Run For It by Matt Christopher Page A

Paul rode their bikes home. As they rode, Paul said, “Pretty good game today.”
    “Yeah, it was, I guess,” Theo answered.
    “You
guess?”
Paul laughed. “Cut it out.”
    Theo joined in the laughter. “Okay, I
don’t
guess. I played better.”
    “A lot better,” agreed Paul. “That running catch you made saved at least one run. And coming all the way around from first
     to score! I felt like asking, ‘Who
is
that guy, and what has he done with Gee?’”
    “I’m definitely faster,” Theo admitted.
    “That’s true,” said Paul, “but it’s something else, too. A month ago, you wouldn’t even have tried to catch that ball. It
     isn’t only a matter of running faster. You were… more sure of yourself today. You can see that, can’t you?”
    Theo said, “You’re right. It’s true. Part of it is that I feel stronger and better since I started running. And part is something
     Steve LaMotta said when I met him.
    “There was this guy running on the track who gave me a hard time because I did something stupid. I didn’t know what I was
     doing, so I was on the inside of the track, which is supposed to be for the faster runners. And I wasn’t even running at the
     time. Later on, Steve said, ‘Guys like that don’t feel good unless they can make someone else feel bad.’
    “When Van started ragging me today, I remembered that. Van’s the same kind of guy. I knew that if I let it show that it bothered
     me, Van would win. So I didn’t. And you know what? It didn’t bother me.”
    “Because you know yourself better than Van knows you,” Paul said. “You really have changed, Gee.”
    Theo grinned. “Maybe. But I haven’t changed so much that I didn’t enjoy seeing Van look nervous about losing our bet.”
    After getting home and cleaning up, Theo phoned Marj and asked if she wanted any company. His aunt didn’t sound wonderful
     but said she’d be happy to see him for a little while.
    Marj was sitting up, which was good to see, but she seemed in very low spirits. She said to Theo, “You’re looking good, young
     man. You’re thinner and your skin has some color. You used to look like something that lived in tunnels underground and never
     got out in the sun.”
    “Well, I’ve gotten out of my tunnel,” Theo agreed. “I’m running and doing much better. I played softball today and didn’t
     do anything terrible. How are you feeling?”
    Marj closed her eyes. “Not all that great. I won’tlie to you, Theo. I’m tired of feeling tired. It gets old, you know what I mean?”
    “Sure, I understand,” Theo said. “But what I learned from what I’ve been doing is that it’s important to keep a good attitude.
     Really. And don’t give up. I played better ball today because I wasn’t thinking of myself like a loser. So you should try
     to keep thinking about how great it will be when you’re all better. It really helps. It sure helped me. And you know what?
     You
do
look better. You even sound better. I mean, you’re sitting up and you have a sense of humor again. You may think I’m crazy,
     but I can tell you’re doing all right.”
    “That’s what you think?” Marj asked. “You’re not just being nice to an old lady?”
    “I mean it,” Theo insisted. “You look stronger to me, even if you are tired. I bet you’ll be feeling much better real soon
     — if you don’t give up and quit.”
    Marj said, “Hey! Who’s coaching who around here?”
    “I’m just saying what I think,” Theo said. “And I think you’re doing pretty well. And that you can help yourself even more.”
    Marj’s expression seemed more cheerful than when Theo had arrived. “Listen, smart guy, do me a favor.”
    “Sure,” Theo said. “Anything.”
    “Stop by here more often, will you? You cheer me up.”
    “You got it,” Theo said.
    “And keep giving me those kind words. They make a difference. It’s hard to believe, but I actually feel better now.”
    “Good,” Theo said happily.