The Edge of Glory
A famous sportsman said "Don't quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"
"Where did Sam Evans come from?" the woman dressed in a blue suit waving a microphone in front of him
"Sam Evans" he smiled looking back at his wife "You know my name?"
"Everyone knows your name" she smiled at him
"Everyone knows my name; did you hear that babe?" he laughed "Well…" he stared into space "It all started…" he told his story as he remembered it
Memory
8 Years Old
I was never the first choice when we played any sports at school, my little brother had cerebral palsy and I guess the guys sort of thought our family was weird because of that, strange to think people ever though like that, but we were kids in a small town with nothing better to do
I came home one day to find my mother crying and asked her what was up, dad went into what I now know was protection mode and shouted for me to get out. I did but later he came out to tell me that my little brother's operation hadn't gone well, and he'd died during the operation, devastated wasn't the word, he was the centre of all of our lives.
After the funeral mom went into some sort of funk, there always seemed to be a bottle nearby and a glass that was never empty. I sort of went into my own world, I didn't feel like I could talk to my parents they were at each other and angry all the time. I remember one night she came out guns blazing because Mike and I were playing in the tent dad had put up for us, we were talking about me winning the Olympics some day and got into a play fight she came out and went ballistic
"Shut up" she screamed at me "How can you be laughing like this and your brother's dead" she yelled slapping me across the head "And you're acting like nothing happened, you make me sick"
I tried to hug her, I was scared, but she literally threw me to the ground, I was a child I didn't have a chance against her. My dad finally got her inside and came out to say something about forgiving and forgetting, closing with how he expected my behaviour to have improved by the morning. Mike was just as scared as me, we sat in silence for the rest of the night until we fell asleep, woke up early the next morning and went to his parents' house for breakfast, I sort of learned to stay out the way after that
19 Years Old
My dad was an avid basketball fan and when my brother passed and mom's drinking got worse he pumped all his energy into me, all he wanted for me was basketball. Mom and he were arguing on a nightly basis by then and it seems every time they argued mom's comments towards me got more intense and dad pushed me further into basketball. I wasn't really that good, but he paid for me to get in just so he could brag about his basketball playing son
I tried, everyone knows I tried to be the best I could at basketball, dad's game, I needed to stop my parents arguing, but there was this guy, you might know him Matt Rutherford, he was dead set against me and try as I might, he wouldn't let me into the team. Dad started trying to guilt trip me into being the son they wanted, making them proud, telling me I could change mom's mood, so I tried.
I finally got a spot on the team, and I'd like to say that was the best game of my life, but we lost, the team didn't say it out loud at the time, but it was my fault. My dad didn't give me props for finally being on the team either, he said something like
"I wished I'd have missed that game" he rested his heavy hand on my shoulder "Sorry to break it to you kid but that was your fault" that hit like a brick
"What?" I gasped thinking I couldn't get any flatter
"It was your shot" he shook my shoulder "Sorry son, but you shouldn't have passed that ball, you should have taken the risk"
"I would have missed"
"Son" he stopped to look at me "If you don't shoot, you'll never score" we stood looking at each other, that was when the penny dropped for me, I had to put some work in, so that's what I did, but it still wasn't working for me. One night I met up with Mike for something to eat and he mentioned soccer, I remember laughing at him, telling him my dad would kill me if I played anything but basketball
At the end of a crappy season, Coach calls me to his office and tells me he doesn't think I'm cut out for basketball; I was devastated I mean, I'd put the work in. He tells me sometimes passion isn't enough, and he needs to do what's best for the team, he had some fresh blood coming in and they really didn't need me in the team anymore.
I begged, put my case, promised more, but he was adamant, I finally gave up, thanked him for his time and left the office wondering what the hell I was going to tell my dad. The thought of his disappointment face, mom sipping more drink while everyone shouted at me was too much I went to the main frat house, we went there sometimes to chill, do some underaged drinking or pick up girls, I was in the mood for both.
"Hey" I smiled at this girl I'd never been brave enough to talk to previously, I was more than half cut already "Do you want a drink" I smiled when she held one up she wasn't hiding it, I just wasn't seeing straight enough to notice. "Right" I huffed nervously "My names Sam"
"I'm Mercy" she smiled
"Pretty name for a pretty girl" I thought I'd go all in
"Everything alright here?" Shane came up behind me asking
"Shay" Mercy called his name like there was something sweet in her mouth
"Oh" I looked at him "You two are an item, sorry I didn't know"
"Advise" Shane stepped in my face "Find another girl"
"No harm no foul" I held my hands up and walked away, needless to say Mike ended up taking me home that night and all I actually remember about it was that I might be better at playing soccer than picking up chicks.
The next day I told my dad what had happened, he went in on me about the money they'd spent, the shame I'd brought on the family, and then threatened to speak to the athletics director to plead his case. I manoeuvred him out of that move by letting him guilt trip me by throwing the demise of my mother on my shoulders, telling me if I'd done my best we wouldn't be having this conversation and again how much of a disappointment I was. He ended the conversation with his sound advice; 'go away and come up with a list of five other schools you could get signed up for by the end of the day'.
Mike and I were in the diner when Shane walked in with Mercy on his arm "I can't believe this" I rolled my eyes at seeing the couple walk in, not even realising I'd said it out loud
"What" Mike asked looking at them
"Nothing"
"It's Mercy, you're into Mercy?"
"No" I laughed "No, she's got a boyfriend, besides I can get any chick I want"
"You are so into her" Mike laughed
"No, I'm not, can we talk about something else"
"How about we talk about getting you into the soccer team this weekend, Mercy will be there" Mike smiled
"Not that that's a deal breaker" I laughed
"She comes to all the game, you can show her what a stud you are, hey" he moved in close "I know for a fact, you could really get to know her if you come to church this weekend"
"Church?" I laughed "You know that's not my thing"
"Try it"
"Dude" I pointed at him "I appreciate you trying to cheer me up and stuff, but I don't need soccer and I definitely don't need to be hooking up with some other dude's girl in church" I shook his head "That's not me"
That Saturday everything in me screamed no, but I went anyway, maybe I needed to be active, maybe it was the thought of seeing Mercy again, the jury's out on that one, but the fact remains, I went. The first half of that first practice was crap, even if I say it myself, I missed every ball. They put me in goal, and we were down by six in the first half of the game, it was a pretty easy position to get my head around, stand in the goal and don't let any balls through, harder than you think, when those things are coming at you at sixty miles an hour all you want to do is move out the way.
The guys were ripping me a new one by half time, I looked over and saw my dad sitting, watching, I was shocked because soccer wasn't his thing. I should have known he wasn't really there to cheer me on he said something along the lines of this just confirms soccer isn't your game and then left before the second half, I was livid, this man didn't want me to succeed in anything.
That rage must have locked me in for the second half because I didn't let a single goal through, it felt good, I mean really good, the props dad didn't give me, I got from Mike, he knew me better than my family, we were the team. I walked off that field feeing prouder than I'd ever felt nine of the other ten player on the field gave me props, no prizes for guessing who that tenth man was.
Mercy had been stood at the side line waiting for Shane, but I was still shocked when she noticed me "Sam" she smiled "You did really well out there today, I was impressed"
"Thanks" I smiled; I really didn't care that Shane was standing close by "Do you come to games often?" I asked I knew the answer I just needed more time
"Yeah she does" Shane answered for her "She always shows up to see her man score" the tone of his voice menacing
"Shane" she looked at him disgusted "You know I don't like it when you joke about that kind of stuff"
"No" Shane looked childishly guilty "Sorry babe" he flung his arm around her shoulder
"So, Mike" Mercy looked back at us "Will I see you in church tomorrow?"
"Yeah sure" Mike looked at me "Sam's coming along too"
"That would be great" Mercy smiled "Shane never turns up"
"Excuse us guys, love to stand and talk, but she's got a date set up with the sexiest man on campus" Shane threw his arm around her waist and walked her away
"To church?" I asked when they were out of ear shot
"Pick you up at nine" Mike slapped my chest
"Is the sun even up that early on Sundays?"
"Dude" Mike met me outside church the next morning, excited "Coach says he's going to ask you to try out this fall?"
"I just played my first game yesterday" I gasped
"Everyone was impressed"
"When does the season start?" I asked knowing I'd already warmed to the idea
"Three months" Mike smiled "Does this mean you'll consider it?"
"I'll consider it"
"Please do it, Shane is lazy, slow and he thinks he owns the team"
"Wait Shane is the keeper, I thought he played striker"
"No, he just plays that for the frat games to get away from the goal for a while"
"I can't do that"
"It's a try out, it's up to Coach, we can start training tomorrow if you want" we entered church
"I might be transferring"
"I know, just think about it"
I went into church, listened to as much as I could before I followed the children our for Sunday school, with the intention to go home. I popped my head around the door and saw Mercy teaching the children, she was saying something about a glove being used for many things, but it was laying their empty before she put her hand in it, likening it to our body's being filled with Gods love, it talked to me.
I went centre field that night and I told god that all I had to give was what I know about ball and offered it to him asking for a sign that I was on the right path, that he was for me, and I could trust him, seconds later I found a gold cross on the floor, I picked it up and smiled, it was true, he died for me, the cross was the symbol.
That week I told my dad I was staying in college, and I was joining the soccer team, he wasn't happy, said I was wasting my life, in fact I'd wasted his life too, I was used to his negative comments by now I just heard him out and walked away "Hey" he shouted after me "I'm done, you do what you want to do" I just smiled a shook my head not even surprised that he didn't realise that was exactly what I'd just told him I was doing
I was up bright and early every day, putting the work in, even Mike was pissed at me, and he was a work horse when it came to practice. We were doing track, ball, and exercise for at least four hours a day, and I was looking for other opportunities outside of that to get some practice in actually paying the game. I finally got a break and went three times a week to play in a local team, using the moments I was actually standing still to study for the other subjects I was taking. I worked myself so hard I was battered and bruised in places I didn't know existed
I started going to bible class, I think with that clarity sport gave me I started looking for more purpose, plus the fact that I believed god had given me this opportunity and I had to give something back. Finally, it was try outs, and I'm not lying I was scared everything was on the line, Mike was up extra early that day, we warmed up, got on the field, and did our thing, that cross hung around my neck like a halo.
Shane walked onto the field looking like shit, apparently he'd been partying all holiday, it was clear he'd sprinkled something in coach's ear Mike had to talk hard to get me a spot, but we got it and the game was on, I gave it my all, I remember about twenty five balls came at me and when I finished only one had got past me, and I was happy with that. Coach announced his decision was final and we all walked away to wait for the outcome
An hour later the list was out, Shane was smashing the wall in because he didn't make it, I was hopeful, but we had to see it, Mike and I walked up to the list, and I was on it. Shane burst into Coach's office shouting the odds and eventually Coach gave him what for and sent him on his way, coming out to warn me not to let him down, I promised I wouldn't.
Weeks later we were playing our first game, nerves were visible, I couldn't even take a goal kick I was so nervous. There were five attempt to score from the opposition I remember they scored one, we scored three out of three, the team was perfect.
I don't remember much about after the season ended, we got wreaked, but I do remember Mike reading an article about a mysterious goalkeeper that might be available, and I remember thinking Mercy, Mike must have read my mind because straight away he asked
"When are you going to admit you like Mercy?"
"Whatever I do, she's with Shane"
"Didn't you hear the news, she kicked him to the curb"
"Seriously?" my eyes popped "Don't joke"
"I'm not, she let him go" he snapped "I think you should go for it"
"Well, you know what this means?" I laughed
"Goodbye shin guards?" Mike laughed
"Goodbye shin guards" I confirmed, there was no way I was letting that guy mess with me or my chance
21 Years Old
We were at our graduation celebration, everyone sitting in the great hall receiving certificates for whatever we'd been good at, I got an award for the most valuable player with ten shutouts after only playing for a year, with potential. I was proud no doubt, but my next move let me down, Mercy had been awarded several certificates and plaques for her academic as well as musical contributions, Mike had pranked me into talking to her, so I did
Can I see your awards" I asked
"They're nothing, just singing and academia"
"That's not a just, that's epic, well done"
"Thanks" she smiled
"Well, I best get going" I pointed at nothing, I didn't need to be anywhere I just felt out of my depth
"Nice flyby" Mike walked up to me making jokes
"I'll do better next time"
I got home excited to share my achievements with my parents, to find them sitting silently in the living room, "Son" dad turned to smile at him
"I wanted to show you what I won…"
"Nobody cares" moms snapped
"Pay her no mind, it would have been your brother's birthday today"
"You two didn't even remember, I have to always remind you that there was somebody else in this family" she shouted at us
"I can't do this, not tonight" dad got up threw his newspaper down and walked away
"That's all you ever do"
"Mom" I started to try and smooth things over
"You stay out of this" she snapped at me, I didn't know where to turn, and I still had my news inside me
"Dad" I followed him out the door "I wanted to show you my soccer…"
"When are you going to understand, nobody cares about soccer son"
"This isn't a hobby dad; I've made the team and…"
"Look" he stopped him talking "I've got to take this call, get to bed and we'll do lunch or something tomorrow and talk about it" he took his phone out his pocket and walked up the stairs. I sat on the stairs and told myself the news over again, just to make it all sink in, this wasn't how my life was going to end out, it was going to be better, I got brave, I called Mercy and asked if I could meet her the following morning at the track
The next morning, I went over to the track, I'd got some nerve I know, but if you don't throw the ball, there'll be nobody to catch it. "Hey" I smiled as she walked towards the gate "Thanks for meeting with me, I just wanted to say…"
"Sam" some guy walked up to us, I thought we'd been caught out
"Sir"
"You're mom told me where I could find you"
"Okay" I looked at him wondering what he wanted
"Blaine Anderson from the US Olympic Committee, great play out there the other night" he shoved a card in my hand
"Thank you Sir" I checked to make sure it was real
"When your Coach asked me to stop by I came, but I didn't think someone who'd only been playing for less than three years could be anywhere near your calibre, I'm impressed" he looked into my eyes "On the basis of what I saw, I'm recommending you for the All American team next year"
"Seriously?" I gasped holding my head to keep it all in
"You earned it" he nodded at me "I'd also like you to try out for the youth Olympics team in a couple of weeks, think you could handle that?"
"Yes Sir" I shook his hand; this man had showed more faith in me than any of my parent had ever in less than a minute
"Call me" he smiled "See you in a few weeks" he tapped his hat and walked away
"You deserve this" Mercy smiled at me and I swear I know what my life was going to be like and who was going to be in it in that moment
"Hey Mercy" Mike walked past "Sam" he bumped fists with me "If you're looking for a rebound, Sam's totally up for that"
"Oh" Mercy blushed
"Thanks for that man" I blushed with her "Sorry about him" I laughed nervously "But.. since we're on the topic do you want to join me at the club for a drink of something?"
"Yeah"
"I mean, if you don't want … wait did you say yeah?"
"Yeah" she smiled "Pick me up at eight"
We went to the club, drank juice, danced, well I call it that, but her toes took a bit of a battering that night, I felt so clumsy. We talked about our lives before college, we talked about Shane, what we wanted to do with our lives. The fact that my parents didn't want me to do the soccer thing and gave me an ultimatum, she just looked into my eyes and said, "No brainer, you're making the team" and everything seemed alright. Shane and her had broken up because she wasn't into sex before marriage, that was a big thing for her, she talked about marriage, family and settling and it really didn't scare me.
That whole year we spent all the time I wasn't playing together, Mike complained about me not making time and although I could have made time to hang out with the guy, sometimes I really didn't want to. We really got to know each other, I was never sick of being around her, in fact it was the opposite, we danced, played, worked, talked, ate out the same bowl, all that stuff you dream of doing with someone you care about, and of course church was never missed.
One youth meeting at church Mercy got up and sang 'Win' by Candiace, looking straight at when she sang the words
…Now let me tell you what he did for me, they let me down, tried to take me out
Didn't know if I could get back up, but his will is bigger than me
You don't like the lace, move at its pace, when you get more bad news and drama comes your way
You just keep on praying, keep it up daily, you're a champion just keep on going cause…
We both started thinking about attending couples classes at church around that time, there were a lot of issues I personally needed to sort out and she wanted to be there to support me.
Then I was in try outs, kicking a ball around and trying to look like the other cool guys on the field, I quickly realised we were all novices, then it didn't feel so bad, I settled in quickly. I must have been too relaxed because the next thing I know I was tackling an attack and I heard my ankle snap, and that was me out of the try outs for the next two months. I should have been mad, actually I was until I realised I was getting more alone time with Mercy, we spent days out by the lake rethinking my options, which Mercy was all against so fiercely it inspired me
"The Sam I know wouldn't not finish what he started"
"Mercy"
"The Sam I know wouldn't give up even though his parents said it couldn't be done, he has the guts to pursue his dream, if you give up now, you'll be telling your parents that were right and I know you, that will hurt you more than that ankle does right now"
"Your pushing me"
"Look at me, I don't care who you were or who you'll be tomorrow I love you for the man you are today, and wherever that man goes, that's where I want to be"
"Really" I smiled
"Yeah"
"Then how about we get married?"
"Was that a proposal?"
"Yeah" I laughed at how natural that was
We went back to Brooklyn for the weekend to tell our parents, hers were unnaturally compliant with the whole situation, welcomed me in as if I was one of their own, it was so refreshing, the kind of place you knew it was going to be a blessing to be in. My parents on the other hand had all the guards up, youth, culture, race, the fact that I was thinking of moving to Cali to join the strikers, being cruel to mom, being ungrateful in general, I was just shocked they couldn't see how cruel they'd been to me.
24 Years Old
We got married anyway, mom and dad stood in the background smiling, it felt like they'd finally decided they had to stop shouting at each other and learn to live together. I was playing for the strikers, we left for California straight after our one week honeymoon. Mercy had got herself signed with a label singing gospel music, that was right up her street, her dad had pulled some strings on that one, so we were set.
We moved into a one bed apartment while I settled into the practice, getting this spot with the strikers was the pivot for everything we had planned, I was sitting on the edge of glory
End of Memories
"So, Sam" the interviewer smiled "Now you're a Stricker…"
"Oh" Sam looked at the woman "That wasn't a story about the game" he laughed "That was a story about Sam Evans, I wouldn't be who I am today without this woman right here, that story was about us" he looked at Mercy, smiled and kissed her "Have a good day" he stepped off "Mom, dad" he gasped at them walking towards them
"Son it's hard for me to admit when I'm wrong, but I'm glad you persisted, and I'm sorry" his dad announced
"This is your day baby, go get it" his mom hugged him, he closed his eyes trying to remember the last time
"I have never been as proud of you as I am today, I love you son" his dad hugged him
"We've still got to win the game yet" Sam laughed grabbing Mercy's hand "Take them to the box, I've got to get changed"
"Break a… on second thoughts don't" Mercy kissed him and walked off with his parents