The Colombian Crossing

By Bill Sheehan

Pablo Morales, an eighteen-year-old Colombian immigrant is discovered by a soccer scout in New York and is offered a contract to play in MLS. After a brutal injury and counterfeit credentials, he crosses paths with someone who shares his past and his future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9780976549697

Book preview

Later

Jake Meets Rolo

Hey, Rolo! Some dude in a suit is here to see you.

Pablo Morales steps from the shower room, wraps a towel around his waist, and shakes his long black hair like a dog just after a bath.

Who is it?

"I don’t know. Says it personal. Probably from the bank. Came to get his credit card back.

Real funny, Tony. Where is he?

Coach’s office.

A few minutes later, Pablo appears in Coach Hutson’s office in shorts and a blue-and-red striped soccer jersey with number 10 and Messi printed on the back.

Coach, did you want to see me?

No, Rolo, I don’t, but Mr. Bartels here does.

Is there something wrong, Coach?

Coach Hutson smiles at Pablo and extends the smile to Mr. Bartels.

This is Pablo Morales, Jake.

Jake Bartels extends his hand to Pablo and introduces himself.

Jake Bartels, Pablo. I represent the Manhattan Booters in Major League Soccer. Coach Hutson was kind enough to let us use his office for a little while. I’d like to talk to you about soccer.

Coach Hutson walks toward the door.

Look, you two have a lot to talk about, Jake. Take all the time you need. I’ll be outside if you need me.

Pablo shakes his head as if he were waking from a dream as the coach exits the office.

Sit down, Pablo.

Jake sits in the coach’s desk chair, and Pablo slowly lowers his meager 5'7", 120-pound frame into the leather couch.

Is Rolo your middle name?

No, it’s a common nickname for someone from Bogota. Most of the guys on the team call me Rolo.

Jake gets right to business. Pablo, I’ll get right to the point. Are you aware of the Manhattan Booters soccer team?

Uh, yes, sir, I am aware.

Well, I’m a scout and player advisor for the Booters, and I have been assigned to observe you and another player on this team for almost a year now.

Pablo leans forward on the couch. You’ve been watching me play for a year? And I didn’t even know about it?

That’s right, Pablo. I try to stay undetected for as long as I need to. I wouldn’t want to unduly influence your playing skills.

Wow, that’s crazy. I didn’t even know about it.

You weren’t supposed to know about it.

Pablo sits back in the leather couch again. Can I ask who the other player is?

Well, you can ask, but I can’t disclose the name. That’s not important right now.

OK.

"What is important, Pablo, is that our franchise has become interested enough in you to offer you a chance to try out for the Booters, which may lead