Over-Time

Revival?

                                                  Alexis

"excuse me.."

"sorry..."

" can I get through please..."

Swin's house was packed with people. Her Family members, Close friends, and even some of her old teammates came to the post burial gathering.

It was a nice little get together. Johni's Cousins cooked a shit load of food for everyone and some of her uncles brought drinks. everyone who knew Swin was reminiscing on all the good and bad times they had.

I was searching for Johni, I haven't seen her since we got back from the burial. I spotted our teammates sitting on and around the couch, listening to Swin's Teammates stories. They still couldn't believe that Johni's mom was someone most of them had pinned up on their dorm walls.

I walked outside and scanned the yard- still no sign of her.

"Hey Young lady" someone placed their hand on my shoulder.

"You remember me? I'm Johni's High school basketball coach"
"oh yeah" I smiled turning to the brown skinned lady.

"we met back when Johni took me to her high school. Coach Sims"

"yup" she giggled and pulled me into a hug.

"How you holding up hun?" she asked as we pulled away.

"I'm holding up just fine. its Johni who is having a hard time."

"That's understandable, her mom was her world you know, all she ever wanted was to make Swin proud"

I smiled slightly. "we just have to let her get through the hurt, and realize that life goes on, that's the hardest part after losing someone so close to you"

"how long is that gon take" I mentally rolled my eyes, cause at the rate that Johni is going she is NEVER going to realize anything.

"well that depends on her. Janelle is stubborn, its going to take more than just kind words to get her back on track and playing ball the way her mother knew she could. You probably going to have to throw her ass in a ice bath. that'll wake her ass up"

we laughed. "Just give her some time first, a week , 2 weeks the most and then start kicking her ass. she is going to bitch about it now but in the long run she will be thanking you." Coach Sims gave me a reassuring smile.

"thank you"

"no problem Alexis." she then turned to walk away. "wait.. have you by any chance seen Johni?"

"no, but knowing her she is probably down by the oak tree at the park"

"I now exactly where that is. thanks" she smiled and nodded, then proceeded to walk away.

I made my way down the street. the park was only a block away from Johni's house. she showed it to me last time we were here.

"Hey...." I sat on the bench next to her. she didn't respond or bother to look at me.

We sat in silence, I didn't mind it. I just wanted her to know that I am here for her.

"This was our favorite spot..." Johni finally spoke. "we would lay under the oak tree, watch the clouds, and I would tell her about my dreams.....you know of becoming a WNBA star like her." Johni paused.

"Every year, the day before my birthday she would fry chicken, bake cornbread, and make mashed potatoes and we would have a picnic under the tree. she never missed a year. Not even while she was sick...." Johni smiled slightly.