Trophy Son(51)

Kristie clapped, along with about half the people there. Class act. Panos had a smile etched in stone. He’d lived this too long to be surprised. I supposed he thought he might have had this day to himself, and he really might have if I hadn’t just taken over number one. Bad luck.

“Panos and Anton grew up thick as thieves. Of course Anton was always the better player and while I was always pushing Anton on the tennis court, by the way, you’re welcome, tennis fans, Panos was always pushing Anton to the movie theater or to some goof-off.” He belly-laughed as though this had been a resounding punch line delivered spectacularly.

“The truth is,” he went on, “Panos played an important role then. I could be very hard on Anton. You have to be hard if you want greatness. You have to break things down then build them back up, and Panos was always there to help build Anton back up. Through all the years of hard work, sweat, frustration, anxiety that it all may not work out, through all that chaos, Panos was a trusted friend, confidant, ally. Exactly what it means to be a brother.”

These were all nice sentiments to express, maybe if I were inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Even though he kept trying to round it back to Panos, thinking he was doing good, the entire context was wrong. I looked at Mom who wouldn’t look at me.

“And so I say to you, Kristie, that not only do you have a good and loving husband in Panos, but you have, and I speak for our family, all of us.”

She should decline the offer. She toasted though, then walked over to Dad and hugged him. He gave her a long embrace, certain he’d done something to be proud of.

I stood without attacking my water glass. Others around me started clinking and eyes turned to me for the best man toast.

“My favorite memories in my life all involve Panos.” Kissing Ana and getting the number one ranking are up there, the rest are all with Panos. “Growing up I was OCD. I don’t mean that as a euphemism for uptight. I had a strong case of the real thing.” I looked at Panos. “I would marvel at my older brother. How did he make living look so easy? How did he make fun come so naturally? If I could draw up a perfect day, it would be to walk to the creek by our old house with our old fishing rods and spend the afternoon sitting on the bank of the creek fishing with Panos. Or going out to the movies with Panos. Or getting a ride with Panos to McDonald’s for lunch. Anything for more time with my older brother.” I looked at him. He had a smaller, relaxed smile. A real smile.

I said, “I still marvel at his charmed way of being.” I didn’t know Kristie well. Just small amounts of time here and there because I’d been on the road as long as they’d been together. I knew enough to like her and to know that they loved each other. “He meets and falls in love with a woman who has the same magnetism, the same way of lifting up everyone around them just by being there.” I raised my champagne glass. “To the bride and groom.”

Kristie came over and hugged me, followed by Panos. While he and I hugged, Dad appeared and hugged us both at once. He meant well, I was pretty sure.

Dad said to us, “Hey, I started working with this young kid at the club. Twelve years old and I’m telling you, he could be another you, Anton. Maybe better. Shows promise to be even better. Maybe not as athletic, but the mental toughness. Man.”

This was quite a backhand to my own mental toughness. Typical from him. “Not now, Dad.”

“Well, sure, of course. You fired me.”

“Not now, Dad,” I said again.

“Fine, you’re right.” He walked away. He was always worse with a few drinks.

The dinner part of the reception began to break up and people moved to the bar and dance floor. I found Panos and said, “I’m sorry about Dad.”

“Don’t be. We’ve always both been a little jealous of what the other has had.” He clapped my shoulder and said, “You’re handling him well.”

“So are you.”

“It’s not so hard,” said Panos. “I probably won’t spend much time with him again until we have a kid. Then not again until the next kid.”

I laughed. I hoped Kristie was having fun. Panos wanted to run away from his own wedding. A few of his groomsmen hustled over and circled us.

“Anton, let me shake your hand,” one of them said and we did. “The hand that held the rackets that played the best tennis in the world has touched my hand.” He held his own hand up and rotated it for inspection like it was now gold-leafed.

Most of Panos’s good friends were from his college tennis team so they were all very into the game. They were drunk and playing around but still nervous around me, like I was otherworldly.

Becoming number one had created that effect on people, especially because I spent my life in close proximity to the tennis tour and was surrounded by people connected to tennis. I had become a known name in the world at large but I didn’t live in the world at large. I lived in the tennis world where I was a god. Not the current-day Christian God who needs to be interpreted and defended. I was Zeus to ancient Greece, whose bizarre and humanlike qualities caused awe and fear. The more bizarre my demand, the more panic there was to see it done.

My life on the tour and people’s reactions to me had changed. Whatever transportation, clothing, accommodation, meal, beverage I wanted, someone would get it for me. If I wanted five thousand green M&M’s, and only green, someone would sort them out. A thousand pigs slaughtered in my honor, no one would question the justness.