“Tell you what, today we’ll just volley. Next week we can play a game. What do you say?”

Jorden’s frown turned into a smile. “Good, I agree.”

“Come on, let’s warm up and do some stretches,” Matt announced as he skipped down the bleachers.

“I’d much rather run. How about a couple laps around the track?” Jorden countered. “We have ten minutes before our reservation.”

“Bet I can beat you,” Matt said as he ran in the direction of the track.

“Hey, wait for me!” Jorden raced down the bleachers and caught up with him.

Matt looked over his shoulder. “What are you up to?”

“Making sure we start at the same time,” Jorden said before sprinting past him. “Two can play at this game.” She watched him catch up with her. “Cheater!”

“Hey look at the couple on Court Three, they’ve given up. Come on, let’s go.” Matt motioned to Jorden. She watched Matt wave to the attendant in the tennis hut, who signaled them onto the court.

Matt swung with ease, lobbing the ball over the net.

Jorden hit it with gusto. The ball went out of the court.

“No home runs in tennis. Let’s try again. Keep your eyes on the ball, bend your knees, and swing your racket back to anticipate the ball.”

“That’s too much to remember.” This time Jorden hit the ball easier. She soon began to get it over the net in a reasonable fashion. The feel of the racket started to come back. The clay court did play slower and gave her better control. The hour ended before Jorden was ready to stop.

Matt checked his watch. “We’ve got to go.”

“I love these clay courts. Thanks for your patience.”

Matt winked. “You aren’t too bad. I’ll give you a C.”

“Humph! How about a C+?”

“You need more practice. How about next Wednesday?” Matt countered. They made their way up to the tennis hut. “We’d like to reserve a time for next week?”

“You need to put down a deposit,” the attendant replied. “It’s three dollars.” Jorden noticed he had traces of grey sprinkled throughout his dark brown hair; he looked like he might be retired military.

Matt turned to Jorden. “What do you think?”

“Sign us up. I had fun.”

Matt pulled out his wallet and gave him three dollars.

“Remember, if you don’t show up, you don’t get your money back.”

“A deal. We’ll be here.”

The sun was beginning to fade as Matt drove past the tennis courts. The road paralleled the park and ran into a residential area. A young woman and two small children walked along with a German shepherd. Seeing the dog, Jorden started to smile. “Tell me about your sled dogs. Were they anything like the dog we just passed?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t remember, do you?”