Chapter 507 Hermosa Beach
Friday, February 17th, Afternoon
For her, it wasn't a far walk, about ten blocks down 8th Street to Valley Drive. Jogging down Valley Drive, she stopped dribbling her basketball as she walked onto the Kelly Courts. She greeted a few young women she would meet here and chat with.
Doctor Candace "Candi" Scott, MD, FAAP, slipped off her sweatshirt and looked over the courts. One of the young women walked over to her, making eye contact.
"The White Mamba is here," The Young Woman said, and they hugged.
"Cherish, how are you doing?" Candi asked.
"Well, you know, the usual," Cherish said.
Candi nodded, "Have you been practicing what I've showed you?" she asked.
"Well, you know, Doctor Candi," Cherish said.
"Cherish, you want to get better, don't you?" Candi asked.
"I do," Cherish said.
"So, you need to practice," Candi said.
Cherish sighed. Candi shook her head and started to stretch out her back. Another young came up to Candi. She looked like an older version of Cherish.
"Doctor Candi," the young woman said.
"Yes, Johna?" Candi asked.
"Kurtis is looking for you," Johna said.
"Do you know what he wants?" Candi asked.
"No, you know Curtis, Doctor Candi," Johna said.
Candi nodded and looked across the courts to see the person looking for her standing in the other court. Candi took a deep breath and walked across the courts to find Kurtis waiting for her. This man stood about half a head taller than Candi.
"Doctor Candi, welcome," Kurtis said.
"What's up, Kurtis?" Candi asked.
"I got a business proposal for you," Kurtis said.
"Kurtis, I'm not giving you my prescription pad," Candi said.
"So, what do we want to talk about?" Candi asked.
"There is this new guy that's been playing here. He's game to be plucked, with some gambling," Kurtis said.
"Why me?" Candi asked.
"You're one of the best and underestimated players on this court," Kurtis said.
"Is this because I'm a woman?" Candi asked.
"Use every advantage we have," Kurtis said.
"Okay, what's the cut?" Candi asked.
"A third," Kurtis said.
"Who's our third?" Candi asked.
"Malik," Kurtis said.
Candi nodded, "Okay," she said.
"Here they come," Kurtis said.
Candi turned and looked at the three people coming over. She sighed as she knew all three of them. They were all friends with Marcel. She just met them this week at her house. They were Milton Roberts, Dr. Roi Fabian, MD, and Dr. Brendan Lyndon, MD; that's who they are playing.
"You ready?" Kurtis asked.
"Born ready," Candi said.
"You play basketball, Candi?" Milton asked.
Candi shrugged, "I'm full of surprises," she said.
"I guess you're guarding her, Milt," Roi said.
"Why me?" Milton asked.
"You're the weakest of us," Roi said.
"That's good to know," Kurtis said.
Candi nodded and looked to Kurtis, "You want me to brick it?" she asked.
Kurtis smiled, "I like the way you think," he said.
"Me and my brother used to run the same thing," Candi said.
Kurtis smiled and laughed, "Shoot for the ball," he said.
"Ladies first," Roi said.
"Thanks," Candi said, took the ball at the foul line, and shot it. The ball banged loudly off the metal backboard. Candi looked over to see Cherish and Johna. They both shook their head, knowing Candi had purposely missed the shot.
As they planned, they lost the ball to the other team. Candi lined up next to Milton. She noticed Brendan eyeing her; her arms and shoulders were bare, showing their definition. The game started, and Candi hung loose on Milton, acting lost. She baited them, and Roi finally bit, passing the ball to Milton. Candi broke on the ball, caught it in stride, and went to the hoop for a layup.
"I guess I'm lucky," Candi said.
"Lucky my ass," Brendan said.
"Make it take it," Kurtis said.
Candi took the ball and looked around. This was going to be too easy. She head-faked Milton and passed the ball to Malik; he pulled up and shot the ball. He pulled up and shot the ball. Malik was usually an excellent shooter, but Brendan might've gotten a piece of it because it bounced off the hoop. Candi went up over Milton for the put-back.
It only took one more basket before they wised up. Roi started to cover her, but Milton was a mismatch for Kurtis. Candi would take the ball up, and her old point guard instincts clicked in. Feed them a steady dose until they stop it, which meant Kurtis kept getting the ball.
It wasn't just a hustle; it was a slaughter. Once the game ended, the guys paid up. Candi took her cut and walked over to Cherish. Candi counted out some of the bills and handed them to Cherish.
"Go get yourself new sneakers," Candi said.
"Thank you, Doctor Candi," Cherish said.
Candi looked at Johna, "Make sure she gets sneakers with it," she said, "Good sneakers."
"Yes, Doctor Candi," Johna said.
"Also, make sure you go to school, college look at that shit," Candi said.
"Yes, Doctor Candi," Cherish said.
Candi turned to Johna, "Also, get some good food for the house," she said and handed the rest of the cash to Johna.
"Yes, Doctor Candi," Johna said, "Thank you, Doctor Candi."
Candi picked up her sweatshirt, turned to see Brendan standing there. She paused, took a deep breath, put on her sweatshirt, zipped it, and made eye contact with him.
"Scam me out of money, then give it away? You're certainly different, Doctor Scott," Brendan said.
"Kurtis scammed you; he just asked me to play today, just before you showed up," Candi said and shrugged, "They needed the money more than I do."
"What's the backstory there?" Brendan asked.
"The usual, dad's a deadbeat, and mom can't work from a recent injury. They're sisters; Cherish is the younger, has the potential to play college ball and get a degree," Candi said.
"So, you mentor her?" Brendan asked.
Candi laughed, "Not with my hours; more advise her," she said.
"I see," Brendan said, "Where did you learn to play like that?"
"Like what?" Candi asked.
"God tier, you were the best player on the court," Brendan said.
"Oh, that," Candi said.
"Yeah, that," Brendan said.
"Hard work," Candi said, grabbed her basketball, and looked at Brendan," I've got to go."
Candi was off. Brendan shook his head, took out his smartphone, opened the internet browser, and typed into Doctor Candace Scott's search engine.
