Chapter 8
Everyone was shouting and laughing as they pulled Sarit down the stairs and outside.
“You guys, slow down,” Sarit kept saying. But she was happy to see her teammates. She knew her face was plastered with a silly grin.
Once they were out on the driveway, Naomi threw the ball to Sarit. Sarit had no choice but to catch it.
The minute the rough, warm leather hit her hands, Sarit felt herself relax. She just stood on the driveway, hugging the ball to her chest.
Allie jogged up the driveway to stand underneath the basketball hoop hanging over their garage door. “Me, Sarit, and Naomi against Anna, Hope, and Andrea!” she shouted. “Here, Sarit, pass it!” Allie waved her arms.
Sarit dribbled over. Andrea was guarding her, but Sarit spun around, looking for an open teammate. She passed the ball behind her back to Allie, who quickly took a shot and made it.
“Yes!” Sarit cheered happily. She couldn’t believe how much she’d missed playing with her friends.
Anna caught the ball on the rebound and whirled around. Sarit was in front of her instantly, waving her arms to block Anna’s shot.
Anna expression was intense and focused, and she was breathing hard, but she smiled. She boxed Sarit out and passed the ball to Hope.
Sarit’s sneakers pounded the hard concrete as she raced across the driveway, almost colliding with Allie. She grabbed her twin to keep from falling, and both girls laughed, out of breath from the game. Allie flopped back on the grass.
The rest of the girls paused to catch their breath, too. Sarit saw her mom come out of her office. She looked over at the girls and gave Sarit a questioning look. She seemed to be waiting for something.
Sarit waved at her mom and gave her a thumbs-up. Mom smiled and waved back. She looked satisfied as she went back into her office.
Sarit bent over, hands on her knees, her heart pounding. She was a little out of shape after not practicing for two weeks. But she felt good. The dull, sad feeling was gone. Her mind was clear and alert. She knew it was because she was playing basketball again.
Allie jumped up from the grass. “Come on, you guys!” she yelled. “Let’s finish this.” She clapped her hands, and the girls took their positions on the court again.
Hope started with the ball. She tried to pass to Andrea, but Naomi was guarding her too tightly. Hope turned and passed it to Anna instead.
Andrea started dribbling up the side of the driveway. She almost lost the ball in some bushes, but she managed to hang on to it. Suddenly, Allie stuck out a hand and stole the ball. She shot but missed.
Anna caught the ball on the rebound. Guarding Anna was always hard, since she was so tall, but Sarit felt confident. Anna faked right, then left, but Sarit stuck with her. Anna tried to pass, but Sarit snatched the ball away.
“Whoohoo!” Allie yelled as Sarit dribbled up the driveway. The basketball hoop was right in front of her. For a second, Sarit imagined her dad standing on the sidelines. She could see him holding his clipboard and cheering.
She could practically hear him yelling, Shoot!
Allie was right, Sarit realized. Her dad wasn’t there. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t play. Basketball was a part of her life, just like her dad was. No matter what. She didn’t have to leave either of them behind.
Sarit jumped for the basket and shot. Everything felt right again. The moment her feet left the ground, she knew she’d made it.