Thirty-Eight: Farewell, a New Starting Point

Martha Upshaw looked out the window. It was 5:30 in the afternoon. If there was no accident, Zeke should be back home at this time. If he is in a good mood, he will bring his good friend Link.

Martha likes to look out the window like this in the afternoon. As soon as she sees Upshaw or Link's child, she will go out the door as soon as possible and give the two dream boys a solid hug.

It's a pity that now Martha can't wait for that moment anymore. His son will never come home, he will stay on the basketball court forever.

Thinking of this, Martha's eyes were red again. The sadness that the white-haired person sends the black-haired person will not be so easily healed. Zeke's departure has made this already fragmented home more fragmented.

Years ago, her husband left the family for cheating. Martha finally raised her two children, and Upshaw left because of an accident.

Now, only Martha and Zeke's sister, Randall, remain in the family. Martha is no longer young, and Randall is still in high school. The family lost two men and lost the pillars. What to do in the days to come? Black housewives really have no clue.

Taking refuge with relatives? Families living in this neighborhood, relatives, are not much better off. Martha's brother died in a gang fight many years ago, and her uncle has been doing his duty in this life, but he can only support his own family by working at the gas station.

Martha wiped her tears and continued cooking dinner. It was time for Randall to get out of school, and she didn't want her daughter to see her weak and crying.

"Dong dong dong."

At this point, Martha heard a knock on the door. She opened the door while wearing an apron, but when the door was opened, she found that it was not her daughter who was standing outside the door.

It was Upshaw's best friend, a yellow-skinned boy whom Martha regarded as her son, Link.

"Link? Didn't the team go to Texas to play today?" Martha was very surprised. Although Upshaw was no longer there, she still habitually learned about the blue team's movements every morning.

"I don't have to go to Texas, Martha. Actually, I'm here to say goodbye. I'm going to the NBA again, and this time, Memphis."

"Oh!" The black housewife covered her mouth and cried with joy, "It's great, congratulations! Zeke is right, the NBA is your stage. Come on, Link, last time Houston people had no vision. This time, I believe you will definitely stay!"

Martha's hug made Link feel extremely warm, and the Link before crossing over had lacked the care of his parents. And now this Link is rarely reunited with his family because he goes to school to play ball.

Therefore, in Oklahoma, only Upshaw can give Link's family warmth and make him feel at home.

"By the way, this is a Christmas present for you and Randall. It's almost Christmas, and I guess I won't be back on Christmas day. So today I'm bringing the present early."

"Link, you shouldn't spend so much money on us." Although she said so, Martha still accepted the gift.

It's not that Martha is fake, it's that Americans don't like to push and hide. If this scene is placed in China, the gift has to be pushed back and forth hundreds of times before it can be delivered.

"Just a little care, don't worry Martha. I will fight for a guaranteed contract in the NBA, and as for Randall, don't let her go to work as soon as she graduates from high school. If she can get into college, I'm willing to pay Her tuition. You don't have to worry about that."

"This......"

"It was paid in advance, paid in advance. It won't be too late to pay me back when she works later." Before Martha could resign, Link interrupted her.

Of course, Link didn't really want the Upshaw family to pay back.

It's just that if he didn't say anything, Martha would definitely not accept Link's help.

"Stay for dinner, and I'll grill some sausages."

"No, Martha, I've got to get to Memphis tonight. I've got my plane tickets. I've got a lot of work to do right now, and I'm afraid I won't be able to stay for dinner. Remember to tell Randall that if she can pass the test. , she doesn't have to worry about tuition fees."

Waving his hand, Link turned to leave. Martha stared at Link's back until she disappeared on the street corner.

The black housewife also went home and continued cooking dinner, and it seemed that life was no different.

But in fact, her life has been turned upside down. At least now, she has rekindled hope for life.

※※※

After going to say goodbye to Joan Brockman and Coach Conor one by one, Link took his little luggage and took a taxi to the airport.

Although this is not the first time Link has left the blue team to play in the NBA, this time the feeling is very different from the last time.

Last time, Link had no emotions other than excitement, but this time, Link was unusually calm.

He knew very well that once he went this time, he might not be able to return to Oklahoma in a short time. His goal was clear: to sign a guaranteed contract with the Grizzlies. If it does work out, he'll have to play with the Grizzlies until the summer. During this period, unless there is a game with the Thunder, Link should not have much chance to return to the city.

So today, by Christmas, he says goodbye to his friends in Oklahoma City.

He will not forget Martha's kindness to him, Conor's justice to him, and Brockman, the opponent and teammate who made him stronger.

After saying goodbye to everyone in person, Link has nothing to worry about anymore. Looking at the passing street scene outside the car window, Link took out his mobile phone and planned to say goodbye to the last person.

"Don't forget to watch the Grizzlies."

A simple sentence, a text message is sent.

Attn: Rachel DeMita.

※※※

At 12:34 a.m., Link landed alone at Memphis International Airport. Although Memphis is not the most developed city in the United States, Memphis International Airport is the second largest cargo airport in the world, after Hong Kong International Airport.

Therefore, although it is already early in the morning, there is still a bustling crowd at Memphis International Airport.

There are people from various countries and regions here, and ethnic diversity is vividly reflected in Memphis. Of course, these also brought Memphis its own three religions and nine streams, and their own ideological conflicts.

"Link, here!" In the crowd, Link saw Jeff Austin who was waving to him. Seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar city made Link instantly feel at ease.

Speaking of which, Jeff Austin has worked hard enough. He is not young in himself, and Link is not the only client. But for Link's sake, he was willing to wait at the airport in the early morning in person.

For this alone, Jeff Austin is much more dedicated than Carl Jones.

"Welcome to Memphis, boy! Sorry, I can't show you around the city tonight. After all, the law and order in Memphis has not been very good. Anyway, you will have a chance to learn about the city in the future. The car is waiting outside. Now, let's go straight to the hotel."

Austin greeted Link warmly and introduced the current situation.

"Security isn't very good? What do you mean?" Link looked bewildered. After living in the United States for so many years, Link had only heard of bad security in a certain area. For example, when it comes to the Los Angeles area, people will only say that the law and order in Long Beach is not very good.

But this was the first time Link had heard of a city with a high crime rate and poor law and order.

"What do you mean? Literally. Don't you know that Memphis is called 'the most dangerous city in America'? Hahahaha, but you don't have to worry. In Memphis, as long as the local citizens are willing to surrender their guns, they can get Free tickets for a few games. So, Memphis is a lot better now than it was before."

"You can get free tickets if you turn in your guns!? How helpless is this to make such a decision?"

Link swallowed. This city on the Mississippi River didn't seem to be as simple as he thought.