: 38: Farewell, a new starting point

　　 Martha Upshaw looked out the window. It was 5:30 in the afternoon. If there were no accidents, Zike would be home at this time. If he is in a good mood, he will bring his good friend Link.
　　 Martha likes to look out the window like this in the afternoon. As soon as she sees Upshaw or Link’s child, she will walk out the door as soon as possible and give the two dream-chasing boys a solid hug.
　　 It's a pity, now Martha can't wait for that moment anymore. His son will never go home, he stayed on the basketball court forever.
　　 Thinking of this, Martha's eyes became red again. The sorrow of a white-haired person sending a black-haired person will not be so easily smoothed out. Zike's departure made this already fragmented home even more discrete.
　　 Many years ago, her husband left the family because of peddling. Martha finally brought up the two children, and Upshaw left because of an accident.
　　 Now, only Martha and Zick’s sister Randall are left in this family. Martha is no longer young, and Randall is still in high school. Two men were lost in the family and the pillars were lost. What should I do in the future? The black housewife really has no clue.
　　 Depend on relatives? The relatives of the families living in this neighborhood are not much better. Martha's brother died in a gang fire many years ago. Her uncle has been on duty in this life, but he can only support his own family while working at the petrol station.
　　 Martha wiped her tears and continued cooking dinner. It's time for Randall to finish school, she didn't want her daughter to see her weakness and tears.
　　 "咚咚咚."
　　 At this time, Martha heard the door knock. She wore an apron and opened the door, but when the door was opened, she found that it was not her daughter who was standing outside.
　　 is Upshaw’s best friend, the yellow-skinned kid regarded by Martha as a son, Link.
　　 "Link? Didn't the team go to Texas to play today?" Martha was very surprised. Although Upshaw is no longer there, she still habitually understands the blue team's movements every morning.
　　 "I don't have to go to Texas, Martha. Actually, I'm here to say goodbye. I'm going to the NBA again, this time in Memphis."
"Oh!" The black housewife covered her mouth and wept with joy, "That's great, congratulations! Zike is right, the NBA is your stage. Come on Link, the last time the Houstonians had no eyesight. This time, I believe you will be able to stay!"
　　 Martha’s hug made Link feel extremely warm. The Link before crossing over, lacked the care of his parents. Now this Link is rarely able to reunite with his family because he goes to school in the field.
　　 So in Oklahoma, only Upshaw can give Link's warmth and make him feel at home.
　　 "By the way, this is a Christmas gift for you and Randall. Christmas is coming soon, and I guess I may not be back on Christmas Day. Therefore, I brought the gift in advance today."
　　 "Link, you shouldn't spend so much money on us." Although she said so, Martha accepted the gift.
　　 This is not Martha's falsehood, but that Americans don't like to push and push. If this scene is placed in China, the gift will have to be pushed around hundreds of times before it can be delivered.
"Just be careful, don't worry Martha. I will try to sign a guarantee contract in the NBA. As for Randall, don't let her go to work as soon as she graduates from high school. If she can be admitted to college, I am willing to pay. Her tuition. Don’t worry about this."
"This......"
　　 "It was paid in advance, paid in advance. When she works in the future, it won't be too late for me to pay it back." Before Martha turned down, Link interrupted her.
　　 Of course, Link didn't really want the Upshaws to pay back the money. It's just that if he doesn't say advance payment, Martha will definitely say nothing to accept Link's help.
　　 "Stay for dinner, I will grill some sausages."
"No, Martha, I have to rush to Memphis tonight. I have already bought the tickets. I still have a lot of work to do. I'm afraid I can't stay for dinner. Remember to tell Randall if she can pass the exam. , She doesn’t have to worry about tuition."
　　 Waved, Link turned and left. Martha stared at Link's back until she disappeared on the street corner.
　　 The black housewife also returned home and continued to cook dinner. It seemed that life was no different.
　　 But in fact, her life has changed dramatically. At least now, she has rekindled hope for life.
　　※※※
　　 After leaving coach Joan Brockman and Conor, Link took his little luggage and took a taxi to the airport.
　　 Although this is not the first time Link has left the blue team to play in the NBA, the feeling this time is very different from last time.
　　 Last time, Link had no emotions other than excitement, but this time, Link was extremely calm.
　　 He knew very well that once he went this time, he might 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 succeeds, he will have to play with the Grizzlies until the summer. Unless there is a game with the Thunder during this period, Link should not have much chance to return to the city.
　　 So today, by Christmas, he and his friends in Oklahoma City are goodbye one by one.
　　 He will never forget the kindness of Martha to him, the fairness of Conor to him, and Brockman, the opponent and teammate who made him stronger.
　　 After saying goodbye to everyone in person, Link has nothing to worry about. Looking at the street scene flying by outside the car window, Link took out his cell phone and planned to say goodbye to the last person.
　　 "Don't forget to watch the Grizzlies game."
　　 In a simple sentence, the text message was sent.
　　 Recipient: Rachel De Mita.
　　※※※
　　 At 12:34 in the morning, the 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.
　　 Therefore, although it is early morning, there are still bustling crowds at Memphis International Airport.
　　 There are people from various countries and regions, and ethnic diversity is vividly reflected in Memphis. Of course, these have also brought Memphis's three religions and their own ideology conflicts.
　　 "Link~EbookFREE.me~here!" In the crowd, Link saw Jeff Austin waving with him. Seeing a familiar face in a strange city made Link instantly feel relieved.
　　 Speaking of it, Jeff Austin is also working hard. He is quite old, and Link is not the only customer. But for Link, he was willing to wait in person at the airport in the early morning.
　　On this point alone, Jeff Austin is much more dedicated than Carl Jones.
"Welcome to Memphis, kid! Sorry, I can't take you to visit the city tonight. After all, the law and order in Memphis has not been very good. Anyway, in the future, you will have a chance to learn about the city. The car is already waiting outside. Now, let's go directly to the hotel."
　　 Austin greeted Link enthusiastically and introduced the current situation.
　　 "The law and order is not very good? What do you mean?" Link looked dumbfounded. After living in the United States for so many years, Link has only heard that public security is not good in a certain area. For example, when it comes to the Los Angeles area, people will only say that security in Long Beach is not good.
　　 But it was the first time that Link had heard of it when it used the high crime rate and poor public security to evaluate a whole city.
"What do you mean? It means literally. Don't you know that Memphis is called the "most dangerous city in America"? Hahahaha, but you don't have to worry. In Memphis, as long as local citizens are willing to voluntarily turn in guns, they can get them. Free tickets for a few games. So, Memphis is much better now than before."
　　 "You can get free tickets by turning in your guns!? How helpless is it to make such a decision?"
　　 Link swallowed. This city on the Mississippi River seemed not as simple as he thought.