It was game night and everyone was there to watch our team defeat our rivals at Johnson. Harry had insisted that he come for support. However, I knew it was for Chris because my brother has his nose wide open for him. We decided to meet up with Marcus and Kevin but when we meet up in the parking lot, we saw Aunt Ruby standing there as well.

"Oh my God," I said running over to hug her. I couldn't believe she was here. Darrius told me she was supposed to be at home resting until it was time. She did look frail and smaller then I remember. Her eyes had small bags underneath and Marcus was holding her hands so that she could steady herself.

"Hey sweetie," She said hugging me back then turning towards Harry, "My, my, my you grew up so handsomely. I heard that you are a very successful business man."

Harry smiled before saying, "Look at you ma'am looking like you are. I bet you got all the grandpa's coming for you?"

"Oh stop and come give me a hug," She grinned hugging Harry. I could see the small gleam in her eyes as she looked from me to Harry and back at Marcus before saying, "Well let's go see my baby play!"

Marcus grabbed her hand again and I offered to carry the blue bag she was holding. She had on a headscarf with a black dress long enough to cover her legs. Once we got to the gym's entrance, I could already hear our band playing before the players came out. Harry and Marcus started to dance and I saw Aunt Ruby even do a two-step as the drums echoed throughout the gym. Harry paid for all of our tickets and we found great seat that were close to the front. We all made sure that Aunt Ruby sat down safely before we all did.

The gym was literally packed. Our gym was pretty big with it having three levels of bleachers for each side. I saw some people were only here because it was our rival game and everyone was going to be here. The girls that were there were dressed up just so they can be seen. I even caught Alicia with her friend dressed as if she just came out of a 90's hip hop video. Aunt Ruby looked up at her and just rolled her eyes and said, "She need Jesus to give her some clothes because I know her body is frozen solid."

I laughed before she spoke again, "I'm glad Darrius found you because he was bringing these girls in and I was like no not in my house."

"Aunt Ruby he didn't find me, we just reconnected," I stated and she smiled, "Well whatever ya'll did I'm glad it happened. I've never seen him so happy other than when he was playing basketball."

The volume of the gym was getting pretty loud so I had to move closer to her to listen to what she was saying. Marcus and Harry had told us they were going to get some food before she continued, "He smiles a lot more and he doesn't even try to hound me as much about my health. He still does it but not as much."

I slightly smiled as she looked out on to the gym floor. It seemed as though she was thinking about something as the smile grew across her face.

"I remember the first time he played his ninth grade year," She said her voice sounding happy but it triggered a concern in me as well. I tried not to let it bother me as she let me in her flashback some more, "He wasn't playing as good as he is now but he had heart and the coach saw it. That's one thing I always loved about that boy. His heart for the things that he loves."

She leaned her head to the side still mesmerizing. I remember that game too. The coach had made us come to support them and even though I hated him back then, I couldn't deny the raw talent he had. Now I get to experience the strength of his love that Aunt Ruby is so fond of. Then I realized that he wouldn't have the heart he does if it wasn't for her.

"Thank you," I stated making her turn towards me, "because without you, Darrius wouldn't be the person he is today and he wouldn't be the person I fell in love with. So thank you so much."

She smiled taking my hand in hers. I could see a tear fall from her face as she cried, "Promise me something Caleb."

Without even giving her the chance to say what the promise is, I nodded and she grinned, "Promise me that no matter what you and Darrius go through, you will be there for him. I understand it is a possibility that you guys may not be together forever but," she paused before she continued, "looking at you two, I can honestly say that I believe you were meant to be...and I just want you to promise me...you will take care of him. Mentally and physically strengthen him and...make sure to love him as much as I know he loves you."

I was at a loss for word. How could I promise her something that isn't destined to last? She even said there was a possibility but she also said that she knows it's real with us. However, I wasn't about to question her because even if I was blinded by love, I believe we could last too. So I said, "I promise."

Her smile grew bigger and she tighten her grip around my hand. The emotions that sweep through me all at once made me feel like Aunt Ruby was trying to prepare me for something. As if she had been worried about something and I just clarified that it was okay. Before she said anything else, Marcus and Harry arrived with food and the announcer was setting up to call out the starting roster.

***

It was the middle of third quarter and by the look of the score our team was beating Johnson badly. Every shot our team made the crowd erupted with the band playing a few notes. Darrius was such a natural on the court. The way his body moved and the expressions of concentration that raced across his face were a sight to see. He was a leader in its rarest form the way he directed the guys on the court. Aunt Ruby smiled even brighter when he ran down the floor and nodded at her with a smile before turning his attention back to the game.

The other players weren't bad either making their points flawlessly. Chris even impressed me the way he handled the ball. I sneaked a peek at my brother watching Chris play. His eyes watched every movement he made whether he had the ball or not. Then looking pasted him I saw Michael and Evan approaching with their girlfriends. The irritation I felt when they sat by my brother was on high. I saw Marcus flinch turning away from them and looking at me. I knew it hurt him to see Gabi so big now and the evidence that they were still together. However, he didn't see the look Evan was giving him. It was a look he used a lot lately as if he couldn't say he was sorry and he knew that it wouldn't be enough if he did.

I gave Marcus a smile as I turned my attention back to my brother who looked about ready to tear Michael's head off. Harry wasn't afraid of what Michael could do but Michael was too stupid to know that so he tried to engage in a conversation with him.

"Is that boy Michael?" Aunt Ruby asked making turn, "Michael Fordman?"

"Yes," I asked confused, "How do you know him?"

"Well, Darrius told me that whenever he enters the room, you could tell that something is going to happen," She stated, "And he said his face looks like it is smashed in so..."

I laughed a little too hard at her joke but no one could hear me so I continued to laugh. Then I heard my brother's voice boom, "You know if you have an issue with my brother I'll advise you to not say things about him around me!"

He had gotten up towering over Michael. I could tell that Michael wasn't ready for the loud outburst making everyone in our section look at him. Evan stood up and said, "Harry, I'm so sorry. We will go sit somewhere else okay?"

"We are not moving," Michael stated with eyes glaring at my brother, "I'm not afraid of this CUM bag."

He stood up then with my brother still towering over him by a couple of inches before saying, "Now I know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Tell me something was daddy a fag too?"

I don't know how I got up so fast but I knew that Michael wouldn't be getting off the ground without help. My brother had landed a punch so hard that he almost flew across the court. The referee stopped the game as my brother tried to shake away the pain from his hand. Ashely got up to go help him while I stood by my brother side looking down at Michael.

"The next time the little ass says something about you, I'll make sure that he will never walk again and that's a promise," He said still holding his wounded hand. Everyone was looking now but it wasn't at Michael. I felt like something else had happened. I brought my eyes to look at Darrius whose expression had changed from focus to just frozen. Everything was in slow motion. I turned my head towards a crying Marcus who was holding on to Aunt Ruby's small hands but she wasn't moving. Her eyes were closed and her breathing looked almost undetectable. I felt like I couldn't get to her fast enough but when I did I held the rest of her body against me.

"Please get the ambulance now!" I heard my brother yell, "Stop fucking staring and give her some room!"

I begin to cry along with Marcus. Then I saw men bringing a stretcher out along with oxygen tanks.

"You are going to have to let her go," One of the men with a bald head and blue eyes told us, "We have to get her on the stretcher."

We reluctantly let them take control and at that moment Darrius came charging over with Chris. His face was unreadable as he asked us what happened.

"She just...she- ," Marcus tried to explain but he was still crying, "She was telling me she wasn't feeling well and then...she fainted."

Darrius was still unreadable but as they loaded her on to the stretcher and took her out, he never left her side. I couldn't ride in the ambulance considering I wasn't family but we followed them all the way there. We couldn't go in with them either; we had to go through the main entrance in order to check in.

It took a while for them to process everything before we could go back into the ER. It was cold and everyone there looked to have a serious injury. It wasn't crowded as they showed on television but it had the same depressing atmosphere.

To our surprise, Evan was there. Harry stepped protectively in front of me as he approached us.

"I come in peace I swear," Evan stated before I pushed Harry out the way.

"Where are your other friends?" I asked him sarcastically, "Aren't you afraid of Michael telling your secret?"

He was silent for a moment probably contemplating if he should have come. He seemed to have calm after he ran his fingers through his head and said, "After I saw Marcus crying, I didn't care anymore."

"Oh so now you care about how he feels?" I asked angrily, "After what you put him and me through?"

I could see I was making him irritated but I didn't care. Marcus cried to us the day when they broke things off. Then he was lying to him and asking me to keep the secret about him and Gabi. Then he didn't even have the audacity to send me a warning about Michael's plan and leaving me out to dry in a fight. This whole time he has been selfish and only thinking about his reputation and now he wants forgiveness for his actions? Not going to happen.

"I'm sorry okay?" he yelled scaring the patients in the waiting room, "but I'm here now right? So who side do you think I'm on?"

"Michael's still," I laughed, "You're here because you just feel guilt for the stunt you and your friend pulled at the game."

"Fuck Caleb! Shut up and listen for once! I'm here now!"

"That doesn't mean shit!"

"Excuse me!" a nurse in pink scrubs yelled at both me and Evan, "The patients are starting to feel even more hostile than they already are. So I'm going to ask you two to please sit down and be quiet."

Evan and I give each other looks before we sat down in our seats. However, that didn't stop Evan from talking.

"Look I'm sorry," Evan said as Harry sat in between us, "I'm just not brave like you are. I don't have a brother or family member that's gay or anything so I didn't know who to go to or talk to. Then with Gabi carrying the baby, I couldn't put too much stress on her or else she would miscarry. Even though I'm not ready for a baby, I didn't want her to go through that."

I wasn't looking at him but I was paying attention to what he said. He has been going through a lot but that didn't give him the right to dish out his pain on other people especially Marcus. He loved Evan still, even if he doesn't want to admit it.

"And regardless of what you may think," he continued, "I still love Marcus. It takes everything in me not to be with him every hour of every day. But I'm not brave like you are. Or like Marcus is. You don't have to be my friend or anything, I would just like you to forgive me for what I have done to you."

I felt the old Evan seeping through the cracks. I could tell that Evan wasn't as confident in himself like he was back before any of this happened. Even though, I could never completely get over what he has done, for him to come forth and apologize could be a step towards us making peace. Maybe.

"I forgive you man," I accepted, "Just don't think it would be the same as it was before."

He gave a slight smile before nodding and sitting back in his chair. After a few minutes of silence, Chris and the other guys came rushing in after.

"Any word?" Chris asked as I stood up. I shook my head.

"Shit!" he shouted, "I don't know how Darrius is going take it if something happens to Aunt Ruby."

I knew what he was getting at even though he didn't say it. It was time for the one thing that Darrius feared the most...losing his aunt. Remembering how she looked earlier, I could tell she was still fighting but her body was weak. Then she asked me to make that promise with her and I knew that something was off.

Even as a kid, I knew Aunt Ruby was always prepared. Whether it be for school, work, or the occasional wound we had. She was always prepared. Even now, she was preparing to move on and she was trying to get everyone prepared as well. However, Darrius wasn't anywhere near to being prepared. He was still in the denial stage of accepting his aunt's fate.

I released myself from my own thoughts as I saw someone approaching us. He gave Chris a small hug before coming over to me and my brother. Harry instantly stood up when he hugged Chris but he didn't seem like a threat to either of us. He was a tall man with a light caramel skin complexion. His head was bald and the way he walked showed the confident that he had but the sad look on his face betrayed that concept of personality.

"You must be Caleb," he said putting out his hand. Since Chris knew him I shook it but I was still not sure who this person could be. His aura gave off a sense of Darrius. He looked strong in the face but his posture was relaxed. He looked like Aunt Ruby too. Then it hit me who he was.

"Your Darrius's and Marcus uncle right?" I asked him. He nodded and answered, "Yes, my name is Lawrence Mitchell. I came in earlier today. Was supposed to be here a few weeks back but I got held up at my old job. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," my brother stated shaking his hand, "So you're going to be the boy's new guardian."

"Uhm yea," he said trying to find a seat creating a ripple effect as Chris and the guys tried to find one too. He rested back into his chair and continued to speak, "The boys and I haven't really had any time to spend together since I moved from Texas. They are going need family at this time and I'm glad that you guys are also here."

His voice was deep and carried a soothing rhythm that swept over everyone. It even calmed me down a small bit but I knew that the worst was yet to come when he said that they were going to need family. I knew what it was time for and the question of will Darrius be able to handle it was still unanswered.