Sweeper - Chapter 8

SwEEPER Viii “ESTRANGEMENT” TIME: WINTER 2009 SETTING: RICKY WELCH, A 14 YEAR OLD GIFTED SOCCER PLAYER FROM COLORADO SPRINGS THEY CALL “SWEEPER”, LEADS COLORADO’S FINEST YOUTH GOLD I TEAM IN COMPETING FOR A NATIONAL YOUTH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE SOCCER FIELDS OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY. RECENTLY SWEEPER AND HIS TEAMMATES HAVE WON AN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT IN BERLIN. CONSIDERABLE PRESS WAS ACCORDED SWEEPER AS MVP OF THE TOURNAMENT; AND NOW CHELSEA FROM THE ENGLISH SOCCER LEAGUE AS WELL AS BARCELONA FROM THE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ARE MAKING OFFERS TO SWEEPER. RICKY IS FROM A POOR SINGLE PARENT HOME – FORMERLY LIVING WITH HIS MOM IN A RENTED TRAILER. IN THE PAST YEAR SWEEPER’S MOM MYSTERIOUSLY ABANDONED HIM DURING A SOCCER TOURNEY AT THE USAFA. THE USAFA GENERAL MITCHELL AND HIS LOVING WIFE SALLY HAVE ADOPTED SWEEPER - PENDING LOCATING HIS MOM AND POSSIBLY DAD – WHOM SWEEPER HAS NEVER KNOWINGLY SEEN SINCE BIRTH. RICKY PLAYS SWEEPER - A POSITION IN FRONT OF THE GOALIE - AND VIRTUALLY NO GOALS HAVE BEEN SCORED AGAINST THIS COMPETITIVE, GIFTED, AND MOTIVATED YOUTH COLORADO TEAM THE PAST TWO YEARS. THOUGH COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL TEAMS ARE ALREADY FOCUSING ON RICKY, HIS REAL MOM WANTS RICKY TO JUST CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOL AND LET THE SOCCER TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. FOLLOW ALONG AS THE COLORADO GOLD I TEAM WITH THE “SWEEPER” PREPARES AND PLAYS LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL SOCCER GAMES AGAINST THE VERY BEST COMPETITION. WHAT HAPPENS IN SWEEPER IS AN EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE FAMILY CONSEQUENCE OF OUR SOCIETY. THE AMAZING EVENTS THAT FOLLOW TRULY DIG DEEP INTO HUMAN EMOTION AND COMPASSION. SOCCER LOVERS WILL ENJOY THE SWEEPER SERIES IN THAT IT ENCOMPASSES SOCCER FUNDAMENTALS, COLORADO CULTURE, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH, AND THE COMPETITIVE SPORTS ENVIRONMENT TODAY’S YOUTH EXPERIENCE.

SWEEPER

HEY SALLY. WE REALLY GOT A BIG BOOST THIS WEEK FROM SI.

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SALLY

¬SI. . . . THAT IS - LET ME SEE - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. RIGHT?

GENERAL MITCHELL

ABSOLUTELY. NOT BAD FOR A FAIR WEATHER SPORTS FAN.

SALLY

YOU KNOW I ONLY FOLLOW ACADEMY SPORTS.

SWEEPER

THAT’S COOL. THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM - FROM WATER POLO TO TABLE TENNIS. YOU NAME IT, THE SPORT IS PLAYED HERE.

GENERAL MITCHELL

IF WE ARE STRONG IN SPORTS, WE WILL BE STRONG IN OUR MILITARY AND LIFE PURSUITS. TRUST ME.

SALLY

IS EVERYONE ENJOYING THE FOOD?

GENERAL MITCHELL

THE FOOD AGAIN IS UNBELIEVABLE. THE VERY BEST.

SWEEPER

I AGREE SALLY. IT COULD NOT BE BETTER. I’VE NEVER REALLY HAD BAKED HAM WITH SCALLOPED POTATOES BEFORE. AND THE BEANS ARE SUPERB.

SALLY

THANKS YOU GUYS. THIS IS MY MOTHER’S RECIPE THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. IT HAS BEEN COOKED A MILLION TIMES AND NEVER FAILED. NOT TO BRAG BUT I’VE HAD MANY CADETS DROOL OVER THIS DISH. SUCH A JOY TO COOK FOR MEN!

GENERAL MITCHELL

SO HOW IS COLORADO GOLD I DOING THESE DAYS?

SWEEPER

WE LOST A COUPLE KIDS TO DENVER HIGH SCHOOL. BUT WE’VE RECOVERED AND RECRUITED A FEW MORE WHO ARE VERY MOTIVATED AND TALENTED. OUR SCORING SHOULD ACTUALLY IMPROVE.

GENERAL MITCHELL

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE AFTER WINNING THAT TOURNAMENT IN BERLIN THIS PAST YEAR?

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SWEEPER

COACH TELLS US THAT ALL THE AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL TEAMS ARE CONSTANTLY IMPROVING. WE SEE THAT WEEKLY IN OUR SCRIMMAGES AND GAMES PLAYED AT THE ACADEMY. HECK WE HAVE TONS OF TEAMS EMAILING US DAILY WANTING TO PLAY US. SO WE NEED TO IMPROVE.

SALLY

WOW, WHEN WE WERE IN BERLIN AT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SOCCER TOURNAMENT, THERE WERE SO MANY KIDS THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE ADULTS. I WAS IMPRESSED.

GENERAL MITCHELL

DO YOU THINK IT IS CREATINE, HCG, STEROIDS, OR OTHER CHEMICALS THAT ARE PREMATURLY BUILDING THESE BODIES EVERYWHERE?

SWEEPER

NO, IN EUROPE ALL THE TEAMS ARE DRUG TESTED FREQUENTLY. IT APPEARS THEY DO A TON OF STRENGTH TRAINING DAILY - ESPECIALLY IN OFF SEASON.

GENERAL MITCHELL

NOT SO MUCH SOCCER DRILLS?

SWEEPER

WELL ANYMORE COMPETITIVE YOUTH SOCCER IS ALL YEAR ROUND. THE BASICS OF FOOTWORK, PASSING, FIELD VISION, DRIBBLING, SHOOTING, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES INTO SOCCER MUST ALWAYS BE WORKED ON SO IT IS SUBCONSCIOUS. COACH LETS US KNOW THAT EVERY PRACTICE.

SALLY

SO THESE DRILLS ARE SO EFFECTIVE YOU REACT IN A GAME SITUATION WITHOUT THINKING?

SWEEPER

YES, A GOOD SOCCER PLAYER REACTS INSTINCTIVELY. ¬THERE IS NO TIME TO THINK ABOUT MOVES, FUNDAMENTALS, OR ANYTHING ELSE. WE JUST REACT AND USUALLY WE MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION COMPETITIVELY.

GENERAL MITCHELL

WOW! THE FALCON FOOTBALL TEAM IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. OUR COACHES ARE REALLY TEACHING OUR PLAYERS TO JUST REACT CORRECTLY AND EFFICIENTLY. WE SAW THAT THE OTHER NIGHT IN THE ARMED FORCES BOWL WHERE WE CRUSHED HOUSTON.

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SALLY

IT WAS VERY INSTINCTIVE AND REACTIVE. ESPECIALLY OUR DEFENSE ON THE BALL - WHETHER IT WAS A RUN OR PASS.

SWEEPER

THAT IS HOW COLORADO GOLD I WILL BE THIS NEXT YEAR. OUR PRACTICES ARE KILLERS. I CAN HARDLY DO MY HOMEWORK AFTER PRACTICE I’M SO EXHAUSTED.

SALLY

WE’VE GOT YOU THAT NEW LAPTOP; AND IT SHOULD BE PUT TO GOOD USE BEFORE AND AFTER PRACTICE. REMEMBER WHAT YOUR MOM SAID. SCHOOL, SCHOOL, AND MORE SCHOOL. SWEEPER, YOU NEED TO EXCEL IN SCHOOL JUST AS MUCH AS SOCCER.

SWEEPER

WELL I’VE GOT A B AVERAGE AT EAGLEVIEW.

GENERAL MITCHELL

IF THAT IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO, SO BE IT. BUT I’M CHALLENGING YOU TO CONVERT THAT TO AN A AVERAGE THIS SEMESTER.

SWEEPER

SO I CAN GET INTO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY?

GENERAL MITCHELL

YOU ARE ALREADY IN PREP SCHOOL. I KNOW THAT MUCH PER THE DECISION MAKERS. BUT SHOOT TO GO HIGHER WITH YOUR GRADES. ¬THERE IS ROOM FOR GRADE IMPROVEMENT.

SALLY

I FULLY AGREE. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MANY GIRLS CHASING YOU AND.......

DEMI AND I BROKE UP. NOT WHAT I HEARD.

SWEEPER SALLY

GENERAL MITCHELL

DOES ANYONE REALLY EVER BREAK UP?

SALLY

YES THEY DO. IT IS A FINE LINE. MOST KIDS JUST...

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SWEEPER

WALK AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER. IT ISN’T LIKE YOUR GENERATION WHERE RINGS WERE RETURNED AND ALL THAT.

GENERAL MITCHELL

SO YOU TWO JUST HAD IMPLICIT AND UNDERSTANDABLE MUTUAL FEELINGS OF SEPARATION.

SALLY

HOW DO YOU EXPECT SWEEPER TO UNDERSTAND THAT?

SWEEPER

I GET IT. GENERAL MITCHELL IS CORRECT. WHEN KIDS MY AGE SPLIT THEY JUST KIND OF WALK AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. THERE ARE NO BATTLES LIKE OUR PARENTS HAD.

GENERAL MITCHELL

BOY I REMEMBER A GIRL TOSSING A RING INTO MY FOREHEAD. IT WAS QUITE DRAMATIC. IT WAS IF SHE WAS GOING TO DIE IF I LEFT HER.

SALLY

I DON’T BLAME HER. ¬YOU ARE NOT WHAT I CALL BASHFUL. YOU MAY HAVE IN FACT DESRVED WHAT SHE DISHED OUT.

SWEEPER

ANYWAY DEMI AND I STILL HANG OUT ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT IT ISN’T LIKE IT USED TO BE. HER PARENTS WANT NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH ME. WHY IS THAT?

SALLY SWEEPER

THIS PAST YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN CONCERNED THAT MY PARENTS - IF EITHER ONE IS ALIVE - MAY BE INVOLVED WITH BIG TIME DRUGS.

GENERAL MITCHELL

THERE IS MUCH THAT GOES WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING. AND.........

SWEEPER

I KNOW THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED EVENTUALLY GETS KILLED; AND MANY OF THE INNOCENT PEOPLE AROUND THEM ALSO DIE.

SALLY

DO WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS?

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GENERAL MITCHELL

NO WE DO NOT. SORRY OUR CONVERSATION WENT FROM SOCCER TO THE DRUG TRADE.

SWEEPER

HAVE YOU FOUND ANYTHING REGARDING MY PARENTS WHEREABOUTS - ESPECIALLY MOM?

GENERAL MITCHELL

NO, WE HAVEN’T. NOTHING ABOUT MOM, HOWEVER WE FEEL YOUR DAD MAY BE ALIVE BUT HE’S CERTAINLY ELUDED US SO FAR.

SALLY

THE WHOLE THING IS VERY UNUSUAL. I DON’T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS. I JUST CAN’T FATHOM PARENTS ABANDONING THEIR CHILDREN.

SWEEPER

WELL I THINK I’M THE ONLY ABANDONED KID ANYONE REALLY KNOWS.

SALLY

NO YOU’RE NOT SWEEPER. GENERAL MITCHELL AND I HAVE HAD KIDS WHO HAVE MOSTLY TURNED INTO GREAT CADETS THROUGH THE YEARS. THEY SHOW UP ON OUR DOORSTEPS AND WE TAKE THEM IN. THAT IS OUR MISSION.

SWEEPER

I’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND MY PARENTS WANTING TO LEAVE ME. NEVER!

SALLY

THEY PROBABLY DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE, OR GO INTO SECLUSION FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS.

GENERAL MITCHELL

MAYBE IT WAS TO SAVE YOU. YOU NEVER KNOW.

SWEEPER

BUT WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT WITHOUT TELLING ME?

GENERAL MITCHELL

I DON’T KNOW. BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STRONG FORCE THAT MADE BOTH OF YOUR PARENTS LEAVE.

SALLY

WELL I KEEP GOING TO MASS AND PRAYING THAT SOMEDAY YOUR MOM AND DAD WILL RETURN.

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GENERAL MITCHELL

WELL NOT TO DWELL ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT WE KNOW BY DNA MATCHING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND HIGH SURVEILLANCE OF THE ACADEMY THAT MOST PROBABLY YOUR DAD WAS AT MANY OF YOUR GAMES THROUGH THE YEARS.

SALLY

BUT WHY WOULDN’T MOM KNOW THIS?

GENERAL MITCHELL

THAT IS THE PART WE DON’T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.

SWEEPER

ALL I EVER DID WAS PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE MORE LIKE COACH INSTRUCTED US TO DO. FOR MYSELF, I DID IT AS A WAY TO DEAL WITH DAD NOT BEING THERE AND MOM ALWAYS UNDER STRESS.

GENERAL MITCHELL

WELL YOU SURELY DID WELL BECAUSE YOUR SOCCER SKILLS FOR SOMEONE YOUR AGE ARE SUPERB. I’M NO SOCCER GURU BUT I’VE SEEN ENOUGH GAMES TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT NO ONE CAN SCORE ON YOU.

SALLY

THAT IS WHY BOTH CHELSEA AND BARCELONA WANT YOU.

SWEEPER

I’VE STUCK TO WHAT MOM SAID. SCHOOL, SCHOOL, AND MORE SCHOOL. LET THE SOCCER TAKE CARE OF ITSELF AFTER SCHOOL. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT, THE EUROPEAN SOCCER OFFERS ARE ENTICING.

GENERAL MITCHELL

I KNOW THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY COACH IS ALREADY PLANNING ON YOU BEING ON THE TEAM WITH YOUR UPCOMING GOOD GRADES. AFTER YOU PERFORMED THAT BICYCLE KICK LEFT FOOTED, HE KNEW YOU WOULD BE AN ASSET ON THE USAFA TEAM.

SALLY

AND A GREAT KID AND STUDENT ATHLETE. JUST WHAT THE ACADEMY IS LOOKING FOR.

SWEEPER

THANKS A BUNCH YOU GUYS. AND THE DESSERT IS FANTASTIC. CHERRY PIE WITH ICE CREAM....MY FAVORITE.

SALLY

YOU ARE VERY WELCOME. I THINK THE ACADEMY IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. 8

SWEEPER

YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT; HOWEVER I KEEP GETTING TWEETS FROM BARCELONA AND OCCASIONALLY CHELSEA.

GENERAL MITCHELL

INTERESTING BOTH THE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THE ENGLISH SOCCER LEAGUE ARE INTERESTED. WHAT ABOUT THE MLS RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES?

SWEEPER

NOT MUCH INTEREST. THEY DON’T PAY WELL EITHER - AT LEAST NOT LIKE EUROPE DOES WHERE THERE IS A MUCH BETTER FAN BASE AND SOCCER LEGACY.

GENERAL MITCHELL

WHAT DOES DEMI THINK ABOUT THAT?

SALLY

MY GOD PAUL, THESE KIDS ARE STILL BABIES.

SWEEPER

I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. DEMI AND I HAVE STEADFASTLY REMAINED VERY GOOD FRIENDS.

GENERAL MITCHELL

SUPER. NO THROWING OF RINGS AT ONE ANOTHER. CIVILIZED AND STILL FRIENDS THE MODERN WAY.

SALLY

ANYWAY TIME FOR YOUR HOMEWORK TO GET DONE. I KNOW THAT BARCELONA COACH IS CONSTANTLY TWEETING YOU. I CAN HEAR THE VIBRATION ON YOUR IPHONE. LET HIM KNOW THAT IT IS BEDTIME HERE NOW.

SWEEPER

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING?

GENERAL MITCHELL

PROBABLY QUITE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS SALARY AND A SIGNING BONUS.

SWEEPER

EXACTLY. THIS IS TOUGH TO TURN DOWN. I CAN GET MY EDUCATION ON THE INTERNET.

SALLY

YES YOU CAN - HOWEVER YOUR MOM MEANT BY SCHOOL, SCHOOL, AND MORE SCHOOL EAGLEVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL, AIR ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE. YOU CAN OBTAIN A COLLEGE SOCCER SCHOLARSHIP QUITE EASILY IF YOU KEEP PLAYING AND IMPROVING. 9

SWEEPER

BUT THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY - THE CHANCE TO PLAY SOCCER IN EUROPE. WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M INJURED MY JUNIOR YEAR IN COLLEGE AT THE ACADEMY?

SALLY

I REALLY DON’T KNOW. I GUESS YOU ARE INJURED THE SAME AS IF YOU WERE INJURED IN SPAIN.

SWEEPER

I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO YOU SALLY OR GENERAL MITCHELL BUT I HAVE MY OWN RIGHTS REGARDING MY LIFE. ¬SINCE MY MOM ISN’T HERE I CAN MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS.

GENERAL MITCHELL

YES AND NO. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS. THAT IS GOOD, MATURE, AND BEYOND YOUR YEARS. THAT IS WHAT OUR CADETS DO. AND IF THEY MAKE THE WRONG DECISION, WE ASSIST IN HELPING THEM RETURN TO CORRECT DECISION MAKING. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

SWEEPER

BUT THESE ARE CADETS. I’M NOT IN THE AIR FORCE. THE CADETS ARE UNDER YOUR COMMAND. THEY HAVE CHOSEN THAT.

SALLY

YES THEY HAVE. MATURITY - ESPECIALLY IN YOUNG BOYS TAKES TIME.

SWEEPER

SO WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ME? I CAN MATURE IN ENGLAND OR SPAIN. THE CHELSEA COACH ALSO TWEETS ME FROM TIME TO TIME.

GENERAL MITCHELL

SWEEPER, REMEMBER WE WENT TO EL PASO COUNTY COURT LAST SUMMER TO OBTAIN TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP. THIS WAS AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH ATTEMPTING TO FIND RELATIVES OF YOUR PARENTS WHO MAY WANT TO ASSIST IN YOUR UPBRINGING.

SALLY

YOUR MOM HAS BEEN GONE FOR MANY MONTHS AND YOU’VE NEVER SEEN YOUR DAD.

SWEEPER

SO I’VE BEEN ABANDONED IN ESSENCE. NO ONE WANTS ME. AND THEY DON’T WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR ME. I CAN SKIP

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HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SOCCER AND PLAY IN THE BEST PRO LEAGUES RIGHT NOW.

GENERAL MITCHELL

WELL ACCORDING TO THOSE EUROPEAN COACHES YOU WOULD BE ON DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS FOR MONTHS UNTIL - AND ONLY UNTIL - YOU HAD THE TOP SOCCER SKILLS IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU STEP FOOT ON THE BIG STAGE. WE WOULD NOT BE WITH YOU AS MOST YOUNG PLAYERS OVER THERE HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT.

SALLY

IT IS CRITICAL IN OUR SOCIETY AND ESPECIALLY TO GENERAL MITCHELL AND ME THAT YOU OBTAIN THE VERY BEST EDUCATION AND TURN OUT TO BE THE VERY BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE. UNTIL YOUR MOM RETURNS, THE EUROPEAN SOCCER DECISION IS OURS BY THE COURTS.

SWEEPER

YOU DON’T REALIZE HOW MUCH I WANT TO GO. I’VE REALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT FOR MANY WEEKS. EVEN DEMI THINKS I SHOULD GO TO ESCAPE ALL THIS MESS AND CONCENTRATE ON SOCCER. THE COACHES OVER THERE SAID I COULD OBTAIN MY HIGH SCHOOL IN AN AMERICAN SCHOOL IN BARCELONA.

GENERAL MITCHELL

SO WHAT DOES YOUR COACH ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT ALL THIS?

SWEEPER

COACH IS BIASED. HE LOVES SOCCER SO MUCH THAT HE THINKS IT IS THE MOST AMAZING OPPORTUNITY THAT ANY OF HIS PLAYERS HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

SALLY

I’LL GIVE YOU THIS. GENERAL MITCHELL AND I WILL SIT AND DISCUSS THIS WHOLE MATTER; AND IF WE DECIDE TO CONSIDER THIS FURTHER, WE’LL TALK TO THE COACHES HERE AND ACROSS THE OCEAN. SO IT’S NOT DEAD!

SWEEPER SALLY

NO IT ISN’T DEAD. IT IS JUST VERY UNUSUAL. VERY VERY UNUSUAL.

GENERAL MITCHELL

I STILL LIKE FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE ACADEMY OR PREP SCHOOL. OF COURSE THIS IS YOUR DECISION. AND ONE 11

HAS TO OBTAIN A CONGRESSIONAL APPOINTMENT TO THE ACADEMY. YOU CAN ALSO COMPETE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT AND THERE IS ALWAYS THE PREP SCHOOL ROUTE WHERE YOU JOIN THE AIR FORCE AND GO DIRECTLY INTO THE PREP SCHOOL. IF YOU AREN’T ADMITTED TO THE ACADMEY AFTER PREP SCHOOL, YOU CAN LEAVE THE AIR FORCE WITHOUT A COMMITMENT. BUT A YOUNG PERSON HAS TO BE TRULY COMMITTED TO BEING A CADET. OTHERWISE, THEY WASH OUT.

SALLY

THAT SHOULDN’T BE A PROBLEM WITH GENERAL MITCHELL RECOMMENDING YOU WITH YOUR MOTIVATION AND ATHLETIC SKILLS.

SWEEPER

HOW ABOUT THE ACADEMY BEING A FALL BACK POSITION FOR ME ?

GENERAL MITCHELL

SWEEPER, YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH GREAT CREDENTIALS WHO CANNOT GET INTO THE ACADEMY. IT IS THE HIGHEST HONOR A YOUNG PERSON COULD EVER OBTAIN. AND YOU ARE NOW CALLING IT A FALL BACK POSITION?

SALLY

I DON’T THINK HE MEANT IT QUITE THAT WAY PAUL. IT IS HIGHLY UNCOMMON, IN FACT VERY RARE THAT A YOUNG AMERICAN BOY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SOCCER IN EUROPE.

SWEEPER

NONE OF THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU HADN’T GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE BERLIN TOURNAMENT WHERE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIBVE THE MVP, AND OUR COLORADO GOLD I TEAM WON. I FULLY APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU ATTENDING AND STEPPING IN TO ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVEN PLAY IN EUROPE.

SALLY

YES - THE MEDIA JUST LOVED THIS STORY - ESPECIALLY WITH OUR ROCKRIMMON TEAM BEATING THE ITALIAN TEAM IN THE FINALS.

SWEEPER

WELL I’M OFF TO FINISH MY HOMEWORK. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS STRONGLY. I WANT TO PLAY SOCCER IN EUROPE. I’LL DO ANYTHING. I’LL COME BACK AND BE A CADET IF I DON’T MAKE IT. 12

GENERAL MITCHELL

SALLY AND I HAVE THE DISHES. WE HAVE SOME TALKING TO DO. FINISH THE HOMEWORK AND GET SOME SLEEP.

END - SWEEPER VIII © Copyright 2010 Sportademics.Com LLC. Sportademics.Com LLC provides information and entertainment services on the Internet in furtherance of its goals of education, youth guidance and entertainment. Permission to use, copy and distribute documents delivered from this web site and related graphics is hereby granted for private, non-commercial and education purposes only, provided that the above copyright notice appears with the following notice: “This document may be reprinted and distributed for non-commercial and educational purposes only, and not for resale. No resale use may be made of material on this web site at any time. All other rights reserved.”

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