“Wow! Hello, everyone!” I shout above the noise. The team leaders work at getting the kids to settle down so I can speak to them. Once most of the chatter has died down, I say, “Thank you all so much for having me here today. I look forward to learning from each of you and taking away something from this that I know I’ll always remember and cherish. So let’s have some fun!” I recite my lines perfectly. I was given a short speech to memorize, since I obviously can’t be trusted to talk to a bunch of children. No, Cal and Aaron thought it was necessary to write out my opening statement.

We’re all herded into the building, the kids led to the gymnasium, and I’m taken on a tour. The director, Ellie Stephens, explains their mission and goals at the Boys and Girls Club. She tells stories of troubled kids coming here to find a place to focus their energy and turn their lives around. The passion and love she has for these kids is inspiring and quite evident in the reverent way she speaks of them. After she’s finished showing me around, we head back to the gymnasium to watch the kids play basketball.

When we walk in, the bleachers on one side are filled with the kids who aren’t playing, while ten little boys run back and forth on the court. “How old are these kids?” I ask Ellie, gesturing to the children playing.

“These are our ten year olds. We drew straws on who got to play while you were visiting,” she explains. We continue walking until we reach the end of the bleachers and take a seat, Alex and Ellie sitting on either side of me. I’m totally engrossed in watching them play. They’re giving it their all, doing the best they can to score each point. When the game is over, I’m a little sad because I was really enjoying myself.

One of the little boys runs up to me with the ball in his hand and says, “Ma’am, would you like to play?”

My eyebrows rise up my forehead. “That’s very sweet of you, but I’m not in the proper attire to play basketball.” I look down at my pencil skirt, silk blouse, and pointy toed stilettos. Nope, definitely not basketball attire.

“Oh, come on. Just one free throw.” The puppy dog eyes do me in. How do parents say no to their children when they give them looks like that? The hospital must teach them defense mechanisms before they take the babies home or something. I’d do whatever that little boy asked if he gave me that look every time.

“Alright, alright.” I stand and hold my hand out for the ball. “What’s your name, sweetie?”

“Jerome,” he responds, looking down shyly after handing me the basketball.

“It seems Jerome here has challenged me to a free throw,” I say to everyone. “Now, I’m not nearly as good as the players we just saw, but I will give it my best shot . . . pun intended.” I get a few snickers realizing that most of the kids probably don’t know what a pun is. Turning around, I start to make my way to the court, but look over my shoulder before I do. I catch Alex staring at my ass. His eyes snap up to mine when he realizes I’ve caught him. I’m expecting him to display guilt or embarrassment, but instead I get that cocky, unapologetic smirk with amusement dancing across his features.

Jerk.

As I walk to the middle of the court, I try to think way back to the little training and coaching I had in basketball. I played a little in the sixth grade before giving it up for “girly” things like cheerleading. Actually, my mother made me give it up for cheerleading. Looking back, I realize even then she was setting me up to be who I am today. Standing at the free throw line, I study the goal. I dribble the ball a couple times before getting into a shooting stance. With ball in hand, I bounce slightly preparing to shoot, but it feels awkward. I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve played, but I just feel off. That’s when it hits me, my shoes. Bringing my leg up behind me, I carefully slip off each stiletto and place them on the floor next to me. I hunch back down into my stance and feel much better. After a couple more dribbles I lift up the ball and shoot it. It’s just a simple free throw, nothing life altering, but that doesn’t stop me from holding my breath the whole time the ball is in the air. After what seems like a full minute, the ball finally makes it to the net, bounces around the rim before just barely tipping in through the net. My arms fly up in victory as the kids cheer me on. I look at the bleachers and see the biggest smile of all coming from the gorgeous man that’s been put in my life recently.

I slip my heels back on and leave the court to resume my place between Alex and Ellie. Before I can wedge myself between them, Alex whispers in my ear, “You’re amazing. And you definitely need to show the world that real smile of yours. It’s absolutely breathtaking.” My mouth turns up in the corners on its own accord, his compliment sending waves of happiness all over my body. I receive compliments on my appearance often, so that’s not what’s causing this foreign feeling to travel through me. But, like everything else in my life, it’s only superficial. With Alex, the rawness in his eyes tells me his meaning is deeper than just the surface. I’m just not sure how to react or feel about it. On one hand, I’m elated to finally be seen as more, but on the other hand I’m scared to death that I’ll want the little bit he’s giving me more. If I’m being truly honest with myself, I do want more, but can’t have it. I’ll crave the attention and affectionate words, but with my life as Mrs. Callahan Fitzgerald, that just can’t happen. It has disaster written all over it.

Ellie, Alex, and I are standing outside watching the kids play while Ellie gives me another run down on their daily operations and the needs of the facility. “The building needs some repairs, but there’s just not enough money in the budget.”

“I’ll give you my email address and I want you to email me a list of things that you can’t afford to fix as well as an estimate for each repair. I’ll see what I can do.” I’m not sure why I told her that. It’s not like I’ve been authorized to make promises like this, but I’m hoping if Cal knows I told her this he’ll see it through. After all, it would be bad publicity if he didn’t.

“Oh, that would be amazing. Thank you,” she says, excitement and appreciation clear in her voice. I nod and smile in return.

“What do you say we give these kids a tour of the bus before I go?”

“They would love that.” Ellie puts a whistle to her lips and blows. The kids come running toward us, getting in what I assume is their assigned spot in each row. Once they’re all in their places, Ellie says, “Would you guys like to take a tour of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s bus?” Our ears are met with loud screams of approval while they jump up and down. Again, their excitement and happiness is contagious and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face even if I tried. “Alright then! We’ll take you row by row. You behave while on that bus, and don’t touch anything unless you ask for permission. Understood?” she asks the boys and girls.

“Yes, Miss Ellie,” they respond in unison.

We take the first two rows with us. These are the six-year-old boys and girls. I thought it would be best to take the youngest ones first since I’m sure they’re the most impatient. I’m just about to step on to the bus to lead them up when I hear, “Excuse me, Mister.” Turning around, I see the cutest little boy pulling on Alex’s jacket looking way up at him. He has curly brown hair, and the biggest brown eyes.

“Whatcha need, buddy?” Alex asks, bending down until his hands are on his knees and he’s closer to the little boy’s level.

“Can I ask you a question?” Now he’s looking up at Alex through his thick eyelashes, seeming nervous and shy suddenly.

“Sure, anything.”

The little boy looks to his left and then to his right, as if checking to see if anyone is listening. Finally, he waves his hand for Alex to come closer. Alex complies and waits for the child to ask his question. “Are you part of the Men in Black?” he asks in a loud whisper. I have to put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. By the twitching of Alex’s lips, I would guess he’s trying to do the same.