Chapter 662: 11:00
Sunday, March 12th, Late Morning
(River Court)
After Roasters Coffee Shop, the three friends drove to the River Court. They got out and leaned against the car, looking across the timeless river to downtown Tree Hill. One of them looked to the others.
"So, what did Aunt Gretchen leave you?" Avril asked.
"Well, let's just say, we don't have to pay for anything, Av," Baylee said.
"What does that mean, Bay?" Avril asked.
"She left us money," Baylee said.
"So, all we have to do is find someone to buy for us," Avril said.
"Yeah, who could we find?" Baylee asked, "Is Auntie Mack in town?"
"No, she's not, I won't ask her anyway, and you know what would happen to me if I asked Auntie Mack," Avril said.
"Greer," Brett said.
"Oh yeah!" Baylee said, lowered her head, and shook it, "Oh God!"
"Exactly, Bay," Avril said.
"Maybe, Cousin Ellie, she's a wild woman," Baylee said.
"B, could you do that?" Avril asked.
"Yeah, sure," Brett said, "What am I doing?"
"Calling Ellie to see if she will get us the stuff," Avril said.
"Oh, yeah, I could try," Brett said.
"What's wrong, B?" Baylee asked.
"I still have to change houses," Brett said.
"Still?" Baylee asked.
Brett nodded, "Winning a State Championship doesn't change that," she said.
Avril grunted. Baylee walked over to Brett and put her hand on Brett's shoulder. "Well, let's get your shit and get you to the other house," Baylee said.
"Are you sure?" Brett said.
"Yes, and let's get this show on the road," Baylee said. The three young women climbed into the car and were off.
(Jamlyn)
The doorbell rang, and Ashlyn went to answer the door. Once the door opened, Ashlyn saw Ashton standing on her porch.
"AP, what are you doing here?" Ashlyn asked.
"Can't I stop by and see my old friend?" Ashton asked.
"Yeah, of course," Ashlyn said, "Please, come in."
"Thank you," Ashton said and let herself in. Ashlyn led Ashton to the living room, and they took a seat.
"So, what's up?" Ashlyn asked.
"I just came from the ED," Ashton said.
"So?" Ashlyn asked and looked at the door, annoyed.
"I was right; Jade broke her hand," Ashton said.
Ashlyn nodded, "I know, you already said that; in the semis, she landed hard on it, and it was stepped on," Ashlyn said.
"How were her shooting and ball handling that game?" Ashton asked.
Ashlyn tilted her head, "Why do you ask?" she asked.
"Please, Ash," Ashton said.
Ashlyn nodded, "She had a bad game," she said.
"I suspected as much," Ashton said.
"Why?" Ashlyn asked.
"The type of fracture that Jade has can only happen a certain way," Ashton said.
"So, what are you implying, AP?" Ashlyn asked.
"Do you have tape of the game?" Ashton asked.
"The semis?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yes," Ashton said.
"At the school," Ashlyn said.
"Can I view the tape?" Ashton asked.
"Yesh, I guess," Ashlyn said and sighed.
(Beaulieu Manor)
In some of the galleries, there was an area that expanded out that usually was used as a sitting area. Keni sat across one of the chairs, legs dangling over the arm. In her hands was her smartphone, and she played around with it.
Fallon walked over and whacked Keni's legs. Keni looked up from her smartphone at Fallon. "What?" Keni asked.
"Brooke would kill you if she saw you are sitting like that," Fallon said, sitting in another chair.
"I don't care," Keni said.
"I do, and you know Elliott wants you out of the way," Fallon said.
"Not funny, Fallon," Keni said, "Elliott isn't that bright."
"Yeah, so what's been going on?" Fallon asked.
"Not much, and what do you want?" Keni asked.
"Can't I just talk with my baby sister?" Fallon asked.
"Usually, when you say something like that, it's usually to ream me out," Keni said.
"Nothing like that," Fallon said.
"So, what do you want, Fallon?" Keni asked.
"I was wondering where Gareth is; he's usually the number four in the group," Fallon said.
Keni sighed.
"That's not good," Fallon said.
"What happened?" Fallon asked.
"Gareth and Sawyer got into a fight and ended the friendship," Keni said.
Fallon nodded, "Is Jacob tired of chasing Bella?" she asked.
Keni nodded, "It would seem that way," she said, "Twilight? Really?"
"Not good," Fallon said.
"No, it's not," Keni said.
Fallon nodded, leaned back, and sighed.
(Beaulieu Manner)
The Clock Tower Apartment was on the fourth floor of Beaulieu Manor, making it the highest space regularly occupied in Beaulieu. The Clock Tower and its range subdivided the inner and outer courts. From one of the banks of windows, Alix looked down upon the inner court and the wedding guests heading toward the chapel.
Alix looked over her shoulder to see Tucker at his laptop. The editing software was up on the screens, and he was moving bits and pieces together. Alix was glad that Tucker was at least dressed for a change.
"Tuck," Alix said.
Tucker picked up his head and looked at Alix. "Yes?" he asked.
"We're not spending all day here with you are working," Alix said.
"I have to get this done to get paid," Tucker said.
"You could take a night off, and since I'm at Opa's tonight, I think we should do something before I have dinner with Opa," Alix said.
Tucker looked at Alix, curled the corner of his mouth, then nodded, "I see your point," he said.
"So, are you down?" Alix asked.
"It sounds great, but I have work to do and can't plan anything," Tucker said.
Alix nodded and walked over to Tucker. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned down, and whispered in his ear, "You can work until I tell you you're done for the day, then you're mine until I have to go to Opa's," Alix said.
"What about planning?" Tucker asked.
"I got you; now work," Alix said, kissing Tucker's cheek.
(Beaulieu Manor)
Laying on her bed in the East Range, Sawyer leaned back against her headboard. She studied the dust dancing in the near noon light. Sawyer played with her fingernails on her left hand while her right hand tapped on the bed beside her.
Her smartphone rang on the night table. Sawyer sighed, stopped what she was doing, and reached for her smartphone. Looking down at the screen, she could see who had messaged her.
Kier: Did Shannon message you?
Sawyer: Yeah, did Shannon message you?
Kier: No, Jackin told me.
Sawyer: Okay.
Kier: Are you going?
Sawyer: I would like to, but well, I'm not sure.
Kier: What are you doing?
Sawyer: Honestly? Nothing, sitting on my bed and texting you.
Kier: That's all?
Sawyer: Thinking about asking to go to Ironclad.
Kier: Why don't you go to Spotify?
Sawyer: Am I going to have to learn you the joys of holding your music in your hands?
Kier: I hold it in my hand with my phone.
Sawyer: You're hopeless.
Kier: Maybe you should learn from me.
Sawyer: I just might.
Kier: My mom's calling, TTYS.
Sawyer: TTYS.
Sawyer sighed, put her smartphone down, and returned to watching the dust.
(River Court)
Lucas heard someone walking behind him. He turned around and saw Cale Howard walking over to him. The wind came up the river, chilling him with its cutting edge. The wind moved Cale's hair, and Lucas could feel the cold.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Lucas," Cale said, a little loud because of the wind.
"Where else would I be?" Lucas asked.
"Home, warm, and with family being the conquering hero," Cale said.
Lucas shrugged, "It's okay, I guess, to do that," he said.
"What's on your mind?" Cale asked.
"Falling into minister mode, Cale?" Lucas asked.
"It's kind of hard not to since it's who I am," Cale said.
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, I get that," he said.
Cale nodded and looked around the court, the river, and downtown. "How long have you been out here?" Cale asked.
Lucas let out a puff of mist. "About two hours," he said.
"Why?" Cale asked.
Lucas glanced over to center court, then at Cale. "Wanted to be alone with my thoughts," he said.
Cale nodded and looked at center court, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away," he said.
Lucas nodded, "Yeah," he said.
"Maybe, it's time," Cale said.
"Maybe," Lucas said.
"If you need to talk, I'm available," Cale said.
"Thanks, and I was about to leave," Lucas said.
"You're welcome, and have a blessed day," Cale said.
Lucas nodded and walked away.