Keeping Score

Serge shifted on the sofa. “Julian, how much longer will this take? Whatever is cooking in the kitchen is making me hungry.”

Warrick silently agreed with the Monarchs’ forward. He drew in another deep breath. His mouth almost watered from the scents of curry, chicken, and vegetables sneaking into the living room.

What was Marilyn having for dinner? Was she eating alone? Warrick shook off the questions and refocused his attention on Julian’s lesson.

DeMarcus inclined his head toward Jamal. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we can eat.”

Vincent called across the room. “Hey, Coach, did you cook?”

“Yes, I did.”

Anthony smiled. “Oh, this should be good. I can’t wait.”

Althea chuckled. “Jackie, you’re a lucky woman.”

Jaclyn glowed. “I know.”

Julian gave Althea a mock scowl. “And what am I? A consolation prize?”

Althea sent him a suggestive smile. “No, Julian. You are definitely not.”

The other players laughed as they teased the couples. Warrick looked away. Jaclyn and DeMarcus were good together. Anyone could see that. And so were Althea and Julian. He was happy for both couples. But looking at them reminded him of all he could lose.

“All right. All right. Let’s settle down.” Julian sounded like the high school teacher he used to be. Once the room quieted, he tossed the stress ball to Jamal. “Walk us through the Recliner Play.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d spoken to the board about Arthur firing me?” Marilyn found Emma in the hospital’s break room cradling a mug of coffee.

Emma looked up at the sound of her voice. “I wasn’t the only one who spoke with the board.”

Marilyn gazed around the room. At six o’clock Tuesday evening, the overbright gray and orange room was fairly crowded with hospital staff either eating dinner, filling up with caffeine, or both. After almost a month without the bitter brew, Marilyn wasn’t keen on the hospital’s coffee.

“I know.” Marilyn settled into the hard plastic orange chair opposite the other woman. She breathed in the scent of antiseptic, burnt coffee, and someone’s fried fish dinner. “But Arthur said you organized the other doctors to speak on my behalf. Thank you.”

Emma swallowed more coffee. “Mary, I didn’t speak with the board for your thanks.”

“That’s obvious.” Marilyn crossed her legs, then settled her black leather hand

bag on her lap. “If you’d wanted my gratitude, you’d have told me yourself. Since you didn’t tell me, I have to wonder about your motivation.”

Emma stared into her coffee mug as though searching for an answer. “Jealousy is an ugly thing.” She lifted her green eyes to Marilyn. “I hadn’t even realized just how jealous I’d been of you. You’re smart, beautiful, and from a wealthy family. Everywhere you go, people like you. I hadn’t even realized that I’d grown to resent being in your shadow.”

“My shadow?” Marilyn’s voice was thin with shock. “That’s ridiculous. You were never in anyone’s shadow.”

“I was only popular because I know you. And you weren’t popular because of your name. People like and admire you because of who you are, not what you are.”

Could that be true? “Maybe after they get to know me. But I see the recognition in their eyes when they hear my name. I know my parents are the reason they want to get to know me in the first place.”

Emma shook her head. Her honey blond curls bounced around her shoulders. “The only people who are in awe of the Devry name are your parents. Real people don’t hold your name up as a trophy.” Her smile was fleeting. “They don’t hold it against you, either.”

Marilyn arched an eyebrow. “What about Janet and Dionne? Because of my parents, they gave my partnership application special consideration.”

“I said real people. Janet and Dionne are fake.” Emma sipped more coffee. The strong scent and bitter taste didn’t seem to affect her. “Actually, you should have pulled your application long before they had the opportunity to turn it down.”

Marilyn dropped her gaze to the gray Formica table. “I should have walked away as soon as they suggested I leave Rick.”

“Rick’s one of the real people.” Emma set down her empty mug. “Your family’s name never impressed him. That’s probably because he’d made his own.”

Marilyn sighed. “Rick doesn’t see himself as famous. But you never understood that.”