Chapter 244: Greenwich

Wednesday, January 25th, Morning

This morning is one of those rare moments when everyone who lived in this mansion assembled in the dining room even with no food service. Angela sat on one side of the table; her daughter Jess sat next to her. Across from Angela is her mom, Karen Hargrove, and next to Karen and across from Jess is Angela's step-dad, Andy Hargrove. The four occupants turned their eyes to the man sitting at the end of the table. Angela's agent, Clay Evans, looked back at them and placed several file folders down in front of him.

Angela rapped her fingers on the table's surface and finally nodded. "So, what's the word?" she asked.

Clay reached down and picked up one of the files and handed it to Angela. "This is the Liberty's offer for you to stay in Brooklyn," he said.

Angela took the file and opened it. She studied the numbers, closed the file, and handed it to Andy. Andy took the file and opened it. He did the same thing Angela did. Once Andy finished studying the numbers, he passed it to Karen.

Karen studied the numbers and closed the file; she returned it to Angela.

"What do you think?" Andy asked.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure," Angela said.

"It's about where we expected it to be," Clay said.

"You would figure with what Angela has meant to the team they'd offer more," Karen said.

"They need more than just Angela," Clay said.

"They're also a known quantity," Andy said.

"Plus, it's New York," Jess said.

"It's Brooklyn, though," Angela said, looking at Jess.

"Jess gets to stay in the same school with her friends," Karen said.

"Yeah, I get to be with my friends," Jess said.

"Don't rush to a decision; you've only seen New York's offer," Clay said.

Angela nodded, "Fine, what's the next one," she said.

Clay handed another file folder over to Angela. She took the folder and repeated the process, followed by passing it to Andy and Karen. Once the file was back at Angela, she looked to Clay.

"That's the Sun's offer?" Angela asked.

Clay nodded. "Yes, that's the Sun's offer," he said.

"That's a generous offer," Karen said, "Very generous."

"It's league max for my years," Angela said.

"They want to lure you away from the Liberty, big time," Clay said.

Angela nodded, "It seems that way," she said.

"It's good to be wanted. It's about as long to travel to either team," Karen said, "On the plus side, Jess doesn't have to change schools."

"It's good money," Andy said, "If that's matter."

"It's a shorter deal," Angela said.

"Three years," Clay said.

"You were thinking of retiring in three years anyway," Andy said.

"Plus, staying in-state keeps you close to ESPN for the next stage of life," Clay said.

"Didn't you say your friend Paula is coaching the Sun?" Karen asked.

Angela nodded, "Yes, I did," she said.

"A first-time head coach with a rebuilding team," Clay said.

"I already have three rings," Angela said.

"Some would say better the devil you know," Andy said.

Angela nodded, "True, but there's the plus of playing and living in the same state," she said.

"What do you think, Clay?" Andy asked.

"I think both offers have merit," Clay said.

"That they do, but as the agent here, what is your advice to your client?" Andy asked.

"Personally, for her career, New York is the better team, and the better chance to get another championship, if that matters," Clay said.

"What are your thoughts on the Sun's offer?" Andy asked.

"The move to the Sun will dovetail nicely with her long term goals," Clay said.

Angela nodded and looked to Jess, "Well, you've not weighed in on this one," she said.

"Mom, it's Connecticut; it's just not the same as New York," Jess said.

"It would be different if it was Manhattan or Westchester like where they use to play. It's Brooklyn, and I can still take you into Manhattan to see the crew down there just the same," Angela said.

"The big thing is I want to stay with Trish and Emma," Jess said.

Angela nodded and looked at Andy. "Do you mind us shaking up here for a few more years?" she asked.

Andy shook his head, "No, not at all; I love having you and Jess here," he said.

Angela turned to Karen. "Mom, do you mind us living here for a while longer?" she asked.

"No, I love having you and Jess here," Karen said, "She's my only grandchild I see regularly."

Angela turned to Clay, "Any other offers?" she asked.

Clay nodded, "Yes, a few," he said, pulled and handed her a third file.

Angela looked the offers over and closed the folder. She looked over each of the other four faces and nodded.

"Thank you for your council and your opinions, but this is a choice I have to make on my own," Angela said.

"I wouldn't expect it any other way," Karen said.

"You're welcome," Andy said.

"I just want to be with my friends," Jess said.

"It's what you pay me for, advocate for you as my client," Clay said.

"Still, it's much appreciated," Angela said.

"So, what are you going to do, Angela?" Andy asked.

"May I have a pen?" Angela asked.

"Sure," Clay said and handed Angela a pen.

Angela took the pen and clicked it open; she looked over the three files and opened one. Angela flipped through the papers and found a line. Angela signed it, closed the file, and handed it to Clay.

"There I signed the offer sheet make arrangements for me to sign my new contract formally," Angela said.

"I will make sure it will happen," Clay said.

"Any hints on who it is?" Andy asked.

"Spoilers," Angela said and smiled.