Richard woke up earlier than usual. Even before the sun came up, he was already dressed and pacing around his living room. He felt everything at once — excitement, nervousness, confusion, and somewhere underneath it all, a quiet happiness.
Today was his first official day standing before the national coaching staff as the new Head Coach of the United States National Swimming Team.
He arrived at the national stadium thirty minutes before the meeting. The hall was large, bright, and already filled with coaches murmuring among themselves. These were seasoned men and women, some who had been in this system longer than Richard had even been alive. They weren't going to be easy to convince.
Richard walked in calmly, his face completely neutral. No emotion. No smile. No hesitation.
The moment he stepped inside, conversations died down. A few recognized him instantly, and their whispers spread across the hall. Some were surprised. Others hesitant. A few looked annoyed.
