Elite Basketball

Elite Basketball

Dusk settles on the red barn in the far distance. Sunny sliver just tips sappy pine trees. Still a smidge of light for competition plight! A slight bouncing sound perks up the evening. Dad and son, one-on-one, young versus young-at-heart. Twist, hit, pebbles fly like darts! A rocky driveway turned NBA basketball court. Gravel and basketball, a unique recipe. Heaves and haws, sighs and hollers, echo through the tall birch and oaks. Peeking deer and wild turkeys are the captivated audience. "Dad!” Joseph yells. Young-at-heart steals the ball. Slam dunk! "Hey, Joseph!" dad cheers deeply. Joseph rushes around my dad, trick, then, flick of the wrist. Net ball! My mom and I peer through the window, watching with intent. Keys jingle, jangle on my dad's belt as he races pass Joseph. The keys shining like a sword attached to a knight. "Dad, you can't do that!" Joseph commands with humor. "Dang!" Dad yells with mild disappointment. Country “boys” pretend to be elite basketball players. Night creeps in, darkening the backboard. The game rebounds to a suspenseful end. The two enter our humble home, both with tantalizing smiles. "Who won?" I asked with a knowing sense. Both my dad and brother were champions to me. "Dad won." Joseph stated with polite defeat. My mom smiles, my dad smiles back with loving- kindness. Dad won the "Ponderosa Championship Game", but two won a daddy-son, buddy-buddy memory. Elite boys, elite men, shared a “tournament bond”.

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