“I can’t promise you guys anything. Trust me, if I could, then I would. I’ve learned that recently. But what I can tell you is if you pick me, I’ll work my ass off, day in and day out to help you win. I know my skills and they are only going to get better with your coaching staff and the competition. I was born to play this game.”
“Mr. Adams?” the assistant coach asks me.
“Please call me Bain.”
“Bain, I have to be frank with you. It concerns me that you didn’t finish playing your senior year. I’ve heard what happened to your sister, and I’m sorry. But with that, there are quite a few mixed rumors that I’m not sure I want on this team.”
“Thank you and believe me, I respect that. However, I had to make a choice this year. I lost a very important person in my life and was in no shape to be on the court. I knew if I was to force my playing, it would hurt me more than taking a step back, my parents needed me at home so that’s what I needed to do. I knew there was a chance of it jeopardizing my chances in the draft, but ultimately my family is number one. With the time off, I did a lot of soul searching and now know that I was born to play ball. I need it, plain and simple.”
The three men look at each other and nod their heads. “Well, that was just the answer we were looking for, son. Can we convince you to stay the rest of the week and show you around our beautiful city?”
“I’m flying back tonight, but talk to my manager. I’m not sure what he has booked for me, if it can work, I’d love too.”
“You’re a bright young man, Bain,” the head coach says and then continues, “I was hesitant in bringing you here, but after speaking with you and seeing you play, I’m going to do everything I can to make Memphis your home.”
“Thank you all for having me. I’m looking forward to that possibility.”
We exchange our goodbyes and I leave. Calling Arion the moment I’m outside, I need to talk to her. I can’t have this burden any longer. My life is moving fast and I want her by my side – I need her by my side.
I think I’ve flipped through the channels on the TV about a gazillion times. Aubrey, God love her, ran to get us some dinner while I sulk in my jobless and Bainless existence. I know I should talk to him and work past things. But I can’t. I just can’t. I fucking can’t. Yes, something is seriously fucking wrong with me and I know it.
Finally, I land on the news. It’s the only thing that seems somewhat interesting. It’s sad, but dammit, so am I. Rolling to my side, I seem to study the news anchor more than what he is saying and notice how he resembles Bain. They are both tall, have short brown hair, and I bet this guy has tattoos hidden underneath his suit.
Aubrey comes through the door, taking my mind off the news. She lifts the pizza box and smiles at me. “I got your favorite.”
“Thanks, babe,” I say turning the TV down.
“Of course.” She sets it down and grabs two beers from the refrigerator and some paper towels. “Did you miss me?” she asks jokingly.
I nod my head; she always makes things better, so much better. I haven’t eaten much, lately and finally feel like I can stomach something, thank God. She sits down and we each grab a slice, watching the news. That’s one of the things about Aubrey, she doesn’t pry or make me get deep with things, she lets me just be.
“Holy shit, did you hear about this, A?” she asks as the news anchor starts to talk about a prisoner of war. “I meant to tell you yesterday, it’s been all over the news.”
“In news across the US, thirty-one-year-old Darren Spars finally returned home to his quiet town of Kittredge, Colorado after being held captive for almost a year. Spars was missing and presumed dead, before bravely escaping from captivity in Afghanistan. Authorities aren’t saying much about how or why he was taken. Darren has since asked for privacy, while he readjusts to life at home with his wife and three children. In other news…” The reporter trails off into another story and I can’t believe how lucky that man is.
“Pretty crazy, huh?”
I can’t answer her as I’m lost in my own crazy thoughts. My mind immediately goes to Nate. God, I wish that could’ve been him. But it can’t and never will be. They found enough DNA evidence among human remains from his last mission site to change his status from “missing in action” to “killed in action.” I just have to accept the truth and move forward, but it’s hard not to want to wish the truth away.