Along The Journey

Chapter 1: High Road

It was January 18th, 2046; my junior year in college at Essex Business in Corgy, France. Then my 20th birthday was in two months. I had been living here since I was born. We lived in cities like Boudreaux, Versailles and Orleans. My mom Bre’Ale Castaway is a famous Chef and opened her restaurant here in 2023. Living here was the best, and visiting back to the States to see family. My dad Christian Castaway, yes the infamous IBL player; Him and my mom met while she was visiting my grams in Chicago, IL at a basketball game. Kayah, my little sister, she was the spoiled one. That was mom’s baby. She was still my little fan though. Kayah supported me in everything and was my biggest cheerleader back then.

Being an Athlete and a business major was hard. My dream was to go into the IBL like my father but I still had a plan to manage my own basketball gym or restaurant. Senior year could not come any faster. Even though it felt like I was in a rush, I couldn’t imagine actually going off in the REAL world. Our family was very close and orientated. From going out to eat and vacations to the Bahamas. We would always visit our family back in Chicago and Indiana. When my mom moved here away to pursue her career, our family was upset but held it together for her. I remember growing up here which was humble and exciting. I was always the laid back kid but still seemed to attract a crowd. In grade school, I played football, baseball, and soccer; Then again though basketball was my thing. No matter what I kept my grades up to par. I did the spelling B’s, Beta Club, Honor Roll, and so much along. Hm, they would say I’m exactly my mom and dad mixed together.

Now was the real deal; I thought High school was going to bump me out. College on the other hand was serious, my life goal was approaching as I spoke. My best friend Jeliah was close to me like we were glued by the hip. We met in High school our freshman year. Our personalities immediately clicked together. Another supporter of me, front seat at my games cheering, front row at my ceremonies clapping, and pushing me even harder. Having persons outside family still support you and move forward with you felt really good. I knew that I wasn’t on my own. Having all this effort and love on my back made me want to do so much better.

Ever since I was little and watching my dad play at his games, I always wanted to follow his lead and play basketball. It was my dream to be like him and be on top!

It’s Monday, the worst day of the week which meant school. I had one of my business classes that morning. Jeliah was in this class so it was straight for me.

“Hey Khazi, Jeliah said excitedly”, as I walked up.

“What’s up, I’ve been looking for you", I said.

“Oh, I’m sorry I was late this morning. Late night crams", said Jeliah.

“Oh okay, but I needed your help looking at the different IBL teams”.

“Well after class we can go to Starbucks and look. Do you even know what team you are going to sign with; better yet do you know if you’re going to the NBA or the IBL", Jeliah exclaims.

“Man, I don’t even know. You know I still haven’t talked to my dad about that".

“Really Khazi, I thought you was going to do that over the weekend”, Jeliah said.

“Cut the talking guys", our teacher said out of nowhere.

I made a stale face at her. I didn’t know how to tell my dad that I might have wanted to go to the NBA. Like what would he have said and how would he feel. He probably wouldn’t be supportive of that decision since he played in the IBL, international basketball league, half his life. Even though I wanted to play in the IBL, I really had interest in the NBA secretly. The Chicago Bulls was my favorite team and they had contacted me a few times. After class me and Jeliah had went to sit down to discuss my situation. She was forward with whatever I wanted to do but I didn’t even know what I wanted to do. I remember her saying, “Khazi do whatever you want to do; you won’t always have people supporting you. Just know I’ll be here for you”. When she said that I thought that my dad shouldn’t get mad and if he did what could I do about it. It was my choice right.

The college had gave us that Tuesday off that month to go home or just a day vacation. My plans was to tell my dad about how I felt. Even though that was the first thing I was thinking about, it was the last thing on my mind to talk about.

“Mom, Dad! Khazi is here", Kayah yelled.

“Hey little sister”.

“Khazi, what’s up man", my dad said.

“Pops, Hey”.                                                                                       

“Son, we’ve missed you", Mom said.

It felt good being home other than the NBA thing. I tried to bring up other stuff except basketball. Mom kept asking about miscellaneous things. I could tell something was fishy. I could smell it a block away. Out of nowhere grandma Niecy pops out, “KHAZI”! Oh wow my grandma was here all the way from Chicago. Nana Niecy was always easy to talk to about anything. She would know when something was wrong. I knew I had to get nana’s opinion on this first. A thought came to me that talking to her than dad would be less pain on my back.

“Nana, I’ve missed you”.

She giggled. “How you been boy, or should I say college boy”.

“Whew, stressful but I’m getting through. I’ve been needing to talk to you nana”.

“What is it son, anything about college", Grandma said.

“No not that, its basketball”.

“Basketball", Grandma said.

“Well look dad wants me to go to the IBL like him but I don’t think I want to. I’m thinking about going to the NBA and play for the bulls".

“Khazi always remember, “Do what is best for you because no matter what anyone says, it’s your road to ride, not theirs; Think about that", she said.

My dad had walked in. Shock was written across my face.

“Hey Yall, What are yall talking about”, He said.

Grandma made her smile. “I’ll let you both talk”, she said and walked out the room.

I didn’t know where to start in this conversation. All I could do was say, “Hey dad, what’s up”.

I was sweating bricks at the moment. “What is going to come out of this talk” and “What am I going to say to him” was the two things running across my mind.

“Khazi, what’s up, what’s wrong”, he said?

My face went stunned. Looking for the words that was going to come out of my mouth. My whole mind went blank.