The Mis-Education of Noah Baldwin (2027 - ???)

[chosenone58]

Held them boys to 8 in the first quarter on their home floor in an elimination game

Guys didn't come to play

[chosenone58]

[chosenone58]

It's a Girl

“What do you think, Bella?” I ask as I hold up the unicorn that I was coloring. After finishing up the sweep against Charlotte and with the Indiana-New Orleans series still tied at 2, Coach Silas gave us a few days off. So, while Kori was at work, Isabella and I took a much needed “NoBella Day”. And on “NoBella Day” we pretty much do whatever Isabella wants to do. The season can get busy and I feel like I’m neglecting her sometimes. Kori says I spoil her. She’s five, of course I spoil her. It was nearly three o’clock and we had already had waffles and ice cream for breakfast from Wafels & Dinges, then a trip to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for their new art exhibit before grabbing some pizza on the way back to the condo.

She tilted her head to the side and gave my coloring a very critical eye. “Pretty good, my Noah.”

“Refrigerator good or give to mommy good?”

She closed one eye and studied the coloring further. “’frigerator good.”

“Let’s go hang it up, kid.”

Once we picked a good spot on the fridge, I grabbed my phone to see if Kori had responded to my text about dinner. She had not. But I did have a text from Remy asking me to call him. He picked up after two rings.

“Where you been at?” He yelled into the phone. It sounded like he was outside.

“Out and about. Hanging with Bella today.”

“Tell the princess I said what’s up.”

I relayed the message and she responded in kind.

“What’s up with you? You good?”

“Yeah, I’m good. You good? Where’s Kori?”

I looked at the phone. “She’s at work, but she should be home soon. Why wouldn’t I be good, Remy?”

“Oh, so you don’t know.”

“Don’t know what?”

“Syd had the baby.”

“That’s what’s up. I guess it is about that time, huh?” I leaned against the kitchen counter and looked out of the window. I was so wrapped up in the playoffs, I had actually forgotten that the due date was this month. I sent a quick congratulatory text.

“You got anything you wanna share with the class, bruh?”

“Huh? Anything like what?”

“She named the baby Brooklyn Noelle.”

“That's cute. What's your point?”

“Fuck you mean? No-elle. No-ah.” He emphasized.

“And?”

“This kid ain’t yours is it, huh, playboy?”

“I know you ain’t asking me that, Remy.”

“I know I’m probably reaching—”

“Like a motherfucker.” I interrupted him.

“Swear jar, Noah!” Bella called from the living room.

“My bad, B.”

“But the name seems real suspect.” Remy continued.

“How do you even know the name?”

“Q posted on social the other day. What have you been doing?”

“Same thing your ass should be doing. Watching footage of Will Conroy, Jr.”

“I thought the series was tied. How you know the Pelicans gonna win?”

“Will Conroy, Jr.”

It was true. The Pelicans were taking care of business against the Pacers after going down 2-1 early in the series. They had managed to tie it in Game 4 and they won Game 5 in Indiana. Will Conroy, Jr. was balling out and Amen Thompson was backing him up big time. New Orleans was building quite the one-two punch.

“Why would she name the baby after you though?”

“Who says she did?”

“Be fucking for real, my guy. And even if you don’t wanna believe it, I guarantee you the woman will believe it.”

“We talked about it. Besides, it’s nothing to believe because that has nothing to do with me. What you want me to do?” I laughed. “Ask Syd for a paternity test?”

I heard a thud behind me and turned to see Kori had dropped a bag from Shack Shake on the counter. The look on her face made it very clear that she heard the last part of my conversation with Remy. I hung up the phone without saying anything else. I’m going to kick Remy’s ass when I see him.

“Paternity test, huh? Didn’t realize you were in the running.”

“No. See,” I sighed. “That’s the thing. I’m not. Remy was calling because he insists that the baby is named after me.” She raised her eyebrows. “But she’s not! Or at least she has no real reason to be. I mean, not for the reason that one would think that a baby would be named after someone who is not family.”

She didn’t say anything, but the silence was just so loud. I felt like I needed to say something.

“Kori, we had this conversation in November. I thought we cleared this up.”

“I didn’t say anything, Noah.”

“But your face is saying everything.”

“Now, what am I supposed to do about that?”

“Just say what you’re thinking.”

“We talked about it in November, but I just heard you talking about taking a paternity test five months later. What am I supposed to be thinking?”

“Kori, you know it’s not like—”

“Mama, I’m hungry.” Isabella effectively ended the conversation.

“Well, let’s wash our hands then.” Kori knelt down to pick her up. “I hope you and Noah didn’t fill up on too much junk.”

“We don’t eat junk. We eat waffles and ice cream. That’s food.”

“Ice cream, huh?”

“Dairy is a major food group.” I shrugged. “And we needed to keep our energy up for the children’s museum.”

“This is why you can’t be left in charge.” She gave a small smile and headed toward the bathroom. “I hope you won’t let your other kids eat ice cream for breakfast.” She called over shoulder.

“That shit ain’t even funny.”

“Swear jar again, Noah!”

“Sorry, Bella.” My phone buzzed with a response from Syd that included a picture of the baby.

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:10 PM
Thanks! Meet Brooklyn Noelle. It’s been busy around here.

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:14 PM
Didn’t expect you to respond so soon.
She’s beautiful. Looks nothing like her father. lol

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:15 PM
Stop it. Lol
My parents just stepped out to get something to eat. So, I had a few minutes to myself while she’s asleep.

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:15 PM
Interesting choice in middle name….

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:16 PM
You don’t like it?

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:16 PM
Didn’t say that. Just said it was interesting.

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:16 PM
Well, I like it.

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:17 PM
And that’s what matters. Well, I’m not gonna hold you. I know new moms need to get rest. But, I’ll send her some proper Knicks gear, that Nets onesie is not what’s up.

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:18 PM
LOL! I’m sure Q will have a little something to say about that.

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:18 PM
Sounds like his problem then. I’m buying out all the Knicks baby merch.

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:18 PM
I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Noah Tues, Apr 29 at 4:19 PM
After the playoffs for sure.

Syd the Kid Tues, Apr 29 at 4:19 PM
It’s a date

“Noah, can I have some fries?”

“Shit.” I mumbled. Bella can move like a ninja when she wants to. Kori stood behind her with her eyebrows raised.

“That’s another swear, Noah.”

I pulled a fifty dollar bill out of my wallet and sat it on the counter. Might as well open up a tab today.

[The JZA]

Nice way to close out the round, onto the next one

But New Orleans? Were they switched to the eastern conference?

[chosenone58]

Nice way to close out the round, onto the next one

But New Orleans? Were they switched to the eastern conference?

Yeah, I switched them over when I added Seattle and Vegas a few seasons back.

[Agent]

That was a really good read. Had me cracking up when Kori said you better not let your other kids eat ice cream for breakfast

[chosenone58]

That was a really good read. Had me cracking up when Kori said you better not let your other kids eat ice cream for breakfast

Thanks, man. Gotta keep Syd lurking in the background.

Women be petty sometimes.

[chosenone58]

[chosenone58]

[chosenone58]

page bump for Game 1