by Gigi Birtie
As we approach the stadium I turn to my father and say,
“I want you to know that I support what you need to do so you can move on, but in the end I’m still your child too.” It was all that needed saying.
My father looks at me for a brief second before turning back to the road and turns up the podcast.
I guess he has no words for what I said.
It’s a busy day at the stadium, but luckily for us we had VIP parking by the entrance. We parked, walked in where staff comes, and go to the entrance that leads us to the field. We show our passes right away gaining us a personal escort.
Right away I see Asher, Riv, and Dane suited up for today’s game. I go to the other side of my father, so they can’t see me directly. I’m not so much in a social mood anymore and just want to watch the tribute and leave.
My father informed me before entering that we weren’t staying for the game, but I’m sure once things get under way he’ll change his mind to at least stay for the first half.
The coach comes over and starts talking to my dad telling us what will be happening. He mentions the tribute video just as Asher is walking up. I know he heard him because Asher’s face gives him away. He has a tell when he’s in trouble. It’s a slight twitch above his left eyebrow.
I give him a look that conveys my disappointment in him for not telling me.
Asher looks away as Coach asks me, “Will you be okay or would you like to leave the field before it starts?” He gives me the option to stay or go but I opt to stay.
“No, I’ll be fine.” I say quietly.
“That a girl.” Coach says as he puts his arm around my shoulder and leans into my ear. “You’re a strong girl Sloane and Reese’s spirit is with you every day in your heart.” My body shudders but I turn and wrap my arms around Coach to give him a heartfelt hug.
“Thank you.” I say muffled into Coach’s chest. His arms awkwardly wrap around me and gives me the best hug back that he could.
“I’m serious Sloane, Reese is your angel now so do what you can to make him proud every day.” He leans back and smiles that’s happy yet sad. “And if you ever need any help at all, you come see me anytime. I’m aware of what your home life is like.” Coach says the last part for my ears only.
I just nod since I’m a bit choked up, but he grabs my hand guiding me past Asher and the rest of the guys with my father following a few feet behind us.
Coach sets us up in two chairs in the center of the sidelines. We take our seats right when the announcer starts the dedication. Everyone becomes shockingly quiet.
“Today we are taking the time to honor a soul that marked our lives in many ways. He was our brother and a friend to many. A man who touched many hearts and a person none of us will forget.” The crowd begins to cheer as Reese’s face shows up on the Jumbotron.
Here we go, I say to myself and sit ramrod in my seat bracing myself for what they’re about to play.
“Reese Cates number seventy-seven offensive line.” The announcer says as the video is now in motion.
“Who’s pumped to win this championship?” Reese’s voice fills the stadium as everyone cheers for Reese in the crowds.
I on the other hand can’t breathe. Hearing him was unexpected and all I want to do is listen to his every word. I open my eyes glancing again to the screen.
There is video of him and me with an arm around each shoulder. When was this even taken?
“This is my little sister and if you fuck with her you fuck with me, so tell me," He fake shoves me to the side as he runs up to the camera “Do you want to live or die?” He says in a Russian accent. I giggle at his way of being serious, yet playing it off as a joke.
Now cutting to Reese’s best game plays we go through all those that were News worthy while he played for the Bears.
At the end it shows Reese as he runs a hand through his wet hair as he comes off the field and he just smiles as it fades to black.
His name fills the screen with the day he was born to the day he died. Everyone is quite as we hold our moment of silence for Reese.
Coach walks up to the microphone that’s on the field and adds to the ceremony.
“Reese was like a son to me, as all my players are but this kid will forever hold a special place with us all. His life was taken tragically and too soon, but he will never be forgotten. We all want to dedicate our season to Reese and his family that are here today.” The crowd begins to chant Reese’s name while some blow on horns, but Coach says one more thing over the crowd. “Reese Cates may you watch over the ones who need you most, may your spirit and soul fly higher than it ever has before.” I look over to my dad who’s crying harder than the day Reese died. There’s no way I can watch, so I hang my head down low and focus on the blades of grass sitting at my feet.
Suddenly there are two strong hands on my shoulders.
“I love you baby.” Asher says by my ear to where his warm breath tickles my neck and the smell of the minty gum he’s chewing fills my nostrils.
I take my hand and place it over one of his hands and I pat it gently. All my anger that I had for him melts away, the fight that I wanted to pick with him about not telling me about the video also fades. It was ridiculous to even want to argue over something so petty, anyway.
His hands leave my shoulders as the whistle from the refs blow and the team goes out to take the field.
Coach comes over and says one last thing to my dad and I peek up to see him just nodding.
“Let’s go.” My father says to me and turns to the tunnel that will lead us out to where we parked.
I glance over to Coach one last time and smile then turn to walk away.
We dissolve into the sideline crowd and leave with no one even noticing until I take one last look to where Asher is on the field that is. He notices, but I wave goodbye hoping he knows I’m not upset and that it’s just my time to go.
I guess I was wrong thinking my dad would want to stay and watch some of the game, but perhaps this was all too much for him.
As I dig in my purse, I pull out my phone and I send Asher a quick text wishing him luck on the game today and that I’ll see him later.
I can only hope that I get to, but with how everything is being sold off today. I doubt that I will have that chance to tell him everything until it’s all said and done.
Chapter Twenty-Four
SLOANE
We were only at the game for less than two hours, the ride back was quiet and only slightly uncomfortable. When we pulled up to the house there were guys moving quickly inside and out of our home.
Once I stepped out of the truck and made my way inside, I was completely taken aback by it being fully packed up and empty.
The only room untouched was mine.
I turn to my dad who’s standing behind me.
“I didn’t realize that everything would happen this fast?” I say in utter shock.
“Well, money makes things happen. My assistant found you a bungalow in the Oakland hills a few miles from school. The deal closes tomorrow, so the movers will be back tomorrow morning. It’s turn key so you’ll have no worries of what needs fixing.”
As I stand here gawking at my dad who I love, I realize that the same love isn’t returned. I am nothing, but an obligation and the person who got the son he loved killed.
I guess I should be thankful that I had such a good provider, but I would rather have a loving father instead.
“Okay thanks dad.” I answer quietly as I glance around my room before it becomes completely dismantled.
A cell phone alert pings and my father turns from me as he checks his message.
“Well those are the buyers for your motorcycle and car. Stay inside and don’t think about causing a scene.” He squints his eyes down to show me that he’s very serious.
My head feels heavy, but I still manage to nod and walk over to my camera. If the car was registered in my name, I could make more of a fuss but it’s not, so all I can do fro
m here on out is save up my money and one day know I’ll have another car like it.
Putting my camera down I wander over to Reese’s room. There is nothing left in here. I draw in a jagged breath as I close my eyes.
“Remain calm Sloane, you will NOT cry...” I say to myself so I can keep a grip on the situation at hand.
I walk over and run my hand over Reese’s wall where his desk used to sit. I notice some hand writing on the wall in a blue sharpie.
THE YEARS GO BY FAST
I stare at his words and realize how simple yet true they are.
Tears start to fill my eyes, but I take a deep breath to keep them from spilling over. This is something I need to capture before I’ll never see it again so I turn around and jog back to my room. I grab my camera and get the shots I need. After taking a few pictures and finish looking around, I hear my car start up.
The growl of the engine calls me over to the window. I peek out and there is my beautiful Olds 442 leaving the driveway. Then to follow is a murdered out all black truck with my motorcycle in the back all strapped down.
“Lame...” I whisper watching what I enjoyed the most drive away.
I guess that’s it, the old way of my life in which I loved and lived with passion, are all dead and gone.
I take one last look around and leave my brothers room to go back to my own. It’s time to start packing what is important and what I’ll need right off in my new house.
That sounds weird, my original house.
It won’t matter what my new home will be like. There won’t be the love like I had here, but I’ll spend my days trying to create a space that’s similar. Those days will come back… one day. I just need to start living to make them happen.
Suddenly, exhaustion washes over me so I lay on my bed and close my eyes. I must have been emotionally drained because I don’t wake until morning when my dad was knocking on my door.
“Sloane, it’s time to get up and get moving.” He yells through my bedroom door. “Be ready in an hour.” He adds.
I open my eyes and it’s still dark outside. With a heavy sigh I roll over on my side. I reach over and grab my phone. There are a mess of texts from Asher, Mona, and Riv which I’m sure it was Mona using Rivs’ phone and one that I didn’t recognize.
Opening the unknown text first I read it and all it says is,
Times Up.
What does that even mean?
I close the text and take a glance at the time. It’s only five am. I roll over and bury my face in my pillow and moan.
I’m sure whatever Mona and Asher texted is simply asking what I’m up to and since I’m not in the mood to let them know what’s happening, I shut off my phone.
With a heavy inhale I sit up and I exhale. It almost makes me feel like I can handle today. In with the good shit, out with the bad shit, exhale. I do that a few more times, then hop out of bed.
It didn’t take me long to shower and get dressed for the day. I decided to dress comfortably since I’m not sure what I need to do. Am I moving my things? Is someone doing it all for me?
Ugh, so many questions.
As I walk upstairs, there’s my dad waiting for me in the kitchen.
“Will you need coffee or can we get this day going?” He asked my nicely but seems impatient to get going. His tone throws me off since he’s been void of any emotion since he’s been home, well besides at the football game that is.
“No, I’m good on having coffee, I don’t need it to start my day, but let me grab a bottle of juice and we can go.” I walk over to the fridge to grab a little bottle of apple juice. I find the sugar in juice is much more energizing than coffee most days.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask stepping around the island in the kitchen to where my dad is standing.
“The movers are here and they’ll be packing up your things while we go to your new house.” He informs me as my dad goes over and picks up his keys from the counter.
“Oh...” Is all I can say, I guess this is it.
“If there is anything you need with you now, I suggest you grab it now.”
I instantly run downstairs as I call out, “I’ll meet you at the truck.”
There’s already a bag packed with my clothes and my camera, laptop and makeup, the essentials. It’s as if I’m going on a weekend trip. I grab my bag and as I turn to leave the movers are coming into my room with boxes.
“Be careful with my shit.” I say to the guys who are already picking my things up with no care to the world. I walk past them and head outside. My dad is in his truck waiting. I throw my bag in the back seat and climb into the front.
There’s no denying that I’m a mixed bag of emotions, but mainly I’m excited. The architect here in the Bay Area is one of my favorites. I can only hope my new neighborhood is as unique as the one I had the pleasure of calling home for the last eighteen years.
This time on our drive I make sure to pay attention in where we are going since this will be my new home and it’s good not to always depend on the internet to make your way around town.
It doesn’t take us too long to get to where we were going. Though I was informed my house was close to campus what I wasn’t told was that it was way up in the Oakland hills almost away from everything and everyone. What the plus side to all this was, Asher is now only one mile away now. I wonder if I can see his house from mine since, it’s at the top of the hill and his is at the bottom.
“This is it kid.” My dad says startling me from my wonderment.
I take a long look at the house and it indeed is small, it’s your typical Bay Area craftsman bungalow with a quaint porch, a nice front yard filled with plants and trees instead of grass. It’s a beautiful dark teal home with cream and chocolate brown accents. It also has a river rock fireplace from the outside, a feature that I’ve always admired on a home.
I couldn’t help but to smile. This move, though sad will be the best thing for me.
My dad opens the front door and I follow him inside.
It’s already set up with furniture all it needs is my personal style and the house will be fantastic. The walls are all painted a pale grey with white trim and a few touches of dark natural wood throughout. It has the perfect amount of coziness and rustic to it.
I continue with the tour as my dad shows me the house. Everything is pretty much open concept with the bedrooms in the back of the house.
“Outside, down your driveway is a garage, where you’ll find your new car and the keys,” My dad fumbles in his pocket “Are here.” He hands them over. I don’t bother to examine them so I shove the keys in my pocket.
“Thanks dad.” I say with a small smile.
“Yeah, well the movers will be here in an hour so make sure you’re here to let them move everything in and tell them where you want things to go,” He just stands there staring at me before he finishes saying. “I’m trying hard to get past everything that’s happened Sloane and I hope one day I’ll be able to look at you and not see the daughter that helped bring my son to his death...” He clears his throat as he chokes on his words “I’ll call or drop by one day. If you need anything from now on call my assistant and she’ll make sure you’re taken care of.” With that he turns and walks out my front door leaving me stunned with his harsh words.
Sadly, this might be the last time I see my dad for many years to come. He can join the ranks of my mother who is also a sad excuse for a parent. I swear they should have never had kids.
I walk over to my front window just in time to watch my dad backing down my new driveway and onto the city street. I stood there long after his taillights were no longer in view.
After a few more minutes of standing there collecting my thoughts, I turn and walk over to my bag that I packed so I could get my phone.
I wonder if I have electricity and cable already set up?
As I walk to the kitchen, I notice a note on the counter. It is the password and user name for my Wi-Fi and notes of everything that I w
ould need to know about the house.
I’m glad I don’t have to wait for everything to be hooked up since it looks like my cellphone service doesn’t even work up here.
I log in on the Wi-Fi and start to read my texts from Mona first,
Let’s go out tonight!?
Where are you bish?
I laugh every time at bish since we could never call each other bitches.
Dude seriously where are you!?!?
I’m coming to your house if you don’t answer me and let me know you’re alive or cuddled up to your hot ass bf!!!
The last text was twenty minutes ago. If she goes to my house now, she’ll find it empty with the For Sale sign in front of it. I know she won’t head over any time soon so I scroll through Ashers’ texts next.
Babe, sorry you had to leave early from the game. We won though so let’s celebrate?!
Don’t tell me you’re not going to be doing this whole not texting me back thing again? You’re gonna piss me off if you do!
Sloane!
Well since Asher is more mad of the two, I call him instead of text.
“Sloane, what the fuck?” Asher says with a very obvious tone of being just woken up and upset with me.
“Don’t be mad, everything was beyond my control this weekend.” I sigh heavily into the phone.
“Well, are you still with your dad or can you hang out? I’d like to hear how things went and spend some time with you before school starts on Monday.” His tone has softened which makes butterflies dance in my belly and I smile,
“No, my dad’s gone.”
“Good, I’m on my way.” I hear the jingle of his car keys as soon as he finishes his sentence.
“You’ll need my new address, if you’re planning on coming over.” I state.
“What are you talking about?” Shock and disbelief fill his voice.
“I’ll text you my address, it’s right up the hill from you and I’ll fill you in on everything that’s happened since the game.” Informing him of my intent.
“Alright see you in a few.” There’s nothing but confusion in his words but all will be cleared up in a matter of minutes.
