Если я останусь

           Adamsaidthathedidn’tmindworryingaboutme,butIcouldtellthatpartofhimdid.

           Weprobablywould’vebrokenupinthoseearlyweekswereitnotformyhouse.Atmyhouse,withmyfamily,wefoundacommonground.Afterwe’dbeentogetherforamonth,ItookAdamhomewithmeforhisfirstfamilydinnerwithus.HesatinthekitchenwithDad,rock-talking.Iobserved,andIstilldidn’tunderstandhalfofit,butunlikeattheshowsIdidn’tfeelleftout.

           "Doyouplaybasketball?"Dadasked.Whenitcametoobservingsports,Dadwasabaseballfanatic,butwhenitcametoplaying,helovedtoshoothoops.

           "Sure,"Adamsaid."Imean,I’mnotverygood."

           "Youdon’tneedtobegood;youjustneedtobecommitted.Wanttoplayaquickgame?Youalreadyhaveyourbasketballshoeson,"Dadsaid,lookingatAdam’sConversehigh-tops.Thenheturnedtome."Youmind?"

           "Notatall,"Isaid,smiling."Icanpracticewhileyouplay."

           Theywentouttothecourtsbehindthenearbyelementaryschool.Theyreturnedforty-fiveminuteslater.Adamwascoveredwithasheenofsweatandlookingalittledazed.

           "Whathappened?"Iasked."Didtheoldmanwhoopyou?"

           Adamshookhisheadandnoddedatthesametime."Well,yes.Butit’snotthat.Igotstungbyabeeonmypalmwhilewewereplaying.Yourdadgrabbedmyhandandsuckedthevenomout."

           Inodded.Thiswasatrickhe’dlearnedfromGran,andunlikewithrattlesnakes,itactuallyworkedonbeestings.