It was just a cup of coffee, but it was enough for whoever makes that decision and sends notice up the chain.

He got into a few games, mostly slop-up stuff. Nothing meaningful.

But he was in. That was clear and that changes everything. And change is good.

Whatever was before will be no more.

There was still the contract, but that didn’t look tough. That’s why you have people. They make sure things like that get done. You look it over, offer your opinion and it gets done.

It’s like adults do, only faster.

What once looked ages away. Long into the horizon, like the sun setting on a Mississippi back road over someone’s livelihood on display. Acres and acres of land as you drive by and wonder when you’ll get the call up to the next level.

That was a long time ago, but not long enough that he didn’t remember. Didn’t still think about missed opportunities from ‘way back then’…

But now the long wait would be until spring. Until everyone journeys to the sunny states and getting prepped and ready for the upcoming season.

His first one in the…