Gabriel

Twenty-One

She said yes.

She said yes and Gabriel had to play the rest of the game as if he wasn't both parts anxious and excited.

And though she'd said yes, there was still something more he had to do.

"Excellent, just excellent, Gabriel,"

Coach Destiny praised, slapping his shoulder proudly.  "I don't think those boys had a chance with you throwing those balls," He grinned.

Gabriel's notably awkward smile settled on his face. "Thanks, Coach,"

Why were his hands shaking?

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

Coach Destiny was going to snap. Finally. It had to happen.

Jaleesa was off-limits. The unspoken, yet firmly understood rule was to leave Jaleesa alone.

And he had until he hadn't.

Suddenly he was feeling queasy.

He'd never been this nervous before.

Coach Destiny loved him as a person and often called him son, but that didn't mean he'd accept him as a right fit for Jaleesa.

It was only one date.

But it was still a date.

"-er me? Gabriel," Coach Destiny waved his hand in his face. "What is it, son?"

Gabriel breathed slowly, telling himself to just say it.

Do it afraid.

And so, he did.

"I wanted to tell you that I'm romantically interested in Jaleesa, and she agreed to go to dinner with me tomorrow night," As he spoke, the anxiety faded and his confidence grew.

He had to come correct, not questionable or squirmy.

"You?" Ezekiel asked, honestly shocked out of his mind. "You like my daughter? How'd that happen? Why?"

It didn't make sense.

Jaleesa was a lovely young woman, but not once did he ever think Gabriel would be interested in her.

They were on two very different paths of life.

"I know you're a thoughtful man, so this isn't a fluke, but are you sure?" He pressed, hoping for clarity.

Again, it didn't make sense.

Gabriel was surprised at the questionable reaction of Coach Destiny.

The man raved about Jaleesa and how wonderful she was.

So why was it so difficult for him to see why Gabriel would see it too?

"With all due respect, sir, I'm confused. You yourself stressed how delightful Jaleesa is. We've all seen her and I've come to know that she is delightful and much more,"

Ezekiel sighed. "It's not that, son. I love my little girl more than words could express, but I haven't been blind or deaf to the way she's treated you," He confessed, making Gabriel nod. "I didn't bring it up because I hoped she'd apologize, she did, didn't she?"

"Yes, sir. She did."

"I'm sorry for not stepping in, but I didn't want to be the reason she apologized just in words, you know? Just to make me happy," He explained. "I won't ask any personal questions, it's not my place," He lifted his hands. "If you've found something in her that's caused you, you, to pursue her, then I can't get in the way,"