August 15th.

The boys were leaving for OU in the morning to start their junior year of college.

Things between Michael and Jessica have been a bit rocky the past couple of weeks.
He was still upset with her forcing him to go back to school, and Jessica was still heartbroken over the fact that he never said he was sorry for saying he hated her.

Jessica tried to push everything to the side and just enjoy this last night out as a family before they boys  fly out in the morning.

"Boys, where do you two want to eat tonight?  It's both of your birthday dinners!"

"Ooh!  Well how about-" Zachary starts but Michael cuts him off.

"We have plans."

"No we don't."

"Michael honey, I really want to spend tonight as a family.  You two can invite your girlfriends if you want." She chuckles.

"Thanks mom." Zachary smiles.

"She and I have plans. Alone."

"Mikey, please don't do this!  I'm only doing this for your own good.  Daddy would want you to stay in school, baby!"

"Why do you always have to bring him up!" Michael raises his voice.

"I'm sorry, I just.. Michael please cut this attitude out.  It's school.  It's just something you have to do."

"You don't understand, mom."

"Oh yes I do.  I do, Michael."

"No because you got knocked up at fourteen and never had a life!"

"Michael!"

"Man don't go there." Zachary tries calming him down.

"Shut up, Zach!  This is between me and MY mother!"

"Don't talk to him that way!" Jessica raises her voice.

"Oh poor Zachary!  You always treat him like he's so special!  Just cause his mom didn't want to be with him anymore that doesn't mean you have to baby him!"

"MICHAEL SHEPARD!"

*Scoffs* "Whatever." Michael walks out leaving Jessica in tears.

"Zachary, I'm so sorry!  I-I don't know what's gotten into him!"

"No, don't be sorry.  I'm sorry!  He shouldn't speak to you that way!"

"I know.. I do love you son.. Don't listen to what he said about your mother."

"Mom, please don't worry about it.  It's okay.  I love you."

"I love you more." Jessica hugs him tightly and lays her head on his chest.

**

Jessica went to Danny and explained everything.

"Danny I don't know what I did!  Maybe I don't show him enough attention.. I don't know!"

"He's about to be twenty years old, it's not like he's a baby, Jess."

"I'm worried about him, Danny.  What if something else is wrong?"

"I'll talk to him.  You just go get ready."

Danny called him a few times, and Jessica called him many many times and never got an answer.  She finally just texted him and told him when and where they were going to have dinner.

Everyone got dressed and drove over to the restaurant.

Jessica tried to just push it all to the side, but deep down she couldn't help the sick feeling of worry and heartache.

About twenty minutes after they arrived at the restaurant Michael showed up, but not at all like himself.

"Danny, he's drunk." Jessica whispers to him.

Danny sighs and Jessica turns to Michael.

"Jess, wait."

"No Danny!  Michael!"

"What?"

"What on earth has gotten into you?  How dare you treat me the way you did, then have the nerve to show up drunk!  What's going on?  I'm your mother, Michael... I'm worried about you, babe." Jessica breaks and starts to cry.

"I'm fine.  No one has to worry about me!  You wanted me here and I'm here!  I'm sorry I have to get shit faced drunk just to hang out with you people!"

"Michael!" Danny says as Sam stands up.

"I've got him.  Tiff, take the car home.  I'm gonna drive this fool around and have a little talk."

"Samuel-"

"I'm just gonna talk, mom." Sam calmly says to Jessica

**

"What the hell is wrong with you?  Driving drunk!  You could have killed yourself or someone else!  How could you be so stupid?! Why are you even drinking in the first place?"

"Like you didn't drink in college!"

"Fine throw my past in my face but I never showed up to my birthday dinner that I KNEW meant something to mom Drunk!  What's gotten into you lately?  Are you on drugs?  Are you an alcoholic?  Are you trying to be something you're not for this girl?"

"No!"

"Then what is it?!" Sam slams on his breaks and raises his voice.

"It's dad!" Michael yells.

"What about dad?"

"He's not here!  Sometimes it hits me harder than other times, sometimes I just can't take it and I drink until I can't feel anything.. and for a moment I'm okay.  Grace.. She helps with that.  When I'm at school I can't help but think of him.  Playing basketball was always such a fun thing to do.. Lately it's not because it makes me think of him.  Thinking of him hurts me too much.  It's been five years but these past couple months have been harder than when it was all fresh! 
... and mom!  I'm so mad at her sometimes!  Not just because she's making me go back to school, but because.. She's.."

"She what?"

"She's happy.  God that sounds horrible!  You know I love coach.. It's just this whole dad stuff that's coming back to me and.. I hate that our family isn't the same anymore! It'll never be the same again. Dad will never know his grandson, Sam! He's supposed to be here!"

"Mikey, I know it's tough. It really never gets easier.. You were so young when he passed, I knew it would hit you differently. Michael, you can't be mad at mom for being happy. Danny is a good man and they both deserve each other and to be happy. Life is so strange sometimes.. I miss dad so much.." Sam says as his eyes start to tear up.

"But I'm glad Danny's here. Without him we wouldn't have an another brother and sister. I can't imagine life without those two. Zach fits in with our family perfectly.. Danny will never replace our dad.. But he's a pretty amazing stand in. Nova.. She wouldn't even be on this earth if mom wouldn't have met Danny! Don't you see that dad sent them all to us! He sent Danny and Zachary! He sent Nova.. It took mom two years to have a baby but now she's here and she's so perfect! Remember those dreams mom used to have where dad would tell her that times would be tough but in the end she'd have everything? She.. We all went through tough times.. We deserve to finally be happy.. Don't ruin it by doing this, Michael. You're nineteen years old! Don't throw your life away for drugs, alcohol, a girl you barely know.. If she's that special she'll always be there for you when you come back home. I know I'm not James who was perfect since birth.. But I've done things I wish I didn't. I hurt mom and I regret it. Samuel and Tiffany have brought so much meaning to my life.. They woke me up.
When I became a father my life completely changed.. As your older brother I'm gonna guide you the way I know dad would want me to. Your life is too precious to play games like this. Learn from my mistakes as a teen and work hard to make mom, dad, And Danny proud."

Michael just looks at him but Sam can tell he's getting through to him.

"Oh and tell mom you love her. She's been heartbroken since you told her you hated her. We've lost parent already, Mike.. Don't do things like that. No matter how mad you are you never tell our mother that you hate her. You know she loves you and you know that what you said hurt her."

"I know.. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Michael starts to cry.

Samuel felt for his younger brother. He reach over and comforted him. He saw how absolutely broken he was. He saw how much he misses and needs his father. Michael was just thirteen when he lost his dad. He has always suffered with anxiety and bouts of depression, so Sam knew this wasn't going to be easy for him.