A couples times out of the week Leo will get a few of his brothers to come play after work. He’ll invite me and any of his other cousins willing. Just this past week our cousins from the other side were in the vill for a wedding. As kids when we were on foot walking to the playground our paths cross with other kids that were probably our cousins exploring the village and the first question would be: Where’s your brother?
Funny because a lot of the times the answer would be: The other side. Depending on what brother but the other side was really just referencing another section of the village. The phrase has a certain mystique about it like it was a desert portal you needed ride in order to arrive into another part of the land. So futuristic but it summed up all our questions as kids. Still to this day the other side exists. It’s where they’re at.
We get to play a few games with Alex and Juan. Something about sibling rivalry that makes the atmosphere funnier. These brothers are physical but also sarcastic purposely making each other work harder almost as if they got another game going on between them. It’s entertaining to watch them have that connection. Not everyone would like to be pushed while trying to drive the ball in. But because they’re brothers it somehow more than appropriate. Family rules.
Our games are intense mainly because Juan knows how to manage the ball and shoot. And everyone is just trying to keep up with his score. He’s ok at the free throw line. So he’s at the line and we’re all looking up anticipating the ball hitting to backboard. And it doesn’t actually happen like that. The ball hits the rim and heads (pun) right in my direction. Bouncing off my head like a brick someone grabs the ball. The game continues and Juan’s classic response is:
Way to use your head.
stories from my stomach 