I smiled at the mention of my brother. I took the ball from Cutter and tried my hardest to dribble to the hoop. Cutter laughed, which sounded amazing. He allowed me to shoot the ball, which didn’t even touch the rim, before he chased it down.
In a weak attempt at defense, I tried to get it back until he held it high above his head. I must’ve jumped ten times trying to get it before I gave up.
A dog barked, and we both turned to see Scout running toward us. Cutter crouched and accepted the bulldozing the Labrador was intent on giving. It was worth watching Cutter fall on his rear because he laughed, and he laughed loudly. I loved the sound and couldn’t wait to tell Miri later.
“Good morning,” Weston said when he reached us.
“Morning,” I said through some giggles. “Do you walk every morning?”
“Nah,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “Only on the weekends. I like to get Scout out to run since he’s cooped up a lot with my schedule.”
Cutter stood and began dribbling around Scout, who liked it. Every so often he’d bark and try to get the ball from Cutter.
Weston motioned toward the bench. I followed and sat beside him.
“How’s he doing this morning?”
“He’s had a couple of moments, but I think that’s expected. My mom will be back today, so I can work. I’ll make some calls this week to get the kids into therapy. I’d like to have them talking to someone before ...” I trailed off and kept my gaze on Cutter. “I think I’m going to get them a dog.”
“Yeah? Let me know, and I can help.”
“I will.”
“You mentioned work. Does that mean you’ll be in Boston?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ll be here, working between the house and the hospital. They’re going to admit Miri for treatment. They want to pump her full of drugs and monitor everything.”
My legs swung back and forth, kicking up some dirt with each pass.
“Did they say how long?”
“If that’s not an open-ended question, I don’t know what is. Time ...” I paused and shook my head. “Six to twelve for the inevitable. Thiscurrent stay is a week to ten days. It all depends on how she responds, and then it’ll be outpatient.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. I don’t remember if I thanked you for what you did last night for Cutter. I really appreciate you being there for him.”
Weston nodded. “He’s a great kid. I can’t say I’ve been where he is. My parents are still alive. I have lost friends, though, guys I played ball with. Death hurts when it’s a friend. I can’t imagine how it feels when it’s your mom.”
Cutter and Scout walked over to us. “Toni, Mom texted and asked us to bring breakfast back to the house.”
“Yep, that’s the plan. Are you ready to go?” I stood and brushed off my joggers.
“Can I drive?”
“She let you drive?” Weston said with some flair.
“Coach, I’m going to be a great driver.”
“Of course he is because I’m teaching him.” I gave Cutter a wink and then looked at Weston. “Can we offer you and Scout a ride home?”
“Thanks, but we’re going to run for a bit.”
“Have a good day, Weston.”
“You too, Antonia.”
Cutter and I walked toward the car. He got in on the driver’s side and looked a little too comfortable in my car.
