Chapter 537: Jamlyn
Thursday, February 23rd, Afternoon
Once school finished for the day, she had to run home quickly. They had a game tonight and final walk-through practice before the game. Of course, today, she forgot something home, the day of their second playoff game. As she mentally kicked herself, she drove home.
Ashlyn parked in front of the house and rushed in. Eilish was on the sofa watching the boys in the gym on the tablet.
"Do you always do this?" Ashlyn asked.
"No, Mrs. Pierce-Scott, I usually give them a few minutes before joining them," Eilish said.
"Why?" Ashlyn asked.
"Let them feel they aren't being hovered over," Eilish said.
"Okay," Ashlyn said and kept looking for what she'd forgotten.
"What are you looking for, Mrs. Pierce-Scott?" Eilish asked.
"The Apex Scouting report," Ashlyn said.
"What color binder?" Eilish asked.
"Raven Blue," Ashlyn said.
"I saw few over by the den," Eilish said.
"Thanks, Eilish," Ashlyn said.
"No problem, Mrs. Pierce-Scott," Eilish said, "I will attempt to play basketball with the boys."
"Attempt?" Ashlyn asked.
"They kick my ass; I suck at basketball," Eilish said.
"Is it just Landen and Logan down there?" Ashlyn asked.
"No, AB is down there too," Eilish said.
"Okay, good," Ashlyn said and headed to the den as Eilish headed to the gym.
When Ashlyn got to just outside the den, she found a stack of binders. She started looking through them for the one on tonight's opponent. After she saw it, she tucked it under her arm and was about ready to go; she heard a noise coming from the den.
Ashlyn crept slowly towards the den's door. Slowly, she peeked around the corner and saw her niece, Joplin, and her daughter, Maeghan. Ashlyn watched the two blonde girls sitting across from each other. Ashlyn knew they were close in age, Joplin being a year older.
"How did you get the name Joplin?" Maeghan asked.
"My mom and dad," Joplin said.
"But it is a strange name," Maeghan said.
"Yeah, it is," Joplin said, "Why are you named Maeghan?"
Maeghan shrugged, "My mom and dad liked the name, I guess," she said.
"So, what is it like at your school?" Joplin asked.
"It's okay; I'm in the same class with my sister Brett's sister BB," Maeghan said.
"Wouldn't she be your sister as well?" Joplin asked.
"No, Brett and I have different dads," Maeghan said.
"Oh," Joplin said.
"Why did you ask me about my school?" Maeghan asked.
"I don't like my school," Joplin said.
"Okay?" Maeghan asked.
"You don't want to go there," Joplin said.
"How old are you, Joplin?" Maeghan asked.
"What? Oh, I'm nine," Joplin said.
"You're the same age as Phelan," Maeghan said.
"Phelan? That's a funny name," Joplin said.
Maeghan shrugged, "So is Joplin," she said.
Joplin nodded, "So, why are you here with me and not with the boys?" she asked.
"They're playing basketball, ewe," Maeghan said.
"You don't like basketball?" Joplin asked.
Maeghan shook her head, "No, I don't. I hate it, hate it, hate it," she said.
Joplin nodded, "I agree; I hate that Poppy takes us to the games," she said.
"It's so boring," Maeghan said.
"Yeah, so boring," Joplin said.
"But the halftime cheerleaders make it interesting," Maeghan said.
Joplin nodded, "Yeah, I feel the same way," she said.
"I want to try and do that," Maeghan said.
Joplin nodded, "I wish I could," she said.
"Why can't you?" Maeghan asked.
"Because Grammy said no," Joplin said.
"We can ask my momma," Maeghan said.
"I don't know; it would be up to Poppy," Joplin said.
"I think it would be cool to come to my school, and I think you'll like Phelan," Maeghan said.
"I don't know, Maeghan," Joplin said.
"Okay," Maeghan said.
"Okay," Joplin said.
"Joplin," Maeghan said.
"Yes, Maeghan?" Joplin asked.
"What is a Joplin?" Maeghan asked.
Ashlyn bit her tongue so she wouldn't laugh. Shaking her head, she turned away; she had to get back to the school.
So, Joplin also didn't like basketball, but at least the girls were bonding over their shared "love" of basketball. But cheerleading was something Ashlyn never expected from Maeghan, never mind from Joplin. That's something to look into for both girls. If only she could convince her dad for Joplin's sake.
The change of schools is a big ask, but maybe the cheerleading would be suitable for Joplin.
Ashlyn shrugged one final time and got into her car. The scouting report binder was placed in the passenger seat. She started her car, buckled up, and left her driveway, heading back to the high school.
