Page 35 of Always Be True: Tino
Chapter 9
Practice was over, and the last of the equipment was locked up in the storage area. According to Jay, it was nothing short of a miracle that all the kids had been picked up on time. Thanks to heavy traffic and other unpredictable factors, more often than not he ended up hanging around the center for up to an hour after the official quitting time for one last parent to show up. When asked how he felt about that, Jay shrugged it off, saying it came with the territory. Like Tino, Jay was single and had no one waiting at home for him. He could afford to be generous with his time.
After Jay left, Tino walked by the computer lab. Judging by the intent expressions on the students’ faces, it looked as if everything was going smoothly. The class wasn’t due to let out for another twenty minutes. Rather than lurk in the hallway, he headed outside to get some fresh air.
For once, the outside basketball court was empty. He dug his ball out of his gym bag and started shooting from the free throw line. When he hit the basket four times in a row, a round of applause broke out from the shadow near the entrance. He made one last shot before turning to face his unexpected audience.
Five teenagers started toward him; all of them looked to be in their mid-teens. They still had that lanky, not-quite-filled-out build common to kids that age. In fact, Ricky would fit right in with them, attitude and all. For now, Tino bounced the ball and waited for them to make their final approach.
One boy stepped forward, leaving the others to form a ragged line behind him. “So, what are you doing shooting hoops in our part of town?”
Tino kept his smile friendly. “I’m waiting for a friend and had some time to kill.”
The kid glanced at his friends and then back at Tino. “Well, you should kill it somewhere else. We play every day at this same time.”
No way was he going to be run off by a bunch of punk kids. “Looks like I got here first, but I’m willing to share. What do you say to a quick game of three on three?”
He wasn’t surprised when they didn’t immediately leap at the chance to face off against him. One of the others joined the discussion. “Why do you want to play here at all? I bet they have a fancier court wherever it is you live.”
“They might.” In fact, there was a better hoop mounted on the annex right outside his front door. He took another shot and smiled when it bounced off the backboard to fall through the hoop despite how badly the whole thing was canted to one side. “But I’m helping Jay Tobin with his basketball team. Practice just let out a few minutes ago, and like I said, I’m waiting for a friend.”
Some of their growing tension seemed to ease off a bit. “So you’re the army cop coaching my little brother, Mitchell.”
Now that the kid had brought up the subject, Tino could see a strong family resemblance between the two boys. Mitchell had even mentioned his brother a couple of times. What was his name? Trevor? No, that wasn’t it. After a second, it came to him—Tyler. “Yep, Tyler, that’s me. Your brother shows some real talent for the game. Have you been working with him?”
Tyler shrugged. “Yeah, I’ve showed him some moves.”
“You’ve done a good job. So, how about that game?”
The others all looked to Tyler for an answer. He nodded and immediately peeled off his shirt. Two of his friends did the same while the others sided with Tino. Within seconds, the game was in full swing with some good-natured name-calling and a few collisions meant to establish dominance. Tino gave as good as he got, figuring the boys would respect him more for standing his ground.
All too soon, it was time to call it quits for the evening. Natalie would be looking for him, and he wanted a chance to talk to the kids before he had to leave.
He held his hand out to Tyler and then to each of the others. “Good game, guys.”
“You’ve got some skills for an old man.” Tyler smirked and his friends all laughed.
God, it was like talking to Ricky when his nephew was feeling his oats. “Not that old, kid. My two brothers and I could kick your asses anytime.”
The boys hooted at that idea. “Three against five wouldn’t be fair.”
Tino gave it some thought. “My younger brother is in the Marine Corps, but he should be in town for a visit soon. And I bet Jay would play on our team. Add in my nephew, who is about your age, and we’d have enough players.”
Tyler didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge. “Yeah, bring it on. We’re always around.”
Tino pulled a towel out of his bag and wiped the sweat off his face. “You were right about me being used to playing on a court in better condition. We could maybe do something about this one, but you guys would have to help with that.”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “Do we look like we have the money to buy new hoops?”
“Maybe not, but you can swing a paintbrush and maybe mix up some concrete to reset the pole and patch a few of these holes.”
He gave the teenagers a few seconds to let that idea sink in before adding, “Here’s the deal. My brother and I will bring the new equipment and any other necessary supplies. You guys will provide the labor needed to install them and repaint the lines on the court. And I’m betting my mom will be on board to feed whoever shows up to work.”
When Tyler didn’t immediately respond, Tino prodded him. “Well, do we have a deal?”
“What would you get out of it?”
Oh, yeah, that attitude sure brought back memories. Trust didn’t come easy to these kids, and maybe they were right to feel that way if the adults in their lives had failed them.
