Tasha finished up with her students one hour later and hurried back to her office. She needed to call her parents before she went for her next lecture. Tasha reached for her phone, her heart still pounding with joy. She dialed her mother’s phone number and paced the floor of her office as the phone rang.
Finally, her mother’s cheery voice answered. “Hello, dear! Your father and I were just talking about your visit tomorrow.” Her mother was happy to hear her voice and happier that she would see her the next day.
She sat on the sofa in the corner of her office. “Mom, I have some amazing news! Tasha’s eyes welled up with tears again. “Put the phone on speaker because of Dad.”
“Really?” her mother asked. “Yes, the phone is on speaker. Now tell us.”
“Mom, Dad, I got promoted to the rank of professorship!” She shouted on top of her voice into her phone.
“Oh, my God!” her mother exclaimed, followed by a moment of silence. “Congratulations, honey.”
Tasha could hear her father in the background, whooping with delight. “Congratulations, princess! Your hard work has paid off! You deserve it.” Tasha’s heart swelled with love and pride, and she couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. “Thank you, Mom and Dad. I couldn’t have done it without your support over the years.”
“Thank God you are going to be here over the weekend,” her mom said excitedly. “I am going to throw a party for you.”
“Mom,” Tasha whispered. “A party?”
“Yes, you deserve it,” came her Dad’s remark from the background.”
“Okay, daddy,” she giggled. “As your lordship pleases.”
“Yeah, so shall it be,” her mom said and they all burst out laughing.
Their conversation continued for a while until Tasha remembered momentarily that she had to be in a class at the moment.
“Dad, Mom,” she stood up from the sofa. “I’m afraid, I have to run now. I am fifteen minutes late for my class already.”
“Okay dear,” her mom said. “You call me when you get off work.”
“Sure, I will do that, mom,” she picked up her laptop from her desk. “Bye.” She disconnected the line and walked out of the room.
Her colleagues and students celebrated throughout the day her. And when she told Tyson about the good news later at home. He jumped at her, although he didn’t really understand what all the drama was. But he was happy because his mom was happy. To her amusement, he kept calling her Professor Harrison throughout until she tucked him into his bed later at night.
“What do you want us to read tonight?” His mom asked, standing in front of his bookshelf.
“The football legends,” the little boy said eagerly. “And I want to read it to you.”
“Okay,” Tasha nodded. “You have to sit up, you know.”
Tyson sometimes liked to read at bedtime, believing he was the one trying to put his mother to sleep.
Tasha gave him the book and propped his back up with pillows.
“Now read to mummy.”
“Once upon a time in the land of Soccer cove, there was a young and talented football player named Timmy. Timmy was small for his age, but his heart was as big as the soccer field itself. He lived with his loving family in a little cottage at the edge of the forest, where the trees would whisper stories of outstanding football players who had come before.”
Tyson started reading and looked up into his mom’s eyes. “Good boy,” she ruffled his hair. “Go on, mommy is listening.”
“Every night, as Timmy lay in bed, he would picture himself scoring the winning goal in the biggest match of the year. He imagined the crowd roaring with excitement, the sun setting behind the goalposts, and his teammates rushing towards him with beaming smiles. These dreams were his favorite part of the day, and they filled him with determination and hope.
**********””””****
One day, Timmy’s coach noticed his passion and talent on the field. He decided to invite Timmy to join the Soccer Cove Junior All-Stars, a team known for its legendary schoolboy players. Timmy was thrilled but also worried because he knew that the Junior All-Stars were the best of the best. However, he knew he had to give it his all and prove himself worthy of being a part of this incredible team.
Timmy worked harder than ever before, practicing day and night. He ran through the forest, kicking the soccer ball with all his might, and he even started watching old footage of his football heroes. He studied their movements, their techniques, and their determination. He was determined to be the best football junior player in town.
As the big match approached, Timmy’s nerves were on edge. He could feel the pressure of playing in front of a crowd of thousands, but he knew that he had to stay strong for his team. He visualized his bedtime dreams, and he could feel the same excitement and passion that he felt every night.
The day of the match finally arrived, and Timmy was ready. As he stepped onto the field, he could feel the eyes of the crowd on him. But he didn’t let that deter him. Instead, he focused on the love and support of his family, who were cheering him on from the sidelines.
The match was intense, and the score was tied. With only minutes left on the clock, Timmy’s team was struggling. The other team’s star player had the ball, and it seemed like the match was about to be lost. But Timmy refused to give up. He knew that he had to make something happen, for his team, and for himself.
As the other team’s player prepared to take a shot, Timmy made a daring move. He darted towards the ball, his heart pounding in his chest. The crowd held its breath as Timmy sprinted, his legs pumping, his eyes focused on the ball.
In that final moment, Timmy leaped into the air, his foot connecting with the ball. The ball soared through the air, and the crowd roared as it flew past the goalkeeper and into the net. The match was won, and Timmy’s teammates rushed towards him, lifting him onto their shoulders.”
“That’s the end mom,” Tyson said drowsy, leaning his back on the pillows. “I want to be like Timmy one day.”
“Sure you will be my sunshine,” she removed the pillows from his back and also the book from his hand, then rearranged him on the bed. Tucking his covers in properly.
“Goodnight, sunshine,” Tasha’s heart swelled with a tenderness that only a mother could know. She watched Tyson sleep, his face peaceful and innocent, and a wave of love washed over her.
Tasha leaned down, her lips brushing against his forehead in a silent promise of protection and adoration. Leaving his room, she carried with her the warmth of his slumber, a comforting reminder of the love that bound them.