Chapter 308: North Range

Tuesday, January 31st, Morning

The North range of Beaulieu Manor had most of the family amenities that were extravagant or mere luxuries. These things included the sauna, music room, indoor pool, outdoor pool, indoor tennis courts, the gymnasium, and the weight room. Jessica "Jess" Scott reflected as she changed into her leotard and walked into the gym. She had seen the equipment there and figured she could get some practice in.

As Jess walked onto the gym floor, she spotted the equipment was already in use. Jess half expected one of the local girls; she pegged Brooke as the type to have her kids do dance and music, like many of the Greenwich mothers she was used to. But it wasn't; Jess saw her mom stretching on the rail. Jess always knew, from stories and pictures, that her mom took ballet. In fact, she credited it on her balance being good as it is. Jess didn't know she still practiced it.

By now, Jess had become accustomed to her mom's workout habits. In fact, Jess often joined her mom in her runs, but she knew she had trouble keeping up with her mom. Jess was also aware that her mom tried her best to be body positive with Jess. Her mom had a lithe, strong build, where Jess was starting to fill out a stockier frame, the Grady blood in her. Jess knew her mom would tell her she was Angela and not Jess, and vice-versa, be the best beautiful self you are, but Jess knew it was natural to compare, but unhealthy.

Angela straightened up and looked in the mirror at Jess. Mom smiled at her daughter but didn't take her leg off the bar.

"Morning," Angela said.

"Morning, Mom," Jess said.

"That's a look; what's on your mind?" Angela said.

"I didn't know you still practiced," Jess said.

"Took it back up after college, then laid off until after you were born," Angela said and returned to stretching.

"I just never knew," Jess said.

Angela straightens up. "How would you? I usually practiced when you're at school," she said.

Jess canted her head, then shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I wouldn't, but why would you?" Jess said.

"It helps with the stiffness and my knee," Angela said.

"Okay, you're not wearing your brace," Jess said.

"I'm wearing the lighter one; the heavy one is for games," Angela said.

"Why do you wear it?" Jess asked.

"I overtrained to get back and screwed it up worse. I just tell people I'm more comfortable with the heavy brace," Angela said and went back to stretching.

"A lie?" Jess asked.

Angela straightens out. "Sometimes, the little lie makes the truth more palatable. Also, I was embarrassed at what I did," she said.

Jess nodded, put down her stuff. Slowly, she started to loosen up. Once Jess finished, she took a spot on the bar and started her stretching.

"Are you excited for tonight?" Jess asked.

"It exists," Angela said.

"I don't get it; the school is honoring your legacy," Jess said, "I'd be insane if it were me."

Angela sighed, "High school wasn't great for me, and well, I don't know," she said.

"Wasn't this the first championship you won?" Jess asked.

Angela nodded, "Yeah, it was," she said.

"Don't you always remember your first?" Jess asked.

Angela nodded, "Sadly, yes, even if you want to forget it," she said, referring to more than just a basketball championship.

Jess looked at her mom. "You weren't just talking about basketball then," she said.

"In some ways, yes, and others no, but I'll explain when you're older," Angela said.

"Why is it always when I'm older?" Jess asked.

Angela sighed. "Some of it involves stuff you might be too young to understand, but honestly, it's mostly selfish reasons," she said.

"Selfish reasons?" Jess asked.

"Yeah, I'm not proud of a lot of things I've done, and part of me still wants you to look at me as a superwoman," Angela said.

Jess nodded, "Okay?" she asked.

"I'm not proud that, for example, I never married your dad. Things just kept being put off until it was too late," Angela said.

"Why's that?" Jess asked.

"The Navy, my career, but also me, once bitten twice shy, they say," Angela said.

"What does that mean?" Jess asked.

"Basically, get burned once; you're cautious, maybe overly cautious the second time on," Angela said.

"You loved my dad, right?" Jess asked.

Angela nodded, "With my whole heart," she said.

Jess nodded, "Is that why you're still single?" she asked.

"That, work, and I wanted to devote my time to you," Angela said.

"You're no tiger mom, and I'm an excuse?" Jess asked.

"No, but I tell myself that, but you're not the excuse," Angela said.

"What is it then?" Jess asked.

"My choice," Angela said.

"Now, I'm really confused," Jess said.

"I made a choice to remain unattached because honestly, after your dad, I feel there is no one like him to replace him, and I feel I'm a better person when I'm single than with second best," Angela said.

"That doesn't make sense," Jess said.

"It didn't at first to me either," Angela said.

Jess nodded, "So, you're making it up as you go along?" she asked.

Angela nodded, "You'll be surprised at how much that happens," she said.

Jess nodded, "I don't get it," she said.

"You will, eventually, hopefully," Angela said.

"Sure," Jess said, "I guess."

Angela nodded and looked around the gym. "I was doing some looking around the net today," she said.

"Yes, and what did you find?" Jess asked.

"I found a yoga shala that teaches the same style we take back home," Angela said.

"Okay," Jess said.

"Do you want me to try to get us in?" Angela asked.

Jess looked at Angela, "I didn't bring my may," she said.

"We could always get one, as I didn't bring mine either," Angela said.

"Well, it could be fun," Jess said.

Angela nodded and finished up her stretching. Taking her leg off the bar, she changed to her position up and started doing another exercise.

Jess nodded and moved onto her next exercise. Looking at her mom's back, she could see the tips of her tattooed angel wings peeking out from the top of her top. For as long as Jess could remember, her mom had those wings. Of course, the ESPN Body issue came out, and Jess looked it over. Those wings were on full display.

Are you comparing yourself to your mom again, Jess? This behavior isn't healthy, and you're a different body type. Also, your mom doesn't make a big deal about it; she puts you in these classes because of basketball. You confined in her you want to go far, and she's helping you.

"Are you comparing yourself to me again?" Angela asked, with her back turned.

"No," Jess said, lying.

"Jessica Ashlyn," Angela said.

"Umm, yes," Jess said.

"Jess, you are who you are, and that's a beautiful and intelligent young lady. I'm who I am, and you're going to be who you are, and we're both perfect for that," Angela said.

"It's just hard, Mom," Jess said.

"I know," Angela said and nodded.

Jess nodded and went back to her exercises.