Page 3

Chapter 2

Shawn

“A y B, you ready?!” My sister Sonora calls from the front door of my family home.

“In the kitchen with Mama!” I call back.

I look around my childhood home as I collect the last of my things. I wanted to spend some time with my parents and let my dogs run around in the backyard before we start our journey out of the country. Shit. That is still weird to say. I’ve only ever known this house, this city, this state, and in three hours, I will no longer be living in the U.S.

When I was twelve, my parents switched me from hockey to basketball after seeing that I was about to pass my mom in height for a 6th grader, which is saying something because she is 5’6”. I loved hockey so much, and still do, but ever since I picked up the ball, it has been my life. I naturally excel at sports, and my love of the game propelled me forward. Training day and night, the AAU circuit, summer camps, all of it until I got to play with the best. The goal has always been the NBA. My family has worked hard for me to get here. I played for 4 years at SMU in Dallas and then declared for the draft. My speed, my shot, my 6’ 9”, and 250 pounds of solid muscle got me here, but my heart for the game will be what takes me where I want to go. I’m programmed to keep going, to not stop until I’m the absolute best. The league has been looking for the fresh face of the NBA with LeBron wrapping up his historic career, and my goal now is to take over. I want the brand deals, I want the respect, and I want to create a life and legacy of my own.

The past week, I got in the only tailored suit I’ve ever had in my life, a custom deep red Indochino design. Then, my family and I made our way to Vegas for the NBA draft. My eyes get glossy just thinking back to the night.

The chimes echoed around the sphere.

“For the 1st round, 5th pick, the Toronto Titans select… from Southern Methodist University…” My heart plummets to my stomach as my mom’s hand digs into my knees under the table.

“Shawn ‘Books’ Salisu!”

HOLY MOTHERFUCKING SHIT.

I let out the biggest breath and stand up to hug my now crying mom and sister. My dad pats my back behind me.

“There you go, son, you did it. You made it. Everyone get together!” my dad commands.

Cameras flash as the four of us make a tight-knit circle. My dad leans over to me.

“This time, you lead us, son.” He winks at me, and a slow smirk takes over my face.

For the first time in my life, I start the chant for us. The chant that we have said before every game.

I clear my throat.

“Do we give up?”

“No,” my family yells low.

“Do we go easy?”

“No,” they all say louder. I catch my sister bouncing with energy.

“Do we accept anything but giving our best?”

“No,” my mom and dad yell loud at the same time my sister yells,

“Hell no!”

I chuckle and clear my throat. “Why is that?”

I join them. “It’s in our blood. It’s in our name!”

“Count of three with me”.

We all put our hands in the middle of our circle on top of each other, and we yell above the surrounding clapping.

“One…two…three…SALISU STRONG!”

“Go get ‘em, B.” My mom smiles at me as I make my way up the stage. Shaking hands and grabbing my new team hat, they hand me a Titans jersey with my name on the back.

Damn. I close my eyes hard and pinch the bridge of my nose as I think back to one of the best days. Now, I am saying goodbye to this city that raised me. Shit, I’ll probably freeze my ass off. I can’t help but think of Ainsley. Why has it always been so hard to let my childhood friend go? A couple of years ago, I saw that her brother Liam went to the Blades as the number one draft pick.

The scratching of the back door draws my attention away from my old memories. I open the back door and call for my Dobermans, Luna and Blaze.

Heading to the front door, my mom and dad come up behind me as we approach Sonora on her phone. The quick pull of my backpack has me spinning around as I see my mom shoving two boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix in my bag.

“Mom, I’m sure I can find Jiffy mix there.”

I roll my eyes as Nora’s snickering echoes around my back.

“Rather be safe than sorry!” She smiles as she pulls me in for my sixth hug of the day.

“Can’t argue with that! Thank you. I’ll call as soon as I land.”

“Counting on it.” She lets go as my dad grips my shoulder harshly.

“Son, being Salisu strong isn’t only about these muscles. It’s about being strong in here.” He taps his pointer finger to his head. “Keep your head on straight. We love you.”

“Thanks, Pops.” I let out a slow breath.

The last thing I want to do is let my family down. My dad knows that when I get in my head, it causes a spiral effect on everything else in my life. Which is why he got the dogs, to give me a step forward when the going gets rough. No matter if I win or lose a game, I’ll come home to pups happy to see me just because it’s me.

I pull my dad in for a deep hug before letting go. I smile, turning for the door as I see Nora loading the dogs into the car.

“Hey, thanks for taking me to the airport. I could've just had a car come, but I appreciate the extra time it gives me to spend with mom and dad before I leave.” She comes around the front of the car and shoves me hard, but I keep my balance.

“Ohhhh… you could have had a car come??” She teases.

“Already flexing on us. I finished my last class for the day at noon, so I had little else to do, plus did you think I would not go with you to send you off, give me a break.” She laughs.

My heart sinks as we pull out of the driveway. I lean across the front seat and pound my fist twice on the horn.

“Seriously? Pardon your fucking reach.”

Nora scolds as I look up and start waving at our parents standing on the porch. My dad is holding my mom as I see her forcing herself to keep the tears back.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s a tradition, and you know you can visit anytime. Even if I have an away game, you can come crash and check out the city.”

“Thanks, B., but I don’t know a thing about Toronto. Plus, like what do Canadians do in the winter? Just hockey?”

I swallow a laugh. “Of course there is skating, but also snow tubing, hiking, concerts. Shoot, I’ll probably eat my weight in all the yummy food they have - I hear Toronto has some foodies!”

“How do you know all this already? It’s like you studied the travel guide.”

“Ha HA, so funny. The S.T.O.T agent called to help book my flights, set me up in a temporary condo, and make sure I have a car when I get there for all my things. She gave me the whole ‘Toronto is the best because of’… speech.”

“That’s nice! Perks of being the 5th draft pick and closest thing to a star player they have had in years.”

“Yeah, yeah, but for real, tell me when you’re coming, and we can have so much fun. Poutine, Nora. It’s happening.” I say this matter-of-factly as I clasp my hands together, excited to try new things.

“Ew, you know you’re a professional athlete, right? Like you get paid to stay in shape and you want to eat cheese curds?” A disgusted look takes over her face.

“You’re the worst. You have to try it at least once.”

“Well, I’ll wait for your report back once you try them.” She says as she shakes her head, pulling up to the airport.

“Deal. Now get out of here.” She says, winking back at me.