A Life of Inches Read Online Free Page A

miss, you’re there to save the day. I don’t want your nice clean ball taking a swim in that toxic waste they call a brook.”
    Woodie dribbles between his legs to ready himself.
    Without warning, Molly and I are staring into the face of a star, a winner. Woodie’s brown eyes are concentrated on the rim, already calculating his leap, as he begins to dash forward. Molly’s shoulders flinch, but she holds steady from the waist down.
    In a few seconds he crosses the distance between himself and Molly. He plants his feet and launches.
    The laws of physics give way, just a little, as Woodie clears his second leg over Molly, and raises his arms toward the rim. The whole park stops to watch this display of athleticism. There are no birds arrogant enough to sing about love or worms. No squirrels squawking over acorns. The brook that runs just beyond the basketball court has tempered its endless babbling and the mosquitoes of the park have called a cease-fire in the war for blood.
    Woodie slams the ball down right on top of the poor, defenseless orange rim, but not through it. He grasps the rim to slow his momentum as the ball springs straight up into the air. The move works, but his head still has enough momentum to smack right into the edge of the backboard. His neck snaps back from the impact. He releases his grip on the hoop and loses his battle with gravity.
    I pivot forward, keeping my eye on the ball, ready to help if necessary. One flip, two flips, three flips. A mosquito buzzes, an acorn is dropped, and the brook overturns a pebble in its path as the ball falls back to Earth.
    Swoosh.
    Woodie’s left foot plants. His outstretched arms struggle for balance as his knee buckles, but somehow the lucky son of a biscuit doesn’t fall.
    Molly yells for him and rushes forward.
    Full of admiration and disbelief, I grab the ball as it bounces toward the water. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of fast and furious motion coupled with a scream so intense from Woodie I duck.
    I turn in time to witness his arms lash out in an exaggerated sign of frustration. Fury and adrenaline fuel his fist backward, connecting with Molly’s jaw just as she reaches to wrap him in a caring embrace.
    Molly’s falling before I can comprehend what happened. Whatever air her lungs still hold, escapes as a grunt when she hits the ground. Woodie pivots, eyes too full of anger to carry concern.
    Overcoming my shock, I unfreeze my feet, and call out, “ Molly .”
    Woodie tilts his head skyward and screams louder than his last outburst. It echoes throughout the whole park, a challenge to anything within earshot.
    I cradle Molly’s head up from the dirt, rocks, and anything else that might cause her further damage. I place my other hand on her stomach to hold her still.
    All of a sudden I have to act as a shield between her and Woodie, and that’s something I never ever dreamt I’d be. Woodie has always had a temper, but this is different.
    I call, “Get over here, Woodie.”
    Adrenaline must be pumping through his veins by the bucket, but I know he’ll come to his senses. Hell, let him yell and scream all he wants. I’m fine right here with this angel in my arms.
    I look down and realize I’m caressing Molly’s cheek. She reaches up and matches my action. Overwhelmed by the moment, I lean forward, making my advance and ambitions as obvious as possible. I follow her raised jaw and peck a darkened area, already bruising.
    “My hero,” she sighs, smiling despite the ugliness of the situation. “If you’re going to sweep me off…well, back onto my feet, you had better kiss me with more passion than that.” Her mischievous grin widens as she grabs my shirt and pulls me toward her. Our hands seek placement and purchase. Following her lead, my lips part. I run my fingertips down her arm as the taste of orange pop touches my tongue.
    I flash back to the thousands of times I’ve pictured this moment, our first kiss. I don’t recall