[All characters and events are purely fictional. Any resemblance to real-life people and events are purely coincidental.]
I stood there, fear paralysing me. Her blood staining my hands. How could this happen? We had made it out of the hood. I had secured our future. The signing bonus was enough to live the rest of our lives without working. We were supposed to grow old together, have our own happy ever after.
I awoke drenched in cold sweat. The nightmares have not gotten any less frequent. I can still remember the entire sequence of events as I were still living it. It has been 10 months, the pain not getting any less suffocating. I take the daily dose of lorazepam. I have been visiting a therapist, though I have felt little progress happen. The meds are definitely a positive encouragement to continue the session. She has started reducing the amount I get every refill though.
The NBA has not been very understanding though. The Pistons are demanding I show up. They cannot legally do anything as the rookie contract has not yet been signed. I do not think I will ever step on a court again. Her youthful and cheery face still flashes and I am left rooted on the spot. The panic attacks follow soon after. The hardwood floor was where I first met her. Sometimes I wish the Draft had the same option as the MLB. The teams get compensated for draft situations like this. Good thing I finished college. Stanford was kind enough to provide a fast-track option for me to complete my degree. My IQ of 150 ensured that I cruised through it with hardly any effort.
I am going to start applying for jobs. I still have to take care of Michael, my fourteen-year-old brother. Dad was KIA while Mom was still pregnant. His convoy was overrun in an ambush in Kandahar. Soon after my brother's birth, Mom's heart gave in. We knew it was just a matter of time. The pregnancy putting a significant strain on it.
Michael is the only reason I am still holding on. It was back to the time when it was only the two of us against the whole world. He too is quite the child prodigy. A 2-time IMO gold medalist, also getting a perfect score on the SAT. He already has full-ride offers from Harvard, Princeton and Stanford. He will most likely go to Stanford. He wants to follow in our father's and my footsteps, both of us Alumni of Stanford. I would like to work in the Bay Area. Keep close in case of emergencies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Days turned into months which then rolled into years. I was starting to become content with my life. I fell in love again. Can you believe it? 10 years after her death I met this amazing woman. Two years into our relationship, I popped the question. Six months later we got married. Michael too got married and had twin sons. I was named the godfather. I had a premonition when he had asked me for the honour. He had promised that he just had a desk job at the CIA.
"I should have trusted my gut," I thought as I stood by his wife as they lowered his casket. "I will take care of them. You have my word, Michael," I vowed. Jason and David were too young to understand what was going on at that time. My wife was taking care of them. I have enough money to support our little family and live comfortably for the rest of our lives.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today is the first day of Middle school for the boys and also the first time Sarah, my daughter, will go to school alone. She is kicking up quite a fuss about it. I have no qualms about her skipping a few grades to get into Middle school. She has the ability, the boys themselves skipping a couple grades. Elizabeth, my wife, wants her to become more independent though.
I got the boys into basketball at the age of three. They make quite the duo. I also taught them how to fight. Jiu-jitsu, Kickboxing and Taekwondo. The explosiveness and strength help in the paint. They are quite big for their age both of them 5'8" at 10 years old, well not a surprise when Michael stood at 6'10" and I myself stand at 6'8" and their mother herself is quite tall at 6'2". I have strictly only taught them the skillsets of guards. They average 70% beyond the standard NBA arc. Both have got the bounce being able to dunk on even the 10' rims. I have full confidence that they are going to dominate at even the nationals.
This is not my story... but that of the rise of my nephews to dominate the League.