Part 2: The high school stadium was full.
Parents, students, teachers and neighbors occupied the stands more than an hour before the game.
I knew almost all those faces.
We had shared tournaments, injuries, early morning trips and matches in the rain.
Then I saw it.
Daniel.
Navy blue suit.
Impeccable shoes.
A watch that surely cost more than my truck.
For a few seconds it was difficult to recognize the man who had disappeared years ago leaving a note about a kitchen.
He did recognize me immediately.
He walked towards me.
And he sat right in the empty place next to me.
Luis.
I didn’t look at him.
Daniel.
“It’s been a long time.
—14 years.
He settled the sack.
Matthew left my ticket at the entrance.
I didn’t answer.
He also asked me to sit here.
That did make me look at it.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“I’m fine now,” he said. I have a company. I got married a few years ago. My wife helped me a lot.
“I’m happy.
I know I made mistakes.
“Abandoning your son was not a mistake.
Daniel clenched his jaw.
“It was destroyed.
“Matthew too.
Before I answered, someone touched my shoulder.
It was Ernesto, my roommate from the shop.
For years I had covered my shifts when Matthew was sick or had an important match.
“Who’s the executive?” he whispered.
Matthew’s biological father.
Ernest looked at Daniel.
Then to me.
“Well, don’t come now to change the story.
The initial whistle sounded.
Mateo played like he had fire on his legs.
At minute 31 he scored the first goal.
Daniel jumped out of his seat screaming his name.
I sat.
Not because I wasn’t happy.
But because watching him celebrate produced an rage difficult to explain.
That man was screaming like a proud father.
But he hadn’t been when Matthew learned to kick a ball.
I hadn’t paid for her tacos.
I hadn’t spent nights putting ice on her ankles.
I hadn’t driven 3 hours to watch him play 20 minutes.
I hadn’t been.
The match ended 4 to 1.
State champions.
Mateo had scored 2 goals and given an assist.
His companions carried him on his shoulders.
I cried.
Daniel, too.
And for the first time I thought something that embarrassed me.
Maybe Mateo did need to meet him.
Maybe I would have to learn to share a place that for 14 years had been only mine.
After delivering the medals, the coach took a microphone.
Before we leave, we have special recognition.
He pulled out a trophy.
“The most valuable player in the final and tournament is our captain, Mateo.
The stands exploded.
Matthew received the trophy.
Then he asked for the microphone.
I want to say something.
His voice was shaking.
People began to keep quiet.
Matthew looked towards our section.
“Tonight my real father is here.
I felt my heart fall to my stomach.
Daniel straightened his back.
He even smiled.
I stopped listening to people.
For 14 years I had feared a lot of things.
Not being able to pay rent.
Not to be enough.
That Mateo got sick.
One day I wondered why a man who was not carrying his blood had raised him.
But I had never felt such a clean fear as that.
Matthew continued:
We hadn’t seen each other in 14 years. A few months ago he looked for me again. He told me he wanted our relationship back.
Daniel raised a hand slightly.
As if he was waiting to be introduced.
Then Matthew paused.
And he looked straight at me
