Chapter 6
I had practice the next morning, but I made sure I got up early so I could check on my grandfather before I went.
Sometimes, practice lasted all day, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to focus unless I knew he was good.
He was fine when I left the previous day, but that meant nothing.
A lot of shit could happen overnight. I ended up staying with him for a while after Sloan left and was surprised he hadn’t brought her up.
The only thing we talked about was his moving into my house and what kind of aide he wanted. Since I was gone a lot, we decided on someone around the clock, but they didn’t need to stay there. There was extra room, so they could have some privacy if needed.
I knew Sloan said the agency she referred us to was good and professional, but I didn’t feel comfortable with someone moving in.
It was bad enough that I had to have someone different on my property every day, but I couldn’t leave my grandfather by himself.
I just prayed that nothing crazy happened.
People would agree to sign a nondisclosure agreement but still find a way to go against it.
I wasn’t trying to have my privacy breached because someone thought they could get close to me.
It wasn’t just females I worried about. I worried about dudes, too, because they liked to set niggas up to get robbed.
I had a license to carry, but I wasn’t trying to shoot someone in my crib. I would if I had to, though.
“Hey, Grandpop. How are you feeling?” I asked as I walked into his room.
He sat up, watching the morning news like he did every day. It was too early for breakfast, but I would help him eat whenever it came.
I talked to the nursing staff the night before and told them I would be there before visiting hours. I liked that they understood and were accommodating. I made a mental note to send a monetary donation and food for the staff while my grandfather was there.
“I’m okay. I thought you had practice this morning,” he voiced as he lowered the volume on the television.
I walked further into the room and sat in the chair next to his bed.
“I do, but I wanted to come here first. We have a game coming up, too.” I sat back in the seat and crossed my legs at the ankle. I would only visit for an hour or so, but I wanted to be comfortable.
“You think I don’t know your schedule?”
I chuckled at the look he gave me. “Of course, you know it. I was reminding you just in case you forgot.”
Grandpop sucked his teeth and glanced in my direction.
“I may have fallen, but my memory is still intact. Just like I remember how you stared a hole in Sloan when she was in here.”
I knew sooner or later, he would say something.
“I didn’t stare a hole in her. I just couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen her in all these years, and she looks good.”
“She sure does, even with that big ass rock on her finger. I know you saw it.” Grandpop had the nerve to smirk at me.
“Yes, I saw it. What’s your point?”
“My point is, I know you. I also know how you felt about Sloan, but you were too stupid and messed it up. Too busy chasing ass and shit.” Grandpop rolled his eyes at me and chuckled.
I didn’t hear the end of it when I messed things up with Sloan.
My parents loved her, but I think my grandfather loved her even more.
He wanted me to marry her, and I thought I would have to, but it was hard turning down all the pussy that was thrown my way.
It was dumb of me, and I lived with that for a long time.
I thought about her over the years but never bothered to look for her.
I knew if I ever came to Sloan again, I would have to come correct.
She wasn’t one I could bullshit around with or just use for sex.
She wanted to be a wife, and if I couldn’t make her one, I had no business trying to talk to her.
Sloan wasn’t one to waste her time on anyone.
It didn’t matter how much she cared. She always put herself first. I admired that about her.
She knew what she wanted and wouldn’t settle for less.
I had the urge to look Sloan up after seeing her, but I decided not to. I wanted her to tell me whatever it was she wanted me to know about her life.
“I’m not trying to disrupt Sloan’s life. I’m not even in the position to do that. I may deal with multiple women, but they all know what it is, and every last one of them is a willing participant. I’m not trying to break up anyone’s happy home.”
I didn’t know if Sloan’s home was happy or not, but I wouldn’t be the cause of it going south if it was. I did want to be her friend again. It was hard making friends these days because of my status. Sloan was a good friend of mine, and I missed her friendship.
I still remember the day we met. It was sophomore year, and we ended up in the same gym class.
She hated the days when we had to play basketball, but that was my favorite day.
One day, our teacher made us play together against two of our classmates.
Sloan was terrible, but I encouraged her as best as I could.
Her shots were off, but we still managed to win the game thanks to me.
After that day, Sloan and I would team up whenever we had to have partners in gym class.
I would talk to her about how I was going to play professional basketball, and she told me her dreams of being a social worker.
I thought she would have worked with children, but I was proud of her for achieving her dreams.
Sloan was the only girl I dealt with who didn’t try to stick around because I would be rich one day.
She believed in me and genuinely cared about me.
She was there for me when my grandmother died.
There was a time I injured myself, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to play again, and Sloan was there to push me through it.
We were only together for a couple of years, but it was long enough for me to love her.
And I fucked all of that up for nothing.
I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since she walked out of the room the day before.
It was like all the feelings I had for her suddenly resurfaced.
It made me think about the shit I was doing and was it worth it all?
Not only did I lose Sloan, but I was lonely sometimes.
I never admitted it to anyone, but I was.
It wasn’t easy letting women in because I knew the type of grimy shit they did.
I saw it happen to some of my teammates and other dudes in the league.
I did have a chick try to pin a baby on before, but that shit wasn’t true.
One thing I didn’t do was fuck these chicks raw. I refused to have a baby by a random.
“Well, you may not be trying to break up her home, but I saw that look in your eyes. If you had the opportunity to make something happen, you would.”
My grandfather’s voice brought me out of my thoughts of Sloan.
“I’m good,” I told him, but I was lying. If given the opportunity with Sloan again, I would take it, and this time, it wouldn’t be any fumbling.
“Okay, Calil. I know I can’t tell you what to do, but I want you to always be careful. Messing with a married woman can get you into a lot of trouble and get your feelings hurt.”
“I won’t do anything stupid. Trust me.”
I checked the time on my watch. Since Grandpop was good, I would head to practice.
It was still early, so I could get there on time, depending on the traffic.
I hoped Sloan would have stopped by, but she probably hadn’t gotten to work yet.
Practice only lasted a few hours, so she should still be working by the time I get back — at least, that’s what I hoped.
“I hear you. It’s time for practice, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sure they’ll be bringing your breakfast soon. Do you need me to bring anything when I come back later?”
“Some better food.” Grandpop chuckled. “No, I don’t need anything. You probably are going to be too tired anyway.”
I stood from the chair and stretched. I leaned over the side of the bed and gave my grandfather a hug.
“I’m never too tired for you. If you think of something, don’t hesitate to call me. If I don’t answer, leave me a message or call my mom and tell her to text me.”
Grandpop hated texting, so he always told someone else to send me a message whenever he needed me.
“Okay. Have a good practice and be safe. Love you, Lil.”
“Love you, too.”
I left the room, and a small part of me hoped I bumped into Sloan in the hallway, but that hadn’t happened, and I was a little disappointed.
I thought about her all the way to practice, but once I got there, I focused on what had to be done.
Sloan said she would be there during the whole process, so I knew I would see her again.