Miles to Go

A kid who has always been picked last in sports decides to train for a 5K race, discovering that the real victory is not about crossing the finish line first.

Jordan sat on the metal bleachers watching the other kids play kickball at recess. It was the same thing every day -- two captains picking teams, and Jordan standing there until nobody else was left.

'I guess we get Jordan,' someone would mutter, and that was that.

'Don't react,' Jordan thought, picking at a loose thread on a sleeve. 'Don't ever let them see it lands.'

But today something was different. Taped to the hallway bulletin board was a bright yellow flyer: TOWN 5K FUN RUN -- OPEN TO ALL AGES -- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH.

Jordan stared at it for a long time after the bell rang. 'Open to all ages,' Jordan whispered. 'That has to include me, right?'