CHAPTER 100

Two days later I was sitting around the condo at about five in the evening, there was a knock on the door. I got up, opened the door, surprised to see Alexis standing there. From the way she was dressed, I knew she had just come straight from work. I invited her in, offering her something to drink.

"No thank you, I just wanted to drop off some information for you about starting the foundation we spoke of.", she started.

"I have spoken to Children's Hospital, their corporate officers and Board of Directors. They are absolutely thrilled at the idea and want to speak with you immediately. In addition, Cindy can handle drawing up the necessary legal papers to handle the funds, a good attorney can handle the rest.", she ended.

"Sounds good, where do we start ?", I asked.

"You have a meeting with the Board of Directors at Children's Hospital on Friday at two in the afternoon. I will go with you as your agent to make sure we have no contractual problems.", she answered.

"That sounds fine," I told her.

She thanked me, got up and left walking down the breezeway to her unit. I closed the door and went back inside, sitting back down on the sofa. I was glad Alexis had stopped by, working on the foundation was just what I needed to occupy time.

We arrived at the hospital at the designated time on Friday, and right on schedule we were ushered into a large conference room. There were at least a dozen men and women present. We sat at the opposite end of the table, Alexis opened her briefcase, pulling out several stacks of paperwork. Introductions were made all around, everyone thanking me for considering helping the hospital in any capacity. The CEO of the board took control of the meeting, asking me directly what I had in mind.

"Well sir, I visited a young patient here several times, his name was Bryan Butler.", I started.

"Yes, in fact you made quite an impression on everyone around here Mr. Stevens, especially little Bryan, from what I'm told.", he replied.

"Thank you sir, he's quite a little man. I spoke to his parents and they mentioned some of the financial difficulties that families incur, even if they have medical insurance. Anything from transportation, to temporary housing in the area, to loss of income from missing so much work.", I stated.

"That's true, I have seen families suffer extreme hardships fighting these terrible illnesses," he answered.

"What I was thinking is that perhaps, I could start some sort of foundation that could assist these families in their struggle. After meeting with little Bryan, I would love working with the children on the fourth floor.", I replied.

"We would be extremely excited to have you become part of our health care family Mr. Stevens, I can't speak for the board, but you have my approval to move forward. Do we actually have to take this to a vote ?", he asked, looking at the other members seated around him.

One by one, they shook their heads no, authorizing him to ok the arrangement at once.

"Great, then what I need from you Mr. Stevens, is your foundation papers set up, and the list of criteria a family has to meet to apply for financial assistance. You get those documents to me, the board will review them, then issue a final approval.", he stated.

Alexis and I left the hospital with a great feeling. I was going to be part of something positive, something that could maybe change a family's life. After several weeks of running around like a mad man, filing documents, speaking with attorneys , financial advisors and everyone in between, the foundation was finally ready to be signed off on. The only hurdle left to clear was notifying the team of my intentions, making sure they had no objections, I doubt they would.

I set up a meeting with Wayne Hiller, the General Manager of our team to discuss the situation. I laid everything out for him, what I had in mind, how I would constantly work to raise funds for the foundation and how I planned to distribute them. After listening to my presentation, he assured me he didn't see a problem with any of it, but he would run it by the team owner, for final approval.

Three days later, I received that approval, along with a promise of fifty thousand dollars from the team immediately upon the activation of the foundation. I called Alexis to give her the good news, then arranged a meeting with the attorney to legally start the foundation. He agreed to meet with me the following Monday morning at ten o'clock in the morning, asking me to give some thought as to what I wanted to name the foundation. Most athletes used their name as part of the foundation, but he added it was not necessary to do so. I had the entire weekend to work with a name that would seem appropriate for what I was attempting to do.

I was laying around the condo Friday night, when I got a call from Alexis.

"What are you doing tomorrow morning ?", she asked.

"Nothing that I know of.", I replied, "Why ?"

"I'm playing in a huge volleyball tournament tomorrow at the beach. This is the kind of event you could organize and make money for your foundation. I just thought you might like to go with me, try to make some contacts for the future.", she asked.

"I guess so, I don't have anything else to do.", I answered.

"Good, be ready for seven o'clock, and make sure you dress for the beach," she added.

"Ok, thanks.", I replied, hanging up.

I showered and went to bed early, having to be up that early in the morning. I got up about six, put on some Under Armour dry fit compression shirt and shorts, then pulled a pair of team shorts over them. I grabbed a pair of sneakers with no socks, a baseball cap just in case the sun was bad. I was locking the door of my condo, when Alexis opened her door.

"Right on time, I like that.", she said to me.

As I walked toward her, she looked me up and down and giggled. I figured something was wrong.

"What, I'm not dressed right ?", I asked.

"Oh no, you're fine, and I mean fine. With that spandex showing those muscles, you're gonna be a hit with all the ladies, trust me.", she laughed.

"Should I change ?", I responded.

"Oh hell no, make me drool.", she smiled.

We got down to the parking lot, I asked if she wanted me to follow her or should we take one car.

"You drive, you have more room in your car.", she answered.

I hit the keyring unlocking the doors, then walked over and opened her door for her. She smiled as she slid in the passenger seat, I gently closed the door behind her. I walked around the vehicle and got into the driver's seat, fastening my seat belt. I looked over at Alexis, she was wearing an all white nylon jogging suit, her hair was pulled back tight behind her head.

We pulled out of the parking lot, and she directed me to the freeway. Within about forty five minutes we pulled up to a large beach area that was set up as a pure outdoor volleyball complex. As we got out, I noticed there were eight courts, four pavilions and two concession areas. The courts were already full of players warming up for the day's events. I followed Alexis to Court # 4, where two members of her team were already there stretching. She introduced me to both men, each over six feet in height, each of them shaking my hand.

"Damn Alex, where did you find him? With his size at the net, no way we lose.", he laughed.

"Sorry Jerry, he can't play, he is here on business.", she replied.

"Why can't he play ?", he asked, disappointed.

"Because his contract specifically prohibits him from any type of organized sporting competition unless it's sanctioned by the team," she answered.

One of the guys tilted his head for a second like he was thinking, then it hit him like a brick.

"You're Stevens, the tight end.", he exclaimed.

"Yes, that's me.", I responded.

"Man it's so nice to meet you, I have seen you play a few times, I just never put it together.", he admitted.

Alexis told me they would be playing on Court # 4 for a while, only moving if they finished first in their division. She pointed out a white canopy tent that was set up about fifteen yards away. It had a small table, a few ice chests and at least a half dozen folding chairs.

"That's our tent there, help yourself, get comfortable.", she told me.

I walked over to the tent, bending down slightly to get under the front, grabbing a chair and sitting down. Alexis followed quickly, carrying her large bag, setting it on the table. She sat down in the chair next to me taking off her shoes and socks. She then stood up, unzipped her jacket and removed it, then stepped out of her long matching pants. I was awestruck, to say the least. She was wearing a pair of skin tight black spandex shorts with a white compression top.

As I watched her run out to the court, I was almost in a hypnotic state. I had never in all my years seen a woman with a more incredible body. Add the fact she was right at six foot one inch, made her all the more desirable. One look told you, she was an athlete, who spent long hours in the gym to keep the tone and muscle she had. For the first time in my life, I knew a female who spent as much time training as I did.