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ENLARGE
Editor's note: This is the first-place winner in the recent Summit County Rotary/Summit Daily News Short Story Contest for Summit High students. Winners won cash prizes, a certificate and had the opportunity to read their stories aloud at the Rotary Club's weekly meeting Nov. 24.
As David finished up football practice he slowly walked to the locker room. Bruised and slightly battered, he thought to himself what a harsh game it was. Practicing in the rain and taking hits while being yelled at by his coaches was hardly fun. However, there was just something about it that David loved. The thrill of a challenge, being part of a winning team and staying in good shape made it worth it. The extra attention from girls at school didn't hurt either. On his way into the locker room, David passed an older gentleman named Duff who was known by everyone involved with the football program. Duff lived near the high school field and was a football player himself through college. Now in his 70s, a faint glimpse of what a tremendous athlete he was could still be seen.
His love for the game was ever-lasting and he liked to watch young talent. As David approached him, Duff yelled “ya comin' over?” David replied, “just for a bit … I have a ton of homework.” David needed some encouragement after such a grueling practice, and Duff was just the man to give it to him.
Originally, David visited Duff because he felt as though the old man needed a friend and someone to keep him company. Over the course of a year or so, however, David found out that his time with Duff was well spent. The two had many things in common, and the old athlete filled a void for David whose father had moved away. Sweaty, as soon as David reached the front door of Duff's house, he was greeted with a snack and a big glass of cold water. The pair walked into the living room and took their usual spots. Duff sat on his old tattered recliner and David sprawled out on the couch across from him. Judging from the décor in his home it was obvious to David from his first visit that Duff did not have a wife and lived alone. Duff saw it was a tough practice for the boys. They were coming off a loss to their big football rivals and the coaches were disappointed. After David inhaled his snack they started to talk about football and the rewards and challenges of loving the sport. Duff truly understood how David felt about football and knew David wanted to play in college — just like he had.
As David's eyes scanned the room, he looked at the same framed pictures of Duff in his prime. “This one is when we took the college championship” Duff said. Back then Duff was hard to miss in any photo… standing 6'6” tall with tons of wavy hair. A far cry from the balding, slightly overweight, stiff man that now sat across from him. “The best but hardest years of my life,” said Duff. Weary, David said “ya, but I feel like I've just been hit by a truck after that practice!”
“It will make you stronger,” Duff replied. He went on: “Don't give up on your dream of playing college ball, David. Trust your coaches and have high expectations from yourself and your teammates and things will fall into place.”
Duff's support was perfectly timed. He knew what it was like to be in David's shoes (and cleats). He had been through it all and more and David trusted Duff as his mentor. The relationship between the two was necessary for each and they both gave the other something they needed. David sat up and said with a blank stare, “I gotta go Duff. I still have two hours of homework and it's getting late.” With a twinkle in his eye, Duff told David he'd see him at the field the next day.
Bzzzzz! When David's alarm went off in the morning he popped out of bed and was feeling much better. After school when the final bell rang he went to the locker room to suit up. With renewed spirits after talking to Duff, David knew he was going to give it his best effort and have a great practice. After all, this was his senior year and his last chance to prove to scouts and coaches that he was worthy of being looked at for scholarships. While walking and joking with his team mates to the field from the locker room David saw Duff and nodded. As quarterback and captain for the team, David felt a responsibility to be a leader both on and off the field. He pumped up everyone in the huddle and practice went smooth. Everything seemed to click and David knew that they would walk away with a win from their next game. Leaving the field, David stopped with some other guys to say hi to Duff. Duff complimented them on how good they looked out on the field and agreed they were ready to crush their competition the following evening. At the end of the conversation, Duff asked David if he had time to stop by the house and help carry some boxes out to his car. “I've been cleaning and sorting some junk out of my basement” he said. “No problem,” replied David “but it'll cost you in the form of FOOD!”
Once again, as David approached the house the door opened and he was greeted by Duff. This time he was there with a friend and they were cooking dinner. Duff introduced his friend Luke to David and explained that the pair had known each other most of their lives. David couldn't help but notice that Luke seemed healthier and mentally younger than Duff even though they were the same age. During dinner, he listened to the two old “has been” athlete's laugh and talk about their golden days of being the football heroes of their college. David could only dream of his future being so lucky…he knew his ticket to a college education would be through football. Although his mother provided everything he needed, David knew she could never afford to pay to further his education. After inhaling his chicken and veggies, they all went to the basement and David was told which ones to carry out to the car.
“What's in all these boxes?” Duff simply replied: “Junk in some and treasures in others.” After loading up Duff's truck, David felt good that he could help out the two old men who never could have done it by themselves. Saying good-bye, they thanked David and wished him good luck at the game. While firmly shaking his hand Luke said, “It was really nice to meet you, David. You are almost like a son to Duff.” David walked away knowing that his relationship with Duff was special and he was lucky to have such a good man in his life.
The cheering from the team bus could be heard by everyone. On the way home from beating their opponents, the boys were loud and crazy. In the midst of the madness, Coach Olsen sat next to David and commented on what a stand-out he was for all his years coaching him at the high school. He remarked on how, through David's success of being a good student/athlete, he was going to appeal to most colleges. Coach Olsen went on to say: “Good things are about to happen to you David, and I was really proud I got to be a part of your journey.” David couldn't wait for Monday so he could tell Duff what his coach said. He was growing more confident each day that he would get an offer to play college ball and at the same time get a degree just like Duff had done.
Monday arrived and the season was coming to an end. During practice from the field David watched as Duff came over. His walk was stiff and slow. Years of football gave him knee, hip and ankle problems. After the boys were done, most of them high-fived Duff on the way to the locker room. David stopped to talk for a minute even though he was tired and wet. After saying hi, David went in to change and worried Duff was not feeling well. He was quiet only saying “I'm proud of you” after David told him of the compliments the coach gave him in the bus. David shifted his thoughts as soon as he opened his locker and saw his backpack: homework! Once home, he went directly to the mail box to see if there was anything waiting for him. Time was running out and he was growing more and more anxious to know what his destiny would be. Unfortunately, the mail box did not provide him with the answers he needed so he headed to the kitchen table. Setting his iPod for the right music, he started his homework.
As the team warmed up for their final home game, the bleachers filled up with parents and students. Pumped up, David played an awesome game that put them way ahead of the visiting team. Surely Duff was someplace in the crowd watching, he thought. After their victory, the players gloated all the way to the locker room. The coach spoke for a bit and then David changed and headed out to see Duff. He knew Duff would rerun several awesome plays that David was responsible for. Instead however, there was Luke. He looked worried instead of happy. “This is the only place I knew how to find you, David. I don't know how to tell you this, but Duff got very sick and died last night.”
In shock, David couldn't believe what Luke was saying. In all his years of knowing Duff, David had never thought about him dying. Feeling disbelief and dizzy, David was led by Luke over to his car where he handed him a big box that came from Duff's house. On the outside in big words it said “FOR DAVID.” Luke explained that the contents of the box were things Duff wanted David to have once he died. “You were a very important person to him and he is still watching over you.”
David stood in the high school parking lot with his big box and stared blankly as Luke drove away.
Once home, David tore open the box with tears in his eyes. Inside were priceless memories of Duff as a young man. There were pictures, newspaper articles, yearbooks, and mementos all highlighting Duffs football years. There were even some pictures of Duff spending time mentoring the high school players. Now shaking and very sad, David remembered all the great times he and Duff had together. What started out as him helping an old man turned out to be so much more. David felt privileged to have some of his belongings and to have known him so well. The thrill of the big win that just happened hours before, now seemed like it was days ago, and David fell asleep on the couch with the contents of the box spread out all around him.
The days passed and David began to process the fact that Duff was gone. Telling his teammates was the worst. How weird would it be not to have Duff at practices and games? At the end of the season dinner, David found relief from missing Duff through talking about what a great senior year of football it was. Duff was right, David was stronger and it was all worth it. When David got home, as usual he went to the mail box. To his surprise there was a letter for him from Notre Dame. With a racing heart David ripped it open to read that he was being offered a scholarship and a guaranteed position on the football team. His dream was coming true and he could follow in Duff's footsteps.
Looking up, David said: “Thanks old man Duff.” “Thanks for everything.”
As David finished up football practice he slowly walked to the locker room. Bruised and slightly battered, he thought to himself what a harsh game it was. Practicing in the rain and taking hits while being yelled at by his coaches was hardly fun. However, there was just something about it that David loved. The thrill of a challenge, being part of a winning team and staying in good shape made it worth it. The extra attention from girls at school didn't hurt either. On his way into the locker room, David passed an older gentleman named Duff who was known by everyone involved with the football program. Duff lived near the high school field and was a football player himself through college. Now in his 70s, a faint glimpse of what a tremendous athlete he was could still be seen.
His love for the game was ever-lasting and he liked to watch young talent. As David approached him, Duff yelled “ya comin' over?” David replied, “just for a bit … I have a ton of homework.” David needed some encouragement after such a grueling practice, and Duff was just the man to give it to him.
Originally, David visited Duff because he felt as though the old man needed a friend and someone to keep him company. Over the course of a year or so, however, David found out that his time with Duff was well spent. The two had many things in common, and the old athlete filled a void for David whose father had moved away. Sweaty, as soon as David reached the front door of Duff's house, he was greeted with a snack and a big glass of cold water. The pair walked into the living room and took their usual spots. Duff sat on his old tattered recliner and David sprawled out on the couch across from him. Judging from the décor in his home it was obvious to David from his first visit that Duff did not have a wife and lived alone. Duff saw it was a tough practice for the boys. They were coming off a loss to their big football rivals and the coaches were disappointed. After David inhaled his snack they started to talk about football and the rewards and challenges of loving the sport. Duff truly understood how David felt about football and knew David wanted to play in college — just like he had.
As David's eyes scanned the room, he looked at the same framed pictures of Duff in his prime. “This one is when we took the college championship” Duff said. Back then Duff was hard to miss in any photo… standing 6'6” tall with tons of wavy hair. A far cry from the balding, slightly overweight, stiff man that now sat across from him. “The best but hardest years of my life,” said Duff. Weary, David said “ya, but I feel like I've just been hit by a truck after that practice!”
“It will make you stronger,” Duff replied. He went on: “Don't give up on your dream of playing college ball, David. Trust your coaches and have high expectations from yourself and your teammates and things will fall into place.”
Duff's support was perfectly timed. He knew what it was like to be in David's shoes (and cleats). He had been through it all and more and David trusted Duff as his mentor. The relationship between the two was necessary for each and they both gave the other something they needed. David sat up and said with a blank stare, “I gotta go Duff. I still have two hours of homework and it's getting late.” With a twinkle in his eye, Duff told David he'd see him at the field the next day.
Bzzzzz! When David's alarm went off in the morning he popped out of bed and was feeling much better. After school when the final bell rang he went to the locker room to suit up. With renewed spirits after talking to Duff, David knew he was going to give it his best effort and have a great practice. After all, this was his senior year and his last chance to prove to scouts and coaches that he was worthy of being looked at for scholarships. While walking and joking with his team mates to the field from the locker room David saw Duff and nodded. As quarterback and captain for the team, David felt a responsibility to be a leader both on and off the field. He pumped up everyone in the huddle and practice went smooth. Everything seemed to click and David knew that they would walk away with a win from their next game. Leaving the field, David stopped with some other guys to say hi to Duff. Duff complimented them on how good they looked out on the field and agreed they were ready to crush their competition the following evening. At the end of the conversation, Duff asked David if he had time to stop by the house and help carry some boxes out to his car. “I've been cleaning and sorting some junk out of my basement” he said. “No problem,” replied David “but it'll cost you in the form of FOOD!”
Once again, as David approached the house the door opened and he was greeted by Duff. This time he was there with a friend and they were cooking dinner. Duff introduced his friend Luke to David and explained that the pair had known each other most of their lives. David couldn't help but notice that Luke seemed healthier and mentally younger than Duff even though they were the same age. During dinner, he listened to the two old “has been” athlete's laugh and talk about their golden days of being the football heroes of their college. David could only dream of his future being so lucky…he knew his ticket to a college education would be through football. Although his mother provided everything he needed, David knew she could never afford to pay to further his education. After inhaling his chicken and veggies, they all went to the basement and David was told which ones to carry out to the car.
“What's in all these boxes?” Duff simply replied: “Junk in some and treasures in others.” After loading up Duff's truck, David felt good that he could help out the two old men who never could have done it by themselves. Saying good-bye, they thanked David and wished him good luck at the game. While firmly shaking his hand Luke said, “It was really nice to meet you, David. You are almost like a son to Duff.” David walked away knowing that his relationship with Duff was special and he was lucky to have such a good man in his life.
The cheering from the team bus could be heard by everyone. On the way home from beating their opponents, the boys were loud and crazy. In the midst of the madness, Coach Olsen sat next to David and commented on what a stand-out he was for all his years coaching him at the high school. He remarked on how, through David's success of being a good student/athlete, he was going to appeal to most colleges. Coach Olsen went on to say: “Good things are about to happen to you David, and I was really proud I got to be a part of your journey.” David couldn't wait for Monday so he could tell Duff what his coach said. He was growing more confident each day that he would get an offer to play college ball and at the same time get a degree just like Duff had done.
Monday arrived and the season was coming to an end. During practice from the field David watched as Duff came over. His walk was stiff and slow. Years of football gave him knee, hip and ankle problems. After the boys were done, most of them high-fived Duff on the way to the locker room. David stopped to talk for a minute even though he was tired and wet. After saying hi, David went in to change and worried Duff was not feeling well. He was quiet only saying “I'm proud of you” after David told him of the compliments the coach gave him in the bus. David shifted his thoughts as soon as he opened his locker and saw his backpack: homework! Once home, he went directly to the mail box to see if there was anything waiting for him. Time was running out and he was growing more and more anxious to know what his destiny would be. Unfortunately, the mail box did not provide him with the answers he needed so he headed to the kitchen table. Setting his iPod for the right music, he started his homework.
As the team warmed up for their final home game, the bleachers filled up with parents and students. Pumped up, David played an awesome game that put them way ahead of the visiting team. Surely Duff was someplace in the crowd watching, he thought. After their victory, the players gloated all the way to the locker room. The coach spoke for a bit and then David changed and headed out to see Duff. He knew Duff would rerun several awesome plays that David was responsible for. Instead however, there was Luke. He looked worried instead of happy. “This is the only place I knew how to find you, David. I don't know how to tell you this, but Duff got very sick and died last night.”
In shock, David couldn't believe what Luke was saying. In all his years of knowing Duff, David had never thought about him dying. Feeling disbelief and dizzy, David was led by Luke over to his car where he handed him a big box that came from Duff's house. On the outside in big words it said “FOR DAVID.” Luke explained that the contents of the box were things Duff wanted David to have once he died. “You were a very important person to him and he is still watching over you.”
David stood in the high school parking lot with his big box and stared blankly as Luke drove away.
Once home, David tore open the box with tears in his eyes. Inside were priceless memories of Duff as a young man. There were pictures, newspaper articles, yearbooks, and mementos all highlighting Duffs football years. There were even some pictures of Duff spending time mentoring the high school players. Now shaking and very sad, David remembered all the great times he and Duff had together. What started out as him helping an old man turned out to be so much more. David felt privileged to have some of his belongings and to have known him so well. The thrill of the big win that just happened hours before, now seemed like it was days ago, and David fell asleep on the couch with the contents of the box spread out all around him.
The days passed and David began to process the fact that Duff was gone. Telling his teammates was the worst. How weird would it be not to have Duff at practices and games? At the end of the season dinner, David found relief from missing Duff through talking about what a great senior year of football it was. Duff was right, David was stronger and it was all worth it. When David got home, as usual he went to the mail box. To his surprise there was a letter for him from Notre Dame. With a racing heart David ripped it open to read that he was being offered a scholarship and a guaranteed position on the football team. His dream was coming true and he could follow in Duff's footsteps.
Looking up, David said: “Thanks old man Duff.” “Thanks for everything.”
