Arizona Dreaming

Baby Steps

                 

June 17, 1988 Friday 8:23 pm

Gazebo at Lola's Very Fragrant Garden

I couldn't sleep.

When I left the gym, I never realizedthat someone was following me.

I know I should be happy that my team won but instead, I was upset.

After Reyes elbowed me, my mind instantly thought of how I could get my revenge.

There is no way in hell that I will let her get away with what she did.

So when I had the chance, I tripped her.

But instead of feeling triumphant, it ruined my mood.

The whole time I was playing, I was enjoying every minute of it.

I haven't played basketball in a while.

Finding an ally, I think her last name was De Jesus, made it even more exciting.

She was small but focused.

Also, we clicked!

That was surprising for me because I haven't bonded with anyone for a long time.

I would have cherish the win if I knew I played fair.

With Reyes' injury, I put our team at a bigger advantage but wasn't deserved.

I enjoyed playing because Reyes was a good opponent.

But when she elbowed me, she totally changed the game.

To me, it felt like it wasn't about basketball anymore.

It became personal and I have to put her in her place.

Nobody messes with Arizona!

***

I almost ran to the back to the building because I had the sudden urge to smoke.

I was about to light my cigarette when Perez came out of nowhere.

She saw what I was holding.

I didn't even make an effort to hide it.

Screw her!

She can report me for all I care.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, annoyed at her intrusion.

"I just want to say you did a good job in there," she pointed towards the direction of the gym.

"You couldn't tell me after the game?" I asked, irritated.

"Well, you didn't give me a chance." She replied.

I leaned on the wall and put the cigarette back in the box.

Perez stared at what I was doing.

"You should be there with them," I unzipped my backpack and toss the pack of cigarettes.

Perez walked closer to me and leaned on the wall as well.

"There are hundreds of people out there while you are here, all alone," She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at me with kindness.

"Why do you even care?" I asked, curious.

"Is that a bad thing?" she countered.

"It depends on who and what you care about," I retorted.

"Arizona, I was the one who asked you to go to the tryout." Perez looked away.

"I wasn't expecting you to show up after what you did to me at the cafeteria,"