Chapter 497: Jamlyn

Wednesday, February 15th, Night

After the kids were tucked in and sleeping, she walked through the halls of her home in a daze. Finally, she found herself on her bed. Even though the game was on, she hardly paid attention to what was happening around her. She felt numb; that was the only description she could mentally form.

The Miami Heat were in Houston, playing the Rockets. Ashlyn watched, barely, the end of the game; this was the go-home game; James would be flying home after the game, right after they returned to Miami. The All-Star Break was about to start, and James announced he wouldn't play in the game. Usually, Ashlyn would be excited to see her husband, but all she felt was well numb.

Rolling on her side, Ashlyn turned to see the television. The final moments of the fourth quarter were ticking down. Not feeling anything mentally, Ashlyn knew James would be in a good mood, doubly so, since he would be coming home tomorrow, but all Ashlyn felt was numb.

It was the phone call she got in her office today. The news that she got was life-changing on so many levels. But it was that same news that made her feel so numb.

With hollow eyes, she watched the game end. Miami won 117 to 109 against the Houston Rockets. James had an average game, but he would be happy. James would be coming home to see his family, but he would be coming back to a cluster fuck and a wife that was just numb.

The post-game went over the television, but Ashlyn hardly paid attention. She moved from laying across the bed to resting on the pillows and headboard. Ashlyn looked at her left hand and saw it shaking. There was no way she would be looking forward to the conversation that was coming with the phone call she was waiting for.

The silence was broken by her smartphone vibrating and ringing. The ring tone that echoed throughout her bedroom was the one for James. Ashlyn took a deep breath and moved over to the end of the bed, where her phone sat. Finally, she picked it up and took a deep breath,

"Hello James," Ashlyn said.

"Hey Ash, did you see the game?" James asked, which was his typical question.

"Yeah, yeah, I did," Ashlyn said flatly.

"We pulled it out in the end," James said.

"Yes, you did," Ashlyn said, emotionless.

"I'm catching a flight from Miami and flying through Atlanta," James said.

"Okay, do you need to be picked up?" Ashlyn asked, robotic.

"No, I'll get an Uber or car service," James said.

"Okay," Ashlyn said.

"What's wrong?" James asked.

"What makes you think something is wrong?" Ashlyn asked.

"I just told you my travel arrangements to see you and the kids, but you're acting dead inside," James said.

"I got some bad news today," Ashlyn said.

"You did?" James asked.

"Yeah, this afternoon, right after an appointment," Ashlyn said.

"Do you still have a job?" James asked.

"Yes, I do," Ashlyn said.

"Then what happened? Ash, please share," James said.

"I've not told Maeghan, Landon, and Logan, yet," Ashlyn said.

"You haven't told me yet," James said.

Ashlyn sighed, "I'm of two minds with this news," she said.

"Ash, why are you beating around the bush?" James asked.

"I'm having a tough time verbalizing it. It was tough telling Brett; I've not even told Lucas or Kiera yet," Ashlyn said.

"What happened, Ash?" James asked.

"My dad called me at work," Ashlyn said.

"Your dad? He's not been in contact for some time," James said.

"Yeah, but he tried making contact recently, but I refused," Ashlyn said.

"So, why did you pick up?" James asked.

"Huck called me last week, he responded to a medical at my parents. My mom was not in good shape," Ashlyn said.

"Why didn't you tell me?" James asked.

"I was waiting for this to shake this out," Ashlyn said.

"Ash, what happened?" James asked.

Ashlyn took a deep breath, then sighed, "My mom died today, James," she said.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," James said, almost reflexively.

"Thank you," Ashlyn said and started crying.

"You're welcome," James muttered out.

"I don't know what to do," Ashlyn said.

"We'll do this together," James said.

"How? You're in Houston on your way to Miami before you even get here," Ashlyn said.

"Maybe, I can do something about that," James said.

"What?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'll call you right back," James said and hung up.

Ashlyn sat staring at her smartphone for a few minutes. She wondered what the hell James meant by any of this. Was he going to do something drastic? Finally, her phone rang again.

"What's going on, James?" Ashlyn asked.

"Okay, everything is set," James said.

"What's set?" Ashlyn asked.

"I got it cleared; I'm not heading to Miami," James said.

"But you're still in Houston," Ashlyn said.

"I have a car picking me up to take me to Hobby Airport, then I'm still flying through Atlanta," James said, "I'll be arriving in Wilmington in the morning instead of the afternoon, and I'll get a car that will bring me home," James said.

"How did you manage that?" Ashlyn asked.

"I get paid good money, and my wife needs me," James said.

"Oh my god, thank you, James," Ashlyn said.

"That's what husbands do," James said, "I have to go; the car is waiting."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow," Ashlyn said.

"See you tomorrow," James said and hung up.

Ashlyn put her phone down, leaned back, and sighed. For the first time since that phone call, she felt better, even only slightly.