"Devin, Jason's on the phone," his mom yelled up the stairs.  Reluctantly, Devin picked up the phone in his room. He was sure it was his friend Frank wanting to talk about the cool new chick, who had recently moved into his neighborhood. But to his surprise, Frank had called to ask Devin if he was going to the Super Teens Race, an Annual event in Albany, Virginia. Devin existed to race his dirt bike. He had won 3rd place last year, but his dream was to bring home the 1st Place trophy.

"Hey, Frank, I'm sure glad you reminded me, man. I've been rather bummed out and had completely forgotten about the race."

"No problem, dude. Have you heard that Brad Simpson is going to be competing in the race this year?" Frank smiled to himself, he knew that Devin was going to freak out when he heard this news.

There was silence for a few moments, then Devin said, "Frank, you are joking, right?"

"No, man, I saw it on channel 6, just a few minutes ago. I guess that leaves us out of the Winners Circle, huh?  So, you still going on vacation next weekend," asked Frank.

Devin's mind was racing, so he told Frank that he would catch him later. Without even saying goodbye, Devin hung up the phone. He sat on his bed staring at the wall, he just could not believe that Brad was going to compete at Albany. Brad's family was extremely wealthy, and thus Brad was labeled the 'rich kid', who had all his heart desired.  

Devin had practiced all summer and had already made up his mind that this year he was going to be the winner.  But now his hopes started to fade, because he knew there was no way he could beat Brad Simpson. The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became.

Devin's parents were planning on visiting some friends in Albany, while Devin competed in the race. Every time Devin thought about the race he just wanted to tell his parents that he was staying home that weekend. But of course, he knew they would never agree to that arrangement.  In two days, they would be leaving for Albany. He had decided that he would take his dirt bike in the trailer and when his parents left he would just go up in the stands and watch the race instead of competing.

Saturday morning, Devin's parents dropped Devin and his bike off near the grandstand. They wished him luck, then sped off to see their friends. Devin went to the ticket booth and laid down the $25.00 admission fee.  Jim Jones, an old friend of Devin's parents, looked at Devin and asked him why he was buying a ticket instead of the entry fee for the race. Devin's mind was racing for an explanation, as the loud speaker overrode his thoughts.

"Attention all contestants, the race will begin in forty-five minutes. Anyone not at the starting point at that time, will be disqualified."

"Hang on Devin, I have a call," Jim Jones said. It was a short conversation and Jim was quick to tell Devin, that Brad was held up in traffic and in all probability he would not be able to get to the race in time. Devin told Jim, he was sorry to hear that, and walked away without purchasing a ticket.

Devin knew that what he was going to do was not right, but at that moment he really didn't care. He waited 25 minutes, and still there was no sign of Brad Simpson. Then he went into the men's locker room and changed into his riding suit. Most people in this town had only seen Brad once, maybe twice, so he knew he could pull this off. It was a stroke of genius that brought him to this point. All he had to do was change his voice and make it as low as Brad's, and he would have it made. He had known for a long time, even though it was really uncanny, that he looked enough like Brad to be his twin brother. His friends had often teased him about the resemblance.

Devin waited another five minutes, then stepped outside. There was no sign of the limousine that Brad rode in to all of his races. His fear of being caught lessened, as he walked over to the concession stand for a Pepsi, before making his way to the starting point.  As soon as he turned around, Frank saw him and walked in his direction. Devin took a deep breath, hoping Frank would not realize his real identity.

"Brad, I see you made it!" Jim exclaimed. Devin threw his hand up and smiled then waved. Devin then hurriedly walked over and got on his bike and made his way to the track.

It was a close race, but Devin won one first prize.  People surrounded him and everyone was congratulating him for the great job. Then the Master of Ceremony presented him with the First Place trophy and the $500.00 prize money. Devin was on cloud nine; at last he had accomplished his dream. He was invited by several people to go to dinner with them, but he declined.  He knew that his parents would soon be there to pick him up. And with that thought in mind, he suddenly realized what he had done. Panic caused him to have a cold sweat and he felt like running away and hiding. Now he would have to face the music.

Devin hurriedly went into the boy's locker room and took off his uniform before anyone else decided to talk with him. A few minutes later, he walked out and went over to stand by his bike. He pulled his hat down as tight as he could, hoping to not be noticed. The trophy was in his duffel bag with the money. His mind raced as finally realized what he had done. The trophy and money now meant nothing to him. He felt like a real jerk. He was sure that no one knew what he had done. But Devin knew and he wasn't happy at all. He felt like a cheap imitation and was very quiet on the drive home with his parents.

Devin was a Christian and he knew that God was not pleased with his actions. He had deceived everyone at the race, and he vowed to himself that he would never be deceitful again. The trophy that should have made him happy made him feel like a thief.  Devin was so mad at himself that he didn't even ask God to forgive him because he was so ashamed. Two weeks went by, and still he felt miserable. He didn't answer the phone when Frank or his friends called, and most of the time he stayed in room. His parents were beginning to worry about him, but when they asked if he was okay, he always said, yes.

One night after his parents had gone to bed; Devin took the trophy and threw it into a stream behind his house. The weatherman had forecasted heavy rains that night, so he had no fear of anyone finding the trophy. The money meant nothing to him because he felt like a thief, so he decided not to keep it either. The next day he got on his bike and went to a homeless shelter. He gave the money to the man who ran the shelter.  But even after doing all that, he still felt awful inside. Devin had learned a valuable lesson, one that he would never forget. But now he knew it was time to ask God to forgive him.

Tara Hart © 2003 All rights reserved