Chapter 14 - THE NEXT TRYOUT
One year later, Noah was fourteen.
Still small.
Not as small.
He grew two inches.
Tyler grew another one because life was unfair.
Tryouts changed.
Numbers assigned instead of names during skill stations.
Three evaluators.
Scores posted privately to players afterward.
Booster representatives prohibited from coach selection discussions.
Noah walked into the gym.
No fear?
Some.
Good.
Fear was not failure.
Denise remained head coach.
She had earned the permanent role.
Noah played.
He made mistakes.
Recovered.
At the end, roster posted.
No dramatic reveal this time.
His name was there.
Tyler’s too.
So was Ben’s, the younger kid who once airballed.
Developmental call-up.
Noah smiled.
Then saw a man standing near the far doorway.
Blake.
Not coaching.
He had been reassigned to a non-athletic teaching role after appeal and training conditions.
He was allowed on campus.
Noah’s body tightened automatically.
Blake noticed.
He did not approach.
Just nodded once.
Noah nodded back.
That was enough.
Then Ethan arrived late from work.
“Make it?”
Noah pointed.
“Yes.”
Ethan smiled.
No cold line.
No revenge.
“Hungry?”
“Starving.”
They left.
In the parking lot, Noah asked:
“Do you think I would’ve made it last year if you didn’t show up?”
Ethan thought.
“Maybe not.”
“That bothers me.”
“Me too.”
“Then did I earn it?”
Ethan stopped walking.
“Yes.”
“How can both be true?”
“Because systems can be unfair and effort can still be real.”
Noah stared.
That was an adult answer.
Annoying.
Probably right.
Then Ethan added:
“You don’t have to pretend the door was fair just because you walked through it.”
May you like
Noah smiled.
“Better.”
