Chapter 100: Games Over
Tuesday, January 3rd, Evening
The two teams walked off the court after shaking hands. Sitting on the bleachers, Brett nodded and turned to look at her teammates, they nodded to her.
"We weren't the only ones rusty," Avril said.
Brett nodded, "I don't think we were," she said, "But we shouldn't have been."
Baylee laughed, "So, what's the Plan Stan?" she asked.
Brett shrugged, "I've got to go to my Dad's, but I want to see Garvan before I go," she said.
"So, you want to get felt up?" Baylee asked.
"No, maybe, I just want to see my boyfriend," Brett said.
Avril laughed, "Oh yeah, she wants the gropes," she said.
Brett smacked Avril, "Would you stop that," she said.
"Hey!" Avril said.
"Let's get out of here before the authority figures get wind of us," Baylee said.
"Yeah," Brett said, "And could we not talk about my sex life at school, my mom is one of our coaches."
"Duh! It's not like we didn't grow up with y'all," Baylee said.
"Still," Brett said, as they climbed off the bleachers and left the field house.
"I know your Mom is one of the coaches, remind me again how you're related to Coach?" Baylee asked.
"In simple terms, he's my uncle," Brett said.
"What do you mean simple terms?" Avril asked.
"Well he's my step half great uncle," Brett said as they walked through the Commons.
"Rough game you three," A tall, very tall, woman with brown hair, streaked with gray said.
Avril who was nearly as tall looked up to her and smiled, "Just a bit of rust, Auntie Mack," she said.
Mackenzie Bissette, nee Ward, smiled at her niece, and her friends, "You shouldn't get rusty with a tournament last week. We didn't get rusty like that when we won states," she said, laughing.
"Well you scared the hell out most of the girls you went against," Avril said.
"Also, my Mom broke a cheerleader's nose in a fight," Brett said, "But I seem to remember, y'all got rusty the next year."
Mackenzie turned to Brett, "Well shit happens," she said, "Is your mom around?"
"She's probably coming out with my sister and the twins," Brett said.
Mackenzie smiled, "Thanks, don't get too crazy tonight," she said.
Avril laughed, "Not hardly, this one," she grabbed Brett's shoulder, "Will probably be home doing homework."
"Hey!" Brett said.
Mackenzie laughed, "How much have times changed," she said.
"I love you," Avril said to Brett.
"Yeah, whatever," Brett said.
"Av, I'm going to say hello to Coach Pierce-Scott, I'll meet you at my car," Mackenzie said.
"Okay Auntie Mack," Avril said.
"See you there," Mackenzie said and walked away.
Out of earshot, Baylee looked at Avril and Brett. "That's your aunt?" she asked.
Avril nodded, "Yeah, that's my aunt," she said.
"I can see why you said I'll get why you think she's cool, I'm too scared not to think that of her," Baylee said.
Avril shrugged, "She's really a sweet person," she said.
Brett shrugged.
"Well Bye," Baylee said, smiled and gave a finger wave and then walked away, "I'm too young to be hanging around here.
Brett looked at Avril, who just shrugged. Avril excused herself and Brett just shook her head. Waiting seemed to take forever. She finally saw Garvan Muir walking out of the field house.
She smiled as she studied Garvan. He looked good, his hair was wet from the shower, she liked the wet look on him. Brett noted he wore his varsity jacket and his gym bag was slung over his shoulder. He walked over to her and smiled.
"Hey, waiting for me?" Garvan asked.
Brett nodded and smiled, "What do you think?" she asked.
He took a deep breath, "Of course," he said, stepped forward and wrapped their arms around each other. They kissed lightly and broke apart.
"We're going to have to put a pin in that," Brett said.
Garvan nodded, "I know, and it sucks," he said.
Brett smiled, "At least we have our date coming up," she said.
"That we do," Garvan said.
"I can't wait," Brett said and stole a quick kiss on Garvan's lips.
"Me either, but I have to get home," Garvan said, "The old man is going want me to get my homework done."
Brett nodded, "I know," she said, and stole another quick kiss.
"At least your Dad is cool," Garvan said.
Brett shrugged, "Not as much as you think," she said.
"Better than mine," Garvan said and kissed her again. Once they broke off Garvan looked at Brett. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"See you tomorrow," Brett said and watched Garvan walk away.
The two girls grabbed their bags and started to leave the locker room. The blonde looked at the brunette and shrugged. The brunette grabbed the blonde.
"You were thinking about playing again, weren't you?" Keni asked.
"What?" Sawyer asked.
"When the games were going on, you were thinking about playing basketball again," Keni said.
Sawyer sighed, "Yeah, I was," she said.
Keni sighed right back at her, "Can't you get over it?" she asked.
Sawyer shrugged, "I don't know," she said.
Alesha walked over to them, "You did well today, at least you didn't drop me," she said.
"Whatever Alesha," Sawyer said, and walked past Alesha. Keni watched Sawyer leave then turned to Alesha.
"What was that about?" Alesha asked.
"If you don't know," Keni said, "Then I won't tell you."
"Really Keni?" Alesha asked.
"Yes, really," Keni said and walked by her catching up with Sawyer.
"Sawyer, Keni," you guys were great tonight," Alexis Mourn, another cheerleader, said, as they walked by.
"Thanks, Alexis," Sawyer said.
"Yeah, Thanks Alexis," Keni said.
"You're welcome, have a good night," Alexis said.
"Night," Sawyer said.
"See you," Keni said, as they walked towards the doors that lead to the Commons. Before they reached the doors, they were stopped by Shannon. She looked at them with an unpleased look in her eyes.
"You two were chatty tonight," Shannon said.
"But we were on point," Sawyer said, in retort.
"I was just trying to keep her head in the game," Keni said, matter-of-factly.
Shannon shook her head, "Well, Sawyer stay focused, and at least you didn't drop anyone," Shannon said.
"Thanks," Sawyer said and walked out of the field house.
"Talk to you later, Shan got to go," Keni said and followed Sawyer through the doors.
In the bleachers, Brooke looked down at Nomi and Ellis. She smiled and rested a hand on each of them. The two kids looked up at Brooke and they smiled at each other. Brooke nodded.
"Let's head home," Brooke said.
Ellis nodded.
Nomi also nodded, "I'm ready to go, Nana Brooke," she said.
Brooke guided two of her grandkids down the line. She paused and looked at her oldest daughter and son-in-law. Chase looked back at her mom.
"See you around," Chase said and hugged her Mom.
Brooke smiled, "Why don't you bring the kids over this weekend?" she asked.
"Can't it's Rachel's weekend," Chase said, "But we'll see you at Friday's game?"
Brooke laughed, "Of course, you will," she said, "Where else will I be?"
Chase smiled as Brooke knelt down and looked at four more of her grandchildren. "Give Nana a hug before I leave," Brooke said.
"Night Nana Brooke," PJ said and hugged Brooke.
"Nigh PJ," Brooke said.
There was a smile and a hug from Key, "Goodnight, Nana Brooke," Key said.
"Night Key," Brooke said.
She moved to her next granddaughter, and they hugged. "Goodnight, Nana Brooke, I'll miss you," BB said.
"Night BB," Brooke said, "I'll miss you too."
Brooke looked at her grandson. He hugged her. "Goodnight, Nana Brooke," Col said.
"Goodnight, Col," Brooke said, she stood up and smiled, she had six of her grandchildren here. She liked being surrounded by family. Only two of her grandkids weren't here; Wyatt who lived in New York with his Mom, and Adam; well we won't say where Adam is.
Brooke and Huck hugged. They looked at each other, with Brooke looking up at the much taller Huck. "Be safe tomorrow," Brooke said.
Huck nodded, "I always am," he said.
"You better," Brooke said, and looked down at Nomi and Ellis, "Let's go, we need to feed you two and you have homework."
Nomi and Ellis reluctantly nodded and lead Brooke away from their Aunt, Uncle and Cousins.
Sawyer and Keni walked into the Commons. The two sophomore cheerleaders found the taller senior basketball player standing there. The blonde and brunette looked at the redhead.
Brett smiled, "What are you two up to?" she asked.
"What?" Keni asked, feigning innocence.
"We're not up to anything," Sawyer said.
Brett laughed, "I've known y'all since you were in diapers," she said.
"So?" Sawyer asked.
"I know y'all," Brett said.
"I might ask what you're up to," Keni said, with a serious tone in her voice.
Brett looked at Keni with a cocked eyebrow. "Why are you talking to me like that, Keni?" she asked.
"I'm your aunt after all," Keni said.
Brett sighed, "Step-aunt," she said, "and I'm older than you."
Keni looked at Sawyer. Sawyer cocked her head and shrugged, "Don't look at me," she said.
"Thank you," Brett said.
"I'm just the cousin," Sawyer said and gave Brett a devilish smile.
Brett gave Sawyer a look, "Don't start with me, Sassy," she said.
Sawyer gave Brett a dirty look, and held up one finger, "Don't call me Sassy," she said.
"Why? It's your nickname?" Brett asked, trying to needle her.
"I've not been Sassy for four years now," Sawyer said.
Brett closed her mouth. That statement reminded her why Sawyer stopped using her childhood nickname. Brett's face went neutral. And nodded, "I'm sorry, Sawyer," she said.
Sawyer nodded.
"You better have apologized, you're still not too big to be put over my knee," Keni said.
That statement caused both Brett and Sawyer to laugh. What was so funny? Brett was just over a foot taller than Keni. Sawyer shook her head and smiled. Keni smiled and looked at two of her three closest childhood friends. Brett smiled, nodding, they always had a way of making her laugh.
Ashlyn looked down at her younger daughter and twin sons. She rubbed each son's hair and looked up at her mother-in-law and then her father-in-law. They looked back at her and Nathan smiled.
"Thanks for bringing the kids," Ashlyn said.
"You're welcome," Haley said, "It's not a big deal, we had them over."
"Anyways, they like watching their sister play," Nathan said.
"Not me," Maeghan said.
"What was that, Maeghan?" Ashlyn asked.
"Nothing Momma," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn nodded and looked at her in-laws. "Still thank you, and I've got to get the kids home," she said.
Haley nodded, "I understand," she said.
"I'll call you soon," Ashlyn said, and started to guide her kids off the bleachers, "Say goodnight to Papa Nathan and Nana Haley."
"Night, Papa Nathan, good night Nana Haley," Maeghan said.
"Goodnight, Maeghan," Nathan said.
"Goodnight, Maeghan," Haley said.
Ashlyn guided the twins to their grandparents.
"Good night, Nana Haley, Papa Nathan," Landen said.
"Good night, Papa Nathan, Nana Haley," Logan said.
"Goodnight, Landen, Logan," Nathan said.
"Goodnight, Logan, Landen," Haley said.
"Let's get going, Kids," Ashlyn said and guided the kids down the bleachers.
"Can we say goodnight to Brett?" Landen asked.
"Yeah, I want to see Brett," Logan said.
"We'll see," Ashlyn said, as she guided the kids out of the field house into the Commons. Ashlyn saw Brett talking with Sawyer and Keni. There were several other people were also talking with Brett. Ashlyn didn't feel like talking to her oldest daughter and guided her younger three kids out the door, and towards the parking lot.
Ashlyn sighed and looked at the steam of her breath escape her nose and mouth. Looking back at the school. Her red-haired daughter was acting like a brat, and Ashlyn couldn't stand that.
Having four kids, it was usually difficult to get them all moving in the same direction, at the same time. It was often described as herding cats. Chase laughed and wondered if she and her sisters were like that as children. At least she had Huck with her tonight, so they each took charge of two of the kids.
Chase and Huck said their parting words to Huck's sisters, Chase's Mom, Nathan, Haley, LK, and the various kids. They walked down the bleachers and out of the field house.
Out in the Commons, they spotted the redhead Brett standing there. She was talking with Keni and Sawyer. Huck and Chase guided their kids over to Brett, Keni, and Sawyer.
Brett looked over to see them coming over. She smiled, "Hey Dad, Mama Chase," she said.
Sawyer and Keni turned to see Huck and Chase. "Chase, Huck," Sawyer said.
"You've not left, yet?" Keni asked.
Chase laughed; Huck nodded. The four younger kids went to Brett and hugged her. They broke apart and Brett looked at her Dad and step-mom.
"So, tough game," Chase said.
Brett nodded, "Yeah, they hung in there, didn't expect that," Brett said.
"These are the games that help make champions," Huck said, calmly.
Brett nodded, "That's what Coach says," she said.
"Well don't forget we have a movie night tomorrow," Chase said.
"I didn't forget, Mama Chase," Brett said.
Huck smiled, "You showed them some diesel power," he said.
"Dad, I told you never to say that again," Brett replied.
"Brett, you know that means he'll keep doing it," Chase said.
"Well goodnight, I have to collect Col and your sisters," Chase said and started to walk away.
"I'll see you home, Mama Chase," Brett said, laughing.
Huck looked at his oldest daughter and nodded, "We'll talk about what happened tonight," he said.
"Yeah," Brett said, "It's not good."
Huck nodded, "You played great tonight, I'd expect you to be toasted by Coach tomorrow, and don't stay out too late tonight," he said.
Brett smiled, "I won't, Dad," she said, "See you at home," Huck smiled at her again, then walked away to help Chase herd the cats or their children.
Nathan stood behind as Haley pushed their three grandchildren and LK out of the field house. He swore these kids were like herding cats. Haley was good at herding them, which Nathan was good since the weather caused him to move slowly, damn knee.
They entered the Commons. Nathan spotted Brett standing there with Keni and Sawyer. He smirked as they moved over to Brett,
"Nana Haley, Papa Nathan," Brett said.
"Uncle Nathan, Aunt Haley," Sawyer said.
"Uncle Nathan, Aunt Haley," Keni said.
"Great game, Brett," Nathan said.
"Thanks," Brett said.
Nathan turned to look at Keni and Sawyer, "You two did well cheering," he said.
"Thanks, Uncle Nathan," Sawyer said.
"Thanks, Uncle Nathan," Keni said.
Haley smiled and looked at the three young women. "Well, I have to get the grandkids home," she said.
"I get it, I should be leaving soon," Brett said.
Haley looked at Keni and Sawyer, "So, what are you two waiting for?" she asked.
"My Mom, Nomi, and Ellis," Keni said.
"The same," Sawyer said.
Haley nodded, "Well she should be along soon enough," she said.
"Thanks," Sawyer and Keni said.
Brett smiled and pulled out her phone. Looking it over, she nodded and then sent a text message. Finally, she put the phone away.
"I should be going soon, myself," Brett said.
"Need to rest up for your ass-chewing tomorrow?" Nathan asked.
"You heard about it?" Brett asked.
Nathan nodded, "I know when there's tension between parents, and especially players and coaches," he said.
"Well, it happens," Brett said.
"Yeah, let's get going," Nathan said, turning to Haley.
"Goodnight," Haley said and steered LK and the Grandkids out of the school. Nathan smiled at the three young women and then followed his wife.
Brooke walked out into the Commons, with Nomi and Ellis close around her. Finally, he stopped in front of Brett, Keni, and Sawyer. Brooke smiled and looked them over.
"Yes?" Brett asked.
"Nothing, it's an okay game," Brooke said.
Brett shrugged, "Yeah, well it's an okay return to the playing schedule," she said.
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, it was tough coming back after New Year's," she said.
"It could have been worse we had that tournament right after Christmas, that kept us sharp," Brett said.
Brooke nodded, "You say so," she said.
"Unfortunately, Corynn got hurt during it," Brett said.
"It sucks when people get hurt," Brooke said.
"That it does," Brett said.
"Now, Keni, Sawyer, let's get going, Y'all still have homework to do," Brooke said.
"Mom," Keni said.
"Aunt Brooke, can't we hang out some more?" Sawyer asked.
"Don't give me that crap," Brooke said, "I have to get Nomi and Ellis home."
"We want to celebrate the wins," Sawyer said.
"You're fifteen, it's a school night, and I bet you even Brett is going home," Brooke said.
Brett had checked her phone, again. She looked up from typing her text reply. "What? Me, yes, I'm heading home after this," she said.
"See," Brooke said.
"Ugh!" Sawyer said.
"With that, I'm out of here," Brett said and left the group heading for the door of the Commons. As she walked towards the parking lot, she passed a tall man with gray hair. They made eye contact; Brett gave him a curt nod and kept walking. He followed her with his head until she disappeared in the dark.
Inside the school, Brooke finally got her four changes together and outside. They walked as a group together to Brooke's car. They also passed the tall gray-haired man, but he gave them no mind and headed over towards the teacher's parking lot.
Ashlyn walked within earshot of the tall gray-haired man. Ashlyn ignored him and kept her kids heading towards her car. She had parked in the teacher's parking lot. She watched her kids and the steam from her breath.
With-in sight of her car, something told her, probably instincts honed from years of playing basketball. She turned her head to see the gray-haired man following her. Ashlyn reached in her pocket and pulled out her car keys. She pointed it at her car and unlocked the doors to it.
"Maeghan, take your brothers to the car, and get them settled," Ashlyn said, "and lock the doors behind you."
"Why mom?" Maeghan asked.
"Just do what I say," Ashlyn said.
"Yes Mom," Maeghan said and led Landen and Logan towards the car.
Ashlyn stopped and straightened her arms out. She took a deep breath and counted to ten. As she reached ten, she turned around to face the tall gray-haired man.
"Ashlyn," The Tall Gray-haired man said.
Ashlyn nodded and studied him. Finally, she nodded, and slipped her hand up and dropped her car keys into her pocket. She waited until she heard the car doors locked. The Ursa part of her personality was starting to come to the surface.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I wanted to talk to you," he said.
"This is not the time, nor the place, considering its fucking cold out here," Ashlyn said, "And the kids are in the car."
"I never get to see you," he said.
"I'm busy," Ashlyn said, "Why are you here tonight?"
"To watch Brett play and to see you," he said.
"Well you did, now please leave me alone," Ashlyn said.
"Why Ashlyn?" he asked.
"Because, I said so," Ashlyn said, "Don't bother us again."
"But Ashlyn," he said.
"No, buts, I have to see to my kids," Ashlyn said, turned and walked towards her car. Once she was in the car, she started it and drove away.
Across Tree Hill at the area known as The River Walk. The walk was mostly abandoned by the locals at this time of day with this cold weather.
A lone man walked down the River Walk. Finally, he walked over to the fence that protected people from falling into the river. He leaned on the fence and looked south down the river.
Lucas clapped his hands together, intertwining his fingers. He sighed and watched the steam of his breath push out and dissipating in the cold air.
Finally, he lowered his head and rested his chin on his arms. Lucas just stood there and watched a few boats and the river pass by.
Author's Notes
Welcome to the end of Episode 2 The Coldest Sun. This is another long one. Where Episode 1 The New Year was also long. Episode 1 was all about setting up the people, Episode 2 was about setting up the environment and building on the storyline. Now the rest of the episodes are not going to be this big.
Chapter 61 has an interesting story involving it. I was doing the final edit of it on the day Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash. Not sure about what happened and if I would ever have to mention it, I just kept going on with the editing. Candi's story has always been wrapped around Kobe Bryant and his Mamba Mentality. So, when I started working on this chapter, I noticed Lamont and Candi were talking about Kobe. I felt it would be a good place to mention it, which with six lines expressed the importance that Kobe Bryant meant to this story. A person once asked me if I was a Kobe Bryant fan, and I said no, I'm a Michael Jordan fan, but I'm a fan of Kobe's philosophy, and that's his meaning to me.
In Chapter 63 the song Kat sings Raya is Cossack Lullaby a traditional Russian Lullaby/Cradle Song. It was first written down by Mikhail Lermontov around 1838 during his exile in the Caucasus. He heard a Terek Cossack woman singing it to a child.
In Chapter 85 the song Kat sings to Raya is Kotya, koten'ka, kotok a traditional Russian Lullaby/Cradle Song.
In Chapter 85 the lyrics that Kat writes down are for I Want My Tears Back by Nightwish.
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
Carson Murphy has passed away.
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Playlist
In Chapter 63 – Cossack Lullaby – Traditional.
In Chapter 85 - Kotya, koten'ka, kotok – Traditional.
In Chapter 85 – I want my Tears Back - Nightwish
Poems
Translation Guide
In General
Babushka - is Russian for Grandmother
Opa – is German for Grandfather
In Chapter 63
Mama, mne strashno – Russian for Mama, I'm scared
Vse v poryadke, mama, zdes'. Pochemu ty napugana? – Russian for It's okay, Mama, is here. Why are you scared?
U menya byl plokhoy son. – Russian for I had a bad dream.
Raya, pozhaluysta, govori po-angliyski dlya papy – Is Russian for Raya, please speak English for Papa.
Khorosho – Is Russian for Okay
The song Kat sings is a traditional Russian Lullaby/Cradle Song called the Cossack Lullaby. I'm not going to break it down line by line, but here are the lyrics in English,
Sleep my beautiful baby
Baiushki bye.
Quietly looks clear month
In your cradle.
I will tell fairy tales
I'll sing a song;
Well, you doze, closing your eyes,
Baiushki bye.
You will find out yourself, there will be time
Swearing;
Feel free to put your foot in the stirrup
And take a gun.
I'm a battle saddle
I will send silk ...
Sleep, my dear child
Baiushki bye.
Bogatyr you'll be in sight
And the Cossack soul.
I'll walk you out -
You wave your hand ...
How many bitter tears sneak
I will shed that night! ..
Sleep my angel, softly, sweetly,
Baiushki bye.
I will yearn to languish
It is inconsolable to wait;
I'll pray all-day
Fortune telling at night;
Gonna think you're bored
You're in a strange land ...
Sleep until you know the worries
Baiushki bye.
I'll give you the road
Scapular Saint:
You him, praying to god
Set in front of you;
Yes, getting ready for battle is dangerous,
Remember your mother ...
Sleep my beautiful baby
Baiushki bye
In Chapter 85
Na russkom Pozhaluysta – is Russian for In Russian, Please
Da Mama? – is Russian for Yes Mama?
Vremya lozhit'sya spat', - is Russian for Its bedtime
YA ne khochu, - is Russian for I don't want to
Vremya lozhit'sya spat' dlya Malen'koy Rayi, - is Russian for It's bedtime for Little Raya
Net Mama – is Russian for No Mama
Da Raya – is Russian for Yes Raya
Spokoynoy nochi, moy kotenok, - is Russian for Good Night, My Kitten
Spokoynoy nochi, Mama, - is Russian for Good Night, Mama
The song Kat sings is a traditional Russian Lullaby/Cradle Song called Koya koten'ka, kotok. I'm not going to break it down line by line, but here are the lyrics in English,
Kitty, kitten, cat,
Kitty is a gray tail,
Come, kitty, spend the night
To Rock our baby
I will pay you, cat,
for your work -
I'll give you a piece of cake
and a jug of milk!