1ST DOWN / 2ND CHANCES

<p class=ql-align-justify>Careers. Love. How do you determine which takes precedent? Which is more important? How do you decide which gets more attention? A dilemma. No. You just push it to the side. You shove it under the carpet hoping that it will just disappear and no decisions have to be made.</p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>He thought this interview would be just like the others. Mundane. Same questions asked. Same questions answered. Jaxon Ryder should have known that would have been too easy. The celebration in the locker room was loud but something soft had encountered the sweat and smell of jock straps and uniforms.</p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>********</p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>This was the last one. She was never doing this again. She smiled. This was ALWAYS the last one.</p><p class=ql-align-justify>Overpaid athletes. Prima donnas. This time was different. Typical interviews were with the quarterback or wide receiver. This interview was with the punter with the initials J.R. She was walking into a Dallas episode. There was no dignity left. Jovi Taft's goal was to finish this interview in record time. After all he was just a punter in the league. How good could he really be?</p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>********</p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>Ryder heard the steps. Jovi turned the corner. She bumped into a chest. </p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>Without missing a beat both glued to each other in unison stated:</p><p class=ql-align-justify>Let's get this over with.</p><p><br></p>