Everything on the Line Read Free Page B

was passing by this very tennis court on Via di Brozzi he first laid eyes on Ugo Bellezza, this wunderkind with a world of potential and an extraordinary attitude, and he decided then and there that he, Virgilio Marotti, would help make this special boy into the best tennis player he could possibly be, perhaps surpassing anything the world of tennis had ever witnessed, and who knows on what wonderful odyssey that would take the both of them?
    It’s nearly 6 P.M ., there are eight minutes left in the workout, and it is time for the pezzo forte …
    The Great Knocking Over of Chianti Bottles Challenge!
    Giglio places three empty Ruffino Chianti bottles two inches inside the baseline, one in each corner of the court and one in the middle. He will hit balls to Ugo, who must move to his right, almost in the alley, and then, on the dead run, drill forehand drives toward each of three fiaschi until they are all knocked over. Six shots to knock over all three bottles is his personal record.
    Ready. Set. Here we go.
    Bling.
    Bling.
    Bling.
    Little Ugo Oakley has fired at and knocked down all the bottles in the minimum of three shots.
    A small crowd that has gathered courtside to watch the sharpshooting exploit explodes in wild applause. Oblivious to the clapping, a giggling Ugo pumps his fist in mock victory and joins Giglio on two plastic seats by the net while the crowd dissipates.
    Ugo’s tennis shoes are stained with red clay, as are his shorts, shirt, and wristlet. He presents to his coach the gift of a humongous smile.
    Giglio accepts the gift, wraps up the grueling pre-dinner hitting session with some food for thought.
    “So, caro , let me ask you a simple question.”
    Ugo is all ears.
    “What is the purpose of playing tennis?”
    “Allora…vincere, no?”
    “To win?” Giglio says. “Well, that is part of it, of course, but if that is your sole purpose, it will be much more difficult for you to achieve that goal. You see, winning is a by-product—”
    “A by-product ?—”
    “That means it will happen naturally when you have a more worthy goal, one that lifts your soul and your spirit, one that is above winning or, for that matter, money and fame.”
    Instinctively, Ugo is understanding.
    “Now, do you know what to express yourself means?” Giglio asks.
    “I guess that’s when you say what you are feeling inside?”
    “ Molto bene, ragazzo. But it can be something other than spoken words that are your tools. For instance, what are the tools an artist uses to express himself?”
    “Er, a paintbrush? Or maybe a…” Ugo gestures, gripping an imaginary tool and making a gouging motion, but stuck for the word.
    “Ah, un scalpello, a chisel ? Ottimo! ” Giglio says. “And the tools of a musician?”
    “A piano ( Ugo’s fingers play on an imaginary keyboard )…or a trumpet ( he toots an imaginary horn )…or a violin ( he moves his fake bow across nonexistent strings )…”
    “ Evviva! And a writer’s tools?”
    “A pen. Or a computer!” Ugo is getting into it big-time.
    “And the tool a tennis player uses to express himself?”
    Ugo looks down at his racquet and doesn’t need to say another word.
    “ Sì, hai ragione , you are right! Your racquet is your paintbrush and your chisel and your piano and your trumpet and your violin and your pen and your computer, all rolled up into one! And so, do not waste your time desiring only to win. This will come to you if you are faithful to expressing yourself with your racquet as well as you are able.”
    A teeny tear glistens in the corner of Ugo’s right eye.
    “Another way of putting it,” Giglio says, “is, well, have you ever heard the expression ‘ Se son rose fioriranno’ ?”
    Ugo shakes his head.
    “ If they are roses, they will bloom ,” Giglio continues. “If your tennis game, like your life, is focused on creating something beautiful and that feels good inside, then it will flower naturally, because that is what it was meant to do. It