THE DAY GREYHAVEN FINALLY STOOD TALL

Chapter 2

The Harbor Games had existed for generations.

Officially, they were a friendly annual sports festival between Greyhaven and Blackridge.

Unofficially, they were war.

At least, that was how the older residents described them.

The competition included rowing, baseball, wrestling, running, archery, swimming, tug-of-war and several smaller events.

Every year, Greyhaven participated.

Every year, Blackridge expected to win.

And most years, they did.

Blackridge had better facilities.

A larger youth program.

More athletes.

More sponsors.

Their equipment looked new.

Greyhaven’s looked repaired.

Sometimes repeatedly.

The difference was obvious.

And Blackridge never let them forget it.

June remembered one year when a Blackridge athlete had looked at Greyhaven’s rowing team and asked whether they had brought paddles from the fishing boats.

Walter remembered another year when their baseball team had won by eleven runs.

Ethan listened quietly.

“So why do we keep doing it?”

Walter looked at him.

“Because one day we’ll win.”

“You’ve been saying that for years.”

Walter smiled.

“Doesn’t make it less true.”

Ethan looked across the field.

A group of Greyhaven teenagers were practicing.

They were exhausted.

Their equipment was old.

Their uniforms didn’t match perfectly.

But they were trying.

That mattered.