Chapter 149: Hargrove Mansion
Tuesday, January 10th, Evening
It was starting to get dark when the Mercedes Benz SUV pulled into the car park of the Connecticut Mansion of Andrew Hargrove. Once the engine stopped, a ten-year-old girl and the older gentleman got out of the SUV. They headed into the house. Once inside the building, they opened up their jackets and felt the warmth of the central heating.
An older woman walked into the kitchen and looked at the two new occupants. Her face grew full with a smile. Quickly she pushed a few stray strands of her grey streaked brunette hair behind one of her ears.
"How was practice today?" Karen Hargrove, nee Roe, asked.
"It was good, today, Grandma," Jessica "Jess," Scott said.
Karen smiled and nodded, "Well, there' dinner on the table. Better go eat it before it gets too cold," she said.
"Thanks," Jess said and walked into the other room.
Karen smiled and looked at the man. "So, how does it feel to be back on the grind?" she asked, walking over to him and kissed him.
When she leaned back, they locked eyes, and he smiled at Karen, "It's good to be back," Andrew "Andy," Hargrove said, to his wife.
"So, how was watching practice?" Karen asked.
"I enjoyed it: the simple things and all. Plus, Jessi had a great practice," Andy said.
Karen nodded, "Just to let you know before you hear it from her, she prefers Jess now," she said.
Andy canted his head, "When did this happen?" he asked.
"While you were in New Zealand. I gather it's what her friends call her," Karen said.
"I've missed a lot," Andy said.
Karen shook her head, "Not much more than that happened," she said, "She's at that age, remember when her Mom was her age?"
Andy scratched his nose, "Wasn't that when she was into boy bands?" he asked.
"That was when Angela was eight," Karen said, "At ten was when she started the friends and basketball thing."
"If her friends were like Angela's, it's not the worst thing in the world," Andy said.
Karen nodded, "For you," she said, "Let's get dinner, we have a Google Hangout, I think that's what it's called, tonight."
"Where's she calling from?" Andy asked.
"Kansas, Idaho, I don't remember, she'll probably tell us," Karen said.
"What's for dinner?" Andy asked.
"Your favorite," Andy said.
Karen and Andy entered the dining room. They took their spots at the table, Andy at the head. Jess was already at the table; her plate sat there untouched. Once everyone settled in at the table, they started eating.
"So, Grandma, Emma Blakeslee asked if I could stay over her house this weekend," Jess said.
Karen nodded, "That's nice," she said.
"So, could I?" Jess asked.
Karen shook her head, "No," she said simply.
"Why, Grandma?" Jess asked.
"Your Mom will be home Friday, and you're leaving for Washington right after," Karen said.
"Why this weekend?" Jess asked.
Karen shrugged, "You're going to have to ask your Mom," she said.
"When am I going to get that chance? She's on the road again," Jess said.
"We have a call with her tonight," Andy said, calmly.
Jess turned to look at Karen, "When were you going to tell me this?" she asked.
"After dinner," Karen said.
"Why?" Jess asked.
"You had practice and dinner, plus if you don't drag your feet, you can get your homework done before your Mom calls," Karen said.
"Did you know about me and this trip this weekend?" Jess asked.
"I did, your Mom mentioned it," Karen said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jess asked.
"Because I'm not your Mom, and she should've told you," Karen said.
"It's not fair," Jess said.
"Jessi, enough," Andy said.
Jess turned to Andy, "I prefer Jess," she said.
"And I prefer you're not acting like a brat," Andy said.
"I'm not acting like a brat," Jess said.
"You are, and if I were you, I'd close my mouth and finish my dinner," Andy said, calmly.
"But, Grandpa," Jess said.
"No, buts," Andy said.
"Yes, Grandpa," Jess said and started eating her dinner. Once she finished, Karen set her to the library to do her homework.
Karen looked over the table to Andy. "Thank you," she said.
"You didn't tell me she got a mouth, too," Andy said.
"She's usually not like this," Karen said.
Andy shook his head, "Those Roe genes, I think they're going to kill me," he said.
"Funny," Karen said.
"She's the third generation of Roe women, for me," Andy said.
"Be glad I love you, or you'll be wearing your dinner," Karen said.
"Okay," Andy said, "How are the other grandkids?"
Karen sighed, "Well Keith is still overseas, Izzy doesn't even know when he's getting back," she said.
"The girls?" Andy asked
"Sawyer, you know, Sawyer," Karen said.
"Yeah, I follow her online," Andy said.
"The other girls have been quiet," Karen said.
"I see," Andy said, nodded, and went back to dinner.
After dinner, Andy went to his study to set up the computer. Karen checked to make sure the staff had everything under control. She finally went to the library and found Jess sitting at the table with her school books open.
"Are you going to behave, Jessica Ashlyn?" Karen asked.
"I guess," Jess said.
"No, guessing, it's a yes or no," Karen said.
"Yes, Grandma," Jess said.
"You always go to Washington, why are you shocked this year?" Karen asked.
"She didn't tell me when," Jess said.
"Well, Grandpa Andy is setting things up in his study. You can bring it up with her," Karen said.
"Okay," Jess said and got up. The two women, or more correctly, lady and young lady. They headed over to a double door and walked into a well-appointed study. It had this old-world look, but there was a bit of New Zealand in it.
Andy looked up from behind his computer screen. "Come, sit down your Mom just called in," he said.
Karen and Jess came around the desk and took a seat in the two chairs behind Andy's desk chair. On the large screen, they could see Angela Scott's face filling the screen. In the background was a hotel room.
"Hi, Mom," Jess said.
"Hi Jess, Grandpa Andy was telling me you were giving him and Grandma Karen sass," Angela said.
"I wasn't giving them sass," Jess said.
"Right," Angela said, she looked over to Andy, "So, how was New Zealand?"
"Warm, but I come here it's freezing," Andy said.
"Yeah," Angela said.
"So where are you?" Andy asked.
"A place that is further from the sun," Angela said.
"Mom," Jess said.
"Yes, Jess, and you're interrupting," Angela said.
"Why was this weekend chosen for Washington?" Jess asked.
"Because at the end of the month we're going to Tree Hill," Angela said.
"Why are we doing that?" Jess asked.
"Because there is a reunion to honor your uncle," Angela said.
"Oh," Jess said and nodded. The rest of the conversation was typical and pleasant.