Patrick Mahomes was having a rough day. He’d spent the last few hours attending meetings, catching up on business, and dealing with the chaos of his ever-growing empire. His jet had just touched down in Wilmington, North Carolina, and he was bone-tired. All he wanted was to grab a quick bite and head to his hotel room for a much-needed rest. As his stomach rumbled, he spotted a McDonald’s ahead and, despite his usual preference for upscale dining, he pulled his sleek black SUV into the parking lot. Something about being back in his hometown made him crave the familiar taste of fast food from his childhood.
Patrick pulled a baseball cap low over his face, hoping to avoid recognition. At 61, he still couldn’t go anywhere without being noticed, and he wanted a quiet meal. Inside, the McDonald’s was busy but not packed—families with kids, teenagers, and workers on late shifts filled the space. Patrick walked up to the counter, keeping his head down, scanning the menu even though he already knew exactly what he wanted.
“Welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order?” the cashier asked, barely glancing up from her register.
“Quarter pounder with cheese, large fries, and a Coke,” Patrick replied, his voice low.
The cashier nodded, punching in the order, and Patrick moved aside, waiting for his food. His eyes wandered to the kitchen, where the staff worked with practiced efficiency. That’s when his gaze landed on a tall, lean figure standing at the grill, flipping burgers with the precision of someone who had done it for years.
There was something about him that seemed familiar. The way he moved, the way he worked—the rhythm of his actions reminded Patrick of someone from his past. As the man turned slightly, Patrick caught a glimpse of his profile. His heart skipped a beat.
No way, Patrick thought. That couldn’t be him.
Leroy Wilson. His first real friend.
The boy who had taught him how to dribble a basketball between his legs when Patrick was too small to control the ball. The one who had disappeared without a word just before high school. And here he was, flipping burgers at a McDonald’s in Wilmington, working late into the night.
Patrick’s appetite suddenly disappeared as a thousand questions raced through his mind. Why was Leroy here, working this job? What happened to him after he left? Had he ever played basketball again? Did he have a family? Did he ever think about Patrick?
Patrick grabbed his food mechanically, his mind still reeling as he found an empty booth in the corner of the restaurant. He sat there, barely tasting his meal, his eyes locked on Leroy, who moved around the kitchen with the same quiet dignity that Patrick remembered. The same kindness in the way he treated the younger workers.
Patrick watched as Leroy helped a young employee who had dropped a tray of cups, offering words of encouragement as he wiped sweat from his brow. “Don’t worry about it, Jaden. Happens to everybody.”
It was the same Leroy—the same man who had always believed in Patrick when no one else did. The one who had helped him through the tough times, teaching him the value of heart and hard work. Patrick clenched his soda cup, torn between going over to greet Leroy and staying hidden in the shadows.
But what would he say? “Hey, remember me? The kid who became famous while you stayed here, flipping burgers?” No, Patrick thought. Leroy deserved better than that.
He watched Leroy’s every move, his thoughts swirling. Leroy’s limp caught his attention—a small hitch in his step that seemed to suggest old injuries, maybe arthritis from years of standing at the grill. Patrick’s chest tightened with emotion. This was the same man who had believed in him when he was just a skinny kid, struggling to make the varsity team.
The night passed slowly. Patrick stayed for hours, watching Leroy work, his thoughts drifting back to their shared childhood—long days on the cracked concrete court near Leroy’s house, late-night talks about their dreams, and the pact they had made to make it to the NBA together.
Eventually, Leroy’s shift ended. Patrick watched as he clocked out, walked outside, and got into an old blue sedan. Patrick remained in his booth, feeling the weight of all the years that had passed. He knew he couldn’t just leave things like this—not after everything Leroy had done for him.
The next day, Patrick couldn’t stop thinking about Leroy. He made a plan. He had to find out what had happened to his friend over all these years. He pulled up records, hired investigators, and pieced together Leroy’s life since he left Wilmington. Patrick discovered that Leroy had gone through hardships, a broken marriage, the loss of his wife to cancer, and health problems. But through it all, he had raised four children, worked hard, and remained the kind-hearted man he’d always been.
Patrick knew what he had to do.
He found Leroy’s apartment and showed up the next morning with coffee and bagels. The two men talked, catching up on everything that had happened in their lives. Patrick listened as Leroy talked about his children, his dreams, and the struggles he had faced. When Patrick asked Leroy what he would do if money weren’t an issue, Leroy’s eyes lit up as he described a dream of opening a youth center—somewhere kids could go for guidance, basketball, and mentorship.
Patrick’s mind raced. This was it. This was Leroy’s chance to make a difference in the world—just like he had wanted to when they were kids. Patrick made the decision then and there. He would help Leroy turn that dream into reality.
Over the next few months, Patrick poured his resources into making it happen. He bought a building, hired architects, and began the process of creating the Wilson and Mahomes Youth Center. The center would have basketball courts, tutoring spaces, a kitchen, and a safe place for kids to learn and grow. Patrick involved Leroy’s children, giving them roles to help run the center, and even arranged for Leroy to receive training in nonprofit management.
Finally, the day came to open the center. Patrick invited Leroy to see the new facility, and when Leroy walked in, he was stunned. The space was everything he had ever dreamed of—filled with basketball courts, classrooms, and the resources he had never been able to afford.
Leroy couldn’t believe it. He asked Patrick, “Why did you do all this for me?”
Patrick smiled, looking at the center that would change the lives of so many kids. “Because when I saw you at McDonald’s, I realized something. Success isn’t just about what you achieve or what you own. It’s about the lives you touch. You touched mine when we were kids. Now, you can touch hundreds more.”
The two men stood together, looking out over the bustling youth center, their lives forever intertwined by a friendship that had never truly faded, no matter how much time had passed.
