He came over.
“You’re still struggling on Friday.”
“Yes.
He smiled.
“Good.”
I went out.
But before I got to the door, I heard one of the coaches whisper:
“Derek, don’t underestimate it.”
Derek laughed.
“Look At It.”
I kept walking.
He didn't know.
Claire didn't know.
No one in that gym knew.
Before selling air conditioning systems, he had spent years learning to survive situations where losing didn’t mean losing money.
It meant not coming home.
That night, I opened the closet in my motel room.
Behind several boxes was an old canvas bag.
I hadn't played it in years.
Inside was my old military team.
And underneath was a photograph.
Five men standing shoulder to shoulder.
Young.
Tired.
Long live.
I looked at the faces.
Then in mine.
Yeah
I barely recognized that man.
I returned the photograph.
It wasn't going to be him again.
