Just a game?

"It's not just a game to me. I don't give a shit what you say."

"What does it fucking change if they win or lose. Nothing! You are such an idiot," she said slamming the door.

I stared at the stained wood with the glass peep hole, standing in the dark hallway. I heard apartment 1A's door begin to unlock.

"Ray, is everything ok?"

Old man Harkins looked up at me as I noticed his outfit of an old dirty white t-shirt and gray slacks without shoes.

"Yeah," I said walking down the stairs.

"What are ya'll fighting about now?" he asked.

"I kicked the dog when Joe Jackson missed a jumper," I said walking into my apartment. Mr. Harkins followed.

I picked up the remote and turned on the game, sitting down on the green couch. He sat on the green love seat.

"Who won the game?" asked Mr. Harkins.

"It's halftime."  I responded.

"I don't understand why you and everyone else takes it so serious. She's right it's just a game."

I stood up and pointed the remote at Harkins

Angry, "Oh is it. Oh is it Mr Harkins. What the hell do you know. Those kids have played all their lives for this moment. You think they are thinking this is just a game?" I stared at him.

"Well..."

"Was it just a game when the 1973 Tigers brought the city back together after some son-of-bitches bullet had destroyed the budding unity everyone was still working hard towards?"

"Ray..."

"Oh, it's just a game, I've pulled my hair out for years, destroyed furniture, ruined relationships for this team, is that just a fucking game?" I started to walk towards him.

"I'm sorry, I was just....."

"Listen you old mother fucker, was it just a game when I fell down two rows at the Forum on the Louisville fan and her baby at the 2005 C-USA Conference Championship. You like think that little brat thought it was just a game when I fell on his head. DO YOU?" I screamed.

"I'm, I'm....."

I stood over him.

"Was it just a game when Darius Washington laid on the floor crying after missing those free throws?"

"Ray, I didn't know what  I was saying I'm sorry."

The Memphis Tigers, have worked hard to get to this point. It's a once in a lifetime experience for the fans and the players. The television said.

I looked towards the TV and screamed, "see, see what I'm talking about. Once in a lifetime!"

I walked back towards my couch turning up the volume with the remote.

Shaq Goodwin in bounds the ball to Geron Johnson, and the second half has been begun of this third round thriller.

I watched intently and Mr. Harkins shook.