Chapter 89: Greenwich, CT
Tuesday, January 3rd, Evening
The house shook as the door slammed and the woman sitting in her chair drinking her tea shook her head. That was the one indication that her daughter was home from work, or her granddaughter was home from school, and the day didn't seem to go so well. This was followed by heavy footfalls, which was a strong indicator it was her daughter. The maid seemed to think so too, as a cup of coffee appeared.
Angela Scott walked into the living room and took her seat. She grabbed the cup of coffee and took a deep pull of it.
"I take it a rough day," Karen said.
"I got my next road assignment today," Angela said.
"You mentioned it when I texted you earlier, and if I'm not mistaken, you were expecting to happen as well," Karen said.
"Yeah, I did, I knew it was happening," Angela said.
"So, how many days away?" Karen asked.
"An eight-day trip, another fucking eight-day trip," Angela said.
"That's not so bad," Karen said.
"Yeah, but they're a shitty school, and I feel like I'm missing out too much on Jess' life," Angela said and took a pull of her coffee.
Karen nodded, "So, what did Clay want?" she asked.
Angela shrugged, "He wouldn't tell me over the phone," she said.
"And so, when is he going to tell you?" Karen asked.
Angela sighed, "Tomorrow, at Grand Central Terminal," she said.
"You're not going into the office?" Karen asked.
Angela shook her head, "Nope, I got it cleared," she said, "Can you take Jessi into school tomorrow?"
Karen nodded, "Doing it a day earlier, not a big deal," she said.
"Thanks, Mom," Angela said.
"No problem," Karen said, "Anyways, speaking of Jessi, Spencer called and she invited you and Jessi to visit for Easter."
Angela nodded, "I'll have to check what I'm doing that week. I really don't want to send Jessi down there alone," she said.
Karen nodded, "At least you're open about Jessi knowing them," she said.
Angela nodded, "I've never had a problem with Spencer Grady, she's always been good with me," she said.
"Except over Jessi's name," Karen said.
Angela shrugged, "That was Church's choice," she said.
"I get it," Karen said.
"Speaking of Jessi, where is my brilliant daughter?" Angela asked.
"Where do you think she sir, Angela," Karen said.
"Okay," Angela said and finished her coffee, "I'm going to check on her."
"Are you going to tell her?" Karen asked.
"About what?" Angela asked.
"The trip?" Karen asked.
"Jessi knows, she texted me before you did," Angela said.
"How about Spencer's invite?" Karen asked.
"Yeah, probably," Angela said, stood up and went upstairs.
She changed into basketball workout clothes and headed back downstairs. She slipped on a headband that covered her ears. Heading outside she followed the sounds of the bouncing basketball. With a pause, she slipped on her Chastity Davis Special sunglasses and took in a deep breath of cold air, which she instantly regretted.
Angela looked at Jess as she worked on some drills. She was a tall, lean, athletic girl, her body hadn't started to mature into a young woman's, yet. Her blonde hair flowed and moved in reaction to her quick, almost violent movements. Angela studied her daughter and noted she saw very little of her dad in her. Angela reflected, Jess' movement was smoothing out, she'll be polished enough for high school in those four years she had.
"Looking good, Jessi," Angela said.
Jess stopped and picked up the ball, "Mom," Jess said.
Angela nodded, "Smoothing out," she said.
Jess nodded, "Thanks," she said, "Also Mom, please call me Jess."
Angela canted her head, "Sorry Jessica, but you'll always be Jessi to me," she said.
Jess rolled her eyes, and grunted, "I like Jess, better," she said.
"Well, I'm sorry," Angela said, "Still looking good, Jess."
"Thanks, Mom," Jess said.
"I see you're working on your left," Angela said.
Jess nodded, "It's tough, but I'll get it," she said.
"Having trouble not using your right?" Angela asked.
Jess shrugged, "Some, but I'll manage," she said.
"Very confident, I see," Angela said, "I believe you will."
"Or die trying," Jess said.
Angela laughed, "That's good because you know Nathan got Brett to learn to use her opposite hand?" she asked.
"How?" Jess asked.
"He tied her dominant hand behind her back," Angela said.
"What? No way. You're pulling my leg," Jess said.
"True story," Angela said.
"I don't believe you," Jess said.
"Next time you see either of them, ask," Angela said.
"I will," Jess said and laughed.
"So, how was school today?" Angela asked.
Jess shrugged, "It was school, I guess I suck at playing instruments, as they took it away from me in music class," she said.
"Don't feel too bad, I sucked too, as does Uncle Lucas," Angela said.
"But I have a nice jump shot," Jess said.
"That you do," Angela replied, "What do you think about the possibility of spending Easter down in Atlanta?"
Jess looked at Angela. "Atlanta? Nana Spencer's?" she asked.
"According to Grandma Karen, Nana Spencer called and invited us to visit for Easter," Angela said.
Jess nodded, "I've not seen Nana Spencer in a while," she said.
"So, you're okay with it?" Angela asked.
Jess shrugged, "Well, I'd much rather going to see Uncle Lucas," Jess said.
"Want to hang out with Nomi, PJ, and Key?" Angela asked.
"I guess," Jess said.
"You'll be able to spend time with them later and stand out as the only blonde in that squad," Angela said.
"Yeah, I guess," Jess said, "Mom?"
"Yes?" Angela asked.
"How did you and Dad pick out my name?" Jess asked.
"We liked the name, and neither of our families had a tradition of having Jessica as a name," Angela said.
"Okay, thanks, so when are we heading back to DC for this year?" Jess asked.
"Hopefully before training camp," Angela said.
Jess nodded.
"So, want to play horse, I'll use my left hand?" Angela asked.
"Mom, you shoot just as well left-handed as you do right," Jess said.
"Darn, I was hoping you would forget that," Angela said.
"I'm blonde, but not that blonde," Jess said, "Now, what are you hiding?"
"What makes you think I'm hiding something?" Angela asked.
"You've not brought up your travel for work, and you were supposed to get it today," Jess said.
Angela nodded, "You're right, I didn't mention it," she said.
"You said eight days, earlier," Jess said.
Angela nodded, "Yeah, I did," she said.
"Is it a good trip?" Jess asked.
Angela shook her head, "Not really," she said.
"That sucks," Jess said.
"Well, that's what my boss gave me!" Angela said.
Jess shook her head, "Mom, what would you say if I ask you not to go?" she asked.
Angela sighed, "I wish I didn't have to," she said.
Jess nodded, and looked Angela in the eyes, "There's more," she said.
Angela nodded, "Yeah, Grandma Karen is bringing you to school tomorrow," she said.
"Why?" Jess asked.
"I have to see Clay, in the city tomorrow," Angela said.
Jess nodded and then sighed, "We're moving again, aren't we?" she asked.
"I don't know," Angela said.
Jess nodded, disappointed.
"Jessica Ashlyn Scott, Angela Marie Scott, I've been calling you both for the last five minutes," Karen said, walking onto the basketball half-court. She was bundled up against the cold as she came over to her daughter and granddaughter.
Angela turned to look at Karen. "Sorry Mom, I didn't hear you," Angela said.
"Sorry Grandma," Jess said.
Karen nodded, "Let's get in from the cold, dinner is ready," she said.
"Yes Grandma," Jess said.
"Yes Mom," Angela said, and turned to Jess, "Don't forget you have homework after dinner."
"Yes Mom," Jess said, disappointed.
"Life isn't just about basketball, Jess," Angela said.
Jess nodded, "I know, Mom," she said.
Angela nodded as Karen lead them inside the house to get ready for dinner.
