chess. Ralph projected the chessboard on his screen and asked if Charles wanted white or black. Charles took white and then told Ralph which pawn he wanted to move. After several more moves, Ralph had Charles in checkmate. Charles was really a pretty good chess player but could only beat Ralph when Ralph let him on purpose. After losing three games, Charles asked Ralph to put on some songs from the 60s. The sweet melodies lulled Charles to sleep on the couch. The Beach Boys had led him to a place of good dreams.
In the morning, Ralph woke Charles with a booming rendition of the 1812 Overture. Charles shoved a pillow over his head, but that did little to muffle the loud music. Ralph had also started the coffeemaker and Charles could smell the rich aroma as he was waking up. Charles dressed and had toast and a cup of coffee before driving the Porsche to work. He also downed a grape pop. Even as an adult, he had a thing for the sweet beverage. In his mind, there were few things that tasted as good.
At work, Charles checked his messages; he needed to call two clients. Also, Ralph had reminded him to call Samuel Jacobsen. Charles first called the clients and then Samuel. Charles told Samuel that he was still working on his financial problem and would keep in touch. Then he asked Samuel the question that was really on his mind. Could he help with renovations on the old gym? Charles gave Samuel the address of the gym, which was 99th and Palmer. Samuel said he knew the location and would go down and take a look at the building. He seemed intrigued and Charles was hopeful that this project could bring some income to Samuel.
Charles entered the information on his computer that Ralph had looked up on Cybertex. This was a company that had indeed filed bankruptcy, but its subsidiary companies were doing quite well. Ralph had done his homework on this assignment. He had obtained credit reports on Cybertex and all of its subsidiary companies. How could Cybertex be having serious financial problems while its subsidiary companies were doing so well? Cybertex had been expanding until about six months ago when it had a serious cash flow problem. Something didn’t seem quite right here. However, Charles had no way of knowing what was going on, especially when the numbers looked so good. He could tell he would have to do some more digging on the financial report that Ralph had produced.
As Charles continued working, Ralph played some classical music and said he had purchased some stocks. Ralph felt his selections would do well in the future. Charles knew better than to ask why Ralph picked the stocks that he did. Daily, Ralph searched databases to become informed about dividends, capital expansion, business competition, management styles, and growth cycles. Charles figured Ralph knew what he was doing. Plus, he didn’t have to pay a stockbroker’s commission because Ralph worked for free. Charles told Ralph that he couldn’t find a better stockbroker if he tried, except maybe Julie.
Now was a good time to break for lunch. As he was pulling up to the diner, Charles noticed the boys who had been there when he and Samuel had had lunch. The boys were dribbling a basketball up and down the sidewalk. He pulled up and got out of the car. As Charles was heading up the steps to the diner, Ralph opened the sunroof of the Porsche and began talking with the boys. Charles could tell that the boys liked talking to Ralph. As he opened the glass door to the diner, Charles heard Ralph playing rap music for the boys who were laughing and doing some dance moves. Charles smiled and entered the diner.
Although Charles was the only white person in the diner, he felt comfortable being here. He chose a shiny red booth and sat down. He decided to order the special barbecue ribs and they were delicious.
He finished his meal, left a generous tip for the waitress, and walked to the cash register. Making change from a $10 bill, the waitress asked his name.
“Charles.”
“My name’s Maxine,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an attorney.”
“May I ask who’s the man you were with earlier?”
“That’s Samuel Jacobsen. We’re working on a project together.”
“Well, come back soon,” Maxine said as Charles headed toward the door.
“I will.”
When he got to the bottom of the diner steps, Charles could see the boys were still hanging around Ralph. Charles asked where they played basketball, and the tallest boy said the old gym at 99th Street. Charles told Ralph to turn down the rap music and asked if they would like to meet at the gym. While driving, he told Ralph to keep alert for anything unusual.
When he pulled up to the gym, Charles focused on the old rusted basketball hoop with its torn strings for a net. He got out and looked around. If he could get the investors interested in this project, it would really improve the neighborhood. He could envision this as once again being a building that offered both children and adults a place to go for a variety of activities.
Just then the boys rode up on their bicycles. As they walked toward Charles, he really noticed how they were dressed – baggy pants, big tennis shoes, and faded T-shirts. The tallest boy asked if Charles wanted to play in a pickup game. Charles knew he couldn’t match up to their youthful energy, but he thought he would give it a go.
“I’m Charles,” he said, extending his hand as a way of introduction. “And you are?”
The first to respond was Jeremy, the tallest boy. “I’m Jeremy, and that’s Wayne, Toby, Michael, Stephen, Spencer, and Dorrial.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Charles replied.
They chose sides and Charles was the last one picked. Once again there was a flashback to his childhood days when he usually was the last boy chosen. It really hurt then, but now it didn’t matter.
Charles’ team of Wayne, Toby, and Jeremy took possession first. Dorrial, Michael, Stephen, and Spencer formed the other team. Wayne passed to Charles and he dribbled a few times before throwing to Jeremy. Faking like he was going to pass outside to Toby, Jeremy then turned around and dribbled in for a layup. His team had scored first and Charles responded to Jeremy, “Nice move.”
Charles had to remember to keep his head in the game because Dorrial dribbled quickly around him for an easy layup. These boys were fast. Stepping behind the basket, Charles picked up the ball and threw to Toby. He dribbled down the left side of the old court and then held up for Wayne who was breaking across the center. Wayne took the pass, stopped, and went up for a short jumper. The ball banked off the old backboard and made a clanking sound as it came straight down through the tattered net.
The asphalt was cracked and pretty busted up in some places, and it definitely had seen better playing days. Weeds had crept up through the cracks and then quickly had wilted in the heat. The chain link fence surrounding the basketball court was leaning in places, but it still defined the playing area.
The two teams exchanged baskets and groans of “How did you miss that one?” After about 45 minutes of playing, they were getting thirsty. A water fountain by the gym’s front doors actually still worked. The boys knew the first in line would turn the handle and let the water arch into the basin until the water ran clear and cold. They all took a few gulps, and then Dorrial looked at Charles. He asked what they all had been wondering.
“So, why are you so interested in this old gym?”
“I’m thinking about buying it,” Charles responded, “and maybe turning it into a community center.”
“But we’ll still be able to play basketball here, right?” asked Dorrial.
“Sure. I’m going to remodel the gym and maybe add a swimming pool.”
“A swimming pool?” echoed Wayne, clearly surprised.
They had been sitting under an oak tree that was older than the gym. Its stately presence was a testament to survival. Even though the old gym had not survived, maybe now there was hope for being a center of activity again.
Wayne was the first to stand up. They talked about renewing play, but Charles was still leaning against the oak tree. He was thinking tennis kept him in shape, but a tennis match against another 40-year-old man didn’t come close to trying to keep