Boy21

Finley remembers what he pretends is his earliest memory: playing basketball in his backyard. His father tells him to shoot until Finley “can make 100 baskets in a row” (1), while his father deals with his incapacitated grandfather. Finley shoots well past dark, trying not to hear his recently legless grandfather crying and moaning in the house. Finley’s memory collapses time until all he remembers from this traumatic time is playing basketball by himself.

One day, also in Finley’s memory, Erinappears, asking if she canplay with him. After ignoring her for a while, Finley reluctantly gives her the ball. She makes the shot, so he gives it back to her. Again, Finley’s memory collapses time, until it seems that his childhood consisted of two activities: playing basketball by himself and playing basketball with Erin.

A week before senior year, Finley and Erin eat breakfast with Finley’s dad and grandfather. Finley tries not to be distracted by Erin’s bra, but he is so attracted to her that he doesn’t listen to any of the conversation, even though his father and grandfather mostly ignore him when Erin is around, anyway. As they leave to train, his grandfather tells them to make the Irish proud, while his father tells them that they can “always outwork talent in the end” (8).