Three-Point Play by Todd Hafer

“For everything. Man, I thought Brett and Bart’s jaws were gonna hit the floor when you faced off with Alston!”
    Coach Clayton waited until Alston’s team trotted to the locker room before addressing Cody’s team. “Good comeback, fellas. But a deal’s a deal. It’s suicide time. How many do you think we need, Captain Martin?”
    Cody stroked his chin. “I’m thinking at least one, Coach.”
    Coach Clayton bobbed his head. “That sounds reasonable. Just don’t run it too hard, men. We got one more game before Christmas break, and I don’t want anyone spraining an ankle.”

Chapter 8
    Showdowns

    U n-beeeee-lievable,” Pork Chop said for the fourth or fifth time, as he wedged his foot into a size eleven Nike.
    Cody tried to suppress a smile. “It was no big deal, Chop. I was just standing up for a teammate, you know.”
    â€œYeah, but standing up to Terry Alston? Bro, that’s fierce! I’m surprised he didn’t beat you down to the size of that Mini Me dude.”
    â€œWell, after practice, he did get in my face—told me I was lucky to still own all my teeth.”
    Pork Chop’s mouth dropped open. “And?”
    Cody shrugged. “I told him, ‘I know. But regardless of the consequences, a captain has to be down for his teammates. It’s what Blake calls servant leadership.’ I told him I would have done the same thing for him, if he were on my team. Then Alston looks at me like I’m crazy or something and walks away.”
    Pork Chop appeared deep in thought. “Code,” he said finally, “I bet you blew Alston’s mind with what you said.”
    Cody frowned skeptically. “What makes you say that?”
    â€œBecause you just blew my mind. Anyway, I bet the team’s gonna respect you now.”
    â€œI hope so. We just can’t go into the break with a big bagel in the win column.”
    Pork Chop stood. “Well, have a good practice— over in the little baby gym.”
    Cody chuckled. “Hey, I’m just glad that volleyball season is over so we can have the auxiliary gym after school now. Anything’s better than practicing at 6:30 in the morning!”

    After practice, Cody trotted toward the showers. He had promised his dad and Beth he would be in the parking lot no later than six o’clock. He almost collided with Robyn, which, given that he was dripping sweat, wouldn’t have been a good thing.
    â€œHey, Cody,” she said. “Tough practice?”
    He tried to will himself to stop sweating. “Yeah. Friday’s the last game before Christmas break. Last chance to get a W this year. We’re all feeling the pressure.”
    â€œYeah,” she said quietly. “I kinda get the feeling you’re feeling the pressure over a lot of things.” Then she moved her right hand from behind her back and thrust it toward Cody’s face.
    â€œHere,” she said, holding a folded-up piece of notebook paper on her palm. “This is for you.”
    Cody frowned. “For me? Why?”
    She smiled at him. “Paul, our new youth pastor, gave us an assignment last week. He read Hebrews 3:13, you know, the verse that says ‘Encourage one another daily’? Then he asked us to think of someone who needed to be encouraged. And, of course, I thought of you.”
    Of course? Cody thought. Of course she thought of me? Cool! Then again, maybe that only means I’m the most pathetic person she knows.
    He heard Robyn clear her throat. “So, do you want it or not?”
    â€œOh, s-sorry,” he stammered. “Yeah, sure. Thanks.”
    He plucked the paper from her hand. “So, this is, like, something you wrote?”
    She rolled her eyes. “No, it’s something I baked. Can’t you smell it?”
    He felt the urge to squirm out of his own skin and disappear down the nearest drain. Good, smart question, Cody, he