Chapter 527: The Field House
Tuesday, February 21st, Evening
After the game, the fans started to leave the field house. The fans and family that came here from Raleigh were going home, probably both proud and disappointed. The Tree Hill faithful would go home happy, and if it were a weekend night, the young kids would go to a party.
The Newcomer stood at the bottom of the bleachers. He looked over the field house and the various banners and retired jersey numbers hung on the wall. Not all of them were here years ago, but that shows the success of the athletics here. The Newcomer stood still, looking up at the all-state banners.
His eyes focused on several names. Finally, he nodded and started to walk away. As he walked along the sideline, he paused or shifted to avoid people, either standing still or walking.
Finally, the Newcomer couldn't move any farther. He looked up and saw a dark-haired woman standing there. She looked at him and nodded.
"Hey, I didn't know you were in town," Shay said.
"Just got back in not that long ago," the Newcomer said.
"So, visiting your parents?" Shay asked.
"No," the Newcomer said, "I'm moving back here."
"You're giving up on Canada? What about your family and business?" Shay asked.
"I sold my business, and well, since Sasha passed, I wanted to return home," the Newcomer said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know Sasha had passed," Shay said.
"It's okay; I didn't expect anyone to know," the Newcomer said.
"So, what brings you out to the game?" Shay asked.
"Just to see if playoff basketball is still the same," the Newcomer said.
"Oh, yeah, nothing changes here regarding basketball," Shay said.
"So, why are you here?" the Newcomer asked.
Shay laughed, "My young cousin is on the team," she said.
"Oh, who is she?" the Newcomer asked.
"Number twenty-one, she's the sixth man, my uncle JF's daughter, Flannery," Shay said.
"Nice, she seemed to fit in well," the Newcomer said.
"Yeah, she's also one of Brett's backups," Shay said.
"Who's Brett?" the New Comer asked.
"Number thirty, the redhead," Shay said.
"Oh wow, she's good, dominate," the Newcomer said.
Shay chuckled, "She plays like her dad," Shay said.
"Who's her dad?" the Newcomer said.
"Huck Burke," Shay said.
"That means she's…." the Newcomer said.
"Yup, Ashlyn's oldest, and if you noticed, Ashlyn's one of the coaches," Shay said.
"I did notice that," the Newcomer said.
"Yeah, James blessed us tonight; he's home for the All-Star Break," Shay said.
"He's still in Miami?" the Newcomer asked.
Shay nodded, "Yeah, Ashlyn stays here for work and raises the kids," she said.
"Oh, really," the Newcomer said.
"Yes, really," Shay said with a laugh.
"So, what are you doing now?" the Newcomer asked.
"I teach history here at the high school," Shay said.
"Wow, why history?" the Newcomer asked.
"It's what I studied in college and got my doctorate in," Shay said.
"You're a doctor?" the Newcomer asked.
"Yup," Shay said.
"What's your specialty in history?" the Newcomer asked.
"Umm, well, it was the US Civil War," Shay said.
"Why the Civil War?" the Newcomer asked.
"Interest, plus I went to UVa and studied under Doctor Gary Gallagher for my undergrad," Shay said.
"Why did you study under him?" the Newcomer asked.
"I liked his position on what people fought the Civil War over," Shay said.
"Interesting," the Newcomer said.
A dark-haired girl walked over. The Newcomer looked her over. She was dressed in sports gear, she had a gym bag thrown over her shoulder, and he noted her hair was tied back in a ponytail.
"Ready to go," Flannery O'Brien said to Shay.
"In a minute, Flan," Shay said.
"Your cousin?" the Newcomer asked.
"Yes, the family's baby," Shay said, grabbing Flannery around her neck and bending her over, rubbing her knuckles on Flannery's scalp.
Flannery pushed Shay off. "Hey! Stop that," she said.
"You used to love it," Shay said.
"Yeah, when I was five," Flannery said.
"Why am I bringing you home again?" Shay asked.
"My dad is working," Flannery said.
"Where is he?" Shay asked.
"It's overtime, so he's not at his usual place," Flannery said.
"So, where is he?" Shay asked.
"Out at Engine Twenty-four," Flannery said.
"How about your mom?" the Newcomer asked.
"Umm, who is this?" Flannery asked.
"Someone I went to high school with," Shay said.
"Oh," Flannery said.
"He doesn't know us, so please don't hold it against him," Shay said.
Flannery nodded, "Okay," she said.
Shay sighed, "Her mom died soon after her birth," she said.
"Oh, I'm sorry I asked," the Newcomer said.
"Well, we'll have to catch up some time," Shay said, "We have to get going."
"Okay," the Newcomer said.
"See you soon," Shay said and led Flannery out of the field house.
The Newcomer nodded, took one more look around the field house, then left the building.
