Julie Scudder Dearyan - Shoelace Truce

Shoelace Truce

“ Come on,
Howie! I know you can do it.” Jordan heard Coach Brady yell as he ran laps with Rand during basketball practice.

“I know he can’t.” Rand said under his breath.

“I think you’re jealous.” Jordan tried to take a deep breath but it was getting difficult. His five laps and four candy bars weren’t mixing too well.

“I’m not jealous.” Rand seemed barely winded as he and Jordan started down a long stretch. “I’m sick of Coach encouraging Howie all the time. The kid doesn’t deserve it.”

Rand galloped ahead.

Jordan slowed to a jog.

Howie zipped by with Rand several steps behind.

Coach Brady took a step forward. “First person done gets a free soda.”

Jordan walked. He had to.

The buzzer sounded. Howie passed the finish line. Rand sprinted behind him but it was too late.

Jordan couldn’t believe it. Howie had beat Rand.

“He cheated!” Rand pointed at Howie.

“Howie didn’t cheat, Rand. I counted his laps.” Coach Brady said.

Jordan watched as Rand snarled something into the new kid’s ear. Howie flushed all the way to his bright purple gym shoes.

Jordan jogged to Rand though every step was an effort. Rand squared off to meet him.

“So?” Rand crossed his sweaty arms.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you so against Howie?”

Rand shrugged.

Jordan took a deep breath. “At least promise me you’ll talk to Pastor Brian about it.”

It seemed like halfway to forever before Rand mumbled that he would.

Two days later, Rand yanked the laces of his basketball shoes.

“What’s eatin’ you?” Jordan squatted beside him.

“Nothin.” Rand scowled at the floor.

“You’re not still worried about Howie, are you?”

“No!” Rand exploded. To his friend’s raised eyebrows, he said. “I just hope Coach doesn’t let him start tonight.”

“Why not?” Jordan bent down to stretch. “He’s been working hard all week.”

“He still doesn’t deserve it.” Rand pulled his laces so tight one of them broke.

“Oh man, now what am I going to do?”

“Here, borrow one of mine.” Howie suddenly appeared in front of them.

“I can’t borrow your lace.” Rand said as Howie sat down on the bench and began untying his shoe.

“I’ll be fine. In Brazil, many times I didn’t even have gym shoes to wear.” Howie pulled his lace out triumphantly.

Jordan and Rand looked at Howe’s feet at the same time.

“Howie!” Jordan stood up, “Where are your socks?”

Howie pulled his feet under his chair. “I forgot them.”

“You’ll get blisters without socks.” Jordan said.

Howie threw the lace at Rand and raced toward the net.

Rand stared at the dirty lace. “I guess I underestimated Howie. Pastor Brian was right after all.”

“You gonna wear the lace?” Jordan pulled off his warm up jacket.

“I have an idea. Would you mind telling Coach that I might be a little late?” Rand ran toward the entrance of the gym.

Rand didn’t wait for Jordan’s answer before bolting toward the door.

The players gathered in the locker room. Jordan tried to make himself invisible against the wall.

“Everybody here?” Coach asked.

“Where’s Rand?” A player named Andy asked, his eyes darting around the room.

“I don’t know.” Coach said. “But he knows the rules about being late. I’m afraid that...” His sentence was cut off as Rand jumped into the locker room.

“Sorry, Coach.” Rand panted. “Didn’t mean to be late.”

“See that it doesn’t happen again.” Coach Brady said.

Jordan let out a relieved sigh.

“Our strategy tonight will be like this.” Coach Brady drew an offense on the board. “Rand, I want you to cover this position and Howie this position.”

“Howie gets to start?” Andy asked in surprise. “In who’s spot?”

“Mike needs to sit on the bench and rest that knee he turned in practice the other day. Any questions?”

The warning buzzer sounded.

Rand walked toward Howie. “Listen man, I ran home and got you a new lace,” Rand reached behind his back, “and these.”

He held a pair of socks and a shoelace.

“Cool! But how could you run home and get back in time?”

“I almost didn’t.”

“You’re a fast runner, Rand.” Howie took his shoes off and put on the thick, white socks.

“Not as fast as you, Howie.”

“I thought I was going to die every day in practice this week trying to beat you.”

“I thought I was going to die this week, too By the way, a bunch of us guys is getting together for pizza and pop this Thursday, wanna come?.” Rand said just as Howie finished tying his shoe.

Jordan smiled to himself. Rand hadn’t bothered to mention to Howie that the pizza party also included a Bible study with Pastor Brian. Howie looked delighted with the invitation. He looked at the clock. “Come on! Last one out of the locker room is a rotten candy bar!”

Jordan couldn’t help grinning as he came into the gymnasium. He might be a rotten candy bar but at least Rand and Howie were on their way to getting along.