Give Me A Chance (boyxboy)

Twenty-Seven

The slight twinge that still persists in my chest fades over the next week. I can feel next to nothing now. It's been just under six weeks, which was the timeframe the doctor gave me, and I'm glad the stupid persistent tightness is gone.

So at practice the next Tuesday, I'm running, and I'm throwing great, and I'm playing in the scrimmages. And it's awesome. I feel great. About my ribs, about my ability, about myself. I catch Nancy smiling at me a couple times. She's glad I'm playing again. She was worried about me for a while, but she knew I wouldn't quit. I think everybody knew I wouldn't quit.

And this is the first time I've felt like everyone on the team is actually my teammate. Phillip and I kind of reconciled, and I never really had a problem with Connor and Shane, they're just a little cocky. But there's a sense of companionship that's been developing since the first time we came together as a team. It's a good feeling.

This really is a team.

And it makes my heart swell.

I wore the chest brace one last time today, just to be careful, but I ditch it afterward, giving it back to Griffin. And just like that, all of the visible evidence of what Quinn did to me is gone. The bruises on my face and chest have faded, my couple broken fingers healed a long time ago, as did the dislocated nose. And now my ribs are healed. No brace, no marks, pretty much no pain. It's all gone. Quinn's influence is gone. He can't affect me any more. Not with my friends with me, supporting me, even if they aren't aware that they are.

And my day gets even better.

I'm getting used to good days.

When I walk out the doors after practice, mom's waiting in the parking lot. For Aydin, I immediately assume, but she only really does that when it's too cold for him to walk home. So I'm a little confused.

"Lyam," she says, waving.

I veer from where I was on my well-walked path back to Horace and Griffin's. I can't help but smile a little. Mom has that effect. "What's going on?" I ask her.

I notice that she's crying. Her eyes are a little puffy and a couple tears have worked their way down her face. "Mom, what's wrong?" I say, halting next to her car.

"Nothing," she says. "In fact, everything's perfect."

Aydin bumps me from behind. "Hey, why are you crying?" he asks, way less subtly than I had.

She laughs softly. "I wanted to tell you right away, but I wanted to wait to see the look on your face," she says excitedly, leaning a little bit out her window.

I hook my fingers in my backpack, straps, kinda nervous. If it's making her cry, but is a good thing, that narrows it down to monumental moments, milestone-type things. So I'm curious but also anxious to know what it is. It could range from a new sibling (no, thank you) to Uncle Murray dying (she kinda hates him).

"Hop in the car," she says.

"Where are we going?" Aydin asks. He knows we can't be going home, because dad would most likely be there. Aydin told me he had today off.

"Home," mom says, contradicting my thoughts. Maybe Aydin was wrong.

"But dad's there," Aydin protests, and once again my thoughts are proven wrong. Zero for two. I am not on a roll today.

I look around, spot Blaine getting into his car, and wave. He smiles and waves back enthusiastically. He's offered to drive me back to Horace and Griffin's before, but I enjoy talking with Joshua, and having time to think. Of course, I have taken him up on the offer before, but he knows my reasons why I usually don't, and he doesn't press. He knows I struggle with my brain.