After he’d finished work, Richard brought Jack to the basketball court behind The Welcome Center. It was a great evening to be in the fresh air, especially after his busy afternoon.
He bounced the basketball closer to Jack. “I’m setting myself up for a big shot.”
Jack rubbed his hands down the sides of his shorts. “I’m ready.”
Louie yapped happily from the sideline.
With more enthusiasm than skill, he drove the ball forward. Jack stuck to him like glue, doing a great job of making Richard’s job harder.
The only way he was going to score was to go for a three-pointer. He dodged to the right, pivoted, and then threw the ball into the air.
With a heavy thud, it hit the backboard and careened across the court. Like a streak of lightning, Jack grabbed the ball and threw it toward the hoop.
Unlike Richard’s shot, it whooshed through the net.
“Yeah!” Jack yelled. “That’s three points for me. Bad luck, Dad.”
“How do you do that? You’re half my height, but you get the ball in the hoop more than I do.”
Jack grinned. “You have to practice more.”
He was probably right.
“There’s Paris.” Jack waved and pointed across the court. Before Richard knew what he was doing, Jack sprinted toward her.
Today, Paris was wearing a bright orange dress and a black jacket. Compared to some of her other clothes, it was almost demure. By the time Richard joined them, Jack was admiring the flowers she was holding.
Paris smiled. “Hi, Richard. I only caught the last few minutes of your game, but I was impressed.”
“Jack played really well. I haven’t been on a basketball court in months and it shows.”
“You played good, Dad.” Jack looked toward the wire fence. “I’d better get Louie. I could teach him how to play basketball, just like us.”
While Jack rushed across the court to rescue Louie, Richard looked at Paris’ flowers. The pale purple roses weren’t like anything he’d seen before. “They’re an unusual color.”
“A friend of Pastor John’s is planning a big anniversary party for his parents. His mom carried a bouquet of purple roses when she got married. I’m hoping these roses match the ones she had.” Paris looked at his legs. “You’re wearing shorts.”
“Someone told me I’d never be happy unless I embraced who I am. Since my accident, I’ve been hiding behind my clothes, trying to look normal.” If Paris saw the blush on his face, she didn’t say anything. “It was time to change that.”
Paris smiled. “I’m glad you did. Your legs look incredible.”
“Thanks. No one’s ever told me I have great legs.”
“I guess there’s a first time for everything. I’d better take the flowers inside. I’m meeting Pastor John’s friend in a few minutes.”
“Are you doing anything tonight?”
Her smile disappeared. “Mom arrived unexpectedly today. She’s staying with me for a few days.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“About a year ago. I feel bad that I don’t make more of an effort to see her, but being around her is really hard.”
Even while she was sitting up her business, he hadn’t seen Paris looking so stressed. “Will you be all right?”
“I hope so. In two days, Katie has a bedroom available at The Lakeside Inn. I reserved it for Mom, but she doesn’t want to stay there.”
That surprised Richard. Since it had been remodeled, there had been nothing but high praise for the high-quality accommodation it offered. “Has she seen the inn?”
