The next day rolls around. Alex is not starting school until next week. This leaves him alone for the day. He has nothing to do. Sherry considered this, so she wants to take him out for the day. Maybe they'll get some lunch or go shopping. She wants to do something special for him. He's made it 72 days being sober and that's a huge accomplishment. She can't imagine how difficult it was and she's insanely proud of him. She's not proud of the things that he's done before, but she can't hold that against him. His slate is wiped clean and he's starting a new journey. His first accomplishment is being sober and that is all she could ask for.
Sherry waits to Alex wakes up. If he was like Alex from before, he would get up at one o'clock in the afternoon but since he was on a schedule at rehab, he wakes up at 8.
"You're up early. How'd you sleep?" Sherry asks.
"Good." Alex yawns. "Feels good to be in my own bed." He stretches and goes and pours himself a bowl of cereal.
"What were your plans for today?"
"I don't know. I was just going to chill here and go to Aaron's game."
"What if I take you out and spoil you for the day?"
"That sounds nice."
"Go get dressed and we can leave."
"Ok, love you mom." He says. He walks over and gives her a kiss on the cheek. This warms Sherry's heart.
Normally Aaron doesn't have any anxiety about a game, but today is different. He has a different level of stress about him. It's just different after all that's happened. Roni reassures him that he's going to be just fine. She tells him to think about something else. Basketball is typically an escape for him. If he thinks about something else, maybe it will help him play. It's a little harder to do when there's an actual game because you need to have a connection and communicate with your teammates. Aaron just stops thinking about it. He goes about his school day trying to focus the littlest he can on his game.
Sherry and Alex are having a great day. She takes him out and gets him some clothes for school and a new pair of sneakers. She also takes him for some food. Now that she thinks about it, none of the kids have gotten new clothes or items since they were adopted. They're still wearing the same clothes that they could afford before. Mariah has been to the mall a couple times so she does have some new clothes, Alex just got his clothes, but Aaron has nothing. She'll change that later. Right now she's going to focus on Alex and his accomplishments.
The game comes as it's supposed to. Aaron comes home and changes and grabs a snack. He heads out the door and to the school. Kian is right behind him. He's not as worried as Aaron. Basketball is his thing and he loves it but, it's not what he wants to do in life. It's just been something that he's good at and not his preferred career choice. He can understand why Aaron is nervous though. This is a big deal.
Lear is just as excited as he was for Alex's game. That was his first and final high school game. He thinks about that a lot. Hopefully it can change and he can fulfill his dream of going to play in college. It would take a miracle but, he hopes that it happens. He's glad to finally see Aaron do his thing. He's been wrapped up in work and dealing with Alex's situation, so it's good to have a break and have some happiness in his life. He hasn't spoken much about it but, he's hit a major point in the case. They found someone who is willing to talk for a lighter sentence. They're going to have to go about things just like they did with taking down the gang. They start at the smallest link and it will slowly unravel up to the head of the issue. Right now he doesn't want to even think about that. He wants to think about his son's first game back.
The family shows up to the game. Everyone is surprised to see Alex. They do the same thing that they did when the teens came back to school..... bombard him with questions. He avoids them and watches the game. Aaron does excellent, as expected. He focuses in on the game. He calculates his every move and manages to score thirty points that game. Sherry and Lear could not be more proud. Roni knew that he was going to do well. She had no doubt. Nessa cheers for both Kian and Aaron, knowing that both of them were going to do great. Alex is extremely proud of his brother. He deserves every bit of success that he can get. He's so glad that he's doing this. It does feel weird having a big moment like this though. The last time that this happened, his secret almost was exposed. He caught the eye of Lauren but he's avoiding her.
They game buzzer finished and everyone cheers. Aaron and Kian did great. After, he goes into the locker room and the coach tells them how proud he is. He holds Aaron back specially congratulates him. It's insane how he's able to do the things that he does. Aaron walks out of the locker room and is immediately hugged by all his family. He smiles because this is better than the win.
Lauren watched as Aaron is surrounded by hugs. She wants to come and congratulate him and Kian so bad but she just can't come up to them with Alex there. She didn't think it would be this hard. He's apologized but it seem like there's things that are still unsaid. She just can't be here right now. The feeling sinks down in her. She can't face this demon right now. She runs out without talking to Aaron or Kian. She feels horrible about it but she just can't do it.
