Healing and Hoops - A Stephen Curry Story

Finding Balance - 15

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, with her voice barely above a whisper she began to speak. "Stephen, I..." Before she could continue, she was abruptly cut off by her phone ringing. She looked down at the screen and saw her mom's name flashing across it. She wiped away her tears, trying to stay composed. She glanced at Stephen, he gave her a slight nod. Without saying a word, she answered the call, putting it on speaker.

"Hey, Mom" she greeted, trying to steady her voice

"Darling, it's so good to hear your voice, look I know you are busy but Sonya and I were talking, what are your plans, have you two set a date at least?" 

Alexis forced a weak smile, "No ma, we've been... I've been busy so we haven't"

"Sweetheart if you can't find the time now then you won't find it later either" 

"Ma, I promise I will tell you if there are any developments regarding that" she said her voice cracking slightly "I am just dealing with a lot right now"

MaryAnne's picked the subtle cues in her voice "Sweetheart, are you okay?" She bit her lip, struggling to hold back her tears letting out a sniffle which Mary Anne caught on "Oh baby, what is it?"  

She struggled to hold back her tears, and her voice betrayed her "It's just... everything feels overwhelming. I'm trying to keep it together ma, but it's getting harder every day and I don't even know if all this is worth the stress. I just, I don't know ma"

"Oh honey, sometimes life can feel incredibly overwhelming, and it's natural to question things. It's okay to feel lost and uncertain sometimes" 

"I just...it's just too much for one person to handle ma" Her breath hitched, and tears began to stream down her face as she whispered, "It's like whatever am doing is not enough and I can't be everything for everyone" 

Stephen couldn't help but feel a tinge of hurt. Had he not been approachable enough? Had he not created a safe space for her to share that with him?

"Sweetheart, is this just about general stress? Is there something going on?" she exchanged a glance with Stephen, she also didn't want MaryAnne to think that something was wrong. "No, ma. It's the general stress, it's just.... it's a lot right now" 

"Oh, okay sweetie, just take care of yourself. Go for a drive or just step away and get some fresh air okay?"

"Okay ma" 

"Don't worry about anything else, just focus on what's important baby. Don't even worry about the wedding right now, I just need you to be okay"

"Thank you ma" After concluding the call, the room felt suffocating, and she needed a moment to gather herself. Abruptly standing up, her chair scraping against the floor, Stephen immediately grasped her arm, stopping her in her tracks before she could walk away. "Stephen, please let me go," she pleaded wiping her tears away as he stood in front of her, blocking her path.

Stephen spoke calmly in a soft tone, "come here." He moved her closer to him wrapping his arms around her. Leaning against his chest, she allowed herself to release the tears she had been holding back. He held her tightly, comforting her as her sobs gradually subsided. Slowly regaining her composure, with her eyes still moist with tears she looked up at him and their eyes met. He gently brushed a tear from her cheek. She cupped his face pulling him down while lifting herself up on her toes and their lips connected in an instant. The warmness in her lips sent all kinds of impure thoughts in his head gently pushing her against the wall. He pulled back and smiled as he gazed into her eyes. Their lips met again, harder this time. 

He slid his hands down to her backside, up and under, and lifted her carrying her to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he began unbuttoning her shirt dress while kissing her, starting from her mouth to between her breasts, and moving slowly down her body one button at a time.