Chapter 222: American Airlines Arena
Saturday, January 21st, Evening
Carefully, she was escorted to her seat in the section generally reserved to the team officials and families. Ashlyn slides down the aisle and looked down at her ticket, then the seat. It's been a while since she's seen one of James' game live.
"Ashlyn?" a woman asked.
Ashlyn turned to see a woman sitting in her seat. The woman in the seat is younger than Ashlyn's thirty-three years. Remembering, correctly, she's twenty-six years old and the wife of Harding, one of the forwards, and the second longest-tenured player on the team.
"Destinee?" Ashlyn asked.
"My god, it is you," Destinee said and stood up with some difficulty with her heavily pregnant belly. She walked or waddled, the few steps to Ashlyn, and they hugged.
"How many is this?" Ashlyn asked.
Before Destinee could answer, Ashlyn heard some other woman's voice in the section.
"Who is that woman?" one of the voices asked.
"Is that the new guy's wife?" another voice asked.
"Who does she think she is, thinking she could sit with us?" another voice asked.
"That's James Scott's wife? She does exist," another voice said.
"I wonder what brought her out of hiding?" was another voice questioned.
"This is only number three," Destinee said as they separated, "You should talk, you have four."
"The last two were twins," Ashlyn said.
"Well, my feet are already killing me," Destinee said.
"Go ahead," Ashlyn said.
"Thank you," Destinee said, and they took their seats.
"It's still catty as ever," Ashlyn said.
"Ignore them, they don't know why nor should you care," Destinee said.
"If I remember, you were the same way," Ashlyn said.
"Then I met you, and you explained why, and once I had my first, I completely understand," Destinee said.
"Yeah, well, it was better for my mental health to be around family," Ashlyn said, cutting off her usual thought at the end, back then.
"Are the kids with you?" Destinee asked.
"No, Brett had a game, and she's with her dad this week," Ashlyn said.
"And the other three?" Destinee asked.
"They're with James' parents," Ashlyn said.
"So, what brings you down to Miami?" Destinee asked.
"James asked, and it was a good weekend to come down," Ashlyn said.
"He must've gone crazy when he first saw you," Destinee said.
"I don't know; I was so tired when I got in, I passed right out," Ashlyn said.
"Damn!" Destinee said.
"He spoiled me today; he cooked breakfast and arranged for a spa day for me," Ashlyn said.
"You're not getting a lot of sleep tonight," Destinee said.
"That, Destinee, is none of your business," Ashlyn said.
"Excuse me," a young woman, even younger than Destinee, asked, leaning between them.
"Yes?" Ashlyn asked.
"They are saying you're James Scott's wife," the young woman said.
"Well, she's not Michael Scott's wife," the young woman said.
Ashlyn and Destinee chuckled, "I'm James' wife," Ashlyn said.
"Oh, that's great," the young woman said, "It's good to meet you."
Ashlyn smiled and laughed, "Pleasure to meet you," she said.
"Oh great, I have so many questions," she said.
"Okay, and what's your name?" Ashlyn asked.
"Genesis Wragge," she said.
"Your husband is new to the league," Ashlyn said.
Genesis nodded, "Yeah, he's a rookie," she said.
"Don't worry about too much," Ashlyn said.
"You've been doing this how long?" Genesis asked.
"This is my eleventh season," Ashlyn said, "But James' rookie year was my only season in the WNBA."
"So, it's true you were in the WNBA," Genesis said.
"Just one season," Ashlyn said.
"Genesis, you can ask Ashlyn questions later," Destinee said.
"Okay," Genesis said and leaned back.
"Before she interrupted," Destinee said, "I was going to ask about the kids. How's Brett?"
"God, she's taller than me, and near the end of her senior year of high school," Ashlyn said.
"Wow! Time flies, is she going to college?" Destinee asked.
"She committed to Norte Dame," Ashlyn said.
"With you and James both going to Duke, I figured she'd go there," Destinee said.
"God! That was crazy, two of James' cousins wanted her to go to UCONN, another cousin wanted her to go to NC, of course, James and I wanted her to go to Duke. James' dad was partial to Maryland, and finally, her dad wanted her to go to Georgetown. I'm kind of glad she chose her own path," Ashlyn said.
"The other kids?" Destinee asked.
"Maeghan's eight and so far seems to be not interested in basketball. I know you're not supposed to say this, but I think she's my girlie girl," Ashlyn said.
"How do you cope, you're not the most girlie girl?" Destinee asked.
"My ex's wife," Ashlyn said and laughed.
"How do you do that?" Destinee asked.
"It's called co-parenting," Ashlyn said.
"The twins?" Destinee asked.
"They're six and completely worshipping their granddad, dad, sister, or anyone who plays basketball. They are obsessed with the game," Ashlyn said.
"Sounds like you have your hands full," Destinee said.
"Yeah, I do," Ashlyn said, "Games about to start."
"You pay attention to the game?" Destinee asked.
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, so I can judge James' mood when he calls me," she said.
"Makes sense," Destinee said.
They watched the game, and several times Destinee had to go to the lady's room. The game ended with Miami beating Milwaukee 109-97. Ashlyn smiled as she headed to the place; she was meeting James. Hopefully, they would do more than talk when they got back to the apartment after the game.
