In the first week of December a tragedy happened that left the community of Smallville sadly. On Sunday, A car accident injured three football players. The driver (Tyler) was drunk, so he lost control of the vehicle. The teens are alive, but do not have any condition to play. Two of them were the quarterbacks of the football team. So, two days after the accident, Jonathan was called at the principal's office, to his surprise coach Gaines was in the room and his father.
"Jonathan, you know about the car accident last Sunday. Three football players are at the hospital now, recovering from their injuries."- principal Balcomb said, upset- "Two of them were our quarterbacks, so I would like to know if you can help us and play T the final game of this semester which is next week?"
"I know that you are training Jonathan, your father and brother told us. So the team wants you back, please."- coach Gaines begged. - "We need you."
"I understand, I am very sorry for what happened."- Jonathan said honestly. - "I would like to help, of course. I just need to do the final exam of Mechanic's."
"I will talk with your teacher, do not worry. Your concern with your exam is something admirable"- principal Balcomb said proudly- "Mr. Clark, I believe that you are really proud of your son, he has outstanding grades this year."
"I know and I am really proud of his arduous work"- Clark said smiling.
Clark and Jonathan left the principal office together. Jonathan walked with his father in the corridor.
"Are you really fine to play for the crows?"- Clark asked.
"The interesting thing is that football was my world, but everything changed. I realized that the world is bigger and honestly, my only goal at school this year is to be on the honor list at the end of the semester and keep it."- Jonathan said firmly. - "But I could not say no to the principal and the coach, they need my help. So, yes, I will play. I am glad to help the school and of course, myself, because I really miss the field, I need to feel the happiness to play again."
"It's really good to hear that you are fine with this decision."- Clark said, relieved.
During the football training, coach Gaines had to deal with general Lane.
"I will sit here on the bench; I am Jonathan's personal training."- Samuel said firmly- "I need to make sure that he is having good guidance."
"Sure."- coach Gaines said, visibly frustrated with that unusual presence. For his relief, Samuel just watched the practice.
In the end, grandfather and grandson stayed at the field.
"Thank you for warming him."- Samuel teased coach Gaines- "Are you ready for the mortal training, Jonathan?"
"Always sir!"- Jonathan answered firmly.
"Let's make your arms stronger, 150 push-ups now!"- Samuel ordered- "We will stay here, can you let the balls? Thanks."
Coach Gaines and the players widened their eyes, while Jonathan was doing the push-ups without complaining.
"Jordan, you can stay."- Samuel said firmly- "Why are you so surprised? He is stronger than you think."
In the next week, Jonathan played for the crows and helped them to win the game. He was really happy with the victory; coach Gaines gave him the ball of the match because he was the best player of the game. So, as soon as he saw his family after leaving the locker room, he ran to his grandfather.
"Grandpa, I won the ball of the match!"- Jonathan announced happily- "Thank you for believing in me even when I could not believe in myself. When I was thinking that I was weak, you made me see how strong I was because I have the strong blood of the Lane's. It is yours."
Samuel lost his words, so he tried hard to not cry in front of his family, he held the ball and hugged his grandson.
"Thank you, Jon."- Samuel said emotively.
Jonathan and Jordan explained to their parents that they were going to celebrate the victory with their girlfriends and friends. While his grandsons were negotiating the hour to come back home, Samuel could not hold his tears anymore, because Jonathan wrote at the ball: to my amazing coach, the best general and my super grandfather. We won this game! Love you! Jonathan. December 16, 2022.
After the weekend, Jonathan was anxious to go to school for his last day of class before holidays.
"Why are you anxious?"- Jordan asked rolling his eyes. - "You are going to receive a perfect report card, come on. I am this close to kick your stupid nerd ass."
"Shut up, Jordan. Your stupid brain cannot understand how important is to me to be on the honor list!"- Jonathan argued.
"Boys!"- Lois said sternly as soon as she got closer to her sons who were arguing in the kitchen. - "Jon, if you are not on the honor list it's okay."
"No! It is not okay mom!"- Jonathan exclaimed- "I lost my dignity last year; I lost my honor and disgraced our family name! So, I just want to clean our name and have my dignity and honor again!"- Jonathan explained with tears in his eyes. So, he ran to his bedroom where he laid down on his back and started to cry.
A few minutes later, Lois caressed her son's back- "Jon, please, look at me."
"I'm sorry I shouldn't scream at you."- Jonathan said, ashamed.
"I know. You are upset."- Lois said gently. - "Jon, you are not in trouble, please, look at me."
Ashamed and anxiously, Jonathan obeyed his mother.
"You made a mistake last year because you are human and a teen. So teens make bad decisions sometimes, it is okay, Jon. Nobody is perfect, especially a teen or kid. You did not disgrace our family name and lost your dignity and honor. "- Lois said firmly. - "If you didn't have dignity and honor, you would never forgive your father, play for the crows last week, help us every day on this farm, and agree to move to Smallville to help your brother."
"I understood."- Jonathan said, making his mother stop talking.
"Jon, the school honor list is just a paper, what really matters is how you deal with who is around you and what you do with your knowledge. And for me son, you are already doing amazing things."- Lois said proudly. - "You are in my honor list."
"And mine."- Jordan said, being notice by his mother and brother. - "Sorry, mom, I just hate to see him crying. Sorry, Jon, I did not mean to hear"
"It is okay, Jordan. I would do the same for you."- Jonathan said, smiling.
"And Jon, I have no doubt that you are on your father's honor list too."- Lois said firmly- "I can call him. For me, this is an emergency."
"Don't need, mom, I know that I am."- Jonathan said smiling. - "I am fine now. We need to go to school."
"Yeah, but first someone needs a super hug from this superfamily!"- Lois said while she hugged Jonathan. Then Jordan hugged his brother and mother.