An hour later Basil and Jaxsen sat alone on Jaxsen’s bed, the soft chattering of the movie they’d put on for background noise forgotten before it really began.

“Basil, what’s wrong?” Jaxsen asked him with worried eyes watching his face. “You’ve been really quiet since we picked you up. Did something happen?”

Basil suddenly found his shoelaces extremely interesting as he stared silently at them. “My mom and I got into an argument.” There was a slight hesitation before ‘argument’ that Jaxsen did not miss but did not comment on.

“Did she do something to you?” Fire-fueled rage filled him at the thought of Basil being hurt even a little.  He found his fists balling with the need to protect this gentle soul from the horrors the world can inflict on its young. Basil noticed the tightness in Jaxsen’s voice and he looked up. 

“No. No. Not like that. I mean, she didn’t hit me or anything.” He seemed reluctant to say more, but there was a small tentative confession that echoed around the walls of the room. “I just didn’t want to be alone tonight.”

The moment was lost as a knock interrupted what Jaxsen was going to say, and Nizhoni’s voice called from behind the door, “Boys, dinner is ready.”

Jaxsen looked at his bedroom door. “Thanks, Mom, we’ll be right there.” Looking back at Basil, Jaxsen saw he’d pulled himself somewhat together, mentally preparing himself to put on a happy face he didn’t have to wear around Jaxsen.

Dinner went well, and despite himself Basil found he was beginning to relax, even laughing at the jovial mannerisms between Sebastian and his son. How Basil wished he had a loving, caring father to look at him with the pride and love Sebastian had in his eyes when he looked at Jaxsen.

He had few memories of his father left after five years of nothing. Pushing away that train of thought, Basil brought up his head to find the conversation had moved on, Jaxsen watching him carefully. He smiled uncertainly at the other boy’s scrutiny but didn’t look away.

“Basil?” The boys looked up from their now paused game of Mario Kart on an old Nintindo64. “Can I talk to you for a few?”

Basil frowned but nodded at the strange request. He followed Sebastian down the stairs, his footsteps echoing in his ears. When they were seated on the couch Sebastian began speaking.

“I brought you down here to talk with you about something that I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while now. I didn’t want to ask you in front of Jaxsen in case it’s a source of embarrassment for you. But…I’ve noticed you’re beginning to lose weight-and I must say I’m proud of you-” Basil smiled at that. He didn’t know how badly he needed to hear those four words from a parental figure. “Is…” Sebastian paused and released a held breath. “I don’t mean for this to sound disrespectful…but is your mother able to buy you new clothes to compensate?”

Basil looked down in shame, chest tight, and shook his head.

“Well, in that case, I was wondering if you would permit me to buy you some clothes that fit.” Basil looked up and couldn’t speak and Sebastian continued. “Over the last year, Basil, you’ve given Jaxsen so much, even if you don’t know it. I don’t want you to be ashamed of my request. I’m asking because over the last several months I’ve essentially gained another son.”

Basil’s eyes met Sebastian’s face and searched for the joke. He found none and his eyes instantly filled at the words.

“Because of this I want to do what I can. This isn’t to help your mother for the lack of money, Basil, this is for you, and you alone. I want you to think about what I’m offering. This doesn’t have a limitation to just a wardrobe, either. If you need something…lunch money, a ride somewhere, new shoes…anything you need. Don’t be too ashamed to ask, okay?” 

Basil wanted more than anything to ask him if he could be his dad. That more than anything else he needed a father, but instead he looked down and nodded. 

“Good,” Sebastian said with a nervous smile. “Well, tomorrow being your big 1-0, Jack and I have a surprise for you. We can leave a bit earlier and stop and get you an outfit for the evening, and Sunday we can go get you some new clothes. Okay?”

Basil nodded. “Okay, Sebastian. Thank you.” That night Basil fell asleep with a smile on his face instead of drying tears.

After a light breakfast Saturday morning, the explanation being there would be plenty of food where they were going, they headed off to the store to purchase Basil a new outfit for the day. Jaxsen couldn’t help but smile at the smile that was plastered across Basil’s face as he picked out each item with great care and equal excitement. Once everything was purchased Basil took the bags to the restroom to change. 

“He’s really excited,” Jaxsen commented as they waited outside the restroom entrance. Sebastian smiled down at his son and ruffled his hair. Jaxsen’s smile widened. He loved it when Sebastian did that. He loved the pride in the older man’s eyes and the pride in himself that he didn’t flinch away.

“He’s a good kid. He deserves something special. Especially today.” The words Sebastian didn’t say hung in the air, and Jaxsen, even still being seven months from turning ten, was perceptive enough to hear them.

When Basil emerged he was adorned in a light blue shirt under a teal button down Polo that brought out the green in his eyes, a pair of dark jeans, new socks and a pair of Nike shoes he’d admired that morning on a commercial on the television. The final thing he was attired with was a brilliant smile that would only get bigger as his day progressed.

“Do you like it?” Basil asked as a blush crept up into his cheeks.

“You look great, Basil,” Jaxsen replied. Basil smiled as his blush deepened. 

When the three of them arrived at the Lucas Oil Stadium and Basil finally learned what his big surprise was, he was bouncing with excitement. He’d always wanted to go but his mother always told him the expense was too much. As they waited to enter in the long line, the boys stood in front of Sebastian. Jaxsen smiled when Sebastian shifted to put himself behind them. He was aware Jaxsen was still nervous in large crowds but insisted to Sebastian he wanted to do this for his friend. Basil turned and looked at Jaxsen who met his gaze.

“You remembered.” The statement was spoken softly, almost shyly. Almost as if in disbelief. It was something he’d mentioned months ago and in passing conversation. Jaxsen smiled back and swallowed the urge to cry at the look in Basil’s eyes.

“Of course I did.”

Basil smiled at his friend, a shine coming over him that Jaxsen hadn’t seen in some time. Jaxsen returned the grin, throwing his arm over Basil’s shoulders, happy that he was able to bring such a look of pure delight to his friend’s face.

“This is so awesome!” Basil exclaimed as he watched wide eyed at the spectacle before him. The truck engines were loud and the smell of fuel tinged the air. They each had loaded hotdogs, a drink, and the boys shared a large chilly fry. Around their food Jaxsen and Basil cheered and screamed as cars were smashed and leapt over by the monster trucks, and even more, it seemed, when one of the trucks tipped over and rolled.

The show would be ending in twenty minutes and Sebastian still had a surprise for them both. “Boy’s come on. There’s still one more one thing to do before going home and we have to go down a couple levels.” Basil and Jaxsen exchanged looks and shrugged, getting up to follow Sebastian. Basil’s mind reeled. Down a couple levels? That would be the arena. Basil looked to his left and saw the distress on Jaxsen’s face as they navigated through the crowd. He’d wondered what Sebastian had meant when he had asked Jaxsen if he was okay as they exited the car. 

Without second thought Basil clasped his hand into Jaxsen’s smaller one and pulled him a bit closer to his side. Jaxsen immediately tightened his grip around Basil’s hand, grateful for the anchor. He felt his chest loosen the smallest bit. He’d been doing so well being around people. He didn’t want to get scared now.

“It’s okay. Just breathe,” Basil said in his ear as he steered Jaxsen to walk the barest fraction closer to his side. Finally they arrived at the door that Sebastian led them to and knocked. Unexpectedly to Basil, Jaxsen’s grasp on his hand stayed firm. The door opened and they were ushered out onto the marina just as the loud speaker sounded.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have an announcement. If you would help me and put your hands together and sing happy birthday for Basil Robinson. He turns ten today!” The announcer, the crowd, Jaxsen and Sebastian sang happy birthday. When the song was over and the crowd began to dissipate, Grave Robber himself presented him with a small cake with a single candle to make a wish, and a miniature model of his truck. Grave Robber was Basil’s favorite driver. He also gave the boy an autographed picture; Grave Robber’s truck standing forefront on top of a row of cars.

They all chatted as Basil shared a slice of cake with them after making his wish.

“Bastian?” Sebastian looked up from his reading at the sound of his name. Basil stood in front of him looking almost timid in his stance.

“What’s up? You okay?” Sebastian frowned slightly and set the book aside.

Basil nodded. “I um, just wanted to tell you thank you again. Today was the best birthday I’ve ever had.” 

Sebastian smiled. “It was my pleasure, Basil. I’m really glad you had fun.” Basil smiled before it faltered, the nervousness returning.

“You remember when you said to um, come to you if I n-needed something?” Sebastian nodded. “Well um…can I…um…can I have a hug?” Sebastian’s heart broke at the question as he stood and drew the boy into a tight, fatherly hug.