The Ride

Chapter Twenty

Gelo

"Louisville's Max Carrick is having the most sensational freshman year that we've seen in years. There's been hype behind him since his senior year at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and he's been living up to every bit of it. He's now averaging near a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assist per game, leading the entire ACC. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, there's no doubt that he's in the lead for not only ACC Rookie of the Year but ACC Player of the Year."

"But Bart that's only speaking on the conference level. This kid is putting up the numbers to be selected as the Naismith Player of the Year- given to the top basketball player in collegiate basketball nationally. Winning that would put him in the ranks of past recipients like Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant who won the award as freshmen."

"My son," Conan nodded, laid back in his recliner as he held his grand daughter, proudly looking on as Max was discussed among the ESPN commentators a few minutes before the game was scheduled to tip off, "I'm so proud of my boy."

Conan and Maria had invited Aubrey, Mila, Elena and I over for their traditional Sunday dinner. It was a plus that Max was playing around the same time so that we could all watch him together. The girls were in the kitchen putting the last touches on whatever it was that had the house smelling phenomenal, while us guys were in the living room enjoying Conan's favorite drink, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale.

It wasn't my typical drink of choice, but my future father law put me on to something different. I know one thing AG and I loved about our women was their culture and the different thing we picked up on from them and their parents.

"You should be, he's doing great," AG added, "Em and I called him last night to check in-he said he's been doing well in all his classes this spring. Had a 4.0 fall semester. With all that's going on around him, I love that he's keeping his focus."

"He better," Conan finished out the last swig from his bottle, "his mother is serious about those grades. She said and I quote, 'if those grades start fall and there ain't no ball.' All three of the kids know academics are number one in this house."

I leaned back against the red leather sofa, "I don't think y'all have anything to worry about, sir. Elena and Emilia do a good job of staying on him too."

"Ah yes, those two have always been very protective of their baby brother since they were little. They used to fight over who would hold him, feed him his bottle, who would help Maria put him to sleep- you name it."

"Dad. Gelo. Aubrey. Come eat!" Emilia called from the kitchen.

You didn't have to tell us twice. We all hopped up and made a beeline for the kitchen.

It all smelled great but it was obvious I didn't have a clue as to what some of it was. While everyone else was amongst their own conversations, Aubrey helped a brother out.

"Aight so this is Irish soda bread. It's good as hell. Then that is colcannon- basically mashed potatoes and cabbage with a little green onion mixed up in it. Oh and those are Mrs. Maria's chicken empanadillas."

It wasn't my first time eating with Lena's parents, but I felt like I was the new kid on the block. Essentially I was. AG had been married into the family for five months, but had been around for a little over two years. They basically treated him like their son, even referring to him as such which I thought was dope.

"Aubrey honey can you grab the coco frio from the fridge please?" Maria asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"And eat up those empanadillas. I made them special for you. Emilia said no beef or pork for you, so I did half avocado and black beans the other half pollo, bell pepper and onion."