January 2, 2013
With all the repercussion that had been generated around Wyatt after his choice of Clemson, the Christmas and New Year's holidays arrived, which Wyatt spent surrounded by his parents and grandparents who had arrived for a visit.
"Let me tell you boy, it hurt me that you are not a Longhorn," said the voice of an older person with a prominent mustache that was already all gray from age, and together with his cowboy hat and boots he completely embodied a Texan; it was Wyatt's grandfather and Ed's father, Rudy.
"Leave him Rudy, he is already big enough to make his own decision," said a voice behind Rudy which belonged to a woman of straight posture with gray hair neatly combed while she gave a look toward the stubborn head of her husband; it was Caitlyn, Wyatt's grandmother.
"Thanks Granny," Wyatt said, giving her a smile of gratitude.
"I'm just saying that if he had stayed in Texas we could see him more often and…" started Rudy, who then raised his hands in a clear sign of defeat upon seeing the look his wife gave in his direction.
"Better take advantage that he is still here until tomorrow," Caitlyn said sweetly, squeezing both of Wyatt's cheeks while she spoke to him as if he were still a 5-year-old boy.
"Grandma, it hurts," Wyatt said the best he could, having both of his Granny's hands like two pincers against his cheeks.
As soon as Caitlyn released Wyatt's cheeks, he immediately took both hands to his aching cheeks, rubbing them to relieve the discomfort they had suffered.
"The food is ready now," Caitlyn said suddenly, calling the two men who at that moment were in the living room with the television making background music, causing both men to stand up heading toward the dining room.
In that moment, one could see Elena putting plates on the table still with the kitchen apron while Caitlyn carried the dishes from the kitchen for what would possibly be the last dinner of the 5 in a long time.
Suddenly, the door that led to the backyard opened, being the first one to appear through it Max, who was excited looking back where Ed carried a container lined in aluminum from which a delicious smoky smell drifted.
"Calm down boy, this is not for you," Ed said while he tried to walk trying to avoid stepping on Max's tail, who did not stop spinning around him in an attempt to put his nose in that juicy plate of brisket.
"WOOF WOOF," Max barked frantically with his gaze fixed on the brisket.
"And done," Ed said, placing the package in the center of the table and uncovering it, letting the brisket be seen in all its splendor, and its smell flooded the entire room in that moment.
"Umm," came out of Wyatt's mouth, making his mouth water at the image of the sumptuous dinner he was soon to devour.
Stretching out his hand, he tried to grab a piece quickly but rapidly retracted his hand upon seeing how another hand faster than his gave him a slap before he could even touch the crust of the brisket. "Not until the table is ready," Elena said quickly with a sharp voice.
"Ok," Wyatt said, rubbing the place on his hand where he had received the slap.
After that, Wyatt set out to help both his grandmother and his mother set the table as quickly as possible so that everyone could eat faster.
Once the table was set, all members of the Sterling family lost no time and began to serve themselves the food on their plates, completely enjoying this afternoon as a family among laughter and anecdotes.
Believing that no one saw him, Ed grabbed a small piece of brisket from his plate and slowly lowered his hand under the table letting Max, who was under the table attentive to any piece of food that fell to the ground, eat some meat.
"Don't give that to the dog, it will make him sick," Caitlyn said suddenly, who was next to her husband and saw how everything unfolded in that precise moment.
"A little bit won't hurt him, right boy?" Ed replied while he began to scratch Max's head, who was happy savoring the meat.
"And do you already know how the teams will be?" Ed asked, changing the subject in an attempt to divert the conversation and have them forget that he was giving food to the dog; of course, the question was directed toward Wyatt, who in that moment was much more concentrated on his plate than on anything else.
"I received the email a few days ago," Wyatt said, covering his mouth while he finished swallowing the food he had in his mouth. "I will play for the White team," Wyatt mentioned afterward once he swallowed all the food.
"Do you know who your teammates will be?" Ed continued asking, seeing that now the whole table was concentrated.
"No, but considering it's an exhibition game, I wouldn't give it much importance," Wyatt responded with a shrug.
The game Wyatt was referring to was the Under Armour All-America, a game in which the best prospects and football talents gather in Florida for a match in which, more than the result, what mattered most was the spectacle and making oneself known.
Wyatt, being the number 1 five-star prospect of his class and having gone to several of the camps sponsored by Under Armour during the last years, obviously had received an invitation which he did not hesitate to accept.
That is why tomorrow his parents would accompany him to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston from where he would depart toward St. Petersburg, Florida, where the game would take place on the 4th, and then from there he would depart toward Clemson to settle in and prepare for winter workouts.
"That's fine, but don't forget that you must win," his grandfather Rudy said seriously, lifting the fork in which he had pierced a piece of meat in direction toward Wyatt.
"Don't worry, Grandpa, it doesn't matter what kind of game it is, I always go out to win," Wyatt responded with a smile, showing the competitive vein he always had.
And the thing is, if Wyatt and his grandfather were alike in anything, it was that both were two stubborn hard-heads who did not accept defeat and always went for the win in any situation in which they found themselves.
Once that was settled, the whole family decided to return to talking about pleasant topics, like if the Patriots and Brady would win a Super Bowl again, and if the Texans would ever win the Super Bowl, or if the Cowboys would win one in this century.
Spending the time in that way, time flew by until little by little the sun was setting on the horizon and it was time for his grandparents to leave the house, so in the hallway next to the door, the goodbyes began.
"Please take care of yourself and try to call frequently," Caitlyn said, hugging her grandson tightly, not wanting to let go. "I will, Granny," Wyatt said, reciprocating the embrace with the same strength.
"Boy," said the grandfather, extending his hand for a firm handshake with Wyatt, who reciprocated only to then be pulled by his grandfather who gave him a deep hug. "I am very proud of you," he heard him whisper in a low voice in his ear without any of the people present in the room being able to hear what they were saying.
As soon as Rudy and Caitlyn left, a comfortable silence settled in the Sterling family home. "I'll go finish packing," Wyatt said, wanting to check everything one last time before having to go to the airport tomorrow.
Going up the stairs, Wyatt opened the door to his room, which was moderately empty with the clothes already put in suitcases and his desk clean with only his laptop on the desk.
Taking a full view of the room he had lived in all his life, Wyatt could not help but see the posters of NFL stars on the wall next to the display case in which all the trophies he had won throughout all his high school years were placed, along with photos of him surrounded by teammates, award ceremonies, and more.
His gaze could not help but settle on a particular photo; in it, one could see a little Wyatt of no more than 10 years old with a smile while he proudly held a plastic trophy.
Wyatt remembered that day with total clarity; it was the first trophy he won playing football, of course it was flag football, but that did not prevent the excited smile of little Wyatt who proudly showed his trophy.
"What would you say if you were here now?" Wyatt could not help but ask himself, imagining the reaction of his little self seeing all he had achieved and what he will achieve once he lands in the NCAA.
Immediately, Wyatt decided to take the frame along with the photo and stored it with care in his backpack, deciding to take it with him.
The moment he leaned over, he heard how something fell from the pocket of the jacket he was wearing and curious, he turned to see an envelope on the floor of which Wyatt had no idea where it had come from.
With curiosity eating away at him, Wyatt picked up the envelope and the moment he opened it, his gaze went from calm to incredulity upon seeing the large stack of bills that were inside the envelope, and once he finished counting the money, Wyatt almost choked seeing that there were $10,000 dollars in cash in that envelope.
"Where the hell did this come from?" Wyatt thought once he had calmed down from the shock of finding so much money.
Behind all that stack, Wyatt saw that there was a letter, so he took it and opened it, immediately distinguishing his grandfather's handwriting, so he began to read the message that was written in the letter.
"Wyatt, this money is a part of what your grandmother and I had originally saved to help you with tuition expenses at the university, but seeing that you practically will not need it, we thought the best was to give you a part for your expenses while the other part we put in a savings account which will be delivered to you when you are older."
"Sincerely: your Grandpa and your Granny."
"P.S.: Don't spend this money on stupid things because it will be all you will receive for now."
Wyatt could not help but laugh at the last part, imagining that his grandfather had written it without his Granny noticing or a large reprimand would have fallen on him.
Finishing checking that everything was stored and ready, Wyatt decided to go to bed early, knowing he had a flight to take the next morning; once in bed, he felt how his door opened slightly and a new weight climbed onto his bed.
"This is the only time I will allow you to sleep here," Wyatt said toward Max, who ignored him masterfully while he simply settled more into the bed, making Wyatt simply throw in the towel and put his head on the pillow, slowly falling asleep.
The next morning, after having breakfast, Wyatt and his parents already had the suitcases on the sidewalk, loading them into his father's truck. "And that's it," Wyatt said, loading the last suitcase into the trunk.
"Awoo, awoo," pitiful howls were heard from Max, who was with his tail down along with his ears and pleading eyes that said "Don't go," trying to prevent Wyatt from leaving.
"I have to go, friend," Wyatt said, kneeling to be at Max's level while he scratched his ears while Max quickly licked his face. "Take care of them, okay," was the next thing Wyatt said toward Max, who barked in response as an affirmation.
Wyatt simply stood up and approached his mother, who was trying to swallow the tears that were appearing on her face.
"Take care, Mom," Wyatt said, hugging Elena tightly, who hid her head in her son's chest while tears began to come out of her eyes. "Call us often, okay?" Elena said without removing her face from Wyatt's chest. "I will," Wyatt promised, pulling away from his mother, wiping the tears from her face, and going toward the co-pilot seat.
"Ready?" his father asked from the driver's seat.
"Let's go," Wyatt said, buckling his seatbelt while the engine started and the truck began to move.
Through the rearview mirror, one could see Elena raising her hand saying goodbye while Max was sitting at her side barking and wagging his tail.
Once both were lost from sight, Wyatt could not help but look at the streets he had seen many times, recording them in his memory and waiting with excitement for tomorrow's game.
Authors thought's
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