by Gail Kerry

Created on: November 20, 2008

Emile awoke with a smile. He gazed up at the ceiling, looking for something familiar to remind him that he was not dreaming. Even the long crack between the fan/light fixture and the crown molding seemed to make him happy this morning. Indeed, everything was pleasant on this very special day.

He still couldn't believe that they had selected him, out of all the waiters that had competed in the event. He laughed to himself when he remembered the first time he told his friend Sam that he was going to enter the waiter marathon. Like everyone else, Sam thought that the contest had something to do with running. You had to be fast, of course, but the event was not about running. He remembered explaining the contest to his friend.

"First of all, I am going to win, Sam. I must win this contest. It is the only way that I will be able to save my mother, and there is nothing more important than that."

Sam knew that Emile had assumed the full burden of his mother's illness, a selfless woman who had sacrificed everything to send Emile to America. Emile was a dutiful son who worked two jobs, shared an apartment with him to save money so that he could send half of everything he made back to his mother. Every payday he would walk to the wire office and forward the funds to his mother in Ecuador. He had no car, no girlfriend and never seemed to have any fun. Now, he was truly distressed because he needed five thousand dollars for her operation and there was no salvation in sight.

"Emile, you're an outstanding waiter, but how do you think you can win this contest? And, by the way, if it's not a running marathon, what kind of marathon is it?" asked Sam.

"I've read the contest rules, Sam. I studied every part of them and know how I can win the money. The winner is awarded $10,000 and I need that money very badly for my mother. It's not only the money. The winner will take a lead waiter position at Chez Jean Luc, the most posh restaurant in town. I have heard that waiters there make over $100,000 a year including tips!"

Sam was truly fond of Emile. He had offered him five hundred dollars to help with his problem but Emile refused. Sam remembered the moment and the tears that had welled up in his Emile's eyes as he refused Sam's offer. They were incongruous with the beautiful smile that blanketed his entire face, but Sam understood. Emile was strong, courageous and proud. How Sam admired this young man, even though the present crisis seemed insurmountable, he sensed that Emile would always

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