Page 30 of Baby for the Professor
I hadn't cried for at least twenty years, but I could hardly stop my tears today. Hearing my son call me daddy aroused a powerful emotion inside me. I hadn't expected it to happen so soon. I thought it would take a while for the boy to get used to my presence and accept me as his dad.
I held him tight as we walked to the tennis court, promising him silently I'd never neglect him again as long as I lived.
I taught Aiden the basics: how to hold the racquet and how to hit the ball. I had never taught kids to play tennis before, but I watched some videos and read some tips online on the subject yesterday. I had to make sure the child didn't get bored while learning a new sport.
I let Aiden self-rally, basically letting the ball bounce on the ground before catching it with his racquet and letting it fall again. I meant to keep the drill short and take frequent breaks. But Aiden seemed to have inherited my love for the sport. He didn't even want to stop and was good at keeping the ball up. Soon we were rallying with each other over the net slowly.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Sabrina watching us at first with a smile on her face. And then her attention fell to the book she held on her lap.
“Let’s take a break,” I said to Aiden after a while.
Aiden ran to his mom for water, and I sat next to Sabrina.
Sabrina wiped the sweat on Aiden’s face with a towel and smiled. “Are you having fun, sweetie?”
“Yes, Mommy. I love tennis.”
“That’s great.”
I took a long swig of water and asked her. “Would you like to play, Sabrina?”
She shook her head. “Nah. Next time. I want to finish reading this book.”
“Okay.” Aiden and I went back to play when Sabrina stood up from her bench to use the restroom.
I was correcting Aiden's grip when a familiar voice said next to me, "Hey Jackson. I didn't know you were coming. Why didn't you let me know?"
I turned to see Monica in her tight tennis shirt and short skirt.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot about it. I didn't think I would have the time to play a game. I'm mostly here to teach my son."
She frowned as she glanced at Aiden. "I didn't know you had a son!"
"Yes. Well, we've just lately reconnected." I said, sparing the details that she didn't have to know.
"I see." Monica smiled. "Cute boy. Looks just like you."
"Yep." Her comment flattered me very much.
I was hoping she would go away, but she stayed, helping me to teach Aiden. She went over to stand behind Aiden and held his hand as he practiced forehand. "Like this, sweetie," she said. "Turn your body a bit and hit the ball with your arm, not your wrist."
I had the urge to tell her that it was too much to expect from a child during his first practice, but I appreciated her eagerness to help, so I kept my mouth shut.
"Very good!" Monica said after Aiden hit a bouncing ball over the net. "You know what, Jackson. Your son has inherited your tennis skills. You should take him to our practice from now on."
The suggestion tempted me. "You think so?"
"Absolutely. Right? Aiden? Would you like to play tennis every week?"
"Yes!" the boy answered cheerfully.
I laughed. I would love to do that, but I'd have to speak to his mother about it.
While waiting, I saw Sabrina return to the court, holding two bottles of water she probably got from a vending machine. She was watching Monica intently.
I stopped playing and introduced them to each other. "Monica, this is Sabrina, Aiden's mom. And Sabrina, this is my colleague, Dr. Monica Smith."
"It's nice to meet you!" They said simultaneously and shook hands.
