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“Thanks for letting me know When do you need my decision?”

“The fuck?”

“There’s a lot going on right now, so I need to ht move”

“You’ve got until Monday , if you need it” His voice hollowed out like a deflated balloon “Show up at nine and we’ll get you started”

“I appreciate this offer and your help” Ending the call, I sat back and tried to picture the future I saw for myself

What did this call ht, in a place where I knehat the hell I was doing I’d be around people who knehat I’d been through and had gone through the sa to life after football

Or, I could build soht my way into a business I had no idea about and could barely co where I saw the happiness it brought people Not thousands of fans going crazy in the stands, or producers in a studio, but people celebrating milestones, anniversaries, and happiness

I was going to need another tin of popcorn

Torrential rain pounded on the roof of my car The cold rainat the house that seemed to shrink every time I stopped by

But a call froh ht of how the phone calls had stopped once the box seats and all-expenses-paid vacations had dried up

Getting out, I tuggedin the pelting freezing rain

He opened the door with a wide smile and a beer in hand “Leo, you’re here”

At least he was happy to see me

“The check cah just like you said, son You’re a lifesaver”

“I’ed h the front door