I gasp. “Are you okay?” My gaze narrows. “Wait, is that why the lights are so low back here?” Is being out really the best thing for him right now?
“Yeah, I asked them to do that. I still get headaches here and there. Plus, I figured whomever Raimo set me up with—because hedidn’tsay a name—would think the atmosphere romantic.”
“Oh.” There’s probably a lot more to unpack in his statement, but my short reply is all my brain’s capable of articulating at the moment.
“I’ve been having problems with my vision since the hit knocked me out. At first, my doctors were hoping things would resolve on their own and that the concussion had temporarily altered my vision.”
“And now?” I inquire softly. Something tells me the answer will be bad.
His shoulders drop. “Now they believe it’s permanent.”
Oh no.“What kind of vision changes?” Is what he’s saying the real reason why he didn’t recognize me?
“I have macular degeneration.”
I blink. “I’m sorry, I’ve never heard that term before. What isit? How does it affect you?” I lean forward, suddenly interested in everything he has to say, to share. Does Raimo already know? Is that why he and Sanchez picked Jabari and not some other hockey player? Because surely someone other than my sister’s ex was available.
“Basically I’m losing my central vision.” He holds out a hand in front of him. “All this right in front of me. I still have my peripheral but...” His Adam’s apple bobs. “Yeah.”
Oh my word. “What does that mean for hockey? What are the Warriors saying?” How can a hockey player work if he can’t even see in front of him? And what does that mean, losing his central vision? Will he go blind entirely? Are there no treatment options?
I have so many questions, but the heartache on his face keeps me mute.
“It’s not looking good.” He runs a hand through the tight curls on top of his head. “Kind of hard to send me out there when I can’t really make out details. I’m not even sure my eyes will be able to see the puck, let alone players coming my way.”
“I am so sorry.”
“They told me today there’s nothing they can do to make my eyesight any better. So you can see why I’m having a bad day.”
“Does that make me icing on the cake?”
A low laugh falls from his lips, and suddenly the tension of the evening clears. I join in, and we continue laughing even when our waiter appears, eyeing us like we need a moment to ourselves before he dares interrupt. And maybe he’s right, because I can feel the prickle of tears as I continue to laugh.
Jabari suddenly stops chuckling. “Is this gonna cause problems with you and Jackie?”
“No. No need to tell her anything.”
He’s quiet. “I had no idea. I would’ve told Raimo no if I’d known it was you.”
Because it’s me, or because I’m Jackie Elliott’s younger sister?Does it matter?
“How about we chalk it up to God laughing and enjoy our dinner?”
His brows raise up. “You’re not going to leave?”
“I’m not.” He looks like he needs a friend, not for one bad date to be the linchpin in a string of bad luck.
“Thanks, Val. I could use a friend.”
“Yeah? So could I.” One who’s not related to me and doesn’t see me as the poor, overlooked relative who’s only good at saying yes to everyone. Saying yes to this date is one step toward moving outside of my comfort zone. Developing a friendship with my sister’s ex may be leaps and bounds outside the box, but...
“Jabari?” His name feels strange on my lips.
“Yes?”
“If you ever need to talk, need a friend by your side, you can call me.”
Shock fills his brown eyes, but then a slow smile curves his lips. “You were always kind to me, Val. I appreciate it more than I can say.”
