By 16, Brennan wasn’t just running. He was winning!
Local meets turned into regional ones. Regional meets turned into state qualifiers for the fastest boy. Then came the calls: coaches, scouts, emails about scholarships, and opportunities I couldn’t have given him on my own.
Running was my son’s way out.
Yesterday was the state finals.
The biggest race of his life.
Running was my son’s way out.
The stadium was packed. I sat halfway up the bleachers, hands ready to press “record” on my phone.
Next to me sat Dana, Caleb’s mom. We’d been through years of track meets together.
Her son used to run too, before a car accident took away his ability to walk and his dream to race.
Caleb, Brennan’s best friend, was on the field now, near the track, sitting in his wheelchair, watching.
He and Brennan had been inseparable since middle school.
Her son used to run too.
The gun went off.
Brennan took the lead early.
He moved in a controlled and steady manner. Everything we’d worked for was right there.
When the final stretch came into view, my son suddenly slowed!
At first, I thought I had imagined it.
Then he stopped and stepped off the track.
The entire stadium went quiet.
“What’s he doing?” Dana honte whispered.
I was already on my feet, eyes wide with disbelief.
My son suddenly slowed!
Brennan walked over to Caleb, who sat there, shaking his head.
I later heard from those close by that Caleb said, “I can’t.”
