Moments of Clarity by Michele Cameron

couldn’t see the amount of money he slipped her, but she practically danced away from the table.
    â€œCongratulations on winning the game. You were great!” Tiara complimented him.
    He nodded his head in her direction. “Thank you.”
    â€œI noticed that you’re ambidextrous. Do you get that from your parents?” Sasha asked as she sipped from her glass.
    â€œI don’t know,” Sexton responded, “I was adopted.”
    A thick silence descended on the table. “Now, everyone, don’t get all quiet on me. You don’t have to feel sorry for me. The best people in the world raised me. They took a truculent seven-year-old out of foster care and gave him a good life. I doubt if I would be where I am today if it were not for them. My parents taught me that everything happens for a reason.”
    â€œIt’s good that you’re so well adjusted,” Sasha responded with admiration in her voice. ‘I hear so many horror stories about the foster care system that I cringe anytime I hear that someone has been through it.”
    â€œIt wasn’t all fun and games, but I made the best of it.” The finality in his tone indicated that he was through discussing his time in foster care system.
    â€œHow is that player they had to take out on the stretcher?” Tiara turned to Calvin.
    â€œAnthony’s going to be fine. He’ll be back in the next game. He got an elbow to the eye and was temporarily blinded, but he’s already feeling better,” Calvin answered with certainty.
    â€œHe’d say that he feels better even if he didn’t,” Sexton added a little sarcastically as he refilled their glasses with champagne.
    â€œYou don’t want him to be hurt so that you can play, do you?” Sasha admonished him before she stopped to think that it wasn’t her place.
    â€œOf course not,” Sexton replied, not at all offended. “But I’ve been on the team for more than a year. I would like a little more playing time.”
    â€œWell, you’re certainly good enough. I would have thought that you would be starting,” Tiara complimented.
    â€œThat was the bait promised to me when I joined the team, but all the while I knew that it might not be happening right away.”
    â€œDid you play for another team?” Sasha asked in surprise.
    â€œI played ball overseas for a couple of years.”
    â€œOh, I didn’t know that,” Tiara said. “But then, why would I? I hate to admit it, but I’m not a big sports fan so I don’t know all the background to basketball and its athletes.”
    Their attention was drawn to the fanfare on the other side of the room as other members of the team made their presence known.
    Sasha recognized Anthony as the injured player because he had a patch over one eye.
    He walked over to their table and he and Sexton shook hands. “Thanks for taking over for me. If it wasn’t for you we might not have won.”
    Sexton responded graciously, “Thanks, man.”
    Anthony looked at the women at the table and said, “You ladies are some fine looking women.” He laughed and looked at Sexton. “Hey, you should encourage them to try out for our cheerleading squad since it seems that we’re going to have two openings.”
    â€œIs that the verdict?” Calvin asked.
    â€œI guess so. I overheard the coaches talking, and they said that maybe we should try out some more girls. Any suggestions, Sexton?”
    â€œDon’t even go there. I had nothing to do with that drama,” Sexton answered. “Rosemary and I dated over a year ago, and the only time that I’ve even had a conversation with Monique was last week when I gave her a ride home because her car was in the shop.”
    â€œSure, man, whatever you say.” Anthony looked over his shoulder. “I’m parched, so I guess I’ll make my way to the bar.”
    Sexton watched