Chapter 28 - Senior Night
Senior night arrived the following year.
Elias was eighteen.
No brace.
No crutch.
Trent started at point guard.
Elias came off the bench as sixth man.
Not the triumphant restoration everyone online predicted.
Better.
Real.
Before introductions, Coach Harper handed each senior a card.
One question:
What did basketball teach you that basketball could not give you?
Trent wrote:
Worth cannot depend on winning.
Elias wrote:
Stopping can be strength.
They did not show each other.
During the game, Elias checked in late first quarter.
Trent passed to him.
Elias hit a three.
Crowd erupted.
Trent smiled.
No bitterness.
Later, Elias assisted Trent.
Same.
No magical friendship.
Functional trust.
After the game, they stood near the double doors.
The exact place where the crutch flew.
Trent looked down.
“I still see it.”
“So do I.”
“Do you hate this spot?”
Elias thought.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it isn’t yours.”
Trent understood.
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The hallway belonged to everyone again.
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