I'd never come in second before. Ever. This was a first. Could I handle it? Be strong. Don't embarrass yourself by losing it in front of these people.

I can hear the old man's voice now, 'Second, huh?'� That's all he'd say, trying to look in my face, his eyes finding his shoes.

My mom? She'd try not to cry, but you could see how important it had been to her too. She'd look away and dab her tears.

The hours I'd put in. The battles, the struggles, all over now.

I'd be eighteen in a week. After that no more competitions. Too old. This was my only shot.

Illiterate at fourteen. Dyslexic at sixteen. Second place in the state spelling bee at seventeen. This was a first. I'd never felt this good in my life.

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