The Swift Playbook

Part 10

After the kids had gone to bed, the house settled into an unusual quiet. Taylor moved softly through the dimly lit hallway, the soft glow of the desk lamp spilling light into Travis's office. She found him hunched over his computer, a collection of playbooks and game strategies spread out in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Hey," she said softly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

Travis looked up, momentarily startled, then offered a faint smile. "Hey, babe. Just getting some last-minute prep in for the game tomorrow."

Taylor nodded, taking a seat across from him. She could see the tension etched on his face, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. But tonight, there was something else she needed to address, and she hoped to break through the barrier he'd built around himself regarding Justin.

"Travis," she began, her tone serious, "can we talk about Justin?"

Travis sighed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "I know what you're going to say, and I've already made my decision."

"Have you?" Taylor asked, her voice steady. "He's been grounded for four weeks now. That's the punishment. We agreed on that. But tomorrow is a family tradition. It's a big deal for all of us."

"Family tradition or not, rules are rules," Travis replied, his tone clipped. "Justin broke our trust, and he needs to understand that there are consequences for his actions. It's not just about this game; it's about teaching him responsibility."

"But you're not giving him a chance to learn from it," Taylor pressed, her heart aching for her son. "He's been through a lot, and he's already feeling isolated. I worry this is just pushing him further away. We both know how much he looks up to you."

Travis rubbed the back of his neck, frustration evident on his face. "He made his choices, Taylor. He chose to sneak out, and now he has to deal with the fallout. It's not fair to the other kids who are following the rules."

"Is it fair to Justin, though?" she countered, her gaze unwavering. "He's hurting, and keeping him from being part of this will only drive a wedge between you two. He needs to feel like he belongs, especially after everything that's happened."

Travis shook his head, his jaw tightening. "I can't just let this slide because he feels bad. That would send the wrong message."

"Sometimes, being a parent means understanding when to be tough and when to show compassion," Taylor said gently, trying to reach him. "He's our son, and we need to be there for him, even when he messes up. Letting him come to the game could be a chance for him to reconnect with you."

Travis stared at her, the battle in his eyes evident. He was a coach, a leader, and he felt the need to uphold the values he taught his players. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the concern he had for Justin and their relationship.

"I just don't want to send the wrong message, Tay," he finally admitted, his voice softening a bit.

"I get that," she replied, her tone warm and understanding. "But sometimes, the strongest lesson we can teach is the one that shows love and support. Let him be part of this. He needs to feel like he's not lost everything. We can talk to him about it after the game, help him understand the importance of trust without shutting him out completely."

Silence hung between them as Travis contemplated her words, the air thick with uncertainty. He knew she had a point; he could see it in the way Justin had reacted to the grounding and how lost he had seemed lately.

"Let me think about it," he finally said, his voice heavy with consideration. "But no promises, okay?"

Taylor smiled softly, a glimmer of hope breaking through the tension. "That's all I'm asking. Just think about it."

As she got up to leave, Travis reached out to hold her hand for a moment, grateful for her steady presence. "Thanks for looking out for him," he said quietly.

Taylor nodded, squeezing his hand gently before stepping back into the hallway. She knew they weren't out of the woods yet, but she felt a flicker of optimism that maybe they could find a way to bring Justin back into the fold, one step at a time.