Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 17:47:15 -0600
From: GhostWriter@si.rr.com
Subject: All American Chapter 45

This story contains homosexual themes.  If you are offended by such topics
or you are not of legal age to read such stories, please read no
further. All the characters in the story are fictitious, with the exception
of one character.  I have NO idea of his sexual preference and I'm implying
NOTHING.  It's just a story.

This chapter wraps up the story. Since this is Thanksgiving weekend I just
want to thank each and every one of you that have sent me emails in support
of this story.  I really enjoyed writing it and your emails were so
encouraging.  I'm working on another story now so if you are interested let
me know and I'll email you when I begin to post chapters.  Again, thanks to
all of you.

Chapter 45

Instead of heading straight back to the dorms, Jerric allowed himself a
detour and spent a few minutes in the arena.  He stood at center court
reminiscing about the games he'd played, the crowds' roar and the friends
he would leave behind.  He knelt down and his fingers traced the large Blue
Devil logo on the floor as a single tear escaped his eye and cascaded down
his cheek.  Saying good-bye would not be easy.

Jerric slept little that night.  He and Hunter had stayed up late and
talked, but did their best to avoid discussing his decision.  They had made
love and fell asleep in each other arms, but even then, his slumber was
short lived.  Now, as he made his way to the athletic center, the
butterflies in his stomach were unyielding.  Until today, press conferences
came easily to him.  Things were different now, and the apprehension was
overwhelming.

With camera's flashing, he took his seat behind the microphone and looked
out to the crowd before him.  Most were members of the press, some local
but others represented larger affiliates that had followed him throughout
his career and of course Krista and Jeff.  The two of them had been
inseparable since the incident with Adam in Geno's.  Jeff stared at the
ground while Krista looked straight into Jerric's eyes with tears streaming
down her face as if making one last unspoken plea for him to change his
mind.  Standing in the back of the room were his teammates, all with solemn
faces, and none attempting to make eye contact with him.  Among them was a
somber Hunter, trying his best to make light conversation with the others,
making it obvious he would, even as a sophomore, be next year's team
leader.  Coach Jackson and the dean took their seats next to him and Jerric
took a deep breath before he began.

"Thank you all for coming here today."  The words felt like they needed to
be pried from his lips.

"I know that in the past few weeks there have been rumors circulating that
I'm considering not returning to Duke next year and instead making myself
eligible for the NBA draft.  We are two week away from winning a national
championship and I feel like these rumors are a distraction that we can't
afford right now. I want you to know today that those rumors are true and I
have spent many hours making what undoubtedly is one of the hardest
decisions of my life.  I had two dreams while I was growing up.  One was to
become an All-American; the other was to play in the NBA.  One of those
dreams is unfulfilled, and an injury in the next two years could prohibit
that dream from ever becoming a reality.  It's a huge gamble, and to be
honest, I'm not much of a gambler."

He paused, trying desperately to maintain his composure.

"Duke University has been my home and the fans and my teammates have been
my family for the past two years.  Coach Jackson has instilled in me
principles that make not only a good basketball player, but a good person
as well.  He has taught me that hard work, integrity and honesty to be the
cornerstones on which to build my future.  The fans have taught me the
meaning loyalty, and without a doubt the success we have had achieved as a
team is due in large to the immense support the Duke fans have showered
upon us.

He took a deep breath.  "And as for my teammates; it has been an honor to
play on the same court with you.  You have accepted me unconditionally, and
I feel certain I will never again play with a group of guys where the word
"team" is held in such high regard.

He looked directly at Hunter.

 "One of my teammates told me last night that while my decision would cause
a huge void next year, he was convinced I would be an asset to any NBA
team.  Well, you're right Hunter.  I will be an asset, and with any luck my
dream of playing for the Knicks will come true............but for right now
that dream will have to be put on hold.  I'm not ready to be a pro player,
but I am ready to be an All-American and a member of a national
championship team.  I'm not declaring my eligibility for the NBA draft.
Instead, I'll be returning next year as a Duke Blue Devil."

Somewhere off in the distance, Jerric could hear the cheers in the room and
excited voice of Coach Jackson who was now making his comments to the
press, but his focus was elsewhere.  His eyes were locked on Hunter's and
even from across the room he could see the tears staining his cheeks.

That's all it took.  Jerric knew his choice had been the right one.

Comments are welcome at ghostwriter@si.rr.com