Author's Foreword and Dedication: Although written before I had met and grew to love Rebecca Anne Stewart; affectionately called Becky by all those who knew her in the chatroom. The resemblance between her and the character Becky Taylor was and is uncanny. So I will dedicate this story to her, my beloved friend and playmate, Becky Stewart. You are still very loved and very much missed…

  

One Last Shot

by Maggie O'Malley

  

PART TWO

Cassie entered her junior year with high expectations. She was in great shape. Her summer work out program with Brian was going to make a real difference, and she knew it.

Brian entered his junior year hoping he could survive the taunts and beatings he was routinely threatened with. He still had barely spoken two words to his father since the end of last basketball season. High school couldn't get over fast enough for him.

Cassie continued her development as a dominating player on the hardwood. She set the city on fire with a point assault that broke several records, and by season's end she carried the third highest scoring average in the state.

She was a unanimous choice for all-state honors. The Lady Pioneers made a serious run at the state title that year. Cassie was nearly unstoppable in the tournament, breaking her own tournament scoring record with 47 points in a two-point loss in the Elite Eight.

Brian took a lot of abuse at school that year, some of it verbal and some of it physical, but by the second semester he had managed to pretty much fade into the school's woodwork. He was still an outcast, belonging to no clubs, or teams. He stayed away from all school functions, except one, girl's basketball games. He made every game, home and away. Cassie could always count on seeing Brian behind her team's bench.

Brian had pretty much gotten used to the abuse at school, but home was a different matter. He hated it when his father yelled at him. His father's words hurt him more than any beating he took at school. Now his father's silence was hurting him. Their war of silence had been going on for over 6 months. Brian knew his father was going to explode one day, but he didn't know when. That day came on a Sunday night during the month of October of his junior year.

Up until that night, Brian never doubted his father's love. He had known ever since junior high that his father was disappointed in him, and ashamed of him. He was never going to be the son that his father wanted, and they both knew it. Brian could understand his father's feelings. He often felt disgusted and ashamed of himself. He was just as an unhappy to be Brian, as Bryce was to be his father. They both deserved a better fate in Brian's eyes. Brian knew his father didn't like him, and probably never would, but he was sure his father loved him.

Bryce Baker, like a lot fathers, very seldom showed open gestures of affection to their sons. Hugs and "I love you" rarely happened outside of Walton's Mountain. Bryce had his own way to show his love for Brian, and Brian understood that.

Brian seldom woke in the night without a glass of juice sitting on his nightstand. His father had lovingly placed it there before he had gone to bed. Bryce never admitted to it, but Brian it knew it was him. When Brian got older, a ten or twenty dollar bill could be found under the glass whenever Brian talked about needing some cash to buy an album or some clothes. Bryce would rant and rave about Brian staying over at Cassie's instead of going out to eat with them. "Let him starve! What should I care!" he would say as he left the house, but Brian could always count on finding a Burger Chef sack waiting for him in the oven when he came home.

Brian's father was working the swing shift and had just got out of bed, when he walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but his boxers. Brian was hunched over the kitchen sink, scrubbing his rubber basketball when he felt his father's eyes trained on him. Brian glanced up to confirm his suspicions and then returned his attention to the ball. Bryce kept burning his eyes into Brian until Brian turned and faced him. Brian had what can only be called a moment of temporary insanity, as looked his father dead in the eyes, and said, "What are you looking at?"

Brian didn't speak the words hatefully or sarcastically, but it was still enough to ignite the fire in Bryce Baker's eyes, the same fire that had been smoldering for 6 months.

Bryce's left hand grabbed the front of Brian's jersey, and he swung Brian around and into the kitchen wall as the basketball and brush went flying. Brian's head and back smacked the paneled and plastered wall, as dishes from a nearby shelf fell from the impact and shattered on the tile floor. Brian's head was pounding, his vision blurred, and his dinner threatened to bolt from his stomach. Bryce grabbed him with both hands, suspending him almost a foot off the floor, as he continued to pound Brian's head and back into the wall.

He finally stopped, pinning Brian to the wall, and placing his own face just inches from Brian's. When he finally spoke, his voice boomed in Brian's ears. "I'm not taking this shit one more day from you! You're going to show me some respect, or I swear to God, I'll beat you till I get it!"

Brian's head dropped to his chest, and that fired the rage within Bryce once again. "Damn you boy, look at me when I'm talking to you!"

Brian lifted his head to meet his father's eyes, and was shocked and sickened to find the anger and blind hate he found in them. Brian had seen his father angry before, but never like this.

Bryce continued to rage and shake his son like a rag doll. "You're too old to take the strap to boy; I ought to beat you like a man, even if you aren't one. C'mon... damn it... stand up to me! You had no problem running that mouth of yours at the gym that night. Why don't you try running it some now?"

Bryce let go Brian and he tumbled to the floor in a heap. Bryce wasn't anywhere near through yet. "C'mon boy, get up off that floor so I can have the pleasure of knocking you back down! Get up...get up you miserable little coward and fight me!"

Brian curled into a ball on the floor and sobbed. Bryce looked down at him in disgust. "Long hair and tears. Why in the hell don't I just buy you a dress and some pearls?"

Bryce was finally beginning to wind down, but he still had a few shots left to fire. "You spend all your time hanging out with that girly friend of yours next door. Hell, everyone in town knows she's a lesbian. I hate to think what that makes you!"

Brian coughed and finally spoke. "She's...not...a lesbian..." His words trailed off as he ran out of breath.

Bryce reached down and grabbed Brian by the throat. "You little bastard, you talk back to me again, and I WILL beat you...Let me tell you one last thing. You will never be the man that I am, and don't you ever forget it!" With his other hand, he smacked Brian across the face, and a small trickle of blood began to flow from Brian's nose. "Now get the hell out of my sight!"

Brian was sobbing and shaking as he crawled across the kitchen floor. He pulled himself up using the back door, and then stumbled out of the house. Mindlessly, he staggered across the lot toward the only safe place he knew, Cassie's house.

Brian made it just inside Cassie's back gate when he fell to his knees and began heaving and sobbing. Cassie ran over to him and held his shaking body until she could calm him enough to get the story out of him. She helped Brian into the house, and then got her parents in on it. They decided that Brian should stay the night. Cassie's parents wanted to call the police and report Brian's father but he begged them not to. They agreed not to call the police, but Cassie's mother had a conversation the next morning with Brian's mother and they agreed that Brian could stay with Cassie's parents for a while.

Cassie and her parents said that Brian was welcome to stay indefinitely if he wanted to, but Brian returned in two weeks. Things actually improved after Brian's temporary absence. Brian and his father at least spoke to each other, if only but a few words. Brian stayed at the family home until he graduated high school, but he never again found a glass of juice on his nightstand, or a Burger Chef bag waiting for him in the oven. If Bryce Baker still loved his son, Brian would never know it.

Brian and Cassie's last summer as high school students was at times, a lonely one for Brian. Cassie had been invited to several high profile basketball camps, and played for a traveling all-star team. Brian spent a lot of time alone on the same court; he and Cassie had lived on the past seven summers. Cassie missed her friend as well. Whenever she came home from a camp, she immediately called Brian and invited him over. She would share all the details of her adventure and which college coaches were in attendance. Brian would hang on her every word.

By the start of her senior year, Cassie didn't have to worry about going to college. Her only question was, "Which one to go to?" She had a number of full scholarship offers from colleges who were powerhouses in women's college basketball.

Brian on the other hand, hadn't a clue what the future would hold. The only thing he knew was that he was leaving home as soon as he graduated. He didn't care if he went to college or straight into the work force.

By the time basketball season rolled around, the school began to buzz with anticipation. Women's sports had never been popular, but everyone loves a winner, and when the Lady Pioneers reeled off 8 straight victories to start the season, fans starting jumping on the bandwagon.

The Lady Pioneers had a deep and talented team, but Cassie was the star, and sometimes a star can shine so bright that no one else gets the recognition they deserve.

Cassie never thought of herself as a one-woman team. She was a team player, and continually praised her teammates for there efforts, but every scout was there to see Cassie, every picture was of Cassie, and every word printed, seemed to be about Cassie. It didn't help that her own coach told the team that if they wanted to win the state championship, they better get on board the "Cassie" train.

Resentment and jealousy spread through the team and drove a wedge between Cassie, and the rest of the players. It manifested itself in the team’s play on the floor.

Players quit setting picks and screens to get Cassie the ball. Already a marked woman any time she set foot on the court, the opposition routinely double-teamed her. Cassie worked harder to get herself open, but even when she did, the ball didn't come to her. Blanketed by swarming defenses, and froze out by her own teammates, Cassie's scoring average tumbled, and her confidence fell with it.

Cassie tried to talk to several of the players, but they started freezing her out off the court as well. Without Cassie's offense to lead them, the Lady Pioneers began to stumble, and games became exercises in frustration for Cassie, her coach and the fans. The Lady Pioneers was a dysfunctional team and limped into the tournament sporting a 15 and 9 record. In a last gasp effort to mend the rift with her teammates, Cassie invited all the girls to her house for a party the night before their first game. During the course of the regular season, each player would host a team party the night before a game. Cassie's parties were always the favorite among her teammates. The girls could eat, listen to music, and play hoops all evening. This season no one had offered to host a game party, so Cassie felt it was the perfect time to reinstate the tradition. Cassie called Brian and asked if he would help her set up everything and of course he agreed. Brian knew how upset Cassie had become as the season progressed and her teammates became more blatant in their dislike for her. Like Cassie, he hoped this party might extend an olive branch and bring the girls together in time for the tournament. Brian poured the ice down over the sodas as Cassie sat out the last of the covered food dishes. They admired their work, and Cassie thanked Brian for all his help. She he even asked him if he wanted to hang out and stay for the party.

Brian smiled at Cassie, "Thanks Pistol, but this is a team party, and that's the whole purpose of the get together isn't it? Ya know...to be a team again. Besides, this is an all girl thing, remember?"

Cassie hugged her best friend and regarded him for a moment, "Well...you're the only guy I know that I would invite to this party." Cassie thought about her words, and realized that was phrased a bit awkward. She blushed a bit. "Uh, that was supposed to be a compliment. What I meant was, you are always welcome at my house, anytime. Okay?"

Brian smiled, "Yeah, I know what you meant, and believe me, I take it as the highest compliment you could give me. Listen, I better go before the girls get here. I'll be over at the house if ya need me."

Brian headed for the back gate, and Cassie bid him farewell. Brian walked across the lot, and a tear trickled from his eye. She had paid him the highest compliment and she didn't even realize it. Nothing in the world would have made him happier than to be on the guest list tonight. If he had been on Cassie's team, he would have been sure she got the ball. He could have tried to talk to his teammates, and convinced them that Cassie was a team player, and not the whole team. Brian stopped in the middle of the lot and thought. "Great plan Brian! Only one problem, ‘he’ doesn’t play on girl's basketball teams, and ‘he' doesn’t get invited to all girl parties." Brian didn't need to remind himself of that fact. His life was a constant reminder.

The party was scheduled to start at about seven. By 6:30, Cassie had gotten phone calls from three of her teammates, each sheepishly calling to cancel for a variety of reasons. The other five players never called, but by nine, it was evident that no one was coming. Brian had been sitting in his window and watching Cassie's backyard. The lack of music, laughter, and other girls made it obvious to Brian that Cassie had been stood up. Cassie looked at her table of snacks, the cooler of sodas, and broke down in tears. Brian couldn't sit by any longer and watch. He was at her back gate a few moments later. Seeing Brian, Cassie wiped the tears from her eyes.

She smiled at Brian, tears still fresh on her cheek. "You hungry or thirsty? I got plenty!"

Brian went to his friend and held her as she buried her head and sobbed.

She raised her head and spoke in a tear-choked voice, "Why Brian? Why do they all hate me? I've tried so hard to be friends with all of them. I always try to pass them the ball when they’re open. I cheered for them every time they make a good play, and I'm the first one to tell anyone to shake it off when the make a bad one. I know I get a lot of publicity. I'm not trying to make them feel insignificant. I can't help it if they keep putting my picture in the paper, and scouts come to the game to watch me. Every interview I have ever gave, I always mention the other players and how good they are...and there are some good players on this team, but.... but...I'm the only one who could put up 40 points if we need it. I'm good Brian. You know how hard I've worked to get here. What I am supposed to do? Feel sorry for them because they spent their summers at the beach instead of working on their games. Am I supposed to feel guilty because I'm this good? I really thought winning would bring us all together, but that didn't work. I thought maybe having this party might do it." Cassie waved her arms in the direction of the buffet table. "Well you can see how well that worked. Brian, they hate me so much...they would rather lose, than play with me and maybe have a chance of winning. Please Brian tell me what the hell I am supposed to do!"

Brian wished he had an answer that would ease his friend's pain, but he knew there was none. "There's nothing else you can do Pistol. Just know, this isn't your fault, and don't ever be ashamed for being good at what you love doing." Brian stayed with her long enough to clean everything up.

Cassie didn't sleep that night. By the time she got to the gym and starting shooting warm-ups, she was exhausted and distraught. Two of her teammates walked by her and asked her with a smirk, "How did your party go last night Cassie? You are a one woman team, so we thought you could be a one woman party!" The girls walked away laughing, and Cassie struggled to hold her tears back.

The game began as all the others had since the second half of the season. Her teammates wouldn't pass her the ball and the Lady Pioneers fell behind early. By halftime, Cassie had only five points and her team was down fourteen points. The coach knew there were problems between Cassie and her teammates, but originally she had decided to let them work it out on their own, but she'd finally had enough.

She ripped Cassie's teammates in her halftime speech. "Listen, I don't know what the hell has been going with this team, but the bull stops here. Whatever personal differences you have with each other can wait until you're off the court. I don't know if you guys realize this but this is the state tournament and if we lose here, the season is over. We're down 14 points to a team we can beat by 30 if we just play together." The coach scanned the room and every head was down, including Cassie. "I'm going to lay it on the line ladies. Cassie's the best damn player on this court and the best shooter in the state. She's got five points, and not a one of you is trying to get her the ball. Get over the petty jealousies, and get her the damn ball. We can't win if you don't. It's just that simple, ladies. You make the choice." The coach stormed out of the locker room. The players followed shortly thereafter. The girls talked among themselves, but no one talked to Cassie.

The second half was a terrible repeat of the first. Cassie couldn't shake the double teams, and when she did, the ball didn't come to her. With 10 minutes to go in the second half, the Lady Pioneers were down 25 and the game was over for all practical purposes. For Cassie, the realization that her teammates hated her so much, that they would rather lose than pass her the ball and win, overwhelmed her. She finally gave into the anger and frustration. She grabbed a rebound and started heading up court. She crossed the mid court line with one objective in mind. She was going straight to the hoop, and no one had better get in her way, teammate or opposition. She picked up her dribble and charged hard into the lane as a defender slipped in front of her. She released the ball and crashed into the defender, sending them both falling hard to the court. The referee correctly called an offensive foul on Cassie. The defender was shook up, but apparently uninjured. Cassie wasn't so lucky. She grabbed her left knee and winced in pain. Her coach and two players helped her to the bench. Fortunately, it was just a sprain, but Cassie would spend the last 10 minutes of her high school career, sitting on the bench, alone and dejected.

Brian waited with Cassie's parents outside the Lady Pioneer locker room, when Cassie finally came limping out. Brian hugged her and walked out of the gym with her, much the same way as they had earlier when Brian had ended his career. Brian sat in the back seat of the car with Cassie.

He tried to get her mind off high school basketball and help her plan for the future, both of their futures.

Cassie's sub par senior year had cost her some scholarship opportunities, but she still had a number of colleges offering her a full ride. She could have went out West to Stanford if she wanted a change of scenery, but in the end she decided to stay close to home and enrolled in West Virginia University. Cassie decided to become a Lady Mountaineer. West Virginia was not a women's basketball powerhouse, but had a good program and Cassie really liked their head coach when they had met on a tour of the university. Coach Spears had been a great college basketball player, and was well regarded as an excellent teacher. She was excited about playing for coach Spears, but that wasn't the only reason she chose West Virginia. Charleston was less than an hour from home, and best of all, she knew she could talk Brian into enrolling with her. All she would have to do was persuade him. Brian never had a chance.

Brian still hadn't decided if he even wanted to go to college. His parents had set aside the money for it, so funds were no problem. He just wasn't sure he wanted to go through four more years of not fitting in. The other problem was he had no burning desire to become anything. No career ever seemed to beckon to him. He didn't want to waste four years and come away with nothing.

Cassie knew how Brian felt, so she began gently working on him. She told him that lots of kids don't know what they want to do when they first get to college. She was sure he would find something if he just gave it a try. He was leaning and then she finally got him when she said they could both go to West Virginia and share an apartment instead of separate dorms. Brian had no desire to be chastised in some fraternity hazing tradition, and Cassie said she'd end up killing some stupid little "giggle wiggle" at a sorority house, the first time one of them fainted at the sight of some cute pizza delivery boy. The two best friends continued their life's adventure together on the campus of West Virginia University in the fall of 1980.

There are those who say the true test of friendship is when two friends live together. Cassie and Brian passed this test with flying colors. The teamwork they showed on the court was evident in their management of the apartment and their daily lives. They pretty much shared everything, from expenses, to cooking, to cleaning.

Cassie found her major straight away. She selected primary and intermediate education with a minor in physical education. In the fall of 1980, there was no WNBA, ABL, or any established professional women's basketball league in the United States. The only place a woman could play professionally was overseas. Cassie didn't know if she would ever be that good, and if she was, she didn't know if she ever wanted to be that far away from home, her family, or her best friend. She had to plan for a practical career here in the United States, and if there was any way she could include her love of sports and children, she wanted to. The choice was obvious. As a teacher, she could be with children, stay active in sports, and offer a great deal of assistance to any young girl who aspired to be a basketball star. Teaching and coaching was the perfect fit. Teachers didn't make big money, but the job had a great deal of satisfaction and it had one big fringe benefit. The gym teacher gets to keep the keys to the gym! That fact is worth a million dollars in salary to a hoop junkie.

Brian was much less sure of his direction and it didn't get any clearer during his first year. He decided he was not going to find his heart's desire in a college catalogue. His heart's desire was not offered by any college curriculum. He had to go at this with a practical approach. He had to come out of this with something he could use to make a living, even if it didn't inspire him like Cassie's career did her. He finally settled on a general course of office skills and computer sciences. Brian had noticed that computers seemed to be invading every facet of life these days. It might be to his advantage to get on board now, and become proficient with basic computer skills. He chose general office skills as the perfect compliment.

On the whole, both Cassie and Brian found college to be a positive experience. The fact that Brian was away from his father and living with his best friend was reason enough to be happy. But it was more than that. On such a large campus, Brian could be nearly invisible if he chose. Sure, at times he might get lonely, especially if Cassie was gone, but all he had to do was go over the food court, or the Student Union building and he could be around people, without being with people. College also opened his mind to a wealth of information he never knew existed. It is also where he met his first route guide on a long journey of self-discovery.

For Cassie, college represented a chance to take her love of basketball to the highest level. This was college now, and she hoped she would find a team full of women who had her same passion for basketball, her will to win, and had matured enough to put petty high school jealousies behind them. For the most part, she was not disappointed. The petty jealousies never reared their ugly head, and these women did have a passion for basketball, but they also had a passion to party. Cassie didn't share that with them, but she wasn't chastised for it. Coach Spears became the friend and teacher Cassie had hoped. Cassie's four years with her as coach were the most productive of her career.

College brought Cassie the ultimate challenge; finally she could go face to face with the best amateur ball players in the woman's game. It was the only way she could truly gauge her own skills, and prove how good she really was. Over the course of four years, Cassie proved her excellence often.

Socialization was a little more important to Cassie than Brian. The boy was content to be either alone or with Cassie, but Cassie wanted more. She craved interaction with young women like her, women who were serious about their education, enjoyed sports, and liked to have fun without being a sorority bimbo.

Contrary to the rumors spread through out high school, Cassie was very much a healthy heterosexual woman, and like most women her age, she enjoyed the company of a handsome young man. Cassie had but a handful of dates in high school. She was still a virgin and was going to stay that way until marriage, but she appreciated a handsome young man's looks, and it felt good to be on his arm, and considered desirable. Opportunities for women friends and boy friends, both presented themselves to Cassie within her freshman year. Cassie joined a women's athletic group, and a group for elementary education majors. She also received her share of invites to parties and dates. A lot of her dates were one-time affairs. Most prospective suitors lost interest when they found out Cassie didn't drink and didn't sleep around.

Brian didn't date, and professed no interest. Only at the extreme insistence of Cassie did he reluctantly agree to allow her to set him up. Cassie usually tried to fix him up with one of the girls from either her social groups or the basketball team. The dates were all pretty much complete failures, but not for the reason most dates went bad. It wasn't that Brian couldn't keep his hands off the girls, it was the fact he wouldn't put one on them. These were young women who expected their man to at least show them a little affection, and when Brian didn't, they were obviously insulted. He also didn't drive, so he always had to double with Cassie. He was so uncomfortable and shy that Cassie could barely coax a word out of him. He had a hard time making eye contact with his date, but on occasion he would stare at her when he thought she wasn't looking. His date would usually catch him, and that made them both feel uncomfortable. Usually this made for short dates, and a lousy time for all parties. Cassie and Brian would come back to the apartment and Cassie would ask him what was wrong. Brian would never give her a straight answer, and usually went to his room. Cassie could hear him crying through the door. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. After a few of those date disasters, she refused to put Brian through it anymore. She resigned herself to the fact that Brian would come out of his shell when he was ready. There wasn't anything else she could do for now.

Cassie was talking to one of her friends that had gone out with Brian once. Cassie confided in her that Brian had no trouble being with her, and he was reasonably relaxed being around her friends at the games, but as soon as it became a date situation, he just pulled himself into a shell. Her friend raised the question of Brian's sexual preference to Cassie.

"Well Cassie, did he ever date? Even in high school? Look, I'm not saying he's one way or another, but you have to admit, if he was gay, that might explain why he's not comfortable dating women, or why he's never made a pass at you in all these years."

Cassie told her friend she was wrong about Brian. He was just shy and lacked confidence, but in the back of her mind, the thought began to bother her. "What if," she thought, "What if?" In reality, she hoped he wasn't. Brian had a tough enough life as it was, without embracing an alternative life style. Still, she loved him unconditionally, and if he did come to her with that, she knew she could accept it, and be there for him.

The conversation with her friend stayed on her mind into her next class. She kept thinking about all the years she had spent with Brian and looking for any clues he might have dropped her. She still painfully recalled the night they drank the Little Kings, and the alcohol induced pass she made at him. Of course nothing happened, as they both got sick before it could. But would anything have happened that night? Brian and Cassie had discussed almost everything, and shared their most intimate thoughts, but Brian had never discussed sex with her. She had babbled on and on to him about boys she thought were cute ever since junior high. Brian always listened patiently, and aside from looking a little embarrassed at times, never once complained. He never once talked about having a crush on any girl at high school or college. Of course, there was the one night at her house. The night they were just horsing around, and then Brad came home and turned the good-natured fun into a nightmare.

If anyone asked her about it she would tell him or her it was none of his or her damned business. If pressed, she would say he was straight. He did have one quality that all heterosexual men seemed to possess. Whenever they would go anywhere, out to eat, or out to the store, there was a definite look of desire in Brian's eyes whenever a beautiful girl would walk by. Perhaps all the rest was just that shyness of his. No matter what, he was her friend and nothing would ever change that.

During his sophomore year, he finally got another woman in his life, only she didn't become his girlfriend, she became his counselor, and she helped him find himself and his soul within.

Brian had seen some fliers about counselors being available to students on campus. They were free and completely confidential. He made a few inquires, and cancelled one appointment before meeting with Marie Childers. She was very patient and positive in her understanding. Brian was comfortable with her from their first meeting, and began to open up and tell her things; he had never shared with anyone. Once he started, it all came forth like a dam bursting. Marie Childers had seen this before. Brian had all the signs, and her heart went out to this troubled young soul. After her first few meetings, and the psychological test she gave Brian, she knew what Brian was probably going to have to do to have some measure of happiness. She was going to have to tell him there was no cure for what he had, only treatment. Before she could discuss that, Brian would have to continue his painful journey of self-discovery. Ultimately the final decision was of course his.

Brian continued to see Marie regularly until he graduated. He told Cassie he was in counseling to help him resolve issues with his father, and to deal with socialization anxiety. Cassie thought it was a great idea. She didn't know if Brian was telling her the whole truth, but it didn't matter. He was talking to someone, and that's all that mattered to her.

Brian didn't like lying to Cassie, but he wasn't ready to discuss something with her that he himself was just learning about. It was too big, and too close to the heart. He wanted to talk to her about it when he could do it intelligently and confidently. He also didn't want to do anything that could side track her from her studies or her basketball. When the time was right, he would tell her.

Nothing sidetracked Cassie from her studies or her basketball. She maintained the good grades she had gotten in high school and her basketball was by far the best of her career. Coach Spears brought out the best in all her players, and with Cassie it was easy. She was the most talented player on the squad, and the most dedicated. She had to practically drag Cassie off the court after practice, and in the end, just gave her a key to the locker room and court so she could practice on her own. Brian and she continued the spirited workouts they had held ever since junior high. Cassie's game rose to the next level, and she made a name for herself by the end of her freshman year.

Brian loved coming to Cassie's games. The crowds weren't huge, but very vocal and extremely supportive. It wasn't long before Cassie's ability, heart, and hustle had made her a fan favorite. The five foot, eight-inch guard finished her career at West Virginia as the school's all time leading scorer in both men's and women's basketball. She was voted a second team all-American by the polls and received numerous other accolades.

Brian finished his four years at West Virginia, with far less notoriety, but he did graduate in the upper half of his class. He got a valuable education, but it wasn't the computer classes he had passed that would shape his future, it was those weekly sessions with Marie that would make the true impact.

Brian and Cassie were faced with a painful reality. For the first time in twelve years their lives could be taking separate directions.

Brian wasn't sure what he was going to do next. He knew what he wanted to do, and he felt like he was ready to begin the journey, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to tell Cassie. Cassie was the one person he never wanted to lose. Many times she had said her love for him was unconditional, but this was one hell of a condition.

Cassie had planned to apply for a teaching position with several different school systems. She even thought about doing her own version of "Welcome Back Kotter," by applying at Pine Haven Elementary. She was hopeful that both her and Brian could find work close enough to continue sharing an apartment. She was confident that she could live alone, but she worried about Brian. Until one of them got married, or wanted to live alone, she saw no reason why they wouldn't share a place.

Cassie got a phone call from her college coach about six weeks after graduation that provided the reason why they would no longer share an apartment or each other's life. Professional basketball wanted Cassie! Coach Spears had taken the liberty of sending some of Cassie's game films to a friend of her’s in Spain. Her friend, Nancy Pruitt, was coach and general manager of the Barcelona Bombers, a professional women's team in the European League. Nancy was so impressed with the films of Cassie she was already on her way over from Spain to meet her. Coach Spears told Cassie that Nancy wouldn't be coming all the way from Spain to just give her a work out. She'd be coming with a contract in one hand, and a pen in the other. All Cassie would have to do is sign.

After Cassie got off the phone with Coach Spears, she went straight to the fridge, and got out a pint of Death By Chocolate ice cream. As she devoured each spoonful of her frozen comfort food, she weighed the pros and cons of the decision before her. Pro: A chance to go to the highest level of women's basketball and play against, and with the best players in the world. Pro: A chance to travel all over Europe and get paid for doing it! Con: She would have to leave her country and her family behind. Con: She would have to leave Brian behind. Unable to sort it out, she picked up the phone and called home. It took her mother almost twenty minutes to calm her down enough to make sense of her ramblings. They both agreed the best thing to do was for Cassie to come home, and discuss this as a family. Nancy Pruitt would be arriving from Barcelona and expecting her at Coach Spears office tomorrow at four p.m. She had plenty of time to drive home and spend the night with her parents. She would hopefully arrive at a decision and then drive back to the apartment the next morning. Brian wasn't home yet, so she left him a note on his bedroom door.

"Brian, Got great news, maybe. Going home for the night. Please wait for me here tomorrow. Will explain everything then. Love, Pistol."

Brian pulled the note from his door and smiled lovingly. He thought to his self "I can only imagine what she's gotten us into this time." Of all the things that Brian considered might constitute "good news", he never imagined that any of them could spell the end of their friendship.

Cassie came back to the apartment just before noon. She was nervous and uneasy. Brian watched her flitting about the apartment for a while and then finally corralled her to the sofa.

He took her hand and spoke softly. "Okay Pistol, you leave me this cryptic note about ‘good news.’ You tell me to wait on you, and then when you come home, you fly around this place like a five foot, eight-inch tinker bell. So...give! What's this good news of yours?"

Cassie took a deep breath, searched for the words and then began. "What if I told you I had a chance to play professional women's basketball?"

Brian's eyes lit up. "Whoa Pistol! That is great news! It's your dream come true!"

He hugged her until the reality of the news set in. He pulled back and threw her the obvious question. "Hey, are they starting up some new women's pro league here in the states?"

Cassie didn't answer; instead she just dropped her head.

"Well if they haven't started up a new league here then..." Brian's voice trailed off as he realized just what Cassie's "good news" truly meant. "So...when are you leaving for Europe, Pistol?" Brian tried to hold a smile, but the color had drained from his face, and Cassie could see how badly he was hurt.

"Hey, I don't even know if I really want to go. I mean they're just sending someone over to talk to me. They might take one look at my game, and catch the next flight back to Barcelona. Heck...the only Spanish I know is Taco Bell!" Cassie tried to downplay it all, but Brian knew Cassie better than anyone, and he knew this was her ultimate dream. It was every bit as important to her, as his dream was to him, and he wasn't about to let her miss the opportunity to live it.

"Don't give me that bull girl! I know you too well, and I also know that nobody's going to come all the way from Spain, just to check out your game. If they're coming, then they're coming to sign your butt! In a way, I can't believe it, but we both know you're good enough, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. What did your folks say when you told them?"

Cassie shifted her weight and pulled one leg up under her before speaking. "They said it was my call. After I meet with this team rep, if I am satisfied with what she offers, then... I have their blessings to go for it." Her eyes searched Brian's looking for a reaction to her statement.

Brian didn't make Cassie wait long to hear his true feelings. "Cass, I know you haven't asked me what I think you should do. Hell, you're a big girl. And girl, you sure don't need my permission or blessing, but I love you and I got to tell you how I feel about this."

He paused a moment to collect his thoughts. "If you don't do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life, and before you give me any of this crap about not being good enough, we both know you are. You've been given the chance to live the dream you've had ever since you were a little girl. You may never get this chance again, and if there's one thing I've learned from three years of counseling, it's you have to go for your dreams, no matter what. Cassie, some people have dreams that are so impossible they will never come true. Trust me, I know. But your dream is possible. It's standing right in front of you. Grab it girl and don't let go!"

He squeezed Cassie's hand and smiled. "C'mon, Pistol, think about it! Playing basketball with the best players in the world, running around all over Europe, and they're crazy enough to pay you to do it! Just try not to knock over the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or get war declared on the U.S. all right?"

Tears filled Cassie's eyes as she hugged her best friend. She pulled back to ask him one last question. "But...what will you do Brian? I mean...where are you going to stay once I'm gone? I don't like the idea of you living alone Brian. If you want, I could call my parents. I bet you could crash at their place for as long as you want, or until you figured out what you wanted to do. They love you to death Brian. You know you're just like one of the family as far as they’re concerned. I know you’re not even thinking about going back to your parent's house."

Brian shook his head and answered. "No way would I go back home, besides, my folks are selling the place. They were just waiting for me to graduate. Dad's taking early retirement, and they're buying a condo in Arizona. As far as moving in with your folks, I just wouldn't feel right. I mean I love them too. They've been so kind to me, but I don't want to live with them. Cassie, I always knew this day would come. I just didn't know it would be today."

Brian and Cassie held each other, as tears rolled down both of their faces. Brian was the first to speak. "So...what time do you meet this rep?"

Cassie wiped a tear from her eye and spoke. "Four o'clock at Coach Spears office."

Brian looked up at the wall clock. "Well C'mon Pistol! You'd better get your tail in gear if you're going to have time to grab a shower. Don't eat anything either! We're going out for pizza to celebrate when you come back, and since you're a big shot pro athlete now, you can buy!"

Cassie kissed Brian on the forehead and gave her best Jackie Gleason. "Baby, your da greatest!"

Cassie made it to coach Spear's office with ten minutes to spare. When she walked in, she saw her coach talking with another woman who could only be Nancy Pruitt. Cassie had heard of Nancy Pruitt long before her coach had called her. Nancy was a former all-American, famous for her fearless style of play. As a coach and owner, she still possessed those same qualities. When Cassie came in, she immediately introduced herself, and starting talking terms. She explained the contract in detail, and what Cassie should expect her life to be like living and playing ball in Europe. She told Cassie she realized this was a big decision, but she could only give her 24 hours to think about it. The new season was starting in a few weeks, and she had to get her players under contract right away. Cassie didn't make her new coach wait one more minute. She signed the contract before leaving the office.

Brian was standing out front of Andy's Pizza when Cassie pulled up in her firebird. Brian didn't have to ask her. He could tell by the look in her eyes, and he met her with a bear hug before she could speak a word.

He released her from his embrace and spoke. "So...when are you leaving?"

Cassie smiled impishly. "Ummm...two weeks. You want to help me pack, pleeease!"

As Brian led her into the restaurant he uttered, "Good thing we're going for pizza. I'm going to need all the strength I can get to move all your junk!" Two laughs echoed through the foyer of the restaurant.

Brian and Cassie had just finished loading up the U-haul, and were taking a break before making the drive to her parent's house in Jamestown. Cassie broke the silence. "Brian...have you figured out yet what you're going to do when I leave. I'd feel better if I knew you had some kind of plan or something."

Brian had a plan all right, but he was not ready to share it with Cassie. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin their last few days together. "Actually Pistol, I do have a plan, but...I'm not sure if I'm ready to discuss it yet. It's kind of a surprise, a big surprise, and I'm not ready to spring it on ya yet."

Cassie was fishing for something a little more definite, but whatever it was, Brian seemed excited enough about it, so that made her feel a little better. "Make me a promise Brian. Whatever this ‘plan’ of yours is, promise you will share it with me when you are ready."

Brian gave in easy. "No problem Pistol. I promise. Now let's see about getting you some good home cooking before you leave for Spain. You want to stop at Burger Chef?"

Cassie had to laugh. "Once a goof, always a goof!"

Two weeks after Cassie had signed the contract she was standing in the airport saying good-bye to her parents and her best friend. All four were in tears as they said their good-byes.

Cassie gave Brian one last hug, and a few kind words. "You know, I wouldn't be getting on this flight without you, and all those years of practice and support you gave me."

Brian returned, "And I wouldn't be alive without you. Knock'em dead, Pistol!"

Cassie disappeared into the tunnel. He would speak to Cassie once by phone, and exchange a few letters, but it would be 17 years before he would see his friend again, and Cassie would never see Brian again.

Brian returned to the apartment. He knew it would be quiet and lonely without his best friend, but he hadn't realized just how empty the place would look without her things. Brian started feeling empty himself. For the first time in twelve years, the knight wasn't there to rescue the princess. Brian and Cassie had always done everything together, and tonight would be no different. As Brian sat in an empty apartment and cried, somewhere high over the Atlantic, tears flowed from Cassie's eyes as well.

To Be Continued...

  

  

  

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