2. Salem
SALEM
I t’s the second quarter when Coach puts me into the game.
The crowd makes noise to commemorate my return.
After five months of healing a stress fracture in my left foot, I’m ready to make the comeback of a lifetime.
I’ve played for two other teams in my pro career, but ain’t no crowd like the Brooklyn Lions’.
A lot has changed this season. For one, we have rookies who are pulling their weight.
Then there’s the bench that’s proven to be deep enough to keep us in the running for playoffs when, like me, our star point guard and center succumbed to respective shin and shoulder injuries.
Then finally, my favorite change this season—the league has an openly gay player!
And I’ve had a thing for that player for as long as I can remember.
Anyone in the league coming out as gay is exciting, but Arnaz Cade—or Blue, as I call him—coming out?
It’s the greatest discovery since electricity or Einstein uncovering that light is the fastest thing in the universe.
Some might argue that my comparing Einstein’s theory of relativity to learning my crush is gay is absurd.
However, to me, the discovery is just as astonishing.
I think my dude Einstein would feel me. He explained relativity as an hour talking to a pretty woman feeling shorter than a minute of having one’s hand on a hot stove.
Unfortunately, Blue’s rumored to be dating his LA Royals teammate, Sid King, but until it’s been confirmed, I’m not giving up hope.
Considering we play for teams on opposite sides of the country, I have to be creative when I make my move.
Someone who has the balls to be the first openly gay player in the league deserves a bold play.
Jason, power forward for Minnesota, drives hard to the lane.
Cute!
Before he can complete the dunk, I’m charging through the air. My shoulders eclipse the back of his head as I reach up to smack the ball away.
Not in my house!
Jason clasps his head and complains to the refs that I fouled him.
“Nah, bruh! That block was immaculate,” I fire back.
I race up the court and catch a pass from our center.
I evade Minnesota’s defense and attempt a fadeaway jump shot. It bounces off the rim, but Cillian, our shooting guard, rebounds and floats it in.
Damn, it feels good to be back!
Cillian kisses the horseshoe tat on the back of his hand, then winks at me.
That’s my homie. When everything went down with Blue and Sid, our team, like I imagine every team in the NBA, discussed it in the locker room.
I hated the offensive jokes being made. I was tired of that shit.
A new dawn had arrived. I could join Sid and Blue or stay quiet and let things remain the same.
I remembered something my dad said about when one person chooses to evolve, however painfully, they inadvertently influence the people in their radius. I made a choice.
I stood up and faced my teammates.
“Yo! Chill. Some of y’all are talking recklessly. Watch that ignorant shit around me. I think it takes balls to do what Arnaz and Sid are doing. And for the record, I’m gay! Not that it’s any of y’all’s business.”
Everyone went silent as expected. I stared into their faces, silently asking, “We got a problem?”
Cillian spoke up first. “My brother, Liam, is gay. He’s the best.”
All eyes turned to him. He stood up, reached inside his cubby, and pulled out his deodorant. He swiped some on and faced me like we were in the middle of a conversation.
“Uh—yeah? Is this the, uh, brother you introduced me to when we played Toronto last season?” I asked.
“Yeah, that’s right, you met him. I forgot about that. His husband, Eli, couldn’t make that game. Remember the picture of the Frenchie I showed you? That’s their dog.”
“The gray one?”
“Yeah, Loki. I love that dog, but he’s a terror unless you give him treats.
He has a weak stomach, so they buy him these crazy expensive small-batch treats with probiotics and a crap ton of healthy stuff.
He goes wild for ’em. He begs by standing on his hind legs and spinning in circles. It’s the only trick he knows.”
I grinned. “Sounds like a character.”
“Hey, if you’re seeing anyone, you should bring them by for the next game night. Laila and I would love to meet them.”
“I’m single, but thanks, man.”
He nodded. “You ever need a wingman, I got you! I’m not saying I take all the credit, but Liam has me to thank for Eli. I’m the greatest wingman.”
Over a dozen pairs of eyes ping-ponged between us. Cillian had to have felt it too, but he didn’t seem to give a shit. It was so Cillian to have my back without saying he had my back. I shouldn’t have doubted that he’d be someone I could trust to come out to.
Ezekiel, one of the guys taking jabs at Blue and Sid, hung back after most of the guys had cleared out.
“What’s up?” I turned to face him.
“Hey, man, my bad with the jokes. If I knew you were, you know, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
“Gay. The word is gay. Your dick won’t fall off if you say it. Whether you knew I was gay or not isn’t the point. That shit’s vile, man. It’s hate speech. You never know who is or isn’t gay around you. Every time you say shit like that, you’re spreading hate and potentially hurting other people.”
He rubbed his neck and winced.
“Anything else?”
He shook his head. “Just…my bad.”
“You know, it’s interesting how you insult in public but apologize in private. Next time, man up in front of everyone or save it.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder and brushed past him.
I know so many dudes like him—constantly shitting on other people to assert their manhood.
They’re so committed to proving and performing their masculinity that they can’t see how it’s reduced their humanity.
And if that’s not fucked enough, they go and try to impose that crap on other people.
To hell with that. I’ve spent too many years of my life feeling insecure about my manhood because of it.
I have no interest in belittling and dominating other people to prove I’m strong, and I sure as hell won’t be subjected to it from other people.
The opposing team’s point guard gets jammed up by our small forward.
He passes the ball to Dominic, their center, who drives three feet to lay it in.
Dominic never sees me coming when I drop down from the wing, reach in, and block the shot.
He attempts to retrieve it but ends up sprawled on his ass.
I gesture to the crowd that they aren’t loud enough. They heed the call, screaming their lungs out. I stumble back, pretending to be blasted off my feet.
After the next three possessions, I force a turnover when their shooting guard squares up for a three-pointer. I run up behind him and tip the ball out of his hand before it’s released.
Gimme that!
Our point guard, Onyx, takes possession and then sinks a three-pointer.
I end up playing a little over eighteen minutes before Coach benches me. She never keeps us in long during our first game back from an injury.
I’m tapped to join the post-game interview after I shower. Changing into matching pale blue corduroy pants and a long-sleeve, button-down shirt, I leave the top three buttons undone, partially revealing my chest tats.
“Salem, over here. Tom from CBS Sports.”
I nod.
“Firstly, welcome back. It’s official, Salem ‘The Silencer’ has returned!”
The room erupts into laughter, myself included. My defensive style has a way of silencing the opposing team’s crowd, hence the nickname.
“You’ve been called the soul of the team, one of the toughest defenders the franchise has ever seen, and you can hold your own offensively. After five long months, how did it feel to be back on the court?”
“Thanks, Tom. It’s been tough, but so many people behind the scenes helped me rehabilitate. I’m grateful to each of them. It felt amazing to be on the floor with my teammates again. It’s good to be back.”
“Salem, Erica from ESPN. You tallied five blocks, six points, a steal, two rebounds, and three assists to help the Lions clinch a W, 117–102. What do you think was the secret sauce behind today’s win?”
“We got great stops and played to each of our strengths. Cillian made a huge splash in the fourth quarter, banking seventeen points, twelve assists, and four blocks. He’s amazing.
Ezekiel guarded the rim ferociously. Zyair was one assist away from a triple-double with eleven points, ten rebounds, and nine assists.
I mean, I could go down the line. I’m proud of the guys. ”
“Salem, Sloan from NBA TV. You’re coming back from an injury to play in a league with an openly gay basketball player. What do you think about Arnaz Cade and Sidney King’s actions to promote inclusivity in the league for gay players?”
I grin and take a beat to formulate my response.
I think it’s the best thing to happen to the league. Imagine if we could enjoy all the perks of our straight teammates, who often have their spouses and kids in the stands. Imagine if we could be out and not have that be the focus of our story as professional players.
Then there’s Blue and his kaleidoscope eyes that resemble light-grazing ocean waves.
Handsomeness wrapped in a golden-brown complexion, plum-colored lips, a perfect five o’clock shadow, and a sinful, though rare, smile.
You take my seasoned interest in him and the fact that he’s gay, and, well, damn—I have a lot of feelings about that.
“Sloan, I’m proud of the work they’re doing, and I stand in solidarity. It shouldn’t matter whether a player is gay or straight, but for some reason, it does, and that’s a problem. I have no tolerance for homophobic speech or behavior.”
As the words leave my mouth, it hits me—a way to shoot my shot with Blue!
Nah, it’s too out there.
But, I mean, wasn’t bold always the plan?
I rub my neck.