Overtime For Love

“What’s wrong with making you happy?” Isaiah leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He turned his head to look at Cory. The boy seemed so downcast he wasn’t sure if anything he said would make him feel better, but he had to try. “If your aunt didn’t want you there, I’m pretty sure you would know it. If she’s trying to make you feel comfortable, that’s a good thing. It means she loves you and she wants you to be happy. I’m pretty sure this is her first crack at taking care of a teenager. She’s got to get used to you just like you have to get used to her. Maybe think about that whenever you’re feeling frustrated. And don’t freak out over the babysitter thing. Once she feels confident you can take care of yourself, I’m sure she’ll let you stay home alone while she works.”

Cory’s lips pursed and his brow furrowed while he thought about that. Finally he said, “I just don’t want her to decide I’m not worth it and kick me out.”

“Then you may want to cut back on the attitude and not get angry when she’s trying.” Cory looked a little sick, so Isaiah reached over and playfully hit his shoulders. “Don’t worry. I doubt your aunt will kick you out. Seems like she kinda likes you.”

Cory relaxed and smiled. “Yeah...she’s cool. When she’s not trying to not make me feel like a baby.”

“So, take it easy on her. Just a little.”

“I will.” Cory looked across the gym. His body stiffened.

Isaiah followed his gaze. Another kid in camp, a boy named Kirk, had walked over to talk with Denise and her friends. Kirk was more outspoken than Cory and that had made him one of the instantly popular kids in the camp.

“You know,” Isaiah said slowly, “when I was your age, I was afraid to talk to a girl I liked.”

Cory glanced at Isaiah out of the corner of his eye. “Really?”

Isaiah nodded and felt a little flattered by the disbelief in the boy’s tone. He guessed he really didn’t resemble the awkward kid he used to be, even if he still felt that way at times. “Yes.”

“When did it get easier for you to talk to girls?”

“Who said it got easier?” Isaiah said. “I just had to learn that nine times out of ten, if I was respectful and just approached her with no hidden agenda, she would at least listen to what I had to say.”

“You mean she didn’t laugh at you? Because, girls will laugh at you now if they think you’re being corny. Things are different from the way they were back in your day.”

Isaiah winced and put a hand over his chest as if wounded. “My day wasn’t that long ago.” Cory rolled his eyes, a gesture Isaiah decided to ignore. Everyone over twenty seemed old when you were thirteen. “All I’m saying is, if you like a girl, just talk to her. You don’t have ask her to be your girlfriend or anything like that. If she likes basketball...talk to her about that.”

Cory sat up straighter and watched Denise and Kirk. Denise had just turned her back to the other boy, which meant Cory probably didn’t have to worry about him as a potential rival. “What should I say about basketball?”

“Start with ‘hey,’ then ask her who her favorite ballplayer is.”

Cory looked at Isaiah. “Why would I ask a girl that?”

“Because you like Denise and if she’s in a basketball camp, then she probably has a favorite basketball player. Don’t worry. She sneaks looks at you, too.”

Cory’s face brightened up. “She does?” His deepening voice momentarily returned to the squeak of childhood.

Isaiah fought back a smile. He didn’t want Cory to think he was teasing him. “She does. Just walk over and say ‘hey.’”

“Even with Kirk and her friends over there?”

“Especially with Kirk over there. Don’t show her you’re intimidated by another man. Girls don’t like that.”

Cory nodded and watched Denise and Kirk. “Don’t be intimidated.” He took a deep breath and stood. He shook out his hands and shoulders, then jumped down the bleachers. He looked back at Isaiah over his shoulders. “Oh, and Mr. Isaiah?”

“Yeah.”

“Auntie looks at you, too. So, you know, if you like her, you can just talk to her.” Cory smiled, then strode across the room with a show of confidence that impressed Isaiah.

Isaiah leaned back on the bleachers. So Auntie Angel looks at me. A smile broke across his face. He shouldn’t care. Bridget was coming. That’s who should be on his mind, but that wasn’t what kept his mood up for the rest of the day.

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