"I'm coming I'm coming." Odell said limping to his front door and looked through the peephole to see Debra standing there. He rolled his eyes opening the door to let her in.
"It's 9:30 why do you look like you just woke up?" She asked looking him up and down. "That's because I did. I played in the last two quarters yesterday- and! I got tackled more times than I can count, I think I deserve to sleep in a little."
Odell closed the door and limped over to the couch and laid down where he slept last night. He was so tired that he threw his stuff down at the door and passed out on the couch to wore out to make it to his bed.
"Why are you limping around like that?" Debra asked sitting on the couch adjacent from him. "I don't know when it happened but I got rug burned real bad." He lifted his basketball shorts up to show her the large raw cherry red spot on his thigh, it was so bad it made Odell sick just from looking at it to long. Debra slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead with a groan.
"You can't show anyone that. Just wash it with some regular soap, after that put antibacterial anything on it and make sure you keep it wrapped up. You just started this season don't give them a reason to bench you."
"I'm fine, it's nothing. I've been playing sports my whole in case you forgot. A little rug burn isn't the worst that's happened to me."
Debra let our a stressful sigh. "I don't have time for the back and forth with you Beckham. Hurry up and get dressed. Remember you've got a couple things to do today." Odell sat up already wishing for the day to be over.
"A few things like what?"
"You're the newest member of a very popular football team, people want to meet you. You've got a meet and greet this morning with some fans at the stadium."
"I don't have to dress up or anything do I?"
"No be comfortable just as long as what you have on has the team logo on it for pictures. But you need to hurry up we have to be there by 10:30. Don't take all day." Debra hit his shoulder as she passed by him to get to the kitchen. "Okay I'm going I'm going." He stood up slowly and walked sluggishly up the stairs.
--
"Mommy that's really him. It's my turn to talk to him!" The little boy said pulling his mom up to the table. "I see Liam." The little boy's short sandy brown hair bounced on his head as he tried to see Odell one the table. The woman picked the boy up and put him on her hip.
"Can I hold him?" Odell asked smiling. "Sure. He's a huge fan of yours." He reached over the table and picked up the little boy.
"What's your name?"
"Liam." His eyes held a state of schock as he was in the arms of his idol. "How old are you buddy?" Liam held up his hand. "I just turned five."
"Well happy belated birthday. I'm gonna sign this poster and a shirt for you. If you stay around long enough you'll get to meet Sterling and Victor, they'll be here soon."
"Thank you. This is the best birthday ever!" Liam hugged Odell's neck making him smile. Odell gave him a strong hug and ruffled his hair.
Making sure his fans are happy is top priority to him no matter if they're young or old. He remembers meeting football players when he was Liam's age back when his dad played college ball, he got to meet all kind of players in NFL; and when he got to meet them he remembered not feeling the love you'd expect a celebrity should give their fans. Odell decided when he went pro he'd try to make them feel he's just as genuinely excited to see them just as they are when they see him.
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Fanfiction"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome." -Isabel Allende