TENNIS ANYONE?

My son Alex and I were out for a walk at a local park. As we came around a bend in the path we saw that the tennis courts were filled with players.

“I was never really good at tennis.” I pointed to the two on the court that were hitting the ball to one another. “Even when I played like that, where you’re trying to hit it directly to the other person.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Never mind when you’re really playing the game and you’re trying to make them miss.”

Alex looked over at me. “When did you play tennis?”

“In high school.” I shook my head. “Like I said, I wasn’t very good at it.”

Alex started to laugh as we moved past the tennis courts and stepped aside for a couple of bikes to pass us. “Didn’t you always say you hated gym when you were in school?”

I looked over at him confused. “Sure I did. Who wants to get all sweaty then have to head back to class.” I shuddered “It’s disgusting.”

Alex laughed even harder. “So how did you expect to get good at a sport if you wouldn’t practice?”

“I practiced.” I looked over at him again. “We played tennis for almost a whole semester!”

“But you just said you didn’t like to get sweaty.”

“So?”

“That’s not practicing!” Alex wasn’t even trying to hold back his laughter. “That’s standing there hoping the ball gets hit right to you!”

I shrugged my shoulders again. “This being said by someone who was always good at sports.” I reminded him.

Alex was still laughing. “That’s because I spent hours and hours practicing. Don’t you remember all the soccer, baseball and basketball practices you dropped me off at?”

“Oh, yeah.” It began coming back to me. I looked over at him and smiled. “I completely forgot about all that.” I patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll be happy to know I always thought you were naturally gifted in sports.”

“Nope.” he shook his head. “Hours and hours of practice.”

We could see the parking lot, where our car was parked, at the end of the path. “Well, I admire your dedication.”

“Hey, you could still take up tennis now.”

I stopped in my tracks and looked over at him. “Have you met me?” I couldn’t help but shake my head. “Do I look like a person who going to spend hours practicing a new sport?” I began walking to the car again.

“You’re always complaining that you want to fit more exercise in your day.” Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just saying it’s a great way to get some exercise.”

Opening my door I looked over the roof of the car at Alex who was standing by the passenger door. “I was talking about more walks in a day.”

Alex held up his hand. “Hey, I was only making an suggestion.”

I shook my head as I climbed in the car. “Tennis.” I snorted and started to laugh. “Like that would ever happen.”