Annie
I appreciate it somewhat academically, but watching him & my half sister play tennis, I understand what a good father my dad is. She is pretty good, ducking and swinging, she places the ball with consistent accuracy, but she doesn't have confidence. When asked if she wanted to be on the school team she declined - saying that the other girls were too good for her. Peter (dad) is encouraging though, and when she runs at the net and puts the ball just out the back corner, he says "stay there," and lobs it back at her. She takes it from the net straight down at his feet, forcing him to dance back to catch it - back and forth, they volley for a few minutes, my dad running about, Annie jumping at the net, bringing the fuzzy green ball down hard, working the edges. "Her backhand is amazing," I think, watching them from the bench. It could be sad. I think, though, that I'm old enough now that I don't have to mourn my missed opportunities. I just take pleasure watching Annie driving it at the net, and her dad returning it, back & forth.