My status is rising

My main act of revolt is silence. I swear, as long as I live, never will say anything to Nick. That's my line, my religion, my new identity. That's who I am, the boy says nothing. Nick observes of course nothing. He strides past the courts and says something to me and I will not answer. He shrugs. But the other kids see that I give no answer. My status is rising.

One reason why Nick does not notice is that he is busy organizing a tournament which he juniors from across the country hopes to attract. Then I think a great idea, a new way to Nick rods. I tell one of his people that I know of someone in Vegas who would be cut for this tournament. He has incredible talent, I say. He always brings me into trouble when we play against each other.

What's his name?

Perry Rogers.

This is a real teaser. Nick's goal in life is to discover new stars and there are tournaments during show it off. New stars provide attention. New stars raising the status of the Bollettieri Academy and strengthen Nicks image as a leading tennis coach. And yes, a few days later, Perry received a ticket and a personal invitation to fly to Florida toernooi.Hij and take a taxi to the Bollettieri Academy. Once we see each other, we hug each other and grinning at the joke that with Nick tricks.

To whom should I play?

Murphy Jensen.

Oh no, but that's very good!

Do not worry. This is only a few days. Now let's party.

One of the many perks for the children who participate in the tournament, a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa. The bus to the amusement park I bring Perry informed, on my public humiliation and how miserable I find the Bollettieri Academy. And at the Bradenton Academy. I say that I probably will drop. But he did not understand. For the first he understands my problem. He loves school. He dreams of a good college on the East Coast to go right and he wants to study.

I start on something else. I ask him about Jamie. She asked me to? What does she look like? She wears my ankle? I tell him that I had a special gift for Jamie wants to convey. Maybe something fun of Busch Gardens.

That would be nice.

We are less than ten minutes Busch Gardens or Perry sees a stall with all toys. On a high shelf sits a giant black and white panda, legs apart, with his red tongue out of his mouth.

André, you must give to Jamie!

Yes, but that is not for sale. You have to win the prize for that panda to get, and no one wins this game. It's a trick. And I do not like tricks

plan B

In my portfolio I have the credit card that my dad gave me for emergencies. And I think this is a real emergency. I go to the airport. By this time tomorrow I'll be in Perry's bedroom to tell him this story. I keep my eyes open for searchlights. I expect every moment the distant sound of bloodhounds to hear. I stick my thumb up.

It stops a car. I do the door, to throw my suitcase in the back. It's Julio, Nicks law enforcement. He says that my dad on the phone, at the Bollettieri Academy, and he wants to talk to me. Now.

The bloodhounds were'd rather have.

I tell my father that I want to go home. I tell him what Nick did.

You dress like a cousin, my father says. I think you deserve.

I try plan B.

Pops, I say, Nick spoils my game. I practice only from the baseline, we never work on my netgame. We never work on my service and my volley.

My father says he will have to be with Nick. He also says that Nick has promised him that my punishment will last only a few weeks. Nick wants to show who's boss. It is unacceptable that a child breaks the rules. He must somehow show that discipline reigns.

Then my father said again that I stay. I have no choice. Click. Dial Tone.


Julio closes the door. Nick picks up the phone and tells me that my father has instructed him to grab my credit card.

Give him my credit card? No way! The only thing I could ever come from? Over my dead body.

Nick tries to negotiate with me and suddenly I know: This man needs me. He has sent Julio behind me, he called my father and now he tries to get hold of my credit card. He said I had to leave and when I left, he brought me back. I have his challenge. Despite all the trouble I cause, I am important to him.

By day I am a model prisoner, I weeded out weeds, clean the toilets clean, wear proper tennis clothing. But at night I'm the masked avenger. I steal a runner from the Bollettieri Academy and late at night, when all others are sleeping, I go on raids with a few other disgruntled guys. Although I confine myself to harmless things like throwing shaving cream bombs, spraying walls with graffiti my companions. On the door of Nick's office inject
Nick the Dick
. And as Nick the door to clean, they do it again.

My main henchman during these nocturnal trips Roddy Parks is the guy who beat me long ago to the day I met Perry. But Roddy is caught. Betrayed by his slapie. I hear that Roddy was dismissed.