Driving home, Richard's mind was spinning again.
Head Coach of the United States National Swimming Team?
That wasn't just a big deal.
It was the highest position anyone could ever get in his field.
And somehow, they were offering it to him.
He didn't know how to process it.
He needed someone to talk to. Someone who understood him.
Someone who wasn't going to judge him.
Right then, his phone rang.
Dayo.
Richard picked up immediately.
"Dayo? What's up? Have you left the training center?"
"Yeah," Dayo replied. "I packed up already. But Coach… I felt something was off. I didn't want to ask earlier, but I could feel it."
Richard let out a long breath.
"Everything is fine, Dayo… but I actually need help."
"Coach," Dayo said calmly, "talk to me. You know you can."
Richard hesitated for a second—then said it.
"I was offered the position of Head Coach of the national swimming team."
Silence.
Then Dayo shouted, "WHAT?! Coach, for real?!"
Richard smiled weakly.
