River’s Epilogue
The next two minutes would determine whether we would be the conference champs and head to the finals for the first time in twenty-six years. The score was tied, the ball was in our possession, and every second was crucial.
Jaxon brought the ball up the court and called a play. I got into position, working to stay open and ready for the ball with only a few seconds on the shot clock. Jaxon passed it to Desmond, who tried to go in for a layup, but the defenders were on him.
He pump-faked, passed the ball to me, and I went in for the layup. The ball hit the backboard before falling into the basket. We were up by two, and we knew the opposing team would hold the ball for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, their guard was too relaxed and cocky and didn’t see me coming from the side. While his focus was on calling the play, I swooped in, stole the ball, dribbled to our basket, and dunked it with a lot of extra showmanship because those two points brought us closer to victory.
The fans cheered so loud, it felt like the arena was shaking. Everyone was on their feet, and the energy was electric. I looked at the clock as I hustled to the other end. One minute was left, and our defense this year was number one in the conference.
We were playing man-to-man coverage, and the guy Boris was guarding had him putting in work. Boris forced him to call a timeout because he couldn’t pass or shoot the ball. I rushed over to the bench to hear what Coach Langford had to say.
“Defense is what will win this game. Don’t let up on them. No fouls,” he shouted.
After a few gulps of water, we headed back to the court.
Defense and no fouls were on repeat in my head.
I found my guy and stayed on him. The ball was inbounded to the player nearest the basket.
Instead of going up for an easy layup, he dribbled out and passed it to a teammate at the three-point line.
As soon as he caught the ball, he shot a three. I was under the basket and held my breath as the ball hit the backboard and circled around the rim. When it was clear it was a miss, I grabbed the rebound, looked for Jaxon, who was already downcourt, and threw a Hail Mary.
Jaxon caught the ball and made an easy layup before I could get to his end of the court. We were up six with forty seconds on the clock. The crowd began to chant, “Defense. Defense. Defense,” but it was already stuck in my head.
The opposing team made it downcourt, and the ball changed hands three times before they eventually made a layup. If they were smart, they would’ve held the ball longer, but time was still on our side.
Jaxon slowed the pace, not making a move until the shot clock hit five seconds and the game clock hit twenty-five seconds. He dribbled down the middle and shot the ball. It bounced off the back of the rim, then the front of the rim, before it went in.
We went right into a full-court press, and the ball handler on the other team traveled. It was our ball with fifteen seconds left. As soon as the ball was inbounded to Boris, he made an easy jumper.
Everything was happening fast, and we didn’t want to foul, so we let them put up a three. It was all fucking net, and my stomach sank. As soon as Jaxon got the ball, they fouled him with ten seconds on the clock.
Both teams were in the penalty, so Jaxon went to the line and made both free throws. We were up five with ten seconds on the clock. As soon as they inbounded the ball, they raced down the court, but we didn’t have the number one defense in the conference for nothing.
They put up a jump shot, and Boris rejected it. I caught the ball and dribbled to the center of the court until the time ran out. At the sound of the buzzer, I kneeled, and the crowd went crazy. The Black Elm Scorpions were the conference champs.
“After ten years, you won the conference championship and are headed to the finals. At the beginning of the season, there was some talk of you retiring after this year, but a little birdie told me that your new contract with the Scorpions is for three years and six million dollars. I must say, you’ve proven to be worth every penny this season.
To what do you attribute your success after a decade in the league? ” the female reporter asked.
“My wife, daughter, and son, who should be making an appearance any day now. They motivate and encourage me to be the best version of myself every day.”
“Aww. That’s so sweet. Are you saying all you needed was a good woman by your side?”
I smiled as I thought of Erissa.
“Not just any good woman. I needed Erissa Westmore specifically. My daughter and I became the two luckiest people in the world when she accepted the job as Riverlynn’s nanny.
She brings sunshine on rainy and gloomy days.
She brings calm when storms are on the horizon.
She brings peace when I can’t quiet the noise in my head. My wife is exactly what I needed.”
“Oh wow! It sounds like you love her very much. She’s lucky to have you. Oh, and here she is!”
Erissa approached me from the side with the rest of my family behind her. After a group hug, I cupped Erissa’s face in my hands and pressed my lips against hers, then took Riverlynn from my mother’s arms and kissed her chubby cheeks.
“Mrs. Westmore, after leading his team to a conference championship win for the first time in twenty-six years, your husband can’t talk about anything but you. What would you like to say to your husband after this riveting win?”
“Congratulations, baby. My water just broke.”
THE END