Loving The Game. Pete Hines

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      “I will.”

      When he got to the bottom of the diner steps, Charles could see the boys were still hanging around Ralph. Charles asked where they played basketball, and the tallest boy said the old gym at 99th Street. Charles told Ralph to turn down the rap music and asked if they would like to meet at the gym. While driving, he told Ralph to keep alert for anything unusual.

      When he pulled up to the gym, Charles focused on the old rusted basketball hoop with its torn strings for a net. He got out and looked around. If he could get the investors interested in this project, it would really improve the neighborhood. He could envision this as once again being a building that offered both children and adults a place to go for a variety of activities.

      Just then the boys rode up on their bicycles. As they walked toward Charles, he really noticed how they were dressed – baggy pants, big tennis shoes, and faded T-shirts. The tallest boy asked if Charles wanted to play in a pickup game. Charles knew he couldn’t match up to their youthful energy, but he thought he would give it a go.

      “I’m Charles,” he said, extending his hand as a way of introduction. “And you are?”

      The first to respond was Jeremy, the tallest boy. “I’m Jeremy, and that’s Wayne, Toby, Michael, Stephen, Spencer, and Dorrial.”

      “Nice to meet you all,” Charles replied.

      They chose sides and Charles was the last one picked. Once again there was a flashback to his childhood days when he usually was the last boy chosen. It really hurt then, but now it didn’t matter.

      Charles’ team of Wayne, Toby, and Jeremy took possession first. Dorrial, Michael, Stephen, and Spencer formed the other team. Wayne passed to Charles and he dribbled a few times before throwing to Jeremy. Faking like he was going to pass outside to Toby, Jeremy then turned around and dribbled in for a layup. His team had scored first and Charles responded to Jeremy, “Nice move.”

      Charles had to remember to keep his head in the game because Dorrial dribbled quickly around him for an easy layup. These boys were fast. Stepping behind the basket, Charles picked up the ball and threw to Toby. He dribbled down the left side of the old court and then held up for Wayne who was breaking across the center. Wayne took the pass, stopped, and went up for a short jumper. The ball banked off the old backboard and made a clanking sound as it came straight down through the tattered net.

      The asphalt was cracked and pretty busted up in some places, and it definitely had seen better playing days. Weeds had crept up through the cracks and then quickly had wilted in the heat. The chain link fence surrounding the basketball court was leaning in places, but it still defined the playing area.

      The two teams exchanged baskets and groans of “How did you miss that one?” After about 45 minutes of playing, they were getting thirsty. A water fountain by the gym’s front doors actually still worked. The boys knew the first in line would turn the handle and let the water arch into the basin until the water ran clear and cold. They all took a few gulps, and then Dorrial looked at Charles. He asked what they all had been wondering.

      “So, why are you so interested in this old gym?”

      “I’m thinking about buying it,” Charles responded, “and maybe turning it into a community center.”

      “But we’ll still be able to play basketball here, right?” asked Dorrial.

      “Sure. I’m going to remodel the gym and maybe add a swimming pool.”

      “A swimming pool?” echoed Wayne, clearly surprised.

      They had been sitting under an oak tree that was older than the gym. Its stately presence was a testament to survival. Even though the old gym had not survived, maybe now there was hope for being a center of activity again.

      Wayne was the first to stand up. They talked about renewing play, but Charles was still leaning against the oak tree. He was thinking tennis kept him in shape, but a tennis match against another 40-year-old man didn’t come close to trying to keep up with these 15- and 16-year-old boys.

      “Why don’t we get some pop,” suggested Charles. He would buy. No one objected and the boys ran toward their bikes.

      “See you in a few at the diner,” Charles said, walking towards his Porsche. When Charles pulled up to the diner and started to get out, Ralph popped the sunroof open. Charles told him not to play any more music and Ralph reluctantly agreed. Ralph started talking to the boys as they pulled up a few minutes later on their bikes. The boys wanted to hear some soul music. Since Charles was already inside the diner, Ralph thought maybe a few bars of James Brown would entertain the boys. After the first line of “I Feel Good” started blaring, Charles looked out the window and shook his head at Ralph.

      Ralph quickly shut off James Brown and the boys walked toward the diner. Once inside, Charles ordered pop for everyone. As they waited for the drinks, all the boys were looking at Charles.

      “So, why do you want to buy the gym – I mean turn it into a community center?” Wayne asked.

      Maxine placed the bottles of pop in the center of their table and Charles waited a few minutes before he responded. “Well, I have a few reasons why it would be good. It could help out a lot of people.”

      After taking a big gulf of his grape soda, Dorrial asked, “How?”

      “I’m a tax attorney and some of my clients are looking for a tax break. I also think this neighborhood could use a safe place where kids could hang out. The third thing is I love basketball.” Charles was turning the cool bottle in his hand. He knew kids like these boys would really enjoy playing in a decent gym. He was thinking of all that practice, all those layups, and still not making the team.

      Charles turned the conversation away from himself. The boys told him they mostly played ball and went to school.

      “So, how’s school going, then?” Charles asked.

      “Not so good” seemed to be the general consensus.

      Charles said maybe Ralph could help get their grades up.

      “Ralph?” asked Wayne skeptically.

      “Yes,” answered Charles. “Ralph’s pretty smart. He can help you. He knows just about everything on any subject.”

      The boys liked the idea of Ralph being a tutor. Charles asked how he could get in touch with them. As he wrote their names on a napkin, Dorrial also gave his phone number. The boys said they had to leave because it was getting close to their dinnertime. Charles said he would see them later. Before he left Charles ordered a piece of key lime pie with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

      As soon as Maxine brought his pie, Officers Lauritsen and Murphy walked into the diner. Charles nodded at them and asked if he could buy them a cup of coffee and pie. They sat down at the booth with Charles and asked what was new. He replied he was hoping to purchase the old gym and turn it into a community center. They smiled and said it would be great to see activity again in the old building. Charles returned a smile and said he was glad they didn’t think it was a crazy idea.

      Maxine brought a pot of coffee and two more slices of pie. Charles told the officers he was meeting regularly at the diner with Samuel Jacobsen, the contractor. Murphy said he knew Jacobsen and believed the contractor had a good reputation for doing quality work.

      Lauritsen СКАЧАТЬ