Page 62 of In the Safety's Zone
“You’ve achieved a lot in such a short amount of time. How do you feel when people say you’re chasing down the grand slam record?”
“I’m not chasing anything but my own personal satisfaction. If at the end of my career be it today or two decades from now, Ican look back and feel proud, then I’ve accomplished everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“How does it feel to be holding this trophy?”
I grinned broadly unable to lie about being proud of myself. “It feels amazing. The feeling never gets old. I unknowingly had a lucky charm with me that gave me an incredible boost of confidence to bring this home.”
Instead of asking the messy question he went for the one focused on my professional life, which I appreciated. “How severe is your injury?”
I shrugged more than happy to downplay my injury. “A pull. We’ll see how it works out in the next few days with rest but I’ll always do what’s right for my body and my health.”
“Any last words?”
“Thank you Wimbledon for a lovely time. I appreciate all the love. AP, thanks for coming through.” I gave a wink to the camera before I stepped back and held the trophy up over my head for the photos.
Cameras flashed, cheers went up and I was glad when I could hand the plate off to Terri and make my way to the press conference waiting on me.
To his credit, Ant didn’t draw attention to himself. He checked in with what I needed and then moved out of the spotlight. He was close enough if I needed him but was giving me space to be celebrated. And it made me want to be with him even more.
I eased down onto my seat and sat the crutches to one side of me. The mics were already pointed in my direction on the table and two large sports drinks were waiting for me as well.
I turned to the wall of reporters in front of me bracing myself for whatever they were about to say. Remembering what I’d been taught I went into media mode and put a smile on my face.
“I appreciate your staying through the delay. I needed to get this wrapped up. I know y’all have questions for me, so, who’s first?”
My father didn’t bother to wait until the door had been closed behind us more than a second before he turned on me and got in my face. Before he could utter a word he was pushed back and Anthony was standing between us.
“You not ‘bout to get in her face like you got a problem. Try that shit with me.” His tone was low but his voice was hard. I knew my father was going to push back because he was never challenged about anything.
After fielding questions for over half an hour, many of which tried to get me to speak on Anthony, which I refused, all I wanted was to refuel and rest. And fucking celebrate my win. But of course my father stuck tight with us even jumping into the car that was taking Anthony and me back to our hotel. His room was on a different floor and I couldn’t believe how much effort he’d gone through to get here for me.
Sure enough, he came at me again but with Anthony in the way he stopped up short and pointed his finger in his face. I was worried that Anthony was going to knock him out and I wasn’t sure if I was happy or sad about that.
“I’m her father—”
Anthony nodded slowly but I could see the anger starting to build up. “Yeah so you should absolutely know better than to physically intimidate her. Especially like you might put your hands on her.” His white, long-sleeved t-shirt was loose-fitting enough that he could easily use my dad as a punching bag in this room.
“Intimidate? You know what? This is a family conversation; you need to get out of here.” Dad pointed to the door as if he had the authority to put Anthony out.
“AP, is this your suite?”
Anthony didn’t bother to look over his shoulder at me and I tried to hide my smile at the way he was bossing up on my father. That man was so used to everyone falling in line with him I knew he was shocked to have someone he would deem a kid put him in his place.
I cleared my throat and spoke up. “Yes.”
My father glanced past Anthony before he narrowed his eyes at me angrily.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No, I don’t.”
Anthony turned back to my father looking completely unbothered by his anger. “The person this suite belongs to wants me here. So if you have anything to say, you can go ahead. Or you can table this conversation until a later date. Phro needs to eat and get some fluids in her. She just got off work and you trying this bullshit. ”
“You think I’m going to listen to some broke ass thug who just wants to be around my daughter for her money?”
“Her money? I ain’t spent a dime of her money and I never will. There’s no reason for me to. I have my own and I’m more than happy to spend my last on her. You projecting your insecurities on me. You feel as though your talent and your money are the only ways you can garner respect in this world but I’on’t move that way. The man that I am speaks far more loudly for me than my bank account. But that muhfucka make some noise on its own too.”
My father’s face got tighter as he listened to Anthony treat him like the joke he was. “You think you're going to stick around? My daughter is rekindling her relationship—”
