Chapter 18: Basketball and Children

When the kids were done with breakfast Ashlyn made sure the kids cleaned the dishes and rinsed them off. Next, they washed their hands and were in front of Ashlyn.

"Can we watch Brett now?" Logan asked.

"Yeah, we want to watch Brett," Landon said.

Maeghan nodded. Ashlyn knew her youngest daughter wasn't into basketball, but she wanted to spend time with her sister.

Ashlyn looked at the microwave's clock and did some calculations. Brett told her she was doing her SEAL work out, it was a nickname, but most of the session was done with weights to tire out the body. This was followed by a full set of drills. The theory was to improve endurance at the end of the game.

"Okay, we can watch Brett," Ashlyn said.

"Yay!" The two boys said.

Maeghan just nodded. Ashlyn leads them to the newest wing of the house. When they bought the place, James had a gym built, including a full-size basketball court. Ashlyn brought the kids to the observation area; they took a seat.

James also had the estate, as he called it, re-named Jamlyn. It was a portmanteau of his and her first name. Ashlyn shook her head, she didn't like it, but James thought it was cute. He pointed out that his uncle's estate is named Leighton, which was a portmanteau of his and his aunt's name as well. Ashlyn laughed and pointed out that Leighton was named after the man who built that estate. James just shrugged and smiled.

The gym was a nice addition. During the off-season, James would work out and rehab for the new coming up season. He would work on his drills and shooting in the basketball court. It kept Brett here when she stayed here instead of somewhere she could and sometimes did get in trouble. Hell, Ashlyn thought, she even used the gym to stay in shape.

Brett walked out of the weight room. She was wearing faded basketball shorts and a muscle shirt. Brett finished stretching out and started running suicides. Ashlyn didn't miss the tough conditioning regime that Angela kept, and Ashlyn tried to follow. Ashlyn's surgically rebuilt knee throbbed in pain just watching Brett running.

Ashlyn leaned forwarded and gently rubbed her knee. Her biggest fear was they were going to have to do a knee replacement. Two major injuries and all the miles of playing basketball took its toll on it. The Doctors already pointed out she had arthritis in it, traumatic arthritis, but arthritis none the less. It caused her to retire from basketball, and with this Polar Vortex made it hard for her to move. There's also that low-level nagging pain.

Once Brett was done, she walked over to the rack of basketballs and picked one up. Brett walked out onto the court and started working on moves. Ashlyn was always amazed at how her daughter moved, there was a fluidity that Ashlyn never had. Ashlyn wasn't even sure if Huck moved that way.

Logan and Landon were up against the glass. They were paying attention to their oldest sister. Ashlyn knew her twin sons would be taking on to basketball soon. Ashlyn sighed and watched Brett.

The memories flowed back to her own youth. She remembered walking on the basketball court the first time, and there was another tall blonde girl on the team. The other girl was Angela Scott and was very shy.

That day they started doing drills and Ashlyn started to see the reason Angela was on the court. Angela moved like a dancer; she was pure poetry. Ashlyn wishes she could move like that. When they shot baskets for the first time, that shy blonde girl, Angela Scott was the best. It was inspirational.

Ashlyn watched Brett practicing. The same feelings came to her watching her oldest daughter as it did when she watched her then soon to be the best friend for the first time. In these moments Ashlyn regretted her initial demand that Brett never plays basketball. If they had listened, she would've denied such a talent to the world. It was a thought of a stressed fifteen-year-old, and very near-sighted. It didn't take into thought what Brett would want.

Brett finished up her drills, then moved the basketball rack to the foul line. Ashlyn knew this drill; it was the ultimate test. Brett had to make ten foul shots in a row before she could hit the showers.

Ashlyn saw Nathan Scott in how Brett shot the ball. It made sense because he was the one that taught her the game. It was against Ashlyn's wishes, but he said it made Brett happy, and she wanted it more than anything else. Ashlyn once tried to get Brett to try another sport. Brett enjoyed softball but wasn't serious about it. She hated cheerleading and cared little for soccer. So, in the end, Ashlyn finally gave in and let Brett do basketball only. Ashlyn's one victory was she got Brett into ballet, only because Angela said she took it and it helped her with basketball.

Ashlyn watched as the balls went off Brett's fingertips. Ball after the ball went into the hoop. Ashlyn lost count but, Brett finished and walked forward and started to collect the basketballs.

"She's all done," Landon said.

"Too soon," Logan said.

"Finally," Maeghan said.

Ashlyn laughed, "Yes, she's done," she said, "Let's head upstairs, and let Brett clean up."

The twins nodded, Maeghan looked at Ashlyn.

"Brett still has to braid my hair," Maeghan said.

"Remind her when she comes upstairs," Ashlyn said.

"Okay Momma," Maeghan said.

Ashlyn leads the crowd upstairs. The boys ran ahead, but Maeghan was right beside Ashlyn. After a sigh, Ashlyn considered her daughter Brett, who had four half-sisters and three half-brothers. Sometimes Ashlyn wondered if Brett was closer to her siblings on her Dad's side.

Collecting together in the living room, Ashlyn took a seat on the sofa. The twins started to play on the floor, Maeghan sat on another sofa.

Sitting there, they waited for the morning to become midday.