Jack walked into his house exhausted from practice and a full day of school. Ox was lying on the couch watching some judge show. When Jack walked in he tried to sit up, but was in quite a bit of pain.
"It's still hurting huh?"
"You know it...dat shank did one number on me."
"Well at least you're resting up."
"What dat Mr. Crazy say bout da team and how be school?"
"Are you ready for this?"
Jack walked over and sat down on the couch next across from Ox. Ox hit the mute button on the remote silencing the TV.
"What's up country boy?"
"Mr. Roderick made Keevan and I make up with each other."
"Dat fool made up wit' ya?"
"Yup...he apologized and everything...we even led the team in warm up's and drills together."
"What!...dat crazy!"
"I know right...well I guess we lost our game over the weekend pretty bad. David and Cisco couldn't score like the rest of us can and some of the new kids just didn't know what they were doing."
"Who be new on da team?"
"Well Cisco had one of his friends join the team. He's tall and can play ok in the paint, but he can't jump. I think his name is Arturo. The only other player that's worth anything is that girl."
"What! You's tellin' me der be a girl playin' for Mr. Crazy?"
"She's pretty good too. She was trying out the day of the fight I think."
"Dat be Jocelyn. She be crazy mad at da world."
"That's for sure Ox...but she's pretty good. I think she'll fill in with Arturo until you get healthy...When do you go back to the doctor?"
"Mrs. H tell me I's got to go Thursday."
"Is she gonna take you?"
"Yeah I's guess so."
"Well your teachers gave me homework for you to do."
"What! Dat ain't coo'"
"Come on now Ox...you can't sit around and watch TV all day...if you want to stay on the team you've got to keep up with your school wok. That's Mr. Roderick's rules."
"He still be crazy...I's not sure he gonna let me back and play anyway."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"Cuz dat shank last year and now dis'."
"He knows your innocent Ox. I'll talk to him tomorrow after practice. If he let me and Keevan play again I'm sure he'll let you play if the doctor's ok it."
"Well if he go crazy on me den' I ain't playin'."
"Fine...but we need you to play Ox...it's gonna be me and Keevan against the Hawks this weekend."
"We's got Arturo and Jocelyn...we's gonna be fine."
Ox had a sarcastic look on his face. Jack laughed at him and wished that Ox was well enough to come back to school. Jack took out Ox's homework and started walking him through the assignments that his teachers gave him to catch up on.