Evan's Promise

By H. A. Ayers

When Evan Hoffmeyer makes a promise to his grandfather at the tender age of nineteen, he finds himself thrust into upholding that promise many years later, causing division and strife within his family. With the help of his wife, parents, and mostly God, Evan meets each challenge daily.However, when his cousin Tiffany mysteriously calls from California and shows up unexpectedly in Ohio, Evan discovers a family squabble is the least of his worries. He turns to God for answers, unsure where to begin. Can he complete all tasks charged to him? Will his small, quiet life change forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098047023

Book preview

Chapter 1

Fall 1990

The hatch of the Shove It, as Evan so lovingly called his blue four-door 1983 Chevette, slammed shut. Last bag, Mom, declared Evan to a teary-eyed dark-haired woman.

Even though Cheryl Hoffmeyer turned forty-one a month earlier, she easily passed for thirty. No gray hairs despite raising two rambunctious boys. Her skin—peaches and cream, as she described it—showed no signs of wrinkles. Most of his friends’ moms tanned for years in tanning booths or the backyard in search of the perfect bronze tans. Now, their wrinkles and dry leather skin prematurely aged them ten years or more their senior. Not Cheryl.

Evan remembered how embarrassed he was when she wore the big floppy hats and stayed inside as often as she could. However, all the other moms donned Daisy Dukes and slathered tanning oil or baby oil all over their exposed skin while roasting one side and then the other to ensure even tanning with minimal tan lines. But now, Cheryl had the last laugh. Thanks to her due diligence all those years, she still looked fresh and young.

Conversely, his father, Robert Hoffmeyer, wore snow-white on his head and mustache at forty-three. Robert worked in manufacturing since he was twenty-three, after he returned home from the Vietnam War. Yes, Evan learned Vietnam Conflict in history class, but Robert angrily said, When your brothers-in-arms were being blown up on either side of you, it was definitely a war, not a conflict!

Evan agreed with his father. Just because Washington DC politicians did not declare it, didn’t make it any less horrifying than any other war. Even after all these years, nobody approached Robert wearing flip-flops while he slept. He awoke with a start and in a defensive pose. He never attacked anyone or anything, but that conflict still affected him. Outside of that, Robert never met a stranger. His infectious smile and general kind nature made it impossible to dislike him. He helped elderly neighbors without being asked, coached little league, and picked up a hammer if someone was building a deck or garage. Evan decided his father earned every gray hair.

Are you sure you don’t want us to drive you back to give you a little company on the road? asked Robert.

Nah, Dad. It is only a three-hour drive. I have my tunes to keep me awake, responded Evan. Robert helped him put in a new cassette deck in the car so he could play all of the mixed tapes Evan made over the past year. Not to pat his own back, but Evan felt like his compilations of rock, rap, and hip-hop rivaled many radio stations. The disappointed look on Robert’s face made Evan feel a bit guilty. His mother’s tears were already difficult to take, but his father’s face nearly made him pull all of his bags out of the hatch to stay the rest of the weekend.

A Dodge Ram truck with a topper on the bed of the truck pulled into the driveway. A balding older man stepped out of the cab. Immediately, he placed a worn old red cap on his exposed head.

Goin’ to leave before sittin’ down to chat with your ole grandpa, are ya? the old man asked with half annoyance and half humor.

Not purposely. I have an exam on Wednesday and need to get back to study, Evan defended.

John Buck Carson smiled, winked at Evan, and said, So, what’s her name?

I don’t know what you are talking about, Evan said innocently.

Sure you do, boy. So what’s her name? She must be somethin’ to make you race back on Saturday before you have your grandma’s famous Sunday dinner with your favorite pumpkin pie supreme for dessert.

No one could get anything past Buck Carson. He grew up in the Depression Era raised by a widowed mother, who taught him the practical side of life. His general instincts about people and business were always spot on the money. He never finished high school, but it did not stop him from being a shrewd, successful business owner. He and his wife, Alice, raised three kids on the same practical principles Buck’s mother taught him, but only one seemed to take to those teachings—Evan’s mother, Cheryl. His two uncles moved away as soon as they could.

Uncle Peter, Uncle Mike, and their families rarely returned home to visit. Evan could only remember two Christmases and the funeral of his great-grandma Carson. At the last, Evan recalled his uncle Peter starting an argument with his mom, Cheryl, about when the reading of great-grandma’s will would take place. Uncle Mike, having drank a bit too much, chimed in, saying Peter was right.

* * * * *

The sooner the better. I have a boat payment due soon, slurred Uncle Mike.

Knock it off, you two ingrates. Dad’s mother just died, and you guys only care about the money? Cheryl exclaimed disgustedly with bloodshot eyes and tears streaking down her face.

Save your holier-than-thou crap, Cherry Berry. We know Grandma favored you, but surely, she left us a little something. Mike and I need to get back to civilization before we go insane, Peter said in his normal, snobby manner.

* * * * *

Both uncles wanted big houses, new cars every two or three years, and expensive vacations every year. However, in order to have all those things, they amassed large debts. While his cousins had the latest electronics, clothes, and cars without lifting a finger, Evan had to work part-time, per his parents, to get the extras. Evan’s parents saved their money and never spent frivolously on anything. His mom used to say things like, Remember what Grandpa Carson always told me: ‘A penny saved is a penny earned.’ If Evan had a penny every time, he heard this saying, he would have been very wealthy at an early age.

* * * * *

Evan remembered how embarrassed he was when his fifth-grade teacher added a bonus question on a social studies test, asking, Who was attributed for saying the quote, ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’? Of course, after all of the years hearing those words from his mother, Evan confidently wrote in capital letters, JOHN BUCK CARSON.

Mrs. Parsons chuckled at his response and said, Yes, I have heard your grandfather say it a time or two, but unfortunately, Mr. Hoffmeyer, John Carson was not the originator. Class, can anyone please tell Evan the correct answer?

The derision of the class amplified as they all said, Ben Franklin!

Evan turned bright red. Mrs. Parsons and his grandma Carson graduated high school together. Evan figured a woman as old as she was must not have realized, in the 1980s, something like that could haunt a person for a very long time. Which it did. For years, it was Ben Hoffmeyer or Evan Franklin or even Benny Penny for a while. It finally went away in the eighth grade when Jay Bishop slipped on an actual banana peel at lunch. Poor fellow heard about it the rest of his school years.

* * * * *

Despite all of the humiliation, Evan began to embrace the family mantra and saved every last penny. Evan was tempted to spend his hard-earned cash often but was stopped when his grandpa Carson would regale Evan with tales of the Depression. It worked like a charm; Evan would feel guilty and put the money in the bank for safekeeping away from his burning little hands.

Well, boy, are you goin’ to keep her a secret from this old man?

Evan snapped back to the question at hand. Her name is Angie.

Buck slapped his knee in triumph. Ha, ha, I knew it! Hear that, Robert, Cheryl?

It’s not a big deal, Grandpa, Evan said, half begging for his grandfather to stop. He could see the hurt in his mother’s eyes.

What’s not a big deal? Evan’s younger brother Jason bicycled up the walk with his new mountain bike.

Your brother has a girlfriend at college, said Robert, whom he failed to mention earlier.

Ew, what girl could like your frog face? Jason teased.

So mature, Jason, Evan retorted.

Fourteen, Jason replied, as if to say duh to his older brother.

Boys, stop bickering, was all Cheryl could muster. It had been extremely difficult to see Evan go off to college. Evan used to be the son who could not wait to come home to tell her everything at school or at work. He dreamed out loud to her and told her about crushes he had in middle school and high school. It pained her he had not come right in to talk about this Angie person, but she was trying to respect his privacy and not ask a barrage of questions that came to her mind instantly. He was nearly twenty and already exhibited the best qualities of her husband and father. Cheryl knew to trust her son, but it hurt nonetheless.

Yes, Mom, replied Jason and Evan in unison, each towering over her on either side to make a Mom Sandwich, as they loved to call it since they were small boys. Cheryl perked up with a smile and chuckled. It did the trick every time, and they usually escaped without punishment.

Okay, okay, I concede, said Cheryl with genuine amusement for her sons.

Boys, remember not to actually squash your mother. I need her to run the store and farm, said their grandfather with a wink. This old man has retired to his rocker with your grandma, and it is there I plan to stay for a few months.

Ha! I give it a week, Buck, said Robert skeptically. You will go stir-crazy by Wednesday and back in the store by next Friday!

Everyone chuckled, knowing full well Robert spoke more truth than jest.

Well, just the same, I don’t wanna have to come in because those strappin’ grandsons of mine have forgotten how strong they really are!

Thanks, Dad, for worrying about my well-being, Cheryl said with teasing sarcasm.

Ya know your well-bein’ is always in my mind, Cherry Berry. Now, off with all of y’uns. I have to chat with my oldest grandson before he heads out to court that young lady friend of his. Buck was never the subtle type. You always knew where you stood with him, and he was not afraid to tell it like it is, as he would say.

I’m outta here before I have to have a chat with Grandpa, said Jason, worried his biking time with his friends would be shortened. Later, bro!

Later, Jasonator, called out Evan.

This nickname started about three years ago when Jason started taking growth spurts faster than everyone his age. At nearly fifteen years old, he stood 6'3", only two inches shorter than his older brother. Jason dominated on the basketball court since he was twelve.

Evan admitted how proud he was of Jason for terminating the competition like Arnold, so the Jasonator stuck. Jason was not just freakishly tall for his age but was surprisingly strong. At 6'5", Evan carried a strong build as well, but Jason looked destined to surpass big brother—and soon. Evan, ever aware of this fact, learned early not to provoke baby brother in anyway.

Fortunately, Jason looked up to Evan and respected him. Sure, all siblings tease and argue from time to time, but these boys genuinely liked each other.

Buck could not help but smile at the exchange between his grandsons. He knew Jason missed Evan over the last year and a half but dared not tell anyone for fear it would make him look weak. Buck started taking him fishing or to the mall, like Evan used to do using excuses, like, Grandma kicked me out for the afternoon so she could have a silly book club meetin’, or I gotta pick up a few things and need a strong back. Usually, the only thing picked up was some ice cream.

Buck wished he had done the same things with his own sons years ago, but work never ended, and bills needed paid. Maybe Peter and Mike would have been closer too. Buck realized both boys competed nastily against each other to gain his attention. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. The rivalry caused the boys to fight constantly and resent him. No matter what he did now, they refused to talk or visit. They used the same excuses he had used when they were young: work never ended and bills needed paid. Of course, their bills were never paid with the way they went through money. Now, the only time Buck ever heard from them was if money needed to be borrowed or gifts were expected to be given.

Looking again at Evan and Jason, Buck shined with pride. Cheryl and Robert brought up sensible, caring, smart, and talented boys. Buck never said it out loud, but he definitely favored those two over the other numbskulled grandchildren he had. Peter’s and Mike’s kids were rude, spoiled, and whiny—whiny most of all—with the exception of little Tiffany, Mike’s only daughter. When Tiff smiled, Buck saw his wife, Alice, shining through. Alice reminded him frequently, They just do not know us well. Well or not, Buck still compared them to Evan and Jason. He just could not help it. Those two boys were pure delights. He enjoyed telling them stories about when he was young or when their mother, Cheryl, was young. The kicker was both boys listened like Buck had the most important news of the day.

Okay, Grandpa, what do you want to chat about? Evan asked.

Boy, I know you know about those birds and bees and such, but do you know how to pick your partner for life?

I am not looking for a partner for life yet, Evan said, astonished.

"Well, it will be happenin’ sooner than you realize, but you want to make sure that person is a partner, not a tagalong, who will never lift a finger, and not someone who is going to bark orders at ya just because. I give your dad a hard time and maybe tease him a little too much, but your mom picked a good’un. He pulls his weight around the house, helps the community, and still has time to make your mom smile daily. She does the same for him.

Your grandma Carson could have had the pick of the county and beyond. She was so smart and perty. But more than that, I saw how she treated others, how she helped her own folks, and how she loved the Lord. I know you young people don’t like to hear stuff like this from us old folks, but if your principles and ideals are not in sync, then everythin’ will be pure conflict. That is why I pray every day I raise this agin’ body outta bed. I thank the good Lord for another day and pray I do what He wants accordin’ to His Word.

Evan thought for a minute before responding and said, I think these are valid points. I will keep them in mind when I finally do pick a partner for life. But right now, I am just dating a bit, not looking for a commitment. I decided years ago, school and preparing for my future should come first before adding people to it.

"Well, glad to hear it. You know, Evan, you are going to be the head of this family and business someday. Your ole grandpa will be reassured knowin’ you look to the Lord for guidance when times get hard. And they will get hard. That you can count on as sure as the sun comin’ up each day. Everyone has a bad patch or two, but how you react to it makes the difference between success and failure.

The Good Book helps you to know just how to react. I know. My momma used to read it to me all the time and took me to services too. Your great-grandma had every reason to give up and blame others for the misfortunes that befell her, but she didn’t. Instead, my saintly mother made a choice to choose the good Lord and His good teachings to fill her life. No ‘Poor me.’ Just, ‘What can I do today, dear Lord, to be better?’

His grandfather’s heartfelt speech touched Evan. No jokes or sarcasm distracted his honest candor, just truth and sincerity. Not the side of Buck Carson he was accustomed to, but on the other hand, it had been very refreshing. Evan tucked away all said to him for the future Evan to process when needed.

Lastly, started Grandpa Carson.

More? I am still a little overwhelmed by the other, confessed Evan.

As I was sayin’, lastly, I want you to promise me that you will never sell this land or business no matter what.

What? This was clear out of left field. Evan expected more religious speak, not a promise not his to make. After all, Evan always knew way down the road, when his grandparents passed, everything would go to his mom and two uncles equally. Then much, much later, Mom’s portion would be passed to Jason and himself. Evan never concerned himself with all that stuff. It was way too soon to even bother thinking about it. After all, the family always joked Grandpa Carson would be 110 or older before he passed. So why this big promise when he was only nineteen years old? First, Grandpa is marrying him off and then making him promise to never sell his land and business. Retirement appeared to be changing his grandfather already, and it had only been one day!

Do you promise me to never, ever sell the land, the business, the homes, and all the other stuff with ’em no matter what? His face was earnest and held no hint of funny business.

Of course, Grandpa. I promise, said Evan without hesitation.

Promise what?

I promise to never, ever sell the land, the business, the homes, and all the other stuff, Evan solemnly swore to his grandfather and knew this was his bond to Buck Carson.

Good! Now go to school, get that degree, and make me proud!

Chapter 2

Despite vowing to stay a bachelor until all of his ducks were in a row, Evan found his partner for life in Amanda Talbot not more than a year after his chat with Grandpa Carson. His buddy Sean Hunter and he decided to play a round of Frisbee golf on the unmarked course throughout campus during the most beautiful, beckoning spring day. Both should have been studying for their upcoming geology exam, but the blue sky and sunshine could not be denied.

* * * * *

Evan heaved his driver disc when he heard, Ow! Hey, whose Frisbee is this?

Evan winced, realizing his driver caused the injury. He ran toward the sound to apologize, but he could not get the words to exit his lips. There, on a plaid blanket, knelt the most enchanting dark-haired woman rubbing her head. She frowned at Evan and asked, Is it you I have to thank for the black eye I surely will have tomorrow?

Finally, he regained his speech and said, My bad! I have some ice in a cooler on the other side of the tree. Wait right here.

Where would I go? You nearly knocked me out, she said sarcastically.

Dude, good move on the ice, praised Sean. Maybe you can get her number! She’s the bomb.

Seriously? I think causing bodily harm does not constitute the time to ask someone out, Evan said as he grabbed the cooler and rushed back to the young woman still holding her left eye.

He noticed she sat barefoot and saw her socks at the end of the blanket. He placed the ice in one of the socks and handed it to her.

Great, now I can get toe jam in my eye to go along with my new shiner.

What? Don’t you bathe or anything? asked Evan, slightly cringing.

Hardy har har. You’re so funny, I forgot to laugh.

I am sorry, Evan genuinely said.

The young woman had to shield her eyes from the sun in order to see him. You could sit so this eye doesn’t sustain any other damage today, she said, placing the improvised ice pack on her eye.

Evan glimpsed beyond her to see Sean giving him the thumbs-up signal. He ignored him and said, I’m Evan. Evan Hoffmeyer.

Hi, Evan Hoffmeyer. I’m Amanda Talbot. She relaxed onto the blanket and slid the book aside she had been reading before the Frisbee incident.

Evan glanced down to see what she was reading: the King James Bible. From that point on, they were inseparable.

* * * * *

Spring 2009

Now at thirty-eight, Evan lived in Indianapolis and worked for a sports franchise as an accountant. Amanda and he had been married fifteen years and were blessed with three children. Twin girls came first, Samantha and Hannah, two years after they had married. One son, Payton, arrived three years after the girls.

Their lives reached the pinnacle of chaos that year. Evan received a promotion to CFO. Amanda recently completed her doctorate in education and was preparing to interview for a superintendent position at four school districts in Indiana within driving distance of Base Camp, as they sarcastically called home. With three kids in activities ranging from dance to basketball, the Indianapolis Hoffmeyers mostly slept in their home and lived in their vehicles. Despite all the chaos, Evan and Amanda ensured their children followed the same values and ideals Evan’s parents instilled in him.

Evan and Amanda proved to be a good team. They kept God in their lives even when life became challenging. Like his grandfather predicted, a bad patch or two reared their ugly heads, but Evan realized God brought him the partner he needed. Amanda amazed him daily. She greeted him with a smile each day and still had time to finish her doctorate, to take the kids to dance or basketball, and to hold a full-time job as an elementary school principal.

Not that Evan allowed her to carry all of the weight. His mother would have smacked him in the back of the head if he had been one of those husbands who came home and kicked up his feet to watch the Reds. No, Evan jumped in to help with getting kids to practices or picking up from activities, shared in home chores like laundry and dishes, and cared for the lawn.

The solidarity shown on the home front allowed for an easier time to raise their children. After all, they were outnumbered three to two. Evan and Amanda kept to the penny saved is a penny earned lifestyle even though they could easily spoil their children. Both made above-average incomes, but not many would know it. No fancy sports cars and never a brand-new, off-the-lot car. Amanda drove a ten-year-old minivan, and Evan drove a twelve-year-old four-door sedan. A medium-sized brick home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms proved sufficient. While mutual friends found themselves drowning in debt trying to maintain five-bedroom, five-bath monstrosities, Evan and Amanda rejoiced, knowing they paid the last payment and were free from the shackles of a mortgage. They did not even have cable service because they decided the family’s busy schedule made it senseless to have it.

They asked their children to live the same modest lifestyle even though everyone around them showered their kids with every gadget created, some on waiting lists for the next generation this or that to come. Evan remembered he nearly laughed out loud when their oldest, Samantha, begged for a Game Boy Advance at age nine because as she put it, I am the only one who doesn’t have one.

Out of Evan’s mouth came both his mother and his grandfather’s words. He explained to her about the importance of saving and about the Great Depression her great-grandparents endured. The inevitable truth emerged: Evan turned into his parents and grandparents. When did it happen? he thought to himself with a chuckle.

Little Samantha did not like what her father had to say and had a sad face until a light bulb seemed to glow brightly above the mass of dark curls and asked Evan, Is there a way I could earn the money to buy it myself, Daddy?

Evan felt a small victory from his little girl’s finding a practical solution. It also became the day the Indianapolis Hoffmeyer family established an allowance system for chores outside of daily duties. Of course, sister Hannah and little brother wanted in on the action.

Buck Carson would have been proud of the way Evan handled the situation, but before he would be able to tell his grandfather, Evan received a call from his mother on that fateful day.

Cheryl could barely get the words out. Evan, Grandpa Carson passed away today.

Evan was stunned to silence and sat unresponsive on the other end of his cell phone.

Cheryl tried again. "Evan, are you there?’

Yes, Mom. I’m here, Evan said, choking back the overwhelming sadness in his voice. He wanted to be strong for his mother, but the difficulty in speaking surprised him. He knew this day would come, but Buck was so spry and active for his eighty-six years that it took him aback.

He passed in his sleep. I guess that is all we can hope for in life, Cheryl cried as she was saying these words. Your grandfather had all arrangements prepared so the family would not have to deal with them. You know Buck Carson: always prepared, she said this with a bit of a chuckle intermingled with tears.

It made Evan chuckle as well. His grandfather and grandmother never seemed to be unprepared for any disaster that came their way. Grandma had passed five years earlier. It was difficult to see his grandfather grieving. Buck would put on a brave face, but Evan knew the loss of Buck’s precious Alice broke his spirit daily.

Two years after his grandmother passed, Evan brought the family home during the kids’ spring break, and he spotted Grandpa Carson at the cemetery with a newspaper and lawn chair. Cheryl told Evan his grandfather read the paper there every morning when weather permitted. Evan remembered his grandfather had to read to his grandmother the last year of her life because she had suffered a stroke. Grandma regained her ability to walk and talk, but she was often confused and mixed up events or people. However, she could not read or write after the stroke. Evan could not remember his grandmother without a book in her hand. Her influence inspired him to love books in the same manner. Grandma would sit on the front porch swing, swaying back and forth for hours, either reading the paper, a book, or details from the business.

Grandma’s quiet nature made her no less formidable regarding the business. In fact, his mother stated Alice Carson controlled the final say on all business transactions. According to Cheryl, Grandma Carson’s instincts in the stock market allowed for the business to grow. Evan never knew any of this when he was younger. He only thought his grandfather and his mother ran the business, so seeing his grandfather reading at her grave site after this information compacted the sadness Evan felt for him.

Evan imagined life without Amanda would become unbearable. It was at that point he realized Grandpa did not lose Grandma, but Buck Carson lost his friend, partner, and lover. This epiphany caused a wave of emotion Evan never imagined after seeing this tender moment. Was it pity or sympathy? Evan was not sure. He and Amanda would have been celebrating their twelfth wedding anniversary in about six months, but Buck and Alice had been married fifty-seven years before Grandma Carson died.

Evan remembered his grandfather always celebrated their wedding anniversary as if it were their first. Buck used to say the good Lord brought them together, and for that reason alone, he would be forever a thankful man. He lived up to his word every year. His only splurges in life were for his wedding anniversary. He bought Grandma elaborate gifts, journeyed to romantic destinations, and even decorated Grandma Carson’s hospital room after she had the stroke on their fifty-fifth. But the most notable thing he and his grandmother did was to pick up the Bible and read Corinthians every year for fifty-seven years to remind them their union was ordained by God and only God.

Evan felt a pang of guilt because he and Amanda had celebrated their eleventh anniversary with very little enthusiasm. Instead of trumpets, romance, and reverence, it was bouncing balls, juggling homework, and ending sibling squabbles until both fell into bed to sleep for the night. As if inspired by God and Grandpa Carson, Evan vowed to honor Him by ensuring to keep each anniversary from twelve on as if they were the first also, which he did. After all, Evan always thought God brought Amanda into his life to save him from the world and path he had started to lead.

Evan, Evan, I am sorry, but I am not sure how much longer I can talk. Here is your father with the details, sobbed Cheryl

Evan spoke with his father and jotted down all the details. He called Amanda to let her know, walked into the next room to notify his boss, and slowly shuffled to his car to drive home to pack. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, as he turned his key forward in the ignition, Evan did something men were supposed to hide—he cried.

Chapter 3

The day of the funeral was a blur to Evan. Jason and his wife, Cindy, flew in the day before the ceremony from Boston. Evan met them at the airport in Columbus because no flights arrived directly to the closest airport in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The two-hour drive home allowed the brothers to catch up a bit.

The Jasonator definitely surpassed big brother. He now stood 6'10 and had the strength of about six oxen. The large frame of his baby brother looked comical in the second-row captain’s seat of Evan’s minivan. Looking at him through the rearview mirror, Evan nearly burst into laughter as Jason tried to fold his long legs into the allotted space. Finally, he gave up, lifted one arm of the seat, and swung his legs diagonally into the entire second row.

After Evan left home, he returned to watch Jason play basketball. He missed quite a few games but never missed the big ones, like the back-to-back state wins in high school or his first college game. Jason transitioned easily into college basketball and was well liked among his peers. He decided to major in communications. He used to tell Evan, after his amazing Hall of Fame career in basketball, he wanted to secure a position at ESPN as a commentator. Of course, Evan would roll his eyes at his baby brother and would say, Sure. Just keep dreaming, Alice!

* * * * *

During Jason’s junior year, Evan received a call from him, asking for advice. Evan explained the situation to Amanda. She did not even hesitate. Go help your brother now before he makes a mistake.

Knowing she would be alone with year-old twins made him a little unsure, but she reassured him it was only a few days, and she would be just fine. Evan made this up to her later by sending her to a spa retreat for a few days the weekend he returned.

Evan arrived to the off campus house where Jason and few of the other basketball players rented the next day, the problem at hand being whether Jason should forgo his senior year and turn his name in for eligibility for the NBA draft. He received pressure from outside sources: media, fellow students, and even his coach, who wanted the feather in his cap of having coached an NBA star. The decision left Jason sleepless and falling behind in his studies.

Jason usually maintained a blasé attitude and never looked past the current day for decisions in his life. One example that illustrated his apathy for his future showed at the time he signed with a college to play basketball.