"She's betrayed me." Mike grumbled as he grabbed his keys. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"You're such a drama queen." She mumbled. Turning to the stairs she shouted. "CORA. We're going to be late."
Mike huffed, Ginny smacked his arm. "It's her first game, you are going to pretend to enjoy yourself."
Mike sighed, rubbing the spot on his arm where she'd hit him. "I would, but..." He looked up as Cora Lawson walked down in her uniform, tossing a basketball in the air. He pointed at the ball, "she didn't get that from me."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Go wait in the car with your brother." She murmured to Cora. She smiled, waiting until the door shut behind her before rounding on Mike. "I know you wanted her to play baseball, but she loves basketball. It's her game and we promised that whether our kids wanted to be rocket scientists or subway musicians we'd respect their decisions."
Mike sighed. "It's just...this game means it's real." He mumbled.
"She could still change her mind." Ginny said. Mike's eyes lit up.
"Do you mean it?" He asked.
"Yeah. She's 9." Ginny grabbed her purse. "Who knows; next she could try hockey."
Mike's face fell. "Not funny, Mrs. Lawson." He muttered.
By the end of the first quarter Mike's sour expression has disappeared. By halftime he's pointing out Cora, telling everyone who'd listen that his daughter is the point guard. It's the second half of the 4th quarter and Mike's shouting insults at the referee. Ginny and Willie have their faces in their hands.
"That was a foul." Mike shouted. "Are you blind?"
"Mike." Ginny grumbled out of the corner of her mouth, grabbing his arm and pulling him down. He let her, plopping down with irritation before jumping to his feet a mere 5 seconds later shouting.
"TRAVEL. Travel ball."
"MIKE." Ginny said, looking around at the parents and spectators who were glaring at him. "Sit. Down."
Mike crossed his arms. "They're biased against our team Gin."
"I thought you didn't like basketball." Ginny retorted.
"I don't." He shrugged. "I -" His eyes widened as Cora stole the ball and ran across the court. The other team members tried to catch up with her, but she was too fast. She made it beneath the basket and shot. The ball went in. "BOOM." Mike shouted. "Nothin but net."
The buzzer went off and Mike's the first to rush the court, hoisting Cora onto his shoulders to cheer her on.
Ginny and Willie looked at each other.
"We can't take daddy anywhere." Willie muttered.
"Yep." Ginny agreed. Willie frowned.
"He can't do that at my play." He mumbled.
Ginny laughed. "I promise I'll try to make him behave." She put her arm around him. "But no guarantees." She nudged his side. "Now go congratulate your twin."