ined jacket and the missed NFL opportu

nt, trying to study

ing, I need

ced m

tball you have? The on

od ran

favorite team won the Super Bowl, signed by half the roster. He'd saved for months to buy it. It was th

I asked, my voice

w, when I brought him over to your apartment to pick up that book he'd lent you. He absolutely adore

onally ranked race car driver, a da

ion for his physical therapy," Sophia continued. "To

ce stretched

at ball is... it's not just

t could mean for Lucas. It might be the very thing that helps him push

rsuasive. The voice that

acy, Ethan. And Lucas..

e, his quiet strength, not a pigskin

't, So

o us. I'll buy you another one. A better one! We can get a w

xpensive. Alwa

on the worn shelf above my desk, the signatures faded but still legibl

," Sophia pressed. "He even promised to

love for Sophia before his "accident," an accident that conveniently occurred ju

, my voice hoarse, "this is a

!" Relief flooded her voice. "Oh, thank you, Eth

ung

picked up the football. The lea

cheaper, battered ball with me in ou

ossession. It was a

s giving

t a driver to pick it up

de, nestled in satin, was a brand-new set of custom-fitte

't pla

ed my

football given to L. E

n: Golf club

which Sophia had thoughtfully included, i

five mo

n now. Each "favor," each piece of myself I

ht me closer to t

the only thing th