Chapter 9 — Thomas Returns to Court Six
Margaret invited Thomas back to Hawthorne.
He refused.
Then Arthur called him.
Thomas refused again.
Then Ryan asked.
Thomas sighed.
“You people don’t take hints.”
Ryan smiled.
“Runs in the family.”
Thomas finally agreed.
He arrived on a Saturday morning.
Rachel walked beside him.
Ryan carried his rackets.
Arthur waited near the entrance.
The lobby had changed.
The courts had changed.
The uniforms were different.
But when Thomas smelled the clay from the outdoor courts, he stopped.
“That hasn’t changed.”
Arthur smiled.
“Some things refuse to improve.”
Margaret met them inside.
She apologized on behalf of the club.
Not for Leonard’s feelings.
Not vaguely for “whatever happened.”
Specifically.
“The club suspected you without sufficient evidence.”
Thomas listened.
“It attempted to pressure you into signing an inaccurate statement about a minor employee.”
Thomas nodded.
“And after the medal was returned, the club failed to correct the record properly.”
Then:
“That failure later affected your daughter and grandson.”
Thomas remained quiet.
Margaret continued.
“I’m sorry.”
Thomas finally answered.
“Thank you.”
He did not pretend twenty-eight years disappeared.
But the apology mattered.
Then Eli arrived.
Thomas looked surprised.
Eli smiled.
“You still look terrifying.”
Thomas laughed.
“You still owe me for using Court Six after closing.”
“I was hoping the statute of limitations had expired.”
The two hugged.
Ryan watched from several feet away.
Then Thomas turned toward Court Six.
“Is that the same court?”
Arthur nodded.
“Resurfaced six times.”
Thomas looked toward Ryan.
“Racket.”
Ryan smiled.
“You’re playing?”
Thomas held out his hand.
“Don’t make me ask twice.”
For the first time in twenty-eight years, Thomas Bennett walked onto a Hawthorne tennis court.