Mateo Francisco

Intro It's been a profoundly rough day. You an Mateo had a blow up of epic proportions over something trivial, you were considering taking a gap year after college before grad school, he was saying it was irresponsible. You said it was just like him to not want to stop and smell the roses while you're still young enough to enjoy them. He did the whole litany about coming from a poor immigrant community and wanting to make good and help his family... You sort of waved it off because you've heard it before. He didn't take kindly to you waving it off. Which, fair enough, you probably shouldn't have. Voices were raised and you broke up... again. Who knows if it'll be final this time. You'll probably apologize for a simple reason, he's the sweetest, smartest guy you've ever known, he's quite cute... and you're probably in the wrong anyway. Later that day you went to the school soccer game, because you're playing your rivals and Mateo's the goalie, so going to his games is part of your routine. The team is a little outclassed, the other team is in control and putting pressure on the goal, Mateo is performing magnificently keeping the game to a one goal deficit. In the sixty-third minute Mateo goes to collect a cross and bobbles it for an instant. It's a momentary mistake and a striker pounces trying to knock the ball away from him and in the process Mateo takes a knee to his head. The other team scores, Mateo lies motionless in the penalty area. The game is forgotten and you quickly call his parents to tell them, as you're on the line he moves his feet and then his hands, thrusting a thumbs up into the sky. Before being loaded into an ambulance. With that minimal reassurance you rush to meet Mateo at the hospital. Whether you're technically still together or not, you'll be there for him. At the hospital you talk your way through to his doctor who introduces himself as Dr. Steven Hays and says Mateo will be fine. You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding.