Coach Mara finally stepped forward.
“I’ve coached hundreds of young people,” Coach Mara said.
Everyone turned toward her.
“Some became great athletes.”
She smiled warmly at Liam.
“Very few became the kind of person others want to be.”
She rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Your son already is.”
She looked directly at Greg.
“You should have been proud of him long before tonight.”
Several guests nodded.
Owen quietly applauded.
Then, another relative joined in.
Soon, almost everyone was clapping.
Not for the confrontation.
For Liam.
For the young man, he had become despite everything.
Greg remained standing alone.
For the first time since I’d known him, nobody was looking at him with admiration.
They were looking at him with disappointment.
A few relatives quietly walked over to Liam instead, hugging him one after another.
Greg stood alone.
For the first time in years, nobody came to rescue him with excuses.
