On an early January morning, Garrett McLaughlin is surrounded by some of his closest friends and family in his hometown of Oklahoma City. By 11 a.m., his house is teeming with football and basketball coaches that used to mentor McLaughlin on different recreation teams. His soccer coaches from the younger days are also there grazing at a brunch.
McLaughlin, himself, is milling around the gathering. He has largely avoided talking to his family about what is about to happen for the better part of the last month.