Story:Signs and Concerns
Signs and Concerns
Written by Akkarri
It had been a fair few months dealing with the highs and lows of being a potential prospect for the FBA and the curveballs live has thrown in the past few months. Especially with lil’ sis, the doctors, and all the extra stress on mom and dad. But Jess is a trooper. But there have been a few good chances to get away from everything and to show that I have what it takes to play among the best the world has to offer. Even though my thoughts often return home.
First I had been able to get to the Dakota Bikers Summer league. It proved to be good was a good chance to show what this lynx had to offer. And besides it had been good to meet some of last year’s rookies and this year’s hopefuls. Sadly, shortly after that, my parents and I got the news from the doctors about Jess. We suspected something, but… It was bad, but the doctors needed to complete further tests to be sure. Not what one wants to be worried about, a loved one facing difficult times and health, especially when you’ve, otherwise, always been near enough to be an easy comfort. But life does have its curveballs, and one is all the stronger and richer when one can still grab onto one’s dream through the challenges. But it also makes it hard have the prospect of being so far away and unable to be there. Even so, my family, especially Jess encouraged and supported me to continue and try and grasp for a future in the sport I’ve loved since a kitten.
Then I had a chance to dress up, meet, and greet with the many other potential draftees waiting for the announcements of the Commissioner as to the selections of the teams for this year’s draft. It was good to watch the varied excited and elated responses of those selected, their agents, and their families in contrast to the hopefuls that nervously awaited the next announcement. It was nice to watch the reactions, be it from those who expected to be selected to the utterly surprised selections late in the evening. Even through the night I had to pause and step away, to check in on Mom and Dad, to find out the news was. I know I probably should be more concerned with everything going on in front of me… but… Anyway, lil’ sis and Mom and Dad were being supportive as they watched, even as I had pulled away from the cameras and reporters hopefully to make the call and ask what I really wanted to know. Worse than we had hoped, better than it could have been. And the treatments would be rough on Jess. I remember sighing for a moment as the energetic little sister I knew was now going to face her own struggles. I thanked mom and dad, took a moment to recompose, and returned to the main hall. I had managed to hold it in and returned, in time to see the elation of Renee as she was surprised by her selection. Luckily it was growing late in the evening and I was able to absorb the news at my own pace, back in the hotel. Even without being successfully drafted, I had to put up a strong face and soldier on, even if it was for my sis.
Next was the invite to the Totem’s development camp, and that was a good opportunity as well. Getting out and showing my skills with more scouts watching. Get to work with some of the players and an active team. But after this it was about as long as I could go before leaving back for home, returning to life back home. A late flight, early morning arrival, and a chance to sleep, waiting to see what the next day would bring. And apparently it brought more than I had expected, and closer to what I had hoped, the buzzing of the phone on my dresser sounding like thunder to an exhausted lynx’s sleep. I had blinked a bit, reading the messages, trying to comprehend through a drowsy fog. Soon it brought about a new focus like a sharp jab to the ribs. I had been signed by the Tallahassee Typhoons. Apparently I had impressed someone while in Edmonton. But it seemed to bring a mix of joy, confusion, and apprehension, all at once. I was finding my likelihoods growing slimmer as the season closed on in, elation from being chosen, but then how much work it would take with having less time than others to come in and get up to speed. Then leaving when Sis was…
But then again. I had decided I had to be strong for her. She wanted me to still pursue the next level of the sport I’ve played and loved as a kitten and continue to do so even now.
That was yesterday, I think as the headlights pass by on the long road south. Yesterday, we packed up most of my apartment, got everything settled and boxed. Outside that, this full load in my car to get me started, once I can get a new place to stay down in Tallahassee. Mom and Dad at least are thinking they can bring the rest down when they and Jess had a chance to come down to their time share for a little while. Jess won’t have any of the coddling that Mom tries to give her. She has always been strong like that, putting on a brave face for us. So here I am driving down the long road south, to hopefully make them all proud. So Jess can say that’s her big bro on the tv screen alongside the many players of the FBA. And just another 12 hours to go…