Read Online Jump Shot by Paul Mantell Ronde Barber Tiki Barber - Free Book Online Page A

‘What’s up with that?’ ” She stared at him, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “So, come on, dish—you can tell me—whom are we talking about here?”
    â€œUm . . . I can’t really say,” said Tiki, his eyes darting this way and that, desperately seeking a way out of this mess he’d gotten himself in. “I was . . . I was sort of sending someone a message.”
    â€œOooooo!! A message!” Laura clapped her hands, delighted with this latest intrigue. “So, let me guess—”
    â€œNo!” Tiki stopped her. “No guessing. This column stays confidential, or I’m not doing it anymore.”
    Ha! He stood there, arms crossed, knowing he had her stymied. She couldn’t argue with confidentiality. “So, what do you think?” Tiki asked her. “Will it work?”
    â€œYou mean, will he read it?” she asked. “Of course! Everyone reads the paper, and everyone reads your column .”
    â€œYeah, but do you think he’ll recognize himself?”
    â€œIf he does, I hope he doesn’t fall apart altogether,” Laura said. “That column is pretty hard-hitting.”
    Just then, Sugar Morton appeared around the corner of the hallway. He went over to his locker, opened it, and took out a basketball. Closing the locker door, he came down the hallway toward them, dribbling the ball as he went. “Hey, Barber! You coming to practice, or what? We’re late!”
    â€œNo, it’s me, Tiki,” Tiki said, waving.
    â€œOh. Sorry,” said Sugar, now close enough to see for himself. Since Ronde’s haircut, everyone could tell them apart if they looked closely enough.
    â€œHi, Sean,” said Laura.
    â€œHey, Boo,” Sean said, smiling back at her.
    â€œHow’s it going at home?”
    Sean frowned. “Great. Perfect.” He kept walking, dribbling the ball a little harder.
    â€œSorry to hear that,” Laura said to his back.
    â€œDon’t sweat it. Not your fault. See ya.” Tucking the ball under his arm, he pushed open the stairway door and disappeared.
    â€œPoor Sean,” she said, sighing, as they both stared at the spot where he’d just been.
    â€œHuh? What do you mean?” Tiki asked, wondering if she knew how frustrated the rest of the team was at Sugar.
    â€œOh. Well, I guess everyone doesn’t know this,” she said. “So keep it under your hat. I’m sure Sean doesn’t want people talking about his parents’ divorce.”
    â€œDivorce??”
    â€œI’ve lived across the street from the Mortons since second grade,” Laura said. “His mom left home last month. I haven’t seen Sean smile since.” She sighed. “Oh, well. Here’s hoping it all works out.” She patted him on the shoulder and turned to walk away. “Thanks again, Tiki. The column reads like a dream.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œSure you don’t want to tell me who it’s about?”
    Tiki smiled and shook his head.
    â€œOh, well. Paper’s out first thing Monday,” she called back to him as she went outside.
    Tiki stood there, taking it all in. Divorce! If only he’d known. That must be why Sugar was acting so hostile toward everyone, and why he was so hard to reach out to!
    Tiki felt awful. His column was going to hit the presses, and Sean was probably going to read it. Laura might not have guessed who the column was about, but Sugar would know for sure.
    The idea that he might cause any additional pain to Sugar was unbearable. But it was too late to turn back now. Monday morning, the column would be public gossip item number one!
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    Ronde was horrified when he heard. “Man,” he said, “I wish you’d known that before you wrote that letter!”
    â€œI would never have written it,” said Tiki miserably.
    â€œBut you know what?”