Chapter 80: ESPN Bristol
Tuesday, January 3rd, Afternoon
She sat at the desk they assigned her to use. She believed they called it a hoteling desk, but it didn't really matter. Slowly she looked over the sheets of printer paper and read off the handful of assignments that she was given, and the various cities and games they were sending her to. It was a typical ten-day swing covering a handful of Woman's Basketball games as a sideline reporter. At least, they all looked like they were going to be interesting games, that's always a plus, makes the traveling bearable.
That was when Angela's smartphone buzzed. She reached over and checked it. It was a text message from Jess.
Jessi: Did you get a road assignment?
Angela: It's conference games, what do you think?
Jessi: How many days?
Angela: Surprisingly just an eight-day run.
Jessi: So, leaving me with Grandma?
Angela: Not the first time.
Jessi: I have a big game coming up.
Angela: I know, and I should be back by then.
Jessi: When do you leave?
Angela: Thursday night.
Jessi: So soon?
Angela put the smartphone down. She picked up and looked over the papers. When she was satisfied, she put the papers down and retrieved the smartphone.
Angela: Sorry, Thursday morning.
Jessi: Oh good. We're taking in Uncle Lucas' game tonight?
Angela: Don't we always?
Jessi: Does Grandma know?
Angela: Has she ever missed one?
Jessi: Good Point. Cousin James is also playing tonight. Phoenix I believe.
Angela: You're in school, I'm at work.
Jessi: Your point, Mom?
Angela: Get back to your schoolwork.
Jessi: Yes Mom.
Angela put her smartphone down and went back to her work laptop and started looking up schools and their teams, she was visiting on this road trip. Slowly, she started making notes on the first game they were going to cover. She wanted to see who she thinks was the story, and who would be interesting to talk to ahead of the game. Looking over her list, she had some other phone interviews and one or two face-to-face interviews also set up. It was always a crazy time on these trips.
There are the pains of this job. Angela made a face, she took this job to make money in the off-season, and be in the United States and around Jess. Her dad wasn't in the picture, and she didn't want her to feel orphaned if she played overseas like she did before Jess came. Angela's Mom, Karen, even liked it as it was a possible career after basketball. Her Mom like that she was happy, but always told her being Mom took priority over being a professional basketball player. Angela agreed with, in principle, but she still had to support herself and Jess, and living off Mommy and Step-Daddy wasn't how Angela was raised. Not that Step-Daddy would have an issue with it, she was still, and even over six feet tall, his Little Angel. Angela herself was getting tired of all the travel, even TV Travel, and well it was just for a few more years.
That was when her basketball instincts kicked in and she felt the presence of someone standing near her. Looking up she saw an older shorter man standing over her, there were subdued gray streaks in his brownish hair, and as he smiled at her she noted it was infectious. After a quick nod, Angela returned the smile.
"Hey Mouth," Angela said.
"Angela," Marvin "Mouth" McFadden said, with the normal boyish charm that never seemed to age.
"So, what brings you down here?" Angela asked.
"Slumming," Mouth said, "No, really, I wanted to check and see how you're doing."
Angela sat up and shrugged, "I'm doing," she said.
"Another road trip I see," Mouth said.
"Yeah, not everyone can be the voice of the channel," Angela replied.
Mouth laughed, "Yeah, I know, but I honestly miss being on the road," he said.
"I've been on the road, well for the last fifteen plus years of my life, it gets old," Angela said.
Mouth nodded, "I can't imagine, especially with Jessi still young and no one else home," he said.
Angela nodded, "Well, she just told me something, and wow she's growing up," she said.
"How old is she now?" Mouth asked.
"Ten going on twenty," Angela said and laughed, "She's got that Tree Hill in her, growing up too fast."
Mouth laughed, "You were probably no better," he said.
"I was a perfect little angel, just ask Andy," Angela said, with a faux-innocent tone in her voice.
Mouth laughed, "So, what did Jessi tell you?" he asked.
"What?" Angela replied.
"What did Jessi tell you that got you thinking she's growing up too fast?" Mouth asked.
Angela nodded, "She doesn't want to be called Jessi anymore," she said.
"What does she want to be called? Jessica?" Mouth responded.
Angela shook her head, "No, not Jessica, which would be understandable since it's her name," she said.
"Then what?" Mouth asked.
"She wants to be called Jess," Angela said, "she's developing her own identity."
Mouth nodded, "They do that," he said, "They grow up."
Angela's smartphone buzzed again. Mouth sighed and looked at it. Angela reached over and picked it up. It was a text message from her Mom.
"Is it important?" Mouth asked.
Angela shrugged, "It might be," she said, "It's my Mom."
Mouth smiled, "Well I'll leave you be, and say how to Karen for me."
Angela nodded, "I will," she said, and watched as Mouth walked away.
Karen: How many days?
Angela: Couldn't wait for me to get home?
Karen: Enquiring minds want to know.
Angela: I'll tell you when I get home.
Karen: Leave your poor Mom in suspense?
Angela: Yes Mom, and you have other things to keep you busy.
Karen: Funny, I can still put you over my knee.
Angela: I'd like to see that happen.
Karen: I can still do it.
Angela: Sure, Mom.
Karen: Clay called the house.
Angela: Really, what does my agent want?
Karen: I don't know, he wouldn't tell me.
Angela: So, what did he tell you.
Karen: Call him as soon as possible.
Angela: No problem, thanks, Mom.
Karen: You're welcome.
Angela: Mouth says hi.
Karen: That's nice; tell Mouth hi for me.
Angela: I will Mom, talk to you when I get home.
Karen: See you later.
Angela put the phone down and shook her head. Picking up the desk phone and called the travel office to confirm her travel, rentals, and hotels. After that, her thoughts turned back to the message from her Mom.
Clay never calls the house, unless it was important and he could reach her on her cell. Maybe it was other things, Clay could be a bit paranoid about business. Angela couldn't blame him with all the sports gossip and media. Deals have been ruined for less than a mere rumor.
Athletes have had a strong Social Media Presence. It was even encouraged now, but Angela didn't have a Twitter account, nor was she very active on Facebook or other platforms. So, she never had to worry about any leaks, from her at least.
Angela sighed and her smartphone buzzed again. This time it kept buzzing; it was a phone call now. Angela shook her head; it has been one of those days. She picked up the phone and saw the name that was calling, Clay Evans, her agents.
"Hey Clay, can we make this quick, I'm working," Angela said, as she picked up the phone call.
"Sure Angela, I want to keep this quick since, well never know who's listening," Clay said.
"No one has cloned or tapped my phone, Clay," Angela said, "I'm not that rich or interesting."
"Need I remind you about what happened after you ESPN Body pictures came out?" Clay asked.
"Yeah, but he ran into Church's fist," Angela said.
"Well, that was a pain in the ass to clean up, afterward," Clay said.
"That's why you take your cut off the top," Angela said and laughed.
"Funny, Angela," Clay asked, "Aren't you going on a road trip soon?"
"Leave Thursday," Angela said.
"Can you meet me tomorrow in the city?" Clay asked.
"Why so paranoid?" Angela asked.
"Angela, we need to talk face-to-face," Clay said.
"I can try, I'll let you know," Angela said.
"Good, the usual place," Clay said.
"Usual place, you're buying," Angela said.
"Of course, since you'll really be buying," Clay said and laughed.
"That's right, so I'll go expensive," Angela said.
"Please let me know if you can make it and we'll set the time," Clay said.
"Of course, I usually do," Angela said.
"Alright, have to go," Clay said, "Call me."
The line went dead. Angela lowered her smartphone from her ear and looked at it. Sighing, she put it down and stood up. Stretching out, she looked around the office and saw her supervision was in their office. Taking two deep breaths, she steeled herself for the conversation she was about to have.
Even in heels Angela could turn fast and keep her balance, from her years of taking ballet. She couldn't snap around as fast as she used to, her knee couldn't take a sudden twisting strain anymore. For a woman her height she couldn't be stealthy, people saw her coming. Finally, she got to the supervisor's door and knocked.
Her supervisor looked up, "Come in, Angela," the Supervisor said.
Angela came in, "Thanks," she said.
"What can I do for you?" The Supervisor asked.
"I have to run into New York tomorrow," Angela said.
"You need the time off tomorrow?" the Supervisor asked.
"Yes," Angela said.
"Do you have everything set for the trip?" the supervisor asked.
"Yes, I just finished up," Angela said.
The Supervisor nodded, "Yeah, go ahead, and tell Clay I said hi," the supervisor said.
"What?" Angela asked.
"Clay called me to get you time off, also I'm aware it's about your real job," the Supervisor said.
"Okay, I will," Angela said.
"Go, finish up what you have left to do," the Supervisor said.
"Thank you," Angela said.
"You're welcome," the Supervisor said.
Angela left and reflected that's easier than she thought it would be.
