Chinese Handcuffs Read Online Free PDF Page A

on the door. “Give me the password,” she teased.
    â€œWhat password? There’s no password.”
    â€œThat’s it,” Jennifer said through the door and flipped the latch.
    Dawn slipped in, saw the articles on the desk, and moved directly to them, touching them lightly, reverently. “It’s like you’re famous.”
    â€œA little,” Jennifer replied. She watched Dawn’s eyes, looked at the wonder, wishing there weren’t quiteso much worship, but embracing it at the same time.
    â€œThink you guys can win this game?” Dawn asked.
    â€œUm-hmm,” Jen said, “I think us guys can win this game.”
    Dawn looked back at the articles a little longer, moving them around. She had none of Jen’s physical toughness, as much lighter in build as she was darker in color. Dawn was the princess of the family, and Jen feared for her. “Is this Halfmoon chick as good as you?”
    â€œShe’s better than me.”
    Dawn’s head shot up. “Oh, no sir,” she said. “She’s not better. No one in the state’s better. It says so right here in this story.” She pointed to one of the clippings.
    â€œRenee Halfmoon is,” Jennifer said casually. “I’ve seen her play. There’s nothing she can’t do. She’s as sweet as anyone I’ve seen, boys or girls.”
    â€œYeah, but she’s not better than you,” Dawn insisted. “Look.” She pointed again to the clippings.
    â€œDawn,” Jennifer said impatiently, “most of the people who wrote those articles haven’t seen both of us play, and none of them has seen us play each other. Wait till you see her. I mean, God, she’s liquid. ”
    â€œShe’s still not better than you.” Dawn wouldn’t give it up.
    â€œOkay, little sis.” Jennifer gave in. “She’s not betterthan me. Tell me about seventh grade. You knockin’ ’em dead?”
    â€œIf she’s better than you,” Dawn said, unable to let this bad news pass, “how come there’s all this newspaper and TV stuff? And how come you said you guys will win?”
    â€œBecause she’s better . I’m tougher . Because the only people in the world who know she’s better are you and me. And when it’s all over, we’ll still be the only ones. Now how are things in junior high? You knockin’ ’em dead?”
    Â 
    Going into the fourth quarter of the Wenatchee game the score is dead even, and the Coliseum pulsates with intensity. Every word written by every would-be Ring Lardner from the weekly wheat town rags to the Seattle Times has come true. The two top triple-A girls’ teams in the state have just completed three quarters of the best run-and-gun basketball seen in Washington in a decade, with no hint of a letup.
    Jennifer Lawless sits on the bench, a wet towel draped over her head, listening to Coach Sherman map out the last quarter.
    â€œOkay, listen,” she says with a smile. “This is what it’s all about. From here on only one team in the statefinishes on a win. They’re good. They’re in good shape. They ain’t gonna fold, ladies. You’re gonna have to go after this one.”
    The players sit forward. “Yeah! Come on! Let’s get this! Let’s put it away!”
    â€œOkay,” Kathy says. “That’s what I wanna hear. Now you gotta pressure them. After every score, go to the full-court press. No score, go to the half-court. We’re hanging with them fine, so we’ll stay in a man-to-man. Don’t get too eager and watch the fouls, but play tight. If you get tired, pat your head and we’ll get someone in there for you. We can’t stop Halfmoon’s shot, so we’re going to have to deny her the ball. Make ’em work for every pass. Nothing easy. Jen, you’ve got only one foul, so get on her like a bad smell.”
    Jennifer nods