Medicine River by Thomas King

Author:Thomas King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Published: 2014-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

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WHEN THE CHAMPIONSHIP came around, we were in first place, so we didn’t play the first game. We won the second game. Clyde had thirty-five points. “Good game,” Harlen told us. “Only three more to go.”

The next one was a breeze. Clyde scored fifty-five points. I scored eight. Harlen was elated.

“Great game, Clyde. Going to be easy. I can see you guys all dressed up in those championship jackets.”

We played Bolton in the semifinals. It was tough. They led most of the way, but Floyd came on strong and scored fifteen points. Clyde only scored twenty-four points.

“Not to worry,” said Harlen. “Tough team, those guys. Tough to work around a double team all the time, Clyde. You did real well.”

“Floyd did real well, too,” I said.

“You bet,” said Harlen. “Floyd did real well, too.”

Clyde sat on the bench with his head down.

“You tired?” I said.

“Yeah, a little tired.”

“You want a ride home?”

“No, I’m going to walk. Need to get out.”

“Long way.”

“Walk it all the time.”

“Maybe you want some coffee. Maybe talk some.”

Clyde pulled his sweatshirt on over his jersey. “No, just need to walk.”

I caught Harlen as he was leaving the gym. “You say anything to Clyde?”

“Just encouragement.”

“Anything in particular?”

“Just encouragement.”

When the phone rang at two in the morning, I knew it had to be Harlen. It was Floyd. Floyd always comes to the point.

“Guess who’s in jail?”

“Not Clyde again.”

“Give that man a basketball.”

“Drunk?”

“Nope.”

“Do I keep guessing?”

“Borrowed a car.”

“Shit.”

“I haven’t called Harlen yet. You want to do the honours?”

“No.”

“Should I call him?”

“Yes.”

I turned off the light and took the phone off the hook.

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