Siblings usually love each other. Earvin and Gerri once did. It had been over ten years since they were last cordial. It was either 1988 or 1989. This particular reunion between the 2 took place because of Pops. He’s been ill. The Lakers made him feel better. Watching them with the kids was an even finer remedy. Earvin flew in from Orlando, Florida. Tonight the Trailblazers were favored to win it all. Gerri finally walked through the door. It was already halftime. Traffic on Crenshaw was killer. Earvin hated when she was late. They were trailing. There was little camaraderie but the intensity was great. Connection between the 2 was not strong. They listened to Pops speak but didn’t look for one another. Pops hated seeing them like this. Game on. There were glimpses but no breakthroughs. The early part of the night went as planned. The younger Gerri continued to charm her father. Earvin tried to dominate the conversation. It started getting late. Time began to run out on their time together. Oddly enough they seemed to get closer as the Western night progressed. The walls of tension began to crack. Pops knew something was coming.
A collective explosion touched the living room. A round of smiles emerged as Kobe through a perfect alley-oop to Shaq. He slammed the ball through. They all hugged. The last time his kids showed this type of togetherness was about 1988 or 1989. Out of the blue an announcement was made. Gerri revealed that she was pregnant. Earvin was beaming. He embraced her. Gerri smiled. It would be Pops’ first grandkid. It was unexpected. The future was bright. His family was back.