Chapter 388: Jamlyn
Monday, February 6th, Evening
The day after the house switch was typically difficult. Between her parent's houses, they had different routines and different household sizes. One thing that usually happened during her weeks at Jamlyn Brett Pierce-Burke walked into the television room and dropped onto the couch.
Ashlyn Pierce-Scott, Brett's mom, walked into the TV just as Brett dropped onto the couch. Ashlyn shook her head and put the bowl of popcorn on the side table.
"Hey! Watch the couch," Ashlyn said.
"What?" Brett asked.
"You're not five anymore, and the couch won't take the stress," Ashlyn said.
"Mom, did you just call me fat?" Brett asked.
"No," Ashlyn said.
"I think you did," Brett said.
"I know you're solid muscle Brett Angela," Ashlyn said.
"Still, Mom," Brett said.
"Whatever," Ashlyn said.
"Did you just whatever me, Mom?" Brett asked.
"I've been whatevering people before you could talk. Anyway, are we going to watch the game or what?" Ashlyn asked.
Brett sighed, "I guess we'll watch the game," she said.
"Okay, good," Ashlyn said and took a seat on the other couch.
"No wine?" Brett asked.
"No, no wine for me," Ashlyn said.
"That was the best part of game nights," Brett said.
Ashlyn shook her head, "I never should've let you share my wine with me," she said.
"Well, some would say it's better that I'd drink with you than less responsible people," Brett said.
"I'm surprised you're here and not out with Garvan," Ashlyn said.
"Garvan's busy, and I have our final regular-season game tomorrow, have to finish strong," Brett said.
Ashlyn nodded and looked at Brett. "How do you feel about your high school playing days coming to an end?" Ashlyn asked.
"Still have the play-offs," Brett said.
Ashlyn nodded, "I thought that too," she said.
"When did your injury happen?" Brett asked.
"About this time of year," Ashlyn said.
Brett nodded and grabbed a handful of popcorn. After popping the kernels into her mouth, she smiled at her mom. "You were part of the championship," Brett said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, my only one, and I rode out the play-offs on the bench injured," she said.
"That's got to suck," Brett said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, it did, does, that's why I don't, I mean, didn't feel comfortable with the ceremony," she said.
"That was your only championship?" Brett asked.
Ashlyn nodded, "Came close in college, actually played in the tournament championship," Ashlyn said.
"What happened?" Brett asked.
"Auntie Tall," Ashlyn said, "That's how she ended her college career."
"How did you handle it?" Brett asked.
"We shook hands after the final buzzer, went to our teams, no hard feelings," Ashlyn said.
"That's hard to believe, your only one," Brett said.
"Imagine how many players never even win one," Ashlyn said.
Brett nodded, "So, we win this season; it will be your second," she said.
Ashlyn looked at Brett, "I never thought of it that way," she said.
"It will be Coach's fifth," Brett said.
"Sixth," Ashlyn said.
"Sixth?" Brett asked.
"Between his playing days and coaching at Tree Hill, he coached JC and had one championship there," Ashlyn said.
"Okay," Brett said.
Ashlyn looked at the TV. "They're playing in Minnesota tonight; god, it's got to be cold there," Brett said.
"You chose Norte Dame, not me," Ashlyn said.
"Well, I wanted to go to a good school, a good basketball school, and a school with a religious background," Brett said.
"So, Duke and UCONN were out," Ashlyn said.
Brett shrugged, "You'd be surprised how close UCONN came to being my choice," she said.
"Yet, you did," Ashlyn said.
"I broke Auntie Tall's heart by going to Norte Dame," Brett said.
"You think that?" Ashlyn asked.
Brett nodded, "Yeah, I do," she said.
"Auntie Tall would've loved you to go to UCONN, follow in her footsteps," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, I believe that hence why I said, I broke her heart," Brett said.
Ashlyn shook her head, "Why did you choose Norte Dame, the main reason?" she asked.
"Because of the fact dad's family prefers attending colleges with a religious basis, it's sort of a family tradition," Brett said.
"Was it important to you, that tradition?" Ashlyn asked.
"I don't know," Brett said.
"She does, and she knows how important it is to your dad and you. Don't worry about it. You might have disappointed Auntie Tall, but you didn't break her heart," Ashlyn said.
Brett nodded.
"It's half time; I have to check on your sister and brothers," Ashlyn said.
"Okay," Brett said and watched her mom leave the room. It was funny here since the word brother was always plural here, and sister is singular, which is the opposite of her dad's family. Her dad had four daughters and one son, where her two of each.
Brett watched the half-time programming and snacked on the popcorn Ashlyn made. As the half-time programming ended, Ashlyn returned to the TV room.
Ashlyn got comfortable on her couch, and they finished watching the basketball game. Miami won a tight game, a close-run thing, 115 points to Minnesota's 113 points. James had one hell of a game, leading Miami in points, 33, and assists, 9. Brett looked at Ashlyn, who was smiling; James would be happy tonight.
