The call connected.
"Hello?"
Mia Quinn's voice came through the phone, sounding weak and drained.
Blake immediately sensed that something was wrong. Any thought of sharing his excitement over reaching the Western Conference Finals vanished.
"Quinnie, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine."
Mia forced a faint smile into her voice.
"It's just a little cold. I'll be okay after some rest."
"Where are you?"
"At a small clinic outside US Airways Center."
"What? You're already here? Wait for me. I'm coming to find you right now."
"It's okay. Finish your game first."
"The game's already over."
Blake quickly followed the directions Mia had given him and found the clinic.
When he arrived, she was receiving an IV.
After asking what had happened, Blake learned that Mia had come to the arena to watch him play. She had already been sick, and the long trip had made her cold worse.
She should have stayed home and rested, but she had still come to the game.
By the third quarter, her condition had deteriorated to the point where she could no longer endure it. She had left the arena and gone to the clinic for an examination.
The doctor diagnosed her with a severe cold and insisted that she receive an IV.
Once Blake understood what had happened, he stopped asking questions.
Only after seeing him arrive did Mia finally close her tired eyes and rest while the IV continued.
Blake had told her before that he would pick her up whenever she came to visit.
The fact that she had arrived at the arena alone made it obvious that she had not wanted to distract him or affect his focus before the game.
Despite her severe cold, she had still come all this way to watch him play and cheer him on.
Blake understood everything the moment he saw her, and warmth spread through his heart.
That feeling made him even happier than sharing the joy of advancing with her would have.
At the same time, the thought of Mia flying in alone, coming to the game alone, and then going to the clinic alone for an IV made his heart ache.
As she gradually fell asleep, Blake gently stroked her cheek with a tender smile and continued watching over her.
About half an hour later, the IV treatment, which had already been running for several hours, finally finished.
Mia looked much better afterward, though she was still somewhat weak.
"Let's go."
After paying the bill, Blake took Mia by the hand, and they walked out of the clinic together.
As soon as they stepped outside, however, Mia stopped by the curb and refused to move.
Blake lowered his head slightly and looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't walk anymore. I want you to carry me."
"All right."
Blake smiled and crouched down without hesitation.
Mia climbed onto his back, a few strands of her hair falling against his neck.
Breathing in the faint fragrance of her hair, Blake carried her slowly down the street.
"You came all this way while you were sick. You flew here, watched the game, and then had to get an IV.
"You must be exhausted. Just thinking about it hurts.
"If I'd known earlier, I never would've let you go through all of that alone. You've had such a hard time, Quinnie. Such a hard time."
"Sniff..."
Blake had only been speaking casually, but Mia suddenly began crying softly against his back.
"Quinnie, are you crying?"
Blake immediately grew concerned.
"I... I really did have a hard time. I just didn't want to distract you, but... I still wanted to come and cheer for you in person..."
It had been difficult, but she had endured everything on her own.
The moment Blake comforted her, however, all the hurt she had kept buried rose to the surface.
She could no longer hold back her tears.
Some women could remain remarkably strong when they were alone, quietly swallowing every hardship and grievance as though nothing had happened.
But a few gentle words from someone they cared about could instantly break through all their defenses.
Because in front of that person, it was all right to cry as much as they needed.
"It's okay. Don't cry, Quinnie. I understand. I know what you went through.
"I'm here now, aren't I?
"Everything's fine now.
"It's all over."
Blake comforted her gently for quite a while before Mia finally stopped crying.
"Quinnie."
"Hmm?"
"You know, you've soaked my collar with your tears. And I have a feeling tears aren't the only thing on it.
"It feels pretty gross. I might have to drop you."
"You wouldn't dare."
Mia huffed, punched him in the back, and tightened her arms around his neck.
"How dare you complain about me?
"You're getting awfully bold."
"Ouch!"
Blake cried out before laughing.
"But seriously, you were so sick and still managed to get from the arena to the clinic by yourself. That's pretty impressive."
"I didn't."
Mia rested comfortably against his back and smiled.
"A kind young woman helped me.
"Otherwise, I might have passed out in the restroom."
"Oh, really? She sounds like a wonderful person. When we get the chance, we should treat her to a meal."
"Mm-hmm. I was thinking the same thing."
Blake continued carrying Mia toward the parking garage as they talked.
At a moment like this, perhaps it would not have been so bad if time slowed down a little.
...
At the same time, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Bulls and Hawks was already underway at the United Center.
Like the Suns, the Bulls could eliminate their opponents 4-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a victory that night.
The Bulls had the better record, the series lead, home-court advantage, a superstar, and a much stronger core roster.
The Hawks also lacked a superstar on Kobe's level.
With so many factors working against them, the game seemed almost impossible for the Hawks to win.
Yet after the first half, only five points separated the two teams.
The Hawks were also matching the Bulls stride for stride offensively.
The outcome remained uncertain.
Everything would depend on how the two teams performed after making their halftime adjustments.
...
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