SPINE [Completed]

CHAPTER 1

"I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want you to lose this chance."

"What did we do wrong to have to choose what's best for one of us and not both of us?"

"Nothing. There were never any mistakes."

"I'll be back tomorrow JT. I love you."

"Good luck tonight T."

3 Months Earlier...

            "Now ladies and gentlemen, your home team...your Montvale Red Hawks! And your starting five...introducing first...the point guard...and your senior captain...number 24...James Turner!"

            The crowd roared his name and echoed his illustrious career. It was finally time for James Turner to play his final game in his high school uniform. His future, much brighter than all of the cameras' flashes at his games, awaits him after a potential fourth straight state championship. He scanned the gym. There she was. His rock. Unshakable. An ageless wonder. Ever since James lost his dad when he was 5, it has always been his mother that has watched him play and fight through all of the obstacles in basketball. And now that James has a scholarship to go play at UConn, his mom can finally rest and sit back and watch her son become the next college superstar that will one day excel in the league. Just as he does before every game, James walked over to the bleachers, gave his mom a hug, shared a prayer, and pointed to the sky to his dad. Then, he joined his teammates for one last breakdown before the start of the game.

            "At halftime, the score is 36-27...the Red Hawks trail the Bulldogs by 9...their largest deficit all season long. We'll be back in just a moment. For now, please give a warm round of applause for the Red Hawks cheerleaders!"

            Sweat poured from the players' heads. Fumes exhaled from their palms as frustrations, fears, and grit pulsed through their veins. Coach Daniels walked into the locker room and eyed each of his players down. "Boys, bring it in. I want every single one of you to stand up right now and keep your head up." They gathered around and gazed at their coach. James, exhausted from playing every single minute up until half, joined the huddle last. "I'm not going to give you a bullshit speech about motivation, about a deficit, about overcoming things. None of it. I don't need to. For the past four years, since I came here, I met all of you and it has been an incredible journey. I've seen heart in all of you. This game? It's yours. Not mine. Take it. No one else deserves it." Coach Daniels smiled at all of us, turned around, and walked out of the locker room. The boys looked at each other and then to James. "JT, what's the plan? We need buckets quick." Quincy said as he wiped sweat out of his eyes. "We need to push the pace," Ricky said. "We need to get back to what we do best and that's transition offense boys. Enough of the quick shots, set, and then shoot. Crash the boards." The boys nodded in agreement. "Boys...I need to sit." James mumbled. His knees felt weak and he felt extremely lightheaded. "Hey...you okay bud?" Sam asked. Sam and James have been playing together since they started back when they were 6 and have been an arsenal of a backcourt ever since. James nodded. "4 years of barely any rest is really getting to me." James laughed. "UConn isn't going to take that excuse for anything JT!" Quincy said as he chuckled. The mood grew lighter but the stage felt more set and the pressure mounted on each of them. "I'll sit the first few minutes. Adam, you know how to handle the ball. Give it to the open guy. Pass often and pass smart. Don't hold. Move the ball. Make it happen." James said. "Alright boys, let's get that 4-peat. One shot at a time. One play at a time."

            "1:23 left...Red Hawks still trail the Bulldogs...but only by 4. Turner pushes the ball up. He points for a screen. Turner to Quincy Starks. Quick pass back to Turner. Turner takes the screen. Turner...step back...launches a 3...and....it's good! JT for 3!"

            The crowd exploded in cheers. Now the flashes of cameras turned into fireworks, James felt his hands illuminating, a feeling that felt ever so familiar. A vibe rushed through his skull and as he rejoined his team for a huddle, he felt the weakness in his knees again. As he grimaced, he bit his tongue and hid the pain away. His mom looked over with a look only mothers could give. One filled with concern yet glossed over by love and willpower. "JT! That's a hell of a shot there kid. Now, we need a stop. A stop and slow the pace and get it to the open guy. Find the open look! Your pace boys." Coach Daniels could sense his players losing energy quickly. "There is 1:16 standing between you and that championship. Not the other team, just time. Make each second worth more than the next."

            "1:16 left. The Bulldogs now push the ball up the court. Morris, their senior point guard, with 13 points, takes it to Turner. Morris, drives, past Turner and fires a floater...and it's blocked by Sam Carter! Turner picks up the loose ball and heads back the other way. He lobs it over a defender...and it's picked off! 54 seconds to go and the Bulldogs push the pace. Morris fires from the elbow and hits it! It's a three point game. The Red Hawks have one final timeout and opt not to use it in this situation. Turner takes the ball again. He's looking for Carter to get open off the screen by Starks. Ricky Lee comes to the ball. Turner to Lee. Lee fires it down low to Starks. Starks with the ball now...what a delivery to Carter! And Carter brings it within one again. 36 seconds left. The Bulldogs call timeout."

            James sank into the bench. He has never felt more exhausted than he did now. It felt as if he went toe-to-toe with Mayweather for 12 rounds. It was not like him to feel down and out before the game was over. "Hey, you okay?" Coach Daniels asked. James nodded. His vision began to get a bit blurry. Shaking his head, James jumped to his feet. It was obvious that he was not completely okay to finish this game. But no one on the team would ever say so to James. "Alright boys. It's the same scenario again. But, now we only have 37 seconds. We might want to foul if we can't get the stop. Foul the worst shooter out there."

            "And here we go...this is it. The stage is set. The Bulldogs inbound the ball. Morris brings it up to half court...24 seconds left. They're winding down the clock now...Morris looks to pass...here comes the double on Morris...guarded by JT and Carter...Morris just throws it up! It rolls into the hands of Stevens their big man and Starks comes flying in and draws the foul. 11 seconds remain...Stevens to the line. He is a career 36% from the line. And...he hits the first of two free throws. 2 point game. Stevens with the second attempt...it's up...and it rattles out! Lee with the rebound. A quick outlet to JT...7 seconds left. JT raises his hands to call for a timeout."

            "Run the play boys! The play we've worked on for this very situation. Off the inbound, set it and make sure you are all in place." Coach Daniels instructed. They huddled in for one last time. "One team on three...1, 2, 3...one team!"

            "The Red Hawks are in prime position. They have just enough time to set a play and get a shot off to potentially tie the game or win it all here. Carter comes in to inbound the ball for the Red Hawks. There seems to be some confusion between Turner and Lee! They're both asking for the inbound pass. Time is running out, they might get a violation! What's this? Lee peels out and sets a screen on Morris. Starks comes out from the corner. Carter to Starks. Turner gets free from Morris. Starks rifles it to JT...they need to get a shot off! JT...sets...fires...and...it's good! It's good! That's the game! Oh, what a shot by JT! 61-60 is your final score and your defending champions have completed their 4-peat!"

            Confetti filled the air. The aroma of sweat and sheer, sweet victory encompassed the gym. It was quite the spectacle. A game winner for James Turner. The perfect ending to an amazing career. James shook hands with Morris and all of the other players. As he was headed to his mom, James felt a sudden vicious twist in his stomach and throat. He fell to his knees and started to cough up blood. Through all of the haze of celebration, James dropped to the court he won so many games on. His eyes closed. His mother rushed over to his side. "James, are you okay? Sweetheart, look at me." She weaved her hands into his hair. He was sweating profusely and his lips grew cold. "HELP! Somebody please call 911!" People rushed out of the way as James's teammates hurried over. "Hey JT, you're alright kid. Don't worry, we got you."