Golf In A Parallel Universe (28 page)

The Doctor wished me luck and left. A few minutes later Zack comes in and I fill him in. I told him that next week at the Travelers' Championship is out for sure. I have the week after that off anyway. Then I am scheduled for The Greenbrier Classic the first week of July. So that gives me about a month and I will only miss one tournament. “I am sure I will be fine within a month," I told him. “I bet you will be fine by then," he replied.

I checked out of the hospital and Zack takes me to the hotel. I still have my same room and he took my gear back to hotel last night. After I was settled in Zack went the airport to fly out. He told me he will keep in touch and we said goodbye.

I was hurting. But I could tell that this is something that I can handle. I took it easy all day, and I walked a little. My body was very tired after four days of hard competition and a banged up body. I relaxed and watched TV. I saw the highlights of my round and the incident at the ceremony. That was really weird watching that. But I have made up my mind to put that in the past. As far as I am concerned that is a non-issue on wasting my emotions over Dafford Hilton. I just hope he gets the help he needs. And I hope he leaves me alone.

As I was watching the Golf Channel, the commentators talk about the issue. They did not know why this had all transpired. I am sure it will come out eventually that he is the grandson of Ben Armstrong and has some mental issues, trying to protect his record. But they put the incident aside and just talked about the tournament and my play. Jeff Barlow, who had been ripping me the last few weeks on how he did not think that I was the caliber of golfer to compete in a major tournament was talking. He had changed his tune. He said that in the past that I have not been a top tier professional golfer. But now things have changed. “I was wrong” he said straight up. “I am not just saying this because I am feeling sorry for him because of the incident yesterday. But Jim’s game has gone through some transformations the last few months. And now he is showing that he is for real. Good for him. I hope he continues having a successful career. Besides, if he is able to recover from his injuries the British Open will be here soon. He will have a chance to make history," he said. “Wow!” I said to myself. Old Jeff Barlow is not such a jerk after all. And he even said he is wrong. I have respect for him now," I told myself. Then I started thinking about what he said. The British Open is just a few weeks ago. I believe if I can recover from these injuries, I have a real shot. Then I started daydreaming. If I can win the British Open then there is just the PGA Championship left to seal the Grand Slam. Finally I laugh at myself. "First, I just need to be able to walk across the room," I tell myself laughing. But at the same time, I feel like I am halfway to the Grand Slam and I am going to give it a shot.

I took it easy rest of the day and I felt like I could travel back home tomorrow. I made flight arrangements for Tuesday. I talked to a few people on the phone and answered text and emails. I let everyone know I was fine. I talked to my Bobby, my agent. He said that they got the restraining order. He told me that it looks like they will be holding Dafford Hilton for a few days for psychiatric evaluation. That was fine with me. Finally, I called Emily. She sounded much better today than yesterday. She asked how I feel and wanted to know when I will be home.

“I leave in the morning and I will be home tomorrow afternoon," I told her. “What time does your flight arrive?” she asked. I told her I will arrive at 2:00pm. “How are you getting home?," she asked. I told her that my car was parked in the parking garage and I will drive home. “Is anyone going to help you?," she asked intently. “No, I can manage," I replied. “Nope!” she said in a stern but concerned voice. “You need help. I will be there. Me and my father will take you home. There's no way you need to be carrying bags and golf clubs with your injuries. "You do not have to do that” I replied. “Nope done deal, we will be there."

I finally agreed and gave her my flight information. We talked a while and as usual she was so easy to talk to. It really enjoyed talking to her. After we hung up, I started thinking. “Gosh! I cannot believe this. I am so use to being alone, and it looks like I may be getting into a relationship” I said to myself. I will be home for a few weeks. She is not to far away. Maybe we will see each other a few times. Then I just ran all the possible scenarios in my mind like I have always done when I meet someone. I just wonder if all hopeless single guys like me do the same. But this may be for real this time.

As the afternoon wears on I start to get restless and bored. I start to hear that stupid little voice in my head that I have been dealing with the last few weeks. That voice is always thrilled to play golf or just practice and hit golf balls. It is not really a voice, but more like a subconscious feeling. I never understand why this is happening. I just thought that after I won the Masters I was running on an emotional high for a few days or weeks and I was just really enjoying golf. I figure it was just some crazy emotion that would eventually go away. Today, I just laugh to myself and told that voice, or whatever it is to just shut up, because I am out of commission for a while.

Then it got weird. That little voice was not happy of all. It was almost like a little kid arguing with me. So I ended up talking to myself or arguing with myself. I know as humans we talk to ourselves and even argue with ourselves to get ourselves motivated or to work out a problem. I have done that before, especially on the golf course. But this was not like that. Total different feeling. It as like there was a separate person, or more strangely a second person inside my head. It was really starting to worry me. In the past few weeks, it was just a happy little subconscious voice. But now it is a very strong presence. I am starting to wonder if I got hit too hard in the head yesterday or if I am just going crazy. That little voice wanted to play golf now and was getting very angry. I got up and took a walk outside the hotel.

“This is too weird," I told myself. But after a few minutes, I was able to settle down, and the voice was gone. I went back to my room and Jerry Churchill called me on my Cell Phone. He asked how I was doing and asked what my prognosis is for my injuries. I told him that I believe I will be fine. I think that I should start being able to practice again in a couple of weeks.

“How are you doing emotionally” he asked. I told him I am fine. And that I have made up my mind to put that past me and just write it off as something that just happened because Dafford Hilton may have some psychiatric issues. “That's good” he replied. Then he went on. “Anything else bothering you?," he asked. “Ah, No” I replied. However, I had the feeling he knows something. “Well” he paused. “I am sure it is tough emotionally to go through a traumatic event like yesterday," he told me. “Yeah, I guess something like this can mess with your mind," I replied. “Yeah maybe so, he said slowly.

“I tell you one thing, Jim. Don’t be surprised if you have any strange emotions going through your head next few days. Just don’t be alarmed," he told me in a serious tone. “Like what? "Something related to this incident yesterday?," I asked. “No not really. But it may accelerate some things that you will be dealing with," he replied. “What the hell are you talking about?" I blurted out. “Look, Jim. I just have something that I want to tell you about what you are going through. But this is not a good time," he said in a serious tone. “When is a good time then?” I asked impatiently. “I have said too much already, he replied. My intention was not to get you upset. But you asked me when is a good time?” He paused and took a deep breath. “You will know when it is time to talk. Right now you just need to concentrate on getting healthy again."

“OK”!, I said sharply, and I hung up. “This guy is nuts! What the hell is he talking about” I yelled out. I started thinking about him. It seems like he is just weird sometimes. Then he seems normal for a while. Then back weird again. I think he is just nuts. But then again. I feel like he knows something. I have had that feeling before. It just seems like he knows something about me. It is all very strange.

I eat dinner and get ready to leave for tomorrow. I am still upset about the conversation I had with Jerry Churchill . I finally get to bed. That stupid voice is coming back, and it is getting stronger. It is scolding me because we, or I cannot play golf for a few days. I start to argue again. “What am I doing?", I ask myself. Somehow I am finally able block it out. Then I wonder. “Is this one of those things that Jerry Churchill is talking about? My gosh this is weird."

Finally I fall asleep. I have wild dreams. I have the same recurring dream that I am in a small town and have a family. But still cannot see any faces. I dream of playing golf on some golf course and I am a hacker, not a pro. I have some short chubby old man giving me lessons. He tells me to shorten my backswing and stop flopping my wrist past parallel. “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel." I still do clearly see his face, but he looks so familiar. I dream of driving home and living in a nice small house, and I have two kids and a wife. But I still cannot see their faces. But I feel like a belong here. I feel like this is home.

Finally I wake up in the morning. I remember the dreams and it makes me feel peaceful, even though they are weird. I seem to remember hearing that phrase, “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel." But I do not remember what that is about in the dream. I get out of bed, and my ribs hurt so bad. I think the second day after something like this is the most painful. I know in the past if I did something really physical the next day I do not feel bad. But the next day my muscles are sore and much more tired than the day before. Maybe the same thing with injuries. I want to get out of here. Even though I try to put the incident with Dafford Hilton out of my mind, this place does not feel like a happy place. I am ready to get home. I am supposed to meet Emily today and I am happy about that. I drink coffee, take a shower and get ready. I look in the mirror. I have a black eye, fat lip, and a few scratches. Not exactly the look, I want since I am seeing Emily today. But then I joke to myself. “Looks pretty good” I look like a tough guy now.

I eat breakfast. I try to get my luggage and my Golf clubs to take down stairs to check out. I find out, right away, there is not a chance. I cannot lift anything. I start to worry that my recovery may not be so fast. The hotel has Bell Service and I get them to take my things down. They load everything into the shuttle and take me to the airport. We get to the Airport and I check in everything at the curb. “Easy” I tell myself. As I am walking through the airport I can tell some people recognize me. I hear whispers and see some pointing. No one would talk to me. Of course if that incident would have never happened for the whole world to see. I would probably have people coming up and talking to me and asking for autographs since I just won the US Open. But now everyone is avoiding me like the plague. However eventually, a couple of people did smile and even gave me the thumbs up and that made me feel better.

After we were airborne I had some time to think. I just sit back and thought about things. I should feel really good. I just won the US Open, and it is my second major of the year. I am happy but just so much on my mind. The incident at the ceremony was a bummer. Now I am not sure when I am going to play again. I want to be ready for the British Open. I got an invitation after I won the Masters. And now since I won the US open I have a chance to do something special. I just hope my Ribs are OK by then. The other thing I have on my mind is this stupid voice in my head that is getting stronger and stronger every day. Then the weird dreams. And what the hell was all that stuff Jerry Churchill was talking about last night? I just need a break. I need to get away from everything for a few days. All these bad vibes are killing me.

As we approach Orlando, I start getting good Vibes because I know that Emily will be there. All I know is when I think of her. Or when I talk to her or see her in person. I just feel at peace like I have never felt before. We land and pull up to the gate and everyone gets up. I struggle with my pain after sitting on this plane for a while. One guy even helped me get out of my seat and into the aisle. “Man, I am ready to get off this plane," I tell myself. Seems like it taking forever. Finally, we get out and I make my way to the baggage area. I wonder how it will be seeing Emily and her father. Will it be awkward? Our relationship is still sort of in the gray area, It is hard to tell where we stand. “But she did give me a kiss the last time I saw her” I say to myself happily. I made it down to the baggage area and there was Emily and her father waiting for me.

She was happy to see me but she had tears. She gave me a hug. I tried to keep my emotions together. I felt like crying but I was able to keep it together. I shook hand with her dad, “Good to see you Mr. Carlson. "Ah, just call me Harry” he said smiling. They both asked how I feel and I told them I was fine. There was only about 30 seconds of initial awkwardness. After that it felt like family. Emily has that way of just putting people at ease. Her father is a great guy and pretty much the same personality as her. I just felt like everything was going to be OK.

They got my bags since I was all beat up. They loaded them on a cart and we took them to my car which was in the parking garage. Her dad was great, he was doing everything. I wanted to help but he would have no part of it. We made a plan after we got the bags loaded. Emily insisted on driving me home in my car. Her dad said he would just meet us at my place. He had me give him my address and he would use his GPS on his smartphone and he would just meet us there. I told Emily that I could drive but she would have no part of that. "I will drive, I am bringing you home," she said smiling. That just sounded funny to me for some reason, but I liked it. It felt like I was truly coming home for the first time in a long time. I have come home in this airport a million times the last few years from all my travels as a professional golfer. But I never really felt like “I was coming home." As a single guy coming home to an empty Condo, just never seemed like home. But now I feel like I am really coming home. What a nice feeling.