FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
It was the final calendar date of year 2021, Recks found himself spending the day after practice in his hotel room at the Courtyard by Mariott, reflecting on his year. The injury, his life, his family, his calling to the NBA. While he was grateful for the positive turn of events, Recks also felt a bit unease with how things were just so coming, but his train of thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Well, well, the champ is here", Recks greeted Khyri with a smile. The two hugged just as she entered the suite.
"Sorry, the Uber had the wrong directions getting here."
"That's okay, long as you got here safely." Recks takes Khyri's jacket and bag, perching them on the love seat.
"Great game you had last night."
"Eh, it was nothing special really. Mostly an easy night against Charlotte."
"18, 5, and 9? Yeah, you're right, it was nothing special", Khyri giggled
"Damn, ain't been here five minutes and already dissing me, where's the love?"
"Awe, I'm sorry, did I hurt Rexy Baby's feelings?" Khyri mocking Recks as she nudges him.
"Don't call me that" Recks retorted with disdain...
The two spent the evening watching ESPN highlights and conversating about old times, Khyri's rookie season, Recks' on-going season. their new lives in different cities and on the road.
"So, tell me Recks, how are everything with you really? You taking care of yourself?"
"Yeah, I'm aight. you know. It's been a crazy first month to my career. Trainer still not allowing me to push myself harder in practice cause of my knee. But, other than that, I'm okay... Couldn't be better."
"So, how come when I look in your eyes, I see this emptiness?" Khyri asked.
"What you mean?"
"I don't know... Just seem like something in your life is missing. Like, you're looking for that spark in your life."
Recks adverted his eyes away from Khyri onto the cup on the table before them, reaching for it, taking a swallow.
"I don't know Ky... Just... Seems like life is coming too easy all of a sudden for me. I can't honestly explain it. I get this eery feeling something is brewing in the unforeseen future."
"You know you can't be thinking like that Recks." Khyri places her hand behind his neck, soothing him. "Is there something specific that's bothering you?"
"I really can't call it. But it's just like one minute, everything is good, then the next, everything is taken from me. Next minute, it's given right back to me. Like, where is this life taking me?"
"Well, that is life for you. It's about give and take. But where you're at right now Recks, you earned it. You deserve it. A lot of people still wonder why you stayed for four years in college when you could've been one and done and been in the NBA already. But don't question where you're at cause you've earned your place here. And don't worry about where you going, you have to enjoy the ride. Life is spontaneous, full of ups and downs, you know that already. As long as you know where your destination lies, and you make it there, that's all that matters."
"For a 22 year old, you speak a lot of wisdom" Recks implied.
"Well, I've learned from the best. My parents were always in my ear with insightful things, I could've been a wild child running the streets of L.A., but they kept me right and true."
"Oh... I thought you was talking about me when you said the best" Recks side-eyed.
"You wish" Khyri retorted.
"Where's your destination? You know where you heading?" Recks asked.
"I thought I did. After making it to the WNBA, accomplishing so much in such little time, I don't know where I want to go now... But I'll know when I get there."
"Two kids lost in the sauce, damn shame."
"Really it is" Khyri agreed. "But, I'm glad it's you that I'm lost with. You've always had my back, so I know whatever we're trying to find, we'll find our way out and find it."
"Now, you're just trying to butter me up."
"So what, It's true though."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Listen, I know I haven't been the best girlfriend to you, I know how stubborn I can be. But you've been my best friend through all these years. Honestly, if it wasn't for Clinton bringing us two together, I don't know where I'd be or what I'd be doing."
"You'd be fine, you would've been doing great things with or without knowing me."
"I can't say so for sure. I honestly went to picked USC to go to cause of you. My Mom wanted me to stay in Fresno."
"Wait, wait, why cause of me?"
"Cause, at the time we were two peas in a pod. I wanted to stay close to you. Plus I loved you..." Khyri revealed to Recks as she goes into further details, even explaining why she even picked up playing basketball because of him.
"I see... How do you feel now? your feelings. You still love me?"
Khyri looks deeply into Recks eyes as she answers, "of course I love you. Always have and will. Even if we're incompatible together, you'll always have a home here in my heart."
"And there it is. Shunned to the abyss of the friend zone, as the gates closed and guarded by the Cerberus cock blocker."
Khyri couldn't help but laugh as Recks tries to sulk poetically. Recks looks at his phone, seeing unread messages from his agent and the time being 11:58pm. Finals minutes were closing on the year.
"It's been a hell of a year though. What with everything happening for us."
"Yeah it has. I'm glad it turned out how it did. We earned this. I'm even more happy for you. You had it rough and overcame everything." Khyri laid her head on Recks shoulder as he flipped to the news just as the countdown began to dwindle. Khyri takes the remote and turns off the television.
"You don't want to watch the ball drop?" Recks asked.
"Nah, I have a better idea." Khyri straddles Recks, both lip locking, enjoying each other for the moment. In the off distance at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, fireworks take off, lighting up the skies.
"Happy New Year, Ky"
"Happy New Year to you too."
The night goes off without a hitch or hindrance. Khyri stayed the night as both got familiar with one another once again in a night of passion. As the new year was being rung in, new events were awaiting them both. Some good, some bad, some drastic, uncertainty was the only thing for certain. Though Khyri took his mind off of it for the night, bad omens a track record of lingering around long enough to return. Or was it just a figment of his imagination?..
We ain't checking for Ben.
