Prime Choice by Stephanie Perry Moore Page A

life.
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    I had only heard about the very beautiful campus Auburn University had. But while driving through the quaint town and seeing all the places, I was like, Wow! This lil’ place has it going on. It was just me and my parents. And Auburn was set to play LSU at home. It was going to be a great recruiting day.
    We followed the signs to the parking lot. When we got there, we were amazed. We pulled right in front of the football facility. There was a shuttle that would take us down to the stadium. But before that, we toured the four-story building.
    The practice fields were amazing. I don’t know what I expected college to be like. This was only my second recruiting trip, and I was certainly in awe. Before we headed down to the stadium, the wide receiver coach came and talked to us.
    He told me, “While your parents meet with the academic advisor, I just wanted to touch base with you quickly and let you know having you as a Tiger would be great. Though you’re one of those Georgia boys, this school produces many pro players. And of course the great Bo Jackson won the Heisman from here.” He pointed to the powerful brass trophy that I’d love to obtain one day.
    â€œPat Sullivan, too, right?” I asked, seeing two.
    â€œCorrect. You can be the third. Our receivers shine here. They’re second to no one. That’s why we’re really trying to recruit the best.”
    â€œCoach, I’m excited to be here. Honestly, I haven’t made any decisions yet, but Auburn is a great school. A solid team for years.”
    â€œWell, son, we know you’ve got a sister at Georgia and we’re just trying to be honest here. We don’t mind rolling out the red carpet for extra-special recruits like you. Ones that we really want to sign with us.”
    I stepped out onto the practice field and on the big screen was my highlight film. All of a sudden over the loudspeaker I heard my name called. One of the team members came out and handed me a jersey with “Skky” on the back. It looked nice in that blue and orange. All I knew was, Auburn was all right with me.
    After we got shuttled over to the stadium, we were directed to a special entrance for recruits that was massive. It was gated off. You couldn’t come through unless staff ushered you in. We were greeted by all these pretty hostesses. One girl came and introduced herself to me as a Tigerette. Both me and my dad did a double take when some of those cute girls walked by. We were just joking, but my mom hit us both in the stomach. Finally, my pops and I had connected on something.
    â€œThere’s the Saxon Lee boy,” my mom said. “His mom—she and I talked in South Carolina. Let me go say hello.”
    My dad and I connected again. He was feeling me. I was not excited. My mom shouldn’t consort with the enemy. There might be only one spot for a great receiver here. Saxon and I were competing for the same thing.
    I looked around and I didn’t see Saxon anywhere. My mom went off, though, to chat with the lady. When I turned around I did see a lovely sight: his sister, Savoy. Our eyes caught each other at the same time. She smiled, and it was perfect. Straight, bright whites, all glowing at me. Her mother was introducing her to my mom.
    I was just about to head over there and join in on their conversation when an older white man touched my father’s shoulder. “Excuse me. Mr. Skky?”
    My dad turned around and so did I. It was a guy that looked sorta familiar. I knew him from somewhere.
    My father recognized him instantly. “Oh, Reverend Shadrach.”
    The man said, “This is my son, Lance.”
    I still was clueless. That name sounded familiar, too. Who were these people? I knew this guy was obviously a recruit. And for a white boy, he looked to have nice size. I wondered what position he was. Everybody was competition.
    â€œReverend Shadrach, this is my son, Perry. Perry, you