21. Samantha

                                    

                                          
We got all sorts of 'good lucks' during the day today. Hillhurst was the big game, but beating Northern would put us far enough ahead that State would basically be a given.  We would have at least one more game against Hillhurst and we'd likely face them in the regional finals. 
School-wise, the day was fine. I just couldn't wait for it to be over. First the game and then Cleveland with Dad. I think this is going to be a great weekend. Me and Dad, basketball and whatever else Cleveland has to offer. 
"When do you leave?" Jill asked me at lunch. 
"Right after the game. I can't wait. It's going to be so much fun!"
"Who are the Cavs playing?" Blaine asked. 
"Toronto," I said. 
"Nice. Good game. If it's televised we'll look for you, Miss court side seats," he grinned. 
The rest of the day went along as usual. I'd have some homework to do but I could probably do it in the hotel after dinner. 
At 2:30 the bell rang so I tossed my stuff in my locker and headed to the locker room. The team was already there and changing. Coach called me into her office. 
"Joseph," she said. "What do you think?"
"About?"
"The game?"
"We're ready. If they keep on the players like we practiced, it's a slam dunk - no pun intended," I grinned. 
"I feel the same. You have a really good head for the game. You should consider coaching as a career,"
"Maybe. I'd like to go to college on a scholarship, but who knows after this," I said indicating my ankle. 
"How's that feeling? I know it's only been a week, so I doubt it feels great."
"Well, if I manage not to whack the damned thing into anything. It doesn't bug me too much. But you know me. I bash it at least once a day."
"Take it easy, Joseph. It's probably trying to tell you to slow down a little. Man, you are go, go, go, all the time," she smiled. 
Something a lot of people don't realize, since Mom and Dad adopted me I've been trying to get as much living into life as I can, to make up for the years I couldn't really live. They'd really opened up the whole world to me. 
"Duly noted," I smiled. 
"Well, let's get these girls out onto the court and take Northern out," Coach said putting her arm around my shoulders. We went out for our pre-game talk, and then out onto the court. I looked in the stands and didn't see Mom and Dad. I was a little angry. Then I heard a little voice yell: "SaSa!!!"
Rosie came running over to me. 
"Hey RosieRo!" I said, sitting on the bench to pick her up. 
My teammates came over and got high fives from my sister. Mom and Dad came over and Dad took Rosie from me. 
"Good luck, coach," Dad winked at me. I grinned at him. 
They found seats behind us, where we usually tried to keep seats for my parents and Rosie. 
The game was amazing. The girls followed the plays we'd been working on and Northern didn't even seem to realize we were crowding the players I'd identified. We made so many turnovers. We won easily, 90-15. 
We celebrated a little in the locker room and then I went out to find Mom and Dad. They were waiting right outside the locker room. 
"Great game, kiddo!" Dad said, hugging me. 
"You were great!" Mom said. "You looked so cute being all coachy."
"Coachy?" I cringed. 
"We had better hit the road if we want to get to Cleveland in time for dinner," Dad said. 
"Stop for a snack for Sam," Mom said. "You guys have fun and be good."
"We're always good," I said. 
Mom gave me a tight hug.  
"Listen to your father, be good. Be careful."
"Mom! We're going to Cleveland. Not Mars!" I laughed. 
"Well, still, be careful," she hugged me tight. 
Dad and I said goodbye, stopped at my locker to grab my bag and headed out to his truck. 
"I've really been looking forward to this," Dad smiled. 
"Me too," I said, climbing into the passenger seat of his truck. 
Dad turned on his GPS and we set off towards Cleveland. 
Dad turned on his Spotify and we sang along to the songs. 
"You know," I said. "Two years ago, I didn't really know any of this music." 
"You knew us and who? Brendon?"
"Pretty much. I'd hear some kids playing music at school, but that was about it. I couldn't listen to music at home. Obviously."
"Hmm. I guess not. How did you even hear about Josh and I, and Brendon?"
"I did have some friends sometimes. They'd play music at lunch or in music class. You and Uncle Josh, you just resonated with me."
"I've heard that from a lot of our fans," Dad said. 
"Who ever thought one of them would become your kid?" I laughed.  
"Yeah," Dad said, smiling. "Imagine. I never did. But here we are, and I couldn't be happier."
"Me neither," I smiled. 
"Sam," Dad said. "Are you happy? I mean really.  Are you?"
"Dad," I swallowed. "I have never been happier. Really. You and Mom literally saved my life. If I hadn't landed in your back yard, or if you hadn't cared so much and I wound up back with Stanley, I think he would have killed me by now."
Dad shivered. 
"I hate thinking about a world without you in it," Dad said, his voice cracking a bit. 
I looked out the window. But I smiled to myself. Through a bunch of crazy events, I have parents who love me, who want me, and who made me who I am now. I looked back at Dad, who was wiping a tear from his eyes. 
"I love you like crazy, kiddo," he said. 
"Love you too, Dad," I smiled. 
Then High Hopes came on, and Dad and I started singing again.