The Love Within

2

"For you."

"Alright we're gonna get you to the hospital to X-ray that leg. From the feels of it could be your ACL."

"Well let's get my ass there then, ahh."

"Toni?"

"Yea you are?" They asked, I turned over seeing it was Janet.

"She's a friend of mines."

"I'll be up there after the game Toni."

"Alright Diamond, remember cut they ass for me."

"Oh most def." she left as Janet stood beside me holding my hand.

"Are you ok."

"Shit. I will be after they care to the hospital."

"We gotta care her now."

"Mind if I ride."

"Come on." They got me in the ambulance as Janet held my hand the whole way.

"You did great while you were there."

"Thank you, I told you I was gone show out."

"That you did. Yo little dance coming out, what was that."

"Man ion even know honestly."

"I liked it a little bit."

"A little bit is just enough."  The pain started to resurface this time much worser. I squeezed Janet's hand trying not to think about it but it felt as if someone was stabbing me in my knee over and over and over. Looking down my knee had swollen to be twice the size it was before we left the locker room.

Janet ran her hand that I wasn't holding through my hair.

"It's gonna be ok Toni, I'll be with you."

"Thank you."

"That's what friends are for."

"Friends?"

"Yea, unless you don't wanna b—."

"No no I just didn't know you considered me as a friend though."

"Oh I mean, I would understand." We made and she was still sitting with me. I took off my jersey leaving on the white tshirt I had underneath.

"I'm afraid Ms. Braxton you have a knee injury."

"Oh I can see that, I just needa know am I out for the season or no."

"You won't be able to play again, and you're gonna need surgery."

"What the fuck? On god I'm gone fuck that girl up."

"Now Toni." Janet said to me

"Now Toni my ass, Janet the man said I couldn't play anymore. That team needs me, I need it, we need each other. What use am I if I can't play, they won't make it to state without me. If I'm hurt, that girl gone hurt too. I refuse for us to lose on account of me, ima play regardless I don't care."

"Toni if you play you might not be able to walk. Is it really that important?"

"It is Janet."

"I can't stand here and watch you do that to yourself."

"Well leave." Did I say that, it was that my pain talking. She grabbed my hand looking at me.

"Look it's not my place to say this, but don't do anything that could threaten or limit things to your life. I'd hate that for you."

"I understand what you're saying, but it's just that I had a scholarship to play. This knocks me completely off the radar, for anything." The nurse gave me something to what I guess numb the pain.

"You still have your academics."

"I do, but—."

"But nothing, lay here and let them help you get better. I'll be here with you every step of the way, that is if you would like me to be?"

I cracked a small smile at her as I place my jersey on her. "I'd love for you to be, thank you for being a friend."

"Alright golden girls." She chuckled then smiled.

"I'm just saying."

"By the way, your jersey is a lil stank and mess. But you're welcome."

"I mean I was on the flo, you look good in it though."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Are you gonna stay with me tonight?"

"I will but I have to leave in the morning though, I have rehearsals."

"I would love to go."

"We'll put a brace on it but you would have to be in a wheelchair until your scheduled surgery."

"Ok."

"Alright then, we'll have you out by 8:30 in the morning."

"Thank you."

"Ms. Braxton you'll be in room 225 on the east wing."

"Fine." Janet helped me in the wheelchair rolling me out.

"Janey don't be pushing me like a bat out of Haywoods either."

"Awe man."

"Awe man my ass, I'm serious."

"I hear you Toni."

"Good, glad we have an understanding."

"Mhm..."