Home Court by Amar'e Stoudemire Read Free Book Online Page B

his turn to talk.
    He put his big hands on his hips and looked back at the truck. Maybe he was checking something and maybe he was just putting his words in order. I think it might have been that second thing, because when he started talking, he seemed to know just what to say.
    â€œSon, we both know that you’ve got a gift for basketball,” he said. “But your greatest gift is just being you. And like you said, that includes a lot of different interests. What you have to understand is that it’s not one or the other. You can play hoops with your friends and still be yourself.”
    â€œI guess,” I said.
    He looked back at the trailer again, and this time he pointed to it. “It’s just like you’re part of my crew when you work, but you have your own thing,” he said. “Those big riding mowers can’t trim around those little trees and flower bushes. They’d run ’em right over. But you’ve never so much as plucked a petal.”
    I thought about all the times I wheeled that little lawn mower around. All the birdbaths and rose bushes I’d ducked and dodged.

    â€œBasketball’s like that,” he said. “You find your own thing out there, and your friends find theirs.” He reached over and put his hand on my shoulder. “But I’ll tell you one thing, son. When you find your place out there, you won’t be any little push mower on the court.”
    We stood there on the lawn, and I felt those last words sink in. I appreciated it, but talking about that mower reminded me I had something else to say.
    â€œI think this is the same group that’s been messing up all your lawns,” I said. “They just started coming around here, and they made the same kind of mess on the court.”
    I thought Dad would be really mad, but he just shook his head. “Listen, STAT,” he said. “I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve dealt with a lot worse than those kids. Don’t you worry about that. I can take care of the lawns. You just take care of what you need to.”
    Right then, I knew what I had to do. My dad could take care of his turf. Now I needed to take care of mine. That smile, the one I was trying to make before, came out on its own now.
    â€œThanks, Dad,” I said.
    After dinner, I thought about what he’d said for a long time. Later that night, I made some phone calls. I got through to Deuce first.
    â€œYo, D,” I said.
    â€œâ€™Sup, man?” he said.
    I got right to the point: “We’re playing them again tomorrow.”
    He didn’t say anything at first. Finally he said, “You sure?”
    I was.
    â€œTrust me,” I said. “I have a plan.”
    â€œOh, yeah?”
    â€œYeah.”
    He wanted to know what it was, but I couldn’t tell him just yet. I was still working out the details.
    â€œBut you’ll be there, right?” I said.
    â€œAmar’e, man, it’s me,” he said. “You know I will.”
    â€œYeah,” I said. “I know it.”
    Even before I made the next call, I knew Mike would be there, too. We all would.

T uesday started out like a time warp. It was Game Day — again! I had some of the same nerves. And a few times I wondered what I’d gotten myself — and my friends — into. But mostly I was too busy to think about that situation. I got started first thing.
    â€œYo, Marcus!” I said.
    â€œWhat’s up, Amar’e?” he said.
    English class was about to start. It was our first class of the day, and while Marcus was waiting for my answer, his mouth opened in a big, round yawn.
    â€œSorry, man,” he said. “Still sleepy.”
    â€œNo problem,” I said. “I’m going to let you in on a time warp It was Game something. And it isn’t until after school, so you’ll have plenty of time to wake up for it.”
    Marcus liked to be in the know. If you wanted