---

the basketball game

My buddy, James, has always been a big kidder. I've known him since we were in grade school, so now that we're in our forties, you'd think I could read him like a book. And you'd think wrong.

James is the king. He just has this face that looks so honest, it's impossible not to believe every word he says. Even when my better judgment tells me that he's lying, I can't bring myself to accept that. "Really?" I say over and over. Sometimes I even go further and insist, "You're not serious. I know you're not serious, man. Just give it up." But behind that façade of certainty, I have doubts. Big-time doubts. I might be making a moron out of myself-is he really telling the truth this time?

I've done the fake-out here and there, of course, with some success. I've seen my other buddy, Dave, try to fake James out before. But it's not really Dave's area of expertise, if you know what I mean. He doesn't know where to draw the line. I saw him try to make James believe that it was 2008 instead of 2007. That kind of thing just doesn't fly unless you're really, really good, or dealing with somebody really gullible. And forgetful. I'll never forget James' classic line from that incident: "Do you think I don't know when I gotta vote, man? You're an idiot."

I do have one good story, though. I'm taking James to a Knicks game. Should be a really good game, and we're both stoked. We've got great seats and a long weekend ahead of us. It's Friday night, and since we have to drive directly to the game from work, I'm in my work clothes, including my basketball cufflinks. They look pretty decent with the suit, kind of add some panache. When we get to the arena, James notices them.

"What are those, man? They look cool. Not your usual look."

"Are you kidding me? You've never seen a pair of cufflinks?" I reply. Then, in one of those moments of perfect clarity, the fake-out falls into place in my mind. Without missing a beat, I say, "These are the latest kind. I mean, cufflinks have been around for years. But now they come with an MP3 player in one and a walkie-talkie in the other."

"Are you serious?" Says James. His expression is a hilarious blend of 'you're not gonna trick me' and 'that's awesome.'

"Yeah, man, watch." I look around with pretend uncertainty at the bleachers. "I don't know if I'll be able to get reception in here, but I'll try." I squeeze one cufflink together for a second and then hold it up to my mouth.

"Babe, you there?" I say. Then I hold my wrist up to my ear and nod, like my wife is talking to me. "Say hey to James," I say, and hold the link up to James' waiting ear. He listens. After a second, he looks at me like, 'What's going on?'

"Is she not answering?" I say. He shakes his head. I hold the cufflink up to his mouth, and he says loudly,

"Hello? Amy?"

I hold it back to his ear. He shakes his head again.

"Must have lost her." I say.

"Man, I'm amazed that you even got her from in here. That's awesome." He replies seriously.

"Yeah, it is. Especially since there's no such thing as a freakin' cufflink with a walkie-talkie,"I yell. "You wanna hear some of my fake MP3's, too?!" I shout.

Ah yes. It was a good feeling, faking out the king.

About the Author

Whether your interests are in silver, gold, artistic, sports, or other theme-related cufflinks we've got you covered. Cufflink Aficionado carries a broad range of men's sports cufflinks designed to meet each connoisseur's individual style and interest. Our selection of basketball cufflinks is sure to top off that perfect look.

(saran). Submitted on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 Time: 9:49 AM

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Comments

No comments posted.

More articles in this Category

wetsuit for sale - go tough go adventurous

ymca youth basketball

pee wee football

joys of little league baseball

youth soccer and ring pops