Chapter 14
The Twelve Shortest Boys in the School
The day dragged by as I sat frozen in my classroom.
There were thirty minutes after the bell rang when I got to do whatever I wanted.
Apparently, what I wanted to do most is freeze.
I paused grading papers to rub my arms, trying to fight off the cold.
I was just starting back when there was a knock at the door.
“It’s unlocked.”
A head appeared around the edge of the door.
“I have something important to talk with you about.”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?
I don’t remember you from my classes, but I am new.”
“You wouldn’t remember me ma’am, but I remember you.
I’ve got something to explain then a big favor to ask.
It’s a huge favor too. So, you can say no if you need to.”
“And you remember me from?”
“I’m Angel. Do you remember me from before?”
“Yes, Angel. I remember you.”
The planet still has my shoe.
“Well, I remember you too. That’s why I told coach about you.
This is going to sound strange to you. I’ll say it the best way I can.”
“You see, the school has six basketball teams. We play against each other for the season. The winners go to Puerto Rico to play. It’s the biggest thing next to football (soccer).”
“Angel?”
“I know Ma’am, I told you it was hard to explain. Coach was talking to us. He has a vision.”
He took a moment.
“He told the other coaches that he didn’t want to be in the players’ draft.
He said that if they lined up the boys and count off the twelve smallest, he’d take us. He sat out of the draft.”
His smile didn’t match the news.
“That’s the team you’d be looking at.
All the coaches say that we don’t have any chance to win.”
He was still smiling.
“But this coach is different and he thinks we are different. He’s going to take us international. Think about that, the shortest team ever going to Puerto Rico!”
“It’s going to happen. He’s got this way of playing no one can guard against.
I know we can win this; there’s just one problem.”
“Angel, I played basketball on a girls’ team when I was eight.
I was on my older sisters’ team, everyone was at least two years older than me.
And two years taller.
I don’t know boys’ basketball.
I don’t know how you want me to help.”
“That’s the part ma’am. We had a meeting. The coach explained to the whole team what we needed to win. See, they want us to have two coaches at every practice and game. There must be two. But any coach he gets is going to want a hand in training us.”
“He doesn’t want that,” I said, beginning to understand.
“He wants someone who can follow directions… and stay out of his way.”
“I see.”
“Each one of us had to name a teacher and tell him why we thought our choice was best. I told them all about the day we met. I told them how you listened. We all voted and decided it had to be you. See, we know you have a choice about this, but we really don’t have a choice. We need you to say yes.”
“I understand it will take your family time. You can check with your husband first.”
I felt attached to the boys already.
I recalled how during one practice, I ran through my sisters’ legs, snagging the ball and quickly passing it to my teammate.
Passing was my only hope, I couldn’t shoot or charge against their height.
I knew what this coach had in mind, even if I didn’t know the rules of the game.
I knew the rules of a short kids game.
I grew excited for the boys.
“Yes. Angel. Yes. I can do that.”
“I’ll speak with you tomorrow then?”
“No. I’m telling you yes, right now. I can do that.”
I can let others who know what they are doing lead.
It’s what I do best.
Daniel's Den 