The Freak - S01 E34

2 months ago

The Freak - S01 E34

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 34

I had really warmed up, hitting twelve in a row when I heard one of the guys say that he had to go to work. I was asked if I'd fill in and agreed, meeting my soon-to-be teammate Ryan and opponents Phil and Mike. We started play and I had a problem almost immediately with Phil. had taken a jump shot and as I did he jabbed me in the stomach. He didn't hurt me, but I've seen guys lose their balance from such tactics, injuring an ankle or a knee or even their back by falling. I made the shot so I told him, "Don't do that again."

"Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it?" I let it slide then, but he did it three more times even though I repeatedly told him not to. In fact, he became more aggressive, bordering on arrogant, almost punching my stomach the last time. I'd had enough.

I set up on the left side low post, signaling my teammate for the ball. Head faking right, I took one dribble followed by a single long stride across the lane, the ball secure in my huge hand. Rather than take the hook shot I moved the ball along in a graceful arc, my right hand moving rapidly across the lane as I pivoted and brought the ball up even with the height of the basket. I'd made this move and taken this shot hundreds of times so I knew there was no way to block it, but that didn't stop Phil from jabbing me once again. This time was ready and as I finished the pivot I brought my left elbow forcefully into his solar plexus. He grunted, totally out of breath, as he fell back hard on his ass. I leaned down, whispering as I did, "I guess you now know what I'll do about it, don't you?" I thanked the others for the game and walked off the court to Barbara.

"What was that all about, Jack?"

"He was jabbing me in the gut every time I shot the ball and he refused to stop. I've seen guys get hurt from that. They lose their balance and fall. It's a dangerous play...dirty, too. He asked what I'd do about it."

"I think he knows now, doesn't he?"

I kissed Barbara as we stepped outside. "Yes," I said. "I think he does.

I returned to the training room again two days later and wasn't at all surprised when the AD strode in while was being taped. "One all surprised when the AD strode in while I was being taped. "One question, Jack, are you a dirty player?"

"If I had to guess I'd say you were speaking with Phil about his badly bruised chest."

"Indeed was. He's a starting forward on our varsity."

"Then he should know better than to jab an opponent's abdomen when he takes a shot. Not only is that a foul, but it's a great way to really hurt someone. I'm not a dirty player, Sir, but also won't allow myself to be abused. He jabbed me four times and four times I told him not to do it again. His response was, what are you going to do about it? Now he knows, except the next time won't allow him to do it four times before I retaliate. By the way, doubt he would have made my high school varsity-definitely not as a starter. I hope the rest of the team is better."

"Not surprisingly he left his part out of it. I told him I'd speak with you and have. I promise you I'll speak with him, too." shrugged my shoulders. I really didn't care. Barbara and I had the gym to ourselves and I spent a good hour dribbling and shooting with both hands. I finished by doing some line drills. Most players hate line drills, but they're a great way to get into shape for the season. I also resolved to do some serious running before school started.

I had never realized how much we would need when we bought the house. Besides furniture we needed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, dishes, glasses, pots and pans, ice trays-just to name a few. It seemed that we went shopping almost every day that first month. But that stopped the last week in July. I had promised Carole that she could come for a visit and that time was now.

My mother had driven Carole, now all of nine, to the Islip MacArthur Airport for a flight to Boston's Logan Field. We were waiting at the gate when the plane began to empty. After talking to the gate staff I knew that she would be among the last to leave the plane and that she would be accompanied by one of the stewardesses. Sure enough, Carole walked up the gangway dragging her suitcase in the company of a beautiful woman and I would have been tempted had I not found Barbara. I showed my passport as a formality even as Carole was hugging Barbara and we left, walking slowly as the Big C told us all about her incredible

flight.

"What are we going to do first, J.J.?"

"Well...I think we need to get some lunch and then we'll take you to our home to meet Kelly."

"Who's Kelly?"

"She's the latest member of our family."

"Barbara had a baby?"

I couldn't help myself. I laughed my ass off. "No, Big C... that takes a bit more than a month or two. You'll see. We want it to be a surprise." We left the airport a few minutes later and drove all the way to Somerville where we stopped at a sub shop where I ordered one large Italian sub, asking for one of the usual three parts to be cut in half. These were big-really big-subs; almost three feet long with Italian cold cuts and provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato and onion, oil and vinegar, oregano and salt and pepper. They actually tasted even better than they looked. We sat at one of the small tables with sodas and our sandwiches. This was one of the first places we'd found after moving in and it was one of the best, too.

We left with half of Carole's sandwich wrapped in plastic wrap and drove home. "I think you need to stay here on the lawn," told Carole, "and let Kelly come to you." Kelly bolted from the door with her usual greeting until she saw Carole then she ran up to sniff her. Carole was ecstatic. She had wanted a dog, but Mom had always said no. She held her hand out. There were dogs in our neighborhood so she knew what to do. A minute later she was hugging and petting Kelly like they were old friends

We showed Carole to our guest room with Kelly on our heels then we let Carole go out into the back yard to play with Kelly and her ball, I made her stop an hour later so Kelly could rest and have a healthy drink of water. Then we went inside to relax and watch some TV.

We spent the week of Carole's visit doing just about everything we could in the Boston area. Carole may have been about to enter fourth grade, but she was a very bright girl who loved to learn. She enjoyed walking the Freedom Trail, checking out the tombstones at the Old North Church. I wasn't at all surprised that she knew just about every one of the patriots buried there. We went to see the USS Constitution-Old Ironsides-but stayed on deck while

Barbara and Carole went below. Those lower decks weren't built

for someone with my height.