Three Days Later

It was a nice Saturday Morning along the river. Lucas had finished his run and walked over towards the River Court Bleachers. He climbed up on them and looked over at the kids playing basketball.

It was the typical summer crowd on the Court. He watched his son, nephews, and their friends play. Looking across the bleachers he noticed someone he hadn't seen in a while sitting down at the bottom of them making commentary.

Lucas climbed down the steps and sat next to him.

"Hey Rerun, how was your trip?" Lucas asked.

The small young man looked up at Lucas.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the legends of the Tree Hill and Coach of the Tree Hill High School Lady Raven's Lucas Scott joins us in the booth," he said.

Lucas laughed and had a flash back to when he was in high school and Mouth. Mouth use to commentate the River Court Games and when Lucas started to play for the Ravens Mouth and Jimmy Edwards started and by Senior Year the school made him the commentator and officially sanctioned Doing the trip to the past a dark spot flash over his eyes when he remembered Jimmy Edwards.

"So Coach Scott, would you like to comment for Rerun asked.

"Rerun, what would you like me to comment on, the Current River Court Game, the up and coming season for the Ravens, or the Lady Ravens?" Lucas asked, playing along, helping the kid and his dreams along.

"Let's start with the current River Court Game," Reran said.

"Well currently on the court are the teams of Keith Scott and Huck Burke, versus James Scott and Mike Longstreet. Well the scouting reports of Keith Scott are good; he's a strong under the boards player, with a power game. He must get that from his Uncle Nathan.

"Huck Burke, on the other hand is not much of an offensive game. He's average only around eight points a game, but he is one hell of a defensive forward, and a sure laser beam passer.

"The Opponents are also a mix bag. James Scott is also a son of a Tree Hill Legend. Unlike his father James is an outside shooter with excellent foot work. He had an excellent career at his School in California, and hopefully he can play this year for the Ravens.

"Mike Longstreet, is a street ball player, his home court is right here. He's a good all around player. Among other things he is a consistent shooter."

After a pause, Rerun looked at the game and made a few more comments about the game.

"Thank You, Coach Scott. So can you give an exclusive for on the up and coming Lady Ravens Season?"

"Sure, last year we made it to State Semi-Finals before we lost. It was heart breakings loss, and it was made worse by a complete defensive break down. This year we're going to try to build on last years successes and improve on our failures. The bad thing is we had five seniors graduate and two girls move away. Fortunately we have two of our star juniors returning as seniors. We still have star Shooting Guard Angela Scott and Small Forward Ashlyn Pierce, which should make a good one two punch. I'm also hoping some of my Bench Players from last year can step up and fill the gaps."

Rerun made a few comments about the game and nodded to Lucas.

"Thank You for your comments Coach Scott."

"Your welcome, Rerun," he said and nodded, "Oh and Rerun, when we get back in school, come by my Office and I'll give you a better interview after try outs."

Rerun nodded and looked at Lucas, "Thank You Coach Scott."

Lucas nodded and looked over to the street and show a car pull up. Climbing out was an average sized guy with spikey brown hair. He smiled a toothy grin and headed over to the bleachers. He was followed behind by a tall, leggy, blonde woman and two young kids.

He came over and sat down next to Lucas.

"Hey Luke, I'd know you would be here," Mouth McFadden said.

Lucas nodded.

"Yeah I like watching the kids play," Lucas said.

Mouth's wife came up and Lucas stood up. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheek.

"Hello Aubrey, how have you been?" Lucas asked.

"I'm doing well, Lucas, and how are you?" she asked.

"As good as I can," he said, and turned to Mouth's two kids.

"Hey Uncle Luke," The older boy Mel said.

Lucas smiled, "Hey Mel." Lucas hugged the boy and then looked to the second child.

"Hey Joey," Lucas said.

"Hey Uncle Luke," he said.

Mouth watched as Lucas caught up with his family. Mouth was just the average guy in school. He was an outcast all those years ago, a simple boy with a dream to be a sports broadcaster, with his friend Jimmy Edwards. They would sit on a picnic table pretending to be broadcasters as Lucas and their other friends played basketball.

That all changed when Lucas was asked to join the Varsity Basketball Team. Mouth came along for the ride, unknowingly. First he established with Jimmy. Through his AV Connections he was DJing the Annaul "Boy Toy" Charity Auction. He ended up being the highest winning bidding, by chance.

It was one hell of a night with Brooke Davis. It was one of those moments that you just knew that changed your life. As their Junior Year advanced he slowly became part of the in crowd, mainly through his budding friendship with Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis, in some cases DJing their parties. He also had his first girlfriend, Erica Marsh.

Senior year was when it defiantly changed. His small website now was official and he had a new broadcast partner. When the Cheerleaders had their Fantasy Boy Draft he was picked number one overall. Tragedy also struck early that year when Jimmy Edwards took the school hostage and ended up killing himself.

He smiled and remembered the good and bad times. That was when he noticed looking at him. The two old friends, now in their mid-thirties started to walk along the river.

"So what is up, with Nathan and Charlotte?" Lucas asked, "It was important enough to call me at 3am."

Mouth cleaned his throat. "There are a few problems, Luke. Where do you want me to start?"

Luke nodded. "Where ever."

Mouth sighed, "My sources in the Bobcats' front office tell me that Nathan might be a bad influence on the team. Also his asking price is way too much.

"A major deal breaker is he is still seen as the party boy from the Naley years. They like to think they have a good solid organization and they don't want a quote unquote Rock star on the team.

"But the worst is the whole Daunte thing. Luke, Nate shaved points in high school, we both know this. That taint has followed him ever since. The Bobcats don't want that.

"Don't get me wrong the Basketball People would love to sign Nathan. They would be stupid not too. But the money and baggage could kill the deal."

Lucas nodded, "Between you and me Mouth, and it stays between us as friends, Nathan will retire if he doesn't sign with the Bobcats," Lucas said.

Mouth shook his head, "Nathan isn't ready to retire, Luke. We all know it."

"But he is ready to start end his career."

Mouth gave Lucas a knowing nod.

"But you also really need to have this conversation with Nathan about this."

OTH

Huck sat under the basketball hoop and looked over at his friends. The four guys were drinking water and started laughing and joking.

"Keith, who doesn't your dad know?" Mike asked.

Keith just shrugged, "What do you mean?"

"That was the Mouth of the South, I see him always on ESPN," Mike said.

Keith shrugged again, "That's just Uncle Mouth. He's just one of my dad's friends."

"Damn Keith, Nathan Scout, Mouth MacFadden, who's next?" Mike said, and they all got a quick laugh.