"Hello, Finster residence?" Chas answered on the phone

"Dad? Where's Mom? Doesn't she usually do the afternoon shift?" Chuckie asked

"Oh hey Chuck. Yeah, but your Mom fell down the stairs, she's fine, but it was a nasty fall, so she needs to rest up for the day. She can't really do much, so I guess it was a good decision on her part to let you go to school on your own." Chas stated

"Oh my God! Well, at least she's okay."

"She won't be doing any yoga with you after school though, if that's okay with you."

"Yeah, that's okay. Actually, that's why I called, I can't come home straight after school I'm signing up for the basketball team."

"Well good luck, but make sure you come home by at least 6:00, understood? I need to be at the store to just lock up all the doors from the inside."

"Alright Dad, thanks."

"Come on Chuckie, what are you waiting for?" Trisha asked, pounding on the boy's locker room door

"I'm coming, I just need to lace-up my sneakers." Chuckie called back

"I'm really proud of you, I'm really happy you're doing this."

"Thanks, the support means so much."

"So, are you scared?" Trisha asked

"Not really." Chuckie replied. Just then, he came out, standing like a professional NBA player, or as much as he could, being that he was wearing a men's replica of his mother's WNBA uniform.

"L.A. Sparks?" Trisha asked laughing

"My Mom apparently had a jersey made in a men's size for me to have when she found out how long she was gonna have left to live, I decided to run home, and get it during lunch." Chuckie replied

"Wow, well, all I can say is, wear it with pride, that's actually what I love about that." Trisha said, putting an arm around Chuckie

The two entered the gymnasium. They earned a few chuckles from the rest of the team, although Chuckie brushed them off.

"Finster, can I help you?" asked Coach Sharmootson

"Yeah, I'd like to try out for the team." Chuckie replied

"This is the guy's team Chuckie!" Said Wally Rejamard, who was also trying out for the team captain "Besides, it's the last practice, why you here?"

"Because I've been peer pressured not to come in the other times, plus, a there was also a bunch of times you guys tricked me into thinking we were practicing at the community center five blocks down the road." Chuckie replied

"Well, you're at a disadvantage Chuckie, you see these guys have been doing drills with me that you might not be familiar with-"

"Sir you do the same drills with all the teams, every year. I know them, I'm no idiot, I'm not the retard you've thought I am the other 2 times I tried out, so why not you let me show you, and all these people to see what Chuckie Finster is truly made of."

"By what? Wearing a WNBA jersey?" asked another boy

"It's a replica of my Mom's, as you can tell by the "Finster" and the "13" on the back."

"Wait, you're Mom is Mel Finster?" asked another boy

"Yup, and I think it's about time I showed the world she's not truly gone from the world, especially the world of basketball."

"Now Chuckie, as coach, I don't think it would be fair to just put someone who is as behind as you-"

"I'm not behind, I've played basketball right in front of you, and I've heard what you've said about me in the teacher's lounge, the room isn't sound proof or anything, so let me try out, and just see me like an equal, like every other player here." Chuckie replied

The coach stood in shock, but then, gave a thumbs up of approval

"Thank you, and by the way, if you're gonna refer to your students by their last name, I feel I have a right to that too as an equal."

Chuckie eliminated every obstacle, every practice and test, he was the best of all of them, he even outplayed Wally, which made the boy fear for his chances towards the team captain position. He tried to sabotage Chuckie, but the redhead was on fir, he knew what to do, and never got tired. If he felt short of breath, he'd just look at Trisha, and his confidence would come back. There was a quiet player, who had been struggling to do too well on the team, he was talented, just confused and shy. So Chuckie decided to help him, and stood by him, and gave him the ball in every movement. Eventually, the boy, who introduced himself as Jus, a recent immigrant from India.

"Well, I'm impressed, it's a little risky, but I definitely like the way you play!" the coach called out to Chuckie

When it came time to the coach to list who he was picking, he listed them all down. Jus was picked as seventh man, so he was a significant part of the bench. It eventually came down to the last pick, Chuckie and 3 other boys stood. They were lazy, but often favored for their talent, and were only trying out thinking they knew they could get in. Chuckie stood there nervous, he looked at the bleachers, he saw Trisha pick up her phone, and leave the gymnasium to answer it. His only support, was gone, but he knew how to be a base for himself.

"Alright, final pick, and I'd like to say that at first, this decision was hard to make, since you all bring good qualities to the table, but there is one of you who has proven to me, time and time again, this not being the first, that he deserves to play on my boy's team... congratulations for making the team!" said the coach, handing a scrimmage jersey... to Chuckie "You've made it... Finster!"

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Chuckie "Thank you Coach, oh my God! thank you."

"Are you kidding me coach, he was only here for one practice." said an angered wally he then whispered to the coaches ear "Plus, he might not listen to instructions or work with us, trust me, I know how retards work, I have a cousin with that."

"Your cousin has autism Regamard! And Finster here may have it too, but I've learned to see him as no different, he's right, he's equal, well not in basketball, I mean, let's face it, he obviously higher, but he's no different from you."

"Yes he is! Finster, you shouldn't be here, and I swear to God, you are getting on my last nerve!"

"What are you gonna do Wally, I'm not scared of you, none of us are, in fact, you know how I'm only, let's see on the position list... sixth man."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I bet I could take the starting line-up entirely, and let's make a deal, if you lose, you have to drop out of yhe running for team captain, and switch positions with me, I become centre, Jus becomes sixth man, and you become seventh."

"But what if I win?"

"If you win, I'll... I'll... I'll reduce my position to benchwarmer."

"Ah, so if I win, things are set straight? I mean, I prove I'm fit as team captain, and you are put in a position where you might not even play, the way it should be."

"Do we have a deal you arrogant meathead?"

Wally though about it, then spoke "First to 25, each basket equals one point, you got yourself a deal"

The two shook on it, and it was set.

What!? Chuckie, how!? I know it's short and not the best ever, I hope to update this again either tonight or tomorrow, if I don't, sorry. Please Stay Tuned and Review!