PROLOGUE

Jason climbed up the steps and dashed into the house like an antelope. He took a second to wipe his sweaty brow and screamed at the top of his voice.

‘‘Mom…where in the world are you? You need to hear this’’.

Jason didn’t wait to hear her reply. He passed the living room like a lightning bolt and headed straight for the tiny room that served as his dad’s study, where he knew his mom would be, writing articles for the local newspaper.

‘‘What’s going on Jason? Is everything alright?’’ His mom met him at the door with a worried expression on her face.

Jason opened his mouth to talk, but no words came out. The happiness in his heart had somehow taken up space in his voice box, making speech momentarily difficult.

He struggled for some seconds and massaged his neck muscles, but still no words came out. So he did the only thing he knew to do. He stepped up and hugged his mom, a full tight embrace that lasted several heartbeats and caused her to relax visibly.

“Mom…” his voice was barely a whisper. “I just got a scholarship”.

He felt her stiffen a bit and knew without a doubt that she had heard him. He pulled back and thumped his fists into the air, adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

“Yeah, it has happened, Mom. I just got a full ride football scholarship to ULCA."