Hospital hallways have some of the most profound quotes. As we headed back to room 517, there were quotes above each room number, accompanied by a painting related to the quote. Room 519 had the quote "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." The painting beside it was of a rose growing out from concrete with pedestrians walking by it, peak motivation. Room 518 had a landscape painting of a single tree in a thunderstorm being struck by a single bolt. The accompanying quote was "Storms make the oak grow deeper roots." Remind me to walk into a hospital before school for real.
The trio of us plus the nurse finally made it over to Ma's room, 517. The quote above hers was "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." The accompanying painting was a woman holding up a mountain while people beneath it escaped. A fitting quote for my ma.
"Alrighty, I'll be getting your discharge papers ready, ma'am," The nurse said.
Ma smiled, "Thank you, Marco."
I glanced across the room. She had a bunch of items and equipment scattered across the room: a stationary bike, more meditation books, and a standing punching bag. It felt weird. She was back at one hundred percent, like nothing happened. Jason was right, she's a lot stronger than I give her credit for.
Ma twirled around and sat in her recliner chair. I went and sat on the windowsill, Jason sat on the end of the bed, grabbed a meditation book, and was flipping through it.
"So, how was your day, boy?" She asked.
"I learned some fun facts about our city in the first hour."
"Like?"
"Omaha means those who go against the wind or flow."
Ma's eyes widened, and Jason paused mid-page turn. The room grew silent for five seconds. The sound of the overhead lighting hums like a low bass. Jason looked up from the book he was reading, " Hmmmm, I never knew that, cool fact. bro."
Ma laughed, " Cool fact indeed, whether the wind pushes us forward or back, we gotta keep pressing on, ya know."
I nodded, "That's what I'm saying, Ma, I really liked this quote."
"So when are you gonna tell her about your glorious victory, homeboy?" Jason says.
Ma's eyebrows raised, "Victory? In the gym, what sport?"
"Dodgeball, I was SAVING IT FOR LAST!" I quickly glare at Jason.
"Well, spill the beans, I wanna hear all about this majestical dodgeball match."
"Alright ma, so you see what had happened was..." Ma shakes her head with a smirk on her face. I retell and re-enact the main events of the first half and second half of the game, all the way up to the finale.
"I was the last person on my team; Wade was the only guy on the other side with a ball."
"And then," Ma was entertained, I had her whole focus, like Coach K without the munching and the whistle.
"Wade pulled back and threw a fastball, not before calling me a slur," I said, rolling my eyes.
Ma shook her head," That boy's mouth is no different than a trash can, I'm surprised he hasn't been suspended yet."
"His grandfather is the principal Ma; he was never gonna get suspended."
"Detention is the only form of discipline he ever gets," Jason growls.
Ma sighs, " Well, at least this will be the last time you guys will see him or his 'gangleader'."
She did have a point. After we wrap up our freshman year this week, we'd be leaving Lyons and going to a public school of my choosing in our district. I would miss Keisha, Lee, Alicia, the twins, and Jessica. But mom wasn't paying for me to go to private school to be discriminated against and alienated for who I am. Plus, I think she's tired of the lame robocalls about me being tardy. Also, it meant more money in her bank account to spend on her and me.
"Anyways," Ma clapped her hands, "back to the match."
"Oh yeah, Wade threw a fastball, on my soul it looked like a missile, it was cutting through the air like a wiry jump rope."
Ma nodded quickly, "And then."
I blinked. "And then... That's when things got really weird. I took a deep breath and focused on Wade and the red ball; everything entered slow-mo."
Ma's Eyebrow rose quizzically, "Slow mo?"
I nodded." Everything was moving at a snail's pace. Except for the ball, it seemed to move a little faster but still slow, even weirder, I saw this gray trail behind the ball."
Jason frowned. "You didn't tell me this part."
"I was going to bro, I just never got around to it since I was still shocked about Jack, ya know," I said
"Did you catch the ball?" my ma blurted.
I smile, "Yes, I did. My friends said I was in the zone or flow state, it's a state of being where you become one with the flow of the game. "
Jason closed the book. "Did you notice anything -"
" Say it ain't so, big sis!"
We all glance simultaneously at the doorway where two women in their late 20s and a man in his mid 30s all stood. They were clearly patients by the matching dark blue gown smocks they all wore. They had all the accompanying green socks on, showing they are capable of walking around and not collapsing. Their portable IV poles squeak beside them.
Ma shot a sympathetic smile." Yup its so, Marcos is working on the discharge papers right now, Leslie."
"B-But you just got here, I haven't beaten you in Uno yet," Leslie said.
The man rolled his eyes. "Uno is a ridiculous game; now chess and Connect Four are way better."
"Agreed, said the other woman.
Leslie shakes her head, "That's why you two are so boring. Diane and Caleb, Uno is way more funner than chess and Connect Four."
Diane smirks, "Funner isn't a word, goofball."
Caleb stares at Leslie incredulously, "You only say that cuz you hate strategic games, there is no skill needed in uno anybody can win."
Leslie sticks out her tongue. "That's exactly the point, I hate brain games."
Caleb sighs, "Anyways, Lisa run it back with me on chess since this'll be my last chance to have a worthy opponent in a while."
"No fair, I was gonna play her in Connect Four when she got back to her room, wait your turn," Diane said
"Actually, I was here first, and Uno is a faster game, so she should play with me first, right, big sis?" Leslie pleaded
Ma chuckled, "I got a better idea, how about I play with all three of ya at the same time."
Leslie's face lit up like a glow stick. "Yay, I'm down."
"What?! How are you gonna stay focused and give us a quality match? "Caleb and Maria said in unison.
Ma waved her hand dismissively. "I'll be focused, plus this is your one chance of scoring a W on me since all you have on your records are losses and draws."
Caleb's eyes narrow. "Alright then, game on, Veyron."
Diane cracks her knuckles. "Grrr, I'mma leave you with the L today, Lisa!"
"Kevin and Jason, could you bring that table and set up the chessboard and the Connect Four while I shuffle the UNO deck, please and thanks."
Jason and I glance at each other. When it came to games, no one was more competitive than my ma; her trash-talking was as sharp as a knife.
The triple gauntlet was more entertaining than a WWE match. Ma was multitasking like nobody was watching. She quickly beat Diane with a hidden diagonal Connect Four. Ma had multiple ways to win, and Diane was mostly defending, so she couldn't even make an offense to build up to a win (connect four ripped off tic tac toe, and nobody can change my mind). Despite having a bad starting hand, Ma made a comeback with skips and draw twos. Leslie and Ma both had one card left, and Ma top-decked a wild plus four, winning the game. Lastly, but certainly not the least, the strategic battle on the chessboard. Ma was white, and Caleb was black. The opening was the London system(Mom's favorite). They both castled to opposite sides, so the game was sharp. However, Ma had the game-changing fork and check to Caleb's Queen and King. Once he lost his queen, everything crumbled, though he tried to keep his defenses; they were shattering like glass. Ma won with a backrank mate.
"GG y'all, GG," Ma said, making a W with her fingers with the Westside sign.
Caleb stretched, "GG, that fork was crazy. I thought I had you figured out."
"I'm saying," Diane rubbed her forehead, "The way you play Lisa is like a pro."
Leslie laughed, "Big sis had Lady Luck on her side today, that top deck was bs."
Everybody laughed.
Two knocks on the door and in came Marco, the nurse from earlier, with three documents and medications in a bag.
"Alright, Lisa, you are free to go. Make sure you grab all your belongings."
Ma nodded, "Yup, thanks for everything, Marco."
Marco grinned, " It was my pleasure, Lisa. You did all the recovering and hard work I just assisted. You boys take care of her, shes a star."
"We will, sir," I replied.
Leslie hugged Ma. "Always free to come visit, just not as a patient next time, Big sis."
Ma smiled, "You got it, Leslie."
"Stay safe out there," Diane said.
Ma chuckled, " I got the two best bodyguards in the entire world right next to me, we'll be fine."
Caleb put his fist out." I'll be getting out soon imma come for my rematch, so stay sharp."
Ma pounded it. "I never say no to a chess match, just say the word."
They all exited back to their own rooms.
Me and Jason and I grabbed the bags of her belongings and headed out. Ma was all the way by the elevator in her sandals. Twirled around and started tapping her foot impatiently. A mischievous grin crossed her light brown face.
"What are we waiting for, boys - we're burning daylight."