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As Jed walked ahead of them, Mike said quietly to Hazel, “You’ve done a big kindness to him.I appreciate that.”
“And I thank you for being so agreeable.Jed is a kid who needs a break, and we can give that to him.”
Mike patted her on the back.“No worries.The Center will pick up the expense and call it a scholarship program.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel, stepping onto the front porch of a nearby house with Jed.
Mike rang the bell.
A heavy-set woman who looked to be in her forties came to the door carrying a baby and holding onto a toddler at her side.“Yes, what is it?Is Jed in trouble?”
“Not at all,” said Mike.He introduced Hazel and himself and explained what they wanted to do.
“Why, that’s the nicest thing I’ve heard in a long time,” said the woman who introduced herself as Lisa Hunt.“My husband and I can barely make ends meet.As much as we might like to, we can’t afford things like tennis lessons, even for an outstanding kid like Jed.”She nudged Jed.“What do you say for yourself?”
Jed shuffled his feet.“Thank you, Hazel.Thank you, Mike.”
“Well, now,” said Lisa.“We can work around the time that Jed comes to the Center.Other times, he needs to help me out.I have a special-needs child inside.”
“How old is the child?”Hazel asked, thinking Lisa already had her hands full.
“Lucinda is four, though she’s a few years behind developmentally.Jed, here, is sweet about helping her exercise.We’re hoping she’ll walk soon.”
“She will.I just know it,” said Jed, and Hazel wanted to hug him.He was such a sweet boy.
“Why don’t we continue to have Jed come to the Center at the same time as he has been doing?”said Lisa.
“And if we want him to come to a group lesson to meet other kids, we’ll clear it with you,” said Mike.“Does that sound like an acceptable plan?”
“Yes,” said Lisa.“My husband works nights and tries to sleep during the day.He’ll step in and help when Jed is out of the house.”
“Thank you so much,” said Hazel, touched by Lisa’s willingness to work things out so Jed could play.“We have every reason to think that Jed is an exceptional player.And if this will give him opportunities in the future, that would be a blessing.”
“Indeed,” said Lisa, smiling at Jed.“You’re a good boy.You deserve this.”
Jed’s cheeks grew red, and his eyes filled, but a look of determination kept those tears from leaking.
“See you tomorrow, Jed,” said Hazel.“I’ll have some shoes and tennis clothes for you to try on.”
“Okay,” he responded.
“See you,” said Mike.“And thanks again, Lisa.”
Hazel and Mike left the house and headed toward the Sports Center.
When they were far enough away, Hazel stopped and wiped tears from her cheeks.Mike put an arm around her.
“It’s so sad,” said Hazel.“I wish we could do more for that family.Poor Lisa has her hands full, and she still shows kindness.”
“It isn’t always that way,” said Mike with such certainty that Hazel looked up at him.
Mike’s eyes were shiny and his mouth was set.
“Oh, my God!Were you a foster kid?”she asked.
He nodded and walked away, staring down at the sidewalk.
