text: Whenever he played in the driveway at home, Kieran would use his worn out, backup sneakers. The rough brickwork was harsh on any shoes, and he wasn't about to damage the Adidas pair he uses on game day. Ordinarily, Kieran would take the short walk and use the public court in the park, but apparently it was forecast to rain. He didn't mind all that much though; apart from the uneven surface and the slightly lower hoop, practicing at home wasn't too bad. Most of his best memories with a basketball in hand happened right on that driveway. Kieran went through his usual warm up routine. Bounce the ball thirty times with his left hand, then again with his right. A few stretches in, he felt loose enough to get going. He decided to start with his favourite move to pull off in a game, a step back jump shot. This was one he didn't get to do often, so he practiced it most on days like this when he was shooting alone. His body still felt warm from the dribbling exercises, but in the stiff breeze he found himself tightening the drawstrings on his hoodie. As always, he took broad, aggressive steps charging towards the basket. The trick was to make his defender think he was driving in for a close range layup, then suddenly step backwards to create space for a shot. But as he leapt back, his forefoot caught on a raised brick and rolled his ankle under the weight of his body. Kieran winced audibly, more annoyed with himself than in pain. He'd twisted both ankles multiple times at this point, as a shifty point guard it comes with the territory. The ball fell out of his hand and rolled away as he sat in the driveway taking the opportunity to catch his breath. Once he'd collected himself, he rubbed his ankle and immediately he could tell this was worse than usual. He knew it wasn't serious, but it was sore enough to cut his solo session short. He got up and limped gingerly back to the house, quietly cursing each time he put weight on his right foot. A few steps from the door, he felt the first drops of rain on his nose. 'Just as well', he thought to himself. Walking into the house, he noticed the drawing hung up in the foyer. He'd seen it hundreds of times, but for whatever reason, he found himself staring it today. It was a pencil sketch of the Colosseum, nothing particularly special and obviously meant as preparation for a larger work. In the bottom left corner it was signed 'ES'. Just then, his father Mason walked in holding his reading glasses and a book of sudoku puzzles. Mason was chewing something, he'd obviously just been in the kitchen. "Back so soon huh? Did the rain cut you off?" Kieran paused for a moment and pulled his eyes off the drawing. "Uh no, actually. I twisted my ankle." "Again? Maybe you should get one of those ankle guards Coach Gav was talking about." "Maybe," Kieran responded. "But I don't like how they feel when I've got socks on." "Ah well, your call I guess. It'll save you a little pain though." Mason could tell his son was distracted, usually Kieran would be buzzing after a basketball practice. "What're you looking at there?" Mason asked. Kieran tried to shrug it off, but didn't do a very good job of it. "Oh it's just this drawing of the Colosseum." By that point Mason had finished whatever snack he was chewing on, and a soft smile crept onto his face. "Ah. Did I ever tell you the story about that picture, son?" "That it's one of Mom's sketches?" "Indeed it is. But this one was special to her." Kieran shifted awkwardly on his feet. Mason couldn't tell if it was because of the ankle, or because he'd brought up Esther. Some days Kieran seemed uncomfortable talking about his mother. Mason cleared his throat and decided to change the subject. "Well, I've got a stack of sudokus that won't solve themselves. Rest up and get some ice on that ankle." Mason winked and trapped Kieran on the shoulder with the book as he left the foyer. He stopped in a doorway and turned back at Kieran. "Wait, where'd you leave the ball?" "Shoot, I think it's outside." "In the rain?" Kieran sighed, annoyed with his father's statement of the obvious. "I'll go grab it now," he said. "No no, don't worry about it. You go rest your ankle and I'll get the ball." "Thanks." Kieran trudged up the stairs to the bathroom and started running the water to take a shower. * * As Kieran took a shower, Mason stepped into the living room and saw Tobin at the kitchen table. She had her laptop open and her glasses on, but Mason could tell she wasn't working. He took a seat across from her, excited for a chance to chat. "So?" He said with a calm smile. "How's college going." Tobin looked up at him and returned his smile. "It's been a lot, Dad. Pharmacy's no joke" She waited for Mason to stop chuckling before she continued. "It's been good though. Just a lot work". Mason nodded knowingly, remembering his days as an IT major. "Yeah college'll do that to you, but at least the vac is soon. You got lots of assignments still?" Tobin took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes as she stifled a yawn. "Not assignments, but a couple of tests. I've got one on Tuesday actually." "Tuesday? That's soon. Will you be able to prep before you drive back on Sunday night?" "Yeah I'll be fine. I almost decided not to come for the weekend, but I figured I could study from here." "Smart," Mason responded, but he knew there was no stopping Tobin from coming home. Not on this weekend. "It's probably for the best anyway. It'll be good for Kieran to have you around." "Of course," Tobin said softly, as she leaned back in the chair. "How's he been doing lately?" Mason frowned thoughtfully. "I'm not sure to be honest. You know it's always hard to tell with him. I think he gets a lot of conflicting feelings around his birthday." "Understandably," Tobin replied. "It's a hard time for all of us." "I know. I'm just never sure if I should talk to him about it." "He can be hard to read. I could try talk to him if you'd like." Mason knew Tobin wasn't asking permission. She was going to talk to Kieran regardless. "That's probably a good idea." They sat in silence for a moment, both looking pensive. Then Kieran walked in, drying his hair with a towel. "Squirt!" Tobin exclaimed. She was genuinely happy to see her brother, but also trying to mask the conversation they'd just had. "What were you guys talking about?" Kieran asked on his way to the fridge. Mason hesitated, but with his face in the fridge Kieran didn't notice. "Dad was just asking about college. I've got a couple tests coming up and he was worried I wouldn't have time to prep," Tobin intervened. "Heh, sounds like Dad," Kieran retorted, as he bit into a plum. Even Mason laughed at that one. "Hey, it's only because I care," Mason said in defence. Kieran continued. "Do you still have a lot you need to do, Toby?" "A fair bit, but I'll get through it," Tobin replied. The conversation lulled for a moment, with Kieran leaned against the fridge. Tobin broke the silence. "So Squirt, what's the plan for your birthday tomorrow?" Kieran tossed the plum pit and took a seat at the head of the table. "Not much. Coach Gav wants us to run some plays for the game next week, then I'm gonna head to the library to work on a research project." "Doesn't sound like much of a birthday," Mason observed. "What are you doing in the evening?" "A couple of us are gonna go over to Kevin's and hang out for a bit." "Oh bummer," Tobin wailed. "That means I'll hardly get to see you." "Well, you did say you've got essays to get through," Kieran stated drily. "Tests," Tobin corrected. "But fair enough." Mason looked out the window. It was starting to get dark. "Well, it's getting late. I'm gonna run to the store and grab some stuff for dinner. Anything you guys want?" Both kids shook their heads as he stood up. "Alright, but don't whine at me if I forget anything." Mason stepped out, leaving the siblings at the table together. "So," Tobin crooned playfully. "Any girls coming to Kevin's tomorrow night?" Kieran's a lousy liar on this subject. He struggled to stop a smile and looked away. "Nah, just the guys from ball," he answered, after composing himself. "Really? No girls? That's lame," Tobin teased. Kieran took the bait. "Well, maybe one. She hasn't confirmed yet." Tobin slapped the table triumphantly. "I knew it! Sadie's gonna be there isn't she?" "Uh no actually. Her name's Charis." By this point he couldn't hide his smirk, and almost didn't care that Tobin could see it. She was confused for a moment. "Charis? Who the heck is Charis?" Kieran could hardly contain himself and the smirk grew wider. "She takes pictures for the school paper." "Charis sounds boring. What happened to Sadie?" Kieran thought for a moment. "I dunno. It stopped being fun I guess." Tobin's mouth dropped, and she burst out laughing. "It stopped being fun?" Kieran got on the defensive, and all he could manage was a feeble, "Yeah". "Did you tell her that?" Tobin asked. Now it was Kieran's turn to laugh. "Why would I do that?" "So that she knows it's over." "That sounds like breaking up." "And you're not breaking up?" "Well, we were never really together so we can't break up." Tobin conceded the point and raised her hands. "Fair enough. But you know you're a pig, right?" Kieran misread her tone. "Maybe," he said, grasping at the towel around his neck. "But Charis doesn't know that yet." "Wow," Tobin said as she got up. "Have your fun now, Squirt, but this won't fly in college." On her way out she smacked him gently on the side of his head. "Don't break anyone's heart.