They’ve moved my high school soccer field from right up next to Sand Creek Road, to the other side of the school completely; closer to the football field. That probably happened twenty-years ago, for all I know, and it was a good idea, since occasionally a wild soccer ball would end up flying into rush-hour traffic. 

One early-September day, before I was old enough to participate in the pre-season soccer two-a-day practice/try-outs, I did spend the day “watching” my brother and his teammates. I’m guessing this happened somewhere between 6th-7th grade. I got bored kicking the ball around by myself, and wandered over to the little store across Sand Creek Road, which at the time might have been a snack-shop, but it had a couple of arcade cabinets as well. Google Maps shows that it is now the site of FlightsofFantasy Books and Games. I’m thrilled to know that nerdy pre-teen Kevin would still find that locale a comforting space. 

I don’t know exactly what I thought would happen if I blew all my lunch money on Frogger and Galaga, but by late morning I was broke. When the soccer players walked up to Wendy’s for lunch, I just grabbed a handful of crackers and told everyone I wasn’t hungry. I can’t recall if it was Jim or one of his friends that figured out I was staring at their food the way my cat watches me now, but someone gave me money for food. I remember a Frosty, but I hope I ate something besides that.

Honestly, the thing that strikes me most about that story is that as kids we could down a fast-food meal and then go back and play sports for another couple of hours without heartburn or throwing up. That simple act of kindness was a formative moment in my life, though.