Finish what you start

 

"Well, the thing is, I feel we were just a practice run-through," Dan squints before he takes a shot at mid-court. He talks about his dinner with Alfie and Zoey. He hadn't meant to play basketball with anyone on the warm and sunny September day, but an old high school friend that he hadn't seen in ages showed up. Ollie who just moved into the building.

"Like a rehearsal?" Ollie winks back in the sun as he catches the ball that just bounced off the rim. Dan can see his friend needs practice. They are both not on their game. But here they are in their comfortable attire for some one on one.

"You remember Zoey?" Dan wants to know.

"I don't think so," Ollie reminds him they didn't exactly hang in the same circle. "I wasn't exactly the model student you were."

Dan chuckles, oh if he could only get those days back. He really did enjoy studying. "And you're with Ivy now?" Ollie smiles as if he doesn't really envy him at all. He's heard the stories. "You were older, you know."

"I'm not that much older?" He tilts his head realizing their connection. Valentina. Ollie used to live in the same Foster home with her. "Besides, you knew my little sister before I did."

Ollie smiles. "Have you seen her lately?"

"Oh, yeah, she's doing great with Matty. They have a baby boy," Dan smiles about the matter. 

"Good for her," Ollie almost smiles. "I should have expected that." He nods and throws the ball to Dan as if he's not much up for a game. Dan dribbles, meanwhile. "I'm just a weekend Dad now." 

Ollie shoves his hands in the pockets of pants. "I've been staying at Mom and Dad's this summer. I got on a Home Depot. At least, I finally moved out."  Still, he admits it was hard finding a job where he wasn't working on weekends. He's a teacher's aid now and going to school, hoping to be a teacher soon. "I  just never thought it would end this way." Ollie shrugs. 

"But then you never married," Dan says, but wishes he was married. Although, Ivy won't go for that.

"Maybe there will be someone," Ollie tells him not to give up.

"But I can't give up on Ivy, either." Dan is certain he's not going anywhere and neither is Ivy. 

"Yeah, I felt that way too," Ollie tells him, "but look where I am now? A girl Dad who only sees Carrie on the weekends. I mean, I really try to be positive about her mother, but it feels we are more distant now, even if I wanted to go the distance."