Chapter 701: Greenwich
Wednesday, March 15th, Afternoon
The back door slammed open, and she looked up from her tea cup. Coming through the door was a tall ten-year-old girl in the school uniform of Greenwich Day School. The woman holding the tea cup looked up at the younger girl and smiled.
"Mom. I didn't expect you home," Jessica "Jess," Scott said.
"Just went in for a training session and met the new shooting guard," Angela Scott said.
Jess nodded, "Went to talk to cousin Kay," she said.
Angela nodded, walked over to the table, and sat. Jess dumped her backpack on the table and went to the fridge. The ten-year-old emerged with a water bottle and looked at her mom.
"Yes," Angela said.
"You want to sit and talk," Jess said.
"It would be nice," Angela said.
"Okay," Jess said, sitting across from Angela, "How's Kay?"
"She's adjusting and rehabbing her shoulder; she just got in last week," Angela said.
"Kay's always rehabbing her shoulder," Jess said.
"You would too if yours was nearly severed; she's lucky she has her arm," Angela said.
Jess nodded, "I see what you mean," she said.
"So, how is it sleeping in your own bed?" Angela asked.
"Strange and comforting at the same time," Jess said with a sigh.
"If you want to do what I do for a living, you'll have to get used to it," Angela said.
"How did you get used to it?" Jess asked.
"It happens over time, some ways never did. That's why when I decided to leave Brooklyn, I signed with Connecticut because I get to keep you here and in your school," Angela said.
"For how long?" Jess asked.
"Why do you ask?" Angela asked.
"You will only have these conversations like this when something big is about to happen," Jess said.
"I'm that predictable?" Angela asked.
"At times, but I like that about you. You want to have an open dialogue with me about change," Jess said.
"Well, it's good to know what I do is appreciated," Angela said.
"It is," Jess said, "So, what is it?"
"I talked with your Aunt Ashlyn," Angela said.
"So? You do that all the time," Jess said.
"Shh! I know I do, but this is serious," Angela said.
"Aunt Ashlyn, serious? Since when?" Jess asked.
"She can be serious when she wants to," Angela said.
"So, what did Aunt Ashlyn want?" Jess asked.
"You know Uncle Lucas is planning to retire when Sawyer graduates and Ashlyn thinks she'll be named his replacement," Angela said.
"That would be great for Aunt Ashlyn," Jess said, "What else?"
Angela sighed, "Aunt Ashlyn wants me to be her assistant," she said.
"Oh, that means moving down there; how could you do that while still playing?" Jess asked.
"It's doable, but Aunt Ashlyn suggested I retire to take up the assistant position," Angela said.
"What does that mean for me?" Jess asked.
Angela sighed, "Aunt Ashlyn suggested this so that you can play with your cousin and the Burke girls," she said.
"To be the token blonde?" Jess asked.
"I think Uncle Lucas and Nathan are trying to put a super team together," Angela said.
"They want me?" Jess asked.
Angela nodded, "Aunt Ashlyn does; she wants to put you in the backcourt with Nomi," she said.
"Nomi? Nomi's a hothead and causes trouble," Jess said.
"I think you could balance her out," Angela said.
"Right!" Jess said.
"They also want y'all to play together before high school," Angela said.
"I have friends here, Emma and Trisha," Jess said.
"I know; that's why we're having this conversation," Angela said.
Jess sighed, "I know it doesn't matter where; if I'm good enough, they'll find me," she said.
"Tree Hill will help you get noticed," Angela said.
Jess nodded, "Why can't we stay here?" she asked.
Angela sighed, "You know, I've wanted to coach, and we were going to go where ever I went to coach," she said.
"I know, but it's always just been there; now it's real," Jess said.
"Jess, I'm not Birdie; I can't do this 'til I'm forty," Angela said.
"I liked playing with Birdie; she taught me a lot," Jess said.
"Yeah, Birdie was good at that; I really wished I could get you time with Dee," Angela said.
"Well, that would be a rare treat," Jess said.
Angela shrugged, "Dee is busy, but back on the subject," she said.
"The concept of us moving back to Tree Hill for you to be an assistant to Aunt Ashlyn," Jess said.
"Yes, and what are your thoughts?" Angela asked.
"I have to think about that," Jess said.
"Me too," Angela said.
Jess took a sip of her water. "I have homework and some shooting to do," she said.
Angela nodded, "Yeah, do you need help?" she asked.
"I'll let you know," Jess said.
"Okay," Angela said.
Jess stood up, grabbed her backpack, and left the kitchen. Angela sighed, leaned back, and drank her tea.