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Once in a great while, a person touches the lives of many. That was my mother. Her story is one of strength and grace.

Scene where Dave's father throws gravel in front of his bike for disobeying where to ride his bike causing him to fall and break his leg. Scene fades to his living room.

Mom - I am sure that your dad did not want you to get hurt. He only wanted to teach you a lessen. You need to make sure that you don't disobey what he says to do. I am sorry. Your dad has a quick temper so be careful to not make him mad. 

Dave - But he ruined my new bike. And now I cant even ride my old bike. I hate him. He is mean and I don't want him as my dad. 

Mom - I know you don't really mean that. We both love you so much.

KIM - Nice race, man. Great start! You are district sprints champion!

DAVE - Not bad for a guy who was told he'd never run again after breaking my leg so badly as a kid!

COACH SCHMIDT - We’d like to officially invite you to try out for the varsity team this summer.

DAVE - I’m home!

DAVE'S young SIBLINGS run to greet him but quickly return to their favorite cartoon show. DAVE’S MOM is sitting in her wheelchair in the kitchen.

MOM - Did you win today? Did your team win?

DAVE - Yep, and yep!

DAVE - The football coaches from Skyline approached me at the track meet and invited me to try out for the varsity team.

MOM - Wonderful! Is there any way you can help me for a few minutes?

DAVE’S moment of glory takes a turn to reality. Mom explains what needs to be done around the house, and Dave listens, slightly bummed that he can’t just relax. He starts peeling some potatoes and helping with dinner.

DAVE’S moment of glory takes a turn to reality. MOM apologizes for missing his big track meet and explains what needs to be done around the house, and DAVE listens, slightly bummed that he can’t just relax. He starts peeling some potatoes. Life has changed and the complexity of his life direction in sports seems unimportant and survival of the family takes precedence.

DAVE - The private investigator confirms what you thought for sure could not be true. Now can you accept what everyone else knows?

DAVE - Tommy was the best man at your wedding. He is a church man. He will help, won’t he? Won’t he?

(MOM tears up, a tear running down her cheek)

MOM - He told me he didn’t want to get involved.

DAVE - What! A man of God, and he doesn’t want to get involved? He believes in the Ten Commandments, doesn’t he? If I remember correctly, doesn’t it say “Thou shalt not commit adultery?” Doesn’t it? Doesn’t it? Why won’t he intervene? One of your best friends betrayed you. 

DAVE CONFRONTS HIS MOM ABOUT HOW SHE FEELS BEING SINGLE.

DAVE - Well, seems like Dad couldn’t wait long to get married after the divorce was final. How long was it? Twelve hours? So, how do you feel now?

MOM -  Still a little numb. I’m not talking about my body parts, either. The worst part was living with someone who you thought you knew. That was the hardest for me.

DAVE -  So, where do you go from here?

MOM -  With God’s help, hopefully, forward. No one is going to fall in love with me.

DAVE -  Never say never.

My name is Dave Barton, and my story dates back to 1969. What happened that year was monumental in my life. At the time, I was 15 years old and excited to compete at a new level. Skyline had shown that it was a dominating force in high school football back then. Sophomores rarely were invited to try out and usually played on the sophomore team. I had been invited to try out for varsity. Many of my friends said I was riding on the ‘coattail’ of my brother Rick, a senior. He had proved to be one of the top defensive tackles in the state. I was often referred to as ‘Rick Barton’s younger brother’. That might have influenced the invitation, but I believe I had proven I could qualify on my own merits.

COACH SCHMIDT - If you want to play on this year’s football team, it requires total dedication. I want you to think about football all the time. 160 players are trying out for varsity this year, but only 50 will make the team. There’s no room for errors, either mentally or physically. No distractions! Focus on football. I have seen some of you hanging around with girls. I don’t want my players being led around by girls with their little fingers.