The racket drops to the ground, making a loud, tinny sound against the wood.
I wince as Emily picks it up for him. A cocky grin flashes on the boy’s unbothered face.
“I’ll see you next week!” he calls as he takes the racket from her hands and heads out to the shell-lined parking lot.
“Can’t wait, champ!” Emily yells after him in a good-natured tone. “Screw that kid,” she mumbles to me as soon as the boy is out of sight.
I let out a surprised laugh.
Theo walks by and takes the boy’s previous spot, leaning against the counter between Emily and me. His farmer’s tan looks more pronounced with the contrast of his tennis whites, like a paint swatch.
“Can’t wait, champ!” Theo playfully mocks Emily in a high-pitched imitation of her voice, nudging her shoulder. “I’m surprised you kept your cool so well with that little shit.”
“He’s not worth my time.” Emily rolls her eyes, nudging himback. “Besides, let’s be real. He’ll make varsity when hell freezes over. You should see him trying to hit my lobs. He looks like a grasshopper.”
She does an impression of the boy eagerly jumping up and down in little hops. The bit makes Theo laugh so hard he nearly spits out his water, and suddenly, I wonder if there’s something between them. I’m surprised to find myself disappointed by the possibility.
“He’s probably in love with you,” I offer. The two abruptly stop laughing and look at me. “What I mean to say is that boys that age usually tease the girls they like.”
Emily raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, that’s no excuse. Anyway, I have to go to my next lesson. I have three seven-year-old girls, so we’ll probably just play Alligator all session, which is fine by me.”
Alligator is a drill in which you line up at the net for volleys, and if you miss a feed, you “lose a limb” to the alligator.
During my precisely four hours and thirty-three minutes on the job, I’ve already learned that there’s a lot that goes into being a tennis pro at a place like this. There’s the athletic skill, of course, the technical knowledge of tennis, but that’s just the barrier to entry. Perhaps more important is personality—or the performance of a certain type of personality.
You have to be likable, reveal enough about yourself so the members can relate to you, but not too much that they feel you’ve crossed a line. They don’t want to think about you more than they have to. You must be good with kids, encouraging with mothers, fun to be around but tough when you need to be—a disciplinarian who can make anyone laugh. You have to be able to shoot the shit and snap back into business mode.
It helps if you’re young and attractive, too.
That’s probably why Theo is beloved. He has an easygoing charm that makes everyone instantly comfortable. I’ve seen him chatting updifferent members all day, and with each, he makes the individual feel like they’re his friend immediately, and it doesn’t even appear to be an act. He’s like a golden retriever: affable, loyal, undiscerning.
“So, I was thinking,” he says to me once Emily is gone. “You should probably learn tennis if you’re going to be working here.”
The only time I tried to play tennis was in gym class in middle school, and I hit the ball so far into the neighboring trees, the teacher called it a “home run.”
“That’s okay,” I say. “I’m good at the front desk. I love the front desk. It’s safe here.”
“Come on, you have to try. I can give you a lesson.” He winks. “For free.”
I roll my eyes. “So generous of you. But I’m telling you, it’s better for all of us if I don’t try. I’m a danger to myself and others when it comes to sports.”
My mind flashes back to the grocery store, the laundry detergent falling.
“Okay, fine. We can start with something a little easier. What about pickleball?”
“Pickleball?” I repeat, considering it. Lottie loved to play with her friends, and I know Mom still has her paddles, but I can’t imagine it would go any better than my brief foray into tennis.
“The ball is lighter. The court is smaller. It’ll be an easier transition into the racket sports arena. And anyway, I happen to be the reigning pickleball champion of this island, and beyond being gorgeous, smart, funny, charismat—”
I cut him off. “Can we get on with it?”
“As I was saying, in addition to all of those other qualities, I am also an exceptional teacher. You’ll be an expert in no time.”
“Okay,” I agree hesitantly. “Maybe.”
“Maybe is a yes! When are you free for a lesson?”
I laugh at his eagerness. “Next Thursday afternoon work for you? We can go after work.”
