All The Way Down by Robert W. Burnett

Author:Robert W. Burnett [Burnett, Robert W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491832066
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2013-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

The snow flakes were coming down lightly as the nighttime temperature dropped down to the upper twenties. I had completed my Monday practice, and still wearing my sweat suit, rushed the five miles from Farmdale to Oakland High School, to see Sheree play in her junior varsity game.

The Oakdale girls were playing Northview, and Sheree was adamant about me watching this game more than any other. The Northview girls were known for dominating teams in basketball. They were mostly black kids, who played man defense, and pressed all over the court. When they would steal the ball or rebound a defensive shot, they would fast break whether it was there or not.

I entered the gym and sat in the bleachers across from the team benches. A few junior varsity parents were in attendance at this early juncture of the game. The contest was slowly moving along, as Sheree sneaked a peek at me as she came down the court to play defense. I looked directly at her so she would know I saw her. No words needed exchanged. We had that understanding with eye contact. She seemed instantly energized, and exerted more hustle in her every move.

My eyes focused on the fans across the gym behind the Northview bench, and found Janice and her new man, Demetrius, sitting about five rows up. My mind went from rage, to embarrassment, to you have got to deal with it. As my heart beat slowed down, I got back into how Sheree was playing. Going through a divorce was painful and distracting, but I could not let it defeat me!.

Northview went on to blow out Oakland with pure speed and hustle. I waited for Sheree to put on her street clothes, then I would give her a critique of the game. When she finally came out, I gave her a coach’s lecture on basic fundamental basketball mistakes. “But Dad,” Sheree said! “I was hustling. I tried hard. You just don’t know!”

“Look Sheree,” I answered. “If you want to get better, listen to what I say!”

I decided to stay for the varsity game and ride Sheree home. Janice and Demetrius had left, so I could relax a little more, and not worry about any eye contact with the couple across the floor. The Oakland varsity got blown out as bad as the junior varsity, but I enjoyed watching and cheering for another team, without having to make a coaching decision. I enjoyed the many compliments from Oakland fans, who came up to me and congratulated me for my coaching thus far.

I dropped Sheree off at the house where I once lived, and kissed her good night. Driving home to my apartment, I was relieved that I was able to be coaching at a crisis time in my life. If it were not for coaching, I knew that my personal life would have made me a basket case. My Pulsar skidded slightly to the right on the now frozen road, making me realize that the only important thing now, was getting home safely.

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