When Olivia's given an ultimatum by her parents, she chooses to stay with her grandfather in South Crenshaw. And what was originally supposed to be temporary, turns into a permanent memory that will last a lifetime.
Tonight is the biggest game of my life. Not just because it's my last game as a high school athlete. But because it's the first championship game I've ever played without Darnell or Cam.
In fact, this is the first game I've ever played without Darnell being anywhere in the audience.
Besides a few generic text message replies in our family group chat, he's been missing since Thanksgiving dinner. ________________ GAME TIME
"We got this bro," Lando tells me as he reaches for our usual game time hug. "D ain't here but the crowd is loaded with support for you and this team! You got this!"
I nod as I jog onto the field and the clock starts to tick when the kicker sends the ball directly to me.
I take off for forty yards before being tackled by a load of defenders.
Typically, I hear Darnell's loud mouth on the sideline. But not tonight. If I'm going to win this game, I guess I'll have to do it without his guidance.
"Let's go baby!" Olivia yells and I smile as she jumps up and down in my freshman jersey.
The next play happens. And before I can blink, the first quarter ends in a tie. And the second ends with us down by one field goal. ______________
HALFTIME
"Spencer, I don't know where your head is at, but we need you bro!" My teammate says to me as he walks by and sits at his locker.
I check my cell phone for a message from Darnell. But it's more of the same.
I get that he's going through a lot, but he's always been here for me. And he should be here now!
The coach goes over plays and I barely hear them as I wonder if Darnell's even okay. I mean, aside from the few measly text messages, I don't know what's going on with him.
"James if you don't get your head into the game, I'm sitting you!" My Coach yells as everyone files out of the locker room.
I nod and jog out while looking into the crowd. This time, I see everyone except Olivia—— and of course Darnell is still a no-show!
I take my helmet off and check around the bleachers once more.
"What the hell?" I ask myself.
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"Where's Liv?" I mouth to our friends and they don't seem to know as they shrug their shoulders in my direction.
I slam my helmet down before my coach yells at me to get warmed up. "Let's go James! Get focused!"
The second half begins and it's more of the same for me. I'm not terrible. But I'm not really doing anything to help us win as we go into the fourth quarter still down three.
