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Tennis,Anyone?2

ATennisLesson

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M

amarefusedtochangehermindabouttenniscamp.ButonSundaynightafterIrisandJavierwashed

thedishes,theystartedbeggingher.

“Can’twestaywithafriend?”Irispleaded.

“Oraneighbor?”Javiersaid.“Mrs.Jonesisalwayshome,andshelivesrightdownstairs.”

Mamacrossedherarms.“Wecan’timposeonotherslikethat.”

“WhatifPapacamehome?”Irisasked.

“Papaisnotcominghome,Iris,”Mamasaidfirmly.“Andevenifhedid,hecouldjustaseasilywalkoutagain.Wecan’tdependonanyoneelse.”Sheshookherhead.“Youtwoaregoingtotenniscamptomorrow,andthat,sfinal.”

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“CanIrisandIgotothepark?”Javierblurtedout.

IrisandMamabothlookedathim.

“Javierneverwantstogotothepark,”Iristhought.

“It’sgettinglate,Javier,”Mamasaid.“Youhavetogetupearlyforcamptomorrowmorning.”

“It’ssummertime,”Javiersaid.“Please?”

“Fine.Butstaytogether,andIwantyoubackhereinanhour.”

“Noproblem.Let’sgo,Iris.”JavierwavedIrisoutthedoor,ignoringtheconfusedlookonherface.

Oncetheywereoutinthehall,Irispokedherbrother.“What’sgoingon?”

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Heshookhishead.“Atthepark.”

“Fine.”Irisfollowedhimdownthestairs.Outside,shejoggedahead,leavingJaviertotrytokeepup.Shearrivedattheparkfirstandleanedagainstabenchtostretchhercalves.

AfewmomentslaterJavierflunghimselfonthebench,pantingfromhisrun.“Wehaveto...thinkofaway...togetoutoftenniscamp.Mama’snotgoingtochangehermind.”

Irishadnoticedatenniscourtnearbyandwaswatchingsomepeopleplay.“Ithinkwe’restuckplayingtennis,Javier.”

Javiersnorted.“I’dratherspendtheweekdoing

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householdchoresthanplaytennis!”Hesquintedatthecourt.“Waitaminute.IsthatLiam?”

AkidfromJavier’sclasswavedandcameover.“Hey,Javier,”hesaid.Liamhadathickmopofredhairandafacefulloffreckles.“You’reIris,right?”

Irisnodded.SheandJavierwerealwaysinseparateclasses,butmostofthekidsatschoolknewtheyweretwins.

“Dude,sincewhendoyouplaytennis?”Javierasked.

Liamsmiled.“Myoldersister,Molly,hasbeenteachingme.She’sonthehighschoolteam.”

“Itaughthimeverythingheknows.”Ataller,even

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brighter-hairedversionofLiamjoinedthem.“I’mMolly.”“Ourmomsignedusupfortenniscamp,”Javiersaid

withagroan.“Itstartstomorrow.”

“I’mreallyintosoccer,”Irisadded.“Idon’tknowanythingabouttennis.”

“Meneither,”Javiersaid.

“Icanshowyousomeofthebasics.”MollyhandedJavierherracketandheadedacrossthecourt.“Ball,racket,swing.That’sallyouneedtoknowtostart.”

Javiersteppedontothecourtandheldtheracketlikeasword.WhenMollyhittheballtohim,heswunghisracketinawidearc,justtippingtheball,whichdroppedtothegroundathisfeet.Hegaveitseveralmoretriesbefore

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finallyhandingtheracketbacktoMolly.

“Thanks,butIstinkatthis,”hesaid.

“Howaboutyou?”MollyaskedIris.

“Itcan’tbethathard,”Iristhought.Afterall,shewasagoodathlete.

IristooktheracketandwaitedforMollytoserveaballtoher.Irisswunghard—andmissed.Theforceofherswingspunherinafullcircle.

JavierlaughedandsodidLiam,thoughLiamquicklytriedtocoveritup.

HeatspreadupthebackofIris’neckasshetriedtohittheballagainandagain.

Finally,afteraparticularlyepicmiss,everyonelaughedhard.ThistimeIrisherselfhadtojoinin.

“Well,Istinkatthistoo,Javier.”ShehandedtheracketbacktoMolly.“Iguessmysoccerskillsaren’tgoingtohelpmewithtennis!”

Liamshrugged.“I’msureyou’lllearntoplayatcamp.”

“Yeah.”Mollynodded.“Campwillbefun.”

“Thatremindsme.”JaviernudgedIris.“Wehavesomeplanningtodo.”HewavedtoLiamandMolly.“Later.”

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Thetwinssteppedoffthecourt.“Thatwastheworst,”Javiersaid.

Irisnoddedglumly.

“Wehavetogetoutofcampsomehow,”Javierwenton.“Gotanybrightideas?”

“Notyet,”Irissaid.“ButI’lltrytothinkofsomething.”

***

Thenextmorningthetwinsstillhadnoplanforgettingoutoftenniscamp.Mamawasgettingreadyforwork,butshehadleftoutcerealandmilkforbreakfast,andbreadandcheeseforsandwichestobringtocamp.

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JavierdrummedhisfingersonthetableasIrisslurpeddownherlastmouthfulofcereal.

“Whatarewegoingto—”Javierfroze.

Irislookedup.Javierwasstaringatthebreadandcheesenexttotheirlunchbags.

“Ihaveanidea!”Javiergrinned.“Justfollowmylead.I’llmakeourluncheswhileyouwashourbreakfastdishes.”

“Huh?”Irisshothimaquestioninglook.Still,shecarriedthebowlstothesinkandwashedthemwhileJavierpreparedtheirsandwichesandwaterbottles.

Hewasstillbusywhenshewentofftobrushherteeth,butwhenshewalkedintothelivingroomafewminutes

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later,theirbackpackssatreadybesidethefrontdoor.Javierslunghisoverhisshoulder,andIrisdidthesame.

“Readytogotothebusstop?”Javierasked.

“Yep.”

Mamasteppedintothehallwayandstraightenedherskirt.“I’mleavingforworkinafewminutes.”Sheblewthemakiss.“Haveagooddayatcamp.”

“Bye,”Irissaid.“Agooddaywouldbeamiracle,”shethought.

***

“Youdidwhat?”IristurnedtoJavieroncethey’dreachedthebusstop.

“Ithoughtleavingourlunchesbehindwouldbeagoodexcuseformissingthebus.”Javierwipedahandoverhisforehead.“Ifwemissthebus,wecan’tgotocamp,right?”

Irisgasped.“Mamawillbesomad!”

“Ik