“Take that, fancy boy.”
Franklin recovered from his shock and took the ball, putting up a poorly aimed jumper that clanked off the back of the rim. He attempted two more shots, missing both of those as well.
“What’s wrong, that famous shot of yours not shown up yet?”
“I’ll get it, you just got me, is all.”
An hour later they were both sitting on the park bench, gulping down water and catching their breath.
“You know, I ain’t never had this much fun shooting hoops,” he said, “Thanks.”
“I had fun too. I never thought it was much fun when I was on the team.”
“Why are you doing all this?”
“All what?”
“All this? Hanging with me? I mean…I like it…but you…man.”
“Cat got your tongue?”
“Lot of other dudes better than me, for a girl like you.”
“What if I don’t think so? I’ll tell you the same thing I said the last time you talked like this. You’re not your past. I don’t know. You’re a good dude, no matter what you say. I like hanging with you. Is that good enough?”
“Yeah…I guess. Just don’t think I deserve—”
“Don’t talk like that. Sure, you’ve made some mistakes, but you got a big heart, and you’re not bad looking.”
“Well…I…”
“Franklin, if you weren’t black you’d be blushing.”
“I…what does your dad think?”
“Dad…well…I just told him I was hanging with a friend.”
“Just hanging with a friend?”
“For now. Isn’t that what we’re doing?”
“Yeah…just hanging out…but sometimes…”
She rested her hand on his. “Yeah, dude…I don’t know, really. I think I like you. I haven’t done much dating, you know. Dad’s kind of strict, wants me to have the perfect guy. He scared off the last two that were interested. Now I meet you, and you’re…I don’t know…different. Maybe it’s what you’re been through, or maybe you’re just a great guy…I don’t know. Does that make any sense?”
“Maybe. People our age are supposed to be confused all the time, right?”
“Where’d you get that idea?”
“From people older than us.”
“I suppose so. It sure feels confusing. I haven’t ever had guy friends before. Now you’re a guy, and you’re a friend…and…maybe more someday?”
“Uh…well…”
“Is this how it’s supposed to happen?”
“How what’s supposed to happen?”
“People just become friends and then maybe…I…I’m blubbering again.”
“I dig you, girl. I might…you know…oh heck…I think I know what you’re saying, and it kind of scares me a bit.”
“How about we just have fun and see what happens?”
“Sounds like a good idea. You might have to tell you dad sooner or later.”
“We’ll get to that. I don’t know how.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You’re a smart girl.”
“And you’re not so dumb either.”
“Man, you know what I’ve done.”
“Yeah, you made some mistakes. I’ll tell my dad. I’ll tell him I kind of like you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah…sure.”
“You gonna tell your dad about me?”
Franklin stared ahead and didn’t reply.
“Oh, I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have gone there.”
“That’s okay.”
“No it isn’t. It’s still a touchy subject?”
“I told you the other day. I haven’t spoken to that man since I was nine years old.”
“You ever thought about it?”
“Not really.”
“Not even a bit?”
“Come on girl. I told you what he did. I don’t give a rat’s behind for that jerk, not after what he did to Mom.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Nobody ever means anything. It happened. Can’t do anything about that now.”
“You think he’s changed?”
“I don’t care.”
“You can’t mean that.”
“I do mean that.”
“Everybody deserves a second chance. The Lord—”
“Not him. Where was the Lord when my mama died all strung out? Where was he when Dad pulled the trigger on that dude? Tell me, where was he?”
“Franklin, I…I…”
“Yeah that’s it. People talk great, but when it comes down to it, nobody knows what I’ve been through, and all of that great talk don’t change a darn thing. The Lord’s great in the church pews, but it’s different on the street.”
“I don’t know about that. I haven’t seen the things you’ve seen. I got both my parents at home and they haven’t done drugs or shot anyone. I got a pretty good life, but you gotta look at what you have and where you’ve come. You got one hell of a second chance and now things are looking up. Yeah, your dad did some terrible things, but you can’t take your second chance and not want to give him his.”
He pulled his hand away from hers and turned his head, walking to the court with the basketball, dribbling a couple times and putting up a shot that missed everything. He shot two more times, missing badly each time. When he turned back around, he was trying to keep the tears from forming, to no avail. He came back over and sat down, resting his chin in his hands and staring at the ground. Kendra scooted over next to him and put her arm across his shoulder. He leaned his head into her shoulder and finally let the tears come.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be, ain’t your fault.”
“I brought it up. We were having such a fun time, and I had to go and say that.”
“Yeah…you got plenty of gas?”
“Filled the tank yesterday. Why?”
“Can you drive me up to Lebanon, before I change my mind?”
Henry Jones sat in his cell reading a paperback novel when the guard came by.
“Hi Henry, whatcha reading?”
“Something Wilson loaned me. It’s not bad. About some young black kid becomes an action hero. Writer’s a local guy.”
“Really, you’ll have to let me read it when you’re done.”
“You’d probably like it. Anyway, what brings you to my neighborhood?”
“You got a visitor.”
“You kidding me? I ain’t had a visitor in six years. Who is it?”
“They didn’t tell me the name. Couple young black kids.”
“What kids would want to be visiting me? I ain’t nobody.”
“I don’t know. Couple young kids. They must know
