The bumper to bumper traffic on the 1-94 freeway had Taylor ready to tear her hair out by the roots by the time she pulled into the driveway of the two bedroom house on the west side of the city.
She looked at the modest, home with pride, despite her hovering headache. After collecting the mail, she let herself inside, pausing long enough to wave at her next-door neighbor. The neighborhood Block Club worked hard at keeping their area clean and crime free. No abandoned boarded-up houses or crack houses in their neighborhood.
“Bills, bills, more bills,” Taylor mumbled, dropping them, along with her keys, on the hall table. She collapsed on the couch, flicking on the television. She didn’t expect Scott until after seven. He had basketball practice, as usual. She hoped he stopped for burgers tonight, then thought better of the idea. After springing for lunch at Edmund’s Place, he would be broke and looking for a meal. Lately, she had been lucky if she saw him at all except for Sunday dinner. Between basketball, his studies, and his girlfriend, Jenna, he didn’t spend much time with her these days.
Suddenly, her eyes went wide. Fumbling for the remote control, she quickly raised the volume of the set. On Channel 4, the news broadcaster, Carmen Harlan, was interviewing none other than Donald Williams.
When asked if he were involved in the city’s empowerment zone project, he said that along with his partners, they had been contracted to build a mini-mall and were working to draw black-owned businesses into the mall. They were willing to offer financial help if necessary.
When asked about his charity work, Donald admitted that he was involved in the development of year round sports camps for inner city kids in both Chicago and New York. In Detroit, he was very much interested in expanding the Malcolm X Community Center, headed by Charles Randol and Dexter Washington, to include the east, north, and south sides of the city. The interview ended with his predictions for the current basketball season.
She sat glaring at the screen, then clicked off the set. He was just as attractive as he had been that afternoon in the restaurant. It had been hours since she had last seen him, but she still hadn’t gotten over the sheer arrogance of the man.
How could he think that she would even consider dating him after he had encouraged her brother to quit college and play for the NBA? No way! The trouble with Donald Williams was that he could not believe there was a woman on the planet who could resist his dark masculine looks. Well, he was wrong. She would not waste her time by giving him more than half a second’s worth of consideration. All her energy should be focused on Scott. How close was he to making the type of choice that could alter his entire life? He said he had not decided yet, but he had invited her out to lunch to celebrate. Taylor reached for the telephone, but decided not to call their folks, after all.
Why upset them just because she was worried? No, it was much too soon. What she should be concentrating on was how to convince Scott that he would be making a terrible mistake if he quit, now, rather than going ahead and getting his degree. She would support him if he decided to postpone graduate school for a few years to play pro ball.
Scott called while she was changing into an old T-shirt and sweat pants, to tell her not to bother with cooking, since he was bringing Chinese carryout. She was absently thumbing through the latest issue of Essence magazine when he arrived.
“Hey, Sis. Hope you’re hungry,” Scott said, placing a large bag on the coffee table with a forced grin. His dark gaze was troubled.
“I’ll get the plates and silverware,” she volunteered, hurrying into the kitchen. She was annoyed with herself when she acknowledged that she had not expected Scott to be alone. For an instant, her heart had accelerated at the thought of Donald accompanying him. Thank heaven, she’d been wrong. One encounter with that smooth womanizer should have been enough to last a lifetime. He probably had women crawling out of the woodwork just to be near him. Well, he need not lose sleep at night worrying about her chasing him down.
“I brought two quarts of pepper steak, almond chicken, shrimp fried rice and mixed Chinese vegetables.”
Taylor nodded, handing him his utensils.
“You should be starving. You didn’t eat any lunch.”
She shrugged, trying not to start another argument. What was the point? It would just get his back up before she could make her point. They had to talk about this calmly without emotions getting into it. The trouble was she was his big sister and she knew she was right about this. She just had to make him understand.
“What is this, Sis? You not talking to me?” He knew he was on edge, but he expected his sister to give as good as she got. She was a fighter.
Taylor looked up from filling her dinner plate. “Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.” Studying her brother, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
At his puzzled look, she clarified, “About the scouts coming to see you play?”
“There haven’t been any offers. I didn’t take it seriously. Coach has been talking about it for some time, but I thought it was his way of keeping me on my toes, keep me working hard.”
“Are scouts supposed to talk to you, try to recruit you? Doesn’t that jeopardize your current status?”
“Yeah, but they have been cool. No one has approached me. I’ve just been told when they’re in the gym. A lot of the guys were under scrutiny, not just me. With March Madness coming up, it is going to get crazy.”
“So no one has propositioned you?”
“No. Everything is cool.”
Taylor had her doubts but she didn’t voice them. At this point they did not need an overeager agent or scout causing him to lose his athletic scholarship. It was too scary to even think about. Thank goodness the collegiate finals were fast approaching. The basketball season would be over soon. He would have all summer to decide, wouldn’t he?
“I had no idea you were even considering playing pro-ball. This has come out of the blue, a complete surprise.” More like a slap in the face, Taylor decided, but wisely did not voice.
“Yeah!” Scott broke into a peal of laughter.
“There is always time for the pros, after college. Why does it have to be now or never?”
“Don’t go ballistic on me. I haven’t made a decision, Sis.”
“You may love the game, but your education will determine your future, good or bad. I thought you admired Charles Randol, wanted to own your own pharmaceutical company some day?”
“I do. I also admire Donald Williams. We have a lot in common. He’s from Detroit. He played for U. of D. before he was drafted by New York. He’s good people.” He sighed heavily before he went on to say, “Let’s look at this objectively. I’ll be twenty next month. I’m in top shape. I’m strong and I’m healthy. College ball is no picnic. We play to win. We’re having a great, season and we’re going to win the championship.”
“But Scott…”
“No, let me finish.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand. “I know I could be hurt at any time. If that happened, then you tell me what kind of chance I’ll have to enter the pros after college? Very little. I’m not stupid. I can’t just turn my back on a chance like this.”
“Easy money! We’re talking about dollars and cents. You always told me that you wanted a career in chemistry. Have you changed your mind about that also?”
“No!”
“That means a degree and then graduate school.”
“I know that. Do you have any idea what I could make playing pro ball? I’m talking about millions. You would have the money to go back to school full time without having to work. Money that Mama and Daddy could use to build that dream house they’ve always wanted. We could see them more often.”
“If you do this, you are doing it for yourself not us…certainly not me.”
He chose to ignore the last and went on as if she hadn’t interrupted. “The money will take a worry off the folk’s shoulders. Dad can have whatever treatment he needs, no matter how expensive. Do you have any idea how proud this will make me? To be able to help my family? Jenna and I wouldn’t have to wait to marry.”
“Marry?”
“We’ve been talking about it after college. This way we wouldn’t have to wait. We’re together as much as we can manage it now. I want to be able to pay for her schooling so she won’t have to worry about it. I love her, Sis.” He said, closely watching her reaction.
Taylor was somewhat traditional in her views. She knew he spent more time with Jenna than he did at home. Taylor didn’t like it that they were practically living together, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She had purposefully not mentioned it to their parents, not wanting to upset them. He knew that Taylor felt he was rushing things and he was too young to be so serious about any one girl.
Yet, she also loved Jenna. She was a wonderful girl and she had been so good for Scott. But marriage? Now was not the time to further complicate an already complicated situation.
“This decision should be about you, Scott…only you. What does Coach Gardner say about it?”
“Are you kidding? He was all for it.”
“That doesn’t make sense! He should be encouraging all of you to finish college. Good grief! The man is an educator, for heaven’s sake!”
“Come on, Sis. He’ll look damn good if I’m picked up early in the draft. It also draws attention to U. of D.’s athletic department. It’s a win-win situation for the college. Just look at what Donald Williams’s success has done for the college’s reputation.”
Taylor tried to concentrate on her dinner, even though she had lost interest in food. She nearly choked when Scott asked, “What do you think of Donald? I saw you talking to him in the foyer.”
Taylor did not welcome the question. And worse, she didn’t have an answer. She had been unable to think of little else besides Donald Williams.
It had been years since she had been so taken with a man, not since she had been used by someone she cared about. She had made it her business to stay away from men, especially the good-looking, womanizing variety. When she dated now it was no different than when she went out with a girlfriend, nothing more than casual friendships.
“Sis?”
“What?”
“I said…”
“I heard you. Shall we change the subject?” Taylor was on her feet, having discarded her plate. She paced the brightly furnished living room done in shades of rose, from the deepest burgundy to the palest blush.
“That’s too bad, because he asked about you.”
“What? Scott, I don’t want to talk about him. He’s your hero, not mine. I would have been perfectly happy not to have met him at all.”
“Well, he is interested in you. He wanted your phone number.”
“Maybe he was trying to reach you?”
“He wanted to know about you, not me,” Scott was trying not to grin. He found the whole thing amusing.
“He questioned you about my personal life?”
“Yeah!”
“What did he want to know?” She could not stop herself from asking.
“The usual. If you’re single, involved, or dating that kind of stuff.”
“And you told him?” Her voice was filled with accusations.
“Why not? You’re not serious about anyone and haven’t been for a long time. The guys you go out with are friends, nothing more.”
“You should know when to keep your big mouth shut!”
Scott roared with laughter. “Why?”
“It’s none of his business, that’s why!” Taylor snapped.
Scott chuckled. “Liked him, did ya?”
“No!”
“Yeah, sure. What else is new? The sky falling?”
“I said…”
“I don’t care what you said. I saw the way you were looking at the guy. You should be pleased that he’s interested. He’s a great guy.”
“Scott! The man has women falling all over his feet everywhere he goes. I’m not joining that crowd.”
“I don’t think there’s a problem, just because he’s in the NBA does not mean he is a player.”
“Sure.”
“Taylor…”
“Not interested.”
“And if he calls?”
“It’s not likely. My guess is you will talk to him before I do.”
“I have his number if you’re interested.”
“Bury it!”
Scott, almost fell on the floor laughing.
“Forget Donald Williams. We are discussing your future.” She hesitated, her worried gaze directed at her baby brother. “Do me a favor, kid?”
“What?”
“Don’t rush this decision. Talk to the folks. Talk to Jenna. Maybe she might not want to be married to a college dropout? We haven’t even talked about you getting seriously hurt. One serious injury and your career goes down the drain. That has to be considered. This would change your whole life. Maybe not for the better? Think about it.”
“Okay,” he said, collecting the plates and the uneaten food. He started carrying everything into the small kitchen in the rear of the house.
Taylor was right behind him when she said, “Okay? That’s it?”
“I agree with you,” he said, placing dirty dishes in the sink, then turned to face her. “I’ll take my time deciding.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I have to get going. I want to meet Jenna after her night class. I don’t want her walking home.”
Taylor followed him to the front door. “Be careful.”
“I will. But you have some thinking to do also.”
“Me?”
“Why are you so reluctant to give Donald a chance?”
“I just met the man.”
“This has everything to do with Alex.”
“No way!”
“Then why don’t we ever talk about what happened between the two of you?”
“It’s ancient history,” Taylor explained quickly. “There is nothing to discuss.”
“If he’s history then you should be over the man by now. Sis, you’ve been using him as a shield to protect yourself from other men. It’s time to stop. I love you and I want you happy. You’re twenty-eight, not a hundred and twenty-eight.”
“Get going! Isn’t Jenna waiting for you?”
Taylor finished in the kitchen before she prepared for bed. It was still early, but she was exhausted. It had been a long, emotionally draining day. As she slowly sank into a sudsy, hot bath, she vowed to pretend that she had never even met Donald Williams. He was not for her. The man of her dreams was strong, sincere, capable of loving one woman and devoting himself to her alone.
She had waited years to find such a man. In fact, she had given up hope of ever finding him. Nowadays, she concentrated on her personal goals. She read and studied, worked hard in her classes as she prepared for an eventual teaching career in computer science. It would take years, even if she could afford to take classes full-time.
Unfortunately, her days of being a full-time student were behind her. She had to keep her job at least until Scott graduated. Only then could she afford to work flat-out to complete her master’s degree and eventually, a doctorate degree.
She had never considered the sacrifices she had made to help Scott as a hardship. They were family and family meant everything. She wanted Scott to have all the advantages available to him. She didn’t consider having a career in the NBA to be living up to his full potential. His dreams were much higher than shooting hoops for a price. Now, if Donald Williams stayed out of both their lives they would not have a problem.