Chapter 13 - Jake’s ChampionshipWestbridge reached the state semifinal.
Jake played linebacker.
College scouts attended.
For months Evelyn had threatened his scholarship reputation.
Now he realized how much power he had given those threats.
Coach Collins called him into the office.
“Three schools want visits.”
Jake stared.
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
One local university offered strong academic support and allowed him to stay close to home.
Jake immediately favored it.
Coach frowned.
“Why?”
“Noah.”
“Wrong answer.”
Jake stiffened.
“I want to be near my family.”
“That can be part of your answer.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Coach leaned back.
“What does Jake want?”
Jake hated the question.
He had become:
Noah’s brother.
Team captain.
Protector.
Witness.
Who was Jake without crisis?
He liked engineering.
Sports medicine.
He hated chemistry.
Loved history.
Wanted to play football if possible.
Maybe study physical therapy.
The university four hours away had the best program.
Could he leave?
Noah would be twelve when Jake started college.
Melissa said:
“You better leave if that school is right.”
Jake looked shocked.
“What?”
“You think I raised you to become permanent neighborhood security?”
Jake smiled.
“No.”
Noah was asked too.
JAKE COLLEGE FAR?
Noah selected:
BUS?
“Four hours.”
Noah thought.
VIDEO CALL.
Jake laughed.
So much for being indispensable.
The semifinal came.
Noah wore noise-reducing headphones.
Melissa sat beside him.
David waved a ridiculous sign.
Jake’s team won.
Afterward Noah met him near the fence.
Jake leaned down.
“Good game?”
Noah used AAC.
TWO MISSED TACKLE.
“Come on.”
WIN STILL.
Jake smiled.
That was perhaps Noah’s highest compliment.
They lost the state final.
Jake cried.
Noah handed him a red gummy bear.
Life contained losses that had nothing to do with court.
Wonderful.
Then Jake accepted an offer from the farther university.
Coach Collins hugged him.
Melissa cried.
Noah typed:
MOM CRY EVERYTHING.
Family tradition.
Meanwhile the state announced settlement with Kingsley Urban Partners.
Millions in compensation and remediation across affected neighborhoods.
Independent compliance.
External review.
No confidentiality requirement preventing families from discussing experiences.
Graham Kingsley resigned.
Brent Shaw faced separate civil penalties and professional restrictions.
No dramatic prison parade.
Financial and corporate accountability.
Evelyn was named in the findings as a local participant who knowingly aligned selective enforcement with acquisition goals.
Her $180,000 bonus and townhome benefit were never paid.
She had risked everything for money she never received.
Jake read that and expected satisfaction.
He felt nothing.
May you like
Maybe that was progress.
Evelyn’s punishment had stopped being his emotional weather.
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