Something Old, Something New by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2023-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

seventeen

Friday morning Brent walked down the main hallway at Flowering Grove High School toward the athletic wing. He’d stopped by the office to sign in and receive a visitor pass, and then one of the office assistants called Coach Morgan to tell him Brent was on his way to see him.

Now as he moved through the hallways of his alma mater and scanned the rows of lockers and classrooms, visions of walking these halls surrounded by his football friends and holding Britney’s hand filled his mind. Back then life was so simple, but at least he’d had a plan. Thanks to his athletic scholarship, he’d been bound for UNC at Chapel Hill to earn his degree and then live the fruitful life both he and his father had planned for him.

Brent ambled into the athletic wing and recalled the hundreds of hours he’d spent there. Despondency weighed heavily on his shoulders as he stood in front of the trophy case. He found the state championship trophy that sat proudly beside a photo of his team. Then he took in his confident—arrogant?—expression and almost didn’t recognize himself. It was as if he were looking at someone he didn’t know, someone who no longer existed. Like a ghost.

A plaque beside the trophy boasted his name for earning state records for his accomplishments on the field his senior year—most passing yards and passing touchdowns. Again, that all felt like a lifetime ago, not ten years ago. When he’d been a so-called hero winning awards.

He recalled his fellow players. His brothers. Back then, Brent had been a leader—the quarterback, the team captain—and his team believed in him, depended on him. He couldn’t remember how that felt.

“Brent Nicholson. What a wonderful surprise.”

He turned as Coach Morgan stepped out of his office and joined him in the hallway. “Coach.”

“What brings you here today?” The man looked hopeful as they shook hands.

“I’ve been thinking about your invitation to serve as an assistant coach.”

A smile filled the coach’s face. “Is that right? We sure need a quarterback coach, and you are the best man for the job.”

“I’m still not sure about that.”

The coach snorted. “Are you kidding me? I saw you looking at that trophy. I think all the proof you need is right there in that display case, son.”

Christine’s words suddenly echoed through his mind. “I think coaching could help you move past your feelings of failure.”

Brent cleared his throat and stood taller. “I’m ready to give it a try.”

“Fantastic!”

“I just need you to remember I’m in town temporarily, but I’ll be here for the remainder of the season.”

“That’s perfect.”

After they discussed the team’s schedule, they shook hands again.

“I’m looking forward to getting started, Coach.”

“The guys will be thrilled to meet you. See you at the game tonight.”

As Brent left the school, he realized he had a spring in his step.

* * *

The bell above the store’s front door rang, and Christine nodded and smiled as four women entered, all about middle-aged. She didn’t recognize any of them, but avid antique-mall shoppers often found her store on day trips.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.