"Good morning coach"
"Morning Jamal, how are you doing?"
"Im fine coach, what about the others?" He asked looking around the empty field.
"They're inside changing. Why don't you run along so we can start training. The game is in just 4 days and it's the semi finals we can't loose okay."
"Yes coach"
∆∆ AFTER PRACTICE ∆∆
"Jamal! Wassup ma nigga"(taps him on the back)
"Im good Kings... How about you"
"Why the faint smile?"
"Nothing, just tired"
"You coming tonight?" Kings asked removing his boots
"What's happening tonight?" Jamal asked looking at the others in the changing room which now smelt mostly of sweat and tiredness than the usual lemon scent.
"Kings is having a party at one of the night clubs nearby for the team." Jacob said banging his locker closed
"Nice" Jamal replied
"You coming?"
"Maybe. If I'm less busy this evening I'll come over. What time is it?"
"11:00pm try come ok?"
•••••••••••••••••••
"Grams? You home? Grams? Where is she? Ughh I'm so tired" Jamal said throwing his bags and landing on the couch with more force than necessary.
"You're bound to after a long time of playing basketball"
"Who are you?"
"I don't even know who I am" she replied sadly
"Then what are you?. I can't even see your face" Jamal said looking at her with apprehension
"Don't go for the party tonight"
"Why?" Jamal replied a little anger showing in his voice
"I won't be there to save you" she said walking back to where she came from.
"And what's that supposed to mean? Where are you? Hello?!"
"Jamal who are you shouting at?"
"Grams, did you see anybody? Like a woman walk out that back door."
"No" she said " I was out in the garden talking to Mrs Veronica" she said removing the farmers hat from her sun streaked blonde hair
"You didn't see any girl come into the house?"
"Jamal you're just tired" she said laughing again "no one else has been in this house apart from you and I"
"Grams, can I go for a party tonight. Kings is throwing a party at a club not too far away from here"
"Yeah sure you need a break after all. The stress you've been through sure you go ahead"
"Thanks Grams" he said hugging her and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Okay....since you're back I'll go see me Clark concerning our plumbing issue. He has refused to come see it."
"Okay grams" (she leaves)
"Who does she think she is, telling me who and where I'm to go. Telling me she won't save me. Buh hello! I didn't asking for your fucking opinion. I don't need....."
"Yes you do. And you have no option in this" she said
"Where are you?"
"I'm in your house. Don't go for that party. Kings isn't who he all seems to be"
"Says someone who I can't see. Listen wherever you are. I've literally grown up with Kings. Who do you think you are" Jamal screamed but got nothing in reply.
"Fine then. Go for the party, you'll get into major trouble and I'll be there to watch it all."
"Who are you?"
"I'm human?."