Liam returned home to Meridian Monday Evening. He got off the plane carrying his bags, his sunglasses on his face hoping to hide his face so no fans would mob him. He was one of the hottest young names in the NBA, and he had to grow used to the attention quickly. In his early 20s, and only in his 3rd year in the league, he was already being compared to the likes of Larry Bird, Chris Mullin, Reggie Miller, and 'Pistol' Pete Marovich. He could pass, shoot, rebound, but he was also a team player, a real throwback.
He'd been traded from the Seattle Supersonics to the Miami Heat at the beginning of last year in a surprising, blockbuster trade. Liam wasn't happy about the trade because it would then send him over 3,000 miles from home and his family. At least in Seattle, he could make it down easily. However he remembered his Father telling him;
"Not everything happens the way you want it to, you just have to roll with it."
And that's what Liam did, he rolled with it. In his 1 season with the Seattle Supersonics, Liam took home rookie of the year honors when he averaged 24 ppg (points per game) 7 rpg (rebounds per game) and 12 apg (assists per game) and led the Seattle Supersonics to the 2nd round of the Western Conference Playoffs, he was also voted to the All Star team. He continued his dominate play a year later, in his first year with the Miami Heat where he averaged 29 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 10 apg. The Miami Heat made the playoffs that year, but were sweapt in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Detroit Pistons. This year, it was suppose to be the Miami Heat's year. They had all of the tools they needed and Liam was as confident as ever. He had his best season averaging 34 ppg, 7.9 rpg, and 12 apg while being named League MVP and to the All Star Team. Unfortunately, in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, despite Liam's amazing 44 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, the Detroit Pistons eliminated the Miami Heat again hitting a last minute buzzer beating 3 pointer for the win.
Liam was tired, and still upset over the loss. Dealing with the disapperence of his younger sister Snow however was weighing more on his mind, as it had been for the last few months. Raine had called him and told him the details of the disapperence, and he'd deciphered said information as best he could since Raine can be rather difficult to understand at times. Before leaving Miami, Liam had hired a group of Private Investigators to local the whereabouts of Snow. However, in his mind he knew that if Snow didn't WANT to be found, she wouldn't be. Yes, she definately was a Yates child. He smiled as he claimed his bags from the bagged claim, remembering when Snow would hide in her cubbyhole in the Yates house despite West telling her not to. She'd go there and stay there until she was ready to come out.
He got a cab to a nearby hotel. He wasn't sure if anyone was home, and he just wanted to have some time to himself in Meridian before he let the family know he was back in town. After checking in at the hotel and dropping his things off, he'd gone to Triple Play and spoken with Katie Jamison. It was nice to see a face from the past, and it was amazing how she'd gone from a bony little girl that hung out with his kid sister into a beautiful young woman.
After leaving Triple Play, he simply walked the beach. He looked to the setting sun, thinking of his Father and his Mother, feeling as though he'd failed them. He'd always promised his parents that if anything happened to them, him being the oldest boy, he would take care of the family. However, in the last few years he'd been unable to keep that promise. Trying to get adjusted to the rigors of an NBA schedule, and not just playing the game, but practices, personal apperences, it was difficult. He'd made a promise to himself that he would do whatever he could from now on to keep in touch with his family. However, he didn't want to leave Miami either, as it had become like a second home to him, and he loved the fans of the Miami Heat because they loved him no matter what.
"Mom...Dad...I'm sorry I broke my promise. I'll find Snow, I promise. I'll make everything right as best as I can. Everything is going to be ok...I promise."
He smiled up at the clouds as the began to turn purple and darken. He knew he'd have to go back home to see the family eventually. He was almost afraid to though, would they be upset with him for not coming back for so long? He missed them so much though, he couldn't handle it anymore. He finally walked from the beach and went back to his hotel room to get some rest. He'd go home tomorrow to see everyone. Right now, jet lag was killer.
As he layed his head down to sleep, he muttered the small words...
