Chapter 120: Tennis Courts
Thursday, January 5th, Night
They came out of the dressing rooms and onto the indoor tennis court in the north range of Beaulieu Manor. One of them, a blonde, headed to one side of the court, and the other, a brunette, took the opposite.
The blonde took the yellow fuzzy tennis ball and bounced it against the court with her racket. Sawyer Scott mover her sore ankle back and forth to see if it would take the pressure of the game. She was dressing in a form-fitting black tennis dress. Her light blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and held in place by a scrunchie, that matched her tennis dress.
The brunette looked across the net at Sawyer. Kendall "Keni" Stafford spun her racket in her hand as she watched Sawyer fiddle with the tennis ball. Her brunette hair was piled on her head in a mess that could be considered a bun if one squinted at it. Her t-shirt was an oversized black t-shirt that said Area 51 the Truth is out there 37.2350°N 115.8111°W, with a baggy black basketball short. Where Sawyer had nice well-maintained tennis shoes, Keni's look like they are battered beyond usefulness.
"Sawyer," Keni said.
"Yes," Sawyer said.
"Are you sure about playing on your ankle?" Keni asked.
"It's fine," Sawyer said.
"We did extra time at practice today, are you sure this is a good idea?" Keni asked.
"I set a timer on my smartphone," Sawyer said.
"We have games to cheer tomorrow," Keni said.
"And a weekend for me to rest," Sawyer said.
"You've pushed hard at practice today, are you sure about this?" Keni asked.
"I'll be fine, I've rested and I've taken my medicine," Sawyer said.
"Okay, but I registering my protest to this now," Keni said.
"So, noted," Sawyer said.
"Well shut up and serve," Keni said.
Sawyer nodded and served the ball. Keni lined up and returned Sawyer's serve. Sawyer smiled and started the volley. They bounced the ball back and forth. This was something they have done for years. They learned the game from Izzy and Chase when they were growing up. Sawyer had really taken to the game, having a natural physical inclination to athletics and by thirteen could regularly beat Izzy. Still to this day she couldn't even come close to beating Chase. Chase has sort of became Sawyer's white whale.
The volley finally ended and the two girls looked at each other and smiled. Sawyer walked over to the side and dabbed her forehead.
"That was a good volley," Sawyer said.
"The only reason it was so long is because of your gimpy ankle," Keni said.
"My ankle is fine," Sawyer said, "You're just getting better."
"So, say you," Keni replied.
They heard clapping coming from behind the viewing nets. They turned and saw Brooke standing there.
"Nice play, girls," Brooke said.
"Thanks, Mom," Keni said, with a bit of an attitude.
"Thanks, Aunt Brooke," Sawyer said.
Brooke looked at the two girls over. "Sawyer, you look nice," she said.
"Thanks, Aunt Brooke," Sawyer said.
Brooke looked at Keni, "Well Keni, at least you're dressed," she said.
"Thanks, Mom, I try," Keni said.
"Sawyer, have you seen your dad?" Brooke asked.
Sawyer shook her head, "No, I haven't, Aunt Brooke," she said.
"Okay," Brooke said.
"Aunt Brooke are you on your nightly walk?" Sawyer asked.
"Yes, I am, just about to head out in fact," Brooke said, "Now, you two don't stay up late playing, you have a long day tomorrow, and Sawyer you need to rest your ankle."
"Yes Mom," Keni said.
"Yes, Aunt Brooke," Sawyer said.
Brooke left the viewing stands. Sawyer picked up the tennis ball and looked at Keni. The brunette looked at the blonde.
"What?" Keni asked.
"Keni, you know I love you, but why don't you even try? I know you have nice clothes, I've seen your closet," Sawyer said.
"Because this is who I am," Keni said.
"Keni," Sawyer said.
"Don't Keni me, Sawyer," Keni said, "Look around this place, it's a place of beautiful things and beautiful people."
"Duh, that's what Beaulieu means beautiful place," Sawyer said.
"You don't get it, Sawyer," Keni said.
"I don't get what? Enlighten me, please," Sawyer said.
"You're tall, blonde, beautiful, slender, but have curves, you just have a look that people want. I'm short, brunette and a stick, I'm destined to be short and boney," Keni said, "I'm the ugly sister."
"Keni, you're not ugly, you're the most beautiful person I know," Sawyer said.
"Who are you kidding, Sawyer? I'm the Oompa-Loompa of my family," Keni said.
"That's bullshit, Keni, if you're an Oompa-Loompa, one you're my Oompa-Loompa, and two if you're your family's Oompa-Loompa, then I'm my families," Sawyer said.
"Now who's throwing bullshit now? You and your sisters are beautiful, Keith is the Oompa-Loompa," Keni said.
"That in includes Kay?" Sawyer asked.
"Yes, I included Kay," Keni said.
"Sawyer shook her head and laughed, "Keith isn't one of those," she said.
"Then what is he?" Keni asked.
"My big brother who loves me and will do anything for me," Sawyer said.
"That must be nice," Keni said.
"What must be nice, Keni?" Sawyer asked.
"Having a brother that loves you," Keni said.
"Tucker loves you," Sawyer said.
"Not the way Keith loves you," Keni said.
"he just shows it a different way," Sawyer said.
"There's your blind spot for my brother, showing up, Sawyer," Keni said.
"I don't have a blind spot for Tucker," Sawyer said.
"You do, just like you have a crush on him," Keni said.
"I don't have a crush on Tucker," Sawyer said.
"Whatever Sawyer," Keni said.
"Don't whatever me, Keni," Sawyer said.
"Sure," Keni said, "Let's finished playing."
"Okay," Sawyer said, and they headed back out on the court.
