Memories and the Future
The day was still very young. I took Melyssa back to her house and then pulled out my phone. From there, I called some of my closest friends from high school - Brad, Cory, Brett, Brock, and J-Mac. After getting ahold of all of them, we all met up where we left a legacy - Everett Warrior Stadium.
"Damn, seems just like yesterday we were playing on this field."
"Some of the best days of our lives happened here. I miss it."
"Yeah, the thrill of hearing your name over the loudspeaker as you ran out to the roar of the crowd - it still gives me chills."
"Not to mention all the beatdowns we left on our opponents last year. I loved being able to sit out most of the second half."
"I think I enjoyed playing here more than I do at Syracuse right now."
"Haha, cause you went 5-7?"
"Yeah Brad shut up, we went 3-9 and got our asses handed to us by you guys."
"Don't hate cause I was on the only team here with a winning record."
"7-5 isn't that impressive bro. Besides, how much PT did you get?"
"Ya'll are hating right now, haha."
It felt good shooting the bull with my friends again. No matter what we were talking about, we would always try to make it into a competition between ourselves. If I could have some of them on my team at Syracuse, I would have a smile on my face at all times and would definitely be having more fun out there.
After standing on the football field, reliving old memories for a little while longer, we all got into our vehicles and drove out to Altoona - the main place where we would hang out on weekends. I decided to take this time to figure out a Christmas gift for Melyssa.
"Yo Ethan, why are we stopping here? There's women just a few stores down."
"Cause I need to get Mel something, chill."
"You think you have that kind of money?"
I looked into my wallet and smiled. There was the money I took home from Rodney and money from winning that bet with Jonny. Add to the fact that I already had a good bit of money to begin with and there was no doubt I could afford this for Melyssa.
"Believe me, I do. I'll be right back."
A few minutes passed as my friends waited outside for me. Once I walked over to them, they immediately started asking what was in the bag.
"Naw, you guys don't get to see, haha. It'll be a surprise to you."
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"Fuck this. I'm driving down."
Rodney got on his computer and immediately went to Mapquest. From there, he searched the quickest route from Syracuse to Everett.
"Six hours!? Shit. I guess I have to get going then."
He printed the directions and ran out the door to his car. It would be a long six hours...
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"So are you guys going to the game tomorrow night?"
"Yeah I am. They're probably going to get slaughtered by Tussey though, haha."
"Yeah probably so."
"You know I'm making a speech before the game, right?"
"Wait, what!? About?"
"Koontzy called me and told me they're retiring my number tomorrow night."
"Sick. Football or basketball?"
"Both, haha."
"I'm getting a shoutout, right?"
"Shut up Brock. If there's anyone that's getting a shoutout, it's going to be me."
"Things never change between you two, haha. I'll give a shoutout to the entire team, how's that?"
"I guess that's alright, haha."
"Haha, better be."
The rest of the night I spent time with my friends doing the same shit we would always do - messing around with girls, making fun of each other, and overall just having a good time. When I drove back into Everett, I stopped at Melyssa's house to check on her.
"Mel!"
No response.
"Melyssa?"
Still nothing.
"Sweetheart?"
Nada.
I walked upstairs and saw her laying in her bed, sleeping soundly. Smiling to myself, I quietly walked over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Everything just felt so real at this moment. I've found out what love is and I would do my best not to let it fall out of my grasp. That ever-growing stomach of hers was just another symbol of our love. In just a few months I would be a father and suddenly things such as football and basketball would have to be put back priority-wise in my life. I smiled one more time and walked out, holding her gift in my hand. It would have to wait for another time.
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"Damnit, I think I'm lost..."