Tears of a Tiger

The Hazelwood basketball team prepares to play their first home game since Robbie’s death. Andy is running late because he chose to take the bus instead of driving. Once he arrives, the team heads to the court. The team spends most of the game behind but makes a comeback in the last few minutes to win the game by one point. Andy stays behind after everyone has left; he is struggling with his new role as captain and the fact that his parents don’t come to games. Robbie’s parents were in the stands despite their loss.

Andy attends his first therapy session with Dr. Carrothers. His parents are worried about how he is coping after the accident, but Andy thinks that he is coping well. Dr. Carrothers guides Andy through a series of discussion topics, including basketball and his family, which reveals that Andy struggles more than he is willing to acknowledge.

After school, Andy wants to hang out with Keisha, but she acts responsibly and plans to study for her chemistry test instead. Andy acts out in anger at her refusal, though the emotion passes quickly.