September of 2004, in the aftermath of a school shooting, new student Connie Turner avoids the young man who saved her younger brother's life, while battling with a shameful awareness that she is not the same as before the event.
Meanwhile, Max Nat...
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Friday nights were supremely boring for Brandon. After lugging his crutch around school all week, his whole body ached. Once he got home, all he wanted was lay on the couch and play Call Of Duty.
Thankfully, the doctor was optimistic that he would be back on both feet very soon. His recovery had been very successful, considering he'd taken a shotgun slug to the thigh. He'd battled with a couple infections that had sent him back to the hospital, but he was determined not to be waylaid.
Mentally, he was holding together well. His focus was only on his recovery. Nothing else mattered, only reaching a place where he could play sports again. His doctor had warned against him getting his hopes up, but Brandon had been doing his own research online. If he received the right kind of physical therapy and was religious in keeping up with it, he could be playing ball again by his junior year. Maybe not as well as before the shooting, but just to make the team would be good enough for him.
"Here's the money for pizza," mom said, putting a twenty on the coffee table.
Her hair was pinned up and she was wearing lipstick. She'd even put on heels. Still, the faint wrinkle above her nose betrayed her nerves. Brandon gave his 'golden boy smile', as Connie used to tease him. He knew he was charming, but only used it when necessary, like now to make his mom feel better about leaving him for the night.
"I promise I'll be okay," he said, setting down his game controller on the couch cushion. "Just have fun tonight."
"I haven't done this since 1986," mom admitted, biting her bottom lip and bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Going a first date."
"You look pretty. Don't worry. By the way, Zack Grimaldi mentioned that his dad was just as nervous when we talked today," Brandon laughed.
Mom told Brandon first about the date earlier in the week before his sister. They both knew it would take time for Connie to get used it the idea. Brandon was just happy to see their mom moving forward. In three years, he would be off to college. He didn't like to think of her being alone now that dad was with whats-her-name.
"Really?" Mom's eyes widened. "That makes me feel a little better about all this."
"By the way, that was really cool that you let Connie go to that party tonight."
"You knew about the party?"
"Sure, all the kids were talking about it today."
Mom frowned. "Were you invited?"
"Like last week. But dragging my leg around while managing a crutch and a solo cup sounds like no fun."
"Solo cup?" Mom said, her frown deepening. "I'm assuming it wouldn't be filled with just Coca Cola."
"Not that I would know about that kind of thing, of course," Brandon lied with some dignity, giving her another smile for good measure.
Mom crooked an eyebrow, fighting a grin for her mischievous youngest child. "Let's hold off on that kind of behavior for a couple years. Okay, bud?"
