If you love this type of style where your like "wtf was that drop is's so f**king good and different", check out some of these songs as they have similar "wtf/awesome/mad drops".
Just copy the line of the song and youtube will just find the song (sorry I have not tailored this to spotify) :
Pendulum - The Island - Pt. I (Dawn) [Skrillex Remix]
RÜFÜS - Innerbloom (What So Not Remix)
Illusionize & Shapeless - TIME (I have a feeling you will love this, melty nights and completely gooey!)
Chase & Status - Don't Be Scared (Official Music Video) ft. Takura AC Slater - Bass Inside Wolfgang Gartner & Kill The Noise - Battlestations (F**KING AWESOME AND FUN TRACK! MY SECRET WEAPON TO SHOW PEOPLE!) Don Diablo - People Say ft. Paije Don Diablo - Head Up ft. James Newman GTA - Red Lips feat. Sam Bruno (Skrillex Remix) Loopers - I'm Heavy Mumbai Power (feat. Beam)-Skrillex SCARY MONSTERS & NICE SPRITES (KASKADE REMIX) - SKRILLEX (Just wait for the drop man, it's great and you probably won't have heard it before!) Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic (My Existence) Crystal Castles - Not In Love ft. Robert Smith of The Cure Lane 8 - Is This Our Earth? RL Grime - Core Getter - Head Splitter Dog Blood - BREAK LAW Danny L Harle & DJ Danny - On A Mountain (Flume Remix) Flume - Slugger 1.4 [2014 Export.WAV] Knock2 - dashstar* Shotgun Radio - A Bad Place (feat. Mimi Page) (Minnesota Remix) (My favorite track for years!) Chris Lake - I Want You (Just wait for the drop.) Knock2 - dashstar* (VIP) [NIGHTMODE] LOOPERS - I'm Odd Knock2 - REWiND [NIGHTMODE] Skrillex, Missy Elliott, & Mr. Oizo - RATATA Sibewest - Deprived Flume - Go Skrillex & Mr. Oizo - RATATA (KREAM Remix) ft. Missy Elliot (KREAM is killa, check them out. A lot of their stuff is signature sound). ANYMA X GRIMES – WELCOME TO THE OPERA (I know the Anyma synth plucks are going around at the moment but if you haven't heard this sound design it would still be mind tingly.) Tobiahs - Lifetime Martin Garrix - Animals (Of course! ;) )
For songs that have different alternative sounding drops which aren't as insanely different from what you usually hear but are still different sounding drops which are great check out:
Seven Lions - Isis Vicetone - Nevada (feat. Cozi Zuehlsdorff) Birdy Nam Nam - "Goin' In (Skrillex "Goin' Hard" Mix)"
Tchami - "Adieu" OFFICIAL VERSION
Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan - There For You (Official Instrumental) (The original is still "f**king dope! too! Marty has often unique sounding songs and pretty much made his own style of sound!)
Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely (Official Instrumental) (Dua was kinda gaining popularity but i feel this was the song that really skyrocketed her into the limelight, the original with her lyrics is still so good!)
Tchami - Shot Caller (Badass madness!)
Lights & Music · Cut Copy (Awesome track, classic for me growing up and just decent for the time it came out!) Martin Garrix & Mesto - Limitless
Nero - Reaching Out
Martin Garrix & Brooks - Quantum
Martin Garrix & Zedd - Follow (F**king great track! Take risks my friend! ;) )
Flume - Say It (feat. Tove Lo) (Illenium Remix) David Guetta, Martin Garrix & Brooks - Like I Do
Bondax - Gold (Snakehips Bootleg) (More chill and not so party party but awesome drop!) Brooks & GRX - Boomerang (GRX is Martin Garrix's alternate stage name.) Martin Garrix & Florian Picasso - Make Up Your MindWarriors Dance - The ProdigyFuji Opener (feat. Alvin Risk)TroyBoi - Do You?Dog Blood - Next OrderOops · Martin Garrix Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. W&W – Arcade (Extended Mix) Savant - Living iPod (Definitely going to love or hate it but it's fun, especially if your a major gamer like me!) Mr FijiWiji - Let The Sky Fall Down Martin Garrix & Jay Hardway Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now (PØNTES Remix) (Awesome, awesome remix and you won't have heard it!) Knock2 - dashstar* (Yellow Claw Trap Edit) [NIGHTMODE] Knock2 - Are U Feelin Me (Ft. DEV) [NIGHTMODE] Shadow Lady · Portwave GRADES - King
For songs which i've come across which are so different from what you'd usually hear but are a complete vibe because they arent "typical sounding" (not saying anything's right or wrong) these are great:
nekoi- exist (Don't be a peeping teemo!) Deadmau5 - Pomogrenate (Original Instrumental)
BICEP ATLAS BICEP OPAL (FOUR TET REMIX)
BICEP APRICOTS (This is really, really different but a phenomenal track. Just be in a good mindset because it's a fricking intense track but really dope!) DJ DIFFERENT - Angels
RITCHRD - PARIS (make sure to check it out on "yotsu"' youtube channel as it's got a cool anime clip!) San Holo - bb u ok? (Drop's great and it's different! Good vibes.)
Kendrick Lamar - HUMBLE. (Skrillex Remix) (I don't listen to rap and i f**king frothed this for ages!)
RL Grime, What So Not, and Skrillex - Waiting
RL Grime x Utada Hikaru - Simple To Know [Flipboitamidles Mashup] (Just a feel good song. Your gonna like it or not!)
Deadmau5 & Kaskade - I Remember (Mr FijiWiji Remix/Cover ft. Laura Brehm)
Guy Gerber - What To Do (&ME Remix)
BICEP JUST
BICEP GLUE
BICEP MELI (II) (Live at Love Saves The Day)
Gemini - Fire Inside (Mr. FijiWiji Remix)
The Presets - My People
BICEP SAKU (FEAT. CLARA LA SAN) RL Grime - Pressure Mitch Murder - The Touch Knock2 - SPEAK up! Mt. Wolf - Life Size Ghosts (Catching Flies Remix)Jonas Mantey - Frei Tom Day - Going Home Fracx - In Your Memory Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Soundtrack - Run
Parallel Universe · Franky Wah
&ME - The Rapture Pt.II
Keinemusik (Rampa, Adam Port, &ME) - Muyè
Danger - 0:59 Danger - 6:24 (from Furi original soundtrack)
Danger - 7:53 (from Furi original soundtrack)
Marie Davidson - 'Work It (Soulwax Remix)' (Hilarious track, defs different.) Lacchesi & Mac Declos - Give It To Me (Nelly X-Rated Edit) Ytram & Citadelle - Alive &ME, Black Coffee - The Rapture Pt.III (Also check out Pt.1 & Pt 2. for &ME) Amanati x Roniit - Slow (Oh lover lover!) Phelian - Liturgy (F**king love this track! So good for introspection at night!) Artist's I really, really love as personal preference that are so good:
SIBEWEST // Because of you (F**king love this guy, he's so damn good and so my jam!)
Kazukii // Pull
Kazukii - Need
Grimes - So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth (I love this track and grimes has really grown on me slowly and slowly. If you don't know who the artist is it was Elon Musk's most recent wife (you know the richest guy/might still be the richest guy in the world! The comment that i just saw checking it now about the track is: "just learned that this song is about Grimes being pregnant “It’s about getting pregnant,” she said. “The sort of tragedy of agreeing to it, even though it’s this great thing. For a girl, it’s sacrificing your body and your freedom. It’s a pretty crazy sacrifice and only half of the population has to do it.”"
Please, Stay-Matthieu Faubourg KAZUKII // Return Nero - The Thrill Monrroe Ft. Emily Makis - Never Too Old Arle - Close To You (Icarus Edit) Carpenter Brut - Paradise Warfare (Pretty awesome track, Carpenter Brut is great but dark and intense. Really suggest you play this for yourself instead of randomly showing it to someone. Could put them in a bad headspace if they are tripping bells. You will know what I mean by the end of the track!) Le Matos - Montrose (Le Matos are one of my all time favorites, incredibly underrated going by what you see on youtube!)
Kashuks - Universe
Mononoid - Protoplasm (Original Mix)Moby -- After (Drumsound & Bassline Smith Remix)
Banks - Warm Water (Snakehips Remix) Third ≡ Party - Without You (I love this track, makes me feel so good and the statues are so deep! Look up the burning man wire adult and children statues with the adults with the kids inside!) Kazukii - Tension Franky Wah - Love Me (Official Audio) (Extended Mix) Kaneki サウンド - Evening With U Neon Indian - Polish Girl (Indie electronic more so but still great, loved this back in the day!) Amelie Lens - Hypnotized (My favorite techno artist! So good!) Franky Wah - Cry No More (Audio) Grimes - New Gods Skrillex - The Reason Skrillex - Leaving Skrillex & Wiwek - Killa ft Elliphant
Mr FijiWiji - Sentry (Great song with unique sound design though a bit sad sounding. Love to Wiji my Fiji!) Awesome - The Bloody Beetroots
ARTBAT, Shall Ocin feat. braev - Origin Golden Features - 'Touch (feat. Rromarin) (F**CKING SO GOOD AND STILL UNSEEN! OMG FAVORITE TRACK PROBABLY OF ALL TIME!) Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Blueshift's Synthwave Cover) (This is a GREAT COVER if you love the original and synthwave.) Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites (Radar Detector Remix) Katana ZERO OST - Hit The Floor (Extended) UPGRADE-OFFL1NX FISHER - You Little Beauty (SCNDL VIP Club Edit) (Get your filth on son! If you love fishy, guarantee you will love this pure debauchery and raunchery!) Sewerslvt - Mr. Kill Myself Sewerslvt - Pretty Cvnt Sewerslvt - Newlove ZHU - Palm of My Hand Deadmau5 - Aural Psynapse (Mr FijiWiji Remix) Deadmau5 - Strobe (Mr FijiWiji Remix) THE OTHERS' (Radio Edit) TV ROCK Vs Dukes Of Windsor [HQ] (Just wait for the drop mang!) Amelie Lens - Drift Crystal Castles - Baptism M.O.O.N. - 'Hydrogen' (Try not to fry someone with this track.) SebastiAn - Kindercut Sebastian - Tetra NYC Beat (Radio Edit) · Armand Van Helden FKA twigs x Skrillex - Ego Death (Yoseppi's Club Edit)(Pretty much just my favorite parts of the original.) Pizza · Martin Garrix Skrillex - Kyoto (Extended) SKRILLEX - RIGHT ON TIME (12TH PLANET & KILL THE NOISE) Flume ft. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (Ekko & Sidetrack Bootleg) No Time-LastlingsI've Got You · Lastlings Lastlings - I've Got You (Rinzen Remix / Audio) Take My Hand (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Sky Remix) · Lastlings Lastlings - Out Of Touch (CRi Remix / Visualizer) Lastlings - False Reactions (X CLUB. Remix / Official Audio) Lastlings - Last Breath (Adult Art Club Remix / Audio) Lastlings - Out Of Touch (Paraleven Remix) Lastlings - Deja VuLions in the Wild - Martin Garrix · Third Party Grimes & i_o - Violence deadmau5 - Monophobia (feat. Rob Swire) [Official Video] Chase & Status - Mixed Emotions SHDOW - Spirit. Heatwave · SBTRKT (This guys amazing!) Pharoahs - SBTRKTWildfire - SBTRKTSo Far Away · Lazerhawk Martin Garrix - Poison Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. W&W – Arcade (Extended Mix) If I Know You (Tom Middleton Remix) · The Presets Sneaky Sound System - It's Not My Problem (Thin White Duke Mix) Netsky - Memory Lane Deadmau5 - Ghosts N Stuff (Nero Remix) Golden Features - Worship Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman X Steve Angello - Payback (Original Mix) Martin Garrix & David Guetta - So Far Away Madeon - Finale (Netsky Remix) RL Grime & What So Not - Tell Me RL Grime - I Wanna Know feat. Daya Lane 8 - Survive feat. Channy Leaneagh (Bit of an Anthem when your going through a rough time!) MALO - March of Progress The Presets - Talk Like That I Will Be Here [Wolfgang Gartner Remix Edit] - Tiësto, Sneaky Sound System Electric Youth - The Best Thing Knock2 - PARANOiD Le Matos - Light Again feat. Electric Youth Le Matos - Sarah Knock2 - gettin' hott MIAMI NIGHTS 1984 - Saved By The Bell Matrix Reloaded Rave (Zion Dance Party) - Aphrodite Mix (Awesome mix, great when your Hiding the bishop"Fluke - ZionPorter Robinson - Language STRLGHT - Where Do We Go Helax - Tell Me, Tell Me Lights & Music · Cut Copy Cristian Collodoro – Temperature Remix Follow The Storm · Gauthier Bloc Party - One More Chance (Alex Metric Remix) Kasbo - I Get You ft. Lizzy Land (Fakear Remix) Stranger - House Party (AC Slater Remix) Ravager · VIME Grum feat. Electric Youth - Turn It Up Mr FijiWiji - You Worry Enough Hidden Face - Cold Night Pendulum - Witchcraft (Rob Swire's Drumstep Mix) Sublab - In My Blood (feat. Mads) Skrillex, PinkPantheress & Trippie Redd - Way Back Alan Braxe, Fred Falke - You'll Stay In My Heart (Instrumental) [2023 Remaster] Something In The Water X Skepta W O L F C L U B - Tears 3DS Internet Settings · マドロスMERCURY Rules - A Little More Love (Bootleg Edit) Womack & Womack - Teardrops (Rules Remix) Rico 56 x Korzana x twofaced. - Strangers [NIGHTMODE] Kavinsky - Cameo feat. Kareen Lomax KAVINSKY - NightcallKavinsky - Zenith (Someone on youtube was saying this is supposed to be the spiritual successor to Night Call)Playtime Is Over by Le Matos - Studio Session for Mondopalooza Danger - 22:41 Portal · Rebuke Doja Cat - Streets (MCG Remix) The Chase (Rebūke Remix) THAT KIND - Here Comes The Rain Again (Nalestar Remix) RÜFÜS DU SOL - On My Knees (Adriatique Remix)

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https://preview.redd.it/8wyrrkpve50d1.jpg?width=645&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a220ec0e72404b130ac834f0b94ebeb5fe96daa

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Intro & Disclaimer

Looking at all the new fans incoming and all the questions being asked on here made me want to help out with (hopefully) offering some clarity. Which then led to this idea of doing a series of final roster predictions for each team. So here we are. I sincerely hope the information below is useful for at least some folks. I've tried to keep any contract/financial information to a minimum to keep it as simple as possible. Please let me know if there's anything I can improve for the next chapter.
 
 
The final chapter. Less than a week before the season actually starts. This is a great feeling. And I get to close it all out with my beloved wings.
 

First a quick recap

Before we dive in, a very quick recap of the Wings' moves this off-season:

• Suspended Awak Kuier's contract to let her take a summer off to rest her body.
• Signed Free Agent Kalani Brown to a 3 year deal.
• Drafted Jacy Sheldon, Carla Leite and Ashley Owusu. Leite is not coming over this year and they already waived Owusu.
• Signed 2023s #4 Draft Pick Stephanie Soares to her Rookie contract (she was out with injury last year, same deal as Elizabeth Kitley at the Aces this year).
• Signed Emma Cannon, Jaelyn Brown, Katrina Pardee and Sevgi Uzun to Trainin Camp Contracts. Already waived Emma Cannon who is now with the Aces to replace Candace Parker.
• Traded Crystal Dangerfield to Atlanta for a 3rd round pick (and to open up a roster spot).

That gives us the current roster:

Players
Arike Ogunbowale (G)	Natasha Howard (F)	Teaira McCowan (C)
Satou Sabally (F)	Kalani Brown (C)	Veronica Burton (G)
Stephanie Soares (C)	Maddy Siegrist (F)	Jacy Sheldon (G)
Lou Lopez Senechal (W)	Jaelyn Brown (W)	Sevgi Uzun (G)
Katrina Pardee (G)

^{G=Guard W=Wing F=Forward C=Center}

The Good

One of the few teams to basically bring back their entire core and then add several highly drafted young players to the mix (and an exciting Free Agent named Jaelyn Brown!). Sheldon looks extremely promising and could very well be the starting Point Guard by the Olympic break.

The Bad

Obviously missing Satou for 2/3s of the regular season effing sucks. Our best player last year and still just at the start of her prime. Also salary cap-wise things are... tough. It's gonna be 11 players unless the Wings do something crazy and with Sabally already out and the Wings' historic injury proneness, bench might be a bit short.

My predictions (and why)

100% Locks

Player	Position(s)	2024 Salary	Why
Arike Ogunbowale	Shooting Guard	$241,984	Core player
Natasha Howard	Stretch Big	$234,350	Core player
Teaira McCowan	Center	$195,700	Core player
Satou Sabally	Combo Forward	$195,000	Core Player
Kalani Brown	Center	$125,000	Core Player
Stephanie Soares	Stretch Big*	$76,535	2023 #4 Draft Pick
Maddy Siegrist	Combo Forward	$75,792	2023 #3 Draft Pick
Jacy Sheldon	Combo Guard	$73,439	2024 #5 Draft Pick

*(Stephanie Soares strictly played Center in college, but based on training footage, the preseason game and quite frankly the roster composition I actually suspect they intend to try her as a power forward this season.)
That's your 5 player core and 3 top 5 draft picks of the last 2 drafts. Really not much to add here. This leaves us with $245,400 in cap space and 4 open roster spots, but we can only fit 3 players.

Remaining Three Spots

Player	Position(s)	2024 Salary	Spot?	Why/Why Not
Veronica Burton	Point Guard	$77,669	YES	2022 #7 Draft Pick, great defender
Lou Lopez Senechal	Combo Wing	$72,727	YES	2023 #5 Draft Pick
Sevgi Uzun	Combo Guard	$64,154	YES/NO	Experienced Turkish player, looked good in preseason game
Jaelyn Brown	Combo Forward	$64,154	YES/NO	Experienced overseas, looked GREAT in preseason game
Katrina Pardee	Point Guard	$64,154	NO	Not good enough

I know, I have some explaining to do. I really do think Burton & Senechal are basically locks, but at the same time I wouldn't be shocked if one of them was waived, that's why I put them here. I do hope they both prove me wrong.
As for the remaining spot, my theory is one of Uzun/Brown will get that spot, while the other one gets the Hardship contracts to replace Sabally. If Jaelyn Brown hadn't played out of her mind that game I would've said for sure she was in that hardship spot, but it's possible the Wings do not want to risk another team scooping her up (they do need to waive her before they can sign her to a hardship contract).

Final Roster Prediction

Player
Arike Ogunbowale
Natasha Howard
Teaira McCowan
Satou Sabally
Kalani Brown
Stephanie Soares
Maddy Siegrist
Jacy Sheldon
Veronica Burton
Lou Lopez Senechal
Sevgi Uzun

With Jaelyn Brown on a Hardship.

Starting Line-up (just for fun)

PG spot is a complete toss-up, I'm putting Burton there because she started the preseason game, but it could just as easily be Uzun or even Sheldon:

Veronica Burton - Arike Ogunbowale - Maddy Siegrist - Natasha Howard - Teaira McCowan

Regular Season Prediction (also just for fun)

Las Vegas Aces: 1st

New York Liberty: 2nd

Seattle Storm: 3rd

Dallas Wings: 4th

Phoenix Mercury: 5th (but with the widest variance of all the teams, could really be anywhere 3rd to 9th for me)

Atlanta Dream: 6th

Indiana Fever: 7th

Connecticut Sun: 8th

Minnesota Lynx: 9th

Chicago Sky: 10th

Washington Mystics: 11th

Los Angeles Sparks: 12th

 
Yeah yeah, call me a homer for putting the Wings 4th, I did make these rankings before finding out Satou was out that long, but I still think a 4th-6th finish is completely realistic. Every year so many people (including most media) underestimate the Wings and then they end up outperforming those expectations.
Also wanted to close out saying I've really enjoyed doing this series and absolutely loved all the positive responses I've gotten. It's honestly been one of the more rewarding experiences I've had for the past year or so. So thank you to all of you who took the time to like or respond to these predictions. Now we get to look forward to a great and historic season (I still can't believe we'll have charter flights for all teams)!

https://t.me/Screwdatt
https://discord.gg/ygh87phpwx
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== PPV SETANTA PACK ===
PPV SETANTA EVENT 01 Salernitana - atalanta // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
PPV SETANTA EVENT 01 Crystal palace - manchester united // UK 6th 8:00pm // ET 6th 3:00pm
PPV SETANTA EVENT 01 Paris sg - borussia dortmund // UK Tue 7 May 8:00pm // ET Tue 7 May 3:00pm
PPV SETANTA EVENT 02 Al ahli - al hilal // UK 6th 7:00pm // ET 6th 2:00pm
PPV SETANTA EVENT 03 Udinese - napoli // UK 6th 7:45pm // ET 6th 2:45pm
PPV SETANTA EVENT 04 Lille - lyon // UK 6th 8:00pm // ET 6th 3:00pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== PPV MATCHROOM PACK ===
PPV MATCHROOM EVENTS 00: World Championship - Day 17 - Table 1 Crucible Theatre, Sheffield snooker Mon 06 May 12:00:00 PM
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Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== IRELAND LOI PACK ===
IE LOI TV 01 : Drogheda United FC vs Dundalk FC // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
IE LOI TV 02 : Shamrock Rovers FC vs Waterford FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 03 : Bohemian FC vs Galway United FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 04 : Bray Wanderers FC vs Finn Harps FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 05 : Cork City FC vs Wexford FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 06 : Longford Town FC vs Kerry FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 07 : Treaty United FC vs Athlone Town AFC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 08 : UCD AFC vs Cobh Ramblers FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
IE LOI TV 09 : Sligo Rovers FC vs St. Patricks Athletic FC // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
== UK-AUSTRALIA OPTUS PACK ===
UK-AU OPTUS 01 name: Gamba v Cerezo start:6th 04:50:00 stop:6th 07:25:00
UK-AU OPTUS 01 name: Crystal Palace v Manchester United start:6th 19:20:00 stop:6th 22:40:00
UK-AU OPTUS 02 name: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo v FC Tokyo start:6th 05:45:00 stop:6th 08:20:00
UK-AU OPTUS 02 name: Urawa Red Diamonds v Yokohama FM start:6th 08:45:00 stop:6th 11:20:00
UK-AU OPTUS 03 name: Sanfrecce v Nagoya start:6th 06:45:00 stop:6th 09:20:00
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== UK NATIONAL LEAGUE PACK ===
UK NATIONAL LEAGUE 01: Worthing vs. Braintree Town // UK 6th 2:50pm // ET 6th 9:00am
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== UK VIA PLAY PACK ===
UK VIA PLAY 01 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 2 watch now // UK 6th 8:00am ET 6th 3:00am
UK VIA PLAY 01 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 2 watch now // UK 6th 4:00pm ET 6th 11:00am
UK VIA PLAY 01 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 2 watch now // UK Tue 7 May 12:00am ET 6th 7:00pm
UK VIA PLAY 02 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 1 watch now // UK 6th 8:00am ET 6th 3:00am
UK VIA PLAY 02 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 1 watch now // UK 6th 4:00pm ET 6th 11:00am
UK VIA PLAY 02 24/7 Channel Stream Viaplay sports 1 watch now // UK Tue 7 May 12:00am ET 6th 7:00pm
UK VIA PLAY 03 NHL Nhl tonight // UK 6th 2:00pm ET 6th 9:00am
UK VIA PLAY 03 LALIGA Viva laliga // UK 6th 6:00pm ET 6th 1:00pm
UK VIA PLAY 04 LALIGA Laliga news // UK 6th 2:00pm ET 6th 9:00am
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== UK PDC PACK ===
UK PDC EVENT 01 : 2024 players championship 9 // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
UK PDC EVENT 02 : 2024 players championship 9 // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
UK PDC EVENT 03 : 2024 players championship 9 // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
UK PDC EVENT 04 : 2024 players championship 9 // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
UK PDC EVENT 05 : 2024 players championship 9 board 1 german // UK 6th 1:00pm // ET 6th 8:00am
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== UK DAZN PACK ===
UK DAZN 01 Fiorentina vs. Juventus // UK 6th 4:58pm // ET 6th 11:58am
UK DAZN 02 Nurnberg vs. Leipzig // UK 6th 6:28pm // ET 6th 1:28pm
UK DAZN 03 Al ahli vs. Al hilal // UK 6th 6:58pm // ET 6th 1:58pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
== CANADA DAZN PACK ===
CA DAZN 01 Crawley vs mk dons // UK 6th 3:00pm // ET 6th 10:00am
CA DAZN 02 Fiorentina vs juventus // UK 6th 5:00pm // ET 6th 12:00pm
CA DAZN 03 Crewe vs doncaster // UK 6th 5:30pm // ET 6th 12:30pm
CA DAZN 04 Nurnberg vs leipzig // UK 6th 6:30pm // ET 6th 1:30pm
CA DAZN 05 Al ahli vs al hilal // UK 6th 7:00pm // ET 6th 2:00pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== USA PEACOCK PACK ===
US PEACOCK 01 GOLF Pga works collegiate rd. 1 // UK 6th 8:00pm // ET 6th 2:00pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== USA TRILLER PACK ===
US TRILLER TV 01 OVW Live #1290 Double Crossed 2024 // UK Tue 7 May 12:10am // ET 6th 7:10pm
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== USA MLB PACK ===
US MLB LIVE 01: San Francisco at Philadelphia 4:05 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 02: Detroit at Cleveland 6:10 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 03: LA Angels at Pittsburgh 6:40 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 04: Chi. White Sox at Tampa Bay 6:50 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 05: San Diego at Chi. Cubs 7:40 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 06: Seattle at Minnesota 7:40 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 07: Milwuakee at Kansas City 7:40 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 08: NY Mets at St. Louis 7:45 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 09: Texas at Oakland 9:40 PM ET
US MLB LIVE 10: Miami at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== USA NBA PACK ===
US NBA LIVE 01: MLEast Semifinals Game 1: Indiana at New York 7:30 PM ET
US NBA LIVE 02: West Semifinals Game 2: Minnesota at Denver 10:00 PM ET
​
Screwdatt, [5/6/2024 10:33 AM]
=== USA NHL PACK ===
US NHL LIVE 01: East Semifinals Game 1: Boston at Florida 8:00 PM ET

It's kind of bad to admit, but I really enjoy Hubby's infrequent trips. He's a bit of a pack rat and doesn't like parting with things.
Tackled the bathroom closet first. Didn't need to get rid of much (one expired bottle of pain reliever), but stuff was on the wrong shelves or knocked over in the bins. (I use clear fridge bins because our closet is actually a tall stacked cabinet with three awkward doors). Found several large baskets in the back (I'd been looking for the largest) and did a quick re-org of the vanity using those.
Linen closet next. I keep seasonal decor (throw pillow covers, festive placemats, etc.) in small, labeled containers. Realized that I still had colors and decor from the previous house that I don't need or can't use in in my downsized house. Boxed up a bunch of nice things.
Did a swipe through my bedroom closet and dresser. Main wardrobe has been culled for awhile, but I had several baskets of accessories - scarves, handbags - that I haven't used or worn in a couple years. Cleared a shelf.
Took a gander at the China hutch. I finally parted with the crystal decanters and cruet bottles that I never once used. Also several vases I don't like (gifts). (I use one set of wine glasses, need to ease hubby into letting go of the second set. Next trip. 😉)
Boxed everything up and dropped them off at the local thrift store. Feels good.

• Species: Cat
• Age: 5
• Sex/Neuter status: Male/Neutered
• Breed: Medium haired orange tabby
• Body weight: 15.5 lbs
• History: Gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, hairballs, sensitive stomach, slightly obese
• Clinical signs: Urinary blockage, bloody urine, vomiting, hiding, loss of appetite
• Duration: 1.5 days
• Your general location: Minnesota, US
• Links to test results, vet reports, X-rays etc.: Bloodwork, urinalysis and X-RAY images and X-ray report of findings (I don't know what the words mean)

Hello! My male neutered cat had a full urinary obstruction yesterday and he is quite sensitive to stress so I can't tell if an invasive surgery is the best option vs. using a diet and monitoring him.
I went to the ER and they drained his bladder with a catheter and he's getting IV fluids for 48 hours in the hospital. His creatinine, BUN and glucose were elevated and now they have decreased after treatment (Creatinine went from 8.5 to 2.0 mg/dL) but the BUN is still elevated (50 mg/dL). Based on the urinalysis and X-rays, there were some struvite crystals found and the vet said there appears to be ~4 bladder stones that may be around 5 mm, but it is too small to tell from the X-rays if they are struvite or not. I know only surgery can confirm the composition of the stones but based on the pH (8.0) and other struvite crystals found, the vet suspects they may be struvite instead of calcium oxalate. The surgeon says my cat could get the surgery to remove the stones since they are large enough to remove now.
My cat easily gets stressed out and is quite affected by stress. I am worried that after such an ordeal, adding another surgery would be too much for him. If there is a less invasive procedure I'd prefer that but I know there is a chance of obstruction again so I'd have to monitor him carefully. I can't decide what to do. I could monitor him carefully with a diet, keep in mind a likely timeframe for reoccurrence and if I see any signs take him right away to the vet for possible surgery. Otherwise, take him for another X-ray a month later if he is urinating fine. It would be less trauma for him but he could be at risk for obstruction again (i'd take him for surgery the moment I notice anything though).
My questions:

• Is four 5 mm (likely struvite) stones too many stones and too large in size to dissolve? I can't tell what constitutes a large stone, it seems like my cat's stones are medium sized?
• Is there anything about cystotomy you wish you had known before in your personal experience (ie. risks, recovery)?
• Is there a major difference in effectiveness/success rate of a to getting the surgery immediately after being unblocked vs monitoring and doing it a few days after he's unblocked?
• Asking a vet: If there is a 2nd obstruction, in your opinion how soon after the first obstruction do you see cats have a reoccurrence on average?
• Is a possible 2nd obstruction (that is then treated) going to have long-term consequences or weaken his body more?

Searching for either a female or male vocalist with a wide vocal range, drummer, and synths/keys player.
Planning on making something stonesludge. I currently have a band called King Caesar but am looking to start another project that is a little different. Samples can be found on IG or FB.

Tennessee had a busy April with the Spring Game, big visits, and landing 2 commits in the 2025 class. Let's take a look at the class and team rankings during the final month of high school before the summer.:

2025 Commitments

2025 Team Ranks: Nat'l #14 SEC #7 (OK&Tex Now Included) - 90.43 Avg (#16#8)

Name	Position	Height	Weight	Class	Star	247Comp Rank	POS Rank	Rating	Commit Date
George MacIntyre	QB	6'5.5	190	2025	5	16	3	0.9908	1/22/24
Ethan Utley	DL	6-3.5	265	2025	4	159	21	0.9352	3/28/24
Radarious Jackson	WR	6-2	195	2025	4	260	29	0.9103	4/22/24
Jack Van Dorselear	TE	6-5	230	2025	4	282	14	0.9061	1/7/24
Justin Baker	RB	5-9.5	205	2025	3	429	33	0.8867	10/25/23
Sidney Walton	S	6-1	187	2025	3	446	36	0.8850	4/18/24
Dylan Lewis	CB	5-11.5	185	2025	3	576	57	0.8778	10/12/23
Joakim Dodson	WR	6-0	178	2025	3	642	106	0.8739	2/10/24
Tyler Redmond	CB	6-1	175	2025	3	659	64	0.8731	11/19/23

2025 Top Targets

Name	Position	Height	Weight	Class	Star	247Comp Rank	Rating	Notes
David Sanders Jr.	OT	6-6	270	2025	5	2	0.9991	Tenn in Top 6. OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina
Caleb Cunningham	WR	6-3	180	2025	5	12	0.9933	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss
Jaime Ffrench	WR	6-1	185	2025	5	18	0.9892	Visited on 3/17 and OV scheduled for 6/14. Tenn "Top 3" after visit Primary competition: FSU, Miami, Ohio State, Texas
Trey McNutt	ATH (CB)	6-0	180	2025	4	24	0.9867	Visited twice in '23. Primary competition: Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon
Andrew Babalola	OT	6-6	280	2025	4	26	0.9844	Visited on 2/3/24. Primary competition: TBD
Josh Petty	OT	6-5	262	2025	5	29	0.9837	Grew up liking Tennessee - visited 3 times in '23. OV scheduled for 6/7. Primary competition: Georgia and Georgia Tech
Faheem Delane	S	6-2.5	195	2025	4	30	0.9832	Not yet visited. Primary competition: Maryland, Ohio State, Oregon
Jared Smith	Edge	6-6.5	235	2025	4	42	0.9762	OV scheduled for 6/14 Primary competition: TBD
Jordan Young	S	6-0	184	2025	4	45	0.9723	OV scheduled for 6/21 - cousin of Byron Young. Primary competition: Clemson, FSU
Zion Grady	Edge	6-4	225	2025	4	56	0.9701	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: TBD
Bo Jackson	RB	6-0	205	2025	4	72	0.9621	UT named to Top 12 on 4/2/24
Eric Winters	S	6-2	200	2025	4	79	0.9581	UT named to Top 4 on 4/19/24 Primary competition: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami
Lagonza Hayward	S	6-1	200	2025	4	97	0.9521	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Alabama, FSU
Jontae Gilbert	CB	6-1	185	2025	4	101	0.9503	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Clemson, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, UCF
Ty Jackson	LB	6-2	200	2025	4	108	0.9489	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: FSU, Georgia, Penn State
Damien Shanklin	Edge	6-4	230	2025	4	109	0.9478	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Notre Dame, Texas
Da'Saahn Brame	TE	6-6	235	2025	4	113	0.9467	Visited on 3/23. Planning OV. Primary competition: Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon
Cameron Sparks	ATH/WR	6-3	205	2025	4	115	0.9464	Top in-state WR - visited multiple times. Primary competition: Auburn and Georgia
Travis Smith Jr.	WR	6-4	191	2025	4	119	0.9453	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia
Christian Garrett	DL	6-3.5	285	2025	4	134	0.9416	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia
Marcus Harris	WR	5-11.5	180	2025	4	141	0.9397	OV scheduled for 6/7. Primary competition: Alabama, Oregon, Texas
Phillip Bell	WR	6-2	195	2025	4	150	0.9378	Just visited on 4/1, OV scheduled for 6/18. Primary competition: Penn State, Ohio State, USC, Washington
Juan Gaston	OT	6-7	345	2025	4	159	0.9400	"Vols in Top 3" - Visited twice in '23. Primary competition: Georgia, Oregon, South Carolina
Mariyon Dye	Edge	6-5	255	2025	4	175	0.9317	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Georgia, Miami, Ohio State
Cortez Harris	Edge	6-2	200	2025	4	190	0.9278	OV not yet scheduled. Primary competition: Maryland, Penn State, Virginia Tech
Jayden Woods	Edge	6-3	240	2025	4	206	0.9234	UT in Top 5 on 4/18. OV not yet scheduled. Primary competition: Florida, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Jadyn Hudson	S	6-2	175	2025	4	208	0.9232	Offered in 2023. Primary competition: TBD
Bryce Jenkins	DL	6-5	315	2025	4	219	0.9185	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Maryland
Jaylen Williams	DL	6-6	265	2025	4	230	0.9160	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska
Jaelyne Matthews	OT	6-5	290	2025	4	247	0.9123	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Georgia, Maryland, Rutgers, Miami, Syracuse
Jaylan Morgan	S	6-0	180	2025	4	263	0.9098	In-state S - visited 5 times in '23. Plays 7-on-7 with MacIntyre & Sparks. Crystal Ball to Tennessee by Steve Wiltfong
Dontrell Glover	IOL	6-2	315	2024	3	280	0.9064	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Florida State, Georgia
Onis Konanbanny	CB	6-1	180	2025	4	287	0.9046	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Miami, Penn State, UNC
Waden Charles	ATH	6-2	185	2025	4	293	0.9032	Miami commit. Miami & Florida Schools
Chauncey Gooden	IOL	6-4	320	2025	4	296	0.9028	In-state IOL - Visited 6 times - 3 times in '23. Primary competition: Clemson
Jay'len Mosley	S	6-0	190	2025	4	308	0.9011	In-state S - visited twice in '23. Grew up liking Tennessee. Primary competition: TBD
Brandon Brown	DL	6-1.5	286	2025	4	317	0.9001	Texas commit. OV scheduled for 6/7. Primary competition: Texas, USC
Thomas Blackshear	WR	6-1	197	2025	4	322	0.8988	Visited once in '23. Former teammate of Jake Merklinger. Primary competition: Georgia and FSU (Top 3)
Bobby Kanka	DL	6-4	255	2025	4	370	0.8928	OV scheduled on 6/21. Primary competition: Michigan, Michigan State
Darius Afalava	IOL	6-5	320	2025	4	384	0.8910	OV scheduled for 6/7. Primary competition: Utah, Washington
Kaden Strayhorn	IOL	6-3	295	2025	4	424	0.8875	Visited once in '23 and camped in '21. Primary competition: Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Texas
Terrance "Deuce" Edwards	CB	6-1	180	2025	3	472	0.8836	Visited once in '23. Primary competition: Clemson, Louisville, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech
Ja'kayden Ferguson	WR	6-1	160	2025	3	474	0.8833	Visited twice in '23. Primary competition: TBD
Mal Waldrep	OT	6-5	320	2025	3	483	0.8828	OV scheduled on 6/21 Primary competition: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida
Tre Poteat	CB	6-1	175	2025	3	500	0.8820	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Iowa State, Michigan, Wisconsin
Logan Powell	OT	6-4	280	2025	3	512	0.8813	OV not yet scheduled. Primary competition: Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma
Todd Robinson	RB	5-11	195	2025	3	525	0.8800	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia
Noah Flores	TE	6-4	230	2025	3	573	0.8781	Tennessee in Top 5. Primary competition: Arizona, Hawaii, Penn State, Washington
Charles House	DL	6-3	288	2025	3	592	0.8768	OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Georgia, Florida, FSU, Miami, LSU
Brandon Caesar	DL	6-4	255	2025	3	659	0.8731	OV scheduled for 6/21. Primary competition: Kentucky, Ohio State
Jacobe Ward	IOL	6-4	335	2025	3	670	0.8726	Vols in Top 10. OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Auburn, LSU, SCAR
Jayden Loftin	Edge	6-4	235	2025	3	766	0.8678	OV scheduled for 6/7. Primary competition: Minnesota, Penn State, West Virginia
Kris Thompson	LB	6-0	215	2025	3	936	0.8583	Visited on 2/3/24. Former teammate of Kaleb Beasley and Edwin Spillman. Primary competition: TBD
Antoni Ogumoro	IOL	6-4.5	315	2025	NR	NR	NR	UT "definitely at the top" after 2/3/24 visit. OV scheduled for 5/3. Primary competition: Kansas State, Missouri, North Carolina
Shekai Mills-Knight	RB	6-1	217	2025	NR	NR	NR	Teammate of George MacIntyre. OV scheduled for 6/14. Primary competition: Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon

Recruiting Notes

• TARGET LOSS: 2025 4* LB Abduall Sanders Jr. committed to Alabama on 3/21/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 3* ATH Daune Morris has committed to USC at 4/7/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 3* Edge Anthony Addison has committed to South Carolina on 4/12/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 4* LB Jaedon Harmon committed to Alabama on 4/14/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 4* WR Isaiah Mozee committed to Oregon on 4/17/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 3* DL Caleb Williams committed to South Carolina on 4/21/24
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 3* CB Dajon Hinton committed to Arizona State on 4/28/24.
• TARGET LOSS: 2025 4* RB Marquise Davis committed to Kentucky on 5/1/24.
• Tennessee is scheduled for 37 OV's in the first 3 week of June (WK1: 4, WK2: 17, WK3: 16).

Hello all, this is my fourth attempt and I recently went back and read my two attempts from TWO YEARS ago! How much my book has changed since then after my final revisions! I'm beginning my official querying journey, so any feedback is welcome.
Dear ,
What if one day, you woke up living a fairytale? The castle, the ball, and the prince? In THE ROSE GARDEN, my 100,000-word fantasy romance standalone with series potential, this becomes 20-year-old Idalia Wolff’s reality, but at a price that may just take her life.
As the Dust Bowl devastates America’s heartland, Idalia has come to terms with her simple, unassuming existence. That is until a wounded stranger is delivered to her door one summer night. The stranger, handsome, silver-tongued Rose Pierre, possesses a secret—one that Idalia shares and has spent her entire life concealing.
Idalia and Rose are Embermarked. Society treats their kind adjacent to witches in the 17th century, as each Embermarked is born with a single, unique Gift. Rose, the fourth in line to the Dracon Counsel—the ruling body of the Embermarked—wields the extraordinary ability to manipulate nature, while Idalia carries the useless burden of an infallible memory. Not only are they Embermarked, but they share the bond of Kindreds, two people whose fates are forever intertwined as soulmates.
When Idalia’s town discovers Rose’s true identity, they arrive at her doorstep with pitchforks, forcing Idalia to leave her life behind. Rose whisks her away to Suttara, New York, a summer playground for the richest of Embermarked, and invites her to live in The Garden, his ancestral estate. Yet, the halls permeate with fresh grief from the sudden and mysterious death of Hazel, Rose’s sister.
As she settles into her new life of grand balls, forbidden labyrinths, and blood rituals, she captures the attention and affection of the cold Thorn Lavigne, Rose’s closest confidant and human lie detector. Together they discover that Idalia’s arrival to The Garden was not by chance but carefully orchestrated by Rose. The veneer of opulence Rose has so carefully crafted continues to crack when Idalia discovers there is a Weaver hiding among them—someone who can reshape reality itself. Even worse, the Weaver seems dead-set on taking Idalia’s life to keep their identity concealed.
There is a deadly game being played in The Garden, a game that has already claimed Hazel’s life and if Idalia can’t keep up, she will be next. Welcome to The Garden, where love, lust, betrayal, and magic intertwine.
*
First 300 words:
There was seldom a dark day in the beautiful Suttara, New York, a city that served as a summer playground for the richest and most powerful of Embermarked. Every June, families from old money returned to their towering mansions on hundred-acre estates until August, when the morning wind turned too cold to take tea on the east-wing veranda solely reserved for breakfast.
New debutantes paraded around ballrooms and drank too much at parties like baby birds just learning to fly. Summers for these young women meant their first taste of the rest of their lives. It was where they’d find husbands, or at the very least, lovers. They’d learn if they could hold down their liquor or if the smallest sip of champagne would bubble in their gut and send them retching to the nearest powder room. Most importantly, they would discover their delicate beauty, charm, and hammered-in etiquette meant nothing when it came to finding a mate. Instead, their Gift mattered most, and how their future husband and in-laws could use it to climb higher in the world.
Summer nights were filled with the thrumming beats of hired orchestras and the quick falls of a hundred feet dancing across marble tile. But there was no crescendo now, to drown out the eerie silence of the few mourners on this cold August day. They huddled under a hastily placed canopy, noses stuffy and eyes stinging. Instead of white summer linens, they wore black, resembling a murder of crows.
Before them was a six-foot-deep grave pit. A small mountain of dirt piled high to the left, where a torrent of rain pelted down, turning it into a mess of slipping mud. There was no preacher nor gravestone. But there were flowers of every color, kind, and variation, hastily stuffed into crystal vases.
*
Thank you for taking the time to read and critique. Thank you, thank you.

After four games, it seems pretty clear that the Miami Heat just don’t have enough talent on their roster right now to hang with the Celtics. All game long, Stav Van Gundy was slamming Boston’s defensive effort from the broadcast booth, and yet they were blowing Miami out. Maybe Joe Mazzulla was right, at least in this series, about playing the percentages and letting Miami’s wings shoot from the outside. But that being said, though the outcome of the series isn’t in doubt, there are still things that the fire of the playoffs can reveal about a team. In this case, I feel there are two things that have crystallized for me in watching these first four games.
First and foremost, this is still a defensive team at heart, at least based on the roster. They misled us all season by blasting teams to smithereens with superior firepower, but the way they’ve won for the last few years with this core is defense. With the best defensive backcourt in the NBA and the top six players in their rotation all being well above average on that side of the ball, they should have a superior defense to every team in the playoffs except for possibly Minnesota and Orlando. With Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, what they’ve really done is improve their shaky-at-times offense to complement their elite defense.
However, I’m not sure that Joe Mazzulla realizes this. We have evidence that he is an offense-leaning coach. He shied away from the Robert Williams + Al Horford lineup that was their bread and butter during the Ime Udoka season, preferring instead to play small and free-flowing while shooting a lot of three-pointers. The way they’ve played all season has reinforced that ideology. But the overwhelming advantage they have against nearly every team in the league, an advantage that popped up in flashes against the Heat, is that when this team locks in defensively and applies the same pressure they did under Udoka, they are really, really difficult to score and take care of the ball against. And with the new rules allowing for increased physicality from defenders this year, the Celtics are one of the teams best positioned to take advantage. Their roster is nigh perfect for slowed down, sloppy, physical playoff games. I’m just not sure the coaching staff knows that.
On the subject of offense though, it has become increasingly clear that Jayson Tatum is simply not the kind of player you can describe as “being an offense unto himself.” He is a very skilled offensive player, but he’s not the kind of player who can get your team through a tough stretch by just demanding the ball over and over again, at least not in most games. This means the Celtic offense has to have all of its major pillars running in order to score efficiently enough to beat the best teams. These pillars are, in my estimation: Jayson Tatum punishing other perimeter players inside the arc; Porzinigis punishing switches; Derrick White and Jrue Holiday getting penetration /moving the ball; Jaylen Brown attacking as an opportunistic supplementary scorer, usually by using his explosiveness. Their importance is, perhaps, in that order. If one isn’t working in a particular game, they should move down the line and try to extract more from one of the other three areas.
What is the point in saying all this? Well, the Celtics would be well served cutting out everything that doesn’t fall into one of these pillars. Now, obviously if other players have opportunities to score, they should take them; I’ve totally come around on Sam Hauser, for instance, and I feel very good when the ball ends up in his hands from beyond the arc. But in the halfcourt, there should be no “fluff” possessions where one or more of the pillars is cast aside in favor of, say, Jayson Tatum draining the clock dry and then shooting a stepback three over a defender he could easily score on inside the arc. Or letting Jaylen Brown try to isolate on a “weak” defender over and over again while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday sit in the corner, neglected.
Again, if Jaylen Brown is having one of those games where he has somebody in the torture chamber like he had Luka Doncic earlier in the year, then by all means, exploit that matchup. But when the offense is struggling, as it will in the playoffs, the Celtics should look to the pillars to find ways to score. We’ve been talking all year about how the Celtics have five potential All-Stars in their starting lineup. It is time they use them.

After four games, it seems pretty clear that the Miami Heat just don’t have enough talent on their roster right now to hang with the Celtics. All game long, Stav Van Gundy was slamming Boston’s defensive effort from the broadcast booth, and yet they were blowing Miami out. Maybe Joe Mazzulla was right, at least in this series, about playing the percentages and letting Miami’s wings shoot from the outside.
But that being said, though the outcome of the series isn’t in doubt, there are still things that the fire of the playoffs can reveal about a team. In this case, I feel there are two things that have crystallized for me in watching these first four games.
First and foremost, this is still a defensive team at heart, at least based on the roster. They misled us all season by blasting teams to smithereens with superior firepower, but the way they’ve won for the last few years with this core is defense. With the best defensive backcourt in the NBA and the top six players in their rotation all being well above average on that side of the ball, they should have a superior defense to every team in the playoffs except for possibly Minnesota and Orlando. With Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, what they’ve really done is improve their shaky-at-times offense to complement their elite defense.
However, I’m not sure that Joe Mazzulla realizes this. We have evidence that he is an offense-leaning coach. He shied away from the Robert Williams + Al Horford lineup that was their bread and butter during the Ime Udoka season, preferring instead to play small and free-flowing while shooting a lot of three-pointers. The way they’ve played all season has reinforced that ideology. But the overwhelming advantage they have against nearly every team in the league, an advantage that popped up in flashes against the Heat, is that when this team locks in defensively and applies the same pressure they did under Udoka, they are really, really difficult to score and take care of the ball against. And with the new rules allowing for increased physicality from defenders this year, the Celtics are one of the teams best positioned to take advantage. Their roster is nigh perfect for slowed down, sloppy, physical playoff games. I’m just not sure the coaching staff know that.
On the subject of offense though, it has become increasingly clear that Jayson Tatum is simply not the kind of player you can describe as “being an offense unto himself.” He is a very skilled offensive player, but he’s not the kind of player who can get your team through a tough stretch by just demanding the ball over and over again, at least not in most games. This means the Celtic offense has to have all of its major pillars running in order to score efficiently enough to beat the best teams. These pillars are, in my estimation: Jayson Tatum punishing other perimeter players inside the arc; Porzinigis punishing switches; Derrick White and Jrue Holiday getting penetration /moving the ball; Jaylen Brown attacking as an opportunistic supplementary scorer, usually by using his explosiveness. Their importance is, perhaps, in that order. If one isn’t working in a particular game, they should move down the line and try to extract more from one of the other three areas.
What is the point in saying all this? Well, the Celtics would be well served cutting out everything that doesn’t fall into one of these pillars. Now, obviously if other players have opportunities to score, they should take them; I’ve totally come around on Sam Hauser, for instance, and I feel very good when the ball ends up in his hands from beyond the arc. But in the halfcourt, there should be no “fluff” possessions where one or more of the pillars is cast aside in favor of, say, Jayson Tatum draining the clock dry and then shooting a stepback three over a defender he could easily score on inside the arc. Or letting Jaylen Brown try to isolate on a “weak” defender over and over again while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday sit in the corner, neglected.
Again, if Jaylen Brown is having one of those games where he has somebody in the torture chamber like he had Luka Doncic earlier in the year, then by all means, exploit that matchup. But when the offense is struggling, as it will in the playoffs, the Celtics should look to the pillars to find ways to score. We’ve been talking all year about how the Celtics have five potential All-Stars in their starting lineup. It is time they use them.

“A little to the right, William,” Eleanor said warmly, noticing the boy was having trouble centering the baby’s breath and forget-me-nots exploding from the clear crystal vase.
“Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery,” William responded with a small smile.
She had given up on telling him to call her Eleanor, so she gave him a slight nod and went on her way. Tonight was her first gala since the New Year; everything needed to be perfect. Eleanor strode through the ballroom, her fingers grazing the cotton tablecloths as she eyed the decorations with a harsh gaze.
Eleanor was barefoot, dressed in a simple nightgown, her hair done up in curlers. It was odd for a woman of her status to let herself be seen in such a state, but Eleanor trusted her staff not to gossip, and she didn’t see her husband nearly enough for him to cause a problem.
After a final sweep of the room, she deemed it fit for the ball and headed up the grand staircase to her room. There, she spent the next two hours getting ready. She carved cheekbones with a light brown powder, lined her eyes to make them look sharper, and selected the perfect nude to color her lips. She was beautiful, agonizingly so. Blonde curls flowed effortlessly down her shoulders, her dress a misty blue; it always matched the flowers. She wore diamonds around her neck and ears, though they reminded one more of pristine water droplets than real gems. Without the click of her heels on the hardwood, one would think she was merely floating down the hallway.
Eleanor reached the top of the grand staircase, stopping to look down on the guests mingling below. She observed them for a moment, invisible to them on the stairs like she was a falcon preparing to swoop down and snatch up prey. That’s what Eleanor fancied herself: a predator. The ballroom was enormous. Looking down at it almost gave her vertigo; she was standing on a precipice of good manners and fake laughter, ready to jump. Marvelous, intricate carvings stretched to the ceiling, lit perfectly by several glass chandeliers, ready to fall in a clash of glass and blood.
Eleanor inhaled deeply, oxygen reaching the dark depths of her lungs, excitement making her head spin. The chorus of small talk stopped, all eyes on her as she descended; the echo of heels was deafening. She often gave a welcome once she reached the bottom, but tonight, it felt redundant. So, as she stepped on the floor level with her guests, she smiled, waved her hand, and said in a casual but practiced tone, “Well, go on!”
The chorus returned. Eleanor began to make her rounds, determined to talk to every guest. She snagged a glass of champagne on her way to chat with her bridge group.
“Ladies! How are we this evening? I’m dying to catch up,” Eleanor said, a convincing fake smile plastered on her face.
“Eleanor, you have done it again! The ball has barely started, and it's already an exceptional hit,” the woman across from Eleanor said.
“Thank you, Charlotte,” Eleanor responded, “So, catch me up! I haven’t heard a piece of news in a whole week.”
“Someone shouldn’t miss the weekly bridge game, then,” Charlotte said, a cheerycheery tone replaced by a passive-aggressive one.
“Oh, come off it, Charlotte, it's not Eleanor’s fault,” another woman commented.
“Thank you, Elsie. If you want to blame anyone, blame Henry.” Eleanor smirked, “He’s the one who kept me up so late…”
The girls giggled at the suggestive comment and delved into catching Eleanor up on what she missed.
Several conversations and one crude comment from one of Henry’s coworkers later, Eleanor decided to slip away for a moment. She dipped into the kitchen, using the back staircase to avoid suspicion. She walked into the library, another great room in her home, though hardly any rooms were less than vast. The library was dark, relying heavily on big windows that let in natural light and a few gas lamps that flickered weakly. There were rows and rows of bookshelves reaching to the ceiling. Eleanor had always wanted a sliding ladder, but Henry didn’t see the point in her reading, much less her physically climbing literary heights. A small seating area was opposite the door, with plush leather chairs and ashtrays stacked on end tables. Eleanor loved the library; it was always quiet, not that the mansion was ever loud, but the books seemed to have a way of oppressing the mere thought of noise.
It was not quiet now. Eleanor could hear the light rustle of turning pages and the soft in and out of breath. Someone was there, standing in her library, leafing through one of her books.
“Who are you?” Eleanor asked, anger and suspicion evident in her voice.
The man, loitering in the middle of her library, looked up and smiled at her.
“Who are you?” the man questioned back.
“I asked first,” Eleanor replied.
“I asked second,” the man said; Eleanor rolled her eyes.
“It’s my house.”
The man narrowed his eyes before his face split into the same easy smile, “Fine, I concede. You win. Wesley Ackworth,” he said, extending his hand toward Eleanor.
Eleanor looked him up and down before gingerly taking his hand, ‘Eleanor Montgomery.”
Wesley was handsome. He was tall and fit. His dark hair fell perfectly on his face, and he wore a gentle smile that lit up his light brown eyes. She would have been flustered if she had not spent most of her time staring at a mirror, practicing and perfecting her facial expressions, controlling the minuscule muscles that threatened to twitch. She had half the mind to order him to leave and let her bask in silence. Instead, she gestured for him to sit opposite her in the extravagant leather chair.
“Why are you in my library?” She questioned, intrigue trumping anger.
“I was bored,” the man sighed.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes, “I don’t know you.” 

“I don’t know you either; we already have so much in common.”
Eleanor scoffed and pressed on, “I know everyone here, but not you.”
“I came with Charlotte.”
“Charlotte Baker?”
“Yes,” Wesley said, “I believe she is in your bridge group.”
“Oh, she’s lovely to play with,” Eleanor lied effortlessly.
“I’m sure she is,” Wesley said, smiling knowingly, “Is it my turn to ask a question?”
“I suppose so,” Eleanor said.
“You don’t drink,” Wesley says, though it's not a question.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Sherlock Holmes,” Eleanor responded, tilting her head toward the end table where she had set down her glass.
“It’s full.”
“It was just refilled.”
“When a cold liquid is poured into a warm glass, condensation forms on the outside. And yet, I find there is an absence of condensation on your glass.”
Eleanor said nothing, choosing to glare at Wesley, curiosity bubbling in her stomach.
“There aren’t any lipstick marks on the rim of the glass either,” Wesley continued; Eleanor unconsciously pursed her lips.
“I’m a careful drinker.”
The pair stared at each other for a long second, like cowboys ready to draw.
“You don’t drink.”
“I don’t drink,” Eleanor said, suddenly bored of the game.
“Why?” he questioned.
“Uh uh uh,” Eleanor tsked, “It’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Fine.”
“Why are you here?” Eleanor asked.
“I came with Charlotte, as I’ve said.”
“Charlotte has a husband. Are you her mistress?” she asked, voice laced with sarcasm.
Wesley rolled his eyes, “He’s sick. I’m her brother. ”
“You’re lying,” Eleanor gasped, feigned sympathy plastered on her face, leaning forward in mock interest.
Wesley stared at her momentarily, eyes sliding up and down her figure.
“He’s dying, actually—cancer. I’m here in his absence,” he said.
“Poor Charlotte,” Eleanor said, concern etched into her voice, tears forming but never spilling.
“Poor, poor Charlotte,” Wesley smiled knowingly.
“It’s good you’re here then.”
“Yes. It is,” Wesley said, leaning toward Eleanor as he spoke, flirtation dripping from his voice.
Eleanor mirrored his action and opened her mouth to say something but thought better. Instead, she smirked, lifted herself from her chair, grabbed her drink, and left.
The rest of the party went along as they all did: she pretended to be drunker than she was, spilling messy secrets in not-so-hushed whispers before ending the night bidding adieu from the top of the stairs. She would then retire to her room and sleep as if she were a corpse: dead and peaceful.
Two days later, Eleanor received a thank you note. This wasn’t uncommon; she usually got five or six, but his letter differed. It was more personal than the other letters, which were littered with simple pleasantries and thanks.
My Dearest Eleanor,
I cannot say I enjoyed most of the party; in fact, most of it was immensely dreary. You weren’t, though. I’ll be in attendance next time. In the same spot. I look forward to your company.

 -Wesley 

Though the note's confidence amused Eleanor, she told herself she would not sneak away to the library during the next ball. She was lying, of course; blood thudded through her veins, and a small tingling sounded through her whole body. It was a feeling she had yet to feel about another person: excitement—not the dull, fleeting excitement lying brought her.
A month and four days had passed since Eleanor’s last gala. She stood in the ballroom, practically giddy with excitement. She could feel it in her fingertips, the buzzing that made her feel alive. It was stupid. She knew it was. How could a woman like her be so excited to throw a party? But she was. God, she was. Eleanor came up with the conclusion that it was the control— the weight of the strings as she maneuvered them like puppets. She craved it.
Eleanor’s gown was green this time —dark and emerald. Tendrils of lace stretched down her arms, mimicking vines. She had dainty white flowers stuck in her hair. It was the beginning of spring, and Eleanor loved a theme.
It was nearing the end of the ball when Eleanor ascended the stairs and walked down the familiar dark hallway. She was eager but forced herself to slow down her steps so as not to give off her anticipation. She stalled in front of the door, dark wood carved with intricate florals, taking a deep breath to the jittering of her brain. It sickened her to want something so innocently —to be antsy like a child.
“Eleanor,” Wesley called; he was sitting in the same chair as last time, back turned to her.
“Wesley,” Eleanor responded, sitting opposite him; her champagne glass thunked dully as it hit the side table.
“Have you been here the whole time?” Eleanor asked, eyeing the book propped open in Wesley’s lap.
“I had a drink first.”
“Is someone a little eager?” she teased, deflecting her excitement.
“Someone is very bored of the socialite life already,” Wesley said, closing the book and plopping it down on a side table.
“You’ve been to one party, Wesley. Calling yourself a socialite is so egotistical of you,” Eleanor scoffed.
“Oh, because it takes so much to be wealthy and beautiful.”
“Darling, more than you would ever believe,” she said, leaning in as if it were a secret.
Wesley laughed and rolled his eyes, letting silence settle over them before asking, “Is it my turn to ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why do you pretend to be someone you are not?”
Eleanor stalled for a moment, “It’s fun.”
“It’s fun?”
“Is that not a sufficient answer?” she narrowed her eyes at him.
“What is the honest answer?” he said.
“I get a question first,” she smirked.
“Fine.”
“Are you some kind of recluse? There has to be a reason I’ve never seen you.”
“I live in America.”
She laughed shortly, “Well, that would be why.”
He smiled before restating the question, “What is the honest answer?
“You know, I pity your wife. You obviously don’t know that a lady requires a little foreplay before jumping right in.”
He smirked but stayed silent.
Eleanor sighed, “For a second, Wesley, imagine my life. I’m home, alone, all day with nothing to do but sit with myself. I was going mad; one can only have so many brunches before they get exceptionally dull. So I started…pretending as you so gracefully put it. It made my life interesting again.”
Wesley simply stared at her, eyes narrowing. Calculating.
“You think I’m lying,” she smiled.
“No. I don’t,” Wesley said.

My Dearest Eleanor, There are other things that can make your life interesting. -Wesley 

Eleanor did not respond. She tucked the letter away in the bottom drawer of her bedside table. She knew her silence was answer enough.
Once, they met on a balcony. It was the middle of summer, and Eleanor decided to have the ball in the courtyard. It made more sense in the warmer months; the house would get too stuffy to be comfortable with so many people.
A soft, warm wind caressed Eleanor’s face. She sighed. They hadn’t had much to talk about tonight; Charlotte’s husband passed only a week prior, putting a sort of damper on the party. The two were standing on a terrace off the side of the house so as not to be in full view of the guests.
“Wesley, I’m bored,” Eleanor complained.
“Is it my turn to ask a question?”
“I honestly do not care.”
Wesley smiled at her, “Do you love him?”
“Henry?” she asked.
Wesley nodded.
“No,” she stated simply.
“Then why are you with him?”
“I have no other choice.”
“You always have a choice, Eleanor,” Wesley sighed.
“Maybe you do. That’s not how it works for us.”
Wesley rolled his eyes, “Us?”
“Us. Women. Wesley, I was married a week after my 18th birthday. I hadn’t even met Henry yet. Do you have any idea what that’s like?” Eleanor said as she felt rage rise within her, threatening to spill out in the form of saline and salt.
“That doesn’t mean you didn’t have a choice,” he said.
Eleanor scoffed.
“Well, you have a choice now, at least,” he supplied.
“Oh yeah, and what choice is that?” Eleanor laughed mirthlessly.
“You could leave him.”
“And give up all the wealth a girl could dream of? No, thank you,” Eleanor joked, desperate to calm the instinct to tear Wesley limb from limb.
“Is the wealth worth being married to a prick?”
“Oh, absolutely,” she said, fake smile plastered on, “How do you know he’s a prick?”
“I work with him,” Wesley said.
“I’m sorry. Since when?” Eleanor asked, slightly taken aback.
“I started around five years ago, and then two years later, they asked me to take over the branch in America. Those first three years were terrible; I mean, he really is a wanker. How can one man be so obnoxious?”
Eleanor laughed genuinely. There was a beat of silence.
“Does he at least love you?”
“No.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Wesley, we sleep in separate rooms. We see each other once a day at dinner, if that. Plus, I’m fairly certain he’s sleeping with Elsie.”
“The dark-haired girl from your bridge group?”
“That’s the one.”
“See, he’s an absolute bastard. She’s not even pretty,” he said, the latter part coming out as a whisper.
“How do you know?” Wesley added.
“That he’s sleeping with her?”
Wesley nodded in response.
“I’ve seen the way she looks at him. You don’t look at someone like that and not have seen them naked.”
Wesley chuckled.
Eleanor smiled, “How’s your wife then? Better than my wanker of a husband?”
Wesley glanced down before answering, “I’m not married.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Really,” he answered.

My Dearest, Eleanor, I feel I must apologize. (Not for the wanker comment. I’ve just come from cigars with the man; God, he is obnoxious.) I’m sorry, Eleanor. -Wesley 

The letters kept coming, always arriving a day or two after the gala, always without a return address. She would never admit it, but it excited her. She finally had someone to let it. To conspire with.
Eleanor loved dancing. Her parents started her in classes when she was six. Fourteen children bumbling around a dance studio trying to master the steps of the waltz through the speakers of a record with a broken needle. The instructor screeched orders over the music. Eleanor had thought her like a hawk, perched in the corner waiting to swoop down on an unsuspecting pair of dancers. She even looked like a hawk with her sharp downward-pointing nose and scowl drawn on her face.
The children around her whined about the class; quiet whispering about the Hawk’s wrath was all to be heard on their infrequent water breaks. Eleanor would stay silent, instead choosing to watch the Hawk pace the floors, feet stepping in a perfect forty-five-degree angle, head held high. Eleanor was jealous of her menacing grace.
The truth is Eleanor only cared for dancing if she was leading. The push and pull of dance was one thing, but pushing and pulling another person was her specialty. Some days, a boy would be missing from class, and she volunteered to step in. Eleanor enjoyed the uncertainty in her partner’s face as the music began. She would lead them through a path unfamiliar to them. Only Eleanor knew their next move. She would speed up as the music crescendoed, relying on muscle memory as she made her next step, each dance a performance of her ability to control.
Eleanor did not enjoy this dance. She was supposed to be leading it. But now, as Wesley sat across from her in her courtyard, it was her with uncertainty plastered on her face.
Eleanor shifted uncomfortably in the metal garden chair. She resented Wesley for how comfortable he looked. He had shown up at her door unannounced wearing a cream-colored dress shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. It was loosely tucked into dark brown slacks. Casual attire suited him; it sickened her to see him so informal, like he was breaking an unspoken rule between them.
It was beautiful outside. The air was warm and fresh and smelled of blooming honeysuckle. Eleanor took a deep breath. When Eleanor was a child, she and her friends would run out into the fields of her childhood home and pick the flowers right off the tree. She could taste the sickly sweet syrup on her tongue. She grimaced in disgust.
“Wesley, why are you here?” Eleanor pressed.
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m lying,” he admits with a soft smile.
Eleanor doesn’t respond, choosing to glare at the man instead. This wasn't the game they played; it was never this dangerous.
“I wanted to see you.”
“What if someone saw you come here, Wesley?” she said, anxiety leaking into her voice, “What would they think?”
“Who cares, Eleanor?”
“I care,” Eleanor said, rising from her seat and looking out at the garden, back to Wesley, her voice forceful, “How can you be so arrogantarogant?”
They both knew the answer.
Eleanor could hear the metal scraping of his chair as Wesley stood up. She counted his light steps as he walked toward her. She felt the heat of his body on her back, mere inches from her. Eleanor closed her eyes and sighed. She turned around. Wesley was so close. She could see the lightest of freckles splattered across his face.
“Wesley,” she said cautiously.
He stayed silent. They stood there, staring at each other like a strange game of chicken. Eleanor didn’t know how long the staring contest lasted; it could have been hours. And then it was over. Eleanor looked away. Then Wesley’s hands were cupping her face and pulling her forward. His hands were warm and soft, the privilege of white collar evident to the touch. His lips were rougher than expected, but she leaned in regardless. Her hands were trapped between them, laying flat on Wesley’s chest. Warmth spread through her whole body; she grabbed desperately at his shirt, pulling him closer before shoving him away entirely.
“I can’t,” tears fell from her golden lashes, her voice fluttered with emotion.
“Why not?” Wesley said quietly, so very quietly.
Eleanor said nothing; she only stared at him apologetically, mouth parted as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. She pushed past him and walked back into the house.
The next several months went on without mention of the kiss. Eleanor held many more events; she had almost completed her color rotation, though the dresses never repeated. After blue and green, it was creme, then violet, blush, black, and finally a deep vermillion.
Tonight, Eleanor was wearing vermillion. Holly ran down the rail of the stairs. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling. A gargantuan tree loomed in the corner of the ballroom, decorated with beautiful glass ornaments. The smell of pine drifted through the whole house, filling Eleanor with a nostalgic itch close to innocence and excitement. Her parents always made such a big deal out of the holidays, showering her with gifts and affection; it was muscle memory for her to be jittery with excitement.
Eleanor was seated like a king in the soft leather chair, posture straight as an arrow, face split with a wry grin. The gas lamps that usually lit the library were extinguished and replaced by candles, making the room dim, romantic even. The flickering lights cast harsh shadows on Eleanor; she looked ravishing.
“Did you get me a Christmas gift?” she asked Wesley, eyes glaring.
“In a way,” he smirked at her.
She gasped like a child, “Did you really?”
He pulled a black velvet jewelry box out of his suit pocket. Eleanor gingerly took it into her hands, opening it with cautious hands. It was a slip of paper—a ticket.
Eleanor’s face fell into a severe expression, “Wesley.”
Wesley stood up from his chair, kneeled before Eleanor, and took her hand into his, “Come with me.”
Her stomach plummeted. The ground beneath her feet was gone. Eleanor had not jumped off the cliff; she had been pushed. Pushed into the realm of knowing. She could no longer ignore the passing glances and dripping innuendoes. Wesley ripped off the blindfold, leaving the truth bare and ugly.
“Wesley,” Eleanor said again, suddenly breathless, vision blurring.
“Charlotte is fine. Her husband passed away months ago. It’s time for me to leave. And I want you to come with me, Eleanor.”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course.”
Eleanor stood up, ripping her hand from his, and turned away, “No.”
“What?” Wesley said quietly.
“No. I won’t go with you.”
“Why not?” he was raising his voice now, sadness edging into his tone.
“Wesley, I am married,” she says like a mother scolding her child, “I have a life here.”
Eleanor's back was to him, her posture hunched, like a wounded animal covering gashings of an attack. For the first time in a long time, she seemed frail and small, a baby bird with a broken wing.
“What life?” he pauses to breathe, “You have no life here.”
“How dare you,” she is suddenly very quiet; it is not a question.
“Eleanor, I love you,” he pleads, “I could give you more than this.”
She whips around, looking him in the eyes, tears running down her face, “Why must I always want more!”
Eleanor does not look frail anymore, her shadow dark and ugly behind her. She stands up tall, her shoulders set. Eleanor is yelling now, voice crescendoing; she’s loud enough that the whole party would hear her if there were not a small orchestra playing downstairs. She does not care.
Wesley takes a deep gulp of air, “You were meant to come with me, why don’t you want to?”
His voice is barely audible.
“What?” Eleanor whispers, more to herself than Wesley, and then a louder, “What do you mean?”
Her face is dry, set in stone. Her cheeks are pink with the warmth of the rage boiling inside her.
“I just meant that-”
She cuts him off, “No. You didn’t ‘just mean.’ I have known you for nearly a year now, Wesley, and you have never once ‘just meant’ anything. Why am I meant to go with you?”
Already losing the battle, Wesley concedes, “He told me you would.”
“Who.”
“Eleanor, come on. You are smarter than this.”
“I need you to say it,” she spits.
Wesley is desperate, trying to put the blindfold back on, mend the wounds he tore, undo what cannot be undone. He is failing. Wesley knows he has no play left; in the metaphorical chess game they have been playing, he is surrounded. Rooks and bishops were slaughtered on the checkered tile; his king was backed into a corner, the white flag in his hand served as his only weapon.
“Henry. Henry told me you would go with me. I needed a wife, and he didn’t want you,” he throws the game.
She turns back toward the window, looking into the still night, “Get out.”
His king is gutted, Eleanor stands victorious.
“Eleanor,” he pleads.
“Get out, Wesley.”
He turns to leave, knowing hope is lost, dress shoes scuffing across the wooden floor. Wesley pauses in the doorway, the light from the hallway casting dark shadows over his figure.
“I do love you,” he says, no louder than a whisper, “I’m sorry.”
Eleanor hears him take a step.
“I would have gone,” she breathes out.
He stops.
“Eleanor,” Wesley says cautiously.
“I would have gone with you. I would have packed my bags, found out when the ship was leaving, and ran down to the dock to meet you.”
Wesley says nothing, but she hears a soft, broken exhale and the click of his shoes as he recedes down the hallway.
Nothing is the same. The parties blur past Eleanor. Blue, then green, then creme, and so on, pass by her in a flurry of rainbow and satin. She drinks. She is sloppy with her lies. Eleanor becomes her facade. Henry and her start to sleep in the same room again, like when they were first married; he suddenly finds her charming where she once was brash. Eleanor pretends to be happy, and so she is.
And then it's Christmas, and holly decorates the railings, and a giant tree goes up in the ballroom, and Eleanor is wearing vermillion. Her childlike glee is gone, youthful adolescence no longer shrouding the holiday in glowing lights and neatly wrapped presents.
There is a letter in the mail. Eleanor reads it just once before lighting a fire in the hand-carved stone fireplace and tossing it in.
My Dearest, Eleanor,

 I have married. She’s nice. Lovely, even. Nothing like you. With all my love, Wesley