’WPCS !żŁ6²$ä²$ä÷$ŽČ&‚ĪČĶz{iŸ'sDB¾&Y š…¬»źx‡p×mūVŠ>ōÅ;”f…ńÜą¶”„_e(ĀĶŚsöĢ‘ą‘€¤¾øsüm¼ W(ŌD§ÕĒ>P³‘éś!f Ā“b¶#‚g*ŠÆķhQ9«R/ŃkVų)Kƒ×Ąä?ŠŌ˜sģ­OjĢ&‰ŌJw ²v5ŁĒĻ'PzŹÕüN1 \žŅ—–𻬻…„"°l40Ӓ °#œ“{ bŗm‘Z–f å.åŅwkŸ“¦ ØóŹŽ% ³· t%ióP*æM,LĄ'dāƒżĪ~Ó|
õųų7Q©¾…!«ˆ‘|c ±pĪ)qŒ¤Ų¹^Ļī•iĄĒģ Ąh÷žįČP“‚\ŃXĖ«ŹŚ^qj— ćØ(ņ «2{b*•żŻlPŖ{ś½3w=mˆ¤j׌%/[ųlńńv™šź³»Ļ!½“ž¶y:£³*x7;—„wī\zų±Ep‚ŒvFńx:j©d©ĖŅ‚ąĶh“J]R¼Æ|ÜZN…““\4•Æ›9iŹ¢9€‹ėy‡r=ßha¦[}+ „ĆĻé öī–[ßN^”ŽĘŲ@q"&’LÉē¾uź#!üUN %k 0(qM™U>wFŪ4!5D mF]Že 0Dób7NE^ G˜Brother HL-1030 series,Č,,,,,Č0(  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($””ō\  `&Times New Roman óōEõöE÷ųEłśEūüżEs“+ƒ%Žr€Window3|xż’U‹’ĄĄĄ  „Ż ƒÆ'ŻŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŌ‡&5%XXŌHeather€Seanor€(26„794)Ō#†X‰pX%&5+#Ō(3Æ$§§Ż ƒ!ŻŻ  ŻPage łՍF+cŻ ƒ!ŻŻ  ŻŌ_ŌÓ?+Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ģDœōL¤ü!°œX?ÓŌ‡X‰pXXXŌÓÓŌ€¼šœ»XX‰pŌņ ņÖ€ ’’ÖŃ€ŃŃ8€‰pXXdģdČ8ŃĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąNo€Time€to€Runó óą0 p ąą0Čp(#p(#ąą0 Č(#Č(#ąą0x (# (#ąŠ|(x(#x(# ŠÓ€ÓŌ€X‰pX»¼šœŌĢÓ€ÓNeil€Clark€laced€up€his€new€running€shoes„„the€latest€New€Balance€design.€€They€were€gray€cross„¼trainers€with€a€dark€blue€NB€on€both€the€inside€and€outside€of€the€shoe.€€His€father€had€broughtĻthem€home€the€previous€night;€he€told€Neil€that€these€new€shoes€would€better€absorb€the€shock€onĻhis€knees€from€the€schoolššs€paved€track,€as€well€as€help€his€traction€on€the€cross„country€courses.€ĻStill€tired€from€a€late„night€study€session,€Neilššs€clear€blue€eyes€were€fighting€to€stay€closed,€andĻhe€was€trying€to€remember€the€dream€he€was€having€before€his€father€woke€him€up.€€It€was€theĻsame€thing€every€day€and€Neil€felt€like€his€life€was€on€cruise€control.Ģą  ąAfter€brushing€his€teeth,€Neil€sat€in€butterfly€position€on€the€hardwood€floor€between€hisĻbed€and€dresser.€€He€began€the€painful€process€of€the€6€Ō‡ōnõXX‰pŌŌ#†ōnõõōnj#ŌŌ‡ōnõõōnŌAMŌ#†X‰pXõōnJ#ŌŌ#†X‰pXXX‰pŒ#ŌŌ‡X‰pXXX‰pŌ€stretch.€€Every€morning€he€enduredŠ Ęr Šten€minutes€of€stretching€before€the€three„mile€run.€Ō#†X‰pXXX‰pó#ŌŌ‡X‰pXXX‰pŌ€Forcing€his€chest€toward€the€floor,€Neil€couldŠ žJ Šhear€Ben,€his€ten„year„old€brother,€peacefully€snoring,€enjoying€his€dream.€€Many€mornings€NeilĻwished€he€had€Benššs€disability.€€If€he€had€the€same€acute€asthma€from€which€his€brother€suffered,Ļthen€Neil€couldnššt€run€around€the€track€or€along€the€damp€road€and€trails€before€the€rest€of€theĻneighborhood€came€to€life.Ģą  ąAs€Neil€scuttled€down€the€stairs€in€his€black€sweat€pants€and€team„issued€red€and€grayĻwind„breaker,€he€caught€a€glimpse€of€his€father€sitting€in€the€black€leather€recliner€reading€theĻpaper.€€This€sight€bothered€Neil,€even€though€he€saw€his€father€in€the€same€position€every€morningĻwhen€he€left€for€his€run.€€It€was€strange€to€him,€but€Neil€had€been€having€similar€weird€thoughtsŠ ^+ %( Šand€feelings€since€school€started.€€Ģą  ąFor€two€weeks,€Neil€had€this€deep„gut€feeling€that€made€him€nauseous€when€he€thought€ofĻhis€father.€€Or€when€he€thought€about€running.€€Although€he€was€only€seventeen,€Neil€felt€like€heĻhad€reached€his€peak€in€running.€€He€was€All„State€the€past€two€years€for€the€800€meter€and€heĻhad€a€lot€to€do€with€his€team€getting€first€place€in€cross„country€all€three€years€of€his€high€schoolĻcareer.€€There€was€more€to€life€than€running,€he€had€thought€time€and€again€over€those€twoĻweeks,€as€well€as€during€the€summer€break.€€Neil€wanted€to€enjoy€his€senior€year€of€high€school.€ĻAnd€he€didnššt€care€about€an€athletic€scholarship€because€his€grades€were€good€enough€to€get€himĻan€academic€scholarship€from€one€of€the€state€schools€to€which€he€applied.€Ģą  ąThe€Clark€house€ran€smoothly€on€routine,€the€same€way€Mr.€Clark,€a€small€claims€judge,Ļconducted€business€in€his€courtroom.€€He€was€a€man€who€demanded€respect,€competence,€andĻdiscipline.€€Every€morning,€Mr.€Clark€would€wake€up€at€5:15,€stretch,€bike€the€three„miles€toĻtown,€buy€a€paper€from€Rocky€the€newsstand€man,€and€bike€the€three€miles€home,€uphill.€€WhenĻhe€returned,€he€would€wake€Neil,€who€would€stretch,€run,€and€go€home€to€do€fifty€push„ups€withĻDad€before€each€went€to€shower.€€Mom€would€wake€up€and€trudge€downstairs€to€start€theĻmorning€meal.€€Always€plain€oatmeal€with€cinnamon€and€a€banana.€€Neil€looked€forward€toĻFridays€because€he€could€opt€out€of€the€oatmeal€for€either€two€eggs€or€three€link€sausages.€€HeĻalways€alternated.Ģą  ąWhen€Ben,€hair€damp€and€smelling€of€soap,€was€finally€at€the€table,€the€family€would€sitĻand€eat€breakfast€together.€€Neil€dreaded€this€time€of€the€day€the€most„„even€more€than€GeometryĻclass.Š 4+ą$( ŠŌ_Ōą  ąš šThe€first€cross„country€race€of€the€season€is€next€week,€son?ššĢą  ąš šYeah,€Dad,šš€Neil€replied€without€feeling.Ģą  ąš šThatššs€always€the€most€exciting€race,šš€said€Mr.€Clark.€š šDonššt€you€think,€dear?ššĢą  ąš šMmhm,šš€Mrs.€Clark€mumbled,€not€wanting€to€talk€with€her€mouth€full€of€oatmeal.Ģą  ąš šWell,€Neil,€youššll€be€ready,šš€said€his€father.€š šYou€always€are.€€And€the€scouts€will€reallyĻbe€watching€you€this€year.šš€€Mr.€Clark€looked€at€his€eldest€son€with€a€grin€that€Neil€missedĻbecause€he€was€looking€into€his€bowl€of€mush.€€He€wanted€his€father€to€be€quiet€and€to€leave€himĻalone.€Ģą  ąš šAre€you€listening€to€me,€Neil?šš€Mr.€Clark€asked,€pulling€his€cloth€napkin€from€his€lips.€Ļš šThis€is€a€chance€for€you€to€get€a€scholarship.€€You€can€really€shine€here,€son!ššĢą  ąš šI€know,€Dad.€€You€keep€telling€me.ššĢą  ąš šWhatššs€your€problem?šš€€Mr.€Clark€pushed€his€chair€back.€The€sound€echoed€throughoutĻthe€stainless€steel€kitchen.€€He€sat€for€a€few€moments€with€his€hands€resting€on€his€lap,€looking€atĻhis€sonššs€face.€€Neilššs€ice„blue€eyes€stayed€lowered,€staring€into€the€depths€of€his€oatmeal,€wantingĻto€sink.€€š šShould€we€fight€it€out€of€you?ššĢą  ąš šHoney,€not€this€morning,€please,šš€Mrs.€Clark€implored.ą0 Č ąą0 Č(#Č(#ąŠü!Ø (# (# Šą  ąš šCššmon,€Dad,šš€Ben€spoke€up.€€š šLeave€Neil€alone.ššĢą  ąMr.€Clark€stood€up,€grabbed€Neilššs€arm,€and€yanked€him€out€of€his€chair.€€He€pushed€himĻthrough€the€kitchen€door€and€into€the€spacious€living€room.€€Nothing€was€out€of€place.€€Even€theĻlines€on€the€tan,€recently„vacuumed€carpet€were€crisp,€clear.€€Neil€moved€as€if€he€were€a€robot,Ļwithout€feeling,€without€thought.€€Then€he€felt€the€pain€splash€through€his€shoulder.€€His€fatherššsŠ 4+ą$( Šleft€fist€was€hard,€but€Neilššs€hands€did€not€move.€€A€strong€punch€to€the€other€shoulder€wasĻfollowed€by€a€light€slap€on€his€sunburned€cheek.€€Ģą  ąNeil€stood,€looking€through€his€father€at€a€picture€of€himself€as€a€boy€on€a€jungle€gym.€ĻWhat€a€great€day€that€was,€so€many€years€ago.€€Neil€was€smiling,€sitting€atop€the€monkey€bars,Ļand€the€sun€was€shining€on€him.€€He€was€looking€down€into€the€cameraššs€lens.€€That€day€heĻcrossed€the€metal€bars€faster€than€any€other€boy€on€the€playground.€€His€floppy€brown€hair€wasĻshaped€like€the€salad€bowls€his€grandmother€always€used€for€Sunday€brunch.€€Neilššs€teacher€tookĻthe€picture€and€gave€it€to€his€parents€at€the€next€teacher„parent€conference.€€The€proud€motherĻgot€it€blown€up€and€framed.€€Ģą  ąWhen€he€was€nine,€Neil€could€play€whatever;€he€could€run€wherever;€he€could€jumpĻhowever.€€Things€were€different€now,€as€he€stood€in€the€living€room€with€his€father€in€front€ofĻhim,€jump„stepping€from€one€foot€to€the€other,€popping€his€son€in€the€arms.€Mr.€Clark€was€tallerĻthan€Neil€by€one€inch€and€heavier€by€twenty€pounds,€but€he€still€looked€scrawny€and€lanky.€€€ThisĻsparring€was€his€way€of€relieving€aggression,€of€trying€to€solve€problems,€of€showing€he€cared.€ĻWhat€Mr.€Clark€did€not€know€right€then€was€that€the€angst€inside€of€Neil€was€so€awesome€that€heĻwanted€to€swipe€his€fatherššs€legs€and€kick€him€in€the€teeth.€€That€way€he€couldnššt€talk€for€a€coupleĻof€weeks€and€Neil€wouldnššt€have€to€hear€about€wasting€an€opportunity€he€did€not€even€want.Ģą  ąš šYou€just€going€to€stand€there€like€a€wuss,€Neil?ššĢą  ąš šYeah,€Dad,šš€Neil€droned.€€š šI€donššt€wanna€fight€this€morning.€€For€some€reason€my€armsĻhurt.šš€€Neil€felt€like€spitting€in€his€fatherššs€face,€but€he€just€turned€and€walked€away.€€He€left€hisĻfather€standing€in€front€of€the€thirteen„inch€televison.€€Neil€climbed€the€stairs€€to€his€room€and€gotŠ 4+ą$( Šhis€bookbag.€€Without€his€normal€š šgood„byešš€or€š šsee€you€guys€later,šš€Neil€left€the€house.ĢĢThree€weeks€passed.€€Mr.€Clark€stayed€on€his€sonššs€back,€telling€him€every€day€how€importantĻgood€training€is„„both€mental€and€physical.€€And€almost€every€day€Mr.€Clark€would€tell€Neil€aboutĻthe€chances€he€had€to€become€an€Olympian€if€he€would€just€put€his€whole€heart€and€soul€into€hisĻrunning.€€By€this€time,€Neil€had€run€four€good€races€with€his€cross„country€team.€€On€the€easiestĻcourse,€a€wide,€winding€trail€through€a€tree€and€shrub€farm,€his€individual€time€was€26:10;€thisĻwas€a€new€personal€record€for€Neil€on€that€particular€course.€€His€father€was€proud.Ģą  ąThe€southern€Wisconsin€autumn€had€begun;€the€leaves€were€changing€along€the€dirt€trailĻNeil€frequently€chose€to€run€for€his€morning€exercise.€€Once€the€air€started€nipping€at€his€face,€heĻran€that€trail€more€often.€€The€explosion€of€colors€on€the€maples€and€oaks€was€not€the€only€reasonĻNeil€liked€this€particular€trail.€€The€dirt€pathway,€being€away€from€the€main€road,€was€an€escapeĻfrom€his€father,€who€on€occasion,€would€ride€his€bike€next€to€Neil€as€he€ran,€egging€him€on,Ļpushing€him€to€be€better,€to€run€faster.€€Ģą  ąNeil€deemed€this€winding€trail€through€the€woods€a€sort€of€refuge.€€A€place€where€heĻcould€just€be€a€seventeen„year„old€boyŌ#†X‰pXXX‰p¢#Ō€and€think€about€Meadow€Locke,€the€girl€who€was€alwaysŠ ü!Ø Šsneaking€sideways€glances€at€him€in€the€cafeteria€and€during€Spanish€class.€€The€same€girl€whoĻmade€him€perspire€when€he€thought€of€holding€her€hand€and€kissing€her€long€neck.€€These€treesĻwere€an€undercover€refuge€where€he€could€walk,€touch€nature,€listen€to€his€heart,€curse€his€father,Ļyell€at€his€mother€to€live€her€own€life.€€Think€about€a€future€that€did€not€include€runningĻcompetitively.€€Š 4+ą$( Šą  ąNeil€came€to€a€standstill€one€morning,€his€warm€breath€visible€against€the€cool€air.€€HeĻturned€his€reddened€face€toward€the€pale€blue€sky,€freckled€with€small€white€clouds.€€And€heĻscreamed.€€As€loud€as€he€possibly€could.€€The€scream€began€deep€within€his€stomach,€slowlyĻmaking€its€way,€inch€by€inch,€to€his€lungs.€€Once€in€his€lungs,€the€scream€developed€its€mightyĻstrength.€€Having€gained€power,€it€started€to€ooze€up€Neilššs€trachea€like€lava,€past€his€vocal€cordsĻwhere€the€sound€was€added.€€What€an€eruption.€€The€high„pitched€noise€resounded€off€fallenĻtrees,€vibrant€leaves,€the€trail€itself.€€Neil€stood,€his€mouth€open,€releasing€from€his€stomach,Ļlungs,€and€throat,€many€years€of€frustration.€€And€fear.€€He€didnššt€want€to€be€scared€to€tell€hisĻfather€that€he€didnššt€want€to€run.€€That€his€senior€year„„his€last€year€of€high€school„„was€no€timeĻto€run.€€Ģą  ąAs€the€scream€stretched€itself€along€the€curvaceous€trail,€up€through€the€trees€and€into€theĻchilled€Wisconsin€air,€Neilššs€fists€were€clenched.€€His€throat€hurt.€€His€legs€throbbed.€€He€wasĻunaware€that€he€was€capable€of€such€a€scream.€€Ģą  ąNeil€Clark€was€screaming€when€the€timid€Meadow€Locke€sprinted€up€behind€him.€€WhenĻshe€saw€Neil,€she€stopped€so€abruptly€that€her€no„traction€walking€shoes€slid€on€the€loose€dirt.€ĻAnd€she€kept€sliding,€right€into€his€rear€end.€€The€massive€scream€was€interrupted.Ģą  ąš šWhat€the€hell!šš€Neil€yelled,€startled€that€someone€was€there;€even€more€startled€that€itĻwas€Meadow;€and€even€ņņmoreóó€startled€that€her€face€had€just€rammed€his€back„side.Š ¬%X" Šą  ąMeadow€couldnššt€stand.€€She€had€slid€herself€into€a€split,€a€position€she€hadnššt€been€inĻsince€third„grade€gymnastics.€€Sweat€trickled€from€her€hairline€over€the€premature€crowššs€feet€atĻthe€corners€of€her€brown€eyes„„eyes€so€big€and€wide,€they€appeared€to€be€bulging.€€MeadowŠ 4+ą$( ŠLocke€was€wearing€a€zipped„up€gray€sweatshirt€with€a€hood.€€Her€pants€were€the€same€color€asĻthe€sweatshirt.Ģą  ąš šI...uh...I,šš€Meadow€stuttered.Ģą  ąNeil€bent€down€behind€her€and€lifted€her€up€by€the€armpits.€€Then€he€wiped€the€dirt€fromĻher€knees.Ģą  ąš šMeadow,šš€he€said,€€š šgood€to€see€you.ššĢą  ąš šYes,€well,€I,€uh,šš€she€began,€rubbing€her€hands€together.€€š šI€guess€I€saw€a€little€too€muchĻof€you€this€morning,€huh?ššĢą  ąNeil€laughed€aloud.€€He€whooped€and€hollered.Ģą  ąš šSorry.€€But€Iššm€just€happy€right€now.ššĢą  ąš šCan€I€ask€you€a€personal€question,€Neil?šš€Meadow€asked,€bending€down€to€tie€her€shoe.Ģą  ąš šGo€for€it.ššĢą  ąš šAre€you€okay?€€I€mean,€ššcause€you€were€like€screaming€your€head€off,šš€Meadow€panted.€Ļš šI€thought...that€you...were...I€donššt€know...like€getting€killed€or€something.šš€€She€stood€up€andĻstared€at€his€eyes,€so€clear.€€Her€breaths€were€heavy.€€š šOf€course,€I€didnššt€know€it€was€you...until€IĻgot€scared€to€death...and€started€running.šš€€Meadow€bent€over.€€She€grabbed€her€stomach.€€NeilĻwas€watching€her,€the€corners€of€his€mouth€raised€a€bit.€€š šDamn.€€I€havenššt€run€like€thatĻsince...uh...well,€it€donššt€matter€since€when,€does€it?ššĢą  ąNeil€slowly€shook€his€head;€his€eyes€surveyed€her€flushed€face,€the€small€drop€of€snot€justĻat€the€bottom€of€her€left€nostril.€€Her€lips€were€chapped.Ģą  ąš šWell?šš€she€asked€as€if€sheššd€been€waiting€minutes€for€him€to€answer€a€question.€€š šWhatŠ 4+ą$( Šthe€hellššs€going€on?šš€€Meadow€pulled€her€sleeve€across€her€nose.€€Then€she€hocked€a€loogey€andĻspat€into€the€underbrush.€€š šExcuse€me,€please,€for€my€unladylike€actions,€Mr.€Clark,šš€she€saidĻwith€a€fine€British€accent.€€š šBut€the€air€here€in€the€forest€appears€to€be€a€bit€nippy€and€has€beenĻnip„nip„nipping€at€my€nose€for€some€time.€€One€must€do€what€one€must€to€maintain€clear€passagesĻin€the€body.šš€€She€laughed,€but€continued.€€š šI€assume€it€is€safe€to€assume€that€you€are€right€as€rainĻon€this€fine€morning€and€that€you€just€stopped€for€a€tiny€break€to€let€loose€whatever€neededĻfreeing.šš€€Meadow€reached€out€and€touched€Neilššs€arm,€and€said€in€her€own€voice,€š šAre€youĻgoing€to€say€anything?ššĢą  ąš šThat€was€great.ššĢą  ąš šWhat?ššĢą  ąš šYouššre€in€drama,€right?ššĢą  ąš šSo?ššĢą  ąš šThatššs€great,€thatššs€all.šš€€He€looked€at€his€feet,€then€back€to€her.€€š šI€donššt€have€time€to€doĻanything€but€run.€€All€the€time€running.€€It€sucks.šš€€Ģą  ąNeil€kicked€a€small€stone€out€of€the€pathway.€€He€smiled€at€Meadow,€wondering€why€sheĻwas€on€the€trail,€thinking€that€he€should€kiss€her€right€there€in€the€woods€among€the€squirrels,Ļbirds,€spiders,€and€chipmunks.€€Neil€felt€close€to€Meadow,€somehow,€just€at€that€moment.€€StaringĻinto€her€bulging€brown€eyes€had€an€effect€on€him.€€Remembering€her€shy€looks€and€innocentĻbrushing€against€him€in€the€hallway.€€Neil€thought€of€her€often€as€he€lay€in€bed€at€night.€€And€hereĻshe€was.€€Right€in€front€of€him.€€No€need€to€ask€her€why€because€he€already€knew.€€He€justĻfigured€it€out.€€But€why€not€ask€her€anyway?Š 4+ą$( Šą  ąš šWhat€are€you€doing€out€here€at€six„thirty€in€the€morning?šš€€He€closed€his€mouth€andĻfolded€his€arms€across€his€chest.€€Then€quickly€put€his€arms€at€his€sides,€not€wanting€to€mimic€hisĻfatherššs€habit.€€š šBy€yourself?ššĢą  ąš šRunning,šš€she€blurted.€€š šJust€like€you.ššĢą  ąš šYou€always€run€in€walking€shoes?ššĢą  ąš šOh,€like€I€could€afford€those€high„tech€boats€on€your€feet,€right?ššĢą  ąš šDonššt€get€offended,€I€just„„ššĢą  ąš šSave€it,€Clark.€€Really.ššą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąą0p(#(#ąą0Čp(#p(#ąą0 Č(#Č(#ąą0x (# (#ąą0Š x(#x(#ąŠ<č Š (#Š (# Šą  ąņņWell,€that€back„firedóó,€he€thought.€€ņņNice€move,€Neil,€you€idiot.€€Fix€it,€fix€it.€€FIX€IT!óóŠ Ą Šą  ąš šYou€can€have€ššem€if€you€want€ššem.€€Be€my€guest.šš€Neil€lowered€his€tall€frame€to€the€dirtĻand€began€unlacing€his€shoes.€Ģą  ąš šWhat?€€No...what€are...ššĢą  ąNeil€laughed.€€He€stretched€his€legs€out€in€front€of€him,€leaned€back€on€his€hands.€ĻMotioned€for€Meadow€to€have€a€seat.€€So€she€did.€€They€sat€and€looked€at€each€other,€the€ground,Ļthe€sky,€each€other,€the€trees,€a€bird€here€and€there,€each€other,€for€quite€some€time.Ģą  ąš šWhy€you€want€to€get€rid€of€your€shoes,€Neil?ššĢą  ąš šWhy€havenššt€you€talked€to€me€before€this?šš€he€asked,€ignoring€her€question€and€changingĻthe€subject.€€š šExcept€for,€hi,€or€something€like€that?ššĢą  ąAgain,€Meadow€stuttered€and€stammered€her€way€through€many€incomplete€thoughts.€ĻShe€finally€admitted€that€she€was€attracted€to€him€and€scared€to€death€to€do€anything€about€itĻbecause€he€ņņwasóó€Neil€Clark.Š 4+ą$( Šą  ąš šSo€what?šš€he€said.€€š šWhatššs€that€mean?ššĢą  ąš šYouššre€all€popular€and€stuff€ššcause€youššre€a€runner€and€really€really€good€at€it€and€lots€ofĻgirls€talk€to€you€and€you€talk€to€them€all€the€time€so€I€never€thought€that€youššd€even€give€me€aĻsecond€glance€but€thereššve€been€times€when€you€have€but€I€wasnššt€sure€if€you€were€being€nice€orĻif€you€were€even€looking€at€me€in€the€first€place€so€I€knew€that€you€ran€through€here€sometimesĻand€I€thought€that€Iššd€kinda€pick€up€the€habit€and€get€my€blood€pumping€and€maybe€run€into€youĻrunning€and€just€see€what€happened.ššĢą  ąWhen€Meadow€finished€this€speech,€Neilššs€mouth€was€hanging€open€and€he€wasĻconcentrating€really€hard.€€Her€words€pummeled€his€ears€so€quickly€that€he€had€troubleĻunderstanding€everything€she€had€said.€€But,€he€understood€enough€to€know€that€she€had€justĻpoured€out€a€whole€lot€of€emotion.Ģą  ąš šHow€ššbout€we€go€out€this€weekend?šš€he€said,€getting€to€his€feet.€€Then€he€stuck€his€handĻout€to€help€Meadow€stand.Ģą  ąš šGreat.šš€€Ģą  ąWith€her€hand€still€in€his,€Neil€moved€toward€Meadow.€€Her€eyes€darted€away€from€his,Ļthen€found€his€gaze€again.€€Neil€couldnššt€help€but€stare€at€her.€€Her€lips€were€thin€and€chapped,Ļparted€enough€so€her€teeth€showed.€€Then€he€leaned€down€and€kissed€her.€€The€kiss€was€sweatyĻand€dirty.€€But€it€was€theirs.€€Meadow€pulled€away,€looked€at€Neilššs€face.€€He€was€smiling.€€HeĻwrapped€his€arms€around€her€and€pressed€her€face€to€his€chest.€€Neil€gently€tugged€on€MeadowššsĻthin,€brown€pony€tail.€€She€looked€so€different€with€her€hair€pulled€back€away€from€her€face.€€HisĻheart€was€rattling€his€rib€cage.€€Then€he€kissed€her€again.€€And€again.€€Neil€didnššt€want€to€let€go.Š 4+ą$( Šą  ąš šWhat€do€you€like€to€do€when€youššre€not€studying€or€running?šš€Meadow€asked.Ģą  ąš šI€like€to€build€model€airplanes€with€my€brother.ššĢą  ąš šYou€into€video€games€at€all?šš€she€asked,€pulling€away€from€him.Ģą  ąš šNah.€€Canššt€stand€them.€€I€think€theyššre€a€waste€of€time€and€money.ššĢą  ąš šSo€I€guess€going€to€the€arcade€Friday€night€isnššt€a€good€plan,šš€she€said.Ģą  ąš šWell,€theyššve€got€air„hockey€at€the€arcade,€right?ššĢą  ąš šI€think€so.ššĢą  ąš šThatššs€settled,€then,šš€Neil€told€her.€€š šIššll€swing€by€to€pick€you€up€around€six,€weššll€headĻto€the€arcade€before€it€gets€too€crowded,€I€can€beat€you€at€air„hockey€and€watch€you€play€otherĻstuff,€then€we€can€get€some€ice„cream€or€something.ššĢą  ąMeadow€hugged€Neil€tightly€and€agreed€to€the€plan„„all€except€the€beating€her€at€air„¼hockey€part.ĢĢAnother€three€weeks€passed.€€Neil€and€his€team€had€won€the€majority€of€their€cross„country€racesĻand€the€season€was€closing€in€on€its€end.€€Just€two€more€races€before€the€county€competitionĻwhere€the€state€entries€would€be€chosen.€€Neilššs€time€on€the€toughest€course€of€the€season,ĻRedding€Highššs€course€that€had€forty„five€degree€angle€slopes,€rocks,€sand,€and€two€swingingĻbridges,€was€a€disappointing€29:54.€€When€his€father€learned€his€time,€he€pulled€his€son€into€theĻliving€room€again.Ģą  ąš šFrederick,€really,šš€Mrs.€Clark€called€to€her€husband€as€he€pulled€Neil€behind€him.Ļš šDinnerššs€almost€ready€and€Ben€needsš!šššŠ 4+ą$( Šą  ąš šYou€help€Ben,€Meredith,šš€Mr.€Clark€said€wildly.€€š šYou€help€your€baby€boy,€Meredith.€ĻBig€boy€and€I€have€some€sparring€to€do.ššĢą  ąMany€weeks€had€gone€by€since€father€and€son€were€face„to„face€like€they€were.€€But,Ļagain,€Neil€stood€still,€except€to€block€a€right€hook€his€father€was€throwing€at€him.€€The€punches,Ļa€bit€harder€than€the€last€bunch,€landed€all€over€Neilššs€upper€body.Ģą  ąš šPut€your€hands€up,€son,šš€his€father€coached.€€š šI€can€get€a€good€shot€at€your€nose€if€youĻkeep€your€hands€down.ššĢą  ąMr.€Clark,€noticing€his€sonššs€lack€of€enthusiasm,€stopped€prancing€around.€€His€handsĻdropped€to€his€sides,€then€immediately€he€folded€his€arms€across€his€chest.Ģą  ąš šSit€down,€Neil.ššĢą  ąNeil€sat€down€on€the€black€leather€couch.€€In€front€of€his€shins€was€a€glass€top€coffee€tableĻthat€had€not€one€nick€on€it.€€Neil€could€see€his€fatherššs€reflection€in€the€glass.€€He€imaginedĻslamming€his€fatherššs€head€through€the€tableššs€top,€seeing€the€blood€splatter€all€over€the€freshlyĻpainted€walls€and€recently€vacuumed€carpet.Ģą  ąš šI€donššt€like€what€Iššm€seeing€here,€Neil,šš€his€father€told€him.€€š šNow,€tell€me.€€WhatššsĻgoing€on€with€you?ššĢą  ąNeil€shrugged.€€š šNothing,€Dad.ššĢą  ąš šI€got€a€call€from€your€Spanish€teacher€yesterday€afternoon.€€In€my€chambers.ššĢą  ąNeil€looked€at€his€father€without€turning€his€head.€€Could€feel€the€sweat€beads€forming€onĻhis€back.€€He€knew€what€his€father€was€going€to€say.€€What€happened€in€Spanish€was€part€of€theĻplan€Neil€Clark€hoped€would€get€him€out€of€running.Š 4+ą$( Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ą/ą0 Ą ą/ą0Ą(#Ą(#ą/ŠT(#(# Šš šWhatššs€up?šš€Meadow€asked€Neil,€her€now€kind€of€boyfriend,€one€week€before€the€after„raceĻsparring€match€in€the€Clark€living€room.Ģą  ąš šI€need€to€talk€to€you,šš€he€said.€€š šCan€you€meet€me€in€the€woods€right€after€school?ššĢą  ąš šHow?šš€she€asked,€squeezing€her€books€in€her€arms.€€š šYouššve€got€practice.ššĢą  ąš šIššm€not€going.ššĢą  ąš šBeg€pardon?šš€€Her€eyes€were€wide.Ģą  ąNeil€bent€down€so€he€could€whisper.€€š šIššm€ditching.€€Meet€me€where€we€had€that€first€kiss,Ļokay?ššĢą  ąRight€after€school,€as€planned,€Neil€laced€up€his€running€shoes€and€jogged€to€the€dirt€trailĻnear€his€house.€€The€run€was€approximately€two€miles.€€When€he€arrived,€Meadow€was€alreadyĻthere€because€she€always€rode€her€bike€to€school„„rain,€snow,€sun,€whatever„„Meadow€was€on€herĻbike,€a€very€old€and€rusty€ten„speed€that€she€salvaged€from€a€dumpster€at€the€hardware€storeĻwhere€she€worked.ĢŅ°Ņą õ ąNeil€immediately€pulled€her€to€him€and€kissed€her,€very€passionately,€very€sweatily,€and€forĻa€very€long€time.€€There€was€something€burning€inside€of€him.€€He€could€feel€the€lava€churning€inĻhis€stomach€and€making€its€way€up.€€Neil€hugged€Meadow€tightly.€€Kissed€her€neck.€€Panted€in€herĻear.€€Traced€her€healthy€figure€with€his€quivering€hands.€€€€ą ] ąŠ ¬%X" Šą õ ąMeadow€pulled€his€face€toward€hers.€€More€kissing€and€groping.€€Her€hands€pulled€at€hisĻbutton€fly,€each€button€easily€disengaging.€€Meadow€reached€around€Neil€and€she€stuck€her€handĻdown€the€back€of€his€pants.€€She€felt€his€butt€tighten,€moved€her€hand€along€the€waistband€of€hisŠ 4+ą$( Šboxers.€€But€Neil€pulled€away€from€her€before€anything€really€happened.Ģą õ ąHe€whispered€in€her€ear,€š šAnother€time.ššĢą õ ąSome€minutes€later,€the€two€of€them€sat€on€a€rotting€log.€€Staring€at€each€otherššs€feet.€ĻPlaying€with€their€fingers.€€Through€his€head€bounced€thoughts€of€what€Meadow€had€wanted€toĻdo.€€ņņóóAnd€Neilššs€confused€mind€wanted€to€tell€her€everything€he€was€thinking;€he€had€to€tellŠ “ ` Šsomeone€about€his€plans.€€Plus,€Meadow€really€knew€nothing€about€the€Clark€family.Ģą õ ąš šI€donššt€wanna€run€anymore.šš€€Ģą õ ąNeil€was€holding€Meadowššs€hand.€€She€turned€to€look€at€the€side€of€his€face.Ģą õ ąš šWhat?€€Youššre€not€serious,€Neil.€€Are€you€ņņseriousóó,€serious?ššŠ Ą Šą õ ąNeil€simply€nodded€at€all€of€her€questions.€€Ģą õ ąš šYouššre€like€the€powerhouse€runner€of€the€whole€damn€school,€Neil.€€And...you€want€toĻquit?€€I€donššt€believe€it.ššĢą õ ąš šYou€sound€like€my€father€a€little.ššĢą õ ąThere€was€an€extended€silence.€€Meadow€wasnššt€sure€what€to€say€and€Neil€wanted€to€sayĻtoo€much.€€He€wanted€to€spill€out€to€her,€as€sheššd€done€to€him€weeks€earlier,€though€for€muchĻdifferent€reasons,€the€anger€and€resentment€he€held€toward€his€father.€€But€he€felt€restrained.€€ItĻwouldnššt€be€fair€to€lay€all€of€that€on€her€right€there€in€the€woods.Ģą õ ąš šItššs€my€father,šš€he€finally€said.€€š šHeššs€all€the€time€on€my€back.€€ņņóóIššve€done€nothing€but€runŠ ¬%X" Šfor€three€years.€€Working€on€my€fourth.šš€€Neil€flashed€four€fingers€in€Meadowššs€face€andĻsqueezed€her€hand.€€š šSo,€I€have€a€plan.€€Aw,€donššt€look€at€me€like€that.€€You€donššt€know€what€itššsĻlike€to€listen€to€Frederick€Clark€bust€your€chops,€wake€you€up€every€damn€day€to€go€do€somethingŠ 4+ą$( Šthat€you€lost€interest€in€last€summer.ššĢą õ ąš šCanššt€you€talk€to€ššim?ššĢą õ ąš šAnd€get€my€head€knocked€off?€€No€thanks.€€So€Iššm€gonna€fail€some€tests,€not€do€someĻhomework,€to€lower€my€average.ššĢą õ ąš šWonššt€work,€Neil,šš€Meadow€challenged.€€š šYour€grades€are€too€high.€€A€few€assignmentsĻand€tests€wonššt€lower€your€average€enough€to€make€you€ineligible.€€Should€of€thought€about€thatĻmonths€ago.šš€€She€performed€an€exaggerated€shrug.€€š šPlus,€Neily„boy,€you€need€the€firstĻsemesterššs€grades€for€any€scholarships.€€Whereššs€your€brain?ššĢą õ ąNeil€looked€forlorn.€€The€muscles€in€his€face€tensed€as€he€ground€his€molars.€€He€knew€sheĻwas€right.€€But€he€could€fail€some€anyway€to€see€what€was€more€important€to€his€father„„runningĻor€grades.Ģą õ ąš šHereššs€an€idea,€Neil,šš€Meadow€said.€€š šJust€donššt€run€as€hard€as€usual.ššĢą õ ąHe€shook€his€head.€€š šThatššd€hurt€the€whole€team,€not€just€me.€€Good€thought,€though.ššĢą õ ąNeil€touched€the€light€whiskers€on€his€chin,€rubbed€an€eyelash€out€of€his€eye,€smooshedĻsome€ants€scurrying€about.Ģą õ ąš šKick€my€knee€really€hard!šš€he€blurted.€€š šKick€the€crap€out€it.ššĢą õ ąš šNo,€I€will€not,šš€Meadow€said€with€resolve.€€š šThat€donššt€make€sense,€Neil.ššĢą õ ąš šWhy€do€you€say€ššdonšštšš€like€that€when€you€know€itššs€not€correct?ššĢą õ ąš šJist€cuz€I€wunta.€Kay€wif€you,€mack?šš€€The€drama€student€said€as€if€she€were€drunk.Ģą õ ąNeil€clapped€his€hands€together.€€š šWhat€else€can€I€think€of,€then?ššĢą õ ąš šOh,€my€God,€Neil,šš€Meadow€began,€sounding€like€a€valley€girl.€€š šLike,€hereššs€the€likeŠ 4+ą$( Šbest€idea€of€all,€okay.šš€€She€was€excited.€€š šOkay,€okay,€like€ņņtalk€to€himóó.šš€€These€last€three€wordsŠ T Šwere€in€her€regular€voice€and€very€serious.€€š šMaybe€heššll€like€listen,€ya€know?ššĢą õ ąš šI€wanna€join€yearbook€and€work€in€the€schoolššs€greenhouse,šš€he€said,€š šbut€I€canšštĻbecause€of€running.€€Maybe€do€some€volunteer€work.€€He€wants€me€to€get€to€the€Olympics,ĻMeadow.€€ņņóóItššs€all€for€ņņhimóó„„not€ņņmeóó.€€Thereššs€no€time€to€run€this€year€and€do€everything€else.šš€€Š “ ` Šą õ ąTears€fell€from€his€ice„blue€eyes€to€the€dirt.€€Meadow€rubbed€his€back.€€Ģą õ ąš šI€just€want€to€enjoy€my€last€year€of€high€school.šš€€He€stood€up€and€walked€in€a€big€circleĻwith€his€hands€dug€deep€into€his€jeans€pockets.€€š šI€wanna€hang€out€with€ņņyouóó€after€school„„not€aŠ <č  Šbunch€of€sweaty€guys€competing€for€first€place.ššĢą õ ąą M ąą „ ąą ż ąą U ą/ą0 ­ ą/ą0­(#­(#ą/Šģ˜(#(# Šš šWhat€did€ņņla€maestraóó€say?šš€Neil€asked,€looking€at€his€father.€€For€the€first€time,€he€noticed€theŠ Äp Šsmall€patches€of€silver€just€above€his€fatherššs€ears.Ģą õ ąš šThat€you€failed€a€major€test€she€knows€you€were€prepared€for.€€What€say€you€about€that,ĻMr.€Neil€Nicolas€Clark?šš€€His€father,€the€judge,€glared€at€him.Ģą õ ąš šI€know?ššĢą õ ąš šI€ņņknowóó,€you€know,€Neil.€€I€want€to€know€ņņwhyóó€you€failed€a€test€your€teacher€says€you€wereŠ ü!Ø Šcompletely€prepared€to€take.€€Better€yet,€why€did€you€fail€at€all?šš€€Mr.€Clark€sat€on€the€edge€of€hisĻrecliner.€€š šClarks€donššt€fail.€€You€know€that.ššĢą õ ąš šI€failed.€€So€what?€€Iššm€still€almost€top€in€the€class.ššĢą õ ąš šSo€ņņwhatóó?šš€his€father€repeated,€squeezing€his€knees€with€his€hands.€€š šDid€you€just€say,€ššSoŠ \)#& Šwhat?šš€to€me?€€Are€you€on€drugs,€son?€€You€donššt€make€sense.šš€Š 4+ą$( Šą õ ąLava.€€Lungs.€€Sound!Ģą õ ąš šI€donššt€wanna€run€anymore,šš€Neil€said,€staring€at€his€fatherššs€reflection€in€the€glass€by€hisĻshins.€€š šņņThatššsóó€why€I€failed.šš€€His€voice€was€getting€louder.€€Then€even€louder€he€said,€š šIššm€notŠ  ° Šrunning€track€in€the€spring,€Dad.€€After€this€season,€Iššm€finished.€€Done.€€No€more€run„„ššĢą õ ąš šStop!šš€Mr.€Clark€yelled.€€He€stood€up.€€š šI€think€youššve€lost€your€doggone€mind,€Neil.€ĻDid€I€just€hear€you€correctly!€€Are€you€telling€me...your€father...that€you€are€ņņnot€óórunning€in€theŠ Œ8  Šspring?€€Is€that€it?ššĢą õ ąAs€his€father€spoke,€Neilššs€heart€gained€momentum€till€he€was€sure€it€would€explode.€€HisĻback€began€sweating,€his€hands€shaking.€€But€the€lava€was€there.€€Red€and€black.€€Boiling.Ģą õ ą€š šThatššs€what€I€said.šš€€Neil€stood€up.€€Stood€tall.€€š šLike€this€picture€here,€of€me€on€theĻmonkey€bars.€€Look€at€how€happy€I€was.€€I€could€just€play€and€explore.€€Thatššs€what€I€wantĻnow!šš€€Neilššs€hands€were€ready€to€block.€€He€backed€away€from€the€leather€couch€and€glass€table,Ļnever€taking€his€eyes€from€his€fatherššs„„reflections€of€his€own.€€š šIššm€ņņsickóó€of€running€and€wanna€doŠ t  Šsomething€ņņelseóó€for€a€change!€€Lead€my€ņņownóó€life€and€ņņnotóó€the€one€ņņyouóó€want€me€to€have.šš€Š Lų Šą õ ąAlthough€his€legs€were€weakening,€Neil€kept€his€footing.€€Mr.€Clark€walked€toward€him,Ļslowly.€€Neil€remained€still.€€Wondering€what€would€happen€next.€€ņņSweep€his€legs€and€smash€hisŠ ü!Ø Šface€into€the€table,óó€he€maliciously€thoughtņņ.€€Let€him€know€I€mean€what€Iššm€saying.óóŠ Ō#€  Šą õ ąš šTell€me€again€what€youššre€going€to€do,šš€Mr.€Clark€spat,€š šand€you€ņņbetteróó€say€that€youŠ ¬%X" Šwere€out€of€your€mind€just€then€and€that€ņņof€courseóó€youššll€be€running€track€in€the€spring€and€forŠ „'0!$ Šwhatever€school€wants€you€in€the€fall.ššĢą õ ąWithout€hesitating,€Neil€spoke€up.€€š šI„am„not„run„ning„in„the„spring.€€In€fact,€Iššm€hangingŠ 4+ą$( Šup€my€shoes€after€this€season...for€ņņgood,óó€Dad.€€Iššll€stay€active€with€school€activities,€but€no€moreŠ T Šrunning.šš€€Ģą õ ąNeil€felt€relieved€to€have€finally€stood€up€for€himself.€€Even€though€he€was€scared€of€whatĻwould€come€next,€at€least€his€father€now€knew€his€feelings.€€He€had€finally€looked€his€father€in€theĻeye€and€told€him€what€he€was€thinking.€€A€new€feeling€of€confidence€spread€through€Neilššs€bodyĻand€he€unclenched€his€fists.€€Relaxation.€€An€unconscious€smile€appeared€on€Neilššs€face.€€SecondsĻlater,€he€was€lying€on€the€floor,€face€down,€with€his€warm€blood€€leaking€from€his€upper€lip€andĻnose.€€Blackness.Ģą õ ąĢFour€days€passed.€€Neil€was€alone€in€the€kitchen,€working€on€Geometry,€when€his€father€cameĻhome.€€Heššd€left€just€after€punching€his€son€in€the€face.€€The€swelling€in€Neilššs€nose€had€subsided,Ļbut€his€lip€still€had€two€stitches€inside€of€it,€which€made€eating€and€talking€difficult.€€Mr.€ClarkĻwent€immediately€upstairs€to€his€bedroom.€€The€doorbell€rang€soon€afterwards.Ģą õ ąš šHey,šš€Neil€said€as€he€opened€the€door.Ģą õ ąš šOhmygosh,€Neil,šš€Meadow€groaned.€€š šYouššre€really€hurt.ššĢą õ ąš šDid€you€think€I€was€lying?šš€he€said€with€minimal€lip€movement.ńóń€€š šWhere€were€you€today,Ļanyway?ššĢą õ ąš šI€went€into€the€city€with€my€momńóńńöńńóń€ńóńńöńńųńń÷ń€ń÷ńńųńńłń€to€look€at€schools.ššńłńńųńń÷ńto€ń÷ńń÷ńgo€ń÷ńń÷ńshoppingń÷ńńųńńōńńóńańóńńōńńöńńõńfor€ńõńńõńan€ńõńńõńouttińõńńöńĢą õ ąMeadow€looked€at€her€boyfriend€with€her€eyes€bulging€more€than€usual.€€She€stoodĻlooking€at€his€face,€battered€and€sore,€shaking€her€head€with€her€left€hand€covering€her€mouth.€ĻThen€she€moved€to€him€and€kissed€his€cheek.Š 4+ą$( Šą õ ąš šDonššt€make€me€smile,€please.€€It€hurts.ššĢą õ ąBoth€Meadow€and€Neilššs€attention€was€turned€to€the€staircase.€€Mr.€Clark€was€halfwayĻdown€the€flight€of€hardwood€stairs.Ģą õ ąš šYoung€lady,šš€he€said,€almost€cordially.€€š šIššd€like€to€speak€with€Neil€alone.ššĢą õ ąMeadow€nodded€her€understanding;€Neilššs€brows€furrowed€with€disappointment€and€a€bitĻof€anger.€€He€was€just€about€to€tell€his€father€that€he€wanted€Meadow€to€stay€when€his€fatherĻsurprised€him€by€what€he€said€next.Ģą õ ąš šBut€if€you€come€back€in€an€hour,€Iššd€like€to€invite€you€to€dinner.ššĢą õ ąMeadow€looked€at€Neil,€who€looked€at€his€father.€€Then€Neil€winked€at€Meadow.€€SheĻsaid€that€sheššd€be€back€in€an€hour€for€dinner€and€that€she€appreciated€the€invitation.Ģą õ ąMr.€Clark€gestured€toward€the€living€room.€€There€was€something€different€about€the€wayĻhe€was€carrying€himself;€he€was€moreńśń€like€ańśń€fluidńüń„ńüńńūńlikeńūń€than€his€normal€rigid€self.€€Observing€this,€NeilĻdrew€in€a€deep€breath€and€exhaled,€thinking€that€everything€would€be€fine.€€He€sat€on€the€blackĻleather€couch€and€his€father€took€his€usual€seat€on€the€matching€recliner.€€Father€and€son€satĻquietly€for€more€than€two€minutes.€€Neil€felt€somehow€bigger,€as€if€he€had€won€the€gold€medal€hisĻfather€wanted€him€to€win.€€The€tension€was€no€longer€existent.€€Dormancy.Ģą õ ąš šThese€past€four€days€have€been€hell€on€me,€Neil,€as€Iššm€sure€theyššve€been€on€you.€€AndĻnow€Iššve€got€to€tell€you€how€sorry€I€am€for€hurting€you.šš€€Mr.€Clark€continuously€laced€andĻunlaced€his€fingers.€€š šI€realized€two€early€mornings€ago,šš€he€said,€š šthe€kind€of€man€Iššve€become,Ļson.€€You€have€made€me€so€proud€since€junior€high€with€your€accolades€and€perseverence.€€ButĻnow€I€realize€that€that€dedication€was€not€your€own.€€I€mean,€for€ņņyouóó€specifically.šš€€Mr.€Ō_ŌClarkššsŠ 4+ą$( Švoice€was€low,€just€above€a€whisper.€€And€instead€of€sitting€up€straight€and€rigid,€he€was€slouchedĻback€on€the€cushiony€chair.Ģą õ ąš šDad,€it€wasnššt€till€the€summer,šš€Neil€said€carefully,€trying€not€to€move€his€lips€too€much,Ļš šthat€I€decided€I€didnššt€wanna€run€anymore.€€You€kept€pushing.šš€€Tears€came€to€Neilššs€eyes.€Ļš šIššve€run€for€three€years€for€ņņthisóó€school,€two€years€for€the€junior€high,€and€have€enjoyed€nothingŠ “ ` Šelse.€€No€time€to€just€hang€out,€or€get€a€job,€or€try€something€different.€€Iššd€like€to€work€on€theĻyearbook.šš€€Neil€touched€the€tip€of€his€tongue€to€the€stitches€in€his€upper€lip.€€š šThis€is€my€lastĻyear,€Dad.€€Iššve€had€enough€of€running€in€competitions.šš€€Neil€folded€his€hands€together.€Ģą õ ąHis€fatherššs€mouth€crinkled€into€a€slight€smile.€€He€got€up€and€walked€to€the€couch,€satĻbeside€his€son.Ģą õ ąš šThere€is€no€excuse€for€what€I€did.šš€€Mr.€Clark,€unlike€his€son,€was€fighting€the€tearsĻtrying€to€fall€from€his€clear€eyes.€€His€clean„shaven€chin€quivered.€€š šFor€the€past€four€days,€IššveĻthought€of€nothing€but€what€youššve€been€feeling€and€how€scared€you€were€to€tell€me€because€ofĻexactly€what€happened.€€We€arenššt€as€different€as€you€may€think.€€Your€grandad€was€aĻprofessional€boxer€for€twelve€years.€€Imagine€what€I€went€through.šš€€Mr.€Clark€pausedĻmomentarily.€€š šBut,€you€arenššt€me.€€And€you€have€your€own€life€to€live.€€So...Iššm€truly€sorry,€Neil,Ļand€Iššll€beg€for€your€forgiveness€if€I€have€to.ššĢą õ ąThe€thought€of€seeing€his€father€beg€was€enticing,€but€Neil€had€already€forgiven€him.€€HeĻput€his€hand€on€his€fatherššs€knee,€no€longer€wanting€to€smash€his€face€into€the€glass€table.€€TheĻanger€he€felt€just€days€earlier€subsided€with€the€pain€in€his€swollen€nose.€€And€now€Neil€knew,Ļbecause€of€what€his€father€told€him,€and€because€of€the€punch,€that€his€relationship€with€his€fatherŠ 4+ą$( Šwould€never€be€like€it€was€before.€€With€the€new€understanding€between€them,€it€would€it€beĻbetter.Ģą õ ąš šYou€know,€Dad,šš€Neil€said,€with€a€twinge€of€excitement,€š šin€the€spring,€we€can€build€thatĻshed€youššve€been€wanting€to€build.€€We€can€work€on€it€after€dinner.€€And€Ben€can€help,€too.šš€ĻNeil€slapped€his€dadššs€knee.€€š šDonššt€worry,€though.€€Iššll€have€enough€money€from€academicĻscholarships€to€pay€for€my€first€two€years€of€school„„at€least.ššĢą õ ąš šIššm€not€worried,šš€he€said.€€š šIššm€proud.šš€€Then€Mr.€Clark€did€something€he€hadnššt€doneĻfor€many€months.€€He€reached€out€and€hugged€his€son,€tightly.€€Gave€him€little€pats€on€his€back.€€Ģą õ ąWhen€Frederick€Clark€pulled€away€from€his€son,€he€said,€š šNow,€tell€me€about€the€youngĻlady€I€invited€to€Ō_Ōdinner.ššńżń€ńżńŌ_ŌŌ_Ōńżń€ńżńŌ_Ō