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“Take a sip, boy,” he growled at me.
I twisted the lid off.
The thing looked as old as Leon.
I knew not to ask what was inside the thermos.
I simply put it to my lips and took a sip.
Hot mud dripped into my mouth.
I pulled the thermos away and shook my head.
Gravely lava poured down my throat.
My heart felt like someone shocked it.
“What is that?” I asked.
“Coffee. A man’s coffee.”
“That’s coffee?”
“That’s right, boy. Not that store bought, happy-go-lucky bullshit or those fancy latte things you buy at a drive-thru. This is what real men drink.”
“It’s like… mud…”
“Sits for a good, long time. Now I bet your heart is about to jump out of that chest of yours and dance the jig, huh?”
I took a deep breath.
I felt jittery.
“There we go,” Leon said. “Now you were standing here, not focused. You have one slip up in a real game and you’re getting your head taken off. And don’t think you won’t. There are guys out there who play the game and dream of the chance to find someone daydreaming. You got that? And what the hell are you daydreaming of anyway, huh?”
I shook my head.
“What? A girlfriend? Huh? I know how it goes in high school. All the girls are pretty. You’ve got to focus. Take care of your business on your own time.”
Leon tore the thermos from me and I stood there, confused.
My heart racing from the coffee.
I wasn’t sure what Leon’s comment meant.
Take care of your business…
“I want you to take the shot,” Leon called out. “Stop worrying about every damn possibility, boy. Sometimes the game just speaks to you. Just take the damn shot.”
“You know I’m better up close,” I said. “I can make moves that impress.”
Leon turned his head. “Impress? That’s what you want to do?”
“No offense, but that’s how you get a scholarship and all that.”
“You’ve got it all planned out, huh? The scholarship. The college. The pros. The career. Huh?”
“Planning is good.”
