Chapter 574: Rerun's Bar and Grill
Wednesday, March 1st, Evening
The blonde walked into Rerun's Bar and Grill and took off her coat. She hung the coat up on a hook by the door. As she turned, everyone saw she wore a number twelve Miami Heat jersey; as she walked towards the bar, she looked at the bartender.
Ashlyn sat down and locked eyes with the bartender. Ramon "Rerun" Vasquez looked at her and smiled back.
"Good evening, Ashlyn; what brings you out?" Rerun asked.
"My dad," Ashlyn said.
"Your dad?" Rerun asked.
"He's living with me now, so he's watching the kids," Ashlyn said.
"Your dad is living with you? When did that happen?" Rerun asked.
"Right after my mom's funeral," Ashlyn said.
"Okay, so can I get you something to drink?" Rerun asked.
"Yeah, I'll have a merlot and water," Ashlyn said.
"Together?" Rerun said.
"No, in separate glasses," Ashlyn said.
"Okay," Rerun said, turning around and retrieving his bar's bottle of merlot. He poured her a glass and put it in front of Ashlyn. He followed it up with her glass of ice water.
"Thanks, Rerun," Ashlyn said.
"You're welcome," Rerun said, picking up the remote and changing the channel on one of the TV. "I just turned on the Miami game."
"Thanks," Ashlyn said.
"Where are they playing tonight?" Rerun asked.
"Home against the Sixers," Ashlyn said.
"Hmm, so you're here; how does it feel to be away from the kids on game night?" Rerun asked.
"Good and strange at the same time," Ashlyn said.
"We all need time away," Rerun said.
"That's interesting; when was that last time you got away?" Ashlyn asked.
"March 13th four years ago," Rerun said.
"What did you do?" Ashlyn asked.
"Mina and I went to Charlotte, got to be a couple again," Rerun said.
"Who looked after Eric?" Ashlyn asked.
"My parents," Rerun said.
"The last time James and I had a night out, it was, god, I can't remember," Ashlyn said.
"What did you do?" Rerun asked.
"It was so long ago, I don't remember; it was before Brian's kids came to live with the in-Laws," Ashlyn said.
"That long, wow," Rerun said.
"Yeah, that long," Ashlyn said, taking a sip of her wine.
Someone came over and took a seat next to Ashlyn. He looked up to Rerun. "Can I get an ale?" Royce Parker asked.
"A pint?" Rerun asked.
"Yeah," Royce said.
"Coming up," Rerun said.
"What brings you out?" Ashlyn asked and sipped her wine.
"The movers are still settling my stuff into the house, but I was driving my sister-in-law crazy," Royce said.
"That house has to be small," Ashlyn said.
"Jen has her ways, and it's not a house meant for the number of people in it," Royce said.
"Well, hopefully, you get your household settled in soon," Ashlyn said.
"From your lips to his ears," Royce said.
"So, yeah," Ashlyn said.
"So, anyway, what brings you out?" Royce asked.
"My dad kicked me out for the night," Ashlyn said.
"He's watching the kids?" Royce asked.
"Yes, three of mine and my sister's two," Ashlyn said.
"Three of yours?" Royce asked.
"I have four now, but Brett, she's seventeen mostly doesn't need watching and is at her dad's this week," Ashlyn said.
"Nice; how old are they?" Royce asked.
"Maeghan is eight, and the twins are six," Ashlyn said.
"Twins?" Royce asked.
"Yeah, Landen and Logan, we didn't expect Logan," Ashlyn said.
"That happens, I hear," Royce said.
"Did you and Sasha have any children?" Ashlyn asked.
"We didn't, but Sasha had two children from her first marriage," Royce said.
"Oh, are they back in Canada with their dad?" Ashlyn asked.
"No, their dad's not in the picture; after Sasha and I got married, I adopted them," Royce said.
"Oh, so theta re with you," Ashlyn said.
"You met one already," Royce said.
"Oh, I did?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yeah, that's what they told me," Royce said.
"So, how about some insider information," Ashlyn said.
"Well, one is good, and the other well can be trouble," Royce said.
"Alright," Ashlyn said.
"So, do you miss Miami?" Royce asked.
"Yes, and no," Ashlyn said, "There were things I liked about Miami, but there is no place like home."
"Yeah," Royce said.
"Is that why you're back?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yeah, my bro is here, as are my parents; Sasha didn't have much in the way of family," Royce said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah," she said and sipped her wine.
"Yup," Royce said and sipped his beer.
They sat at the bar, chatted, and watched the Miami game; Miami would beat Philadelphia 125-98. Ashlyn left the bar and drove home. She owed her dad because she had a great night out alone.
