Chapter 336: Choices
Tuesday, January 31st, Evening
Through the door into The Commons, Kelly passed out of the realm of basketball. Now she saw where most of the students did homework or ate lunch. Looking across The Commons, Kelly saw her husband and two oldest together. Kelly smiled and nodded; she loved her relatively small family.
Kelly looked to her left she saw Angela and Ashton talking. With a nod and smile, Kelly took the final step out of the Field House. The three women looked at each other.
"Kelly," Angela said.
"Kell," Ashton said.
"Ash, Angela," Kelly said.
"How are things going in there?" Angela asked.
"Halftime," Kelly said.
"What's the score?" Angela asked.
"Thirty-six to fifteen," Kelly said.
"Who's up?" Ashton asked.
"Who do you think?" Kelly asked.
Angela chuckled, "Good point," she said.
"Well, I'm going to see my kids," Kelly said.
Angela nodded, "Have fun," she said.
"Enjoy," Ashton said.
Kelly nodded and walked away from the older woman. Slowly, she made her way across The Commons. The tables were like a maze for a lab rat. Finally, she came over to Andrew and slipped an arm around his waist.
"How are they doing?" Kelly asked.
Andrew nodded, "They're doing well; they're running around as you can see," he said.
"That's good," Kelly said, "They don't have to be watching basketball."
"Why do you?" Andrew asked.
"My niece is playing; I'm supporting her," Kelly said.
"But you're out here," Andrew said.
"It's halftime," Kelly said.
Andrew nodded, "So, next year, we won't be here?" he asked.
Kelly shrugged, "Maybe, if the kids want to come, but if I want to support Lucas, I can listen from home," she said.
"I find it funny how you sometimes call him Lucas," Andrew said.
"You played; it's a matter of context," Kelly said.
Andrew chuckled, "I know, you call him Coach out of respect," he said.
"Yeah, but he is the dad of my best and oldest friend," Kelly said.
Phelan saw Kelly talking to Andrew; he ran over and looked at Kelly. "Momma, is the game over?" Phelan asked.
"Halftime," Kelly said.
"Do we have to go back for the rest of the game?" Phelan asked.
"You don't want to see the rest of the game?" Kelly asked.
"It's so boring," Phelan said.
Kelly bit her lip and turned to Andrew. He leaned his head towards Kelly and rolled his eyes to the ceiling; Kelly sighed and looked to her oldest.
"Well, what would you like to do, Phelan?" Kelly asked.
"I'd like to go home," Phelan said as if on cue Liv ran over to them.
"I'd like to go home too, Momma," Liv said.
Kelly sighed, "What do you think, Andrew?" Kelly asked.
"You have the only car that they could ride in," Andrew said.
"I know, and I have to talk to Ashlyn," Kelly said.
"I know that, too," Andrew said.
Kelly sighed, "There might be a few more things to do here," she said.
"Momma, I wanna go home," Liv said.
Andrew looked off and nodded.
"Momma, I wanna go home," Liv said again.
"Liv, we heard you the first time," Kelly said.
"But, Momma, I want to go home," Liv said.
Andrew finally turns to Kelly, "What you have to do is important," he said.
Kelly nodded, "Yeah, give me your keys," she said.
"What?" Andrew asked.
"Take my car and the kids home; after the game, I'll talk to Ashlyn and see what she could do," Kelly said.
"Are you sure about this, Kell," Andrew said.
"Of course I'm sure; it's my idea," Kelly said.
"Okay," Andrew said and dug into his pocket. He pulled his keys out and offered them to Kelly. Kelly took his keys and handed him hers.
Kelly turned and got down on one knee, "Phelan, Liv, daddy's going to bring you home," Kelly said.
"What about you, Momma?" Phelan asked.
"Yeah, Momma," Liv said.
"Momma's got a few things she has to do here still," Kelly said.
"But Momma," Phelan said.
"I'll be home later," Kelly said.
Phelan nodded solemnly; Liv looked at Kelly and nodded unsurely. Kelly hugged her son and daughter and finally stood up. Kelly looked at Andrew.
"Thank you," Kelly said.
"You're welcome; they're my kids too," Andrew said, with a smile and laugh.
Kelly smiled back and leaned forward to kiss him. Andrew returned the kiss, and they separated.
"I'll see you when you get home," Andrew said.
"Goodbye, I'll see you when I get home," Kelly said.
Andrew smiled, guided his and Kelly's two oldest children out of the school. Kelly nodded and turned back to The Field House. Slowly, she opened the door to The Field House and watched the basketball game, already back in progress.
Kelly sighed; her dad would often take overtime to fire marshal the games. It was his way of making sure he could see Huck play his basketball games. Her dad also did the same for Huck's football and baseball games. Kelly nodded; he was also a regular sight on the sidelines at her soccer games as well.
The game looked different from this angle. Kelly nodded; this was how her dad saw many of her games. It put things into a new perspective.
With a nod and a smile, Kelly stopped through the doors. Slowly, she walked across the corner of the floor to the bleachers. She was climbing up the bleachers; she took a seat next to Candi and her two friends.
"Hey Kelly, where's Andrew and the kids?" Candi asked.
"The kids wanted to go home, so Andrew is taking them home," Kelly said.
"So, why did you stay?" Candi asked.
"I couldn't remember if they still need us after the game," Kelly said.
"Kelly, they have nothing planned after the game, you know that," Candi said.
Kelly took in a deep breath and let it out. "I have to talk to Ashlyn about something in private," Kelly said.
"Oh really, about what?" Candi asked.
"A matter of private concern," Kelly said.
"Okay," Candi said.
"So, what's happening?" Kelly asked.
"The starters put a hurting on them in the third, and the bench is in now," Candi said.
"Running hydra?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah, and I think South Brunswick has thrown in the towel," Candi said.
Kelly nodded and watched the last moments of the game.
