The Obstacle Course
by JF Freedman
After growing up in a hardscrabble Maryland town, a teenage boy will stop at nothing to pursue his dream.It’s
1957, and fifteen-year-old Roy Poole has again been awakened by the
nightly argument between his mother, his sister, and his hard-drinking
father. Roy sneaks away after the old man passes out, and hitches a ride
to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, to use its brutal obstacle
course, which he can run better than most midshipmen. Whenever he’s
navigating the ropes, gullies, and jumps, Roy finds that he’s able to
leave his troubles behind. Roy’s dream is to join
the Academy as a midshipman, but after years of bad grades and mishaps,
Annapolis is a long shot. When a chance encounter with a retired admiral
sets him on the path to a better life, Roy will face his greatest
obstacle yet.
1957, and fifteen-year-old Roy Poole has again been awakened by the
nightly argument between his mother, his sister, and his hard-drinking
father. Roy sneaks away after the old man passes out, and hitches a ride
to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, to use its brutal obstacle
course, which he can run better than most midshipmen. Whenever he’s
navigating the ropes, gullies, and jumps, Roy finds that he’s able to
leave his troubles behind. Roy’s dream is to join
the Academy as a midshipman, but after years of bad grades and mishaps,
Annapolis is a long shot. When a chance encounter with a retired admiral
sets him on the path to a better life, Roy will face his greatest
obstacle yet.