Chapter 500: Raven Hill
Thursday, February 16th, Morning
Today is turning out to be a day. The grandkids were grumpy from the start. That was on top of last night's hearing from Ashlyn, Brett, and James all contacted him to inform him of Maddie Pierce's passing. This morning his brother also reported about the passing and wanted to coordinate childcare for the events surrounding the passing of Maddie Pierce over the next few days.
The three grandkids were dropped off at school, and Nathan Scott returned home. Nathan sighed and walked up to his bedroom. He pulled out one of his suits and hung it up in his bedroom, going through his closet. Next, he picked out his tie and shoes for the visitation tonight.
Once finished, Nathan returned to the first floor and found a place to sit down. Nathan pulled over a book and started to look it over. Finally, after a few pages, Nathan closed the book and put it down. Nathan stood up and walked over to a basic office that he and Haley used. Haley mostly used this room; she still worked, while he occasionally would work and invest.
Nathan sat at the desk and pulled his laptop over. He logged in and started to check on the news. Things were still not looking good in Eastern Europe. Nathan nodded and hoped that Keith was safe over there.
Nodding, Nathan clicked over to YouTube and watched some basketball clips. Every so often, YouTube would suggest a clip of his own plays. Nathan would smile and watch it. Every so often, Nathan would even comment on the clip, with his thoughts on what was happening from his perspective. The troll and flame wars were legendary. It brought a little joy to his life; people thought he was fake until they checked his page and his introduction video.
Finally, Nathan sighed and clicked on his email. It was filled with the usual stuff from his agent, financial manager, and other associates. Nathan opened each, read them, and responded as necessary. There were a few junk emails and the US Post Office telling him what was being delivered today.
Nathan shrugged when he noticed a specific envelope's picture. It was from the lab he went to get the paternity test on Miléna Venczel's son Krisztofer. Nathan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at the clock on the laptop. It was still a few hours until the mail arrived.
Getting up from the desk, Nathan walked across the house. Nathan had developed the habit of wearing workout gear at home. There existed a small gym in Raven Hill. Nathan often used it for rehab on his knee, and Haley often used the equipment to stay in shape.
Nathan got on a treadmill and started to walk on the machine. He set the device to the fastest speed his knee could handle. This was part of his daily routine; this helped him stay in shape and strengthen the leg for surgery.
Turning on the television over the treadmill and watched a nostalgia station. Of course, being Nathan, it was watching clips of old Los Angeles Lakers basketball games. After he spent his allotted time on the treadmill, he got off.
Nathan wiped down the treadmill and headed to his bedroom. After stripping out of his workout gear and taking a shower. After the shower, he strapped his knee brace on and got dressed.
The next stop was the kitchen and lunch. Nathan made himself something to eat and checked his phone as he ate. Nothing new was happening, and the news from Europe has been quiet. Next, Nathan started to check Amazon to see if anything was worth buying.
He had a few hours to kill while checking his phone before the grandkids got home. Nathan felt brave, so he went to his shooting cage. It was just some casual shooting. Nathan needed this time to keep his mind clear and relaxed.
Once he finished shooting, Nathan got his phone, keys, and wallet. Getting into his SUV, he drove into town. He decided to head to the Fire and Ice Cafe.
Nathan entered the cafe and took a seat at the counter. He looked at the college-aged blonde woman behind the counter. She smiled at him and walked over to him.
"Welcome to the Fire and Ice Cafe, Mister Scott," Lileas Sheridan said.
"How did you know who I am?" Nathan asked.
"Even though you've not come in here before, I grew up in Tree Hill, so I know who Nathan Scott is and on sight," Lileas said.
"Oh," Nathan said.
"What can I get for you, Mister Scott?" Lileas asked.
"Coffee, and well, hell, why not, some French fries," Nathan said.
"Okay, Mister Scott," Lileas said and put in Nathan's order. She returned to him with a cup and a coffee pot. She poured it and put the pot back. Next, she offered him cream and sugar.
"No, thank you," Nathan said.
"Okay, Mister Scott, what is bothering you?" Lileas asked.
"What makes you say something is bothering me?" Nathan asked.
"The way you are carrying your shoulders, you look like the world's weight is on you," Lileas said.
"You're how old?" Nathan asked.
"Not that it matters, but I'm twenty," Lileas said.
"I have shirts older than you," Nathan said.
"Age doesn't always mean wisdom, nor youth means foolishness," Lileas said, "I grew up here and watched people come in, full of issues and problems."
Nathan sighed, "I will find out if I have another grandson today," he said.
"Well, congratulations, that's good news," Lileas said.
Nathan shrugged, "Well, maybe," he said.
"Why maybe?" Lileas asked.
Nathan sighed, "I would be from my son Brian," he said.
"Yeah, I see it now, even though he was crazy talented," Lileas said.
"I agree, and he wasted it all," Nathan said.
"The candle that burns the brightest burns half as long," Lileas said.
"That's nice and poetic," Nathan said.
"Well, you know what's not poetic?" Lileas asked.
"What?" Nathan asked.
"Holding creatives with mental illness with high regard. Ignoring their cries for help might affect their creative output. That is what creative output is, a cry for help. The 27 Club shouldn't be treated the way it is. It's not romantic; it's not something to chase, it's a collection of broken people failed by the world," Lileas said.
Nathan sighed, "Weep not for the dead," he said.
"Weep not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country," Lileas said.
"Interesting," Nathan said.
"Jeremiah twenty-two ten," Lileas said, just as the kitchen bell rang. She smiled, turned away, and got Nathan his french fries.
Nathan ate them in silence and only had one more cup of coffee. Once finished, he settled his bill and left. He drove back to Raven Hill and nervously checked the mailbox. He found the letter.
Nathan opened the letter in question. His hands shook as he unfolded it. Carefully, he read it, paused, and reread
