The Scott Girl

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Keithy and Kayson sat in front of me, waiting, both with smiles on their little faces.

''What's going on mama?'' Keithy tilted his head.

''I need to talk to you about Quentin.''

''Is he coming over? He always spins me around.'' Kayse comments a goofy smile wide on her face.

''Jamie and I are making him his cape. It's in Jamie's room though.''

''No, honey, Q's not coming over. He was in an accident.''

Their beautiful smiles were wiped off within seconds.

''Like Uncle Nate's accident? Can he still play basketball?'' Keith wondered as i shook my head.

Kayson furrows her brows, ''Is he with daddy and Uncle Keith?''

Keithy shook his no, ''Of course he isn't. Right mama?''

My hand covered their little ones, ''Q's in heaven with daddy and Uncle Keith. I'm so sorry.''

Tears welled up in Kayson's eyes as she hugs her brother, who was full on sobbing now.

''I hope you both know how much he loved you.'' I soothed, pulling them both onto my lap.

Luke, Peyton, Haley, Nate, Skills, the kids, and I all arrived at Q's house later that week, where there was to be a memorial.

''Why don't you three go play in the yard.'' I urged.

The kids nod, making their way to the swing sets.

I stood beside my twin as we looked at a photo of Q.

''Coach Scott... I'm Quentin's mother... Denice.''

She shakes hands with him, then me.

''Ma'am.''

''I wanted to thank you for standing up for my boy the way you did in that last game. It's a shame that we have to meet like this.''

''Yes, ma'am, it is.''

''Coach Taylor... Quentin always had so many nice thing to say about you, and you, too, Nathan. I really appreciate you boys coming here. And Blake, I want to thank you as well. Quentin didn't realize how well he had it here, you taking him to volunteer at your office was really life opening for him, but I mostly wanted to say thank you to this one. My son has always loved basketball. But I got to tell you... when I came home and found him reading a book; it just about gave me a heart attack. He said, "Mama, Mrs. James Scott, she don't play." He said, "She almost as bad as you are." I realize that you were all trying to help my boy live up to the greatness that god gave him, and you should be proud of that.''

''Your strength is inspiring.''

''My strength is from Jesus Christ. I am gonna miss my baby boy for the rest of this life. But I know we are gonna see him again, and our faith will see us through.''
I could feel tears in my eyes as I watched the woman hold the picture of her son closely to her.

''It's just so hard to accept that things like this happen, and not just to Quentin, but at all...ever.'' Peyton sighs.

''One out of every 500 people gets assaulted or raped. There were 30,000 aggravated assaults in our state alone last year, 7,000 robberies, 3,000 murders, 600 rapes. It's official. Life sucks, and then you die.''

Keith and Jamie arrive and looks at Brooke who seems sorry of her words.

''I'm sorry. It's a tragedy. I know it is. I'm sorry. Excuse me.''

''I'll go talk to her.'' I state.

I join Brooke by the pool, rubbing her arm.

''Hey.''

''I'm so sorry about that. Do I need to go talk to the boys?''

''No, he'll be fine. You can talk to me, though.''

''I'm just going through a lot. Saying goodbye to Angie, and Victoria trying to take the company. And then, well you know. And now this. It's just a lot.''

''There was a therapist that Nathan and Haley went to when they were having problems. She really helped, i was thinking about going to her. I can give you her number if you want.''

''Okay.''

''Are you two sure you want to come?''

''Yes mama. We want to say goodbye.'' Kayson assured, smoothing her dress down.

''Alright. Lets go then.''

At the funeral, I held onto Nate's unoccupied hand as Kayse gripped my other one.

''We celebrate the life of brother Quentin..''

As the funeral ended the trio of kids stayed put as Brooke watched over them. I stood a few feet away, heart warming and breaking as the kids spread Q's cape over his casket.