Love & Basketball Page #6

I just saw Quincy.

How's he?

Engaged.

To that stewardess?

You met her?

His mother had a barbecue

a few weeks back.

He could do a lot better,

if you ask me.

So what do I do?

Find out where they're

registered and send a gift.

Whatever.

Is that still your answer

to everything?

When you come at me

with bullshit like that.

Are they cursing

their mamas in Spain?

You didn't want my opinion,

why did you ask?

I asked, but why does it

have to be so damn prissy?

What do you want me

to say, Monica?

Go over there

and beat up the girl?

Go have sex with him?

'Cause I'm not gonna do it.

Yes, I think decorum

is important...

and yes, I'd rather bake a pie

than shoot a jump-up shot.

If that makes me too prissy

for you, too damn bad.

So that's why

we can't get along?

Because I'd rather shoot

a stupid jump shot?

You always turn

your nose up at me.

No, I don't.

Oh, yes.

Female superstar athlete...

whose mother is nothing

but a housewife.

That's not it.

Don't tell me you're not

ashamed of me. I know.

I remember when

I was eight years old.

You spent four hours cooking up

this big, fancy meal...

and I guess you and dad

got your wires crossed.

In he walks with

a couple of pizzas...

and you didn't say anything.

You never stood up

for yourself. Ever.

If I was ashamed,

it was because of that.

That is ridiculous.

What's ridiculous

is not being a caterer...

so your husband

can feel like a man...

knowing his woman's cooking

and ironing his drawers.

Damn it.

I'm sorry.

Is that really

all you think about me?

When your daddy and I

got married, I had dreams.

But I happen to have

gotten pregnant with Lena...

and then I had you...

so I had to put

my dreams on hold.

You know what day I remember?

In high school,

your spring dance...

and I put my mother's pearls

around your neck...

and I told you

you were beautiful...

because you were.

That day,

I was happy I didn't have...

a catering business

to run off to.

My family had

three meals a day.

They had somebody

to pick up after them...

and when my daughters

went to a dance...

I could help them

get ready.

That is what

I came to care about.

That's all you cared about.

I must have played

in a thousand games...

and I can only remember

you being at two.

You had your coaches

and your daddy for that stuff.

It never mattered to you

whether I was at them games.

It mattered, Mama.

It mattered.

Save pulls up

the original account.

Shift F8

pulls up the open account.

Oh, hello, Mr. Wright.

- Could you excuse me?

- Sure.

Thank you.

How's it going?

- Fine.

- Fine?

Damn, girl.

I remember your mom

had to beat you into a dress.

Very funny.

Visitin'?

Kyra's out of town

for a couple of days.

Figured I'd keep my mom company.

So how's the knee?

It's getting there.

Strong enough

to get you down the aisle?

Two weeks.

I didn't get to send you

an invitation, but...

Oh, it's OK. It's OK.

I'm probably...

you know.

Can I ask you something?

You never told me

why ball wasn't fun anymore.

It just isn't.

Cause I'm kinda feelin'

that way, too.

We had a rough couple a years.

That's all.

I haven't dribbled a ball

in four and a half months.

I may miss the attention,

but besides that...

You're serious.

Seems like I needed ball when

I was trying to be like my pop.

No. I was tryin' to be better

than my pop.

Now it's time

I tried something different.

Like what?

Well, I'm thinkin' about

goin' back to school.

What?

Wow.

Yeah. Kyra hasn't heard about

the school thing yet.

She'll probably say

it's the painkillers talkin'.

It's a trip, you know?

When you're a kid, you...

You see the life you want...

and it never

crosses your mind...

that it's not gonna turn out

that way.

So why did you give up ball?

Why do you keep

sweatin' me on that?

Because I don't get it.

Man, I never knew a girl...

I never knew anyone

who loved ball as much as you.

Now all of a sudden, you're

gonna trade in your Nikes...

for a pair of shoes

you can't even walk in.

What's up?

Just leave it alone, all right?

All right.

You need to put a sweater

on him.

It's a little chilly, sweetie.

She's fine, ma.

Yes. Her little icicle arms

are so sweet.

All right, ma.

Come on, Lorraina.

Your grandma says it's too cold.

Oh, grandma.

You know, Monica...

one of the things that always

drove me crazy about you...

and I have to admit

it made me jealous...

I always admired

was the fight in you.

What are you talking about?

Well...

I might be a little more prissy

in this situation that you...

but remember when I said

Quincy could do better?

I was talkin' about you.

What's goin' on?

We need to talk.

Please?

You asked me what was missing.

- What?

- From basketball.

You woke me up to tell me that?

It's not fun for me anymore,

because you're missing.

What I'm trying to say is...

I've loved you

since I was eleven.

It sure won't go away.

We haven't talked since college.

You wait two weeks

before my wedding...

to tell me something like that?

I know. I probably should

have said it two weeks ago.

You haven't changed.

You still think the sun rises

and sets on your ass.

Guess what?

It doesn't.

Then why are you so upset?

Because you don't pull this

on someone about to get married.

Better late than never, right?

Wrong.

I'll play you.

What?

One game, one-on-one.

For what?

Your heart.

You're out of your mind.

So, what, you gonna b*tch up?

Huh. What's that supposed

to be, some psychology?

Look, I know why you broke up

with me in college...

and not that

it wasn't messed up...

but I should have been there

for you.

I just didn't know how to do

that and be all about ball.

Monica, after that stuff

with my dad...

I couldn't trust anybody, OK?

I was lost.

That was five years ago.

I've moved on.

Prove it.

What will this prove?

You once said the reason

I beat you...

was because you wanted me to.

- So?

- So...

if I win...

it's because deep down

you know you're about to make...

the biggest mistake

of your life.

And deep down,

you want me to stop you.

And what happens when you lose?

If I lose...

I'll buy you a wedding present.

First to ten.

To five.

You scared?

I have better things to do.

Check!

One-zip.

Check.

Why don't you D-up this time?

Two-zip.

Three-zip. Where's the D?

Sleepy?

Your knee hurt?

Come to play?

So now you wanna play?

Now you're takin' off

your brace, huh?

Think that's gonna make you

play better?

Check.

Two.

Three.

Three up.

I don't hear you talkin'.

I don't hear you.

Point.

All's fair

in love and basketball, right?

Double or nothin'.

All right,

ladies and gentlemen...

let's stand and welcome

your Los Angeles Sparks!

Fifteen and six on the year,

five in a row.

Let's meet tonight's starters.

At one forward, 6'1", from

the University of Florida...

number eight, Dalisha Milton!

At guard,

5'7", USC, number thirty-two...

Monica Wright-McCall!

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