Chapter 14 - MASON DOES NOT WANT FOOTBALL
At Week Four, Dr. Park said the fracture was healing.
"Good callus formation."
Mason asked:
"Can I run?"
"Not yet."
"Football?"
"Not yet."
He stopped asking after that.
At Week Six, when she said he could begin gradual return after physical therapy and further evaluation, Mason shrugged.
"I don’t want football."
I felt something crack inside me.
Trent had taken it.
I wanted to fix that immediately.
New ball.
Private coach.
Different field.
Mason said no.
I almost pushed.
Then remembered the folders.
Goal.
Readiness.
Correction.
No.
"What do you want?"
"Swimming."
I blinked.
"You hate water in your ears."
"I can wear goggles."
"That does not help ears."
He thought.
"Then chess."
I laughed.
"That escalated differently."
He smiled.
We signed him up for a beginner chess club.
No symbolism.
Maybe he would return to football.
Maybe not.
May you like
The sport did not own him.
Neither did our family’s image of what boys should like.
