Free His Last Name by Daaimah S. Poole

Lisa grabbed Jabrilah and took her upstairs to give us some privacy.
    â€œThey had to free up some of the salary cap.”
    I was speechless. We had our life already here in Oklahoma.
    I walked over to him and comforted him and said, “It’s going to be all right. You are going to be able to handle this.”
    â€œThis is crazy. I didn’t even hear any rumors out there.”
    â€œIt’s probably a better team and better situation.”
    â€œA trade is never good, Zakiya. When they do trades, it is to improve the team and get something better. The bull they traded me for is garbage. He doesn’t have anything on me. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve been working out, being a team player, and putting up my numbers. And for all my hard work, they send me to North Carolina? There’s nothing there.”
    I didn’t want to agree with him. I didn’t know anything about the Hornets and we didn’t know anyone there, but it couldn’t be any worse than Oklahoma. I immediately went into supportive fiancée mode.
    â€œBril, it may be a good thing. Now we will be on the East Coast again, closer to our families.”
    â€œYeah, that’s true.”
    â€œSo, how soon does everything happen?”
    â€œDave thinks it is a good idea to get down there and start my workouts as soon as possible.”
    â€œDid you tell him you have a house to sell and you were about to get married?”
    â€œYeah, and they don’t care about any of that. We may have to switch some things around.”
    My brain was still trying to process everything that had occurred in the last five minutes.
    â€œJabril, what do you mean switch some things around? I don’t understand.”
    I wanted to be supportive, but I couldn’t keep it together. I ran upstairs and broke down. My dream wedding was weeks away. I had the location, vendors, and dress all lined up, and now none of that mattered. I ran into our bathroom and I bent over the double vanity sink and began to cry some more. I turned the faucet on and washed up to remove any sign of tears. I looked up and told the woman in the mirror to be strong. She had to be. Jabrilah needed her; I needed her. I had to ask her what was more important, the wedding, or the marriage? I told her that no matter what, she needed to be by his side and make sure she was there for him. I prayed, and fifteen minutes later, I went back downstairs and found my fiancé.
    â€œWhy are you crying, Zakiyah?”
    â€œBecause you said the wedding was cancelled.”
    â€œI didn’t say that we weren’t getting married. We just won’t be able to take a honeymoon right away.”
    â€œOh, I thought you said to cancel the wedding.”
    â€œNo, you weren’t listening. I said change some things around.”
    â€œJabril, wherever you and Jabrilah are is where I’m going to be. This is our family. I don’t care about a honeymoon; I just need you. You are going to be great in Charlotte. You are going to make them regret that they traded you.”

C HAPTER 12
    Monique
    K adir had been staring at his bank account on the computer for the last two hours. I hadn’t seen my son so excited since he was a little boy on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa Claus to come. I tried not to be too nervous. I told him that the money would be in there soon and to just relax, but secretly I was just as excited as he was. Kadir would be getting seven million dollars in the next hour or so.
    â€œSo this is my plan, Mom,” he said, looking down at his list “First, I want to go buy a car. I got to get my G-Wagon. Then, I want to transfer money to your account. I want you and dad to buy whatever you want. Give dad money for his truck and make sure you pay off the house on Nineteenth Street. Then buy you a car, pay off Grandmom Laura’s house, give her some money, and then give Faheem and Aunt CeCe some money. Oh, and give Mom-mom