[ WP ] End a story with `` Look at me . Look at me . I 'm the captain now . ''

Jeff loved football. He started in high school and got through college with a football scholarship. When Jeff got a little older, he placed his dream in a jar on a shelf and after several years it was buried. Jeff now has a steady job as a writer for a newspaper column, he has a beautiful wife, Zoe, and they are raising a little girl named Maddie. 
 
 Jeff got home from work one day to find Maddie playing with her dolls. He sat down next to her and she pulled him into the game. Jeff was allowed to control one doll. They had tea parties, races, and even a dance. 
 `` What should we do today, Molly?'' Maddie's doll asked Jeff's doll. 
 Jeff paused. `` Maybe we could try a sports game?'' 
 Maddie looked up to her father and asked, `` like what?'' 
 `` Like football?'' smiled Jeff. `` I could train you!'' 
 Maddie looked confused, `` Dolls do n't play sports daddy!'' 
 `` Why not?'' 
 `` Well... because....'' Maddie stumbled. 
 `` How about we try?'' 
 Maddie thought for a moment and then smiled. `` Okay!'' 
 The two dolls tried passing a small ball to each other. 
 `` This is way too hard Daddy.'' Maddie groaned. 
 Jeff nodded. `` I agree with you. Let's try the real thing!'' 
 Maddie was not thrilled but she ended up passing a bouncy ball back and forth with her father. 
 `` What are you two doing?'' Zoe asked as she entered the room. 
 `` Football!'' Maddie yelled as her mother greeted her father. 
 `` Football?'' Zoe smiled. `` You have n't played that since college.'' 
 Jeff looked down. `` Yeah. Well I could n't buy you this house by being a shitty football player.'' Jeff smirked as Zoe hit his arm. 
 `` No swears Captain.'' Maddie pointed. 
 `` Ohh Captain.'' smiled Zoe. 
 Jeff smiled. `` That's me.'' 
 `` You guys ready for supper?'' asked Zoe. 
 `` More football! More football!'' screamed Maddie. 
 `` We will be right there!'' laughed Jeff. `` Just a few more minutes.'' 
 
 Ten Years later 
 
 Jeff lays in an uncomfortable hospital bed. Zoe is sitting beside him and holding his hand. Maddie runs inside and hugs her father. 
 `` What happened?'' Maddie choked back tears. 
 `` Your father was trying to practice a new maneuver with his friends. He was going to teach you it this afternoon but I do n't think thats a great idea.'' Zoe sounded stern but she had a lightness to her speech. 
 
 Jeff explained the new maneuver to his daughter and she lay next to him listening to every word. 
 
 `` I never told you this Maddie.'' Jeff's voice changed tone. `` The reason I stopped playing Football was because I did n't have the heart for it. Literally. The doctors said I was getting too excited or something. Anyway, I thought it would be different now but I guess that was stupid of me.'' 
 Jeff held back his tears. `` I just had so much fun playing football with you.'' 
 
 A doctor walked in and asked to speak to Zoe. 
 `` Come on Maddie.'' 
 `` Just a couple more minutes?'' Maddie begged. 
 Jeff and Zoe smiled. `` Okay.'' Zoe and the doctor left the room. 
 `` Today I am supposed to find out.'' Maddie whispered. 
 `` Everything will go fine.'' Jeff whispered. `` No matter what I'm proud of you.'' 
 
 Maddie and Jeff lay in the uncomfortable bed for ten more minutes. 
 
 The next morning, Jeff had passed away. A heart attack in the middle of the night. 
 
 Maddie stayed home from school. She stayed in bed all day crying until her mother opened her bedroom door. 
 `` Hi Honey.'' 
 Maddie did not respond. 
 `` I know you are hurting right now but there a few friends from school here to see you. Do you mind seeing them or should I send them away until another day?'' 
 Maddie got up and left her room. She walked downstairs to a group of at least 15 other kids her age. 
 Nobody said anything for a while until one girl walked up to Maddie. `` Im really sorry about your dad.'' 
 Maddie gave a quick smile and sunk her head down. 
 `` Thank you.'' Maddie looked up. `` Thank you all for coming but you did n't need to do this.'' 
 The girl took Maddie's hands and motioned for her to stand up. 
 `` We wanted to make you feel a bit better.'' Everyone came together in a group embrace. 
 `` We need you. We need our leader.'' 
 Maddie looked confused. `` Leader? You mean...?'' 
 `` Yes.'' the girl smiled. `` You!'' 
 Maddie's eyes began welling up and soon everyone was crying and smiling and hugging. 
 Maggie looked up to her father and spoke in a strained voice, 
 `` Look at me. Look at me. I'm the captain now.'' 
 

