Rob d. Me: 7-6 (8)

Now, I cant put head to pillow and cap off this amazing Easter weekend, this amazing week, without acknowledging something. A few days ago, Rob and I played tennis. He won. In a tie-break. 8-6. Cant get much closer than that. I dont remember too much about the match leading up to the even set and a tie-break. The usual, Im sure. Me, somehow, breaking Rob's serve (when the guy connects...the guy CONNECTS) and, in turn, Rob breaking my serve to even things out. I do, however, recall the tie break. Rob was up 6-4. Somehow, I was able to even it out to 6-all and I clearly remember getting a bit pumped up, more than a bit pumped up and sprinting on the changeover in an attempt to jangle his confidence. "Im in this set!!!" I wanted to tell him. Rob had both serves on his racket. The first, a big serve, I managed to get back. And so did Rob for a forehand winner as I went up to the net. (Strange strategy. Rushing the net when I dont have much of a net game and on a tight tie break too? I think I was already caught mid court and just inched forward.) I returned the next serve and, again, headed for the net (I was mid court, too, at this point. Gotta work on my court positioning). Netted the forehand. Match over. (Gotta work on my jangly forehand, too.) Rob deserves big credit for winning this match. We went to not one, not two, but three courts til we found an empty one. Couldnt use our usual court. Ended up in Fernwood in between a basketball court (where, amongst other distractions, three kids were smoking up. Had to laugh at that one) and another tennis court being used by about 6 or 8 kids, ages 3 to 13, marginally watched by two adults. Kids were running in and out of our court, on foot and on a skateboard and, at one point, a black lab joined in the fun and kept criss-crossing the court. Tennis is a physical game as much as it is a mental one. Rob was the better man on both counts on the plays that counted. Kudos. Kudos.

No pictures though. Even for a loss, it was a beautiful day. Trust.