Eighteen
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“ I love a challenge.”
Tanya pulled a beer from the refrigerator and handed it to Eddie.“ Trying to level the playing field?” he queried. Tanya took the bottle and a big swallow.“ I was just hoping to soften the blow. I know how fragile the male ego can be.”“ It has been quite a while.”“ Like riding a bike. Quick game,” she said, taking her plate and the beer toward the garage.“ Do you want to warm up a little?”“ Did you practice?” she asked.“ I had to make sure it worked,” he said, giving her his devilish grin.“ I’ ll be right back,” she said, running from the garage.
The blouse and skirt were replaced by shorts, pullover top and tennis shoes. She carried her darts.“ I didn’ t know you still had them,” Eddie said, seeing the black dart case.“ In my jewelry box.”“ Darts as a fashion accessory. What a concept,” he laughed, as she changed the old tips with new ones Eddie purchased. Turning on the board, he selected the game and set it up for two players.“ Player one,” the electronic voice said. Eddie pointed at the toe line letting Tanya go first. Eddie started out strong but Tanya quickly honed in on the target and passed him.“ Winner! Player one,” the game announced and added a fanfare.“ You might want to take it easy on the kids. They have never seen you throw darts. Now I get to kick your butt at table tennis,” Eddie said. Tanya nodded and stepped up to the table. They did not finish the first game when Tanya had to pick up the kids.“ Remember the score,” she yelled, running out the door. Tanya’ s competitive spirit was one of the things that drew them together. Eddie wondered if she would be good at tennis. He might be able to talk Taylor into giving her some lessons. Eddie would have to be there to monitor the session. He tossed darts until they arrived home.
Tanya told them to heat up the burgers and fries. She headed for the garage. Nicole and Justin fixed their plates and went to see where their mom had gone in such a hurry. The sound of the table tennis match was unmistakable as they opened the garage door. Eddie turned to say,“ Hi” and Tanya served one past him.“ Seventeen to eighteen. Your serve,” she said.“ Not fair!” he stated, as Justin tossed the ball to his father.“ Pay attention,” she laughed.“ Hi guys,” Eddie said.“ Hi Dad,” they said in unison.“ Have you two been doing this all day?” Nicole asked.“ No, we played darts first,” Eddie said, signaling he was about to serve. Tanya smiled.
The ball moved quickly back and forth until it caught the edge of the table on Tanya’ s side and took a low bounce. She picked up the ball as it ricocheted off the wall behind her, and tossed it back.“ Nineteen to seventeen,” he said, sending the white orb to her forehand. The ball caught the tape and came back towards Tanya who scooped the ball with her paddle and sent it back to Eddie.“ Twenty to seventeen. Game point,“ he said, and hit a low spinning curve. This one she returned and the fast clip-clop sound of the ball on the solid surface of the table echoed in the garage. Nicole and Justin ate and watched the heated volley.