Though maybe not the only missing part. After listening to a few other Christian and gospel songs, I’m beginning to believe there are more missing pieces in my life than I ever contemplated before. But I’ll think about that later. It’s time to find Morgan’s office and hear what she has to say.
Of course, I get lost, but thankfully, one of the cleaning staff directs me to the right place. I rap my knuckles on the doorframe, hoping it’s the right place.
“Jabari, perfect timing. I’m Morgan!”
“Nice to meet you.” I slide my hands into my pockets, so I don’t have to guess whether hers is proffered.
“Do you have time to talk right now?”
Her voice is friendly, peppy, and some of the tension in my shoulders lets up. “Yeah. I appreciate you taking the time to try and help me.”
“Actually, if you like my idea, you’ll be helping me.”
“All right, lay it on me.”
She chuckles. “It’s nothing scary. Well, I don’t imagine you’ll find it intimidating. Basically, we have fans all over the US and some in Canada who would love to be sponsors for the Warriors Foundation. Usually, they’re businesses that want the opportunity to have their logo in our arena or displayed somewhere on our website, et cetera. It really depends on how much they donate to the organization.”
I never gave much thought to how the foundation got sponsors. “And you want me to help with that?”
“Yes. I think there will be many people who would listen to a hockey player more than someone who has been in sales their whole life. We’ve gained a bad rep thanks to a few pushy people.”
Pretty suresalesis synonymous withpushy.
“I know from past events how charming you can be. You interact well with the public, and those skills would be useful to us.”
Embarrassment lights me up like a puck in the net. “Uh, thank you.”
We talk more, with Morgan laying out a whole framework for what she wants me to do. She even shares the different contribution-tier levels for individuals and corporations. It’s interesting learning about the charitable side of the organization from the business perspective and not as a hockey player. I’m used to interacting with kids and smiling for the camera when need be. The majority of my own charitable contributions are actually well out of the spotlight and not linked with the Warriors.
“Now normally I hand over a binder with all the information,” Morgan states, “but we went ahead and transcribed that material into an audio file for you.”
“Wow. Thank you so much.” Who knows what kind of time that took.
“You should have an email with the file. Let me know if you have any questions, okay?”
“I will. Um, when do you want an answer?” Or is she assuming my presence is a yes?
“Tomorrow, if possible. Since y’all are traveling, I’ll need toset your appointments around your off days. Of course, I need to know if you’re on board first.”
“And if I’m not?” I ask. Curiosity fills me as I wait for her answer.
“Then someone from biz ops will travel with you and meet with the potential donors instead.”
So no harm,no foul?Seems too good to be true, but I smile regardless, and thank Morgan for her time.
I send a voice text to Luke, letting him know I’m ready for a ride. He’s never far from where I am. The only time he dips is if I’m going to be busy for hours. I walk onto the street and breathe in the fresh spring air. The cherry blossoms are probably blooming and covering the sidewalk with the pale pink petals. I miss being able to see all the details that make spring in DC magical. I close my eyes and attempt to remember last year’s foliage.
When I first arrived in DC from Ohio, acting the tourist seemed like a full-time job. Mom and I went to every Smithsonian Museum plus the off-the-beaten-path museums DC offers as well. There’s no shortage of things to see and do in the area, and now it seems like theseeportion has been removed from my life. Will I ever wake up one morning and be fine with my new normal? Or will I still bemoan my fate ten years from now?
It’s wholly unfair that I’m unable to catalog every single facet about Val. I want to see how she looks when laughing. To see the color variations in her irises. To know all the details that make her ...her.But at the same time, I’m thankful that not having my sight has given me the opportunity to focus on how much I enjoy her personality. She’s got a quiet strength about her that makes me feel comfortable and like Superman all at the same time.
I send a voice text to Javier and Raimo. “I’m wavering. Maybe Val doesn’t deserve to be settled with someone like me.”
“Yo, bro, bad vision doesn’t make you less desirable. You’re still who God made you to be,” Javier replies.
“What Sanchez said. Plus, Val’s amazing. There’s a reason we picked you for her, so never forget that.”
Their words give me hope. They’re not wrong. Valisamazing. I’m glad she took pity on me to be friends. And maybe, if I’m lucky, she’ll go on a date with me.
