did the room there at Radio City Music Hall turn up, but my neighbors here in the Greener dorm exploded with cheers, too. A group of them were watching from the lounge, and others from their rooms like me. This was a huge event at Blakewood!
The camera changed to Ashton, sitting next to his mother. He wore a suit and looked mature, just as he did at Brick’s funeral. Ms. Wanda’s tears began to flow when she reached over to kiss his cheek. His uncle, June, jumped from his chair and grabbed Ashton by the head, kissing him, too. I didn’t think that big man could move so quickly. His cousin, Boobie, seemed self-conscious and more reserved with his reaction. His smile was big as he reached over June’s empty chair and grabbed Ashton’s hand. When they were done, Ashton adjusted his half a heart pendant over his tie, then stood for the podium.
As I watched him put on the blue and gold Kings baseball cap and hold up their jersey, my heart swelled. I took another bite of my pizza while smiling big. He’d done it. Ashton had followed his dream and became a King. It reminded me of the Tariq Evans poster in his room the first time I’d stayed over. This was something I wasn’t used to. People creating high ass goals and actually achieving them. It was amazing.
Samantha came into the room wearing her work uniform, holding her coat on her arm and a grocery bag in her hand. Her eyes went straight toward the television.
“Did I miss it?”
“By seconds, yeah.”
“Damn!” Her shoulders dropped and she closed the door. “Who picked him?”
I winked, feeling proud. “The Kings.”
Throwing her fist in the air, she let out a sharp yelp. “I knew it! They’d better had—ooooh!” Her eyes locked to my lap. “Pizza! What kind? I’m starving.”
“Margherita from Dough Brothers.” It wasn’t Verti, but was still hitting the spot.
“Yummy! Can I have some?” she asked while hanging her coat. “I got that ginger ale soda for you. She gestured to the grocery bag. “Are you feeling better?”
“So, so. The pizza has helped a lot.”
I lifted the pizza box from my lap, offering her some. I’d already downed two slices and was looking forward to another. Samantha brought the bottle of soda to my nightstand, then went into the bathroom to wash her hands. As I reached for the ginger ale, my phone chirped.
Ashton: Kings
Happy as hell, I typed back as fast as I could.
Me: you think I ain’t know. been watching. proud human
While waiting to see if he’d text back, I opened the soda. Gulping it back, I thought about how, once again, Ashton had been withdrawn from me since spring break. We had no fights or arguments. That night I stayed in his room, we took a bath together, even had sex again before falling asleep. I practically stayed the night, leaving at four in the morning. Creeping around in that house wasn’t easy, but I made it happen for him. Ashton hadn’t been the same for a while. I only wanted to be a friend to him, and lately, that had seemed to be work.
He still had his apartment on campus, but Ashton moved lots of his things back to Jersey about a week and a half after spring break. He didn’t have a reason to be here, technically. Stephan took care of his fish for him until his return. The question was, when? When would Ashton return? My boxing season had ended, making the lonely days without him even lonelier.
Ashton: Flying in on Friday. Let’s go out on Saturday to celebrate.
A cry pushed from my throat out of nowhere. I swallowed it down as well as blinked back the tears. My heart was racing from the unexpected invitation and not wanting Samantha to catch me tearing up. When I was able to get myself together, I hit him back.
Me: it’s a date
“Girl,” Samantha sighed, coming out of the bathroom wearing a loose t-shirt and biker shorts. “I’m so damn tired. I’m going to eat this pizza and fall the hell out. Dre wanted me to come over, and I told him I couldn’t do it.”
She got a plate from on top of the microwave then grabbed a slice of pizza from my lap.
“That’s what I plan to do.” I munched on my slice. “I didn’t think I’d stay awake to catch him. Glad I did.”