After our loss to Detroit at home, coach Russ gave us the next two days off with us returning for a road game in Toronto on the 26th. I decided to reach out to the musician I met at the bar in New York a few weeks prior, Reynessa Kocharyan.
"Hey Reynessa. It's Tiny.. How've you been doing lately?"
After a few minutes she replied to my text.
"Hey! I remember you! It's nice to hear from you. I'm well. Just chilling in my house watching a Christmas Story.. FREEZING a bit.. How are you?!"
"I loved that movie as a kid around this time of year. I'm doing good too thanks for asking. Just made it home after another game tonight.. It's freezing in Indianapolis tonight🥶"
"Tell me about it! I would wrap myself in 4 or 5 blankets if I could!"
"Lol. You've been on my mind the past couple of days & I wanted to see if there's a chance we could link up tomorrow?"
She took about 30 minutes to respond to the text, but eventually she did.
"Tomorrow? Okay! I mean.. it's a little last minute but I'm sure we can figure it out together. What were you thinking?"
"I'm not in NYC anymore btw.. I was only there doing a show for a friend. I live in Cincinnati.. Closer than you think. "
"Oh wow.. I was thinking we could get some dinner & sit down to get to know each other. I'll take care of everything & have you back home to spend Christmas with your family.. I'll even send my personal pilot to pick you up & take you back. How's around 3:00pm tomorrow, & then we'll have dinner in the evening at an appropriate time."
"It's a date ."
--
The next day, Tiny followed through on his plans to fly Reynessa Kocharyan to Indianapolis for their evening rendezvous. The two sat down for dinner around 7:45pm & discussed everything from personal history, sports stories, & family.
"I think that's very admirable about you.. I'm sure it's not easy." Reynessa told Tiny after he opened up about being a single father of 4.
"It has it's tough times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I get to see my kids every single day & watch them grow into the incredible people they'll become.. Like I always say, that's my gang. The Jimenez Gang. A bond so tight we can't be broken."
"I love that. You look like you have a really awesome family.."
"Yeah, they're the best. Maybe one day you'll get to meet them.."
"I'd like that very much.."
"Me too. So can you tell me a little bit about your family?"
"Let's see.. Well my father is armenian & my mother is black so that's how you get a name like Reynessa Kocharyan." She joked.
"I'm an only child.. We're close but I haven't seen them for a while. I was thinking about heading back to Phoenix sometime next year to see them.."
"That's a good idea. I'd like to get back to Phoenix myself outside of being there for an NBA game. I loved living in that city for the one year I lived there..."
The two continued to laugh & joke as the night progressed. Eventually all of the fun had to come to an end as the two admitted their interest in continuing to get to know each other. Tiny & Reynessa shared a few intimate moments together in the backseat of his car before ultimately saying goodbye & going their separate ways.. for now.