I am not a total loser when it comes to sports, but volleyball is definitely not my thing. Renzo is practically jumping out of his skin as he watches a nearby group of kids playing a friendly game of volleyball. I walk over to the court with him as he attempts to join the next game, but I make it clear that I intend to remain on the sideline.
I know I have described Renzo as athletic, but I may have failed to mention that he is extremely competitive. I don’t know much about volleyball, but I do know that in this particular game, Renzo has met his match. There are four players on each side of the net, but Renzo and “his match” on the other team, stand out among the other players. It is a very close game. In the end, Renzo’s team loses and he takes it hard.
Renzo has been irritable all afternoon. Not being a competitive type myself, it is difficult for me to relate to Renzo’s bad mood. I think it through a bit and come up with an idea. I remind Renzo that I love playing strategic board games like chess. I find the best games are against people that are as good or better than I am. Every time I lose a game of chess, I become that much better at playing it.
So, for the rest of the trip, when I feel like lounging around on my beach towel or searching for shells along the beach, Renzo plays volleyball against “his match,” also known as Felicity.