Nathan stepped into the waiting room and glanced around at the people moving around and minding their businesses. His eyes went to the people standing in a place and holding up flyers with names written on them. He patiently scanned with his eyes till he found the one with his name on it and walked up to the man holding it. “Good afternoon,” he greeted the middle aged man.
The man looked him up and down and raised an eyebrow, “Nathaniel Wood?”
“Affirmative,” he answered. The man nodded and folded the flyer. Putting it into his pocket, he reached to help Nathan carry his duffel bag, “don’t worry, it’s not heavy.” He smiled.
“Okay,” the man nodded, “let’s go, Calvin and the rest are waiting for you and if I’m to be honest, I thought you would be a little older but then again, no one can explain what Calvin is thinking.” He started walking away and Nathan followed him silently. He didn’t need a ticket to know that the man was not impressed with his appearance but the good thing was, the man was not one who invited him so he only needs to appease Calvin’s coach which he knew was not the man because he knows Coach Janis like the back of his hand. The man led him to a black Maybach outside the airport and he slow whistled at the sight of the ride.
“It’s Calvin’s,” the man filled in hearing his whistle, “no matter what you do, don’t bring it to this ride, he doesn’t joke with it,” he said, getting into the car.
Nathan nodded and got into the passenger’s seat and had to stop himself from whistling again seeing the interior of the car. He glanced up at the man but he had already started the car and was minding his business. Nathan heaved a sigh and glanced out the window, ready to stay on his own till he meets Calvin and his teammates, now those are the ones he would feel comfortable with.
Right after he had received Calvin’s call, he had been to shock to respond and the man had offered to give him some time to think about it and had also mentioned that he should give him feedback by twelve in the midday. Throughout the time in school, he couldn’t concentrate anymore, he knew deep within him that this was the opportunity he has been looking for, the opportunity for him to achieve his dream. If he should go and play well then that means he would impress Coach Janis and if he is lucky, the man would recruit him in the Phoenix Suns and he would finally live off his dream of being a member of the most popular basketball team but then again, this was not a decision he would take alone. He has a partner now and Tracy’s point of view should be considered as well as that of his mother.
All through the time they were in school, he kept thinking of a way to convince them if they should refuse, but who would have prepared him for the answer he had received. Tracy had right away booked a flight for him while his mother offered to pack his bag and when they saw him off at the airport, they had told him to stay as long as he would be needed. He knew what they were doing; they didn’t want to be the ones to decide his life for him. They both know his love for basketball and also his admiration for Phoenix Suns and finally having a chance to play alongside them, they would do anything to make it possible for him. A smile lit up on his face thinking about the amazing women in his life and very soon, his daughter would join them. He just wishes luck would smile on his face so that he would spoil his princess, her mother and her grandmother. And then he could finally take up his responsibility as the man of the house.
“We are here,” he heard and turned to the man with him then he glanced at the windscreen and saw that they were entering a massive black gate. The ride to the main house took an additional two minutes as they passed a big field with nothing but sports equipments. He was surprised for he thought these kinds of stuff were usually in the backyard but these were in the front yard and it added a nice ring to it. Then they passed a massive swimming pool with a volley ball net in it and the ball itself. He also didn’t miss the basket ball hoop that was hanging on the far end of the biggest space in the entire field.
“Wow,” Nathan whispered.
“Wow indeed, but then I told the man that he should have turned his house into a gymnasium instead, I don’t see any different from it now,” the man with him said as he pulled over in front of the house, “you can go in, he is waiting for you.”
“Thank you,” Nathan said and climbed out of the bag, grapping his bag and facing the house. He heaved a sigh and then walked up to the big glass door; the house was made with mostly glass as the walls were all glass. He tried pushing open the glass door but it won’t bulge. He tried again also bearing in mind not to use too much force to avoid damaging the glass.
“You don’t push, you slide,” a voice said and he glanced up to see Calvin standing inside the house with a crutches and a big grin on his face. On his leg was a big white cast.
Nathan chuckled and scratched his hair in embarrassment, then he put his advice to test by sliding the door and it gave in easily.
“I told you,” Calvin remarked.
“I’m sorry,” he said, going into the house and sliding the door close behind him.
“Nah, it’s okay, come give me a high five,” he said and Nathan did what he said. “Before anything else, I will like to say thank you for this, I really appreciate.”
“It’s nothing, you would have done the same for anybody.”
Calvin smiled, “now, we have two hours only to the game and you need to meet Coach Janis first. Now, you should know that he is not happy with this arrangement and some of the guys as well, they think you are not ready to take up a national game. But I want you to know something,” he looked him deep in the eyes, “I trust you,” he smiled, “and I think you are as ready you will ever be. It takes a day to play for the national TV and it takes a day to play for the international TV. You don’t get ready for anything, you just do it and then after you will know that you have been ready all along.”
Nathan nodded, “thank you.”
“Nah,” Calvin shook his head, “you have already wowed me, now I need you to wow Janis.”
“I will do my best.”
Calvin nodded with a smile, “but then again, don’t just do your best, give your best,” he winked and then led him into the house.
***
“You think you can do this boy?” Janis, a man in his early fifties but look to be in his thirties asked Nathan. His hair was white all through and he had sharp gray eyes that Nathan was almost afraid of looking him in the eye. He had seen the man on TV’s a lot and had seen pictures of him online but he never knew standing in front of the man would be like sitting on a hot seat.
“Y-yes I c-can,” Nathan stuttered.
“Stuttering doesn’t make me see the confidence in you boy, answer me,” Janis said.
“Yes sir, I can do it,” Nathan answered in the clearest voice he could muster.
“Good,” Janis nodded, “I don’t know what Calvin is thinking, we could have easily hire a professional Point Guard but he insisted it has to be you and I am only doing this because none of his suggestion has ever failed us and he has never been this sure about anybody. You have convinced him and some of his mates, but now you will have to convince me, the Coach. You don’t have to go for the win, I have already ruled us out of wining this game without Calvin, but I still need to see you try, impress me,” he said and then just like he wasn’t the one that spoke earlier, he yelled, “hurry up team, the game is in ten.” And he walked out of the locker room.
Nathan let out the breath he was holding and almost slumped on the bench behind him. He heard some chuckling and glanced up to see the teammates watching him. Noah walked up to him and patted his back, “don’t mind Coach, he is always tough but he is a good coach, we will never change him for anyone.”
Nathan nodded, “I know, I have just never faced anyone as serious as him in my life before.”
Noah chuckled, “you will learn to love him. Come on, let’s get ready and give them a good game.”
“Thanks Noah.”
“Anytime man,” Noah grinned.
Calvin entered then to have a little chat with Nathan and in five minutes time, he was getting ready to play for the first time with the whole of America watching.
When the game started, Nathan almost went dizzy by the sight of the audience, the court was the biggest he has ever seen and he gulped as he followed his team to their post. As the game was getting ready to begin, Nathan glanced at Calvin and he winked at him and mouthed ‘you got this’, he smiled softly and nodded at the man. He was the youngest of the team and since he was taking Calvin’s post, all eyes were on him and he even heard his name mentioned in the speakers more than twice. He closed his eyes and remembered that Tracy promised to be watching every second of the game and he somehow found comfort in that.
His heart was drumming in his chest like a thousand drums and he needed no one to tell him that he wasn’t playing in a high school anymore and that this game would either change his life forever or ruin it. He sucked a deep breath and blew out slowly then he picked the ball and positioned himself, ready to give California the best game they have ever seen, after all, he was born to play basket ball.
The game started and Nathan first used the moment to study how his new teammates play, if it was back in his hometown, he knew where each of his teammates are good in and he knew who to pass the ball to and at what time but now, he was still getting into it and he needed no one to tell him he was lagging behind.
After missing two clean shots, he glanced at Coach Janis and saw the man murmuring something in annoyance to Calvin before he turned and glared at him. Nathan avoided his gaze immediately and had to stop himself from crying. ‘What is wrong with me?’ he asked himself over and over again.  The game continued on and they were losing to the opposite team by ten points and by half time intermission, they were losing by fifteen points.
“Nathan, come,” Calvin called when they got up to him.
Nathan walked up to him with tears accumulating in his eyes, “I’m sorry Calvin, I don’t know what is happening.”
“Well you better figure it out because this is not how you play the game!” Janis yelled and Nathan heard the murmuring of some of the teammates.
“Coach, let me talk to him,” Calvin said and Nathan was surprised that the man was still speaking so calmly despite the rubbish he has been playing.
“You better know what you are doing Calvin, you really better,” Janis said and then ignored them.
“It was a mistake calling me right?” Nathan asked when Calvin led him away from the others.
“It’s only a mistake if you call it that. Now, do you think it’s a mistake?” Calvin asked.
Nathan shook his head, “no, but then what is happening?”
“I know what is happening and I must tell you that you are a good Point Guard.”
“What?” Nathan was stupefied.
“Nathan, every Point Guard must know how his team plays and I saw what you are doing there, you are trying to study their movements and it’s the only thing pushing you back. If this has not happened today, say, maybe a week before today, you would have trained with them every single day and by now, you would have mastered them.”
“What am I to do now?”
“Take the win.”
“What?”
“I saw you play at that high school gymnasium Nathan, I saw how you went solo and took the win, you need to apply that now. When you hold the ball and you think you can make it, go for it, okay and try to use your free throws carefully. Bring out that fire I saw in you that day and I promise that both the Coach and everyone would be wowed. Remember, I trust you and I believe in you. And do you know who else believe in you? Tracy. And do you want to know who else? Your mother, oh and they are many, talk about your teammates, your coach and your friends that are definitely watching this game now. So go out there and make them proud, you have got this.”
Nathan nodded, “thank you, Calvin.”
“And I have one question.”
“Ask away?”
“Do you love basket ball?”
“It’s all I have ever dreamed of.”
“Then grab this chance,” Calvin said and patted his shoulder before they went back to wait out the half time with the others. When the game finally started again, everyone was first surprised on how Nathan was almost like he was playing on his own but he never hesitated to pass the ball when necessary but whenever he thinks he can take the shot, he doesn’t slack on it.
Thirty minutes later, everyone was finally convinced that it wasn’t the same Nathan that played first half was playing again. They were now losing to the opponent by three points and from the look on Nathan’s face; everyone knew that he was not going without the win.
As the timer started counting to end the game, they have fifteen seconds to the end of the game and were on draw with the opponent team. Nathan knew if that if there was anything he could do, he better do it now and then he heard Calvin shout, “Give him the ball Noah.” And just like that, the ball landed in his hands and he heard Calvin shout at him, “Go for it.” He nodded and took a sprint to the opponent’s post. He glanced at the timer, six seconds to go and he had a ton of defenders blocking his path and there was no other choice but to rely on his jump. Now standing beyond the three point line, he squatted a little and then jumped as high as he could and threw the ball. Everyone watched as the ball bounced on the basket and then into the hoop.
Nathan landed on his feet as everywhere was still in silence as no one could believe the jump or the shot. Soon, a voice started shouting and clapping and Nathan turned around to see Coach Janis clapping and whooping then followed by Calvin and before he knew it, the whole stadium was giving a standing ovation and the once quiet place was now as noisy as a beehive. Nathan has taken the win by three points and with a jump-shot.