Chapter 594: Jamlyn

Saturday, March 4th, Evening

It's been a long day after the game, and she had to help get the girls showered, dressed, and on the bus. She was the last one on the bus. Walking down the aisle and double-checking that every girl was on the bus and accounted for. Once she finished, she found her seat and took it. After about three hours on the bus, they got to the high school.

After seeing off the players and the coaches, she got in her car. Driving across town, she parked in her driveway and stared at her big house. She got out, grabbed her stuff, and headed into the house.

Once the door closed behind her, Ashlyn dropped her bag and briefcase, then leaned against the door. She let out a heavy sigh; it had been a long day. Tilting her head back and closed her eyes.

"You're home," Buck said.

Ashlyn leaned her head forward and opened her eyes. "I just got home," she said.

"How was the game?" Buck asked.

"We won; it's been a long day," Ashlyn said.

"Have you eaten yet?" Buck asked.

"No," Ashlyn said, "Where are the kids?"

Buck nodded, "I fed them, and they're in the rooms per the game day rules," he said.

"Okay," Ashlyn said and sighed.

"You need to eat," Buck said.

"Okay," Ashlyn said.

"I made you a plate," Buck said.

"I just want to shower and sleep," Ashlyn said.

"You need to eat; come, I'll warm it up for you," Buck said.

Ashlyn nodded and went to pick up her stuff.

"Leave them; you're tired, hungry, I'll bring them up to you," Buck said.

Ashlyn nodded and wandered into the kitchen. Buck warmed her plate and placed it in front of Ashlyn, followed by a glass of water. Ashlyn watched Buck leave the kitchen. Ashlyn slowly ate her food.

The food was good; Ashlyn remembered Buck was a good cook. Maddie, not so much, so. Ashlyn thought with her weary brain that Maddie didn't seem to do much. Buck did everything around the house. Ashlyn always suspected that the only reason her parents were married was because of Savannah, and the only reason she existed was Savannah needed someone to play with.

Ashlyn finished up her plate just as Buck returned to the kitchen. He took away the plate. Ashlyn got up and left the kitchen. She went to her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Slowly, she got undressed and went to her bathroom. Ashlyn turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat up. Once it reached the temperature, she stepped in. Ashlyn felt the water roll over her tired body. After washing up, Ashlyn shut off and stepped out of the shower. She wrapped a towel around herself and started drying her hair. Ashlyn stared in the mirror and looked at the tired eyes in the mirror. She dropped her towel and put on a robe.

After drying her hair, Ashlyn walked out of the bathroom. In her bedroom, Ashlyn went about picking up her discarded clothes. As she sorted them all out, she put them in the hampers. Walking over to her bed, she turned on the TV and set it for the Miami basketball game.

Listening to the pre-game chatter Ashlyn took a seat at her dressing table and started to brush her hair. Once she finished brushing her hair, she got up, picked up her pajamas, and laid them out. Ashlyn dropped the robe and slipped on her pajamas. Once dressed, she picked up her robe and hung it up.

Ashlyn walked out of the bathroom and climbed into her bed. Adjusting the pillows, she leaned back to watch the basketball game. Ashlyn pulled the covers up to her lap and tried to get comfortable. The game was starting, Miami was home, and Cleveland was in the house tonight.

As the game started, Ashlyn had a taught time keeping her eyes open. Ashlyn yawned, and she scratched her temple, then closed her eyes. That was when the darkness of sleep overtook her.

The next thing Ashlyn remembered was she was waking up. Looking around the bedroom, the only light in the bedroom was the lamp on her bedside table. The TV was still on, and the game was coming to its end.

Looking down at herself, she was lying down on her bed. The covers were now over her chest now. Ashlyn threw off the covers and sat up. Out of the corner of her eye, Ashlyn noticed a note sitting on the nightstand. She picked it up and read it over.

Ashlyn,

I went to look in on you and found you asleep. You were lying down, so I covered you up and turned out the main light, but I left the side light on. At half time I checked on the kids. They were all in bed and asleep; I turned off the radios that were on. I left the TV on, so if you wake up to see the score. James was having a very good game. I'm heading to bed. See you in the morning.

Love,

Dad

Ashlyn got up and walked to the bedroom door. Pausing, she sighed and opened the door. The hallway was dark, and she sighed. Ashlyn took a step into the darkness. Ashlyn knew her house well enough that she could walk through the house in the dark.

As she normally would do, she visited each one of her kids. Each one was sleeping. Ashlyn took the time to tuck each one in and kiss them good night. Ashlyn knew that the time would come to an end when she could do this, as they would eventually grow too old for this.

Once Ashlyn finished checking in on her children, she went back out into the dark hallway. She navigated her way across to the other cluster of bedrooms. Ashlyn looked in on her niece and nephew. These two children were all that was left of her older sister, Savannah. Her older sister died in a car accident that also took her husband and one of her stepsons. The only reason Buck even lived her was because of her niece and nephew.

Ashlyn left the cluster of bedrooms. Ashlyn looked at one of the other doors of the cluster; it was Buck's room. They had a strained relationship ever since Ashlyn was in high school. It all came down to when Ashlyn found herself pregnant with her oldest daughter, Brett. Maddie flipped out when she found out Ashlyn was pregnant. As a result of the revelation of Ashlyn being pregnant, Maddie imposed a draconian deal. When Ashlyn was a senior, and the web of lies fell apart, Maddie kicked Ashlyn out, and Buck sided with Maddie.

Ashlyn shook her head and returned to the bedroom. Climbing into the bed, she looked at the TV and watched the post-game show. Miami won against Cleveland 120-92, and Buck was right James had a good game, leading Miami in both points, 23, and assists, 5. Ashlyn smiled, turned off the TV and light, and went to bed.