The Friendship Court

" Let's play ball."

      Seven years ago....

I don't think my ten-year-old self could be any happier.

      I MADE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM!!! 

       I've always loved basketball, along with soccer, baseball, and football. But basketball's my favorite. 

        My dad used to play in the NBA. He taught me how to play well.  Well, good enough to make the middle school basketball team when you're only in fifth grade! Well.... technically everyone made the team because they needed players. But they said I'm a good point guard and I could be playing a lot!

    My mind automatically makes a list of people I have to go tell the good news too: Dad, Mom, my best friends Matt, Alex, and Ethan, and Carlie Summers. 

    Oh, and speaking of Carlie here she is now! 

   " Hey, Carlie." I have to run to catch up with her fast pace. 

    " Ezra. What's up?" 

    " I made the Champlain Park Middle School basketball team!" I say with a grin. 

   She flashes me a smile and gives me a big hug. " Yay Ezra! That's awesome! Now you gotta play with me!" 

   " I will! I promise!" 

    She wrinkles her little nose and smiles at me again. " Cya later then." She then turns around to join her large group of friends for lunch. 

  I run up to my table of friends and tell Alex, Ethan, and Matt the good news. 

" No way!"

"Lucky!" 

" That's awesome dude." 

  I grin, and dig into my  peanut butter sandwich. 

__________

      It's seven o'clock now. My dad was super happy for me! He took me out for ice cream. 

I lick my chocolate ice cream in the large waffle cone. 

This has gotta be the best day of my life I decide. 

    " Ezra," My dad starts with. " I'm proud of you. But don't let this get to you. You're good, but you can always do better. I don't want you getting cocky, but it's still good for you to be proud of your good work. But I don't want you disappointed when you're not the best player out there. As you grow up, you're gonna realize how important this is, especially if you're gonna have a sports career. You understand, right son?" 

I nod slowly, but I'm not sure I understand. 

I'm silent the rest of the time at the ice cream parlor, as well as on the way back home. 

__________

" Let's play ball, Ezra," Carlie says. She's standing by my front door, in running shorts and a t-shirt, basketball in hand. It's friday afternoon, I'm tired, but there's no way I'll turn down a game of basketball with Carlie.

"Sure, let me just put my shoes on. I'll be right back," and I race down the hall and grab my shoes. 

We decide to play one-on-one. And although Carlie's good, I still beat her. My mom comes out with a popsicle for both of us, and we sit on the stairs by the front porch. 

" Ezra, I need to tell you something." 

" Okay, go ahead."

" I think... I think my parents are gonna get divorced.  And it's gonna be soon."

My mouth hangs open. Everyone knows Mr. and Mrs. Summers were big into family.

"I'm so sorry."

"Me too."

" Oh no... you're not gonna move are you?!" Sadness overwhelms me at that thought. Carlie and I have been neighbors since we were both 6 months old... we're both 10 now and best friends. 

" I don't know. " 

I look up at her and see a tear streaming down her cheek. Without thinking, I embrace her.  She sobs into my shoulder, and even my eyes sting with tears. 

" Ezra, I don't wanna move away from you," .he says, breaking the silence. 

" Me too Carlie, me too." 

____________