Madison Square Garden,
New York City…
Todd picked up his tickets to the basketball game at the ticket booth and
gave one each to his sons, Trevor and Tyler. They followed him inside. In
true Manning fashion, in was quiet between them.
The Knicks were playing the 76’ers and Tyler was a big Knicks fan. Todd
just wore casual clothing, as did Trevor but Tyler was adorned with a Knicks
hat, jersey, and sneakers.
They turned in their tickets and muddled down through the crowd, getting
courtside seating. Only the best for his boys, Todd thought.
It was still silent between them but thankfully there was no under current
of hard feelings accompanying it. Tyler knew “something” had happened
between his brother and his father and while he wasn’t sure what it was, he
knew in their own way, they were working it out.
They took their seats and watched the pre-game activates. It wasn’t very
loud in the court. Todd sat in the middle with Trevor and Tyler on each
side of him.
“So Dad, hungry?” asked Tyler looking at his father.
Todd ran his hand through his hair, “Yeah. Sure. What do you want Ty?”
“One of those really nasty, greasy hot dogs…nah…make it two…” grinned Tyler.
“With lots of onions, right?” said Todd.
“Yeah…” said Tyler grinning.
“What about you T.D?” asked Todd.
Trevor rubbed his nose, “Ah, those really greasy hot dogs sound good.”
Todd stood up and exchanged an awkward glance with Trevor, “All right. I’ll
be back.”
“Dad!! Don’t forget the cokes!” added Tyler adjusting his hat.
“Right,” said Todd sauntering off, leaving a space between the boys.
Tyler looked at Trevor and Trevor looked at Tyler.
“Lighten up dude,” said Tyler, “I don’t know what happened between you and
Dad but it’s like both of you are afraid to grunt around one another.”
“I’m trying all right,” said Trevor staring at Tyler.
“I can tell. You’re your usual doom and gloom self,” said Tyler.
“Don’t you think I’ve got reason to be?” asked Trevor.
“Are you going to blame Dad for everything that’s screwed up in your life,
dude? It’s not his fault you got hemophilia,” said Tyler honestly.
“Chill out Ty. I know that. It’s Mom’s. And she didn’t mean to give it to
me. It happened. I got it. I’m dealing with it. I’ve been dealing with
it my whole life,” said Trevor crossing his arms, feeling defensive.
Tyler dropped the conversation as the game started and the noise picked up
as the players were introduced. Both boys watched the players face off.
The 76’ers got the ball and the game was underway.
Tyler noticed how Trevor watched the players move. All of them were strong
and athletic…things his brother couldn’t be because of his hemophilia.
Trevor seemed fascinated with the action on the court as his eyes watched
the game unfold. Tyler thought he detected a longing from Trevor to
participate in a game that interested him, but couldn’t. Tyler couldn’t
help to think that in his own way, his brother was a very heroic guy living
with “it” as he did but he’d never told him. He didn’t want to sound
“corny.”
“Number Eighty is good,” said Trevor, more of an observation than a comment
to Tyler.
“Yeah - he’s the number one rebounder in the league,” said
Tyler, “Dad got us good seats, didn’t he?”
“He’ll always see to it we get the best,” said Trevor realizing that of his
father.
Just then, Todd showed up with a box of hot dogs and cokes. He looked a bit
flustered as he tried to juggle all the food in his hands. Tyler and Trevor
helped him out and he took his seat. Tyler shoveled the overcooked, greasy
dogs into his mouth as he slurped his drink.
“I miss anything? What’s the score?” asked Todd slurping on his own drink.
“Knicks are up by two,” said Tyler.
It grew silent between them as they finished their food. Tyler wiped his
hands on his pants, in a very “Manning” way.
“So Dad, you miss Mom?” asked Tyler with a grin. The crowd wasn’t so loud
as the game was underway and they could hear each other talk.
Todd choked and wiped his hand inside his jacket.
“Ty, it’s been…like…what? Three hours?” said Todd looking at his youngest
son.
“It’s okay to say you do,” said Tyler, “I know she’s got you hooked.”
“Hooked?” questioned Todd.
Trevor laughed.
“What are you laughing at?” asked Todd almost exasperated, “You boys - of
all people - know I love your mother.”
“Yeah. We know. It’s cool Dad. You guys are cool together,” teased Tyler.
“Thanks. I think,” said Todd.
“What do you think Mom’s doing with the girls?” asked Trevor trying really
hard to make it work between them. He finished his dog and wiped his hands
on his napkin.
“Girl things,” answered Todd.
Tyler wrinkled his brow, “What kinda’ girl things?”
“I think she said something about baking,” said Todd.
“Mom HATES to bake,” said Trevor.
Todd tried not to act suspicious.
“She’s up to something if she’s baking…” continued Trevor.
“Who knows what goes on in a chick’s mind…” commented Tyler.
Todd gave Tyler a look of admonishment.
“You know what I mean - girls are hard to figure out sometimes. Right
Trevor? I mean, C’Mon…Isn’t Amy hard to figure out?” asked a flustered
Tyler, “I know I can’t figure Kristi Jones out, so I stopped trying.”
“Amy? No,” said Trevor, “But her father is.”
“Ummm, Trevor, you still like that Amy right?” asked Todd. His voice
betrayed his nervousness since he knew what Téa was up too.
“Yeah. Why do you ask?” asked Trevor.
“I haven’t seen her around a lot,” remarked Todd. The crowed cheered around
them.
“Well her Dad…you know Amy’s father…he doesn’t like it that we…see each
other,” said Trevor shyly.
“Amy’s Dad is a putz. Remember how he crashed your party Dad and accused
Trevor of knocking her up?” asked Tyler.
Todd and Trevor glared at him.
“Is that what guys do? Knock chicks up Tyler?” asked Todd firmly.
Tyler felt bad, “No…I mean…”
“What do you mean Ty?” asked Trevor.
“Well…Dad didn’t knock up Mom. I mean he did, but…they made a baby…” said
Tyler trying to get himself out of the doghouse.
Todd blushed, “Ah yeah. We made a baby.”
“So Dad, you want Mom to have a girl or a boy?” asked Tyler.
Todd paused as he felt his sons stare at him.
“Well Dad?” asked Trevor, “Be honest.”
“Be honest?” spat Todd, “Can you handle my honesty Trevor? I want your
mother to have a healthy baby and well, HONESTLY, I hope she has a boy.”
Trevor swallowed, “A boy? Really? Why? So he can be like me? Born with
hemophilia? Live a life full of restrictions…?”
His question was serious as he looked into his father’s eyes. They betrayed
nothing.
“I want another boy ‘cos there’s four girls and only us guys,” said Tyler
trying to help his father out.
“Is that why you want another boy Dad? So your perfect little family is
balanced out?” asked Trevor raising his voice.
Todd got angry, “No, Trevor, that’s not why I want your mother to have
another boy. Let me tell you - I’ve enjoyed being a father - to you and to
Tyler - when you’re both not being brats. It’s a challenge too ‘cos…I want
to…do to the same things with you that I do with your brother. I want to
play sports with you and do all these things that father’s do with sons but
because you’ve got hemophilia I’m limited. That doesn’t stop me from trying
- like this game! Like this STUPID game - like taking you and Tyler to this
STUPID game - Trevor. I’m trying which is more than my father ever did with
me. He didn’t take me to no games like this. I was an embarrassment to him
so he very rarely took me out in public…” Todd paused to catch his breath.
“I want a boy who’s got his mother’s eyes that sparkle when he’s happy. I
want a boy who’s got a little bit of me and a little bit of your mother -
like you boys are and I don’t care if he’s got hemophilia. He’s gonna’ know
I love him and I’m gonna’ keep him safe. I want to look into his eyes as
I’m looking into your eyes right now and tell him I’m…I’m…proud of him as
I’m proud of his big brothers,” finished Todd feeling emotionally drained.
“I’m sorry Dad,” said Trevor.
“Trevor, it’s no secret you’ve disapproved of your mother and I having this
baby,” said Todd.
“Well, that’s because I’m really worried about Mom and that something will
go wrong…like in the past…” started Trevor.
“We all are dude…” said Tyler.
“I’m worried about her too Trevor but haven’t you once stopped to consider
that maybe your “disapproval” hurts your mother? Inside her heart?” asked
Todd keeping his voice even and firm.
His father’s words stung as Trevor realized how true they were. Trevor
adored his mother and he never wanted to hurt her. He hung his head.
Todd grabbed Trevor and lifted his head up, “Don’t Trevor. Don’t just feel
bad. When you get home, you show your mother how much you care.”
“Dad…” started Trevor.
“Yeah?” said Todd.
Tyler watched them intently.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. My behavior has been…I dunno…stupid. You
and Mom are the best and I should try harder. I just want everyone to be
all right - even the baby,” said Trevor, “I really do want Mom to have the
baby.”
Todd put his arms around his son, touched by his heartfelt words.
Tyler watched as they embraced, proud of his brother. Tyler had always
admired him, how he dealt with his feelings.
Todd, right now, was especially proud of his oldest son, and Trevor for the
first time realized he not only possessed physical courage but courage of
the heart as well.
“Hey, this is a basketball game. Let’s stop getting all sappy and watch it,
huh? Like a bunch of guys…” said Todd composing himself.
“I dunno…I think I just want to enjoy the game…with my father,” said Trevor
smiling.
“Cool. Can we be a happy family now?” threw in Ty grinning.
“Whatever my boys want, they get,” said Todd.
Trevor sat back and watched the rest of the game at peace with his heart and
his father. It felt good.
TO BE CONTINUED….
