I had a problem saying no. I wanted to prove myself capable and excel at my job. Any new opportunity that arose, I took it. I even volunteered for some additional responsibilities. Every one of those decisions seemed altruistic at the time. But I was becoming a stranger in my own home.

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By the fall of 1994, I had started a new job as an English teacher and coach of high school baseball, junior high football, and junior high basketball at Southern Baptist Educational Center (now Northpoint Christian School). Conversations with SBEC had lasted well into the summer. When I felt like the talks with SBEC were progressing toward a position there, I freed Mr. Long at Hernando from any obligation he felt like he owed to hold my position open. He had found a young coach that he wanted to...

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