Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Unexpected Admiration
Phillip’s hearing came back halfway through his cool-down lap; his mind was numb. He savored every bit of it: the blue sky, the afternoon sun, the cheers, even the color and smell of the crowd as it spilled onto the track. He stopped jogging as he reached the finish line a second time; Coach Johnson waited to congratulate him.
Phillip’s chest heaved; his jersey and shorts were soaked—even his socks; he could barely stand. None of that mattered. He wondered if his teeth would break from grinning so much; he couldn’t stop.
"Wonderful race, Phillip! Track record!" boomed the coach.
Phillip couldn’t speak yet. Never in his entire life had he done anything remotely like this. And on his first whole day of being sixteen.
"Phillip!" screamed Melanie. "Wow!" She wrapped him in a bear hug, knocking his glasses askew.
"I got pictures!" yelled Grant.
"Did’ya get the scoreboard?" croaked Phillip. He wanted to sit. He gulped down the Gatorade thrust at him and beckoned for more.
"Yuck, you’re all wet," said Melanie.
"What’d’ya expect?"
"Nice race." The trio turned to see Matthew. His face showed admiration mixed with jealousy. "I guess you can run after all," he said.
"Good job, Phillip!" Luke ran up and offered his hand. Phillip took it.
Phillip watched Matthew while shaking Luke’s hand. Someone had flipped a switch. The admiration on Matthew’s face had disappeared, replaced by scorn. So Luke was the ringleader after all! But Luke’s face showed only pleasure. His handshake was firm. It didn’t compute. Was Matthew taking orders from Luke?
"Well, I guess if everyone else can come on the field, so can I." Phillip looked up to see his mother. "Can I have another sopping wet hug?"
She enveloped him tightly. Phillip watched Matthew smirk before he followed Luke into the crowds.
"By the way, Phillip," said Melanie. "I’m coming to your ordination Sunday. Your mom said I could. So there."