Chapter 23 #2
“Jazmyn!” She placed her bags on the floor as I stood to hug her. She held me for an extended period of time, and I let her. When she pulled away, she looked at me.
“We’re going to be okay,” she murmured.
I nodded. “I know.”
She kissed my cheek and then went to kiss my dad. I grabbed the bags she’d left at the door and carried them into the kitchen.
I made my way back into the living room, where my parents were talking.
“The other day I overheard a conversation where it seemed like Addison was indicating that you were in love,” Mom commented, the minute I sat down.
“Oh, um—I—um, what?” I stammered, completely blindsided.
My parents were two for two with the unexpected questions.
“Are you sure she wasn’t talking about the character in my book?” I asked, sidestepping what she was inferring. “Because she read some chapters, and we were talking about that the other day.”
“You writing this book isn’t getting in the way of your teaching, is it?” she wondered. “I have a contact in Maryland who knows of a program that prepares you to be a principal. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“I’m not interested in being a principal,” I told her.
“You should talk to Mr. Robinson and just hear him out. He could get you in—”
“I’m good, Mom. Thanks, but no thanks.”
She leaned forward. “I just think that would be good for someone like you. And it’s a more obtainable goal than getting a book published.”
Rising to my feet, I said, “I have some things to take care of.”
“Jazmyn, no, hear me out. Being a principal would—”
Dad put his hand on Mom’s knee. “Let’s not do this.”
“Do what?!” Mom exclaimed. “I just want the best for her!”
I walked to the bedroom, closing the door behind me. I got my laptop out of my bag and immediately realized that, in my haste, I’d forgotten the charger. But in my defense, I’d thought I was just going to be at Lamar’s overnight.
I guess I’ll just write until the laptop dies.
Before I started typing, I pulled my phone out and responded to the messages I’d gotten from Aaliyah and Nina to let them know I was okay. And then I called Lamar.
“Jazz,” he answered, his voice louder than the noise around him.
“Hey.” I glanced at the time. “Oh, sorry, you’re at the airport, aren’t you?”
“On the plane. We’re about to take off, but I didn’t want to miss your call. How’s Aunt Addy?”
I closed my eyes, allowing the sound of his voice and the care in his words to wash over me. “She’s not talking, and she looks smaller than she was when I left. But she’s still here.”
But I don’t know for how much longer.
That thought nearly took me out.
“I’m glad you’re there for her,” he said gently. “Is there anything I can do? Let me know how I can be there for you.”
Overwhelmed, I put my hand to my chest.
“You can play your ass off tomorrow,” I answered.
“I can do that. We’re about to take off. But if you need anything, I need you to tell me, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious. Anything you want, anything you need, just let me know.”
“I will. Thank you.” A small smile pulled at my lips. “Now have a safe flight and text me to let me know you landed.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and after ending the call, I put the phone over my heart and exhaled.
That man.
I knew he had feelings for me. He’d made a whole show of letting me know all the ways he wanted me. But when I’d said I wanted to be in a relationship with him, he’d hesitated. And even though I knew he said his schedule didn’t leave time for a relationship, his silence stung.
I knew he felt what I felt, but I wasn’t going to bring it up again. The last thing I wanted was to lose him. There were only four people who I let fully see me, and I was already losing one of them.
Picking up my laptop, I walked to my aunt’s bedroom and made myself comfortable in the chair in the corner. While Aunt Addy slept, I wrote. I was determined to complete the story as soon as possible.
She will know how the story ends, I thought with my fingers flying across the keys.
Jazmyn Payne: It’s late. I know you’re probably asleep.
I didn’t call you back because I didn’t want to wake you.
But I’m looking forward to watching you play tomorrow.
It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the game with my dad and my aunt, so it’ll be nice to be here with people I care about watching someone I care about live out his dreams. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be watching and rooting for you.
Your friendship means the world to me and I’m excited for you.
Your first league start is a huge deal! Have a good night and talk to you tomorrow.
Lamar Anderson: I was just about to hit you up to see how you were because I’m about to go to sleep. Leon is snoring his ass off.
I was about to text him back, but my phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered.
“What’s up, Jazz?” Lamar’s deep voice was a sexy, gravelly whisper that sent a chill down my spine.
My toes wiggled under the covers. “Hi.”
“You okay?”
“I’m okay. You okay?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to check on you,” he said with a yawn. “I needed to hear your voice before game day.”
My lips curled into a smile.
“I’m glad you called,” I murmured, placing my hand to my chest.
He was quiet. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure. Hearing from you helps. You make everything better.”
“You make me better.” He paused. “I’m glad I got a chance to talk to you.”
“Me, too. Now get some rest because it’s late and tomorrow is a big day.”
He let out a sleepy chuckle. “Okay.”
“And, Lamar?”
“Yeah?”
“Just focus on how talented you are. You’re excellent. Don’t worry about perfection. Be yourself. Be excellent. Play your game tomorrow.”
He was quiet for a second. “I like that. I got you. Good night, Jazz.”
“Good night.”
Lamar was a balm for my soul. I didn’t forget my pain existed, but he made me momentarily forget how bad it hurt.
Momentarily.
I knew Aunt Addy wasn’t getting better. But when I woke up Sunday morning and went to her room, she smiled at me.
She was weak and she didn’t say anything, but she smiled.
Monica hadn’t noted any change in her condition.
We all knew what was happening, but we didn’t know when it would happen.
I was ready to just call in to work and stay in Chance.
But I knew I needed to save my bereavement days for when it was time.
So, instead, I packed my stuff and planned to leave after the game.
Dad and I gathered in Aunt Addy’s room so the three of us could watch the game like we had when I was a child. After Dad mentioned I looked extra excited for kickoff, I felt compelled to text Lamar.
Jazmyn Payne: To see you live out your dream is inspiring and beautiful. You are inspiring and beautiful. You don’t have to be anything but you out there and it’s going to be enough. Play your game.
“When was the last time you went to a Monarchs game, Jazmyn?” Dad asked.
“It’s been a while. Maybe five or six years ago,” I answered, putting my phone down.
“Addison and I were supposed to go a couple years back. It’s so hard to drive all that way and then be at work on Monday.” He turned to his sister. “Ain’t that right?”
She looked at him and gave a small nod.
“Aunt Addy said something about wanting to go to a Monarchs game this summer.”
She closed her eyes and smiled.
I stared at her for a minute, waiting to see if she was awake or not. I glanced at my father, and he was doing the same thing. When our eyes met, we shared a forlorn look. The football commentator announced kickoff, Aunt Addy’s eyes opened, and we all shifted our attention to the TV.
Monarchs lost the coin toss, so their defense was up first against the Illinois Iguanas.
“Defense is looking good this year,” my dad commented. “Tough and aggressive like they were ten years ago. Watch the new kid. Ninety.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “Yeah, Anderson is really good.”
As if on cue, for the first play of the game, the Monarchs’ defense executed an all-out blitz. Lamar strip sacked the quarterback, and the middle linebacker, Reed, recovered the ball.
“Monarchs’ ball!” Dad cheered.
Right after the play, Aunt Addy reached over and grabbed my arm. I looked at her, surprised. At first, I assumed it was excitement from the turnover. But the way she looked at me, I knew she knew it was Lamar who sacked the quarterback.
“Yeah, that was him,” I told her. “He’s making a name for himself in the league with that play right there.”
“He sure is,” Dad chimed in. “I don’t know much about him, but if he keeps playing like this, Channing ain’t getting his job back!”
“Wow, that was a way to start the game! Let’s check the replay,” the commentator announced.
“You can see Coach Rice and the Maryland Monarchs are making a statement by starting the game with an all-out blitz. They really went big, and it paid off. Defensive tackle Lamar Anderson blows past the O-line and gets to the quarterback in seconds. Look at that—he doesn’t even have time to secure the ball because he doesn’t see Anderson coming.
Wow! What a hit! And then the speed of middle linebacker Jalen Reed to get on that loose ball and recover it for the Monarchs.
If the Monarchs keep playing like this, the game is theirs.
Now let’s see if the Iguanas have a defensive answer to that. ”
“It’s still early in the game,” my dad pointed out. “The offense now has to do something and put some points on the board.” He gestured to the TV. “But this is why you can never underestimate the importance of a good defense.”
I nodded. “Defense wins games.”
The Iguanas did their best to contain the Monarchs’ defense, but their offensive line couldn’t handle it, running backs couldn’t get yards, and wide receivers couldn’t get open.
The entire defense played hard, but I kept my eyes on number ninety.
He was rushing the passer, stopping the run, and tackling everybody all game.