The Journey-The Novel

2

Catherine and Jim sat in the car with their seatbelts tightened. "Shift starts in half an hour," Catherine said with worry. Jim looked at her. "It won't be long now." Catherine's worry didn't seem to stop. "Do you think Alex will be okay?" Jim then played close attention to Catherine as she continued her question. "He's been talking about his dad a lot recently. I mean, maybe the pressure of the exit trials got on top of him." Jim smiled. "He played well today." Catherine nodded. Then Jim began to pen up and say something. "Listen, Catherine, about Harold. Maybe if I hadn't been traveling away to games all the time... You know, some seasons it was like ten months of the year." Catherine then looked at him with care. "But you always came back, Jim. You never walked out on your family."

"I didn't. I followed my dreams. But Harold's injuries cut his career short. It ruined him. It stopped you from following yours, I mean you gave up everything." Catherine smiled when she heard that last part. "And I'd do it again. You know he just wants to be you." Jim laughed and felt a little better. Alex opened the back seat door for Gareth. "Thank you," he said playingly. Alex followed him in and settled. "What did you think, Grandad?" Alex asked with a smile. Both the parents turned towards Gareth and Alex. Jim spoke first. "Great performance out there today, lads. Top drawer! You stood  out a mile." Catherine followed. "I am so proud of you both!" 

"You should be, Mrs. Hunter." Everybody looked out of the right side of the car to see who said that. A man wearing a suit and tie was surrounding the car. "Especially when it runs in the family." The man made his way up to Jim. "Burly, no-nonsense forward. Brave as a lion. Excellent first touch.' Sort of like a yesteryear Didier Drogba '22 goals 68/69'. You're Jim Hunter, aren't you?" Jim seemed amazed by that description. "Do I know you?" he asked. The man seemed chuffed. "I used to collect football cards." He then pulled out his info card and handed it to Jim. "Michael Taylor, Rising Stars Football Agency." Catherine and the boys seemed excited by this while Jim wasn't so sure. Michael continued with his statement. "We are absolutely the guys for nurturing young potential and you boys, you got it coming out of your ears." He directed that last part at Gareth and Alex. The boys smiled as they saw their next agent. "If you need representation, you call me. Night or day, Christmas day, doesn't matter." Alex smiled and let off a grateful "Cheers." Jim suddenly rolled up his car window. "We'll keep it in mind," he said. Michael waved to him. "You go safely now." Just as he walked off he pointed at Gareth and Alex with great content. Catherine spoke up. "I've heard of that guy. He was around back when your dad was still playing. We should call him." Alex and Gareth laid back in delight. "Get in," they said simultaneously.

After Gareth was dropped off, Alex did his usual and bounced the ball against the wall using nothing more than his feet. Jim knocked on the door. "Alex, the agent's here," he said. Alex suddenly kicked the ball high enough to catch it. Michael suddenly entered the room. "Jim!" he cried. "It's a real shame you were playing in the days before the big TV money kicked in. For a player like you, I could've gotten a proper deal or two!" Jim sighed. "Right. We didn't do it for the money." Alex watched the conversation with interest. Michael smiled. "Of course you didn't. The roar of the crowd, working class heroes and all that, yeah?" Michael then turned to Catherine and noticed a piece of paper in her hands with dresses that presented great color. "Do you draw?" he asked. Catherine laughed. "Design. Well, I used to. I'm trying to pick it up again. It's been a while."

"Keep it up," Michael said as politely as possible. He then turned towards Alex. "There he is! My number one client!" Alex smiled. "Mr. Taylor, good to see you," he replied. "Michael, please.What a polite young man. You brought him up well, Mrs. Hunter." Catherine didn't care. "Go on, tell him!" Alex seemed intrigued. "Tell me what?" Michael sat down on Alex's bed began to explain everything. "Alex, as soon as you signed with me, I started putting out the feelers. It seems like you've been making quite the impression." Alex jumped. "Did you get me an offer?!" 

"One or two," Michael replied. "For real?!" Alex asked trying to contain his excitement. Michael then pulled up his suitcase onto the bed. "I haven't seen a kid coming out the exit trials generate this much interest in years. Young players like you are gold dust, Alex. There isn't a team in the league who isn't falling over themselves to sign you after you nailed it." Alex couldn't believe it. Michael smiled at the potential Alex has. "I have got some incredible deals on the table here. Just don't go rushing into any decisions, okay?" Alex nodded as looked a bit more serious now. "Now the big teams, sure, they're going to offer you more money. But, you're not going to get as much playing time and it's minutes on the pitch that really develop a player. Just take your time, okay? This is a big decision." Michael asked. Alex nodded. Alex began to think. "I always supported Manchester United as a child so I think I'll sign with them," Alex stated. "Their youth development program is amazing and they produced legends like Best, Cantona, and Charlton. I'd like to sign with Man United please, Michael." Michael pulled out the ManchesterUnted contract. "You'll get a $6,450 wage a week, Alex." Alex nodded after hearing Michael's statement. He then put his signature at the bottom of the contract and handed the pen to Michael. Alex smiled. "I can't believe I've done this!" he cried. Michael then closed up his suitcase and put the Man United contract in a special folder. "It stays in the family," Michael said. "Who says romance is dead? I'll get the cogs turning my end and finalize the paperwork." Alex smiled and looked at Catherine. "You deserve this, Alex." she said as she leaned in to give Alex a hug. Alex reached an arm out and invited Jim in for a hug. Alex then turned his full attention to Jim. "Proudest day of my life," Jim said with a smile. "You signing with my old club." 

"Well, I've got my work cut out if I'm gonna live up to you, grandad, you legend." Alex laughed as he gave Jim a hi-five. Michael then smiled as he thought of something to tell Alex. "It gets even better, young man." he began. Everybody in the room turned to Michael. "It seems you and your pal, Gareth have similar tastes when it comes to picking teams." Alex couldn't believe it. "No way!" he said before whizzing away in celebration. "This is just brilliant!" Catherine shouted. Everybody in the room was over the moon and nothing could bring them down.