Page 54 of Capacity
“What’s up, Knight?” He quizzed.
“Hey, T. You busy? I need to blow off some steam. I’m going to the gym. Wanna come?”
“I can move some things around. You sound like you’re close to the edge.”
“I’m not,” I snapped, gritting my teeth together.
“Right…because everyone who’s the picture of peace snaps at their friends.”
“I’m sorry. I just need to blow off some steam like I said.”
“They got a court at the gym you use?” He asked after a few seconds of silence.
“Yeah. They do.”
“Cool. I’ll be there in a few. Text me the address.” He ended the call and I hated that I might have pissed him off too. I was batting a thousand today.
I walked into the gym and headed straight for the indoor courts near the back. There were three rooms with full courts for gym members to use at their leisure. Luckily, one of the rooms was empty. I walked in and grabbed a ball, dribbling it while I waited for Terrence to show up. The hollow thump of the ball against the floor took my mind off the argument I had with Lumi.
Our first argument.
She was so upset but her gorgeous eyes were still full of concern. Deep down, I knew she only wanted was to help but I was on my own journey. I was helping myself. Yes, T and Lumi helped keep me strong but ultimately it wasmyjourney.
“It’s clear why you’re a principal because you damn sure wouldn’t cut it in the NBA.” Terrance’s voice disrupted my three-pointer, but I was happy to see him. I let the ball bounce off to the far side of the gym while we slapped hands.
“What’s up, Knight?” He set his water bottle and duffle bag down and picked up another basketball from the cart against the wall.
“I just need to blow off some steam,” I said.
“Is that your mantra now?” He tossed the ball at the basket from the sideline and it went in with a swish.
“Show off,” I scoffed.
“Talent shows itself off.” He chuckled. “Now, let me ask another question. Why do you need to blow off steam? You feel like drinking?” He chased after the runaway basketball and caught it between his hands.
“No,” I grumbled, shooting the ball in my hands and landing the basket. “I had a fight with Lumi,” I confessed.
“Ah, woman problems. That’ll drive you to drink.” I knew he was only partially joking. He damn sure wasn’t lying though.
“Tell me about it,” I scoffed.
“What happened? Lumi is so laid back and quiet it’s hard for me to imagine her fussing and arguing.”
I paused before shooting another ball at the hoop and tried to figure out how to explain the argument between Lumi and me. “She’s micromanaging me. I don’t like it.” That was the vague version. There were mountains more to the story but that’s all I could relay right then.
“Uh-huh.” T dribbled his ball for a little while letting the silence border us. It felt like he was waiting for me to divulge more.
“Uh-huh,what?” Agitation threaded through my words.
“What else happened, Knight? Women micromanage all the fucking time. I’m sure it’s not the first time she did it. What about this time set you off?”
There was no way around what happened. I had to go through it. So, I opened up and told Terrence everything. I told him about the bottle of whiskey in the cabinet and about Lumi finding it and asking me to pour it out thentellingme to pour it out. I rattled off the details as I shot basket after basket until a sheen of sweat covered my skin.
“Why the fuck do you have a bottle of whiskey in the house, man? Come on. That’s day-one shit. You know better. You can’t have it in the house with you. It can’t be anywhere near you especially not in the beginning stages of recovery. You’re only on month two.”
“I’ll be three months in a couple of weeks,” I pointed out.
“Even three months in is still fresh. I hate to say it, Knight but I’m on Lumi’s side. You need to pour that shit out then go beg your girl for forgiveness. She was looking out for you. Isn’t she a nurse?”
