Room 702 (16 page)

“Not by much.”

“I guess.”

 
“And maybe the team would have a better chance to keep a first place ranking with you on the court today.”

In response, Oscar crosses his arms and says nothing.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?
 
What really triggered this?”

“I don’t know, I guess.”

“I think we should.
 
I don’t think you want a situation like that one happening again, do you?”

Again, the basketball player remains silent.

“Do you?”

“No.”

“Very well, now, do you want to talk me through what happened?”

“I’m sure you’ve seen it on the news.”

“Maybe I’ve seen a clip or two, but I want to hear about the event in your own words.”

“Fine.
 
Mind if I stretch out?”

“Not at all.”

As Oscar moves to lie lengthways on the upholstered couch, his large frame dominating the small sofa.
 
Off topic, he says, “I always saw people do this in movies, now I understand.”

“Are you tired?
 
I’m sure we can get some coffee.”

“Nah.”

In a firmer voice, Nancy says, “I’m happy to talk to you in whatever way you feel comfortable.
 
So, tell me about the game.
 
Were you frustrated before the warm ups?”

“Maybe a little.”

“By what?”

“Nothing.”

“Oscar, I’m not sure how to tell you that if you cannot be honest and open with me, we’re not going to make any progress.”

“Fine.
 
It was Dani.
 
We had a fight.”

“What happened?”

“She’s late.”

“Late…” Nancy pauses a moment and clarifies, “For her menstruation?”

“Shit, Doc, you can’t say things like that.”

“Certainly I can.
 
Are you that uncomfortable with a woman’s cycle?”

“I’m not here to talk about…women’s stuff.”

 
Nancy looks at her patient and says, “I’m not saying you have to be entirely comfortable with what goes on in a woman’s uterus, but this is your wife we’re talking about.”

“Fine.
 
So, you know how I’m not exactly ready to be a father just yet?”

“We’ve spoken about it, yes.”

 
“Anyway, right before I’m about to leave for the game, she just comes into the kitchen
and says, ‘I’m late.’”

“Had she recently changed her birth control options?”

“What do you mean?”

“What type of contraceptive do you use?”

Oscar shifts uncomfortably and says, “She’s on something.”

“You have no idea the name of it?”

“No.”

“And you’ve not discussed with her coming off of it?”

“No.”

“Listen, Oscar, I know that you are a busy professional, but I think you may have some misplaced frustration here.”

“I er, reacted on the court because of Dani’s announcement?”

“Potentially.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that, from the beginning, we’ve talked about your lack of control.
 
If Dani is pregnant, which yes, is absolutely something to celebrate, it’s also something you did not plan on together.
 
Would you agree with that?”

“I guess.”

“And you’re sure you do not want to let her know that we’re meeting?
 
If you don’t feel comfortable bringing her here, there are a few marriage counsellors I can recommend.”

“Not yet.”

“Fine.
 
So, she tells you she’s late, and how did you react?”

Oscar sighs loudly and answers, “Badly.”

“Badly how?”

“I didn’t say anything.
 
I just walked out of the house.”

“Oh, Oscar.”

“I know.”

“And you didn’t go back?
 
Call her?
 
Text her?”
 
“No.”
 
“How do you think your reaction made her feel?”
 
“Like shit.”
 
Nancy scribbles some notes, “So, you got to the game and started warming up?”

 
“Yes.”

“Did you alert the coach or any of your teammates that you were in an agitated state?”

“Fuck no.”

“Because?”

“This is not some sort of touchy feely new age sport, Doc, this is basketball.
 
I get paid to play, not to be some sort of diva.”

“Okay, fine.
 
So, you’re telling me you are able to separate your playing from what’s going on off the court?”

“I guess.”

“And you punching the referee had nothing to do with your frustrations at home?”

“I don’t know.”

“Again, let’s go back to what happened.”

“Fine, but I’ll have you know he was completely asking for it.”

“Be that as it may, Oscar, let me remind you that in the number of starts you’ve had as a Laker, you’ve never had any instance even similar to this one.”

“I know…” his voice trails off, then admits in a low tone, “I let everyone down.”

“Is that how you see what happened?”

“The whole thing was over before I knew what I was doing.
 
I feel terrible.
 
After I was ejected, I waited in the locker room so I could apologize to him personally.”

“Because?”

“Because my reaction wasn’t his fault.
 
I acted like a dick.”

“Have you apologized to your wife yet?”

 
“Not exactly.”

“Why not?
 
She’s going through any number of emotions right now.
 
I think she could use some support from her husband.”

“How?”

“Has she taken a pregnancy test?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oscar…
 
I won’t use the word disappointed, because I’m sure you’re already feeling low.
 
Are you sleeping at the house?”
 
At this question, he looks uncomfortable and says, “The guest house.”

“I think you still have a chance to make things right.”

“Where do I start?”

 
“Did you apologize to your team for your actions?”

“Why should I?
 
They certainly don’t apologize when they fuck up.”

“Oscar, to control this situation, you need to take ownership of what you’ve done.
 
You can’t do that if you don’t acknowledge what happened.”

“I don’t know.”

“Listen, I want to believe that your actions were a one time occurrence.
 
To convince the rest of the world, you need to act like a man and take responsibility for what you did.”

“But…”

“Listen, Oscar, no one ever said that making changes to your life would be easy, but I think you came to me looking for answers to some difficult questions.
 
To become a person you like, to be someone worth looking in the mirror and seeing a reflection you’re proud of, you’re going to have to do some things you don’t want to do.
 
Now, do you think you’re capable of making changes like this?”

He takes a moment, before answering, “Yes.”

“Good.”

“So, after I apologize to my teammates, how should I talk to Dani?”

“Well, let’s first talk about your alternatives.
 
She’s either pregnant or she’s not.
 
And if she’s not now, she will be in the future.
 
So, what do you think you need to do?”

“Buy her something.
 
Something expensive.”

Nancy sighs, but realizes society is probably behind his programmed response.
 
Men have been conditioned to thinking something material will make the situation better.
 
She says, “If Dani is pregnant, undoubtedly this will be something she wants to share with you.”
 
Oscar remains silent.
 
Nancy bridges her hands together and queries, “I apologize if this is an intrusive question, but can I ask if you and Dani signed a pre-nuptial agreement?”

 
“A pre-nup?
 
That’s what you think this about?”
 
“I’m not ruling out anything.”
 
“No, we didn’t.”
 
“Oh?”
 
“Dani is going to be my wife forever.
 
We’re going to celebrate fifty years together.”
 
“I know everyone thinks that when they’re newly married.”
 
“I may not seem it – but I’m traditional.”
 
“So, what are you going to do?
 
How will you take control of this situation?”
 
“I need to call Dani.”
 
“Yes.
 
Do you want me to be with you when you do?”
 
Oscar considers the offer and answers, “Actually, yes.”
 
“How about now?”
 
“What will I say?”
 
“Can you start with ‘I’m sorry?’”
 
“I think so.
 
What else am I supposed to say?”
 
“Ask her how she’s feeling.
 
You need to communicate some of what we’ve been talking about.
 
Sooner or later, she needs to know about some of the issues we’ve been discussing.”
 
Nancy nods to his iPhone sitting on the table and says, “Let’s try.”
 
“She might not pick up.”
 
“Don’t start with excuses.
 
I know this is a difficult step, but it’s not going to be any easier the longer you wait.”
 
Reluctantly, Oscar retrieves his phone and options the speaker on.
 
Pressing the number 2 on the keypad, the device automatically dials.
 
 
“Hello?”

 
For a moment, Oscar looks panicked.
 
Then with a look of reassurance from Nancy, he says, “Honey?”
 
“Yes?” Dani’s tone is flat.
 
“I’m sorry.”
 
“Took you long enough.”
 
“You know me.”
 
On the other end of the line, Dani sighs impatiently and says, “I’m on my way out, Oscar.
 
I’m not sure I have time for this.”
 
The basketball player cringes at the use of his name.
 
Clearing his throat, he says, “Baby, you have to know how sorry I am.”
 
“And what are you sorry for exactly?”
 
“Everything.”
 
“Can you be more specific?”
 
The irritation is clear.
 
“I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.”

 
“There’s the understatement of the year.”
 
“But Dani, you have to know – while I want to be the father of our children, I’m not sure I’m ready for it just yet.”
 
“Obviously – I’m fairly certain you left tire marks on the driveway.”
 
“I…”
 
“That’s just it, Oscar, I don’t want another excuse.
 
I know we didn’t plan this, but before you knew anything, your first reaction was to run away.
 
How do you think that made me feel?”
 
“I…”
 
“For better or worse?
 
I thought I could count on you.”
 
Nancy looks over at her patient, who looks as though he’s about to break down.
 
“You can.”
 
“Fortunately for you, there’s nothing to worry about.
 
I got my period this morning.”
 
Oscar looks mutely at Nancy who gives him an encouraging nod.
 
He asks neutrally, “How do you feel about that?”
 
“I honestly don’t know.
 
I was excited, but with your reaction…
 
I don’t want to force anything on you.”
 
“I know.”
 
“When will you be home?”
 
“I can make it home soon.
 
Will you be there?”
 
“I’ll be home after six.”
 
“Can I get you something from Laura’s?”
 
“Maybe.
 
You’re not off the hook yet, Carlton.”

 
“I’ll make it up to you, Dani.
 
I promise.”
 
Dani takes a moment and then asks, “Does this have something to do with your parents?”
 
Nancy’s eyebrows go up and Oscar asks, “What do you mean?”
 
“You’re going to be so much better than them.” Her voice deepens with emotion, “I know you’re going to be the best daddy alive.
 
You know that, right?”
 
“I know.
 
I love you.”
 
“Love you too.”
 
The call ends and Oscar looks at Nancy, needing some reassurance that he hasn’t completely wrecked his marriage.
 
“How do you think it went?”
 
“How do you think it went, Doc?”
 
“She picked up your call, which is encouraging, although I think there is a lot you two need to talk about.” Oscar looks anxious to leave and Nancy says, “Just remember that your wife has been through an emotional time.
 
Whether or not she wanted her period, or a baby – you need to hear her out.
 
As uncomfortable as it might make you, this is time for a real conversation.”
 
“I know.”
 
“You keep saying that you know – so do yourself and your wife a favor, show her.”
 
“I’ll let you know how it goes.”
 
“And she’s right.”
 
“About what?”
 
“You are going to make a great dad.”
 
Nancy reaches across and grips his hand, “I hope it goes well at home.
 
See you next session.”

Special Agents Tooze and Arevalo pace precisely in the suite.
 
Tall, muscular and menacing, Jace Tooze, a former collegiate basketball player at Georgetown, stands on the small patio, dominating the space and keeping a keen eye on the street below.
 
Stacy Arevalo, the senior partner in this case and nearly a foot shorter than the younger man, sits on the couch in the lounge, but keeps an alert interest on each of the doors.
 
In addition to the round the clock protection the duo are providing, there are plainclothes agents in the lobby, an agent dressed as one of the housekeeping staff, another agent among the kitchen staff, plus a back up team off site at a nearby hotel.