Read Online The Color of Hope by Kim Cash Tate - Free Book Online Page B

thirty of them hadshown up; the Over 30s had the numbers advantage since the younger crowd liked to sleep in.
    They all watched intently as Cedric inbounded the ball and passed it to Travis. Travis dribbled downcourt and passed to Kory. Kory took a shot, and it skidded around the rim and bounced back out.
    “Awww!” sounded from Stephanie’s cheer team, then, “Yesss!” when Kory rebounded.
    “Dribble it!” Stephanie called to the cheerleaders. “Dribble it, pass it, we want a basket! Dribble, dribble, pass, pass, shoot, and score!” they yelled.
    “D-E-F-E-N-S-E!” Charley yelled. “De-fense! De-fense!”
    Marcus wouldn’t let Kory get another shot, so he passed the ball out to Cedric, who took a chance on a three-point shot—and made it.
    “Woooooo!” Cyd was jumping up and down. “Go, Ced, go! Go, Ced, go!”
    “Oh, now you got some oomph in that ‘Woo.’” Stephanie high-fived her sister. “Can’t blame you. That was awesome! Team Bruce! Over 30s!”
    One point down and twenty-seven seconds left, the Under 30s got ready to inbound the ball—then Marcus suddenly called a time-out.
    “Why’d he do that?” Stephanie asked.
    “He must’ve seen some defensive move he wanted to counter,” Charley said.
    Stephanie noticed more and more people, non–family members, coming into the gym and standing off to the side. She turned to Janelle. “Is something happening after this?”
    Janelle looked toward the gym entrance. “Volunteers from New Jerusalem and Calvary come at ten to set up for the service tomorrow.”
    Marcus jogged over when the Under 30s huddle broke. Charleyhanded him a hand towel and a water bottle. He wiped his face, took a swig, and exchanged a few words. Stephanie watched him jog back.
    She looked at Charley. “This little refreshment stand you’ve got going . . . I’m noticing the only member of your team who’s benefiting is Marcus.”
    “Well.” Charley blushed. “Remember he asked if I would have his back? As I was leaving the house this morning, it hit me that I could offer more than cheer support. It was nothing to grab a towel and a couple bottles of water.”
    “Uh-huh.” Stephanie eyed her. “I’m sure it was nothing.”
    Janelle was waving across the gym. “There’s Trina. She must be on the setup committee.”
    Trina spotted the arm-waving and headed over. “Hey, y’all!” She doled out hugs. “How’s reunion weekend? Are y’all having a blast?” She got to Charley. “Hey, you hanging out with the Sanders family?”
    Janelle answered for her. “We had a great time last night,” she said, “and tonight is our family dinner and talent show at a hotel in Rocky Mount, and there’s a party afterward. I know it’s last-minute, but you’re welcome to come to the party if you can.”
    Trina smiled big. “Sounds fun. I’d love to.” She looked out on the court. “Is the game over? I wanted to get here earlier, but I got caught up running errands.”
    “Only a few seconds left,” Stephanie said. “It’s been exciting.” She paused. “You knew about the family basketball game?”
    “Travis told me,” Trina said.
    Stephanie stole a glance with Janelle. Since when did Trina talk to Travis? Maybe he’d mentioned it in passing at church.
    The whistle blew and the Under 30s got ready to inbound the ball again.
    Libby had gone up into the stands for a moment, but at thesound of the whistle, she hurried back. “Where’s our cheer, Steph? Let’s pump it up!”
    Stephanie shook the questions from her head and shouted, “Aggressive!” Everyone knew what she meant and began chanting,“Be aggressive, B-e aggressive, B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e, aggressive, B-e aggressive!”
    The Under 30 team inbounded the ball, and Marcus got it right away. He made a fast break for the basket, but Travis stole the ball from him.
    Libby pumped her fist, jumping up and down. “Go, Trav, go! Team Wood! Over 30s!”
    Travis tried to pass to Kory, but Kory was being