Fast Break

A week later, Jayson sits in his room thinking about Zoe. He appreciates that she is so friendly and positive, even when he is in a bad mood. Unlike the adults in his life, Zoe doesn’t try to change him, and Jayson likes that about her. While he likes playing on the team, he still feels separate from his teammates and just doesn’t identify with the Belmont Bobcats. He calls Tyrese, venting his anger, and his old friend encourages him to work out his frustrations on the court. Jayson takes out a hidden photo of his mother from a trophy, thinking about their better times together. He worries that his classmates will learn the humiliating details of his life as a thief and child in foster care. He takes Tyrese’s advice and practices hard in the backyard.

Carol calls him inside and asks how he is doing. She is particularly curious to know if he has made any friends at his new school. She mentions that she spoke with Zoe’s mother, and Jayson snaps, assuming that Carol revealed his past. He slams his basketball on the living room floor; it bounces wildly and smashes Carol’s handmade horse sculpture.

Furious and embarrassed, Jayson refuses to apologize, so Tom sends him to his room. Before he leaves, Jayson watches Carol kneel and gather every shard of the broken sculpture. The sight weighs on him as he sits alone in his room, feeling guilty.

Later, Carol comes to his room. Jayson does not apologize, but he acknowledges the importance of the horse sculpture, comparing it to one of his trophies. She dismisses it as an accident. He blurts out that he feels like an accident no one can fix. Carol reassures him that he isn’t broken and promises to be there for him. When she leaves, he cries.

On Saturday, the Bobcats open their season against the Karsten Kings. Jayson spots Carol, Tom, Zoe, and Ms. Moretti in the stands, and such support feels like a novelty to him. He also sees Karsten’s point guard, Pokie Best, a player from his old neighborhood who often played at the Jefferson Courts. Coach Rooney stresses teamwork before the game.

As the game begins, Jayson starts unselfishly but commits two turnovers, and Coach Rooney benches him. Karsten builds a lead. When Jayson returns, he blocks Pokie’s layup, and Pokie pretends to fall, prompting the referee to whistle a foul. Jayson argues rudely with the referee and receives a technical foul. Coach Rooney immediately pulls him from the game, putting the other point guard, Alex Ahmad, back in instead.

Cameron Speeth powers a comeback for the Bobcats. At halftime, Coach Rooney acknowledges that Jayson was right about Pokie’s behavior but warns Jayson that if he argues with officials again, he will sit on the bench for good.

In the third quarter, Bryan’s outside shooting pushes Belmont ahead. The fourth quarter is a tight fight. With seconds left, Coach Rooney calls a timeout, and he and the team strategize together. Back on the court, Jayson and Bryan trap Pokie and force a steal. Jayson races out on a fast break, draws two defenders, and passes to an open Cameron, who lays it in at the buzzer. Belmont wins by one. Jayson feels like the rest of his life is always in shambles but that in basketball, he can experience validation and victory.

On Monday, Jayson tries to be kinder at the Lawtons’ house. Ms. Moretti visits and praises his game performance, though she notes that he leans on basketball for everything. Jayson explains that basketball is all he wants in life. He stubbornly claims that he does not need friends or other interests and that being on the team is enough for him. Inwardly, Jayson feels like he is lying to Ms. Moretti as he tells her this.

When Ms. Moretti encourages him to open up to others, he admits that he fears messing up and disappointing people. She reminds him that people want to help him. He listens but remains guarded, unwilling to trust that this newfound support will last.

The next Saturday, the Bobcats win their second game. Jayson then walks to the Belmont soccer field to honor his bet with Zoe and watch her championship game against Weston. He hopes that the team does well and is nervous but excited about his planned visit to Zoe’s house later that evening. He sits alone as the match remains scoreless. Jayson takes genuine interest in the game and is impressed by Zoe’s skill. With under three minutes left, Zoe takes the ball, beats multiple defenders, and scores the winning goal.

Jayson congratulates Zoe, who invites him to her team’s pizza party. He declines but agrees to stop by her house later, as planned. At her house, he meets Zoe’s brother, Chris, before Zoe suggests that they play basketball on her family’s backyard court.

Jayson feels happy and in his element with Zoe. They talk, and Jayson admits that he feels out of place at Belmont and in his new life in general, while Zoe confesses that she feels pressure to be perfect. When she asks about his past, he shares parts of his story but omits the theft. Zoe’s mother arrives and presses him with questions that make him feel unwelcome. He calls Carol for an early ride home.

On Saturday, Jayson prepares for a home game against his old school, Moreland East. In warmups, Tyrese and another friend, Shabazz Towson, greet him; his former coach, Coach Rankin, also shakes his hand. Cameron reassures Jayson that the Bobcats have his back. Jayson is thrilled to see his old friends but wants to focus on the game and secure a victory for the Bobcats.

Coach Rooney gathers the team and speaks about heart and desire. The Belmont players chant to claim the gym as theirs. Jayson looks to the stands and waves to Carol and Tom before the game begins. Carol smiles and returns the wave.

Tyrese attacks early, and Moreland East builds a large lead. Coach Rooney calls a timeout, and the Bobcats grind back to tie the game by halftime. The second half is a defensive struggle, with Tyrese and Jayson exchanging digs on the court.

With Moreland East up by one and 22 seconds left, Coach Rooney draws up a play for Cameron. The play works, but Jayson keeps the ball and takes the shot instead. Shabazz blocks it as the horn sounds. After the loss, Cameron points out that he was open. Jayson realizes that he should have made a pass to him or Bryan.

Regretful, Jayson finds Tyrese and Shabazz, congratulates them, and admits that he should have passed, deeply regretting his selfish, split-second decision. Thinking about the game renews the inner tension he feels about playing for the Bobcats against his old team. He shrugs off Zoe’s attempt to comfort him and goes to the Lawtons’ backyard court to drill shots alone.

Carol comes out, rebounds for him, and reveals that she once started for Moreland East’s girls’ team. She also mentions that she used to rebound for Isaiah. Jayson coaxes her into shooting a jumper, which she makes. They sit together, and Carol comforts him until he laughs. He admits that basketball has always been the only thing he could rely on. When she reassures him about his mistake and teases him, Jayson lets down his guard and laughs at her joke.

Over the next week, Belmont wins two more games. Jayson focuses on playmaking, setting up Cameron for easy baskets. He is determined to show his team that he can be a team player. Coach Rankin acknowledges his effort but tells him to take shots when he should. Jayson begins to feel more at home with the Lawtons and at Belmont, but still lives on tenterhooks, hoping that no one finds out that he was a shoplifter.

One day after practice, Bryan invites him to Joe’s Pizza, and Jayson goes out with the team for the first time. He gives them a simple version of why he lives with the Lawtons, leaving out the part about being caught stealing. Then a man walks in, and Jayson freezes when he recognizes Pete, the Foot Locker employee who caught him stealing. Overcome with fear, he keeps his head down and plans his escape.

Panicking, Jayson fakes a text from Carol as an excuse to leave. He slips past the counter, avoids Pete’s eyes, and bolts. He walks the four miles home, replaying the events in his mind. Once home, he tells Carol and Tom why he ran, explaining that he is tired of hiding but fears that his classmates would judge him for his past crimes.

The Lawtons comfort Jayson, emphasizing his tough circumstances and his resilience. Carol reassures him that his past doesn’t define him, pointing out that at least this time, he ran home.

As December continues, the Bobcats keep winning, but Jayson sees less of Zoe, who is traveling for horse shows. He still maintains his friendship with Tyrese but feels more distant from his old life. He ponders how returning to his old neighborhood now might make him feel out of place in a different way.

Jayson senses the Lawtons’ sadness that Isaiah will not be home for the holidays. On Christmas morning, Jayson and the Lawtons open presents together. Jayson gives Tom a tie and hands Carol a wrapped box. Inside, Carol finds a new horse sculpture that Jayson bought to replace the one he broke. She is deeply moved and expresses her love for the gift. While his life isn’t perfect, Jayson feels a growing sense of belonging with them.