Across the net was Dick Norman, a tall, redheaded Belgian with a booming serve. He’s a tough opponent under any circumstances, and this time my enthusiasm wasn’t in it. I should be home with Mom making funeral arrangements. The service would be at St. Anthony’s Church and prayers would be said for my dad. But Mom wasn’t home, either. She was in the stands, rooting for me. “It’s what Dad would’ve wanted,” she’d said that morning. With a heavy heart I recalled Dad’s reaction when I told him I was pulling out of the tournament. “I want to be by your side,” I said.

网的对面是Dick Norman，一个高个子、红头发的比利时人，他的发球很是迅猛。无论在什么情况下，他都是一位强劲的对手，而眼下我的心思却不在此。我应当在家里和妈妈一起安排葬礼。仪式在圣安东尼教堂举行，并会在那里念给爸爸的悼词。不过，妈妈也不在家里。她在看台上支持我。“爸爸希望如此”，那天早晨她说。怀着沉重的心情，我回忆起当告诉爸爸我退出比赛的事情时他的反应。“我想要在你身旁，”我说。