Chapter 130: The River Court
Saturday, January 7th, Morning
The morning was still cold, but they were out on the River Court, along the river, braving the winds. The tall blonde man stood under the hoop and watched the two young brunette kids, one a girl, and the other a boy, both were playing with basketballs. The boy, who appeared younger was playing with his youth basketball, learning to dribble. The girl was taking shots at the hoop and the blonde man was chasing after the basketball.
"Your shooting is getting better," Lucas Scott said, as he threw the ball back to the girl.
"Thanks, Grandpa Lucas," Noami "Nomi" Scott, Lucas' granddaughter, said, as she received the ball. Squaring up, she took the shot and it bounced off the backboard, hit the hoop, went up and then missed, falling into Lucas' hands. "Darn," she responded with.
"Overthrew it a little," Lucas said.
Nomi nodded, "I know," she said.
Lucas shook his head and wondered where she got the sharp tongue from. She's ten, she shouldn't be smart-mouthed, then again maybe he was as well. Lucas studied his granddaughter, Nomi had two cousins in school with her that were close in age. People often wondered if Key Burke and Nomi Scott were twins, not cousins because they superficially looked alike. Through a quirk of genetics, Nomi inherited the Scott blue eyes, where Key and PJ got the Adams' darker eyes.
"You've been working with Papa Nate?" Lucas asked before he threw her the ball.
"When I can, he's not had us over in a while," Nomi said.
"He will," Lucas said, wondering if it was Nathan's Grandkids or his knee that kept him from having the girls over. The three girls and Lennon tended to have spirited games of basketball together.
Nomi nodded, "Grandpa Lucas?" she asked.
"Yes," Lucas said.
"What's so special about Washington, DC?" Nomi asked.
"Well for one your momma works there," Lucas said.
Nomi shook her head, "I don't think that's it," she said.
"Well, why are you asking about Washington?" Lucas asked.
"Daddy said to Momma on the computer about taking Sawyer to DC," Nomi said.
"Maybe, it's to visit your Momma when he gets back," Lucas said.
"That makes sense," Nomi said.
Lucas nodded, "Yes, it does," he said.
"Where did Momma go today?" Nomi asked.
"Yeah, Grandpa Lucas, where's Momma?" Ellis asked.
"Your Momma had a work thing this morning," Lucas said.
Ellis mournfully nodded his head. Lucas noticed Nomi didn't look too pleased at all.
"Why is Momma always working?" Nomi asked.
"Her job keeps her busy helping people," Lucas said.
"Uncle Huck helps people and he's home all the time," Nomi said.
"Different type of job," Lucas said.
Ellis nodded; Nomi shook her head. The strength of her Adams genes was showing, Lucas reflected. Nomi was most certainly the inquisitive one of his son's children.
"I also miss Daddy," Nomi said.
Ellis nodded, "Me too," he said.
"As do I," Lucas said.
"Grandpa Lucas, where have you been?" Nomi asked.
"What do you mean, Nomi?" Lucas asked.
"The last few days we've been looking for you and can't find you," Nomi said.
"We can't find you, Grandpa, you hide good," Ellis said.
"I've been busy, sorry," Lucas said.
"Do you not like spending time with us?" Nomi asked.
"No," Lucas said, "I love spending time with you."
"Then why are you hiding from us?" Nomi asked.
"Yeah Grandpa," Ellis said.
"I had adult things to do," Lucas said.
"Nana Brooke is not happy that you're doing it," Nomi said, to which Ellis nodded.
"Well, Nana Brooke has the right to feel the way she does," Lucas said.
"We miss you too, Grandpa," Ellis said.
"So, how's school, Nomi?" Lucas asked.
"School's great, Key, Amber and I are the best kids in the class," Nomi said.
"Oh really?" Lucas asked.
Nomi nodded, "Yeah, and I've been working hard in English too," she said.
"That's good," Lucas said, knowing Nomi has issues in English.
"There's talk about a class play," Nomi said.
"Oh really, are you going to try and get a part in it?" Lucas asked.
Nomi nodded, "I'm thinking about it," she said.
"And?" Lucas asked.
"If I do, I want Daddy and Momma there," Nomi said. Ellis pouted and nodded, Lucas studied his grandson, he knew he was thinking about his absentee parents.
"Well with Daddy it depends on when the play happens," Lucas said.
Nomi nodded, "It's not fair," she said.
"What's not fair?" Lucas asked.
"Key and Amber see their parents, all the time, but mine is always a way," Nomi said.
Lucas nodded, "When your Dad returns, he should be home more often," he said.
Nomi shook her head, "It's just not fair," she said.
"I know, Nomi, but that's the unfortunate thing about life, it isn't fair," Lucas said and noticed Nomi was starting to tear up. Lucas looked over to Ellis who was taking his emotional cues from his sister. The wind also decided to pick-up and the cold which was biting now was becoming cutting. Lucas checked his watch; it was still too early to bring the kids back to Beaulieu. "Are y'all cold?"
Nomi meekly nodded, her eyes showing an emotional storm brewing just below the surface. Izzy often commented that one of her children would have a temper, with highland and borderer Scott between their parents. Lucas could see Nomi holding back.
"Yes Grandpa," Ellis said.
"Let's get some lunch," Lucas said.
Nomi nodded, and Ellis smiled. Lucas nodded and led his grandkids to his well-used SUV.