The soccer
field was awash in fluorescent light from the tall light
poles. Getting to play a night game for the championship
was more than could be expected.
Bobby stood in the goal, knowing that he had to stop that
next shot. The score was 2-1 and his team was ahead. He
wasn't the tallest twelve year old playing that night,
and certainly not tall enough for the position. But he
had the skill, he could anticipate the shot, and cover
the corners.
The shot came, pressure
from the other forwards was intense, and as Bobby came
down with the ball, Jeremy came down on Bobby's ankle.
Time was called, and Chuck ran out unto the field as Bobby
lay in the goal, still holding the ball. Chuck was the
coach, and Bobby's father, he couldn't have been more
proud of his son's achievements and talent for this game.
"Son, are you
ok?"; Chuck pleaded. "Dad, it's my ankle, it
hurts." Bobby whinced. Chuck picked him up and took
him to the sidelines to look at the ankle.
As Bobby lay their
and his Dad taped his ankle as tight as he could, Bobby
could see the stars, and he made a wish, he wished for
the strength to finish the game. A glitter of magenta
seemed to fill his eyes, and he popped up and went back
onto the field.
The final seconds
ticked away, and Bobby held off every attempt for the
other team to score. Chuck ran to the goal and this time
hoisted Bobby up on his shoulder for saving the game.
As Bobby's leg hung in front of Chuck, he looked down
and saw that the tape had broken, and Bobby's ankle was
swollen. "Coach, let's go for pizza and celebrate",
cried the team. "Well," Chuck said, "We
will be along after we have Bobby's ankle looked at, I
think it's broken."
That night waiting for the X-Rays to come back, Bobby
laid on the gurney and could only feel strong. This was
definitely a wish come true!
