Introduction

Michael Gavin was a local hero, admired for his skill as a quarterback, his service in the military, and his work in the community. Stricken with cancer and on his death bed, Michael takes a leap of faith and entrusts his legacy to Wes Watkins, a reporter he'd never met, by asking him to deliver his eulogy. Wes accepts this unconventional offer, hoping to at least get a good story out of the situation. A good story will draw the attention of big-city newspapers and get him out of his small-town sports beat. But as Wes digs deeper into Michael's background, everything changes. Secrets come to light, and soon Wes sees the hometown hero as he really is. As Wes tries to find the words to describe Michael, he is also forced to examine his own life and decide what will define him.

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Excerpt

Wes Watkins hated vending machines.
He walked into the break room late Monday afternoon with spare change and a Snickers craving, and five minutes later he was still there with both. First off, his two quarters and a nickel didn't work. One quarter kept funneling back out the change slot. So he switched the quarter for two dimes and a nickel from the company change jar, which was on the microwave for just such an emergency. Well, it worked, but instead of the Snickers spiraling off the rack and into the chute, the wrapper got pinned to the side. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Michael Gavin ask a complete stranger to give his eulogy? Was he thinking about himself and his family or did he have another purpose?

2. Michael has a past that he's not proud of. How did that affect the rest of his life?

3. What is your first impression of Wes Watkins? Did your impression of him change at all as the plot unfolded?

4. Were you surprised by how Wes went about crafting his story? What about people's reactions to his questions? Was he right in pursuing the truth and professional in his methods for doing so? Why or why not?

5. Forgiveness is a theme running through the story. How was it played out in different characters? Why was this highlighted over other aspects of Gavin's life?

6. What character do you identify with the most? Why?

7. Was Michael Gavin a hero? For his accomplishments or for something else? What truly defines a hero?

8. Discuss the novel's ending. What is the final message of this book? Is it positive or negative?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Author Graham Garrison's official web site

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