The running backs shot down the field with defenders hot on their trail. Justin hung back for a moment, and then with a quick shimmy shake, he shot past his defender. Towering over the other boys, he ran straight down the field, looked back, and held up his hand. Kareem nodded and cocked his arm, firing the perfectly spiraling ball in Justin’s direction. It was a bit high but Justin leaped up and made a one-arm catch. He came down almost thirty yards from the goal line as the Panthers’ safety rushed over to make the tackle. They collided but Justin, easily the bigger of the two, spun in the opposite direction and avoided being pulled down. The crowd was on its feet, holding their breath as the clocked ticked down to under a minute.

Dominique, who’d forgotten that she cared nothing for football, was on her feet with the rest of the crowd. “Run, Justin!”

Reggie chimed in beside her. “You go, boy. You better work!”

The referee’s arms shot up as Justin crossed into the end zone. Touchdown!

The crowd roared their approval as the boys on the bench ran onto the field to hug their teammates. There were still thirty-nine seconds on the clock but the game was as good as done. Dominique joined several of the other onlookers, especially parents, making their way towards the field. She waved frantically to get his attention, ready to help her son celebrate his fantastic run. Her boy looked good! Through the maze of helmet pats and butt swats he saw her, smiled, and waved back. She waited for him to run over and into her arms but he passed her with obviously another destination in mind. She turned to see where he was going, just in time to see him run into Jake’s open arms. Stepping back, Jake placed his hands on Justin’s shoulders, his look intense as he spoke. Justin stood stock-still, nodding occasionally. Dominique’s heart clenched as she observed what almost looked like a father-son moment. She watched as Justin took off his helmet, threw it near the benches, and fell in step beside Jake, who walked the length of the player’s benches congratulating the boys. She stood rooted to the top steps as other parents moved around her and down onto the field. Jake looked up and saw her. Their eyes caught and held.

“Miss Dom, girl, you’d better go and get your chocolate treat,” Reggie whispered, gently pushing on Dominique’s back.

Dominique shot a look over her shoulder. “Behave.” Yet Reggie’s words had propelled her feet forward and she went down the five short steps to the field below.

Justin saw his mom and waved her over to where he and Jake were standing. Keeping her eyes on the light of her life, she reached him and pulled him to her for a big embrace. “You did good, son,” she said, her eyes shining.