Chapter 498: The Field House
Thursday, February 16th, Morning
Strolling into the field house, she looked around in the dim light. She ignored the banners and signs and sighed at the near silence. It's always like this in the early part of the day. Walking across the parquet, her footfalls echoed in the cavernous space of the field house. Many nights she played here with the place near full and loud. She steered her way towards the two people sitting on the bleachers.
Brett looked up at her two friends. She sighed and climbed up to where they sat. Baylee and Avril looked over to Brett. Leaning back on the bleachers, Brett looked at them.
"This is weird? A text late at night saying meet you here. Especially after that weird conversation with your mom after the game," Avril said.
"Yeah, but why just us?" Baylee asked.
"I just need my two best friends," Brett said.
"What's up, B?" Avril asked.
"I'm just a bit confused," Brett said.
"What are you confused about, B?" Baylee asked.
Brett took a deep breath and leaned back. "My mom pulled me aside, as you know," she said.
"Yeah, what was that all about?" Avril asked.
"She had to tell me something," Brett said, "Something personal."
"What is it, B?" Baylee asked.
"According to my mom, my grandma died," Brett said, matter-of-factly.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry," Baylee said.
"Was it Haley?" Avril asked.
Brett shook her head. "No, she's fine," she said.
"Then who is it?" Avril asked.
"My mom's mom," Brett said.
"Your mom's mom?" Avril asked.
"Yeah, I guess it's my Grandma Maddie; I supposedly knew her when I was really little," Brett said.
"When did she die?" Avril asked.
"Yesterday morning," Brett said.
"Was she home?" Baylee asked.
Brett shook her head, "No, in the hospital, according to my mom," she said.
"How do you feel about it?" Baylee asked.
"I don't know; I don't even think I have a memory of her," Brett said.
"What do your parents think?" Avril asked.
"Daddy Huck just grumbled when I got home and said she never liked him. He didn't want to talk about it," Brett said.
"That sounds like him," Avril said.
"Your mom?" Baylee asked.
"My mom is, well, hard to read," Brett said.
"Momma Chase?" Baylee asked.
"That sounds like your momma," Avril said.
"Momma Chase sat me down and told me if I didn't want to go to school, I don't have to; also, in case I want to see someone, she knows someone," Brett said.
"So, you're here," Avril said.
"You should be home with your mom," Baylee said.
"Momma Chase said my mom was sending Maeghan, Landon, and Logan to school," Brett said.
"Well, so you decided to come in?" Avril asked.
"Have to practice and train for the tournament," Brett said.
"There will always be another basketball game, Brett," Avril said.
"But possibly not with you two," Brett said.
"There may not be another funeral for a grandma," Avril said.
"This is the rub; I hardly knew her," Brett said.
"How do you not know her?" Baylee asked.
"My mom and her mom were estranged," Brett said.
"Why were they estranged?" Baylee asked.
"Have you ever done the math?" Brett asked.
"Math, what does math have to do with this?" Baylee asked.
"There are only fifteen years between Brett and her mom," Avril said.
"What? How did you figure that out so fast?" Baylee asked.
"My Aunt Mack played with Brett's mom, and she's a year younger," Avril said.
"Oh," Baylee said.
"Brett is the reason for the estrangement," Avril said.
"I wouldn't put it that way," Brett said.
"Huh?" Baylee asked.
"When Brett's mom got pregnant with her, Brett's grandma disowned Brett's mom," Avril said.
"I'm lost," Baylee said.
"You used my name a lot in that sentence, Av," Brett said.
"Well, is there any truth to what I said?" Avril asked.
Brett shrugged, "I don't know; my mom doesn't talk about it much," she said.
"It would make sense," Avril said, "Somehow."
Brett looked over to Baylee. Brett snapped her fingers in front of Baylee's face. "I think you broke Baylee," Brett said.
"Yeah," Avril said and chuckled.
"Baylee, Avril, Brett, what are you doing here this early?" Coach Scott asked as he walked across the field house.
"Just talking, Coach," Avril said.
"Well, head out now," Coach Scott said.
"Yes, Coach," Avril said and grabbed Baylee," Let's go, Bay."
Brett got up to follow Avril and Baylee. Coach Scott looked at Brett. "Brett, could you hold up, please," Coach Scott said.
"Sure, Coach," Brett said.
Coach Scott nodded and looked at Brett. "Your mom told me about your grandma. If you need to talk, my office door is always open," he said.
"Thank you, Coach," Brett said.
"Maddie wasn't an easy woman to get along with. We clashed all the time when your mom played for me," Coach Scott said.
Brett nodded, "Thanks, Coach," she said.
"Head on out, Brett," Coach Scott said.
"Yes, Coach," Brett said, leaving the field house, leaving Coach Scott standing there alone. He stood and watched Brett go.
