Chapter 13
Gordo walked with his head down as the rain beat at him. His body shivered from the cold rain that had soaked his cloths and his skin. He could hardly see through his teary eyes, but as he expected he found his house with the porch light on. He slowly made his way up to the walk to the front door. He reached for the door knob and it was locked.
"Great." He said out loud. It was almost 3 in the morning and he didn't was to wake his parents up. Suddenly the front door swung open. Gordo looked up at his dad. The rain dripping from him. Lighting flashed behind Gordo. Gordo's eyes looked deep into his fathers. For the first time in a long time, Gordo felt like his was little kid again. Like he had just fallen off of his bike and he was looking to his dad for help.
Gordo's dad stared back at Gordo. His eyes were not cold. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he just watched his son fall and he was there to pick him up. A tear fell from his eye.
Gordo saw the tear fall from the man who had been so cold to him. Gordo felt the hot tears run down his cheeks. They both quickly grabbed each and held on tight. Gordo squeezed his dad as hard as he could.
"I'm sorry dad." Gordo whispered. "I messed up."
"It's ok David. It's ok." His dad squeezed tighter. "I'm sorry too. Get in here." His dad drug him inside the house. His dad ran to get him a towel and the two went and sat at the kitchen table. With tears in both of their eyes they began to discuss everything that had happened so many years ago. Gordo explained it all. From the pressure he felt to get the scholarship, to how the drinking made him feel better.
"It didn't feel like I had anyone left, Dad." Gordo said looking down at the table. "You and mom were mad, coach was mad, my friends…my true friends, were mad. I didn't know what to do. Drinking took it all away for the moment."
"You're right. I was mad. But…I should have never left your side." Howard put his hand on Gordo's shoulder, which caused him to look up at him. "I should have been here for you. I'm sorry."
Gordo grabbed his dad and pulled him into a hug. Both were silent for a minute, trying to let it all sink in.
"I have an idea." Howard stood up and left the room. "HEADS UP!" He yelled at Gordo as he threw the basketball at him. Gordo stared at the ball, then up at his dad with confusion. "Lets play. Like old times."
"Dad, it's raining."
"And since when did that stop us before." Howard smiled as his son stood from the table.
"It's on old man!"
The two Gordon boys stepped out in the pouring rain and began to play in the driveway like they had so many times before. Lighting flashed and thunder boomed all around them as they played. He could feel his heart healing. He couldn't force the smile off of his face. He was happier than he had been in along time.
"What are you guys doing?" They both stopped in their tracks when they heard her voice after about 30 minutes of playing.
"Just playin ball, Mom." Gordo said laughing as he looked at his dad.
"Yeah, honey. Just playin ball." Howard looked so proud.
"Get in here you two." Gordo's mom said with a big smile. Gordo and Howard started to walk in the house laughing and smiling while the rain came down on them. Gordo stopped and turned around. He looked at the basketball goal that he and his dad had hung on the garage so many years ago. He smile and shot the ball. He watched it as if it were going in slow motion. The ball split the rain like a knife. It went up. It went down. It didn't touch a thing but the bottom of the net. Gordo smiled to himself.
