Matters of the Heart.
The night before the NBA playoffs kick off, Tiny thought it would be a good idea to hit the streets of NYC & get some fresh air along with a bite to eat from a local spot. As he’s approaching one restaurant, he notices a young hypebeast around the age of 16 or 17 pacing in front of the door.
“What should I do? What should I say? I’ve got to talk to her somehow.” the kid spoke aloud.
“Hey, sorry but could you move? You’re kind of blocking the restaurant.” Tiny said to the boy.
“I’m sorry! I, uh…”
He paused.
“You all right, kid?”
He looked up at Tiny with a desperate look in his eyes.
“Please, I need your help! Can you tell me how to be a man! I know it’s a weird thing to ask a stranger, but I don’t know what else to do!”
“First of all, calm down. What’s got you this freaked out?”
“I’m really sorry to spring this on you. I just need to talk to someone about this.”
(I take it I’m not getting in the restaurant any time soon. I better hear this guy out.)
“So there’s this girl who works inside here. The moment I saw her, it was love at first sight. I just don’t know the right way to tell her how I feel. I’ve never liked anyone like this before, and when I asked my friends at school to help me, they just made fun of me.”
“I see.”
“I made it to the front of the shop today, but I couldn’t get myself to actually go in. That’s where I’m stuck at now. What would you do if you were in my shoes?! Would you just straight-up tell her how you feel, or?”
“Me, yes. But if you can’t do that, then why not try writing her a letter or something? If you’re having trouble speaking the words then you could try handing them to her.”
“That’s a great idea! I already wrote her a love letter. I have it on me, even. I should go give it to her!” He said as he reached for the door to enter the building.
(Well he certainly came prepared.)
The troubled teen comes back out with a disappointed look on his face.
“What happened? You didn’t give her the letter?”
“No. I bought a burger instead. I couldn’t find the courage to give it to her. I’m so pathetic. What am I going to do now?”
(This is worse than I thought.)
“Hmm. How about you text her how you feel? I’m not a big fan of doing stuff like that over text, but if you can’t tell her in person, that might be your best bet.”
“That’s it!” The kid said with a big grin. Then suddenly his face dropped into his hands.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s one problem… I don’t have her number…”
“That should’ve been your first reaction to that suggestion. In that case, kid, you’ll just have to walk up to her & ask her out. All you have to do is tell her you’re interested & see where it goes.”
“What? But I can’t do that!”
“Quit whining! Of course you can do it! Straighten out that spine of yours or I’ll straighten it out for you!” Tiny said as he motioned a playful backhanded slap.
The kid nods & heads inside the restaurant.
(If this doesn’t work, he’s out of luck.)
The kid returns with a similar look of guilt that Tiny recognized 5 minutes prior.
“The best I can manage right now is ordering food.”
“I don’t understand how you can even eat that much. Well, I guess it’s up to me. I’m going to go in there & ask her out for you!”
“Wait, what!?”
“You’re not getting anywhere with this. I’ll talk to her for you. Just follow me in.”
The kid tries to plea against Tiny’s plan but to no avail.
“Just pipe down & follow me.”
The two head inside the burger joint where Tiny & the young man approach the counter. Tiny tells her everything that’s happened up until then.
“..& that’s how it is. Give him a chance. Just one date to see if you vibe.”
“I’m sorry.” The girl behind the counter said to him.
“But I’m more interested in this other gentleman with you.”
Tiny & the kid turned & looked at each other confused.
“Really? This guy?”
She looks Tiny up & down before turning her attention back to the love stricken teen.
“I’m more into mature, dependable guys, like him. At least, that’s who I’d rather go on a date with.”
The boy’s frustration turns toward Tiny.
“Hey! What’s the big idea? This isn’t how it was supposed to go at all!”
“Why am I the bad guy here?”
“You came by a dozen times to buy burgers, but it was just because you had a crush on me? Why didn’t you just ask me out on a date yourself? I’m not really attracted to guys who don’t have the courage to do something like that.” She said.
“I..I guess you’re right. How embarrassing.”
The kid drops his head as he & Tiny exit the restaurant.
“Well, take this as a life lesson. Next time, take things into your own hands & ask her out yourself.”
“G**dammit!! The next time I meet the woman of my dreams, I’ll ask her out, I swear!”
(Well, that was odd.)
Tiny & the kid parted ways as he headed inside a different restaurant to get something to eat before returning to his penthouse. The Knicks host the Hawks tomorrow night & a good night’s rest will be necessary for peak performance.
Season 5 goals 
62 wins is really impressive. I think we'll make lightwork of Atlanta but I expect some teams to be a challenge down the road.
