Chapter 434: Scott Building
Monday, February 13th, Afternoon
They found a comfortable place for him to sit, and it didn't look like an office. He took a comfortable position on the sofa after he was mic'd up. Shifting in the seat, he looked towards where the camera was set up. Taking a sip of his coffee, he looked to the woman that would be interviewing him.
Felicia Van Ankeren looked at Nathan, nodded, and took a seat with the camera over her left shoulder. Nathan watched as Felicia looked over her notes; finally, she looked up at Nathan.
"You've done interviews before, so it's going to be very similar," Felicia said.
"I've not ever given an interview about my son and his career," Nathan said.
"Just answer the questions as honestly as possible, and take your time," Felicia said.
"Okay," Nathan said.
"Let me know when you're ready," Felicia said.
"Okay, I'm ready," Nathan said.
"Are you sure?" Felicia asked.
"Yes," Nathan said.
"Okay, rolling," Felicia said, "Nathan, please tell me what you remember about Brian before he was born."
Nathan nodded, "It was my senior year at Maryland, Maybe mid-season, when Haley told me she was pregnant. We both wanted a daughter, but well the ultrasound showed us we were having another boy. We chose to name him after my high school basketball coach, who was like a grandfather to us," Nathan said.
"Where was Brian born?" Felicia asked.
"He was born just after we moved to Detroit; it was right around graduation, and I was doing rookie mini-camps," Nathan said.
"What was Brian like as a baby?" Felicia asked.
"Not to compare, but you have to; in this case, Brian was quiet baby, quieter than James, but he was a dream, but then again we had more experience and years behind us with Brian," Nathan said.
Felicia nodded, "How was your relationship with Brian?" she asked.
Nathan shrugged, "That's complex," he said.
"Could you elaborate?" Felicia asked.
"Depends on when in our lives you want to focus on in this discussion," Nathan said.
"How about when you first moved to Los Angeles?" Felicia asked.
Nathan shrugged, "I guess it was good; I was a young man, a young parent, and new to a career. I was the breadwinner, so I spent most of my time establishing myself to support my family. You could say I was a distant dad, but I tried to spend time with my sons when I could; make, beg, borrow, or steal time," he said.
"How did the Naley Years affect Brian?" Felicia asked.
"I don't know," Nathan said.
"I don't know? What does that mean?" Felicia asked.
"Well, Brian never mentioned anything about it in all the years we were in contact. From my understanding, Haley took Brian with her to the studio. I would spend time at the team practice facility to rehab or train, so I didn't see him much when he wasn't yet in school," Nathan said.
"Brian lived for thirteen years in Los Angeles before you relocated to Tree Hill to play for Charlotte; how did that affect him?" Felicia asked.
"Brian at first just existed; James didn't take it so well. Before I went to Charlotte full time, Brian had started fitting in; I didn't see much of it since I had to report to Charlotte," Nathan said.
"When did you start spending more time with Brian?" Felicia asked.
Nathan nodded, "Well, it was after I was injured and retired. Often, I would rehab my knee and listen to Brian practice. After James went to college, Brian started not to pay attention to the game. By the end of his time in high school, he was in a new band and was disengaged from basketball. Righter after he graduated, he went on that summer Europe Festival Tour," he said.
"What was your thought about that tour?" Felicia asked.
"For his career, it was a great opportunity, especially for someone so young," Nathan said.
"What were your other thoughts about that tour?" Felicia asked.
"Well, he and the whole band was way too young for something like that; he wasn't mature enough," Nathan said.
"I saw that summer tour," Felicia said.
"I do remember you mentioned that," Nathan said.
"Have you ever seen Brian play live?" Felicia asked.
Nathan shook his head, "No, I don't think I have," he said.
"Brian was very charismatic; he could keep the attention of the crowd, even if he read the shopping list," Felicia said.
"Yeah, I heard that about him," Nathan said.
"Why have you never seen him play?" Felicia asked.
"Work initially, then someone had to watch his sister and niece," Nathan said.
"So, it went to you to watch them?" Felicia asked.
"Yeah, I'm more a hip-hop fan than a rock fan," Nathan said.
"Did you enjoy your son going into music?" Felicia asked.
"I enjoyed him chasing his dream," Nathan said.
"The impression always was given you disapproved of his career choices," Felicia said.
Nathan shook his head, "I never disapproved of his career choices," he said.
"When did you become aware of his behavior?" Felicia asked.
"Soon after the North American Tour, maybe five dates into the tour. They started this tour after they returned from Europe. One of the bands from the festival tour picked them up as a support act. I guess he developed or felt he could let loose. Maybe you can say it was our fault, with how we could've raised him," Nathan said.
"Did you support the decision to end their tour?" Felicia asked.
"Based on what I was told, I agreed with their decision," Nathan said.
"This was around the same time he found out he was going to be a father, correct?" Felicia asked.
"Yes, Brian moved out of my house and started to live in his rehearsal space; Gabi also stayed with him. Gabi was the first one to tell him she was pregnant; later, Trin would tell him. From what I understand, he suggests they live together and raise their children together," Nathan said.
"What did you do about it?" Felicia asked.
"When Trin came to us, we pledged to offer any support she needed, and we told her that we wouldn't be mad if she gave the child our last name," Nathan said.
"Did you do this for Gabi?" Felicia asked.
"We would've, but she never talked to us," Nathan said.
"How did you react to Brian and Gabi leaving?" Felicia asked.
"Sad; honestly, I hoped Brian would've grown up, especially now that he had two children on the way. But by his actions, I knew it wouldn't happen," Nathan said.
"How did things end there?" Felicia asked.
"We basically went no contact from that moment," Nathan said.
"So, when was the next time you had contact with Brian or his family?" Felicia asked.
Nathan sighed and stayed silent. He looked away from Felicia and the camera.
"Take your time, Nathan," Felicia said.
Nathan took a deep audible breath and turned to look at Felicia and the camera. In a prolonged moment, he stared at the camera.
"When the grandkids came to live with us," Nathan said, like a cannon shot during a silent night
