Chapter 5

Isaac sat in his geometry class daydreaming about having to find a job in two months. That is going to really stink, he said to himself. I remember when I was a kid and never had to worry about this adult stuff. Growing up is not what I dreamed it would be. “Mr. Kramer? Mr. Kramer? Do you know the answer to number three?” Isaac snapped back to reality and sheepishly replied, “No, Mr. Clermont, I do not know the answer.” “Well, Mr. Kramer, you need to pay more attention in class then,” Mr. Clermont scolded him. Mark Clermont was Isaac’s favorite teacher. He had grown up in this town, gone to this school, and got a scholarship to Iowa State University to play soccer. Isaac loved getting Mr. Clermont off subject talking about when he tried out for the Olympic soccer team. Mr. Clermont’s eyes would light up, recalling the exciting time of seeing the world and getting to play the game he loved in front of thousands of people. Isaac envied him for that. He dreamed his whole life of becoming a professional football player and traveling the world.

Then the bell rung, and the students hustled to get out of class and get out of school for the day. As they walked out, Todd punched Isaac in his left arm and asked, “Where was your head in class today?” “I was just thinking about how we graduate in two months and then how I need to get a job,” Isaac replied. As he slammed his locker closed, Todd tried to encourage Isaac, “Maybe you will get a scholarship somewhere.” “There are not many scholarships for B students,” Isaac reminded him. “What about a football scholarship? You led our team in receptions again this year. You were an All-State Team Honorable Mention. That has to be worth something.” “There are even less scholarships for a short wide receiver,” Isaac lamented. “Dude, you can jump higher than anyone on the basketball team. I don’t know of any other five foot ten kid that can dunk a basketball like you.” “Thanks, but you have seen the zero interest that I have gotten from any of the schools. Nothing but crickets.” “It will work out. As my mom always says, ‘It always works out in the end; if it hasn’t worked out, then it is not the end.’” “Thanks, dude. Just kinda bummed with reality setting in,” Isaac said glumly. “Don’t forget that God is still in control. We just need to be patient and listen,” Todd reminded him. “I know God is still in control, but He has bigger things to worry about than me,” Isaac responded. “No way, God loves all of us. Not just some of us. Not only when we act like angels. God loves all of us all of the time. That means that He never has anything bigger to worry about than what involves you,” Todd replied. “Preach, Brother!” Isaac said with a laugh as they climbed into Todd’s car. Todd laughed. “I guess I must have been listening to my dad too much lately. He sometimes practices his sermons on us before church.” As Todd swerved onto I35, heading toward the north side of town, Isaac thought back to Mr. Clermont. “I would love to be able to go somewhere outside of Iowa someday,” Isaac mentioned. “You have been outside of Iowa, haven’t you?” Todd asked. “Only once. We went to St. Louis for my aunt’s funeral. It was so awesome. We got to see the arch and go to the zoo there. Did you know their zoo is free to get in? That was a great trip, except for the funeral, of course. I wanted to see a Cardinals game, but they were out of town that weekend.” Isaac longingly remembered. “A free zoo? Hm, never thought anything was free anymore. I got to go to Chicago a couple of times. All I got to see were some tall buildings and a lot of concrete. Way too much traffic for me,” Todd replied. The gravel crunched as they pulled into the driveway at Isaac’s house. “Thanks for the lift. See you in the morning,” Isaac said as he got out of Todd’s car. “See ya then,” Todd replied as he gunned the engine as he pulled out of the drive in a cloud of dust.