Martha. Upshaw looked out the window, it was half past five in the afternoon, and if nothing happened, Zike should be back home by this time. If he's in a good mood, he'll bring his good friend Link with him.

Martha likes to look out the window in the afternoon, and whenever she sees Upshaw or Link, she will walk out the door and give the two dream-chasing boys a solid hug.

It's a pity that now Martha can't wait for that moment anymore. His son never came home, he stayed on the basketball court forever.

Thinking of this, Martha's eyes were rosy again. The sorrow of the white-haired person to the black-haired person will not be soothed so easily. Zike's departure has made this already fragmented home even more discrete.

Years ago, her husband left the family because of trafficking. Martha managed to raise her two children, and Upshaw left due to an accident.

Now, only Martha and Zeke's sister Randall are left in the family. Martha is no longer young, and Randall is still in high school. The family lost two men and lost its breadwinner. What to do in the future? Black housewives really don't have a clue at all.

Seek refuge with relatives? Families living in this neighborhood, relatives are no better. Martha's brother died in a gang fire many years ago, and her uncle has done his job all his life, but he only has to support his own family by working at the petrol station.

Martha wiped her tears and went on cooking dinner. It was time for Randall to get out of school, and she didn't want her daughter to see her weak and weeping.

"Knock knock."

At that moment, Martha heard a knock on the door. She put on an apron and opened the door, but when it was opened, she realized that it was not her daughter standing outside the door.

It's Upshaw's best friend, the yellow-skinned kid who Martha sees like a son, Link.

"Link? Didn't the team go to Texas to play today? Martha was surprised that although Upshaw was no longer there, she still kept up to date with the BLU every morning.

"I don't have to go to Texas, Martha. In fact, I'm here to say goodbye. I'm going to the NBA again, this time, Memphis. ”

"Oh!" The black housewife covered her mouth and cried with joy, "That's great, congratulations!" Zike is right, the NBA is your stage. Come on Link, last time it was the Houstonians who didn't have vision. This time, I'm sure you'll be able to stay! ”

Martha's hug made Link feel extremely warm, and the Link before crossing over lacked the love of his parents. And now this Link is rarely able to reunite with his family because he is studying and playing in other places.

Therefore, in Oklahoma, only Upshaw can give Link the warmth of home and make him feel at home.

"By the way, this is a Christmas present for you and Randall. It's Christmas just around the corner, and I guess I won't be able to come back on Christmas Day. Therefore, today I brought the gift in advance. ”

"Link, you shouldn't have spent so much money on us." Despite saying this, Martha accepted the gift anyway.

It's not that Martha is fake, it's that Americans don't like to push and cover up. If this scene were set in China, the gift would have to be pushed back and forth hundreds of times before it could be delivered.

"Just be careful, don't worry, Martha. I'm going to try to sign a guaranteed contract in the NBA, and as for Randle, don't let her go to work as soon as she graduates from high school. If she can get into college, I'm willing to pay her tuition. You don't have to worry about that. ”

"This ......"

"It's paid in advance, it's paid in advance. When she works in the future, it's not too late to pay me back. Before Martha could excuse herself, Link interrupted her.

Of course, Link didn't really want the Upshaw family to pay back. It's just that if he doesn't say advance, Martha will definitely say that he won't accept Link's help.

"Stay for dinner, I'll bake some sausages."

"No, Martha, I have to get to Memphis tonight, and I've already bought my tickets. There's still a lot of work to do, and I'm afraid I won't be able to stay for dinner. Remember to tell Randall that as long as she gets in, she won't have to worry about tuition. ”

With a wave of his hand, Link turned to leave. Martha stared at Link's back until she disappeared around the corner.

The black housewife also returned home and continued to cook dinner, and it seemed that life was no different.

But in reality, her life has changed dramatically. Now, at least, she has rekindled her hope for life.

※※※

Go to Joan. After Brockman and Coach Connell said goodbye one by one, Link took his small luggage and took a taxi to the airport.

While this isn't the first time Link has left the Blue team to play in the NBA, this time it feels very different from the last time.

Last time, Link didn't have any emotions other than excitement, but this time, Link was unusually calm.

He knew very well that once he went this time, it was very likely that he would not be able to return to Oklahoma in a short time. His goal is clear, which is to sign a guaranteed contract with the Grizzlies. If he does, he'll have to play with the Grizzlies until the summer. Unless there is a game against the Thunder during this period, Link should not have much chance to return to the city.

So today, on Christmas Day, he and his friends in Oklahoma City say goodbye.

He will not forget Martha's kindness to him, he will not forget Connell's justice to him, and he will not forget Brockman, the rival and teammate who made him stronger.

After saying goodbye to everyone in person, Link didn't have anything to worry about. Looking at the street scene flying outside the car window, Link pulled out his phone, intending to say goodbye to the last person.

"Don't forget to watch the Grizzlies play."

A simple word, a text message is sent.

Attn: Rachel. Demita.

※※※

At 12:34 a.m., a lonely Link landed at Memphis International Airport. Although Memphis is not the most developed city in the United States, Memphis International Airport is the second largest cargo airport in the world, after Hong Kong International Airport.

So, even though it was early in the morning, there was still a bustling crowd at Memphis International Airport.

There are people from all over the world, and ethnic diversity is evident in Memphis. Of course, these also brought Memphis its own religion and conflicting ideologies.

"Link, here!" In the crowd, Link saw Jeff waving to him. Austin. Seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar city made Link instantly reassured.

Speaking of which, Jeff. Austin is hard enough, too. He's not too young, and Link isn't the only customer. But for Link's sake, he was willing to wait at the airport in the early hours of the morning.

That's all there is to it, Jeff. Austin is better than Carl. Jones is much more dedicated.

"Welcome to Memphis, boy! Sorry, I can't show you around the city tonight. After all, security in Memphis has not been very good. Anyway, in the future, you will have the opportunity to get to know the city. The car is already waiting outside, let's go directly to the hotel. ”

Austin greeted Link warmly and explained the current situation.

"Not very good security? What do you mean? Link looked confused, after living in the United States for so many years, Link had only heard that the law and order in a certain area was not very good. When it comes to the Los Angeles area, for example, people will only say that Long Beach is not very safe.

But judging an entire city with a high crime rate and poor law and order, Link had heard of it for the first time.

"What do you mean? It's literal. Didn't you know that Memphis is known as 'America's most dangerous city'? Hahahaha, but you don't have to worry. In Memphis, local citizens can get free tickets to several games if they are willing to voluntarily surrender their guns. So, Memphis is in a lot better now than it was before. ”

"Turn in your guns and get free tickets!? How reluctant would it be to make such a decision? ”

Link swallowed, the city on the banks of the Mississippi River didn't seem to be as simple as he thought.