Michael Balkind: Sudden Death

The message light on the phone was blinking as Reid and Buck entered the suite. Reid said, “You can check the messages; they’re probably all for you anyway. Oh, by the way, here.” He handed Buck the thank-you card, then went into his room and closed the door.

He sat at the desk and pulled out the card he bought for his mother. Leaning back, he contemplated what to write. A convoluted mixture of guilt and fear crept into his mind. He knew he needed to apologize for avoiding his mother, but at the same time, his recurring thoughts of doom left him with an empty feeling; what if this apology was too late? What if something happened to him before he had a chance to see her again? Overcome with worry, he reached up, put his hands over his face and rubbed aggressively, trying to erase the torment from his mind. That’s it, he thought, I have to change, I’m going to start being nice to people; Mom, my sisters, my fans, hell, even the press. It would definitely be better to have the press as friends rather than enemies. After a deep sigh, his mind shifted gears and he quietly chuckled. He thought how ludicrous his situation was. Here he sat, having negotiated an unbelievably huge endorsement contract and expecting to fulfill his lifelong dream of winning the coveted Green Jacket, and instead of elation, his brain was overwrought with dreadful thoughts. He groaned out loud and shook his head. I need to write this card, then go swim some laps, he thought. The cold water will shock this nonsense from my head. He was glad at least that he had invited his sisters to fly down and watch him play in the tournament. He leaned forward and began writing:

Dear Mom,

I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I know how difficult I was when I was young, but you were always there for me. I know lately I have been out of touch. I’m sorry. I am going to change that starting now. I love you! Reid He stuffed the card in the envelope and addressed it. He then quickly threw on a bathing suit and T-shirt, grabbed the card and walked out to the living room.

Buck was sitting on the couch with the phone at his ear and a scowl on his face. He looked at Reid and held up a finger, signaling that he would be off in a minute. Reid sat down and turned on the TV quietly as Buck yelled at Alvin Carey.

When Buck finally hung up, he turned to Reid and said, “Sorry, he just pisses me off. He is so damn talented but he just can’t keep it zipped up, his mouth or his fly.” Then he started to laugh. “Kind of sounds familiar, huh? By the way, one of the messages was from Jennifer. She asked if she could have another credit card with a higher limit, ‘cause the first one is tapped out.”

“What?” Reid yelled. “That card has a $15,000 limit. I’m gonna kill her.” Buck laughed. “I’m only kidding. She just asked you to call her.” “Very funny! I never know with her. I’ll call her later. Let’s go to the pool.” “You go; I need to make a few more calls. I’ll be down soon.” Reid went to the lobby and asked the concierge to mail his mother’s card. He turned and walked out to the pool. The chairs on the sunny side of the pool were packed. Reid, not in a sociable mood, went to the shady side, removed his shirt and threw it on a lounge chair. He walked to the deep end and evaluated if he had enough room to do laps without swimming into the group of kids horsing around in the shallow end. If he stayed close to the edge, he could avoid them.

He tested the water with his toe, then dove in. He swam the length of the pool underwater, then surfaced and swam a few laps. On his third lap, he swam into one of the kids, who had carelessly jumped into Reid’s lane. Infuriated, he stood up to yell. When he noticed the whole group watching him, he quickly put his anger in check. Forcing a smile, he said, “Hey kids, what’s up?” He asked them all their names and said, “I’m Reid Clark.” “Duh,” goofed one of them, sending the others into hysterics. “Okay, wise guys. Who wants to race me across the pool?” A girl and the boy who had made the wisecrack came forward together and said in unison, “We do.” She was Samantha and he was Alex. They were cute kids with bright eyes and big smiles.

“Okay, everyone, if Sam or Alex beat me, you all get ice cream sundaes. If I win, you all get ice cream sundaes.”

“Cool, we win no matter what! Can we get autographs too?” another boy asked. “Sure, why not?” Reid said, thinking, Did I really just agree to that? By this time, the kid’s parents had gathered around. Reid whispered to one of the fathers, “Can you go to the front desk and ask them to bring a cart out with all the makings for ice cream sundaes? Enough for 30.” The father said, “Sure, Mr. Clark, but there are only 10 kids.” “Yeah, and each has two parents,” Reid said. The father said with a grin, “Wow, are you the same Reid Clark I’ve been reading about?” He quickly added, “Sorry, only fooling.” “No problem, I’m pretty sure I deserved that. Hey, can I add one more favor?” “Name it.” “Would you go to the gift shop and get a dozen golf balls, preferably Eagle, a dozen Masters or Augusta golf caps and a permanent marker? Charge it all to my room, suite 527. Okay?” “Of course, Mr. Clark, I’ll be right back.” “Thanks. Hey, get yourself a cigar too, that is, if you smoke ‘em.” “Wow, excellent! Thanks, Mr. Clark.” “Call me Reid.” Sam and Alex were ready to race. Reid joined them in the water, at the edge of the pool. He asked the other kids to count down from five to start the race. Reid planned to let one of the kids win. “Are you guys ready?” “Yes,” Sam and Alex said in unison. “Okay kids,” he said to the others, “let it rip.” “Five-four-three-two-one go,” they shouted. Reid pushed off nice and easy and started to swim. He immediately realized that he didn’t have to let Sam win. The girl was a fish. She was beating him easily. Trying hard to catch up, Reid finished about two strokes behind her with Alex right behind. He didn’t realize until he lifted his head out of the water that the race had drawn a large audience both at the pool and on the balconies. Everyone was cheering for Sam.

She was beaming from ear to ear. The other kids surrounded her and as she climbed out of the pool, they chanted, “Sammy, Sammy.”

Reid humbly walked over to her, shook her hand and said, “Congratulations, you didn’t tell me you were a mermaid.” Samantha giggled and said, “Thanks.” The ice cream cart arrived and the kids and parents had a great time making sundaes. Reid signed the balls and hats and handed them out. He asked Sam and Alex to join him privately for a moment. “How would you two like to come watch the Masters Tournament as my guests, with your parents and families of course?”

They shrieked with joy. Samantha said, “Yes, Mr. Clark, we’d love to, thank you, thank you! Oh, by the way, we only have one family. He’s my brother,” she added pointing at Alex. “I should have known, the way you two say everything in unison.” Sam and Alex ran to tell their parents. Reid watched and heard their father exclaim, “Wow, really?” And with a quick arm pump he added, “ Yes .” The father looked at Reid and mouthed thank you.

When Reid went back to his chaise lounge, Buck was almost asleep in the next chair. As Reid sat down, Buck mumbled, “Wasn’t that cute? I’m not sure what has come over you, but I think I like it. Just don’t get carried away; you still need an edge sometimes. The press and Eagle expect it. The ‘Bad Boy of Golf’ needs to be bad.”

“Don’t worry, I promise I haven’t become a saint in a day. You know what I get like during a tournament.” “Yeah, you’re right. I should know better, shouldn’t I? Hey, by the way, thanks for the card.” “Sure,” Reid said nonchalantly. “I really mean it. I don’t think I’ve ever received a thank-you card from a client.” “Well, it’s no wonder, with your sleazy clientele.” “Ha, are you including yourself in that statement?” Buck retorted with sarcasm. “Hey, I may be an arrogant pain in the ass, but I’m not sleazy.” “Whatever… Do me a favor, wake me in an hour. I didn’t sleep much last night, and I can’t keep my eyes open.” “Don’t count on me, I’m exhausted. You better request a wake up splash or something,” Reid said with a yawn. He closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.