Page 60 - ThreeGiftsForFlipBook

wanted to play basketball he would just have to swallow his pride and do what the coach asked. The team dressed for basketball practice and were doing a bit of shooting and visiting. Coach Hamilton whistled the practice to order and told everyone to sit on the floor. “Before we start, Sam has something he needs to tell everyone. Sam?” “What, he finally got a date for Friday night?” Jake Smith, the team clown, joked. Everyone laughed and Sam, who was shy anyway, got up with his face beet red. “You all know my friends Justin and Sam. Well, you see we were stealing little kids’ bags of candy on Halloween.” “Oh, no! I can’t believe it!” Jake said with mock horror. “Quiet!” Paul Orr, Sam’s co-captain of the team, said. “I want to hear what he has to say.” Sam nodded his thanks and continued. “We were caught and were sentenced to babysit at the Women’s Crisis Center.” A small giggle rippled through the group. “With your nine brothers and sisters it’s probably just like going home, isn’t it?” Alan Smith, another one of the seniors, asked playfully. 55