Page 84 of Love is a Game

“Well, he’s so fast and agile, he like, disappears in the middle of a play, and before you even realize it, he’s already stolen the ball and is halfway down the court!” Tracy explains. “That created new tactical opportunities that meant we won several games last year.”

“There’s your hook,” I say. “Open with that.”

Molly straightens her notes. “I’m on rebuttals. I expect their argument will be around how people naturally gravitate toward similarities…the way communities form organically. I have to offset that.”

“Okay, so how do you prove that difference is beneficial, not just inevitable?”

She fiddles with her pen. “Maybe look at businesses? Companies with diverse leadership make more money. Different perspectives lead to better solutions. I was thinking of using Apple. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were total opposites, and together, they created something huge.”

I grin. “Solid. Now, the closer?”

Finn cracks his knuckles. “That’s me. I want to drive home that history proves progress happens because of difference, not in spite of it. Civil rights movements, scientific breakthroughs—great partnerships like Hamilton and Burr.”

I scratch my head. “Hamilton and Burr shot each other.”

Finn shrugs. “Fine, bad example. But you get my point.”

Mom calls a five-minute warning, and I step back, letting the kids fine-tune their arguments. Pen gravitates my way as we watch the students fuss over their final points.

“These guys are savvy as hell,” she whispers. “I don’t think we were anywhere near this worldly at their age.”

“So you don’t think the internet has fried all their brain cells? Warped their delicate minds?”

“Well, we’re about to find out for sure,” she says with a wink as Mom steps forward to set the scene.

The opposing team wins the coin toss and starts first. Molly gives a smug smile as their opening argument unfolds.

“People are naturally drawn to those who share their beliefs and values,” a gangly guy with wispy ginger chin hair insists. “Even in diverse societies, people form tight-knit groups based on shared traits. It’s how we build communities, friendships, serious relationships.

“Common ground is what fosters connection,” he continues. “Look at politics—when ideologies are too different, there’s gridlock. When people align, things get done.”

The debate heats up, both sides firing back with sharp points and well-crafted rebuttals. It’s a close match.

Then Finn steps up to close. At first, I have my doubts as he rattles off a list of random contrasts: yin and yang, introverts and extroverts, rival CEOs who push each other to greatness. But then he pivots, landing on something unexpected.

“Difference isn’t just something to tolerate—it’s what makes us grow,” he says. “It’s easy to get lazy when you surround yourself with people who already agree with you, who see the world the same way. That doesn’t push you to question, to sharpen your arguments, to see beyond your own experience.”

He pauses, scanning the room. “Think about it. When you want to convince someone, like your olds—to let you do something they’re dead set against, who’s the harder sell? The parent who gets you, who maybe even did the same thing when they were your age? Or the one who sees things completely differently?”

A few kids nod, already catching on.

Finn gives a sheepish grin. “For me? That’s my mom. My dad’s a pushover—he got up to so much stuff when he was young, he doesn’t really have an argument. I barely have to try. But my mom? She’s the reason I’m even good at this whole debating thing. Arguing with her isn’t just whining until she gives in. I have to bring actual facts, case studies, statistics. I have to anticipate every reason she’s going to say no and counter it before she even gets the chance.”

His voice levels out, more serious now. “And sometimes, in doing that, I realize something. Like, just for a random example, wanting to experiment with smoking weed? Suddenly, I’m forced to look at studies on how it can mess with your brain development. I have to step into her perspective and counter all the opposing views. And before I know it, I’m questioning my own stance.”

He lets that settle before delivering the final punch.

“Being able to tap into another person’s perspective? That’s a superpower. It lets you see beyond the walls of your own experience. And when you do that, you don’t just get smarter, you get stronger. Difference gives you strength.”

Finn takes his seat.

The room hangs silent for a beat, like everyone is still absorbing what he just laid down.

I glance at Pen. Her fingers drum lightly against her sleeve, her gaze locked on Finn like she’s seeing him in a new light. Or maybe, just maybe…she’s seeingusin a new light.

It’s supposed to be an academic exercise. A logical argument that I hoped might edge my way.

But this is something else. Because, for once, I don’t have to argue my case whatsoever. The students have done it for me.

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