"A Greater Love, Part 5- Cultural Exchange"

2 Months later...

One afternoon, Jake was helping Kendall inventory a list of items that had just arrived for a temporary exhibit at the museum. Kendall would describe the item to Jake and he'd put the description into an app on an Ipad. Soon, they finished and Kendall looked at the results and shook her head in astonishment.

"Jake, this is amazing. I've never seen anyone do an inventory so efficiently and accurately."

"I'm a bit of a computer geek. Before mom and dad died, I was planning on majoring in business technology in college."

Kendall looked at him. "Jake, your parents' death was just a setback. You've got all these other people here to help you. You can still go to college."

"I don't know. There's so much I still want to do."

Kendall put a hand on his shoulder. "Let's take a break and go get some lunch, okay?"

Jake nodded. The two walked into the cafe where Shelby, Riley, and Chase were cooking. Tyler and Ivan were waiting tables, and Prince Phillip was enjoying his lunch. Jake looked around and suddenly froze. Sitting at a table was the school football coach, Coach Lawrence, and the school principal, Principal Turner. They looked up and saw him enter. Principal Turner stood up.

"Mr. Hanson, can we have a few minutes of your time?"

"Sure." Jake headed to the table and sat down. "What can I do for you guys?"

Coach Lawrence spoke first. "Jake, I know this has been a rough time for you. The team had a meeting and they've decided to make you a team captain this year. You're extremely talented and they want you to come back. Especially with this being your senior year."

"Sure thing, coach. I'd love to."

Lawrence clapped his hand on Jake's shoulder. Now it was Turner's turn. She opened a folder.

"Jake, we also have another favor to ask you. We have a young man from Indonesia who is going to be joining your class this year as an international student. We would like you to host him. Now I've already talked to Prince Phillip about this since he is helping you, and he has already agreed to pay for the young man's expenses, as long as you agree to host him."

Jake took a minute to think. "Why me?"

"Because you two have something in common. He lost his parents last year." she opened the folder and slid a photo of the young man across the table. Jake looked at it.

"He's pretty handsome."

Turner read off some info from the folder.

"His name is Putu Tranafu. He's an only child, 18 years old, and really athletic. In fact, on his application he put down that he would like to play football."

Coach Lawrence looked up. "Well we have had Asian football players before, so why not?"

Turner continued. "He's also really intelligent. He hopes to work with computers someday. He's currently living with his aunt in Bali."

Jake looked at the photo. "He sounds like me." he thought for a few minutes, then slid the photo back. "I'll do it. Mom and dad would have wanted me to. When does he arrive?"

Turner smiled. "This weekend. I will e-mail you his flight information this afternoon. In fact, tomorrow I will be having a Skype call with him and his aunt if you would like to participate."

"Sure. Where do we want to do it at?"

"We will do it at my office around 10am. I will see you there."

"Got it. Thanks."

Both Lawrence and Turner stood up and shook his hand. Turner handed Jake the folder. His coach clapped him on the shoulder. "I think he's going to be just what you need, Jake."

After the principal and coach left, Tyler and the others rushed over curious. Jake smiled at them.

"They want me back on the football team this year, and apparently they've got an exchange student coming from Indonesia that they want me to host."

Riley looked at him. "What did you say?"

"I said yes. Apparently, this kid is a lot like me. He lost his parents last year and he wants to play football. I'm going to meet him over a Skype call tomorrow."

Tyler smiled. "What's his name?"

"Putu."

Prince Phillip walked up. "Jake, if you need any help with his costs, let me know."

Jake nodded. "Thanks, your highness. I'll keep that in mind." he sat down at a table and opened the folder with Putu's info on it.

"Let's see." he read down the fact sheet. "Interests: American football, video games, martial arts, gymnastics."

Tyler jumped in. "Wait. Martial arts and gymnastics? If he's into those he must be pretty flexible."

Ivan looked at the photo in the file. "He looks very handsome." he looked at Jake. "I'm sure you and he will get along very well."

Jake nodded and closed the file. "Thanks guys. It's going to be an adventure for sure."

The following day, Principal Turner and Jake did the Skype call with Putu. Jake was surprised with how good the Indonesian's English was. By the end of the call, Turner had given the two boys some valuable information about what was ahead for the two boys. Jake had also made it clear to Putu that this was not a typical exchange setup. The young Indonesian understood and was so excited that before the call was over he started calling Jake his "brother". After the call was over, Jake sat back in his chair and fought back tears.

Principal Turner looked at him. "Are you okay?"

Jake nodded. "Coach was right. This is what I need."

Later that afternoon, Jake had returned to the cafe and showed the group some more pics and videos of Putu that he had gotten from the Skype call. Tyler looked at Jake and could see how excited he was about the upcoming event. Soon Shelby arrived with Kasey. Kasey sat down across from his big brother at the table.

"Hey Jake! Shelby said you have something exciting to tell me about."

Jake smiled. "I sure do. Do you know what a foreign exchange student is?"

Kasey nodded. "Yeah, it's where a kid from another country comes here to go to school!"

Jake nodded. "Well, we're getting one here in my class, and he's going to be staying with us."

Kasey's eyes went wide. "WOW! Where's he from?"

"He's from a little island called Indonesia." Jake pulled out his phone and showed his little brother some pictures of Putu.

"Nice! When's he coming?"

"This weekend. We better get going, we need to get his room ready."

The next few days flew by, and soon it was time for Putu to arrive. Jake, Kasey, and Tyler waited outside customs. Kasey was holding a big sign that said "Welcome Putu." Soon enough, the young Indonesian emerged. Kasey held his sign up high. Putu smiled.

"Hello, Jake." the two hugged.

"Putu, good to see you. Let's go get your suitcases."

The group went to the baggage claim and picked up Putu's bags. After a while, the group arrived back at the house. Jake opened the door from the garage into the house and let Putu go in first. The Indonesian stepped into the living room. Jake put his hand on his new friend's shoulder.

"Let me show you to your room."

Jake took Putu up to the spare bedroom and opened the door. He smiled.

"Welcome home."

Putu fought back tears. "Thanks."

After letting Putu get settled in, the two spent the afternoon with Principal Turner and Coach Lawrence. Putu was shown around the school and introduced to the teachers and the other football coaches. For dinner, Jake took him and Kasey to the museum cafe and introduced him to all his friends. Putu smiled and shook everybody's hands. After introductions were over, Putu pulled Jake over.

"How do you do it, bro?"

"How do I do what?" Jake looked at him.

"Take care of you and your brother all alone without your parents?"

Jake clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm not alone. I've got all my friends here, and a lot of other people. We're all a big family. And now you're part of that family."

Putu fought back tears as he looked at the others, who nodded. Finally, he lost it and sobbed into Jake's shoulder.

"Thank you."

The two boys embraced tightly, Jake fighting back tears himself. As the group ate dinner, Putu smiled wide. It was nice to have friends again, as well as a brother.

A few days later, Jake and Putu got up early and headed to the school football field to start workouts. Tyler, Riley, Chase, and Ivan joined them to watch. Soon after they started, coach Lawrence and some of the other players arrived at the field carrying their helmets and shoulder pads. Jake noticed and pulled Putu in the endzone.

"Bro, just forget they're here. Focus on doing what you're good at. Just kick the ball as hard as you can and just have fun, okay?"

Putu nodded. Jake smiled and placed the ball in the stand from the 40 yard line.

"You got this, kid!" Jake stepped off to the side as Putu stepped back a couple yards and took a few breaths then charged forward and nailed the ball as hard as he could. He smiled as it soared through the uprights with 5 feet to spare. Jake came up with another ball and took Putu and the stand back to the far 45 yard line. On the sideline one of the linebackers smirked.

"He's not gonna make this. It's not possible."

Tyler overheard him and turned over his shoulder.

"Never say never."

Jake placed the ball and the stand in position then walked up to his friend.

"Okay, kid. Time to show them what you can really do. Ready?"

Putu smiled. "Ready!"

"Okay, bro. Do it!"

Once again, Putu stepped back a couple yards and took a few breaths then charged forward and nailed the ball high into the air. Everybody on the sideline watched, holding their breath as the ball sailed through the air. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the ball sailed through the uprights dead center with two feet to spare. After seeing what he had done, Putu put his hand on his mouth, fighting back tears. Jake rushed forward and hugged him tight as the players on the sidelines dropped their helmets and shoulder pads on the ground in shock.

"You did it! You did it!" Jake smiled at the shocked Indonesian. Finally, coach Lawrence walked out to the middle of the field and shook Putu's hand.

"Congratulations, kid! That was incredible!"

Putu finally gathered himself and smiled at the coach. "Thank you."

Soon after, Putu was introduced to his teammates who welcomed him warmly. Over the next couple weeks they helped him adjust to his new surroundings and improve his speed and endurance during football camp.