Page 47
Story: Ball For Me
I lift my gaze from the dandelions towards the nearby court and the city’s scenic backdrop. The soft music of an ice cream truck driving by in the distance as the laughter of the others on the playground nearby rings out around us.
The sun comes down as a blurry kid comes running by. I turn as I see Shawn, admiring him in some shorts with no shirt on and a Titans championship hat worn backwards. He dribbles the ball back and forth between his legs as our son tries to take it from his hands. Poor little Milo, he doesn’t stand a chance, but still, he will never back down from a battle. The 5-year-old runs after him as fast as he can.
Shawn took a couple more dribbles before shooting a layup. My man has been in the league for 10 years and still got it. I clap and holler over at them.
“Shake it off, Mi. Keep your eyes on the ball!” I call out to our son as a soft giggle comes from beside me.
“Mom, I think that’s what he is trying to do.”
Our daughter, Maeve, leans over from making her dandelion flower crown and whispers to me.
“Well, he isn’t doing a very good job of it, is he now, honeybee?” I nudge her and smile.
“Mom, he’s 5. Is he supposed to be as good as the league's reigning MVP for the past 6 years?”
I laugh and smile at my girl. She knows her daddy’s stats better than half the league.
“Fair point, Mae Mae.”
“Let me see how that crown is coming along?”
She holds up her woven flower crown, and I smile.
“Hey babe, look at this?” I yell, and Shawn stops and drops the ball to his feet.
Milo immediately swoops it up and starts dribbling it up the court, always with an eye on the ball, as Shawn jogs over to us.
“Mae girl, did you make that flower crown?”
“Yep. This is my best one yet!”
She smiles, loving her work.
“Maeve, it’s STUNNING.”
He swoops it up and places it on her head full of chestnut curls. She stands up to show it off, and Shawn picks her up and puts her on his shoulders. Making his way back to the court.
“Mi look, we have a princess among us. Should we see if she can hoop?”
Milo groans, clearly annoyed to have his older, more capable sister on the court with them now.
“You know she can hoop, Dad.”
“Damn straight, and so will you. Right, Mae Mae?”
He says as he puts her down on the court. I look at my three babies, each one of them perfectly designed to fit into my life. The hills we’ve climbed, the roads we’ve taken to get here, the memories of loved ones we carry. I close my eyes and take it all in. Remembering the wish I made as a kid at the park, looking at my best friend, wanting and wishing that he would always be in my life. And that the stars would align so we could find our way back to each other.
Maeve adjusts her crown and double-knots her shoes before getting ready. Shawn chases Milo with the ball up the court, and Maeve follows up behind them. I watch them on the court, running, laughing, and enjoying each other’s presence while the heat bakes into me. Shawn yells over his shoulder back at me.
“Kids, we need our Queen to make it an even match up, don’t you think?”
They laugh, and I open my eyes. Milo runs full speed towards me and throws his arms around my neck as I hear Maeve chirp.
“Dad, there is no way the two of them against the two of us is an even match up.” I laugh as I pat Milo’s back.
“Please, Mama, you can be on my team. I’m getting better.”
“Oh, really?” I say as I stand up, grabbing the flower crown I was working on.
“How is that fair? Your dad and sister on the same team?” My son smiles up at me.
“We can take them!” He says as he flexes his muscles.
I hear Shawn and Maeve laugh.
“Yeah, okay. Come on!” I say as I pat the top of his head and fix my athletic leggings.
I place the flower crown on my head as I notice a bee following the flowers. I smile and whisper. Bees always seem to follow me. I observe it a few moments before attempting to talk to it.
“Hi Mimi, we miss you. Care to make this game interesting?” I say to the bee as if it were a sign that Mimi is here with us still.
I head over to the court, and Shawn checks the ball to me. I take it and pass it to Milo. He dribbles twice before Shawn comes up and tries to swat the ball from him. Coming up next to Shawn, I post a screen for Milo to go around.
Just as I do, my little buzzing friend circles Shawn’s head, and I smile, taking the moment to snatch the ball from him.
“Oh, hell no! I didn’t sign up to be on Survivor today.”
Shawn screams and takes off, running away from the court. I pass the ball to Milo, and he dribbles the ball up the court and shoots while Maeve and I try to contain our laughter.
“That’s my boy!” I yell, jogging after Milo
Maeve runs after her teammate. Forever the daddy’s girl, and I lean down to high-five Milo.
“Great job, my man!”
He smiles up at me as he catches his breath. “Saved by the bees.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I hear Shawn say as he comes up behind me and scoops me up over his shoulder and slaps my ass.
He bends down and sets me on the bench beside the court, and we watch our kids shoot the ball around. Shawn throws an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side as we take in the Six.
“I’ll never get tired of this view.”
Shawn says as I look over at him, and he is staring right back at me. I pull him in as he adjusts his hat, keeping it facing backwards as he leans over and captures my mouth in a tender kiss.
“I love you, Shawn.”
“Love you too, Sunshine.”
T he End.
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