Chapter 49 On The River Court
Three seventeen year olds sat on the picnic bench and looked up at the hoop. There was a basketball there but none of them played with it. It was an eerie silence but these three teenagers liked the whole silence thing, for two of them it was in their blood to be silent and contemplative. The third learned to enjoy the silence after she had her world change when she was fifteen and her mom shunned her.
"So why are you all smiles, Angela? Rhett finally give you some?" Ashlyn asked.
Angela shook her head, "No, and would you think that if he did I wouldn't have called you right afterwards?"
James put his fingers in his ear and started making the noise "La la la."
Ashlyn laughed, "I see he doesn't want to hear about your sex life."
"Or lack there of; it's been twice I've tried to land Rhett and something has gotten in the way," Angela said.
"Don't you think it is kind of fast? It hasn't even been two weeks," Ashlyn said.
"It's been like two years, Ashlyn."
Ashlyn shook her head, "So if it isn't Rhett, then who is putting that smile on your face?"
"Andy's in town," Angela said.
Ashlyn's eyes got wide and she shook her head, "That roguishly handsome millionaire that you're mom has been seeing forever? The guy who brought you and your mom on a European tour when you were little? That Andy is back in town?"
Angela nodded, "Yes, that Andy."
Ashlyn laughed, "Wow, so is he going to buy you a car, too?"
"That would piss off Grandpa Royal."
"Yeah, when are they leaving?" Ashlyn asked.
"Well, they were supposed to leave January second, but Lucas had the heart attack so they decided to stay until he was back on his feet, so I think they are leaving Saturday."
"You seem to be the only one that gets along with Royal," Ashlyn said.
Angela shrugged, "I'm his only granddaughter. So I'm spoiled I guess, and I'm the daughter of Mae's favorite son, who is dead."
Ashlyn shrugged, "So on to cheerier news, so what do you think Andy is in town for?"
Angela shrugged, "I have no clue."
"Maybe he'll finally propose," Ashlyn said.
"What makes you say that?" Angela asked.
"How long have they been dating?"
"Since I was eight," Angela said.
"So, I think it is about time for them to get married."
James shook his head, "For the two biggest tomboys I know, you two sure do have a lot of girly talk," he said.
Ashlyn and Angela both slugged him.
"Hey, we are girls you know," Ashlyn said.
James took the hits and laughed. He leaned down and kissed Ashlyn, "Don't you know I know this fact very well?"
"Eww!" Angela said.
"What is so disgusting?" James asked.
"You're my cousin."
"Now you know why I don't want to hear about you and Rhett," he fired back.
Ashlyn laughed, "Well, it's a big day tomorrow," Ashlyn said.
James nodded, "Yeah, the family meets each other."
Angela smiled, "So you're going to see my goddaughter tomorrow."
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, its great having a boyfriend with a car, I get to see Baby Girl when ever I want."
"Hey, is that all I'm good for?" James asked.
Ashlyn shook her head, "No mock despair from you mister, you like visiting Brett as much as I do."
James laughed and nodded, since it was true.
"Well, well, well look it what we have here, two Scotts and an honorary Scott and they're not playing basketball, now what is with that?" Skillz asked as he walked onto the court.
Angela, James and Ashlyn looked up and saw Skillz standing on the court with Willa standing next to him.
"Skillz!" Angela yelled.
"Uncle Skillz," James said.
"Funny guy; that looks like Worm from Coach Carter!" Ashlyn yelled and got looks from Angela and James, "Well he does look like Worm."
Skillz shook his head, "Are y'all doing the Scott brooding thing?"
Ashlyn shook her head, "No, Angela was actually smiling."
Skillz smiled and nodded, "Yeah," he said, and looked at Angela, "You and Rhett finally get freaky?"
James shook his head, "Alright, I'm just going to hold my head under the river so I can forget this day happened."
Ashlyn whacked James. "Enough talk of that," she said.
"So Skillz, what brings you up here?"
"Well I wanted to spend sometime with Willa, and I couldn't think of any place better then the River Court."
Willa stepped up, "I was hoping to play against some of the Lady Ravens, too," she said.
Angela nodded, "So what position do you play?"
"I play guard, my daddy, has taught me how to be a point guard and a shooting guard."
Angela nodded, "So let's see some of what you got."
Willa nodded and took the basketball from Skillz and started to shoot the ball. Angela and Skillz watched. He looked over to her.
"Angela, I just want to say with Rhett…"
"Be careful, everyone is saying that," Angela said.
"Well, he did break your heart once."
Angela nodded, "You know we're pretty deep at guard next year, we'll have five returning guards."
"Well, you have how many this year?" Skillz asked.
"We have seven guards, and only three are pure guards, I'm even carried as a swingman."
Skillz nodded, "I figure you'll have three openings and Willa can fill one with two of your swingmen graduating."
Angela nodded, "She is very talented, I just think she'll be buried on the bench, at least for a year. At point guard we have Faith and Anna, and at Shooting Guard we have Kay, Cara, and Monica, but I think Monica will end up more as a forward."
Skillz nodded, "Yeah, so my Baby Girl will have a place in the line up. Imagine her and Kay in the back court, it will be Scott and Taylor all over again."
Angela nodded, "So it is final, she is going to high school here."
"Yeah, my parents and Bevin's parents will watch after her."
Angela took a deep breath and then let it out, "You do know her half-brother is here and plays on the boy's team."
Skillz nodded, "Yeah, I know about Nate, so does Willa."
"Do you think he'll have a problem with her?"
"I'm not sure."
Angela shrugged, "You could end up with another Scott brothers situation."
Skillz nodded, "Yeah, that won't be very good."
"I agree."
"Well it is too late, she's coming here. So who can watch out for her?"
"I don't know, but I'll look into it."
Skillz nodded, "Thanks. So what has got you so happy?"
"Andy's back in town."
Skillz nodded, "Your mom's boyfriend Andy?"
Angela nodded, "Yeah, that Andy."
"Wow, I remember how you use to cling to his leg when you were small and shy."
"I was eight and all you tall people scared me."
Skillz laughed, "Now you're among us giants."
Angela nodded, "Yeah, and yet I wish sometimes I was still Willa's age."
Skillz nodded, "Yeah, so do I."
