The National Champion

“One thing I never regretted was the time the nation deemed me champion, winner of everything,” the former athlete, Antonio Duke reflected, sitting next to green periodical directories.

Standing up, his daughter Houston, twirling her mother’s influenced auburn hair strolled over grabbing the gigantic journalism guide displaying dates, matching her father’s university years. Simply following the elementary taught alphabetic index search process, the maturing adolescent smiled, discovering the citation, confirming the comment made seconds ago, “yes Daddy, you were champion, and this newspaper article proves it.”

Coming down off the step ladder, slam bammer dunker hardwood fraternity stood proud, successfully completing net dismantling thrilling thousand's while millions witnessed the televised accomplishment.

“They said we could not do it, but we did,” the masses heard, respecting the statement issued by the young adult competitors.

A week later, media attention transitioned towards baseball and boardwalk hot dog antics, moving forward Antonio stood at one of the arcade booths, trying to win a prize, swishing an orange ball.

“Only last week I was chucking this thing one right after another,”

“Maybe you need to slam bam and dunk it,” the barker attendant commented.

Suddenly, all the triple doubles the sophomore accomplished during the wintry warm gym months, faded away. “I am not really that good at this thing,” he mumbled distancing himself from the chance venue.

Laughing, the recent turned twenty-year-old, remembered a phone call, requesting if he had any interest playing the professional league courts, needed returned. Continuing the afternoon journey, seeking convention hall refuge, where a legendary local team annually travelled the seeded number one road and provided quality Friday night family entertainment.

Taking a hard look at the shining bright marquee proclaiming, ‘ARENA’, Antonio switched his attention, noticing the Merry Go Round one rider audience participant, enjoying the trip going nowhere, “you here to shoot hoops?” Exclaimed a mysterious voice.

“No,” Antonio replied, “just loitering around,

“Don’t you have studies at the University?” The upperclassman inquisition procedure navigated a chartered course, as the mechanical tease came to a complete halt, allowing the artistic wooden sculptures, rest time.

Retrieving textbooks left alone Tigress Cougar approached the stranger, “I come over here occasionally, listen to the merry go round message, the routine assists in clearing my thoughts before class,” the coed explained.

“Oh,” Antonio quickly found himself, captured by her committed beauty.

“You should go to the study area and review final exam notes,” Tigress suggested knowing exactly who she was talking to, “I am sure you will give the tests a slam dunk.”

Hearing the advice, Antonio responded, “where are you going?”

“Need to check out spring graduation outfits,” Tigress answered before disappearing into the mist.

Hours later Antonio stood below the Collegiate Information Catalogued Center steps, prepared to enter the building. Upon reaching the fourth floor, Tigress’ glowing hi lighted buried face silently advised Antonio about the importance of using book protection, when hiding any failing fears. “Nice to see you,” the academic temptress greeted, “I guarantee you in two more years, you will be in my power seat accepting all real-world challenges.”

Those words have stayed with Antonio until present day and now declared a dedicated husband, the growing experiences helped especially when Houston researched a school term paper.

“Yeah, we are done,” Houston grinned, “do you want to go down and meet Mommy on the boardwalk? Maybe shoot the hoops and win a stuffed animal.”

“Don’t you have homework to do?” Antonio gave a lovingly stare.

“But I am hungry Daddy,” Houston replied, “and if you get a voucher from the reference media specialist, ‘Florida's Snapper Cafe’ offers BOGO gator sandwiches.”