Three Point King

Chapter 1:

Hurry up Jack! Your uncle is ready to go. We need to be at the bus station in ten minutes.

I’m coming! Hold on a minute…I gotta grab my basketball from the garage!

We don’t have time! Let’s go!

It will only take me a second.

Jack hurried off into the garage and grabbed his 2008 Kansas championship ball. He had won it for selling the most candy bars at his elementary school. Even though it wasn’t signed by any of the coaches or players from the 2008 championship team, Jack still loved the ball more than anything he owned and he didn’t own that much.

Come on Jack…we’re late!

I’m coming!

Uncle Sean drove a dusty orange Chevy pickup truck that smelled like cow manure. Jack’s mom couldn’t find anyone else in their town to take them to the bus stop on a Sunday morning except Uncle Sean, who was really more like a friend of Jack’s dad. Jack threw his duffle bag in the bed of the truck while Uncle Sean lifted Jack’s mom’s suitcase and backpack into the bed.

Get in the truck Jack or we’ll be late.

Can I sit in the back?

Fine!...Let’s go.

Jack’s mom was not usually so paranoid about getting to places on time, but ever since she got offered a job in Denver she was ready to bust out of Parsons Kansas. Jack didn’t feel much different. Since his dad left two summers ago he hadn’t been the most popular kid around town. Some of his friends couldn’t hang out with him anymore and his best friend had moved to Kansas City. Jack was ready for a change in scenery and he was excited to see what mountains looked like.

After he climbed into the back of the pickup, the truck started rolling forward. Jack quickly grabbed the side of the truck and plopped down. His mom always told him he didn’t have the best balance and since his dad left he had put on some excess weight.

Sean tore through the empty town, not even stopping at red lights or stop signs. One thing could always be counted on in Parsons and that was Sunday morning was quieter than a mouse stealing corn from a barn. Jack watched from the back of the truck as they passed his elementary school and middle school. His mom decided to let Jack wait to start school until they moved to Denver. Her new job started the day after Labor Day and she had already registered Jack in the middle school near the apartment they would be renting. Jack thought about the other seventh graders who had a long weekend and were probably out camping, going to church, or maybe even hunting with their dads.

His thoughts drifted back to his dad again. His dad was the only missing piece in his life, but he couldn’t think about his dad now. Mom had finally decided to move on and Jack was one hundred percent behind her. He wanted a fresh start too and Denver sounded like an exciting place to start. It would be the first time Jack had traveled to another state and the first time he’d be in a big city. Mom had promised that they could go to a professional basketball game after they got settled that thought permeated Jack's mind until the town of Parsons became a blur.

Hurry up son! The bus is about to leave!

Jack jumped out of the truck with his duffle bag and basketball. Sean grabbed his mom’s suitcase and shook his head at Jack who hadn’t offered to help. His mom waved to Sean as they ran over to the driver of the bus who was loading the last suitcase under the cargo hold.

We have two tickets to Denver.

That’s exactly where I’m headed ma’am.

Jack and his mom climbed the stairs of the bus and took two open seats towards the front of the bus. The seats were nicer than anything Jack had ever seen. They were plush with armchairs and even slightly reclined backwards if you pushed a silver button. His mom acted like it was nothing, but Jack thought this had to be living the high life.

The bus driver boarded the bus and walked down the aisle taking everyone’s tickets that got on at Parsons. There were only three other people from Parsons who got on, but the driver acted very official in examining each ticket to insure it was authentic and valid for travel. Soon the bus was pulling away and was out on the open road. Jack’s mom let out a big sigh. Jack thought she looked elegant in her trouser pants and buttoned up blouse. She insisted on wearing her best clothes while they traveled so she wouldn’t have to iron them for her first day of work. Jack watched as the corn rows, blue sky, and farm land of Kansas started to pass him by.

Do you think we’ll like Denver mom?

I think we’ll like it just fine…now take it easy…this is going to be a long bus ride.

I’m glad we’re moving…

So am I sweetie. Why don’t you take out something to read or get some rest?

I’m not tired and I didn’t have room to bring any of my magazines.

There’s an old newspaper across the aisle…why don’t you read it?

Do I have to?

I’m going to try and get some sleep…I think it’s better if you have something to keep you busy.

Alright…I’ll see if it still has the sports section.

Sounds good honey…don’t wake me up unless we stop for food.

Jack reached across the aisle, but couldn’t quite reach the newspaper. His short arms were never very useful for much. He tried to stretch out, but he still couldn’t reach it. The bus driver looked at him in a rear view mirror.

You can get out of your seat if you want to read my newspaper son.

Are you sure it’s safe?

You just find yourself another seat quick like.

My mom is trying to sleep. Are you sure it’s okay?

I’m positive…now grab my newspaper and come closer to the front so you can read it to me.

Jack unbuckled his seat belt and grabbed the newspaper as fast as he could and sat down in the front row of the bus where no one else was sitting.

My name’s Jack.

My name is Clyde and it’s very nice to meet you Jack.

It’s nice to meet you to sir.

Call me Clyde son. I never did like sir.

Okay Clyde…what would you like me to read to you?

Well…I think I was reading something about Afghanistan or Iran, but you probably don’t want to read about that…do you?

I’d kinda like to read the sports section…if you don’t mind?

Of course I don’t mind…sometimes it feels like I’m eating my dessert before my dinner if I read the sports section first, but I think I got pretty far through that newspaper this morning.

Should I start with the headlines?

Clyde gave Jack a wry smile and looked at him in the rear view mirror.

Why don’t I tell you a story about a game that happened a long time ago?

That’s fine…did you play in it?

Why yes I did…are you a Kansas fan Jack?

Absolutely…isn’t everyone in Kansas?

Well not everyone, but there are a lot of us. Now this story has to do with a boy who would someday become a Jayhawk…Are you ready?

I’m ready.

Way back in the days of early basketball…there was a boy who liked to play on the basketball court at the school playground. There was only one basketball hoop and it was in bad shape. The boy really liked to play though and so he played by himself almost every night. One day the gym teacher at the school took interest in the boy and saw that he was a pretty good player. The teacher thought the boy was good enough to play on a team so he helped the boy find a team to play on. The boy liked basketball, but he didn’t always like playing with the other boys on the team. He was the best player, but he didn’t pass the ball or help his teammates when they were struggling. The boy just kept to himself and tried to score all the points by himself.

This is kind of a strange story Clyde.

Well that’s the most intelligent thing I’ve heard anyone say all week…Shall I continue?

Sure

The boy and his team won some games and lost some games, but at the end of their short season the boy told the coach he didn't like playing with the other boys. The boy went back to playing on the court at the school yard. The teacher saw the boy back at the school yard and asked him what was wrong. The boy told him what happened and the teacher decided that he better start working with the boy. The teacher started practicing with the boy and after a week or two brought another kid to play with them. The boy didn’t mind the small group. After another couple weeks the teacher brought another player. The boy adjusted fine to that. Pretty soon the teacher had ten boys playing on the school yard and the boy who was playing alone soon found out that playing with others was more fun than he had first experienced.

So is this story about being nice to other kids?

It’s really not finished…do you want me to finish?

Sure I do…but I think that the teacher was pretty smart for doing what he did.

Of course he was smart and that’s why I like you Jack…You’re smart too.

I don’t get the best grades, but it’s enough to pass.

Well you see things that many people don’t see from this story.

Is that good?

Of course it’s good…now how about I finish up this story?

Sounds fine to me.

Well…the teacher had a regular practice and game going every day after school and the boy who started it was the best player on the court. When the boy went to junior high he was asked to play on the basketball team. Because he had so much fun with his gym teacher and the other kids he agreed. He was the best player at his junior high and was then the best player at his high school. He was so good that he was named the best player in the county when he was in the ninth grade. After his tenth grade year he was the best player in the state and soon there were colleges who wanted the boy to play for them. The boy had a tough choice of where to go to college, but he chose to be a Jayhawk. He went on to do many great things in his life as a basketball player. One thing he never forgot was the lesson he learned from the teacher…Now can you tell me what lesson he learned?

He learned that you have to give things a try.

That’s right…he did learn that…is there anything else he learned?

He learned that you have to play with teammates to play basketball.

That’s also right. What else Jack? What else did he learn?

I don’t know Clyde…maybe that teachers are good people?

Well lots of teachers are good people, but there’s something more to this story.

I’m not sure what it is.

I’m gonna give you a clue, but I’m not gonna give you the answer. The boy learned something about himself.

That’s it?

That’s your clue.

Now…It’s about time to start reading that newspaper. You have all the way to Denver to think about what that boy learned. When you have the answer you can give it to me…now let’s read that sports section.

Jack opened the newspaper and started reading. Something exciting was happening in baseball and college football had just started. Clyde smiled as Jack read to him out loud. The rest of the bus was quiet, but the front was rich with stories and sports talk.

Chapter 2:

It was nearly nightfall by the time the bus passed the Denver city limit sign. Jack and his mom watched a gorgeous purple, orange, and red sunset light up the sky silhouetting the distant Rocky Mountains. The bus ride had been long, but Clyde proved to be a wonderful traveling companion who knew more about what was going in the world than anyone Jack had ever met. Still, Jack could not figure out the other thing the boy learned from the teacher in Clyde’s story and it was almost too late as the bus was pulling off the highway and making the first stop in Denver where Jack and his mom needed to get off.

Get your stuff together Jack. We’ll be getting off soon.

I’m good to go mom. How are we getting to the apartment?

One of my friends from college is supposed to pick us up and take us there.

Jack’s mom could see her college friend waiting for them in the parking lot of the small bus stop on the east side of Denver. Jack looked at Clyde who was concentrating on pulling in the bus to the stop. Jack looked at Clyde as the bus stopped rolling. Clyde turned around and grinned.

Did you figure it out yet?

I think he learned that he could trust other people.

That’s right Jack…now don’t you forget that lesson. You can trust other people…It was so good to have met you…I hope you enjoy your new home.

Thanks Clyde. It was nice to meet you too.

Jack’s mom smiled as she nudged Jack off the bus and onto the black pavement of the parking lot. Jack could see that his mom’s friend was driving a big white SUV. She looked a little nervous about standing in the parking lot and quickly waved Jack and his mom over to her car.

Hi Eileen!...It’s so good to see you again. This is my son Jack.

Nice to meet you Jack, we better hurry and get going.

Eileen practically jumped into her car and locked the doors as soon as Jack and his mom had sat down. The SUV was twenty times nicer than the bus Jack had just been on. The seats were made of sleek leather and there was a TV screen on the seat in front of where Jack sat. In fact, there was a TV screen on the back of every seat in the SUV. The SUV smelled like it was expensive and the engine purred like a lurking tiger. Eileen matched her car perfectly. She wore thick make-up with heavy eye shadow and had golden flowing hair. Jack also noticed that she puffed out her chest a little as if she was trying to show something off.

It is so good to see you Eileen…you have a beautiful car.

Thanks Gina…it’s nice to see you too. Don’t let this old thing fool you. My husband Greg made me drive the old car when he found out you were being dropped off on this side of town.

Well my apartment is supposed to be close to this side of town…Is it not safe here?

It’s not unsafe…it’s just a bit rough…Now where did you say the apartment complex was?

Eileen smiled and tried to be polite as she drove Jack and his mom to their new apartment. Jack ignored the conversation going on between his mom and her college friend. He was amazed at how much was happening outside of the car. People were walking around and catching the city bus, there were restaurants open, gas stations at every corner, and almost all the people outside had dark skin. Jack had never seen so many African Americans before in his life. He was amazed at this new world.

It didn’t take long for Eileen to get them to their apartment complex. Jack could tell she was completely frightened when she saw all the people hanging around outside of the apartment manager’s office. Most of them were just talking or playing games. Jack thought it was wonderful. As soon as the car stopped, Jack tore out of the SUV and looked in amazement at all the people. An elderly woman was leaving the manager’s office complaining about the air conditioning being turned off when it was still ninety degrees outside. The manager told her that if she needed to cool down the swimming pool was still open for the weekend. Jack turned to look at his mom who was giving Eileen a fake hug goodbye. As soon as his mom was out of the SUV Eileen was backing out and locking her doors.

She was interesting mom.

Stop while you're ahead…we’ve got to find the manager.

I’m pretty sure he’s inside…someone just left the office complaining about no air conditioning.

Well it is pretty hot here…not what I expected.

Jack followed his mom into the manager’s office and was greeted by a gruff older man. He was the first white person Jack had seen besides Eileen since they got off the bus. After a sour frown and shake of his head the manager finally agreed to speak with Jack’s mom. Jack’s eyes wandered away from the adult conversation. He looked at the certificates and plaques on the wall in the manager’s office. He thought it was kind of odd that the manager’s office looked more like the lobby of the motel in Parsons than an apartment office, not that Jack knew what an apartment office really looked like. Suddenly Jack’s mom put her hand on Jack’s back holding a key with a big plastic key ring attached to it. She led him up three flights of stairs and past at least a dozen people who were sitting on lawn chairs and step stools outside their apartments and all of whom were not white. Eventually they made it to their apartment number. Jack and his mom went inside to find that their air conditioning was not working either.

I thought you said we were getting an apartment?

This is our apartment for the next month and I don’t want to hear another word out of you. We don’t have everything we need for a real apartment yet. This will have to do for now…no complaining.

I’m not complaining, I just didn’t think we’d have to share the same room and have a tiny kitchen, but it’s fine mom. Did you see all the things to do outside?

Jack you need to listen to me. Eileen told me this isn’t the best part of town. She was worried about us moving in here. We’ll figure out where your school is tomorrow and the best way for you to keep safe while I’m at work. Now, let’s get unpacked and get some sleep.

With only a duffle bag, suitcase, and championship Kansas basketball between the two of them, unpacking was pretty easy. The room had two double beds right next to each other, a small kitchenette with stove top, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, sink, and coffee maker. The few cabinets had enough mismatched dishes and silverware for four people and the tiny table that sat in the corner on the way to the bathroom was more of a glorified nightstand than anything else. Jack laughed to himself and thought it pretty funny that they came all the way to the big city to live in a place the size of a rat trap.

Chapter 3:

Are we gonna do something after we find out where the school is?

We’ve got to get some things from the grocery store so we can get through the week and maybe we’ll go to Eileen’s…she invited us to her families Labor Day Bar-B-Que.

I’d rather stay around here…besides how are we gonna get to Eileen’s?

She said her husband would pick us up and take us out to their house…so watcha think?

Can I decide later?...it’s still pretty early.

That’s fine, but we need to call Eileen before noon to let her know what’s going on.

Why are you suddenly friends with her anyway? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.

She was my friend in college and she helped me get a job at her husband’s company.

Well that makes sense…do you think you’re gonna like it?

I don’t know Jack…I know it’s going to pay me a lot more than what I was getting paid in Parsons…Now we better hurry and get going if we want to get this stuff done before lunch time.

Jack watched his mom gather up her purse and wallet. Jack never really thought about his mom until his dad left. He now knew the reality of all his mom did. She paid the bills, cooked dinner, did laundry, cleaned the house, and helped Jack with homework or anything else he was struggling with. The last two years helped Jack see the true beauty in his mom. He also loved her dark brown hair, olive skin, and deep brown eyes. Her face was soft and her cheeks round just like Jack’s, but her body was petite. Jack loved everything about his mom, especially that she didn’t put up with his pushy attitude.

The apartment complex was silent as they left to find Jack’s school and go to the grocery store. It was almost as if the fun filled ambience of the night before had dissipated with the rising of the sun.

The school was about three blocks away from the apartment and Jack was excited to see that the school had about six basketball courts on the playground. A few people who were out walking their dogs made their way around the track at the school and a couple of boys were out throwing the football around on the football field in the middle of the track.

When Jack’s mom was satisfied that Jack knew how to get to the school they started to walk back towards their apartment. Jack knew there was a grocery store caddy corner from the apartment complex and assumed that his mom would be headed there.

Despite the apartment complex being on a busy street and the school being three blocks away, there were some neighborhoods with houses in between the two. While Jack followed his mom he heard the sound of someone dribbling the basketball. A tall boy with a thick frame was standing in an alley shooting hoops at a lone rim affixed to the back