CENTER SHOT

"Well, it's like this, "Flash"," said Maud in a rather positive tone, "you must make a decision between two loves, or I'd better say, between love and --

"Stop it, I say, stop it!" cut in "Flash", "you know I'd
let nothing come between us; you don't understand--;
there's
a reason--
aw don't cry."

Maud was really sobbing, - and against her will for she
had never before let "Flash" see her in this mood.

"Everything depends on me," he continued, "the reputa-
of Johns' is at stake. I must put in the practice; the coach
gives me the devil when I miss, or even go late. He is as anxious-
ly nervous as a woman. You're not interested in basketball but
you should know what it means to lose a championship. If we fail,
the championship will be lost. Kingston has held it for five
successive years, - do hurry now, and get yourself together, Maud;
I must be off at eight and its ten minutes to, now."

"I won't listen," sniffled Maud.

"Maud, darling, dry your eyes; I can't leave you like
this."

"I'm quite all right," she responded, taking a long breath,
"I'm quite all right."

"Let me take you to the stairs; only a few more days and
I'll be a longer caller. When we reach the stairs, run on up and
wash your face; calls are about forty-five minutes longer yet.
You'll be OK when the girls come up."

Holding her hand a little tighter than usual, he smiles
a sweet'goodnight'.

42-

Mag and Josie, two pals who were more attached to them-
selves than to any of the fellows, always remained down stairs
on call nights to catch a boy friend. But while they waited and
watched to realize their ambition, they made a study of the status
of all the ardent love affairs. Tonight, they"read" the lips and
expression of "Flash" and Maud from their seat in the window;
they knew what he said and they knew what she said. Two couples
moved near them, so Mag, holding her lips almost together and
talking through her tightly biting teeth, she advanced this
theory to Josie,

"Naw, she don't love George at all; ane's wild about
"Flash"

"Reckon so?"

"Sho, she is; I knew her in high school; she always fell
for a he-man. George is too effeminate; you know he plays a
violin. very well."

"Is that why he's so ----------

"I think so,- he told me he's played since he was seven."

George seems to like her, though; in fact, Marie said
Johnnie said he told her he was"crazy" about her."

u

"But listen here what I heard about "Flash" and Peggie;
I heard that they had been seen together on several occasions- and
you know Peggie's got Maud skinned on beauty and brains."

"Yes, but Maud's got "gled rags" and some money left---
you know, its money men want these days."

A radio band stopped playing a short number just as
Josie said "men" rather loudly.

Calls were over. Mag and Josie lead the way up the
narrow stairway, chagrinned at the thought of that **loud** word,
"men"

-3-

They passed Maude's door and found the light out. Mag
knocked, but no one answered. Josie whispered that she wouldn't
be at all surprised if she hadn't locked herself in to hide her
tears, as they sauntered off to their own room.

"The dance is tomorrow night. I wonder if he'll go?"
asked Mag, "You see the big championship is the following night,
and I heard Jack say the Coach is requiring all activities of the
team to end tomorrow after the seventh hour class--sh-sh, someone's
at the door. Don't answer; they just want to borrow something--"

"And never bring it back, like Peggie did my black eve-
ning dress. Sh-h-h! I believe they're gone,--and what were you
saying?"

"Yes, after the seventh hour class; Jim was fussing in
the dining hall tonight because he has to prepare trays of food
to take to their rooms; he said 'twas no fun to him takin' trays
to hard ankles."

"Ha, ha, ain't he funny?"

"Did you see her new dress?"

"Naw"

"Well, her mama sent her a swell pale blue satin dress
with a bodice of gold sequins,-- special for the dance. Its a "bird",
I tell you."

"Yeah?"

"Well, if 'Flash' can't go, maybe George will get a chance
to go with 'er."

Maude saw "Flash" the next day when he came into the li-
brary, after his history class. She sat in the southwest corner,
near the radiator and pretended to be studying when he glanced in
her direction. He rushed over to see how she was feeling.

-4-

"Hello, sweets," he said in expectant tones.

"Hey," she grunted.

"Why so dry?"

"Don't feel well, "Flash", I----I--"

"I'm sorry. We had a hot practice last night; Coach thinks we'll win easily. Kingston men are heavier, but he believes ours are swifter; he's betting on me, says I'm his best shot, and Jack is second."

"Well, all your talk is basketball! The Harmonies' dance tomorrow night, and I want to know if you are going."

"Didn't you hear about it? Coach says no more activities for basketball men after seventh period class; we've got to be served special food in our rooms. He says rest and the right food are the key to the championship, and that means------"

"This is final, "Flash", you must give up basketball or me, one; during the whole two years of our friend-- courtship, you've never acted like this; put basketball or anything before me. Don't misunderstand me: I'm going to the dance with George and I won't see you play, either!"

"But Maude, be reasonable, you----"

"I'm through, I hope you lose, and goodbye!"

"But Maude------" and she was out the small library.

She danced with George at the Harmonies' Dance, half conscious that the music went round and round and came out--; her mind was on "Flash."

Would he lose if she didn't go,-- she would go,-- get there just before time for the team and hide behind the crowd and not let him see her unless he needed a glimpse of her.

"Isn't the music grand," whispered George, as the orchestra

-6-

through the crack of the door; the gym was packed but the team had not come in. She went behind a group of outsiders who stretched necks near the door. No one sat in this group so she could hide herself--"Flash" could not see her, he would not even look in this direction. She never stood in the outsiders' section.

In trot the teams, Johns' "Swifts" in yellow and blue, and Kingston's "Huskies" wearing green and red. "Flash" wore a mock smile as his inquisitive eyes cast about for Maude, where she always participated in the games as a spectator, and never as a yeller. He did not see her; maybe she meant what she said about not coming. How could he play without--

The lanky Hulda mourned, "Hey, gang!"

"Hey!" burst back a full response.

"All right, gang!"

"When you're up, you're up; when you're down, you're down; when you're up against Johns', you're upside down! Uh scoop uh scoop, scoop!"

The game was on. The boys knew "Flash" was "off",--and the Coach knew it too. They fought hard to make the supply meet the demand, but by the first half their strength was bankrupt. And the score was 18 to 12 in Kingston's favor.

Maude thought he saw her once during the intermission,--yes, he was looking right into her face. No, maybe not. Then suddenly the funny hat that shaded her from him moved to the left! She moved with it. No, he did not see her this time either, for he was now pulling at his hair. He must have been staring at the unusually large hat which was shielding her. If she could only get out of this gym without being noticed. Her heart was beating rapidly as she began to ponder the situation. Johns' would lose and the loss could be traced to her own absurdity. She would not leave; she would see it through,--but how?

-7-

Aware of the fact that the game could not last much longer, the coach shifts nervously on the sideline. If he could only whisper a word to "Flash", his righthand man.

While the signal of the timekeeper signalled, "Three minutes to play", the captain slapped "Flash" on the shoulder and implored him with these words: "Snap out of it, "old top"! Don't let us down; you haven't made a basket tonight. What's the trouble with you?"

"I don't know, Ucap"; they just won't go right."

The referee makes the signal and the fight is on! "Flash" missed every shot.

Mag hunched Josie, "What's the matter with "Flash"? Not a basket tonight; something's wrong. Maude ain't here, - maybe he does like her."

"No, it's not that: Peggie's got another fellow with her, - he's here for the game- from her home."

"Yeah?"

The scoreboard shows 19 to 20 in favor of Kingston. The spirit is high. All nerves are tense. The gang follows Hulda in a yell,

"Now, look at old "Flash", now, ain't he hot, and we can't lose, with the shot he use!"

Its "Flash's" ball. He "travels" with it. The shrill, nerve racking whistle of the referee makes official announcement of the error. In utter disgust "Flash" flings the ball at the referee, barely missing the funny big hat which so securely shielded Maude. As the referee threw the retrieved ball to a "Husky"

-8-

guard, Maude heard him say under his breath, "Two and one half seconds to play!"

"Flash" intercepts the pass and dribbles toward his own basket.

Maude can hold her peace no longer. "Flash" will not have time to dribble all the way to the basket. She glances at her wrist for the time. Only one and one half seconds are left. How does one yell? She has never yelled. But somehow she must warn "Flash"! How her heart hurts as it pounds against her breast! She must do something! Now oblivious of the frenzied crowd, she tears herself from the shelter of the funny, big hat. On reaching the middle of the sideline, she screams as he dribbles toward the goal, "Shoot center, "Flash", - just one more second!"

"Everything goes dark before her eyes; her leg goes support her heavy body no longer."

With "lightening" response, "Flash" shoots from the center, and makes the basket!

"Flash among her First Aiders, she cried."

Maude finally "came to" speaking these words, "Did you make it, "Flash"?"

"Yes, 21 to 20!"

3.

aroused for a commoner. Cleo's people had money; but how did they
make it? Wouldn't a racketeer be a fine father-in-law for Homer?
While in her befuddled mind she pictured the future of her only son
married to Cleo, the door bell rang. Homer quickly threw off his
bathrobe and hurried down the wide stairway of their beautiful home
to answer the door. There was a letter with United States Government
marked in the return space. The war between love and obligation to
tradition was not the only war that Hendricks must wage. European
countries were delirious with the fever of war. This letter contained
Homer's summons to Camp Meade, and he knew it before he opened it.
He had expected it for several weeks now that he had passed the exam-
ination for enlistment.

"Mom," he said as he sat beside her on the arm of the easy
chair in which she was sitting, "I must go to camp and prepare to
fight for my country. My train leaves at 1:30 tomorrow morning.
Read this letter."

Mrs Hendricks looked at the letter and then stared into
space. There was mist in her eyes that was very noticeable. Her son
put his arms around her neck with the entreaty: "You'll be brave,
mumsy, I know. I'll be all right, - and too, the war, may be over when
its time for me to go overseas. It cant last much longer anyway. Don't you
think the change will do me good? I'll learn something of my hidden
self; it takes a war to introduce a man to himself."

"But Homer, Mumsy hates to see you go."

"Why?"

e

"It isn't fair. Innocent blood. Innocent black blood dying
for no good reason. That
the Seine on no provocation. This is the way I feel about the whole
thing; if the guardians of international welfare can't agree they should
engage a duel and fight it out. That's right. What did you have to do
with any of it?"

4.

Homer felt the same way, but he dare not divulge his feel-
to his mother. He had heard her speak that way before and suffer for
a week from the dread fear of her philosophy taking root in him and
paving the way for his death at the hand of some white man. So he
refuted every point she made.

She was glad her son refuted her and she finally admitted
that he was right.

"Agreeing with me once, today?" he chuckled.

"Yes, on one point only," she answered as she kissed him.

Now that some of the excitement was over, Mrs Hendricks "de-
liberated at" the old pet difference between her and her son. She felt
somewhat glad that he would be safe from the "flood area." She prayed
God that 1:30 A M would follow no rash vent to passion. Maybe he
would decide to rest tonight instead of facing his last dramatic moments
in Saint Louis with Cleo. Such moments always promised everything and
paid nothing.

"I'll go down stairs and pack your bags, son. You're going to
rest 'til time for your train, aren't you? You do not have to return to
the hospital, do you?"

"No, mumsy, I do not return to the hospital. Everything is
arranged; I lacked only one month, But on account of my good record
I'll get my certificate just the same." After he said this he paused,
and then he dared to answer the other question. "I'm not tired, I/feel
like walking out. /might run over to Stevens and Heslip; they might be
included /in this call." While he dressed for his visit, the telephone rang.
His mother reached it first; she knew it was Cleo. As usual she was on
the firing line. If it were Cleo, she would say with brutal frankness
that she could not speak with him, - no, she would say he was out. She
spoke a snappy, 'hello' into the mouthpiece and received a 'hello' back.
But she didn't have to decide about an answer; Homer was right there to

8.

not called him up today. Perhaps he would stay long enough to be intro-
duced to him.

About one hour later as Cleo entertained Homer in the pale light
of the rose and gold living room, she asked: "You seem to be dreaming,
Homer, darling; what's on your mind?" Don't you like my cousin?"

"Oh, he's a fine fellow;" you couldn't help liking him, he's
so much like you."

"Kidding me, eh?"

"No, I'm earnest"

"But you look worried; what is it?"

He handed her the letter.

"You mean you are going to Camp Meade? At one thirty? No you
are not. You can't! You mustn't! Something might happen to you. Fight
for your country. You don't have any." She moved toward him and caught
both of his hands in hers as she sat on the arm of the davenette close
to him. Tears rose in her laughing blue eyes, but the long thick black
eyelashes kept the showers used up. Now was not she pretty?- a superla-
tive beauty she was! A rosy bloom roughed her face and/two #### blue eyes
looked like twin lakes mirroring moonlight at eventide. She was his be-
loved beauty in whom he himself was well pleased.

The Ruggles home was astir with hilarity, even at this late hour;
it was eleven o'clock. War brides were numerous. War marriages were con-
tageous. There was something in Homer's nature that warned him against
following the crowd into tage. Marriage was a sacred institution, and
made
as such should not be/the too 1 of passion. And yet, if he waited he
wagered his decision would be the same,- he had not take any chances. Her
heart might grow fonder for someone else. His mother would forgive him
for marrying 'outside'. But, were born in the quiet; they issued from the

13.

I guess you saw his hair. too. It's absurd. Are they blind? Can't the fools see that our women are beautiful, - any type of the heart's desire is available. I tell you George it's a practice that doesn't fall short of an acknowledgement of racial inferiority. As a race we cannot stand; we are divided against ourselves!

"What's that whistle? It's the second time it has blown," George yarnered.

"Look, therefore she is!"

"What seest thou, now, Doctor Hendricks?"

"The Status of Liberty, ---for the white folks;" my race is still in chains".

"I fail to understand in what language you speak, Doctor, I-I mean Homer; I told you before we were married that the operation for appendicitis had rendered me unable to become a mother. But if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, I'll do what ever is necessary to make you happy. You haven't looked happy for several days."

"Isn't there some way? Oh! I should have remembered, Marie. It's my own stupidity. I'm sorry if I hurt you. Please forgive me, sweetheart. Come to me; kiss me!"

Marie stood in the middle of the floor as rigid and cold as a ghost, - he had caused her to freeze in her tracks and she did not budge at the words, 'kiss me!' She looked at her husband defiantly, and then moved the chaise lounge. Before she fell to its comfort, he has forged ahead to seat himself before her. She fell into his arms. Her stiff body finally thawed.

"I am sorry, sweetheart. The paternal instinct was a little

14.

I did not mean to be rude.

unruly then, but I have the reins now. I was just wishing for a son at least. Someone to perpetuate the Hendricks name. I forgot to tell you; I got a letter from Mom today. She's paying us a visit the first of the month. Marie began to put things together; 'His mother!' But she didn't appear wise.

"Something will happen yet to solve this problem. Did the doctor say you couldn't or shouldn't? Marie.

"He said it would, it would kill me?"

"I see. Well we won't discuss it anymore, for today anyway."

They slowly withdrew from each others embrace.

"There's one more thing. I'd like to say along that line, Homer: our washer woman knows an old lady who has a baby to give away."

"We can't do that. How can you count on the child's heredity? No, it won't work; we want our own flesh and blood, -or nothing. -

"It's not like you, Marie, to reason, like that; as far as professional woman you should know better than to even think of taking such a risk".

"Oh, well, suppose I'll be like Sarah im the Bible. - Send you to your handmaid? Either that or divorce you?"

"Don't be silly, Marie, tell her to bring the baby over; we can look at it at least."

Dr Hendricks came early the next evening in very good spirits.

He had done well in his office practice today. Six months in Canton, Kansas had meant a lucrative practice. As he approached the door he listened intently. The cry of a baby! He rang the bell and forthwith, Marie came to the door.

"Homer, he's here!"

"What? Where is he?"

"In our bedroom; he's a darling, and so intelligent looking.

15.

Miss Mandy will call for the baby at eight."

By this time they had reached the bedroom. The sweet lay in the
middle of the pink lacy bed cooing contentedly.

"My God! Isn't he fine?"

"Yes, Miss Mandy said she wasn't able to keep him. She said
she was working in the hospital where the child was born. The mother died.

She did not get to see the mother herself, but she said the doctor re-
membered some police call, when she thought was away on an important business trip, had been mis-
reported. When he went home, the doctor had been out flying.
She
remarked that pretty blue eyes like hers should never close in death. She
claims to have been in better circumstances at the time, - that was six
months ago.

just about the time you came from over seas. I hope you will want to
keep him. Please say you'll let me keep him. I love him because I think
he looks like you. Why don't you speak?" Marie now turned her attention
from the baby to Homer. He was staring blankly into space.

"Say you'll love it"! Homer-

"Let me think;"