Rebound

Charlie and his mother don’t talk much during the drive, and when they do talk, conversation is strained. His mother wants to listen to his father’s favorite music and offers to stop to get something for them both to eat. Charlie responds curtly, only speaking up to object to the restaurant his mother chooses.

After stopping for food, Charlie’s mother continues to listen to his father’s favorite song, crying as she does.

Charlie complains that it’s too hot in the car: His stomach hurts and he can’t eat his lunch. His mother turns the air conditioning on.

Charlie’s mother remarks that sometimes people stay quiet because they’re struggling not to say something important. She suggests asking each other questions. Charlie agrees but does not want to go first.

Charlie’s mother’s question is a joke, which irritates Charlie. After objecting to the game, he agrees to ask his mother a question: if she loved his father. He accuses her of acting like everything is “normal,” and she tells him that “things will never be normal for [her] again.” (151). She begs Charlie to talk to her.

Charlie doesn’t respond aloud, but he recalls his father’s final day in the hospital. His father was looking better and his health was improving. However, while Charlie’s mother was in the bathroom, his father experienced a sudden stroke and passed away. Charlie struggles with the finality of his father’s death, wondering if he’ll ever feel like himself again.

Charlie thinks about how his father’s death doesn’t “feel real,” reflecting on how awful it feels when he suddenly remembers his father is gone.

Charlie and his mother arrive at his grandparents’ house. His grandparents are sitting on the porch waiting for them.

Charlie’s grandmother approaches the car and asks her husband, Percy, to get the luggage; from Charlie, she asks for a hug, telling him he is “handsome like [his] father” and almost losing her wig (156).

Charlie’s mother tells him to get his bags, and Percy echoes this, praising the value of hard work. Charlie hates his grandfather’s motivational “corny rhymes” and expects the summer to be terrible.

Charlie describes the delicious dinner his grandmother has prepared for him, which includes fried chicken and jalapeno cornbread.

The family converses over dinner, and Charlie keeps his responses short. His grandparents ask him about school, grades, and his enjoyment of the food. His grandmother reports that Charlie’s cousin, Roxie, is excited to see him; she also offers Charlie more food.

Charlie gets to have grape soda with dinner—something his mother usually doesn’t let him have. After dinner, his grandfather tells Charlie that there’s “work to do” (164).

The grandparents debate whether Charlie needs to get straight to work. Percy tells Charlie that he has one job this summer, and that job is “to be on the team. To get in the game when the coach calls on [him]” (166). Although Alice insists that Charlie has had a long day and needs to rest, Percy brings Charlie outside to mow the grass.

Charlie wishes he were at Disney World—somewhere he previously told his mother was the last place he wanted to go.

Charlie cuts the grass as his grandfather coaches him from the side. Percy’s friend, later revealed to be the police chief, comes to chat with Percy, distracting him from his observation of Charlie.

Charlie’s mother asks how his time was with his grandfather, and Charlie compares it to hard labor. She tells him she is leaving in the morning. Charlie asks her if she is going to find another husband, noting that second husbands sometimes abuse children from the previous marriage. His mother assures him she will not be seeking another partner in the near future and says that she will take care of Charlie no matter what. She tickles him playfully, but they both end up close to tears.

Charlie wakes up to jazz music and the smell of breakfast.

Percy tells Charlie that he needs to get dressed and meet him on the porch. Charlie wonders where they are going since his grandmother is still making breakfast.

Charlie finds out that his grandfather walks down the road to the lake and back every morning before breakfast.

Percy and Charlie walk together, Percy chiding Charlie for falling behind. Percy says that Charlie’s mother is too easy on him and that he himself didn’t have an easy upbringing; his mother used to whip both of her boys with a stick when they misbehaved. He also tells Charlie that his brother died serving in the war, praising him for serving the US.

At the lake, Percy skips rocks. When Charlie tries, his rock sinks.

Percy teaches Charlie how to skip a rock and asks if he plays any sports; he notes that Charlie’s father could have been better at various sports than he was and advises Charlie to take the time to practice with his own son. He invites Charlie to go to the Boys and Girls Club, where he works part-time. Charlie is noncommittal.

Charlie eats the delicious breakfast his grandmother prepared. He tells her he is thinking about going to the Boys and Girls Club with his grandfather. Percy tells Charlie, whom he calls “Chuck,” to hurry up.

Charlie and his grandfather pick up Roxie, whom Charlie remembers as “short, shy, / kinda goofy” (184). The current Roxie is much taller and “walks / like there’s music / in her roots” (185). She has a basketball with her and hits him in greeting.

Roxie immediately tells Charlie about her grades, basketball camp, and her wish to watch the Lakers play. She tells him she is sorry about what happened with his father. Charlie wishes she wouldn’t talk so much.

Once at the Boys and Girls Club, Charlie goes into the gym to read his comics, pretending not to watch Roxie shoot. He admires her skill.

Roxie loudly invites Charlie to join her and the boys she’s playing with. He refuses, thinking about how good Roxie is and how shabby his shoes are.

In a comic-style illustration, Charlie daydreams of being a basketball superstar. He is muscular and wears a cape. He dunks the ball in honor of his father, but the last panel shows him sitting on the bleachers, making up excuses about playing later.

On the ride home, Roxie falls asleep after recounting how many shots she made. Percy makes the children listen to jazz.

Percy compares jazz to an engine about to make a car speed off. The children don’t understand.

Percy compares different jazz musicians to different types of cars and says jazz will take a person wherever they desire. Charlie questions what will happen if one doesn’t know their destination, and his grandfather assures him that jazz will take him where he needs to be.

Charlie tells his mother about his day; she laughs when he describes his grandmother’s wig falling off. Charlie remembers he has not laughed in a long time.

Charlie tries to sneak out of his room for a snack on Saturday morning, but his grandfather hears him from outside and tells him to get dressed to join him.

Percy explains to Charlie that both he and Alice are already doing chores, so Charlie needs to work too. Alice approaches, asking Charlie if he is hungry and telling Percy not to work him too hard.

Percy puts Charlie to work picking apples and peaches; Charlie will have to jump to pick each one.

Charlie gets to work, finding he has to take a running start to make a large enough jump to retrieve the fruit.

Charlie continues the routine of waking up and walking with his grandfather. They meet Mr. Smith, Percy’s friend, and Charlie agrees to walk his dog. He realizes he misses Harriet Tubman.

At breakfast, Charlie’s grandparents talk about the Fourth of July cookout. They agree not to invite “Uncle Ted,” as he has been involved in illegal activities and they don’t want him around the grandchildren. Charlie begins to joke with his grandparents, matching his grandfather’s rhymes with one of his own.

Charlie joins Percy and Roxie at the Boys and Girls Club again. Roxie has Charlie help her with basketball drills, and Charlie starts to participate, though unsuccessfully.

Charlie leaves the gym to play Pac-Man, but at the end of the morning, Roxie comes to ask Charlie for help.

Roxie frantically asks Charlie to sub in her three-on-three basketball game because one of her teammates has gotten hurt.

Roxie pressures Charlie to join the game. Charlie is hesitant but agrees.

Roxie demonstrates her basketball skills and scores. Charlie wishes he were as good as she is.

Charlie trips on himself while defending, and the other team scores.

Charlie apologizes. They resume playing, and Charlie and Roxie’s teammate, Khalil, blocks a shot, slamming it into the crowd of 20 in the bleachers. The crowd, including Percy, cheers enthusiastically.

Roxie makes a plan to isolate her defender and score on him.

Charlie heads to his corner as instructed only to find that things aren’t going as planned.

The boy who was supposed to follow Charlie doesn’t, instead double teaming Roxie. She passes to Charlie, who doubts himself.

In a comic-style illustration representing the action of the game, Charlie scores with an outside jumper.

The spectators roar in celebration, and Charlie compares the celebration to the response to a sermon in church.

Roxie tells Charlie he has skills but needs a teacher. She offers to teach him at the park after they leave the Club.

Charlie’s grandfather buys Roxie and Charlie Krispy Kreme doughnuts and chocolate milk in celebration.

Roxie and Charlie practice free throws all afternoon, so Charlie misses his mother’s call. His grandmother tells him that she updated his mother about his winning shot and that his mother was happy for him.

That night, Charlie receives a message from CJ asking him to answer her letters, and his family teases him about her.

CJ’s message explains that she misses him, updates him on Skinny’s summer, and asks him to write back.

The family teases Charlie for the rest of the night.

The next day at the Boys and Girls Club, Roxie asks Charlie to play again. He is hesitant. His grandfather pushes him to join, talking about seizing the day. Roxie refers to this as “Granddaddy’s instructions for better living” (235).

Charlie and Roxie practice all morning, and Charlie even continues practicing on his own before heading to play video games.

Percy drives Roxie and Charlie home as the children complain about how hot it is. Charlie jokes with his grandfather, and they listen to jazz.

Charlie’s grandmother gives him some soda and tells him that there will not be any morning walks for a while, as Percy’s knees are sore. Charlie “guess[es]” that he (Charlie) is happy about this.

Charlie and Roxie practice more, and Charlie notices himself getting better.

The family cleans the attic. Roxie is there to help and invites Charlie to play afterward, but he decides to stay with his grandparents. Percy accuses Charlie of wanting to read comics all day, and Alice reminds him that Charlie’s father did the same thing, giving Charlie a stack of comic books from the attic.

Charlie reads about the Black Panther hunting the Fantastic Four.

After reading for hours, Charlie notices that he feels closer to his father, though he worries that means his father’s ghost is present.

When Charlie gets up to use the bathroom, he hears music playing in the living room and goes to investigate. His grandparents are sitting on the couch, holding hands and listening to a jazz song that his grandfather plays every morning. Charlie asks if they are okay.

His grandmother takes him back to his room, telling Charlie that this song reminds his grandfather of Charlie’s father and that this is how he copes with the loss.

Charlie’s grandmother reiterates that Percy misses Charlie’s father. She assures him that crying is okay, and he reveals how “unfair” losing his father feels. He sobs and thinks about how much he misses his father as she holds him.

Charlie wishes he could be like a superhero, battling trouble, heartache, and sorrow. He wishes he could hug his father.

Charlie wishes he could talk to his mother and stop remembering his father. He wishes for “normalcy.”

Charlie doesn’t wake up until midday, when Roxie appears, inviting him to play basketball.

Charlie and Roxie practice rebounding.

After Charlie showers, his grandfather informs him that Uncle LeRoy (Roxie’s father) has arrived to take him somewhere.

Charlie finds out he gets to go see the Harlem Globetrotters—a present for Roxie’s academic performance. Uncle LeRoy is taking Charlie and Roxie to the game. Charlie looks forward to having fun.

Charlie compares LeRoy to his own father, noting that they don’t look much alike but have similar laughs. Charlie’s grandmother takes a picture of the group before they go.

LeRoy, Charlie, and Roxie sit in seats at the top of the arena, and it is hard to see the court.

Charlie is mesmerized by the skills of the Globetrotters, referring to them as “magicians.”

Comic-style illustrations depict the Harlem Globetrotters’ incredible skills. Charlie wishes he was out there with them and describes their skills as “supernatural.”

The emcee announces that one lucky fan will be selected to play HORSE with a famous player, with the chance to win a signed ball.

As the emcee narrows down the winner to their section and row, Roxie gets increasingly excited. She screams when the seat number—402—is announced.

Uncle LeRoy tells Roxie to support Charlie, who just won, instead of feeling jealous.

Charlie goes to the court to compete.

Charlie plays HORSE with a Globetrotter. Even though he is not able to dunk like a professional, he is very excited to receive a signed basketball.

Roxie is still upset that she did not get to participate in the halftime show. Charlie gives her some candy.

Uncle LeRoy, Roxie, and Charlie ride the train home. As they leave the station, someone shouts Charlie’s name.

It’s Skinny who called out; he’s entering the station.

Skinny reminds Charlie that he is visiting DC until the Fourth of July. He is with his cousin Ivan. Skinny tells Charlie about his job at the arcade and tells him that CJ and he are just friends. Charlie invites Skinny to the Boys and Girls Club.

When Charlie returns home, he finds a letter from CJ.

In her letter, CJ informs Charlie of her summer activities, which include walking Harriet Tubman and roller skating.

As the letter continues, CJ informs Charlie that Old Lady Wilson had a fall but is okay.

Charlie rereads the letter as he falls asleep. The letter makes him smile.

Charlie and Roxie continue to practice. She tells him he needs to work on his crossover. 

Charlie wants to continue practicing even when it gets dark.

Charlie plays pickup games at the Boys and Girls Club the next day instead of playing video games and reading comics.

Charlie notices his skills improving, even if he doesn’t score a lot. He wins the pickup game with Roxie and Wink.

Charlie is pleased to discover that Skinny has come to watch him play. After Skinny’s awkward attempt to flirt with Roxie, Charlie admires Skinny’s new Air Jordans. Skinny tells Charlie he needs a pair too and says his other cousin, Randy, works at a Foot Locker.

Skinny asks Charlie to come to a skating party on the Fourth of July, but Charlie informs him that he has a family reunion to attend. Skinny presses him, and Charlie tells him he might be able to come to the party.

Charlie is jealous of Skinny’s shoes and wishes he had a pair, imagining they would make him a better basketball player.

Mr. Smith comes to Charlie’s grandparents’ house to ask if Percy, whom he calls “Iron Man,” is home. Percy is building a shed for Alice, and Mr. Smith, whom Percy calls “Smitty,” asks why Charlie is not helping. Charlie escapes to ask Roxie to play basketball.

Charlie tries to initiate practice with Roxie. He is surprised to find she is putting on makeup and going to the movies with some girlfriends. She tells him they have a big game on Friday against their rivals at the YMCA.

Charlie practices alone.

In comic-style illustrations, Charlie envisions his basketball greatness as he practices.

Charlie returns home to find his grandfather and Mr. Smith sitting on the front porch. Mr. Smith pretends to point a gun and yells for Charlie to freeze, which scares him. The adults laugh at their jokes. Charlie’s grandmother then invites him inside.

Charlie’s grandmother shows him old family photos.

Charlie sees pictures of his grandfather and great-uncle and hears the story of how his grandmother and grandfather met.

Percy learns about his grandfather’s brother. Alice compares Percy and Jordan, stating that Percy was sweet and Jordan was wild and charismatic. She remembers how hard she fell in love with Percy.

Alice shows Charlie a picture of his father. She describes him as handsome and a wonderful son, which Percy, walking in, disputes.

Percy explains that Joshua was aimless until war “made a man out of him” (313); Alice suggests that Charlie’s mother also helped Joshua to mature. Percy tries to stop the “reminiscing,” but Alice says, “We can all use some good remembering from time to time” (314).

Later that night, Charlie calls his mother, leaving her a message and telling her he is excited to see her on the Fourth of July. He asks for Air Jordans; he also wants to be excused from the party early so that he can play basketball.

Percy yells for Charlie to come to the phone. Charlie assumes it is his mother calling back, but it is CJ.

CJ and Charlie chat about their summers. CJ notices that Charlie seems happier. She updates him on Old Lady Wilson and tells him she has sent him a surprise. She ends the call by saying, “Smooches.”

Charlie fondly remembers how his parents used to put him to bed; his father would call from his night job just to say goodnight. He notices that he is starting to feel more normal and that thinking about his father is not as frightening as it once was.

The next day is the basketball tournament against the YMCA team. Roxie warns Charlie not to “screw up,” and he notices that many people have come to watch.

Charlie sets a screen so Wink can score a left-handed layup.

Charlie, Roxie, and Wink are winning with a score of 18 to 16. Charlie’s defender tries to insult him. Charlie crosses him with the basketball and drives to the hoop to score a layup. He talks back to his defender.

Charlie earns a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the other team scores a point.

Charlie’s team is now losing, but Percy yells to Charlie to “Grab them apples” (330). Charlie jumps and gets a rebound.

Charlie gets the ball and gets double-teamed.

Charlie is shocked that he has been double-teamed. He passes the ball to Roxie to make the game-winning shot, but she misses.

The other team taunts Roxie, telling her she should play on a girls’ team. As she becomes angry and aggressive, Charlie and Percy take her out of the gym.

Roxie cries on the way home, and Charlie gives her advice. He assures her that she is the best basketball player he has ever seen and that it’s fine to be disappointed as long as she doesn’t give up. Percy, who is driving them home, smiles and approves of this advice. Charlie is confident they will win next time because of his drive to “ be / the hero / in [his] story” (339).

Charlie gets home to find a package from CJ. Inside, he finds a picture and a spiral notebook. CJ hopes he will start to journal.