyle answered while smiling. “Gary was all-state as a tight end in high school. He played at Boston College for four years. He wasn’t fast enough to be a wide receiver and wasn’t big enough to be a tight end professionally.”

“He looked pretty good to me,” Aiden responded.

“He was very good given his size,” Kyle said. “We appreciate you coming down here to Corning to work out with us. Someone from the team will be in touch if we have any further questions for you.”

Ryan, Ed and Kyle waited to discuss Aiden further until they were in the car and heading back to the Elmira airport and Philly.

“What’s your evaluation, Ed?” Ryan asked as Ed turned onto I-86 to head for Elmira.

“I like him,” Ed answered. “He’s coachable. Did you see how he adjusted his delivery when we gave him suggestions?”

“I noticed that too,” Kyle commented. “The balls I caught at the end of the workout were much better than at the beginning of the workout.”

“Do you think he’s the guy long term?” Ryan asked. “Is he the one we’re looking for?”

“Maybe,” Kyle allowed. “I think we can get him cheap. If he doesn’t become ‘the guy,’ we can use him as a backup. I’m not worried about him learning our offense. He’s got the brains for that. Hopefully he stays under the radar with the rest of the league.”

Monday, April 14, 2031 – Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, PA

“The Four Seasons?” Penny noted as the valets took their car keys and moved their cars away from the entrance. “You are going fancy tonight.”

“Nothing but the best for you,” Kyle stated with assurance as he held the door for his wife.

“I hoped you weren’t taking me to the landscaping place when you mentioned the Four Seasons,” Penny teased as they entered the lobby and headed for the front desk.

“Do I look anything like Rudi Giuliani?”

“You’re taller,” Penny giggled. “You have all your hair.”

“And hopefully I make more sense too,” Kyle retorted. It was over a decade ago that the former mayor of New York held a weird press conference in the parking lot of the Four Seasons Landscaping business. Despite the passage of time, few could comment on the Four Seasons without thinking of the incongruous sight of Giuliani holding a press conference to argue the results of the 2020 presidential election in the parking lot of a landscape business tucked between an auto body shop and a porn shop.

The couple checked in and headed up to their suite, the Skyline Corner Suite. They dropped off their bags and headed downstairs to the restaurant on the 59th floor. They were a couple minutes early for their 8:00 PM reservations at Jean-Georges Philadelphia.

The view was breathtaking. The top floor of the famous One Liberty Place Tower was a little below the restaurant’s floor. To the east patrons looked down on William Penn’s statue on top of City Hall. They could see the whole southern half of the city laid out at their feet. The Delaware River separated the city from South Jersey. Diners could make out Lincoln Financial field in the distance and the city of Chester further to the south. In the distance was Wilmington, DE. This was a spectacular setting for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The maître’ d seated the couple at a table by the window, where they could enjoy the sights. Kyle ordered caramelized foie gras, black olive seasoning, lychee and brioche for an appetizer. The foie gras was so silky and contrasted with the crunch of the toasted brioche. When the waiter returned Kyle ordered the roasted duck breast with hibiscus glazed squash and wild rice. Penny was tempted by the parmesan crusted chicken and artichokes with a lemon basil sauce. In the end she decided the go with the duck too. The sommelier suggested a nice Merlot to go with their main course. Jean-Georges’ food was exquisite. The happy couple finished their dinner with a dessert of caramelized apple, whipped crème fraîche and green apple sorbet.

Kyle arranged to have a bottle of champagne chilled and waiting for them when they returned from dinner. Kyle and Penny enjoyed the bubbly as they looked out across the city and talked of the many things going on in their lives. A relaxing evening with no kids was welcome after the hectic two months they had since they moved back to Chester County. One topic they discussed was the destination for their family vacation this summer. Normally they had spent July each summer in their house in Landenberg. Penny suggested a trip to Colorado. Kyle agreed it would be fun to see all their friends out there again. Maybe they could spend a few days in the mountains and get some backpacking in too. This would be Robbie’s first exposure to backpacking. Danny had grown enough in the past six years that he would be an asset in carrying the family’s gear, rather than a burden like his little brother.

Penny and Kyle made love twice that evening. Kyle called downstairs to the front desk and requested a 6:30 AM wake up call. This evening had been wonderful but both he and Penny had to go to work tomorrow.

The phone rang to wake them up way too early the next morning. The couple managed to pull themselves together, shower and dress for the day. They grabbed a quick breakfast downstairs and checked out.

Normal people would have blanched at the bill for the meal and overnight stay. The Four Seasons was the most expensive hotel in the city. Kyle signed the slip without blinking. He was mostly careful with his money, as befitted his heritage and upbringing. But it you have a large fortune, why not spend a small fortune romancing the love of your life? Every nickel was worth it to show Penny how important she was to him.

The two headed for their respective jobs. Penny and Kyle took two cars to the city so they could leave from the hotel and go straight to work, without doing a detour to their home in Landenberg. NovaCare complex was about four miles to the south, just off Broad Street. New Bolton Center was on the way west, a dozen miles short of their home.

Tuesday, April 15, 2031 – Martin Residence, Landenberg, PA

“Robbie! UP!” David yelled about ten minutes after he woke Danny and Robbie up for the morning. “MOVE IT!” he barked. Danny had already stumbled over to the kids’ bathroom and was showering. Despite every urge in his seventeen-year-old body, he had gotten up early at 6:00 AM to shower, shave and dress for school. It wasn’t too bad. He had to get up that early this past summer when he had to lifeguard for the polar bear swims at camp.

David checked Jessie’s door and then knocked when he found it closed. “You up?”

“Go away!” was the mumbled reply. “It’s too early!”

“CHRIST ALMIGHTY! Get out of bed, Jessie,” David stormed. “Use Mom and Dad’s bathroom. Danny is still in ours.”

“Yeah ... yeah ... yeah...” Jessie grumbled as she stumbled out of her room and headed down the hall to their parents’ bathroom.

“Twenty-eight minutes until the car leaves, people!” David announced. “MOVE IT!” David headed downstairs to get breakfast ready for the crew. Waffles went in the toaster and he nuked a box of pre-cooked sausages.

Jessie came downstairs a few minutes later. “Set the table and get OJ and syrup from the fridge while I keeping stuffing waffles in the toaster.”

“Got it,” Jessie agreed.

“Where are your brothers?” David asked.

“Danny is making sure Robbie is dressed properly,” Jessie answered as she did her assigned tasks.

“DANNY! ROBBIE, MOVE IT!” David yelled to the ones upstairs as he continued breakfast preparations.

David heard thuds as Danny came down the steps two at a time and a louder thud as he jumped down the last five or six steps to the landing. Lighter footsteps followed as their five-year-old brother followed Danny downstairs.

David’s phone rang as the two boys sat down at the table.

“Yeah Mom? David asked as he answered the call.

“I called to make sure everything is going OK,” Penny said. “No problems?”

“We are sitting down to breakfast right now,” David said as he joined the others at the table. “Jessie and I have everything covered, Mom. Don’t worry.”

“I am sure you do,” Penny responded. “Make sure Robbie remembers his daypack. He forgets it half the time.”

“Will do, Mom,” David promised. “I hope you and Dad had a good time.”

“The food at the restaurant was fabulous and your father and I had fun upstairs in our room too,” Penny commented.

“I used to know what that was like,” David replied.

“Patience, David,” Penny said. “Give Sara time to get to know you. She will find out what an outstanding man you are.”

“That is all I can do, Mom,” David said. “Be patient and be friendly.”

“I love you, son,” Penny said. “Your dad is anxious to get on the road. I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“Love you too, Mom,” David said. He glanced at the clock. “Fourteen minutes until the car leaves. EAT! Get a move on.”

Robbie leaned over to Danny and commented, “Davie is worse than Mom usually is.”

“It’s his first time being a mom,” Danny smirked as he whispered back to Robbie.

A few minutes later, David announced, “Eight minutes, people. Move it!”

Danny put the food back in the refrigerator while Jessie and David put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Everyone scurried around for the next couple minutes getting their things for school.

“Robbie, here is the envelope with your lunch money,” David said as he gave the envelope to his little brother. “Danny? Jessie, are you set with lunch money?”

“Good,” and “I got it,” greeted his query.

“Let’s roll, people,” David announced. The four kids headed out the door. David locked up behind them. The four crowded into David’s minivan. Jessie took shotgun while Danny sat in one of the middle seats. He checked to make sure Robbie was seat belted properly.

David started up the engine when his mom’s reminder hit him.

“Robbie, do you have your backpack?”

“Um ... uh...” Robbie stuttered.

“Danny, run and get it...” David commanded. “Be quick or we will be late.” David turned the van around and faced it towards the road while Danny retrieved his little brother’s pack. David pulled out the driveway once Danny was aboard again. He headed north to the Avon Grove school complex. Robbie (with backpack) was dropped off in front of the Penn London School so he could go into the YMCA’s day care until his school started. Danny was dropped off in front of the middle school and then David parked his minivan in the student parking lot by the high school.

What a relief it was to be there and not to be late. ‘God, how does Mom do this every single day without going crazy?’ David wondered as he walked into the school building. His mother was a saint.

Tuesday, April 15, 2031 – Bishop Shanahan High School - Downingtown, PA

The meet against Bishop Shanahan High School started at 4:00 PM. David waited through the 4x800 relay and the 100/110 hurdles for his first event, the 100-meter dash. The girls ran ahead of the guys. David stationed himself near the finish line. It might be a good opportunity to congratulate Sara Baker and catch her attention.

Mom’s advice to David to be himself and just allow Sara time to get to really know him seemed to be paying off. Sara no longer reacted negatively when he was around. He usually got a smile when he congratulated her on her latest run.

One of the runners from Shanahan pushed Sara hard as they sprinted. Sara accepted the challenge and ran the best race David had seen this season. She crossed the finish line with a time of 12.47 seconds.

“Fantastic race, Sara,” David called out as he jogged over to congratulate. “You ran a great race.”

“It felt just right,” Sara gushed. “I can’t believe it. I just qualified for the districts!”

“Congratulations,” David gushed.

“Aren’t you running next?” Sara asked. Both kids glanced down towards the starting line. The other participants were lining up. “Go! Good luck, David.”

“Thanks, Sara,” David called back as he jogged for the 100-meter starting line.

“Nice of you to show up,” Luke Allerton teased.

“I was supporting our female teammates,” David replied as he took his position in Lane 3.

“Sara Baker in particular,” Luke replied. “I’ll save you some time. Sara hates jocks.”

“I’m not a jock,” David protested. Luke laughed hard.

“You play sports in every season,” Luke responded. “Your dad is the coach of the Philadelphia freakin’ Eagles. You are a jock.”

“I’m involved with sports,” David agreed. “I am not obsessed with sports. I have other interests too.”

“Good luck convincing Sara of that,” Luke warned. “I doubt she’ll...”

“ON YOUR MARK,” the official called. David and Luke got into their crouches at the start line. “GET SET.”

“See you at the end,” Luke whispered. “I’ll be right behind you.” The starting pistol cracked and the seven boys launched themselves down the track. In his three weeks of practice, David had established himself as the fastest sprinter on the team.

David sprinted down the track, pulling ahead of the other competitors. He crossed the line 10.66 seconds later. His closest competitor was Luke, who managed an 11.21 second time.

“Fantastic race, David!” Sara gushed as she met him near the finish line. “You ran great.”

“Thanks,” David gasped between breaths.

“Good luck on the two hundred,” Sara added before she moved off with her girlfriends, Sadie, Caroline and Charlotte.

David smiled to himself. Mom’s plan was working. This was the first time Sara come up to him and talked with him. Before, he always had to seek her out and start the conversation.

David had a twenty-minute wait until the 4x100 relay. Not only had David earned a spot on the relay team, but Coach Phillips made him the anchor. David was confident he could handle the responsibility. He had run on the Fox Chapel 4x100 relay team last season. Technically, the anchor had it easiest. All David had to do was take the handoff from Mike Angelucci and run as hard as he could. He didn’t need to pass the baton on.

David watched as the race started. Luke was a couple steps behind the Shanahan runners as he handed off to Joey Phillips, a tall skinny tenth grader who was no relation to Coach Phillips. Joey had pulled even when he came around and handed off to Mike. Mike wasn’t the strongest short distance sprinter. He was better at the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes. David took his spot on the track as the runners neared the anchors’ position. Shanahan’s runner was about three meters ahead as the boys made the exchange of the batons.