Chapter 9

Nathan sat at the kitchen bar at the Scott household while Jamie paced the kitchen.

"Will you please stop?" Nathan said. "You're going to cause the kitchen floor to collapse."

"I'm freaking out!" Jamie shouted. "The game is in tomorrow and if they don't pass the test, then they can't play! If they can't play then we'll have to forfeit! And if we have to forfeit, I'll die!"

"Dramatic much?" Nathan asked.

"I just need some water," Jamie said.

Jamie got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and drank it really fast.

"Okay son," Nathan said. "I know what'll cheer you up. A nice long run on beach."

"Good idea," Jamie said.

Later at the beach, Jamie and Nathan were running along the ocean.

"Okay," Nathan said. "On the count of 3. 1, 2, 3!"

Nathan and Jamie stopped where they were.

"Feel better?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah," Jamie replied. "Thanks Daddy. I mean Dad. I need to stop doing that. I'm 22."

"It's okay Jamie," Nathan said. "You're never too old to call me Daddy."

"Thanks Daddy," Jamie said.

"Hey, do you want to see where your mother and I got married?" Nathan asked.

"I've been there," Jamie said.

"No," Nathan said. "Where we got married the first time."

"Sure," Jamie said.

Nathan and Jamie put their flip-flops on and Nathan led Jamie up the beach to a building.

"You and Mama got married in the Tree Hill Whaling Museum?" Jamie asked. "Not very romantic."

"It was before the museum was there," Nathan said. "It was a nice field with a tree."

"Do you have a picture?" Jamie asked.

"I did," Nathan said. "But when your mother went on tour with Chris Keller, I got drunk and set in on fire. Let's change the subject. So how are you feeling about being a father?"

"I'm feeling a little nervous," Jamie said.

"I felt the same way," Nathan said. "With you, Lydia, and Keith. The nervousness never goes away."

"Can I tell you something?" Jamie asked.

"Of course," Nathan said.

"I'm really scared," Jamie said. "I know HCM runs in our family. I know I don't have it and Lydia, Keith, and Lily don't have it, but I'm scared that Amber will have it."

"It is a possibility," Nathan said. "But I wouldn't worry about it now. Just stay positive."

"You're right," Jamie said. "Stay positive. I'm positive. I'm positive my daughter will be healthy and I'm positive the team will pass the history exam and we won't have to forfeit."

"That's the spirit son," Nathan said. "The Ravens will pass that test. That's so Ravens. Hey, did you know That's So Raven is coming back?"

"Yes, and I'm so excited," Jamie said. "Now let's get something to eat. I'm hungry."