Chapter 648: The Bench
Saturday, March 11th, Afternoon
(Song lyrics in italics)
Watching from the side, the last stitch was put in. A bandage followed a quick dust-off, and the patient was whole again. Taking off the gloves, the person who stitched up the player nodded.
She looked at the player and nodded. "I would say take it easy, but I know who I'm talking to," Ashton said.
"Thanks, Aunt AP," Brett said.
"Remember, she needs a shot, so come to my office when we're back home," Ashton said.
"We'll do that," Ashlyn said.
Brett undid her hair and redid it. She looked at Ashlyn, then Ashton.
"Alright, step down," Ashton said, which Brett did. Ashlyn watched as Ashton checked a few things out.
"Well, how is she?" Ashlyn asked.
"She's good to go, but if there is anything, and I mean anything, that happens, right to the doctor," Ashton said.
"You have my word, girl scout's honor," Brett said.
"You were never a girl scout," Ashton said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Well, let's go," she said.
Am I brave enough?
Am I strong enough?
To follow the desire
That burns from within
To push away my fear
To stand where I'm afraid
I am through with this
Cuz I am more than this
I promise to myself
Alone and no one else
My flame is rising higher
Brett nodded, reached down, and picked up the necklace that popped free. Ashlyn watched as Brett tucked it into her jersey and sports bra, then smoothed down her jersey. Ashlyn knew that the chain, the saint's medal on it, was of Saint Florian, and Ashlyn had no idea her dad had given it to her. That saint's medal once belonged to her paternal grandfather.
"I'm ready," Brett said.
"Are you sure?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yes, I am," Brett said, chopping at the bit.
"Just be careful," Ashlyn said.
"I will," Brett said and nodded. Ashlyn watched as Brett's eye turned cold. Brett pulled on her warmup jersey and moved about, loosening up her muscles. After a second, Brett and Ashlyn locked eyes, and after a pregnant pause, Brett nodded.
Ashlyn led out of the trainer's room, and Brett followed, her eyes fixed forward. Ashton allowed and closed the door behind her. The group of three walked in silence toward the court.
If looks could kill, Brett would be a mass murderer. The walk could be likened to a prize fighter heading toward the ring. Ashlyn would look back to her oldest daughter. Ice, that's what could be best described as what Ashlyn saw; whatever came over Brett, her veins ran ice.
I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire
They came to the court, and the roar of the game broke the silence. Ashlyn led them over to the Tree Hill bench; the crowd noticed them and started to cheer. Brett was hyper-focused and cold, the noise washed over her, but like the cold stone, she didn't flinch. Finally, they stood in front of Coach Scott.
"Well?" Coach Scott asked.
"She's good to go," Ashlyn said.
Coach Scott looked at Ashton. "What did you do?" he asked.
"Just stitched her up and bandaged her up," Ashton said.
"Concussion?" Coach Scott asked.
"No evidence so far," Ashton said.
Coach Scott nodded and looked at Brett. "Can you go?" he asked.
Brett nodded, "Yes, Coach," she said.
"You're not going to seek revenge," Coach Scott said.
"I won't, Coach," Brett said.
"Good, you better not; if you do, you're on the bench," Coach Scott said.
"Yes, Coach," Brett said.
"Check in for Cammie," Coach Scott said.
"Yes, Coach," Brett said and walked towards the scoring table. After checking in, she returned to the bench and removed her warmup jersey. The crowd went wild as Brett walked towards the team, her team.
The first person to greet her was Baylee. The smaller guard high-fived the power forward. Brett chest bumped Flannery, high-five Cameron, chest bumped Evalyn, and finally, met eyes with Avril. The two nodded and hugged each other.
Coach Scott walked over, and the girls huddled around him. Brett looked to her left and right, seeing Baylee and Avril flanking her. Brett looked up and made eye contact with Ashlyn and Coach Sinclair. Brett looked to the other bench and looked at Tennent. After a moment, she turned back to the coaches. Ashlyn and Brett made eye contact. Ashlyn nodded and understood what was going on behind Brett's eyes, it reminded her of Angela, and the words flashed into Ashlyn's mind, This is Now.
I've been sacrificed
My heart's been cauterized
Hanging on to hope
Shackled by the ghost
Of what I once believed
That I could never be
What's right in front of me
"Scoring wins games, but defense wins championships," Coach Scott said, "The score is tied, we forgot to play defense, and we need both if we want to win. So, we're going to do this full press and run on them. I want them as frozen out as possible; we're not home but make this our house."
The team nodded, "Yes, Coach," they said.
"Break them," Coach Scott said.
"Yes, Coach," the team said.
"Bring it in," Coach Scott said.
The girls put a hand in and looked at each other. Brett's star was intense, to the point of creepy.
"Ready for combat on three," Faye said, "one…two…three."
"Ready for combat!" the team said and broke apart.
I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire
The Coaches returned to the bench and sat down. The seven girls that weren't starting the fourth quarter took a seat on the bench. The five girls walked out onto the court, and several of them looked up at the crowd. Brett didn't look at the crowd; she didn't listen to the noise. Brett looked across the court and stared down Tennent.
"Don't go into business for yourself," Avril said.
"I won't," Brett said.
"Let's win this and ice them out," Avril said.
"Cold as ice," Brett said.
"What's on your mind?" Avril asked.
"Time to be awesome," Brett said.
Avril nodded and lined up. Brett looked at Tennent as they got ready for the fourth quarter.
I don't believe I'll fall from grace
Won't let the past decide my fate
Leave forgiveness in my wake, oh
Take the love that I've embraced
I promise to myself, me and no one else
I am more than this
I am the fire
"I didn't expect you to return," Tennent said.
"Never count me down," Brett said and turned to wait for the period.
I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire