Chapter 735: Jamlyn
Tuesday, March 21st, Evening
The kids were in either their or their cousin's rooms, and the house was quiet. She moved through the main floor of the house as she pulled out several water bottles and a bowl of microwave popcorn. Entering the living room, she set her stuff down and got comfortable. Picking up the TV remote, she turned on her 55" Frame QLED TV and set the channel for the basketball game.
Ashlyn Pierce-Scott kicked off her shoes and curled them up under herself. Pulling over the blanket, she tucked herself in. Ashlyn reached over and picked up a water bottle. She opened it and took a deep pull of the water. Placing the bottle down, she looked over to see the pre-game show starting, and Ashlyn leaned back to watch the show.
Every so often, Ashlyn would reach over to the bowl of popcorn. She would pop a piece of two into her mouth and chew it. Ashlyn took a deep breath and exhaled. It was the typical pre-game talking heads; she closed her eyes, remembering the details of American Airlines Arena.
Opening her eyes, she looked around the living room; she reflected on how much of her life was because of this game. Ashlyn closed her eyes and wondered if everything was worth it. Was the price paid for what they have worth it? Every time she sat, usually alone, and watched these games, these questions would creep into her mind.
Ashlyn relaxed and kept her breath at a slow rate. Eyes still closed, Ashlyn pulled the blanket closer to her body. There was peace of mind in the darkness of closed eyes and the rhythm of the voices of the pre-game talking heads. But something shook her out of her peace as the couch shifted.
Opening her eyes, Ashlyn turned to see her dad, Ashlyn Buckingham "Buck" Piece III sitting next to her. Buck reached forward and grabbed a handful of popcorn. He looked at Ashlyn and took one of the water bottles.
"Are you watching the Charlotte game?" Buck asked.
"Why would I be watching the Charlotte game?" Ashlyn asked.
"Because it's the local team, and we used to watch the Charlotte games when you were little," Buck said.
Ashlyn nodded, "That was eons ago," she said.
"So, who are we watching?" Buck asked.
"Miami, they're playing at home against Phoenix," Ashlyn said.
"James's team," Buck said.
"Yes, James's team, as in my husband," Ashlyn said.
"You're still married," Buck said.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Ashlyn asked.
"I never seem to see him around," Buck said.
"He lives in Miami, where he plays during the season," Ashlyn said.
"How do the kids get along without their dad? Dads are important," Buck said.
"They get along fine, and every spring vacation, we go to Miami to spend it with James, like we do at Christmas. So, in a few weeks, you, Joplin, and AJ will be here alone," Ashlyn said.
"Where are the kids going to stay?" Buck said.
"We have a three-bedroom condo in Miami," Ashlyn said.
"I didn't know that," Buck said.
"You never asked, and I didn't feel the need to share," Ashlyn said.
Buck nodded, "Why do you shut me off?" he asked.
"I'm talking to you," Ashlyn said.
"But you don't talk to me, you're my only surviving daughter, you don't even call me dad," Buck said.
Ashlyn sighed and looked at him. "When you chose to side with Maddie, you stopped being my dad," she said.
"Ashlyn, I stayed out of it; that was between you and Maddie," Buck said.
"Right," Ashlyn said.
"I made no choice," Buck said.
"Making no choice is still a choice," Ashlyn said.
"If you think that, then why am I here?" Buck asked,
"Because of Joplin and AB, because I am doing it for Savannah," Ashlyn said.
Buck nodded, "Ashlyn, you were my favorite, I wanted to name you Ashley, but Maddie shot that down. That's why I named you Ashlyn," he said.
"But when the chips were down, you didn't support me," Ashlyn said.
"You know how Maddie was; once she made up her mind, it was made up. It would take Christ to come off the cross for her to change it," Buck said.
"You could've left," Ashlyn said.
"You could be living in Miami, but you chose to live here largely alone," Buck said.
Ashlyn shook her head, "I, it's not about me," she said.
"We're two of the same; we chose to live in unpleasant situations; we chose to be where we are," Buck said.
"I couldn't be in Miami," Ashlyn said.
"Why?" Buck asked.
"About the only thing I had in common was I was married to a player. I'm from a small town; they were from cities. They were girlie cheerleader types; I used to be a baller. They wanted to live the glamorous life; I wanted to get my education. I was one of the few moms, and I didn't like the South Beach lifestyle," Ashlyn said.
"So, you came back here to be a big fish in a small pond?" Buck asked.
"No, I wanted my daughter to know her dad," Ashlyn said.
"What about your other children?" Buck asked.
"They know him; that is why I take them to Miami and why he gets here as much as possible," Ashlyn said.
"I see; you don't want me here," Buck said.
"If I didn't want you here, I wouldn't have invited you here," Ashlyn said.
"What about us?" Buck asked.
Ashlyn sighed, "Don't force it," she said.
They watched the game in silence. At half-time, Ashlyn checked on the kids. The game ended with Miami winning 112 to 97, and James tied for the team lead with four assists. Ashlyn left the living room to take James's phone call.