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“Hey pops, what’s going on? You must be on a break from the nursing home or something?”
After listening to Charles’ comments, the man stared at him for a moment and smiled.
“You’re pretty confused young fellow. And your smart mouth could someday get you in big trouble."
For the first time since Jeffrey had known Charles, he was speechless. Everyone around became focused and quiet. The tension appeared to have thickened. Jeffery knew the man had been in prison for murder and felt he could be about to snap. Of course, even his fear kept his mouth from opening.
“Young man you have a lot to learn about life.”
“I know life stinks and ain’t fair. What more is there old dude?”
“You would probably think differently if your future flashed in front of you.”
“Man, I knew something was wrong with this man.”
“I am fine now, but my mouth was once like yours.”
Charles glared at Mr. Smith.
“Charles, can you really play basketball?”
“Yeah, I can ball a little bit. Why?”
“If I can beat you in a game of one-on-one, would you listen to my story?”
“Old dude are you crazy? I’d hate to make your old butt have a heart attack.”
Charles laughed and was supported by a small portion of the other boys.
“Charles, I think you're afraid to play an old man.” Chris said as he gave another boy a high five and everyone laughed.
“Alright let’s do this! First one to ten wins.”
Mr. Smith shook his head in agreement, sat down on the bench, pulled out an old pair of tennis shoe from a paper bag and to put them on.
Jeffrey whispered while Charles practiced his jumper.
“Mr. Smith, are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Young fellow I had time to learn a few tricks while in prison.”
Mr. Smith turned to place his hands on a pole to stretch. Charles noticed and threw the ball hitting Mr. Smith in the back of his left knee. He fell to his knees and became motionless for two minutes.
“Charles, why did you hit the man like that?”
Charles laughed.
“I thought pops was ready to throw down, not go down.”
Mr. Smith slowly arose to his feet and turned to Chris.
“Give me the ball young man.”
Chris passed him the ball underhanded. Mr. Smith delivered a snappy chest pass to Charles hitting him in the chest after slipping through his hands.
“Now I'm ready. Let's play ball.”
The game began with Charles checking the ball first.
“I am about to put you on the sideline.”
“Show me what you got.”
Charles fakes and fires his first jumper ripping the nets.
“Are ready to quit old man?”
“Not yet.”
Mr. Smith took the ball out. Before taking a shot, Charles stripped the ball with his quick hands. After making another lay up Charles turned and smiled.
“Time out.”
“What?”
“That's right. You stopped me from stretching earlier and I need to finish.”
Mr. Smith went back to the pole by the bench and before leaning into it he turned around.
“Jeffrey, maybe you had better get the ball.”
Mr. Smith gave Charles a look which indicated the last prank was the last time. Those few moments seemed tense.
Mr. Smith returned to the court, checked the ball in and waited for Charles to reach. On four occasions Mr. Smith out maneuvered Charles and went straight to the basket. The score was 4-8 and Mr. Smith was ahead.
Mr. Smith wipes his sweet and checked the ball.
“Are you ready to loose young man?”
“You wish!” Charles smiled with a look of confidence.
Mr. Smith bounced the ball preparing to make his final move. Their eyes locked and Charles rushed attempting to snatch the ball, Mr. Smith threw the ball between Charles legs, faked in the other direction and went up for a pretty jump shot to high light his victory.
“Dog Charles, you let an old man whip your butt in ball.”
The boys all laughed at Charles as he snatched the ball and withdrew from the crowd.
“So what? I wasn’t planning on listening to his stupid story anyway.”
“You know a man’s word is his bond.” Mr. Smith pleaded to avoid loosing someone who he really wanted to hear his story.
“I want to hear it!” Jeffrey interjected as he walked toward to Mr. Smith in stride of support.
Charles began bouncing the ball side to side attempting to ignore his surroundings.
“You go ahead. I need to practice on my free throws. Plus I ain't a man and don't have to keep my word.”
“Man you need to practice on your jump shot, defense, free throws and much mo.” Chris comically teased.
Laughing and pointing further embarrassed Charles. However, Jerry decided to egg it on some more.
“Yeah, you practice and we'll listen to what Mr. Smith has to say.”
The other boys slowly crowded into the area next to the old bench where Mr. Smith stood.
“Hey old man, why don't you go back to where you come from, so we can play ball?”
Charles shouted, standing behind four other guys for some concealment. Jeffrey became defensive.
“Come on man.”
“Jeffrey, that's quite all right. Some people don't know life is a game which is won or lost.”
“What do you mean by that?” Charles replied, his nostrils flaring.
“When you play a game and lose, how does it make you feel?”
Silence lingered before Charles finally answered.
“Like a failure.”
“That's right. I was loosing the game of life until I decided to play to win.”
Charles moved toward Mr. Smith.
“Man who cares about hearing your messed up life? Go preach to somebody who wants to hear that crap.”
“Back down Charles.” Chris shouted as he and his posse got between Charles and Mr. Smith.
“Most of our own father's don't make time for us and I won't let you stop me from hearing what he has to say.”
Charles turned to walk to the other side of the court. Mr. Smith scanned the crowed.
“Mister, you won the right to speak.
Chris puffed his chest and looked over at Charles.
Mr. Smith already sitting on the bench got comfortable.
Everyone became quiet and gathered around Mr. Smith, but Charles maintained his space.
Mr. Smith looked around, pausing on random faces.
“By the way, my name is Mr. Smith and not pops or old man,” he said with aggravation in his voice.
“You’ll bring a great deal of problems to yourself during your lifetime if you continue heading down this path.”
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