Jimmy walked down the stairs of his school, still holding the concealed report card in his
hand. He had tried twice to open the envelope, but his hands were shaking so much that
he was afraid to look at it. Suppose he had failed. Suppose he had to take courses all over
again. Suppose he had to go to summer school. A lot of supposes, but he’d never know
unless he looked at his report card. School was over and he had a lot to look forward to.
Max had told him to show up as soon as school was over, jock strap and all.
Oh, heck, what am I afraid of. I’ll never know unless I look at it. With trembling hands,
Jimmy sat down on the stair step, and ripped open the envelope. He was afraid to read it
standing up. His hands were shaking so much that he had to prop his arms against his
thighs to read it. What the heck is wrong with me he thought. Here I’ve fought dozen of
fights, never, or at least never too nervous, and here I am afraid to look at a stupid report
card.
As Jimmy’s eyes focused and the words came into view, Hmm, Pt A+, sure that was to
be expected. He was always good in physical training, math, history, geography, not to
bad, a few C’s but no D’s, great, he thought. Maybe I’ll survive till my next report card.
He wondered how Frankie and Joey made out. He would ask them later. Maybe they
would go out and celebrate the end of a school season. It’s been quite a while since he
had some fig newtons and maybe an eggcream or a malted milk to wash them down. He
was just elated and couldn’t wait to tell his Mom, Max and Izzy. But more importantly,
he couldn’t wait till he got in the ring again. But he realized that he had to do a lot of
training until he got a fight again. After all, he hadn’t done any training for a real long
time, and he sure must be stale. But he would find out soon enough.
Jimmy’s Mom was pleased at his report card. but as a typical Jewish mother, she had to
add, “Jimmy, mebbe next time you could do better, no?” “Sure Mom, I’ll try my best.”
Jimmy’s hands were not shaking this time as he opened the door of the gym. It was early
Saturday morning, and he didn’t expect much action this early. But he was mistaken as
he was met with a barrage of hi Jimmy, welcome back, glad to see youse again, and all
sorts of alcades. Word had gotten out somehow that Jimmy was going to be there this
morning, and so a welcome committee was formed by Max and Izzy. There were at least
20 in the gym, including Max, Izzy and the rest of the staff, all anxious to welcome
Jimmy back to the fold. Jimmy tried to hold back the tears, but couldn’t. He hadn’t
realized that the had so many friends. He looked about him and there in the background
was Joey and Frankie. They knew this all the time, but wouldn’t say anything about it.
Of course Jimmy knew that they wouldn’t.
“All right, break it up” called Izzy, “let me look at you boychick, oh vey me, ya gained a
few pounds, didntcha?” Yeah, I guess so,” replied Jimmy. “Well, we’ll just hafta take
them off real quick like, okay” “ Anything you say Izzy,” said Jimmy.
Max was standing at the far end of the gym beckoning Jimmy to come over. “Hello
Jimmy, it’s nice to see you again, its been a long time.” Yes. it has,” replied Jimmy, “Too
long.” Come on in my office, and let’s talk a bit, okay?” “Sure, Max,” Jimmy replied.
“Jimmy, I’m gonna give it to ya straight. Some time ago you told me that all you wanted
to be is a fighter, that it was in your blood, and nothing else mattered. Do ya still feel that
way?” You know I do,” said Jimmy, “it’s all I think and dream about, and I went crazy
when ya said I couldn’t come to the gym anymore till school was over?” “Yes, I know,”
said Max, but ya know that it was for your own good, and also for your Mamas.” “But
Max, I can’t help it, I can’t help the way I am, nothing else matters. But I’ll do anything
you want me to, you know that.”
“Okay Jimmy, lets lay it on the line. Whatcha gonna do about your education. You cant
be a fighter, a good one, and work at it only part time. You’ve gotta give it all. You’re
gonna graduate soon, then what? Do you wanta go to college. I wanna do what’s best for
you and what your Mama wants. I can’t tell you what to do, it’s all up to you, I’ll ask you
this one last time, and I’ll never bring it up again. You’re like a son to me, and no matter
what your decision, nothing will change. Do you really and truly want to go on and be or
try to be the best fighter in the world, and except for your Mama, your friends, your
trainers, let nothing else matter, but your intense desire to be the greatest fighter you can
be, and let nothing interfere with that.” Jimmy looked at Max with tears in his eyes. He
never had anyone speak to him that way, and he truly knew now that he had a father. “
Max, I’ll work hard for you, I will be the fighter that you always wanted. I’ll do anything
you want of me. Yes, I am ready. And that’s the way it was.
