Mateo's MRI results came back at 7 AM, and Leo read the report standing in his kitchen, coffee in hand, his heart in his throat.
Grade 2 deltoid ligament tear. No surgery required. Six to eight weeks recovery. Out for the remainder of the state tournament.
Leo set the report down and stared out the window. The sun was rising. The sky was orange and red. Somewhere across town, his team was waking up, getting ready for the quarterfinal, not knowing that their captain was gone.
His phone buzzed. A text from Mateo: “I saw the report. I'm out.”
Leo: “I know.”
Mateo: “Tell the team I'll be there. On the bench.”
Leo: “I will.”
Mateo: “And Coach?”
Leo: “Yeah?”
Mateo: “They're going to be scared. Keep them focused.”
Leo: “That's what coaches do.”
---
The team gathered in the locker room
