Not an Easy Win

The next day, Lawrence is unsure of where to go, so he walks to Granny’s nearest neighbor, Mr. Dennis. Mr. Dennis invites him inside and, while he eats, asks Lawrence why he isn’t in school. Lawrence confesses that he was expelled.

Without explaining where they are going, Mr. Dennis tells Lawrence to get into his truck. Instead of driving toward town, they drive in the opposite direction—where Lawrence has never been. Eventually, they come to a building with a sign that reads “Carver Recreation Center.”

Inside, Mr. Dennis instructs Lawrence to help him. They spend the next hour setting up the rec center, putting up chairs, and setting up ping pong tables and the basketball court. At eight o’clock, Mr. Dennis introduces Lawrence to Junior, the owner of the rec center, which is the only county-funded rec center in the area. Although they currently have no children before school, Junior tells Lawrence that dozens will come after school. Lawrence spends the day with Mr. Dennis and Junior, eating lunch that a woman named Ms. Linda brought. Then, that afternoon, the kids arrive.

Lawrence is excited when he sees Black children of all ages who show up.