Stars Align

Golden Retriever.

Christian~

They've let family come down to the court after the rest of the fans cleared out. I find Dani in the sea of her team and their families as well as a lot of sports reporters.

She stands with Lauren and Mikayla as they take so many pictures. She finally comes over to me and I hug her. "I don't think I'm ever going to stop crying."

"That's okay."

"I want pictures," my mom says.

She wipes under her eyes with her jersey before standing next to me. I put my arm around her and let our moms take as many pictures as they please.

Her coach comes over and hands her a ball. "What's this?"

"The game ball."

"You don't want it?"

"You put in the hard work today. It's yours."

"Seriously, you guys, stop making me cry. I'm not going to be able to stop." They hug and take a few pictures.

I stand with her family as they went back into the locker room to change and get ready to leave.

"Christian."

I look over to Mikayla as she waves me over to her. I walk over to her, "Yeah?"

"Walk with me."

"Okay."

We get to their locker room, "Stay here."

"What's going on?

"She needs you more than she needs me right now. So I'm going to clear out the room and you're going to go in there and be the supportive and best husband you can be. Because she needs you right now. She won't admit it but she needs you."

"Okay."

Dani~

"Everybody out. Now," Mikayla says as she walks in.

I don't even respond to that. I'm in a state of shock. I don't want this to end. Everybody else is fully dressed and here I am still in my jersey.

I put the ball down between my feet. "You don't have to leave. Just the rest of them."

I stay like this as they all start to leave. "Hey, I'll see you back in Milwaukee. We're gonna celebrate like old times."

"Okay."

She starts to leave and I stand up and look around. It's too quiet in here. I think I'm frozen in this room. I don't know if I can leave.

I'm really done playing. For the past twenty years, I've spent hours upon hours in the gym or on the court making sure I got better. Making sure I could get to the professional level. Making sure I was better than the previous day. Making sure I was improving every day. This chapter of my life is closing so a new, exciting one can open. While I have mixed feelings right now, I know it's what I want even though I can't stop crying right now.

"Hey."

I look over at Christian as he stands in the doorway. "I just need to shower an-"

"We're not in a rush. Take your time."

"Okay."

He walks over to me and makes me put my arms around him. He hugs me, "Take all the time you need."

We stand there for a while until I let go. He lets go following my actions. I grab the towel from my locker and set it in the chair. I sit on the floor to get my shoes and knee pads off but can't let myself do it. I need to. I just can't.