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by Lauren Alan
10/02/25
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Meanwhile, at the high school, Paul turned in his track uniform. Coach Longwell was surprised that Paul was quitting the team. He knew how much Paul loved being on the track team. "Paul, you don't have to quit," he said. "I just want you to work harder and improve. You'd been doing so well that I know you can get better again if you just start putting effort into it again. I have a lot of confidence in you."

"Thanks, Coach, but I just don't feel like running anymore," was all Paul said. "I thank you for everything, but I'm just not interested in track now. See you." Paul turned and left the gym.

Coach Longwell sighed. It wasn't easy to lose one of his favorite track stars. He hoped and prayed to Jesus Christ with all his might that Paul would change his mind and come back to the track team. He decided not to tell Paul's parents just yet. He decided he would give Paul a couple of weeks to change his mind.

When Paul picked Dina up from school, she exclaimed, "Paul, I have a wonderful idea! When we get home, I'll bake a batch of oatmeal cookies!"

Dina noticed that Paul wasn't listening to her. "Paul?"

"I'm sorry, Dina. I'm a little distracted." Paul sighed heavily. "I quit the track team today."

"You what? Why would you do that? You love track! Let me get this straight. You don't want to go to Princeton, and you don't want to be on the track team at your school anymore. Okay, who are you, and what did you do with my brother?" Dina asked. "Will you at least eat the oatmeal cookies I'm planning to bake for you when we get home?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not hungry," Paul answered.

"Okay, this is like The Twilight Zone ," Dina said, trying to joke around with her brother. "No Princeton, no track team, no appetite. You're obviously not really Paul. You must be some creature from outer space who took over his mind."

Paul sighed. "I'm sorry, Dina, but I'm not really in the mood for jokes. Id like a nice, quiet ride home. When we get home, I want to go to my room and be by myself for a while."

"I'm sorry, Paul. I didn't mean to upset you," Dina said softly. She looked dejectedly at her lap.

They soon stopped at a light. Paul reached out and put his hand on his little sister's shoulder. "Hey," he said quietly. When Dina looked up at him, Paul touched her cheek. "You can be in my room with me, but I don't really feel like talking."

"It's okay, Paul," Dina said. "I'll just sit with you and keep you company."

When Paul and Dins got home from school, their parents were still at work. Paul yawned. "I'm feeling a little sleepy. I haven't been sleeping much because of my depression. I think I'm going to take a little nap."

"I'm tired, too," Dina agreed. "I'll take a nap, too."

"Want to take your nap in my room?" Paul asked. "You wanted to be up there with me and keep me company, anyway."

Dina nodded.

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