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Last year, Skip had signed up for baseball-to him, an exercise in futility,
considering the fact that he had never been able to hit or catch. In pickup or
organized basketball games, he had never scored a basket. Early on, he had
made peace with the realization that he was not the kind of athlefe his dad hadi
been Still, tomorrow marked the start of football tryouts, and he expected his dadi
to invite him into the backyard to practice kicking before dinner.
"Skipt" called Dad, right on cue. "Come on out."
T'm coming," answered Skip
Skip looked around the yard for the kicking net. But he didn't see one.
Instead, Dad motioned him over to the grill where he had laid out a tray of raw
hamburgers, hot dogs, and some vegetables
"I thought I'd teach you how to get perfect grill marks," said Dad
"But I thought we were going to kick footballs," said Skip
"Not tonight. Your uncle Bobby says you were a natural when you helped him with
his last catering gig. But believe it or not, I taught him everything he knows," said
Dad with a chuckle. "Now watch this."
Dad arranged the hamburgers on the grill and explained how to angle each
piece to get the perfect crisscross pattern. When he was about to place the
vegetables on the grill, Skip said, "Wait" He went to the kitchen and returned with
skewers and a small knife. He cut up the vegetables, then he put the cut vegetable
on skewers. "This is a better way to char them and put a little crisp on the outside,
he explained
Bobby's right. You really do know a thing or two about food," Dad said.
For the rest of the evening, there was no mention of football or any other
tryouts. They ate and chatted about grilling, and Skip let on how much he enjoyed
watching cooking shows on TV
"Really? I know you have a lot of interests, but I had no idea you were into
food shows said Dad "Some of those chefs are amazing," he added
Then Skip said, "Dad, I need to be straight with you"
"About what?
"I really don't want to play football-or baseball or basketball," responded
Skip T'm not the athlete you were, and I don't want to be."
His dad stiffened slightly, but his face portrayed nothing of the
disappointment Skip expected. Instead, he said, "Fair enough. It's just that you're
so into running, I assumed that, like me, you could play team sports, too."
"Maybe I can," said Skip "I just don't want to I like so many other things-
like cooking"
"Well then, Let's see what Bobby can teach you about "began Dad
before Skip stopped him
T'd rather learn from the best, Dad"
A warm grin spread across his father's face. "You've got it, Skip," he said.
6 of 10 Answered
7
Based on the passage, Dad can best be described as
OA. unaware or inattentive
OB. uncaring or inconsiderate.
OC. demanding and inflexible.
D. understanding and accepting
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