Chapter 187: Waiting for Tomorrow
November 23rd, 2010
The night before the match always felt different.
The lights at Broadfield Stadium had gone dark hours ago, but the city around it was still awake.
In their apartments, hotel rooms, and quiet family homes, the players rested but sleep didn't come easy.
[Thiago's POV]
I sat on the edge of my bed, leaning forward with my phone to my ear.
The room was quiet, except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.
"Yeah, Mãe… I'm good. Just tired," I said quietly. I smiled a little, even though she couldn't see it.
Somehow, just hearing her voice made it feel like she was right there with me.
Her voice came through the speaker, soft and warm, like a comforting hug. She didn't ask many questions, she didn't need to.
She told me to take a long breath, and believe in myself, and keep going.
Just hearing her say those small, simple things the kind only a mother knows how to say made my chest feel lighter.
