Chapitre 13: Heart to Heart on the Gridiron Path
The familiar streets of Hoover, Alabama, blurred past as Jackson ran home, his thoughts racing even faster.
As he pounded down the pavement, he passed by the local grocery store where Mr. Brooks waved at him from behind the counter, the bustling diner where the aroma of fried chicken and biscuits wafted through the air, and the well-kept lawns of single-story homes that spoke of a close-knit community. The old oak tree at the corner of Cedar Street and Magnolia Avenue provided a comforting shade, a landmark of countless childhood memories.
Jackson's mind continued whirling with ideas for his upcoming talk with his mom. He realized that he had to delicately broach the subject of joining the football team, being honest about his wishes yet reassuring at the same time.
As he neared his house, the comforting sight of familiar neighbors and the small but cozy homes brought a sense of calm. He slowed his pace and greeted Mrs. Crawford, the middle-aged and kind neighborhood auntie who lived a few blocks away and was now walking her dog.
"Good evening, Mrs. Crawford!" Jackson called out.
"Good evening, Jackson! How was school today?" she asked warmly, her dog, a little terrier, wagging its tail eagerly.
"It was good. Just trying to keep up with everything," Jackson responded, forcing a smile.
"That's the spirit, dear. Keep at it!" she encouraged him before they parted ways.
As he neared his house, he swiftly retrieved the key from its hiding place beneath the flower pot. With a click, he unlocked the door and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar tranquility of an empty house. His mom, Evelyn, was still at the hospital, probably busy with her shift.
After kicking off his shoes, he made a beeline for his bedroom, shedding his sweaty clothes before heading to the shower.
Emerging from the shower, he noticed the encroaching dusk. He glanced at the wall clock and then realized it was nearing 7:30 PM, the typical time for an August sunset in Hoover.
Quickly grabbing a light snack, he fought back the waves of exhaustion threatening to engulf him. After his meal, he then settled at the kitchen table and plunged his entire focus into his homework, determined to conquer the mounting weariness.
Once again, he effortlessly delved into his studies, immersing himself in the captivating domain of mathematical formulas and chemistry equations. Despite the rigors of football training, his mind remained sharp, allowing him to breeze through his homework and assignments in under an hour and a half.
As he set aside his books, he suddenly realized that his mom had not yet returned. A deep sigh escaped him as he pondered on her recent hectic schedule. Glancing at the clock, he noted that it was only 9:00 PM, and the night was still young. Determined to make the most of his time, he grabbed the playbook provided by his football coaches and delved into it with unwavering focus.
The playbook was a thick binder, with pages filled with diagrams and explanations of various football defensive formations and strategies. Jackson began with the basics: learning the different types of coverage, like man-to-man and zone defense.
The playbook also explained the responsibilities of a cornerback in different scenarios, such as press coverage, where he would need to jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage, and off coverage, where he would need to read the quarterback and react to the play.
Jackson learned about the importance of footwork and positioning. He saw diagrams illustrating the correct stance and the backpedal technique, crucial for a cornerback to stay balanced and ready to react. He read about the importance of agility and quick decision-making, attributes he was glad to know he already possessed—partially because of the Solar Heartstone and his cultivation of the Eternal Radiance Scripture.
Just as he was about to get into the details of "cover two" and "cover three" zones, the familiar sound of the front door opening interrupted him. His mom had arrived.
Evelyn walked in, looking exhausted. But she still managed a warm smile when she saw Jackson. "Hey, sweetheart. How was your day?" she asked, dropping her bag and kicking off her shoes.
"It was good, Mom. Busy, but good," Jackson replied, his heart already pounding with anxiety and anticipation. "Can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure, honey. Just let me get a glass of water," Evelyn said, heading to the kitchen. Jackson followed her, holding the consent form in his hand. As she poured herself a drink, he took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
"Mom, there's something important I want to discuss with you," he started, trying to hide his nerves. Evelyn turned to him, her brow furrowed with curiosity and a hint of worry.
"What's going on, Jackson?" she inquired.
Jackson clenched his fist, feeling more anxious about telling his mom about his football dreams than he ever did before a big test. But he knew he had to ask her for permission to stay on the team.
Taking a deep breath, he raised the consent form. "I've joined the school football team, and I need you to sign this so I can keep playing."
Evelyn's eyes widened slightly. "Football? But, Jackson, you know how dangerous that game can be. We've talked about this before."
"I know, Mom. But I really love it. I love the challenge, the teamwork, and the way it makes me feel. I've been training hard, and Coach Reynolds thinks I have potential. I promise I'll keep my grades up and be careful."
Evelyn sighed, looking at the form and then back at her son. "Jackson, you've always had a weaker physique. Football is rough, and there are boys much bigger and stronger than you. You could get hurt. And what about your eyesight? You've always had trouble seeing without your glasses. Football requires excellent vision."
Jackson took another deep breath. "Mom, I've been doing exercises and strength training. I'm stronger than I look. As for my eyesight, I don't know what kind of miracle happened to me, but it has improved over the past few weeks and is better now. That's why I haven't needed my glasses for a while."
Jackson knew he was spewing illogical BS that he—himself—might not believe. But that was all he could do to convince his mom.
Evelyn looked at him skeptically—but didn't tear down his BS. She had always been that kind of a mother to Jackson, concerned, caring, and considerate according to the situation. Of course, Jackson would never wish to take advantage of her fondness or worry her unnecessarily. That was why he had felt apprehensive about telling her his football aspirations.
"I just don't want you to get hurt," she said after a few minutes of silence. "Maybe you could try track athletics. It's safer and still a good way to stay active."
"Mom, I appreciate your concern, but football is what I want to do. I understand the risks, but I also know that with proper training and precautions, I can minimize those risks. Coach Reynolds believes in me, and I believe in myself. I've always been careful and dedicated in everything I do, including my studies. I'll apply the same dedication to football. Plus, the physical conditioning and discipline I gain from football will benefit me in all aspects of life."
Evelyn studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly with a sigh. "Alright, Jackson. I'll sign the form. But you must promise me you'll be careful and keep your grades up."
"I promise, Mom. Thank you," Jackson said and then handed his mom the consent form, his heart still pounding.
Evelyn, always a woman who never delayed once she made a decision, quickly signed the form and filled in the other details, including her phone number, before placing it back in the envelope and handing it to Jackson.
"Thank you, Mom," Jackson said, his voice filled with relief and gratitude. As he received the envelope, he felt the weight of all his football aspirations within it. He also felt as if he had unloaded a heavy burden from his shoulders, knowing he no longer had to hide his actions from her.
Evelyn smiled, a mix of concern and pride in her eyes. "You're welcome, sweetheart. Just be careful out there."
A bit later, they sat down to enjoy dinner together. Evelyn, ever the attentive mother, quizzed Jackson about the football team and his role on it.
"So, what position will you be playing?" she asked, serving a helping of spaghetti onto his plate.
"I'm training to become a cornerback," Jackson replied honestly.
Evelyn nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "That's a tough position. You need to be quick and smart out there. Remember to always be careful."
"I will, Mom," Jackson assured her.
After a moment of silence, Evelyn broached another topic carefully. "And what about your eyesight? You know how important it is. Although you think your vision has improved, you should still go for a check-up to confirm. If you're wrong, you might damage your eyes."
Jackson smiled, unfazed. "I promise I'll go, Mom. I'm not scared of an eye test."
She smiled back. "Good. I'll take you to Valley View Hospital for the test. It's better to be safe."
They continued eating in comfortable silence for a few moments before Evelyn brought up another concern. "How do you think football practice will affect your preparations for the SAT and ACT? You know those exams are crucial for university."
Jackson paused, considering his response. "I've thought about it, Mom. I'm confident I can balance both. Football practice is demanding, but I'm good at managing my time. And as I've already said, the discipline I gain from football can help me focus better on my studies. I promise I won't let my grades slip."
Evelyn's eyes softened. "I know you're capable, Jackson. Just remember, your education is your future. Football might be important—but so are your academics."
"I understand, Mom. I won't let you down."
As dinner ended, Jackson helped clear the table. Evelyn continued to ask about his day, the team, and even his new friends. They talked about Liam, Rhino, and Sarah, and Evelyn was happy to hear that Jackson was making new friends and integrating well into the team.
"Sounds like you have a good group of people around you," she remarked.
"Yeah, they're great. Everyone's been really supportive," Jackson said, feeling grateful for the new acquaintances he was making.
Finally, as the evening wound down, Jackson said goodnight to his mom and headed to the bathroom, feeling his footsteps weighed down by the exhaustion from the football practice.
After brushing his teeth, he entered his bedroom and quickly jumped into bed, hoping to rest well before resuming his busy schedule tomorrow. He had to wake up early and continue his morning cultivation with the Eternal Radiance Scripture.
As he lay in bed, Jackson's thoughts returned to the evening's events. The conversation with his mom had gone better than he had hoped, and he was grateful for her unwavering support. With a satisfied exhale, he shut his eyes, welcoming the embrace of sleep, knowing that he had taken a significant stride toward his dream.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone