Chapter Sixteen

DERRICK*

I got to the field where Emberly was running and planted myself at the finish line over to the side so I wouldn't be in the way. I was amazed to see how far ahead Emberly was from all of the other runners. I grabbed my phone and recorded Emberly as she took off into a sprint and burst through the finish line. I quickly texted the video to my dad.

'Take a look at what you and mom missed. Emberly blew everyone away. It would be nice if you and mom would make an appearance once in a while,'

Then I ran over to Emberly, where she was stretching and warming down. Then handed her some water and congratulated her on her victory.

"Thank you for coming to watch me run,"

"I almost missed it because I had to take mom and dad to the airport, but I tried. I recorded your sprint to the finish line. You are amazing, Emberly. Don't ever let anyone tell you any different,"

Emberly's eyes grew glassy, and I could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry. I knew she was upset. When our pa