The "Champion At Last" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The cheering had just started and my grandson Caden had the biggest smile on his face.  If you have been reading my stories for the past few years you may remember that this is the time of year that Carol and I usually go to Ocean City, New Jersey for a week's vacation with our family.  And, for the past couple of years, Caden and my son-in-law Dave have been having an ongoing Air-Hockey competition.  There are a few Arcades on the Ocean City boardwalk that have video games and sports games such as basketball toss and air-hockey.  The past two years Dave has been the "Vacation Champion", beating Caden with close games throughout the week.  This vacation Caden and Dave had played six spirited games of air-hockey with each winning three by very slim margins.  Last evening after all the grandkids had gone to bed, Carol asked Dave if he still had to take it easy on Caden so he didn't humiliate him.  He replied by telling us that he actually had a hard time winning the three games that he did win.  Well, the competition tonight was furious with each getting a few hard earned goals.  

And, the 2016 champion is Caden!

But, Dave began to pull away and was leading Caden 6 goals to 4, with 7 goals needed to be the champ.  The excitement and cheering grew as the next two goals belonged to Caden.  Both were sweating and Dave was trash-talking as the puck flew back and forth over the air induced surface and then ...  the puck slid into Dave's goal and Caden, with hands raised high, had won the "Vacation Championship".  Being only 11 years old, Caden had the biggest smile on his face as his Uncle Dave raised his hand in triumph.  Caden is a tough competitor, but also a humble winner.  Next year will be another tough competition and I'm sure will come down to the final couple of goals to determine the champion, but for now, Caden has all the glory and title of "Vacation Champion".  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.