Halo settled into a seat with Angel in her lap. DaVinci sat beside her with JaVinci, who was finally still, eyes wide as he watched the big screen. Even at a year old, he could feel the weight of the moment.
Pick after pick. The room held its breath each time, then exhaled when it wasn’t Samaj's name.
Seventh pick. Not him.
Eighth pick. Not him.
Ninth pick. Not him.
Sametra's heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. Malik's hand tightened on her waist.
Tenth pick. Not him.
Summer wiggled out of Sametra’s arms and ran to Samaj, wrapping herself around her big brother's leg. Samaj was still her favorite person, and he was still the best brother you could ask for. He called Summer every day he was gone at college. It didn’t matter what his schedule looked like; he made time for his sister. So her words and emotions threatening to bubble over made sense.
“It’s okay, Bubba. You’re still the best.”
He looked down at his baby sister, and his whole face softened. He picked her up, holding her close. “Thanks, Summer Bear. You promise to be my biggest fan forever?”
“And a day.” She kissed his cheek and rested her head on his shoulder.
The commissioner stepped back up to the podium.
“With the eleventh pick in the first round...”
The room went silent. Not a breath. Not a sound.
“...the Atlanta Firebirds select...”
Samaj closed his eyes.
“...Samaj Andrews, shortstop, University of Alabama.”
Sheena's exploded.
Screaming. Chairs scraping back. Glasses clinking. The whole restaurant was shaking with celebration. John-Dale grabbed Samaj first,pulling him into a bear hug, his voice breaking. “That's my grandson. That's my boy right there.”
Then Samaj turned to his mother.
Sametra wrapped her arms around him, one hand pressed to the back of his neck like she was steadying both of them. Her voice came out thick. “You earned every single bit of this. Don't let anybody rewrite that story. I’m so proud of you.”
He nodded against her shoulder, couldn’t get words out yet because there was one point where he almost gave all this up, even before the accident. He almost let the devil trick him out of his spot. But he had to thank God for his mother. A mother who cared more about what was best for him than anyone ever had.
“I couldn’t have done this without you, ma.” Summer was still in his arms, clapping and cheering even though she was squished between them. “I love you.”
“Oh, baby, I love you too. You did it.”
“Maj, what we know?”
“We know we got this.”
Malik stepped in and pulled all three of them into his embrace. When he spoke, his voice came out rough with pride. “I told you. You proved every single person who doubted you wrong. Every single one.”
When they pulled apart, Amari was standing there waiting. Samaj handed Summer to Sametra and grabbed Amari, pulling her close, pressing his forehead to hers.
“You proud of me?” he asked, voice quiet enough that only she could hear.
“I’ve been proud,” she said. “Congratulations, my love. It’s only up from here.”
