The Pickup Game

A boy facing challenging obstacles, finds himself the star of a special pick-up game

On Christmas Eve, the limousine driver pulled up to the Independence Events Center and parked, telling the Hibbeler family that he needed to make a brief stop from their sight-seeing tour.

Sixteen-year-old Nick Hibbeler didn’t care. This limo ride was the coolest thing he’d done in a while. But when he got out to stretch his legs, he was ambushed by a quartet of little girls in red Santa hats.

Taking his hand, they led him through a back stage door into the building. He shot a quizzical look to his family, who only smiled. Something was up.

Just beyond the dark stage Nick could hear the murmur of a very large crowd.