Chapter 608: The Field House

Wednesday, March 8th, Afternoon

As the star player and one of the team captains walked out of the locker room, she went after the young woman and caught up to her. The younger woman stopped and looked at her.

"Yes, Coach?" Brett asked.

"Are you coming home tonight?" Ashlyn asked.

"I have my work shift, but I'll probably be sleeping home tonight," Brett said.

"Your granddad wants to know if you'll be home for dinner," Ashlyn said.

"I don't know, and why call him granddad?" Brett asked.

"Because he is your granddad," Ashlyn said.

"You don't call him dad," Brett said.

"Buck and I have a complex relationship," Ashlyn said.

"Mom, all your relationships are complex," Brett said.

"We're at school; call me coach or Mrs. Pierce-Scott," Ashlyn said.

"Even as we're discussing home matters?" Brett asked.

Ashlyn shook her head, "That's not the point," she said.

"The point is all your relationships can be described as complex," Brett said.

"Someday, Brett, you will understand that humans are complex and, as such, have complex relationships," Ashlyn said.

"So, you say," Brett said; the look in her eyes started to get distant.

"Anyway, not to cast pearls before swine. Will you be home for dinner?" Ashlyn asked.

Brett shook her head, "Umm, what?" she asked.

Ashlyn shook her head. "Are you going to be home for dinner?" she asked.

"Umm, I'm not sure," Brett said.

Ashlyn nodded and studied her oldest. "Brett, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Umm, nothing," Brett said.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't believe you," Ashlyn said.

"Maybe there is something," Brett said.

"Let's talk about it," Ashlyn said.

"Umm," Brett said.

"Brett," Ashlyn said.

"I'm not ready to talk about it," Brett said.

"Okay, when you're ready, my door is always open," Ashlyn said.

"Okay," Brett said.

"Brett, I'm serious; you can talk to me," Ashlyn said.

"I know, Mom," Brett said.

"I hope you do," Ashlyn said.

"Mom," Brett said.

"Yes, Brett," Ashlyn said, frustrated with Brett for calling her mom.

"What is the Cabal?" Brett asked.

"The Cabal? Where did you hear that?" Ashlyn asked.

"I just did," Brett said.

"Well, I can tell you this much, if it did exist, you'd never hear about it from people involved," Ashlyn said.

"I heard it was about bullying a bully," Brett said.

"Okay," Ashlyn said.

"You don't know anything about it?" Brett asked.

"Why would I?" Ashlyn asked.

Brett shrugged, "I don't know; you seem to know things," she said.

Ashlyn shrugged, "I am paid for wisdom," she said.

"Who would know anything about this cabal?" Brett asked.

"I'd ask your Aunt Bobbi," Ashlyn said.

"Why ask her?" Brett asked.

"When you were about six, she broke up with her boyfriend when she found out he cheated on her. Suddenly, one night at TRIC, his truck is ruined. They seem to think your Aunt Bobbi went full Carrie on him," Ashlyn said.

"I heard that it was a Carrie or a Miranda. I don't know what it means, but I looked it up, and I kept getting hits for Sex in the City," Brett said.

"Be glad you don't know," Ashlyn said.

"What do you mean?" Brett asked.

"I should be the one telling you, but I don't have a strong grasp on the meanings," Ashlyn said.

"Who does?" Brett asked.

"Ask your Aunt Bobbi," Ashlyn said.

"Was Aunt Bobbi a member of The Cabel?" Brett asked.

"Why would she be?" Ashlyn asked.

"You brought her up, which makes one suspect that she is a member," Brett said.

"Well, I doubt she is," Ashlyn said.

"Then why bring her up?" Brett asked.

"Because she could explain that Carrie and Miranda thing," Ashlyn said.

"Oh," Brett said.

"Yeah, oh," Ashlyn said and checked her watch, "When do you have to be at the studio?"

Brett pulled out her smartphone and looked at the time. "I have some time," Brett said.

"I'd get going; better to be early than late," Ashlyn said.

"On time? You're already late?" Brett asked.

"Yes," Ashlyn said.

Brett nodded and turned away from Ashlyn. Brett started walking down the hallway; Ashlyn watched her oldest daughter disappear into the commons. Shaking her head, Ashlyn turned and walked back into the locker room to retrieve her stuff from the office. Once she got her thing, she left the locker room and headed toward the teacher's parking lot. Loading her stuff into the car and getting behind the wheel, she started her car and drove off..