Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BRAG (04/20/17)
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TITLE: Finding the Right Words | Previous Challenge Entry
By JC Hummel
04/27/17 -
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It was early evening when she arrived home and was pleasantly surprised to see her two children in the backyard together. It had been a beautiful spring day and as she stood unpacking groceries she felt the warm breeze blowing in though the open patio door. Then she heard the boys’ conversation.
“Why don’t you want to hang out with me anymore?” Ray said.
Evette’s anxiety suddenly returned and she moved closer to the door to hear Max’s reply. He was standing in the grass holding a bat and a baseball.
“It’s not that I don’t want to hang out with you. Being on the track team is a big responsibility. I’m their best runner,” and he threw the ball in the air and hit it with the bat.
“I think I’ll run track when I get to high school. I ran a mile in nine minutes in gym yesterday.”
“Well, you won’t stand a chance running track in high school until you’re able to run a mile in five minutes like I can.”
Ray stood with his hands in his pockets looking at the ground. “Mr. Dawson said I got honors this semester.”
Max threw the ball in the air again and hit it with the bat. “I always got high honors in sixth grade.”
“Well, I’m hoping to get high honors next semester.”
Evette had heard enough and opened the door and stepped outside. “Are you boys doing okay?”
“Yes we’re fine,” Max said throwing the bat on the grass.
Ray came over to his mother and gave her a hug.
“I hear you got honors,” Evette said.
“Yes, I’ll try and get high honors next time though.”
She kissed his forehead. “You are doing your best, and getting honors in excellent in my opinion. Max can I speak to you for a moment?”
“Sure,” and he followed his mother inside to the living room.
“I heard your conversation with Ray. Please be a kinder to him. He looks up to you, and at times you are so boastful.”
He looked confused. “Boastful? Is it because I said I was a good runner?”
“Honey, I am proud that you are a good runner, but don’t you see how insensitive you can be sometimes?”
He hung his head and shrugged his shoulders. "No. I was just telling him what I was doing when I was his age.”
“I think you need to be humble about your talents. It’s okay to talk about how good you are, but think about what you’re saying and how it may sound to others.”
“I’m sorry Mom. I’ll try harder.”
She put her arms around her son, who, since January was four inches taller than her.
Evette felt relief and regret for not speaking to Max sooner.
“Can go back outside?"
She agreed but stood at the door watching her boys.
When Max returned Ray was sitting on the deck with his head in his hands.
“What’s going on Ray?”
“You wouldn't understand. The coach sent home a signup sheet for basketball, but I’m so short he’ll never pick me to play.”
Max opened his mouth to say something and then stopped and said. “Don’t give up that easily. You’re pretty good at basketball. Even though you’re short, you’re fast."
“You think so? You’re always calling me a little twerp.”
“I thought I was being funny and I guess I wasn’t. Sorry about that. When I was your age I was as short as you.” He put his hand on his little brother’s shoulder. “Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do it. Let’s go out front and play some hoops.”
“Really? Awesome. Race ya.”
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