by Cherry Kay
A woman came up the door and smiled at her. “It’s about time,” she said, holding out her arms for an embrace.
“Aunt Ellie,” Alexis greeted her with a warm embrace.
She and her aunt walked into the dining room and she saw her uncle at the end of the table, surrounded by her two, nearly same aged cousins, another aunt and her four children as well.
“Hey guys,” she greeted with a strain in her voice as she looked around. Looking at her uncle and aunt, she seemed a bit more comfortable. She took out a bottle of champagne from her bag. “Happy anniversary, Aunt Ellie and Uncle Dan!”
“Oh Lexy, you shouldn’t have!” Aunt Ellie said.
She shrugged. “Sorry I’m late,” she told Uncle Dan as she took a seat beside her cousin, Deirdre who was studying to be a nurse. At least Deirdre was nice. The rest weren’t too nice. And as much as she wanted to be nice to them, she just remained quiet, because she couldn’t stand the way they spoke or acted.
“Didn’t I tell you to quit working there so you could concentrate? Your aunt and I are happy to shoulder your expenses for—"
“Uncle Dan, we’ll talk about this later,” she said with another restricted smile. She eyed her aunt’s dishes and smiled broadly this time. “Aunt Ellie, just what I wanted!” she picked up a spoonful of black-eyed peas mixed with rice, bacon and spices.
“Yeah, you should eat, you’re getting really thin,” an aunt named Miriam said with a raised brow.
She nodded, refusing to get into her aunt’s radar. This was one of her three aunts, and she only liked one. The one that had lovingly raised her to be the best she could, despite tough times. Dinner passed by without much fanfare (thank god, she thought). Her relatives had left, even Aunt Ellie’s and Uncle Dan’s children. She stayed behind for a nightcap. Another hour wouldn’t hurt.
She helped her aunt clear the table and load the dishes in the dryer. Her aunt insisted she relax with them in the living room, where Uncle Dan was watching a rerun of a game from last year for pointers. He had been a football coach for more than twenty years now. The comfortable house they lived in was funded through his early successful years as a player, before surgeries happened.
Her parents were still alive back then, and her father was immensely proud of his older brother, Dan. The first quarterback in the family. And Dan and Ellie took her in without question when both her parents died in an accident, and for that she was grateful.
“You know your parents left you with enough money, Lex,” her uncle suddenly said, interrupting his show.
She looked up, holding a mug of cold, freshly squeezed lemon juice. “Uncle Dan, like I said before, I’m fine.”
“I don’t want you ruining your studies because you just want to serve coffee so much.”
“I like my job.”
“You’re too smart for that,” he told her with a sigh.
“I’m doing fine. The last thing I want is you and Aunt Ellie worrying. I give you a periodic report of my status anyway,” she told him, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. Her Aunt Ellie came in and she stood up.
“Aunt Ellie, I have to go. Got classes tomorrow,” she said abruptly, kissing her aunt lightly on the cheek. She bid her uncle goodbye and set out for home.
Ellie came back moments later after locking the front door. “She’s still a good kid, despite the indifference she shows,” Ellie told him.
Dan huffed. “No matter how hard we try. She’s just been so distant. How many years has it been since? Ten?”
“You have to remember she was an only child and her world revolved around them.”
“But didn’t we show her the same love?” Dan said, stretching his legs on the low table in front of the couch. He could see his belly jiggle a little and he smirked with disdain.
“Maybe she needs a different kind of love,” Ellie teased. “Her last boyfriend was in senior high and she made him cry.”
Dan smiled at the memory of it. “That boy was damn stupid.” And he knew stupid. He had been coach for so long he could basically smell stupid a mile away.
Ellie laughed at her husband of twenty-five years.
Dan scowled. “Well, I hope she doesn’t date an idiot. She’s too nice for that and she’s been through a lot.”
He fell silent and continued to watch the rerun as Ellie sat beside him, supportive as always. At the back of his mind, it always bothered him. Ever since Alexis had been adopted by them, she had never given him stress, never given him problems. She did well in school, made a few good friends and was generally respectful. But Alexis still seemed emotionally unavailable. He could feel her respect for him but not love. At least Ellie felt it once in a while. He wondered if someone could match his niece’s character. A different kind of love, like Ellie mentioned.
Little did Daniel Matthews know that that different kind of love was about to happen soon.
Chapter 2
The practice was especially grueling that day. Dan had his heart set out on his boys getting spots with major teams. Of course, there could only be a select few. He had watched Shaun and the others take drill after drill. He knew Shaun was aiming to be quarterback, but Dan thought he was one of those rare people who would do exceedingly well as a linebacker.
Dan blew his whistle. “Break!” he called out.
The young men trudged for the sides, grabbing bottles of water and Gatorade. Shaun took off his helmet and sat on a bench, stretching his legs. He didn’t want to be a linebacker. He had done that in college. The bruising wasn’t a problem; the constant hammering wasn’t either. It was the whole childhood vision of becoming a quarterback.
“Some fancy ballerina legs you got there, Bradford,” a team-mate named Michael badgered him.
Shaun eyed the six-foot three Hispanic-black cornerback for a moment and then proceeded to ignore him.
Shaun’s close friend, Dennis, also a lineman, told him to disregard the teasing. “Don’t mind him, he’s just on PMS.”
The others laughed aloud, hearing this. The cornerback approached him, throwing his helmet on the ground, near Shaun’s feet.
“Looks like you got a sorority sister to defend you.”
Shaun stood up, feeling his jaw clench. “If you’ve got a problem with that black eye I gave you the last time, you’ve got another one coming in a few.”
The cornerback suddenly stepped away. “Hey coach,” he said.
Shaun looked behind him and saw Dan standing calmly behind him. Shaun took a step back, acknowledging the coach’s presence.
“You two, come with me now.”
“Aw come on coach, what is this, high school?” Michael called out.
Dan said nothing, and as if compelled by him, the two young players followed him down the hall. They entered his spacious, yet old office, filled with various trophies from his years as a high school and college football coach. A thin layer of dust had settled on some of the cabinets.
“Sit,” Dan told them.
“Coach what the hell is this about-?” Shaun began, losing his temper. He wasn’t supposed to be in here, even.
“I said sit,” Dan repeated.
There was something about his voice that always made them do what he wanted them to. They sat, like two adolescent children about to receive a good telling off.
“I can’t have this on my team,” Dan told them flat out. “Your attitudes are in need of an overhaul. You’re putting this team’s morale down. Each man on my team has a shot in a major league. And damn, sons, you’re losing this chance with your behavior.”
“You know I didn’t start it,” Shaun interrupted.
Michael eyed him and guffawed but stopped, seeing Dan’s face. “You’re doing extra work today, Avila,” he told Michael, “Now get out and start it.”
Michael closed his eyes and groaned. He then stood up and sighed and walked out of the room, careful to close the door. The door had a new paint job and Dan reminded each and every one of it that day
Dan stood up and walk
ed to a cabinet, filled with folders. He took one out after skimming them under his fingers. He casually tossed the folder on his table and Shaun looked up to him, confused. Shaun then opened the folder and was surprised to see a photo of himself from last year, his profile at the university as a football scholar.
“See those scribblings?” Dan began, “I wrote that. When I saw you had potential. But every day you’re here, you make me remind myself of how I’m supposed to regret the decision—“
“I’m doing my best, coach.”
“Actually, you’re not. How many times have we had this pep talk about you controlling your anger on the field? Showing it as an intimidation tactic is good. Showing it to teammates is not.”
“They’re not even a real team. We’re all here to outplay each other,” Shaun reasoned, “The only reason I’m putting up with that ass-hat and-“
“No one is an ass-hat on my team, no matter how stupid they are and that includes you,” Dan breathed. “I’ve put a lot of effort into you, boy, ‘cause I want to see you become a great one. Now, I need your help on this, because I’m this close to stopping all recommendations for you-“
“You can’t do that, Dan!” Shaun said, throwing his hands up in the air, “you know how much this means to me.”
“Soften up, kid.”
“You tell me to act tough and now it’s soften up?” Shaun looked incredulous.
“What? You think you’re going to be the next Jim McMahon?” Dan laughed harshly, “you’re gonna have to earn it, kid.”
“Haven’t I been proving it every damn day?”
“Which part? That you can’t follow instructions?”
Shaun was silent.
Dan looked at him carefully, eyeing his protégé for signs of remorse. There was none. He sighed. “Get back.”
Shaun nodded and curtly excused himself. Dan shook his head and went out moments later, after looking at Shaun’s files from last year. There was something distracting the kid, or maybe he needed a good kind of distraction. He could go with the whole “find your inner peace” and “find your center” stuff, recommend yoga, perhaps. Anything to get the kid motivated and turn him into a smart player on the field.
Meanwhile, Shaun did all he could to avoid glaring at Michael for the remainder of practice. It was running past five in the afternoon as they continued drills. He forced himself to concentrate on his leg work. He could still run fast despite the muscle build-up he had over the past six months. Just like college. He could have gotten into a league while still in college, he knew. He was that good of a player. Except, a two game suspension happened, after he had landed an “accidental” kick to another player (which resulted in a torn muscle) during a friendly game.
In the corner of his eye, he saw a young woman approach Coach Dan, greeting him with a light kiss on the cheek. Coach Dan’s assistant, Peter, blew a whistle, signaling for a water break. He was standing a few feet away, seeing Dan’s usually curt demeanor looking a bit more approachable, kinder. He was busy talking to the young lady. She was certainly too attractive to be his daughter…
Someone nudged him. He looked sideways and saw Dennis grin at him. “What the hell are you looking at?” Dennis asked.
“Nothing.”
“You’re not looking at his daughter are you?”
So it really was his daughter. How the hell did that happen? He almost laughed aloud. Looking at Dennis though, he shook his head. “Just a new face,” he said shrugging.
“I saw her a few months ago,” Dennis said, his tone changing, “I had to ask Dan who she was. And Dan told me it was none of my business.” Then Dennis laughed.
Shaun took a swig of water from a paper cup. It really wasn’t anyone’s business. He saw Michael walk up and he felt the animosity once more.
“Can’t keep your eyes off her, huh, Bradford?” Michael began, “well I can’t either. May the best man win?” he challenged jokingly.
Shaun’s brows furrowed.
“What’s the matter? Can’t corrupt the coach’s daughter?” Michael added, “He’s her weak spot. Date her and make her happy and you’ll probably get the quarterback deal you’ve been wetting your bed about since you were six.”
Shaun went closer, his face was dangerously close to Michael’s. He could feel his ears burning in anger.
“Ah ah ah, Dan is watching,” Michael breathed.
Shaun took a step back, feeling Dennis’ hand on his shoulder. He looked back at Coach Dan who had been looking intently at him. He said nothing afterwards.
“You’re a lucky wuss,” Shaun told him.
“I would like to see you try though, maybe soften your edges?” Michael laughed.
Shaun realized that Michael had eavesdropped on that part of the conversation with Dan. “And if I get to do that?” he asked. The idea seemed rather interesting, after all. It was a break from monotony. Besides, this was a good time to flatten out Michael’s ego.
“Well, I won’t bother you ever again. And I won’t aim for quarterback either.”
“Like you could,” Shaun retorted. Dennis laughed outright.
Michael walked up to Shaun again. “So what do you say, big guy?”
“You’re on,” Shaun replied without another thought.
“I’m giving you two months before final tryouts. Sounds fair enough? Why, with your charms you’d probably even have Dan eating in the palm of your hand,” Michael laughed again. He then held out a hand and continued smirking.
“Watch me call Dan dad instead,” Shaun retorted with a grin as he shook Michael’s hand.
***
Alexis paid no attention to what was going on in the field as she came to visit her uncle. He had asked a favor from her to bring a few papers he had left on his study. It was a good thing Alexis was close by the stadium, fresh from another visit to her Aunt Ellie.
“Got a free day today, Lex?” he had asked earlier upon seeing Alexis walk up the bleachers.
She nodded. “I finished my remaining minors earlier.”
“How’s it going with classes?”
“So-so.”
“Specifics,” Dan told her.
“Still second,” she replied shortly.
“Something the matter?”
“I didn’t feel like studying the past month.” It was true. She called it graduation blues. She truly did enjoy an academic setting and her classmates were equally voracious readers. The real, real world was coming. One where she had to face unpleasant people all the more and how she would be forced to act nice all the time.
“Well, maybe you need to de-stress.”
“With what?”
“Sports, maybe?”
“I run twice a week.”
“Something else then. Cooking classes,” Dan suggested to his niece.
She scoffed at the idea. “I’d rather eat. Besides, I’m not stressed. It’s just a matter of having something new. Maybe I should get a cat.”
“You’ll end up like your Aunt Mabel. Unmarried with four cats,” Dan sighed, leaning against the railings as he looked at his trainees.
“I could join your team,” she mused, rolling her eyes, “maybe lose a few IQ points in return.”
“You don’t even like football.”
“I have school spirit once in a while,” Alexis replied, “besides, de-stress, right?”
“I’m gettin’ worried about you, Lex,” Dan told her as she straightened herself up.
“Like I said, there’s nothing to worry about, Uncle Dan. Anyway, I have to leave, have to finish an article for the university journal. I’ll see you soon, alright?” she said to her uncle.
He nodded and bid a goodbye. She didn’t like kissing or hugging anyone goodbye, he noticed. He had observed this ever since she came to live with them. A defense mechanism, Deirdre had told him.
“Alright, back to work!” he yelled out to his team.
***
Her apartment was a small but serviceable one. At twenty-eight square meters
, it was a $650 studio she was pretty comfortable with and it was one of the cheaper ones. Best of all, she could actually bike to school if she wanted to. She flopped onto her small couch and closed her eyes for a few minutes, aware of the buzzing silence around her. This actually distracted her and she turned on her laptop to play some music. She had no television set. What she had instead were books. A lot of them. There were a few job offers for her after college. A gleaming job offer came from the university itself. A teaching position. She had contemplated it. But it meant that she was going to be stuck in the same state. Stuck in the same town. Her whole life had revolved here, ever since her parents had died.
She used to live in Chicago, until that terrible day that she still blocked out from her mind. Sometimes, she still had nightmares about it. She would wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat and shaking, the screams all too vivid.
I could get that job offer in New York, she mused as she remained motionless, at least that’s got a bank setting and I’m good with numbers…
* * *
It was a lovely morning. She remembered everything about it. Her mother had worn her favorite perfume, Clinique Happy. Sometimes she would let Alexis have a spritz of it on her wrists.
Today was no ordinary Friday. They had just returned from a State-wide spelling bee. She had won first place. They were on their way to celebrate at their favorite restaurant. Her father had even taken a day off from the bank. She was excited to get that scrumptious chocolate cake she liked most.
Her parents’ favorite blues song was playing on the ipod. Her father turned up the volume.
“That’s what my daughter gave. Respect,” he teased.
“Sing it with us, baby!” her mother laughed.
“What you want, baby I got it, what you need, you know I got it,” they all sang at the top of their lungs. “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect. Just a little bit, just a little bit!”
She loved the way her mother sang, she was no Aretha but she could definitely carry a tune.
“Can I get two slices of cake, momma?” Alexis had asked as the interlude played.
“As much as you want, baby. Till you swear you won’t eat no cake anymore,” her mother told her.