[SP EXCLUSIVE]

“My friends say I’m different since my mother died,” reported Greg while we rallied.

An experienced player who seemed to be blocking a much better player within, Greg had little expression on his face—his eyes rarely moved off the tennis ball; his body was stiff. Was he sabotaging with indifference or had he been on auto-pilot for years? Either way, there was another tale being told here.

“When did she die?”

“Six months ago.”

“So you’re here because… ?”

“I need help grieving.” He hit the shot solidly on the strings. Was this “ho-hum” response his way to deal with the loss of a mother?

I urged him forward. “What’s changed since her death?”

Greg ignored the question. “I didn’t speak at the funeral.”