Legacy of the pitch : A father’s fears

In the beginning

In the heart of a small town called harbor-view , there lived a man who was the talk of the whole town because of his extraordinary skill sets on the football pitch . His name was Jason . Everyone who lived in the town loved to come to watch Jason play in the cool of the evening when the local town team comes out for their regular training. Despite not being the biggest player on the field Jason carried a certain aura that whenever he gets hold of the ball everyone expect magic and he never fails to deliver. Everyone in the village knew that the sky was only the starting point for the little magician as he was nicknamed by his teammates. On a certain day as Jason was training he caught the attention of an international scout who offered him a slot to train with one of the biggest teams in the continent which was River state city Football club. At first Jason thought it was a dream but right before his very eyes , he saw authentic proof that this scout was indeed from that club . They then exchanged contact and the scout went his way. Overwhelmed with joy , Jason asked his coach if he could leave training to head home and discuss with his parents about what just happened . The coach then let him go but not without promising him that he would be the first to arrive the following day because they had an important match against their local rivals. After promising Jason stormed home like someone who has been held back for a while, with a big and obvious smile on his face Jason only imagined how he’s and the life of his family members will change if he eventually gets scouted. On getting home Jason’s mom , Mrs Andrew could help but see the broad smile on her darling sons face.”Jay” as she usually calls him , what happened she asked. She then listened as Jason narrated everything that happened between him and the scout . Mrs Andrew was overwhelmed with joy , but suddenly she stopped celebrating and her mood changed . She then sat down and reminded Jason of how his father never agreed with the idea of him playing football. So how were they going to tell him and also convince him to get on board with this . Jason then pleaded with his mother to talk and try and convince his dad to let him go for the tryouts since it was an all paid tryout. All they had to do was take him to the airport and the rest is left to him and the scout to take care of. She then assured her son he would surely go fit the tryouts.

Jason’s father, Mr Andrew was a well-skilled fisherman who finished best of his class but was not able to secure a white collar job for some reason. He always had a dream for his children to have white collar jobs . But as the saying goes “if wishes were horses , beggars will ride on them” Mr and Mrs Andrew had only one child and that one child wanted nothing more than to be a professional footballer . This matter has caused so many arguments between not just Jason but also with his mother. So now Mrs Andrew was tasked with the duty of breaking this news to her husband . She then taught of a plan quickly. She asked Jason to rush to her bedroom and get her bag . Jason got it for her , she then asked Jason to boil water before she got back . Jason did as he was told and then watched over the house .Few minutes later his mother came back with a polythene bag , curious to know what was inside Jason took the bag from the mother , took it to the kitchen ,peeped inside then he understood his mother’s plan. Mr Andrew came back to the house very exhausted , then he was directed to have his bath afterwards he will have his favorite meal which was rice with well seasoned barbecue chicken Which he hasn’t had in a long while. Out of curiosity he asked whether they were celebrating anything . All his wife told him was to freshen up, eat and then he will find out.

After eating, Jason then cleared the dishes and waited anxiously in the kitchen to hear about the outcome of their discussion. At first it was sounding peaceful but then it became heated in a way then it went back to being peaceful. Then Jason heard his name “ Jason” his father called. Almost trembling he stood a bit far from his father in case he was going to be beaten or scolded. But to his greatest surprise all his father asked was to sit with the scout and discuss with him . Overwhelmed with joy , he thanked and hugged his father and then went about his normal chores.

The following day, Jason kept his promise and was the first among his teammates to arrive for the match against their rivals . But what Jason didn’t know was that the scout was also in attendance for that match to confirm if indeed Jason was the right choice .And Jason didn’t disappoint at all as he pulled off a masterful performance scoring two goals and assisting one to gain the man of the match award . The scout was then sure that he had the right man for the job . After the game, Jason who wanted to contact the scout on the meeting with his father, was shocked to see him there . He then went ahead and told him about the meeting . The scout agreed and they proceeded from the field to Jason’s house . The meeting with his father which lasted for only thirty minutes felt like a whole eternity for jason. After the meeting the scout left without saying a word to Jason . This singular act broke Jason’s spirit and nearly drove him into tears . He then rushed to his room, had his bath and slept. Few hours later , Jason was woken up by his mother that his father wanted to see him . His heart started pounding as he expected nothing but the worst from his father who never liked the idea of him chasing a professional football career. He then summoned up courage and met his father sitting outside . With a calm voice his father asked him “Jason , you know that anything I do , I do it because I love and have your best interests at heart” this side of his father Jason has never seen before and it kind of made the misunderstanding he had with him clearer now . His father then went ahead and told him about the outcome with the scout and how he agreed for him to go but on the condition that if he gets picked the club will sponsor and ensure he finishes his studies . Jason didn’t even realize when he stood up and hugged his father something he hasn’t done in a long time. He then promised to make them proud and also pursue his studies side by side with his professional career . His father then told him to go and pack his things. The first thing the next day they will be on the way to the airport to meet with the scout. Skipping like a little child , Jason went to his room and packed all his things . His mother came around to help him pack and ensure he had everything he needed for the trip.

Very early the next day, they were on their way to the airport to meet up with the scout who was waiting for them . In the vehicle, Mrs Andrew kept advising her son to be of good behavior and ensure he plays without fear and play with the whole of his heart. The drive from the town to the airport was about three hours . An hour and thirty minutes into the drive , Jason fell asleep for a short while only for him to be awake in a hospital with a bandage wrapped around his leg . Confused he asked the doctor that was attending to him what had happened. He was then told that he was rushed to the hospital by a group of people after being involved fatal accident. He then asked for the he’s parents. Then doctors then broke the worst news anyone could ever hear that he had lost he’s dad and he’s mom was in a state of coma . And due to how fatal the accident was he might not be able to walk again. Tears rolled down Jason’s cheek . He wondered how everything changed so fast from being scouted by the biggest team to being unable to walk .

The scout rushed in after a few hours and promised to support, Jason and his mother with everything the hospital needed for her to get back to full health and also for the fathers funeral, but that was the most he could do for Jason as the accident had ruined his chances of playing for the club. The scout then met with the doctor sorted out all the bills and left Jason with some amount of money for him to take care of himself and his mother. With pain in his heart , jason could only blame himself for what had happened to his father “ if only I listened to him and stayed in school my father would still be alive and my mother won’t be in a coma” he knew he had to live with this guilt for the rest of his life . But that was by the way all he cared about now was doing he’s possible best to get his mother out of her current state .

Day and night he stood by his mother’s side despite being on a wheelchair, hoping and praying for her to get better, not until one faithful day while he was asleep, he heard a familiar but weak voice calling him by his name , overwhelmed with joy. he called out l the doctor , who then checked her and confirmed that she was okay and out of danger . She then asked Jason for the whereabouts of his father. With tears in he’s eye jason broke the bad news to his mother. Visibly shocked by the news with tears in her eyes . She assured Jason that all will be okay and things will get better. Jason then promised her that he will work hard to fulfill his father dream of him having a white collar job . In order to honor his memory. Out of curiosity Jason’s mother then asked him what about your dream of being a footballer. Jason then responded“ Football got me into this mess , and now I have to face the consequence of this mess for the rest of my life” so it’s time to get serious with my life indeed father was actually looking out for me

Echoes of pain

A few months after this life-changing tragic incident, Jason was able to gradually start over. Due to the support of the God-sent scout, Mr. Rodriguez, he was able to get a well-qualified physiotherapist who helped him get back to his feet and walk again. And when he was fully fit, Jason enrolled at a nearby university, where he focused fully on his studies and tried his best to forget about the game; he once couldn’t stay a day without playing. Jason’s mother couldn’t help but feel bad for her only child, as she knew how much he loved the game of football, and now he has to live his entire life with the guilt that the game he once loved led to the death of his father. Jason’s guilt gradually and painfully turned to hatred for that game, to the extent he didn’t even want to get associated with anyone or anything that was involved with football. Now the game that brought a wide smile on his face was seen as a complete waste of time and effort.

After completing his studies Jason graduated at the top of his class and was even gifted a scholarship to further his studies anywhere in the world. Mr. Rodriguez was even in attendance for Jason’s graduation. He had become a member of their family now. He always wanted to know how about the welfare of Jason and his mother. Mr. Rodriguez then requested to have a private talk with Mrs. Andrew while the ceremony was nearly reaching its conclusion. They moved to a miniature garden not too far from the university hall, then Mr. Rodriguez asked Mrs. Andrew if what he had been hearing about was true—that Jason now hates football. Mrs. Andrew then went ahead to tell him everything and also tell him how she had tried to convince him that it wasn’t his fault and how his father wouldn’t be happy seeing that he stopped doing what brought him so much joy then, but all her effort fell on deaf ears. Mr. Rodriguez then decided that he would try his possible best to talk and change Jason’s mind. As he is now seen by Jason as a father figure in his life. So after the ceremony had ended, they all went home and had a celebratory dinner, which Mrs. Andrew prepared. After the dinner, Mr. Rodriguez suggested he and Jason go for a drive around the neighborhood. Jason then agreed, and they were on their way. Mr. Rodriguez had a plan to get Jason’s mind occupied during the drive till they got to where he wanted them to go. So he gave Jason old blueprints for him to look at. Jason was happy to look at them unknown to him; Mr. Rodriguez just wanted to take his mind off knowing where he was taking him.

Thirty minutes into the drive, they had gotten to a very popular beach in that town in the cool of the evening. Children and adults of all kinds come to relax and play football. It was then Jason understood why he was brought here.Jason,""Mr. Rodriguez called. I heard something about you that breaks my heart into a thousand pieces. I was informed that you not only have stopped playing football but now you hate it.Jason then replied, “Sir, with due respect, was this the reason why you asked for this drive and gave me those blueprints so my mind would be occupied?” Yes, Mr. Rodriguez replied, I wanted you to see something for yourself. Look around, boy, what do you  see?" Mr. Rodriguez said Jason then replied, “I see a set of people relaxing and another set wasting their precious time on something that’s not worth it.” Is that what you think, said Mr. Rodriguez? Yes, replied Jason. Mr. Rodriguez then went ahead to call on one of the children playing football. Good day, sirs, said the boy. They then replied to his greeting. Then Mr. Rodriguez asked the child, Son, why do you waste your time playing football? Don’t you have problems in your life? Don’t you know football is a complete waste of time. The boy then answered in the most polite way, saying, “I beg your pardon, sir. Yes,  I have problems, but that should stop me from doing what brings me joy.He then added that no matter what one is doing, his or her joy should be first before anything.” With a smile on his face, Mr. Rodriguez thanked the boy and gave him some money to get something for himself. “Is that all?” said Jason. Can we be on our way now? I have better things to do than stand here and listen to this rubbish. Jason then stood up and went to the parking lot where Mr. Rodriguez’s car was parked. It was a very silent drive back to Jason’s house. On getting there, Jason left the car in a haste and rushed towards the door, but before he could enter, Mr. Rodriguez called him, saying, “Do you want to know what your father said to me when I met him concerning your tryouts with River State City? He said he always came around to watch you train, and the things he saw, he was aware that indeed you were talented; he was just scared that you might stop being able to go professional due to his financial situation, and you will then hate him for that." Jason then rushed into the house, went straight to his room, and slammed the door shut. Mrs. Andrew saw everything that had happened and then came out to talk and plead with Mr. Rodriguez. After a few minutes of talking, Mr. Rodriguez was in his way. Then Mrs. Andrew went to Jason’s room and spoke to him again to reconsider his decision, but all fell to deaf ears. Jason’s mind was made up, and nothing anyone would say or do will change that.

Jason then left for another country to further his education, where he met and fell in love with a woman called Taylor in his second year. Jason and Taylor dated for the remaining two years they had, and after completing their studies, Jason proposed to Taylor, and they got married. Jason, his mother, and his wife then moved from Harbour View to a new town called Marín just south of Harbour ew.  Jason’s mother knew the real reason why he wanted to leave Harborsview; she didn’t want to open old wounds, so she didn’t speak of it and decided to focus on living a new life in their now-found home in Mardin, and all Jason wanted to do was leave the ghosts of the past and the past and focus on a new life and raising a family of his own with his wife and mother.