On either side of the stadium, there was a net basket into which the balls were thrown. If a ball landed in the basket, it rolled down a chute -- into a translucent treasure chest. At that moment the words and numbers on the monitors changed.

On the field beneath her, a young man leaped into the air; threw the silver ball in his hands into the blue-side basket. It rolled down the chute into the treasure chest. People in the stands beside Helen were loudly yelling cheers. A band began to play. The young man removed his helmet. Damp blond hair curled around his face. he looked up to the stands, directly at Helen and smiled as if he had known her all his life. The sun was warm on her bare arms.