Page 4 of Hard to Take

Our bench guys mutter to one another. Winning pro basketball games is hard as hell.

“We’ve got Boston to look forward to soon, and I don’t have to tell you how tough they are. Especially this year.” Coach folds his arms.

“I can take Hawkins,” Jay tosses.

“Not what he’s saying,” Rookie says under his breath.

Jay growls.

Marcus Hawkins is Boston’s new point guard, traded from Philly. He took a strong team and made them even more dangerous.

More than that, the guy likes to talk trash.

I figured after the first couple weeks of the season, the media narratives about us being a one hit wonder would have faded.

Instead, they’ve been sharpened by the addition of an unofficial figurehead: Hawkins.

He shoots his mouth off at every opportunity.

Coaching staff is too new.

Clay Wade is on his way out.

Ellis and Garrett can’t cut it against all-star guards.

He’s a one-man hot take machine. They’re the kind of sound bites that would make my teeth grind together if I was a less chill guy.

No matter what’s going on outside, the basketball court is where I’m at home. There’s nothing as soothing as the sound of sneakers on floors, the smell of wax and sweat, the feel of the perfect three rolling off your fingertips.

For the next hour and a half, we’re focused.

“Ellis and Garrett.” Jay’s head and mine snap toward Coach at the end. “You were a step slow connecting. Let’s fix it before it becomes more of a problem.”

We’re back in the locker room, when Jay says, “We should go out tonight.”

“We shouldn’t,” Clay murmurs.

“We’ve earned it. It’s good for morale,” Jay argues. He turns to me, waiting for my backup.

“I’m beat. Going to run some things over to Grams, then crash.” I grab a towel and head for the shower.

Since the hospital called me in the middle of the night in Vail, I’ve been dealing with Grams.

It hasn’t been the easiest thing given we’ve been on the road most of the week, but I’ve called the hospital and the retirement home often enough that they probably curse the second they see me on the call display.

“Broken wrist,” the doctors said.

Given the fall, it could’ve been worse.

Yet since she’s been in a cast, she seems to have gotten more active and opinionated. From the second I drove her home, she’s been determined to prove to the entire world she’s stronger than ever.

I need to get her into a better situation with more care.

I even thought about moving her into my place, but I can’t care for her the way she needs and don’t have time to try to find or interview potential staff to help her when I’m not there.

Still, there’s another situation that’s got me tossing and turning.

Brooke Ellis.

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