"Dallas...we've been...at it...for...three hours." Theo says, breathing hard between words.
"Just a few more," I pant as I fake out Theo, and go up for three point fade-away.
Theo collapses at half court, "I swear you're tryin' to kill me," he wheezes, opening one eye to see if I'm paying attention.
"I think I'm just gonna shoot around for a little bit longer, but you can go on ahead." I hold the basketball at my side as I help Theo up.
"Man, look Dallas, you're gonna have to go home sooner or later. I know it's a Wednesday, but your old man has probably already passed out by now. You need to get some rest anyways, you look like hell. Now that is not good for our rep." Theo grins and raises his eyebrows.
I shake my head and laugh. "Point taken, I guess I should be heading home. Thanks for coming out tonight, it's nice to have some company out here every once and a while." I give Theo a fist bump and walk towards my truck.
I hop into my old Ford F-150; it was my momma's. I twist the keys in the ignition, and just sit there for a moment, letting the cool A/C blow on my face. I look at the clock -- 11:14 p.m.
He should be out by now, most nights, particularly Wednesdays, it didn't take long. I sigh and start driving home. I took the exit to the southern side of town. We don't have much. I try to pick up shifts at Whataburger when I don't have practice, and Pop gets handed odd jobs out of pity but always ends up getting himself fired. The meager amount of dough that he does pocket winds up getting poured into his glass every night, so I have a stash of cash unbeknownst to him concealed in my room for food and such.
When our pantry does wind up empty, Theo's family spoils me with homemade hot cajun meals. His mom calls me "the white boy she never wanted." I smile at the thought of the Travis'.
I pull up to my house and go inside.
CRASH! The sound of shattering glass comes from the living room; I froze. Locking the door tentatively I take large cautious steps towards the living room. The redolence of hard liquor makes my eyes water. I scan the room and see him curled up in the corner of the couch, bottle feeding himself like a child sucks their thumb. I pick up the old photographs that have been dispersed in all directions from the couch and cover Pop with a blanket. He looks up at me with red swollen eyes and a quivering lip. I break the eye contact, and ignore the soft whimpers coming from my father. I turn my back and advance towards the kitchen.
I pull my shirt over my head and throw it in the sink, letting the cold water run over my it, attempting to wash the sweat out. I decide to hop into the shower while our water was still running.
I toweled off and checked my phone,
Christine- iMessage (8) 8:56 p.m.
Theo- You better be sleeping 12:09 a.m.
Jacy- Hey, how are you? 1:45 a.m.
Jacy; I wonder where she is right now.
I shake my head as if it could erase her and crawl onto the mattress wedged in the corner of my room, close my eyes and try to get some sleep. All of my efforts in vain. After all it as a Wednesday.
