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Warning before you proceed: Mediterranean mothers are in close competition with the Jewish ones and breed perfect sons they enjoy bragging about!
My oldest offspring, Mr. Responsible, is a good tennis player. Being a tennis devotee myself, I have nurtured his love for this lifelong sport from an early age. What is so special about tennis is that not only it provides an incredible workout, but is an amazing social platform. Anywhere in the world, there will be a tennis club with fun people ready to embrace the newcomer.
Yesterday, Mr. Responsible was playing the third singles on his High School team. The school is a small affluent suburban public school with a very private feel about it. I positioned myself on a wall, warm from the March sun, ready to enjoy the testosterone drenched show down.
The boys lined up, two teams facing each other. The team captains were introduced by the coaches. The captains then proceeded to announce the line up. After their position on the team and names were called, the two boys playing each other shook hands and greeted the coaches. I found the ceremony a display of sportsmanship.
A father in a power suit, in the middle of the conference call, sadly reminded me of the absence of my Wasbund from the boys’ events. Never present at any concerts, games, matches… Now that he has settled in a new life with his ‘partner’, as he calls her during the legal proceedings, he doesn’t even telephone the boys.
Mr. Responsible was on fire. His lefty serves were working well. Almost every lob was slammed away. As the score was working in his favor, he became more confident and took charge of the net. A stream of beautifully angled volleys followed. He ‘bageled’ the kid.
Off the court he remarked, “I have played a lot of matches, but I have never heard anyone swear like this. Every word was either shit or F this. Funny, considering that all the boys on their team pray before the play.”
“Well, son, the divine intervention obviously doesn’t always work,” I replied.
The team won as well, and this is the announcement prepared by the coach and going over the loudspeakers today, “In boys’ tennis action yesterday, we aced the Catholic school 7-0 in an unprecedented shut-out! Not one of our players dropped even a set. The outstanding player of the day was 3rd singles, phenomenal freshman Mr. Responsible with a perfect 6-0, 6-0 score. The outstanding point of the day that featured amazing gets goes to the 4th doubles freshmen team. And finally the intimidator of the day goes to a Senior who can argue that he is right until the sun goes down. Great job guys!”
This was the third school played this Spring. So far, the team has won two and lost one event, mirroring my son’s match performance.
Keep practicing guys!
