Chapter 597: Fire & Ice Cafe
Monday, March 6th, Afternoon
The cafe was fine, but it didn't bring back the memories of her mom's place. The decor was modern and tasteful, showing elements of what the local area was known for. Looking at the wall, she could see stock pictures of her younger self when she played for Atlanta. But she nursed her coffee and read a text report about her daughter from the family she was staying at.
The bells above the door rang, and she looked up from her phone and coffee. Not the first time she did that today, but this time she saw the blonde she was meeting with a smile, which was returned by the blonde walking into the cafe, which was really a diner.
Ashlyn Pierce-Scott took a seat across from her. She reflected that she chose to double barrel her name, even though her family treated her like garbage.
"I didn't expect a call from you saying you're here; when did you get in?" Ashlyn asked.
Angela Scott nodded and looked at one of her oldest friends, the woman she stood next to when Ashlyn married James, Angela's cousin. They were both godmothers to each other's daughters, Angela's only child and Ashlyn's oldest. In fact, those two girls had their godmother's first name as their middle name. "I got in Saturday with Mom and Andy. Saw you beat Millbrook," Angela said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ashlyn asked.
"Wanted it to be a surprise; also, I don't want to be a distraction," Angela said.
"I see your point, but you're not a distraction," Ashlyn said.
"It should be about the girls," Angela said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, so no Jess?" she asked.
"She's over friends and has school," Angela said.
"Books over Ball, you're so your mom," Ashlyn said.
"I turned out well enough," Angela said.
"We both did, surprisingly," Ashlyn said.
"Are we going to be those old friends that only talk about their kids?" Angela asked.
Ashlyn shook her head, "God, I hope not," she said.
The waitress, Lileas, walked over and passively looked each other over. "Do y'all know what you want?" Lileas asked.
Angela smiled, "I'll have the grilled chicken wrap and extra fries," she said.
"Okay, and you?" Lileas asked.
"The steak sandwich," Ashlyn said.
"Anything to drink?" Lileas asked.
"Coffee," Ashlyn said.
"Alright, I'll go put your order in," Lileas said and left.
"So, going for your third," Angela said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Your brother's fifth," she said.
"Yeah, crazy," Angela said.
"Don't worry, you're still more decorated them him," Ashlyn said.
Angela shrugged, "But what I wouldn't trade it for," she said.
"To be raising Jess on Virginia Beach with her dad," Ashlyn said.
Angela nodded, "I miss Church every day," she said.
Ashlyn nodded and rested a hand on Angela's. "Don't be all Nick Sparks on me; you can have more than one great love in your life," she said.
"Hard with Jess and my career," Angela said.
"Hey, I've known you for how long? Whenever you put your mind to it, you can make it happen," Ashlyn said.
Angela nodded, "True," she said.
"So, what's really bothering you?" Ashlyn asked.
"What makes you think something is bothering me?" Angela asked.
"See my previous statement," Ashlyn said.
"So, what's what's really bothering you?" Angela asked.
"No, the one before that one, and you should give up comedy," Ashlyn said.
Angela took in a deep breath and sighed. "Dash showed up, again," she said.
"Dash? Dash? Is that the neighbor you, after Church? Wow," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, I told you about it," Angela said.
"Umm, I didn't remember his name," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, he showed up at Andy's doorstep. To play nice, he talked us into going to some submarine museum; then his wife shows up, has a meeting, and wants to talk to me, privately," Angela said.
"Was it about you and her man?" Ashlyn asked.
"Maybe, I should talk to Chase about this," Angela said.
"No, no, I work around teenagers; every day is like being in a telenovela, so what did she want?" Ashlyn asked.
"Nothing to do with Dash, I guess they have an arrangement, but Elise wanted Jess to be penpals with her sons," Angela said.
"Ash!" Angela said.
"It sounds like she's trying to arrange something," Ashlyn said.
"I got her to promise that if it dies, it dies," Angela said.
"Still, I don't know, Angela," Ashlyn said.
"We were friends before Church, well, died," Angela said.
"You also banged her husband, like what twelve times?" Ashlyn asked.
"Three," Angela said.
"Still, Angela, I understand bad choices and pain, but don't let guilt cloud your judgment," Ashlyn said.
"I think things will run their natural course," Angela said.
"I hope so," Ashlyn said.
"Me too," Angela said.
"So, new subject," Ashlyn said.
"Go ahead," Angela said.
"I know you have a retirement plan; when is it?" Ashlyn asked.
"When Jess goes to high school, I want to move back here," Angela said.
"So, in about four years, right?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yeah, about that, Jess is Nomi's age," Angela said.
"Same age as Key," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah," Angela said.
"You know your brother is retiring when Sawyer graduates," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, his promise to Peyton," Angela said.
"Kiera is leaving too, so he wants me to succeed him," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah? Cool," Angela said.
"You want to coach, right?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yeah, I do," Angela said.
"How about this? Retire in two years, move here as planned, and become my assistant. Jess could be here to start playing ball with Huck's girls and Nomi; hell, we can run her through Nathan's camp. We could build something," Ashlyn said.
"I'll have to think about it," Angela said tentatively.
"I think we can do this," Ashlyn said.
Lileas came over with their dinners and left. This ended the discussion on the topic as they focused on what they were eating.
