My note….I know, another filler chapter. I promise, I will get to the main plot of this story(yes, there actually is a main plot) soon. I have to rebuild what the writers tore down in season 7, to be able do so...and while it may feel a bit drawn out, the best(I hope you agree) is yet to come.
HOOPS AND DREAMS
CHAPTER 4:MAKING THE FIRST MOVE
Convincing Jimmy to attend university with her, was much easier then Ashley had anticipated...convincing Mr. and Mrs. Brooks to let their son leave the safety of their home, after everything he'd just been through, and take residence on campus, wasn't as easy.
Mrs. Brooks glanced up at her husband, the same lines of worry, marred across his face. "This is a pretty hasty decision son", he hesitated, then shook his head. "I just don't know".
"You've just started to regain your strength back Jimmy...", Mrs. Brooks cautioned. "...are you sure you'll be able to handle a full course of studies, so soon after...". Her words trailed off and Jimmy let out a frustrated sigh.
"I thought you two wanted me to get over this...funk...I've been in, and get back in the game", he replied pointedly, using his favorite reference to basketball for emphasis.
Mrs. Brooks stepped closer and placed her hand on her sons shoulder. "Of course we do Honey. It's just...this is a little sudden, and...".
"How long have you really thought about this Jim...really considered all of your options", Mr. Brooks cut in.
"What options Dad?", Jimmy snipped sarcastically. "Either I go to school like originally planned...get a job, that is if I could actually find someone who'd be willing to hire me ...", his voice rose slightly, as he motioned to himself, "...or waste away in that bed upstairs".
Ashley felt the faintest hint of satisfaction in that 'finding a way back to Amsterdam for another surgery', was no longer one of Jimmy's current options. The Brook's, however, were still conflicted. The change in Jimmy was pretty abrupt...one day he's wallowing in self pity, and the next, he's telling them he's decided to go off to college. "We just want you to be sure that you're ready to start school right now", Mrs. Brooks pressed worriedly.
"Mom, I've already missed the first week of class and by the time I get registered and moved...", he paused in his argument and shrugged. "If I'm gonna do this, then I have to do it now". His mothers nod was unconvincing and Jimmy knew he needed another approach. "All of my scholarship funds are transferable, and since living at TU will be more than half the price of living in New York...you guys will save a bundle on living expenses".
Mrs Brooks smiled softly at her sons joke and gently cupped his cheek, "And you wouldn't be as far from home".
"Only about an hour", he replied, letting out a soft chuckle. "My transcripts are already on file, I've mapped out my courses, filled out the res application...every thing's been taken care".
Mrs. Brooks was so genuinely happy that Jimmy seemed to have turned the corner...to see him happy and smiling again, making plans and talking about his future. She didn't want to ruin his mood, or the moment, by bringing up his disability, but she knew she had to. "And if you're not able to get an accessible dorm?", she asked softly.
A little disheartened, Jimmy lowered his gaze and inhaled. "Got it covered", he answered, raising his eyes back up to meet hers, and when he did, they were bright and hopeful. "I've already talked to the head of student housing and they said there should be at least two openings, but that if those spots get taken before I register, they'll be able to help me make other accommodations".
"And with Marco at one building, and Ellie and I two buildings over...we'd never be more than a phone call away", Ashley assured them.
Mrs. Brooks gave Ashley a grateful nod, before turning her attention back to her son. "And what about physio?", she queried.
"I have that covered too", Jimmy replied certainly. "With the schedule I have planned, I can definitely get to the center at least two or three times a week...the rest, I can just do on my own".
"Don't worry Mrs. Brooks, I know Jimmy's regimen, I'll keep an eye on...", embarrassed, Ashley stopped when she caught herself crossing over that imaginary boundary line of their still mending friendship. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing, "I mean, um...the three of us will make sure Jimmy doesn't slack off".
There was an awkward exchange between the two, Ashley at bit flustered, while Jimmy seemed appreciative...as well as a contented smile from Mrs. Brooks. She turned to look up at her husband in askance, he just shrugged slightly and cleared his throat. "Well son, if you think you're really ready...".
Jimmy glanced over at Ashley, the reassurance in her smile, giving him the confidence he needed. "Yeah, I'm sure".
Moving day was finally upon him, Jimmy took one last glance around his room. I was going to be hard to leave, a part of him wanted to stay...for so many reasons.
"You almost ready to go Honey?", Mrs. Brooks asked, coming up behind her son, and placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Yeah, I think so", he answered, expelling a heavy breath with the words.
"Are you sure you have everything?", she questioned next.
Jimmy gave another quick peek inside the duffel bag on his lap, before he zipped it up, and pivoted to face his mother. "Everything", he parroted, flashing her that trade-mark grin of his.
"Great". It may have been the soft, hesitant response, or the clipped tone of her voice...or it maybe it was just the way Mrs. Brooks was nervously wringing her hands.
"Mom?".
Mrs. Brooks forced a smile and clasped her hands still. "I can't believe I'm actually sending you off to university".
"It's about time, don't you think?", Jimmy quipped playfully.
Her smile became genuine, and Mrs. Brooks leaned in to plant a soft kiss on the top of Jimmy's head. "I just hate to let you go", she whispered.
"Mom, it's not like you're sending me off to war...", he stated with an incredulous chuckle. "I'm going to be less than a hundred miles away...that's practically next door, compared with how you guys used to send me off to California every summer, for basketball camp...". The change in his mothers expression is what caused Jimmy's words to trail off. He followed her gaze to his lap. "But that was before, right?", he added icily, his frustration getting the best of him.
She didn't answer his question outright, but instead, knelt down beside him. "Jimmy?", she beckoned softly.
He'd be lying if he said that her reaction didn't bother him, it did...but it was the fact that she had to worry about him, that annoyed the hell out of him. "It's fine Mom", he shook his head indifferently.
"No honey, it's not. It's not even that...", she insisted. There was a drawn out pause as she looked away,"...it's just that, the last time we sent you off...you almost didn't come back".
Her composure was waning, and at this point, so was Jimmy's. His mother cared about him more than anything, that was certain...and maybe he hadn't been the best son...
"But Mom, it's only school", he smiled, dismissing her concern as best he could. But the reassuring smile he was sporting, soon faded once he realized what he'd said. It was an ironic choice of words, considering 'it was only school' he was going to, the day he was shot.
"I know baby, I'm sorry", she apologized, and pulled him into a tight embrace.
A familiar pang of guilt was starting to resurface. "No Mom, I'm sorry", he whispered back, hugging her a little tighter.
Taken aback by her sons unusual show of affection, Mrs. Brooks broke away and gave him a curious look, as she rose to her feet. "You know, this house won't be the same without you here", she rambled distractedly, smoothing the comforter on Jimmy's bed before picking up the suitcase to her left. "I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves when you're...".
"I can think of a few things", Mr. Brooks quipped suggestively, as he came up behind his wife.
"Oh, Jermaine...behave yourself", Mrs. Brooks warned, blushing intently at her husbands playfulness.
"Here, let me get those", he insisted, taking the bags from her hands.
"Thank you darling", she replied, kissing him sweetly on the lips.
The entire exchange threatened to turn Jimmy's stomach. He'd been so self-absorbed with his own ambitions and subsequent problems these past few months, that Jimmy pushed aside the knowledge of his father's affair...and he just couldn't do it anymore. All this time, his father had was acting like a loyal, caring husband...when in reality, he'd been lying to his wife, and playing her like a fiddle.
He watched as his mother whispered something into his fathers ear, they shared a chuckle, and then another kiss...longer than the last one..."I'm going to take these down to the car", Mr. Brooks announced. "You want me to take that one too, son?", he asked Jimmy, as he motioned to the duffel on his lap.
"Na, I got it", he replied curtly, staring his father down. Mr. Brooks nodded, but was unable to look Jimmy in the eye. Jimmy's gaze, however, bore into his fathers retreating back.
"You're father's such a good man Jimmy", his mother stated with a dreamy smile, as she flitted around the room, fussing and straightening. "I always hoped you grow up to be just like him". Jimmy cringed at the thought, and was just about to respond... "He's been so wonderful these past few months, taking time off of work to be with you at the hospital, helping out around the house, making sure we were...".
"Mom!", Jimmy yelled out. Mrs. Brooks turned to face him, her features contorted with confusion. Jimmy rubbed a frustrated hand across the back of his neck. How was he supposed to say this? He inched forward, until he was sitting right in front of his mother. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you...something about...Dad". His words trailed off softly, his tone, hesitant and strained. Mrs. Brooks expression turned from confusion to concern. "I don't know how to say this...", Jimmy paused and shifted uncomfortably, "...and I should have told you a long time ago...".
The sound of foot steps downstairs, distracted Jimmy. "What Honey...what is it?", Mrs. Brooks pleaded.
He knew what he was going to say...what he should have said months ago...
"Back when I asked to have the surgery, I...", Jimmy glanced up to see a look of anxious worry in his mothers eyes. He knew what he was about to say would break her heart, even more than the past few months already had. He didn't want to lie to her anymore, especially after all she had done for him...
The footsteps were nearing now--But he just couldn't do it.
"I just wanted to let you know that Dad didn't want me to have the surgery either...", he noticed her visibly relax at this admission. "I kinda forced him to give me the money...I know you guys blame yourself for what happened, but it's not your fault...it's mine".
"No baby...", Mrs. Brook knelt back down and cupped her sons cheek. "We all made the decision to let you go to Amsterdam. And we as parents, will always take responsibility for what happens to you...and yes, even now when you're all grown up". She smiled through her tears and caressed his cheek. "You're our son Jimmy, and we love you", she declared, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight.
The guilt was almost unbearable now, Jimmy closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Mom, I..."
Mr. Brooks interrupted the moment when he stuck his head inside the room to announce, "The car's all packed".
"I love you too", Jimmy whispered, slowly breaking the connection between him and his mother..
As Mrs. Brooks stood and dried her eyes, Mr. Brooks came to her side to comfort her. Jimmy look up at his father. "You'll take care of her?", it sounded much more like order, then a question.
"Of course", Mr. Brooks promised.
There was a silent exchange between father and son, and Jimmy nodded satisfactorily. He grasped the rims of his chair and pushed forward, "Then lets go".
Okay, so I'm not exactly thrilled with the ending, but it will have to do. I rewrote the thing like twenty times, and this is best I could come up with. I know there wasn't a lot of JimAsh interaction in this one, but I think the little bit that we got, was pretty significant.
On another note, I'd like to send my prayers out to those in the Galveston/Houston areas...especially to our very own Kelley(lilfiftyfour)...hope you're safe and well Kelley!
Degrassi is not mine.