I walked around the house, thinking about what just happened. For a small town Tree Hill sure had a lot of drama. Although to think of this as Tree Hill's regular drama would just be stupid. Quinton was a wonderful kid. He was going places. Deb was out somewhere, Nathan was at the riverside court practicing, and Jamie was in bed. How was I going to break this to Nathan, and how we were going to explain it to Jamie when we couldn't explain it to ourselves? I called Deb. She picked up about after three rings.
"Hello.." She sounded breathless.
"Deb I don't care what you're doing you need to get home so you can sit with Jamie. Nathan is at riverside court and I need to tell him something."
"Okay I'm on my way."
"Thanks."
As soon as Deb pulled up I walked outside. As soon as she saw my face she became worried.
"Haley what is it?"
"I..I need to go. I need to tell Nathan."
She nodded and handed me her keys. I smiled gratefully.
As I pulled up Nathan stopped what he was doing.
"Haley? What's going on? Come to watch me practice?"
I was silent as I walked to the middle of the court.
"Nathan, its Quinton. He was shot tonight. Nathan, Quinton… he's gone."
He dropped the basketball.
"C'mere Haley. We're going to get through this. This whole town has been through much to not be able to get through this. It'll be hard, of course it will. But we'll get through it, I promise"
"Nate…how are we going to explain this to Jamie? I mean we can't even explain it to ourselves. He's only five Nate. Q was his best friend. He was making him a cape just like his with a giant Q on the back."
"Oh Hales, everything is going to be okay. It'll be hard for Jamie, but we'll all get through it. We'll live our lives for Q. I think we should retire his number. It'd be dumb if we didn't."
I nodded against his chest, not trusting my voice.
"Come on. I'll drive us back home."