Chapter 749: Rerun's Bar & Grill
Thursday, March 23rd, Evening
She walked off Main Street and into Rerun's Bar and Grill on a dark night. She nodded to the bartender, the eponymous Rerun. Heading to the backroom, she found the woman she was meeting. The woman waiting at the table stood up, and they hugged.
Candi smiled at her old high school friend, Aveline "Lina" Oomen. "Hello, Lina," Candi said.
"How's life, Senpai?" Lina asked, smiling.
"Please, don't call me that anime crap," Candi said, "Let's sit."
Lina just shrugged, smiling softly, "I meant it when I asked how life was, you know," she said.
"Busy, and my dad, well, he's not doing so well," Candi said and sat.
"How bad is it?" Lina whispered.
"He needs surgery; that's why I'm here to walk him through it all," Candi said.
Lina felt her face go pale, "Wow... I'm sorry, Candi, I really am; I know that can't be easy on anyone," she said.
Candi shrugged, "He's strong; he should pull through, but it is risky," she said, "So, how have you been? It's been over a month," Candi chuckled.
Lina laughed, "Still involved with the sport, and that's a gift I'm grateful for. Other than that, same old same old, and how are things going professionally for you?" she looked up to see the waitress approaching.
Candi nodded and looked at the waitress, Kora, the young woman who spoke English all too perfectly. "Busy, as I am working on getting my second specialty," Candi said.
"What is that?" Lina smiled, turning to Kora, "Hi, Kora, I'm taking care of the first round, and we're ready to order."
"Cardiology, I'm already a pediatrician; I want to be a Pediatric Cardiologist," Candi said and turned to Kora, "I would like the Taco Supreme Platter extra Guac and a pint of the Tidal Wave Ale."
"I'll take Tidal Wave in a small pitcher, and as for good food, I'll have what she's having," Lina said and nodded, "There's no taco platter in town that can ever compare to the platter here."
Candi smiled, "Well, you know Rerun," she said.
"Absolutely," Lina laughed.
"So, besides sports, what are you doing with yourself?" Candi asked.
"Honestly," Lina laughed, "Not much other than basketball."
"No SO?" Candi asked, "Come on, Lina."
"I mean, if you're going there with me, I can ask you the same," Lina said, grinning.
"Been too busy, you know me, always another hill to conquer," Candi said, "But you were avoiding my questions. I need to live through someone," Candi chuckled.
"The guy I dated in college? We reconnected about two years ago," she beamed, "He's incredible. What about you? Anyone with potential?"
"I think one of my friends, whose wedding party I'm in, is trying to set me up with someone else in the wedding party," Candi said.
"I mean, you have absolutely no reason to lack confidence in the grand scheme of things, but even I've had my share of bad luck before Jett," she shrugged, "We all kiss frogs before finding our princes."
"Yeah, well, or the frog kisses you," Candi said.
"This guy has potential. Is he really a frog, though?" Lina asked.
"No, he's not," Candi said, "He's the opposite, a prince, and I'm waiting to see him turn into a frog."
Lina shook her head, nodding in thanks as Kora came back with their drinks.
"Thanks, Kora," Candi said, "I mean, on paper, he's pretty high up there."
"At least you're not outright removing him from the list?" Lina teased, "That's a big deal in Dr. Candi's land."
"But I don't see it going far," Candi said, "He'll leave."
"Or maybe you're just making assumptions that he will; to protect yourself from getting hurt again," Lina pointed out. She was not about to let Candi go there. "It's understandable, but it's also me, Candi; you don't have to sugarcoat things."
"No, he will leave; he works for Médecins Sans Frontières," Candi said, "So, he will leave on an assignment."
"He will, but if he values you as a person like you say he does, he'll make it work," Lina pointed out, "Jett has a fairly demanding career, and we do our best to work around it."
"What is Jett doing nowadays?" Candi asked.
"Running a Fortune 500 company in the healthcare industry in Charlotte. We have a house here and a small apartment there," Lina said.
"What is he? My age?" Candi asked.
"No, he just worked really hard, graduated super early, and went straight into the workforce," Lina laughed.
"I was saying, even at my age, that is an achievement," Candi said.
"He's always been wise beyond his years," Lina said.
"Yeah, well, someone has to be," Candi said, looking over the walls. One of her standing up, holding the state championship trophy her senior year; Aveline was right behind her in the picture, "He still has that hanging up. He can barely stand to talk to me."
"Truth? I think part of him still feels guilty about not standing up for you," Lina admitted.
"How so?" Candi asked.
"Listen, I'm going to shoot it straight: when it all went down, you basically got blackballed in some corners, and I had to let many people know that I didn't appreciate it. I cut a lot of people out after that. I think, in hindsight, if he looks into your eyes, he will see it, and the mask he's wearing will fall off. Deep down, he knew he was wrong for how he treated you. He could've just talked to you about it, but instead chose to believe the mob and let them influence his thought process." Lina said.
"So, to reiterate, I think a part of him still feels guilty for how he chose to handle it."
"Okay, I was referring to that awful picture of Candace Strauss holding up the state trophy," Candi said.
"Your past self deserved better, and I can see that it all still has a bit of a hold on you. But the truth is, so does my past," Lina admitted.
"Lina, you were there, and it was just a fucked high school experience, not just the Willem shit, how about Izumi?" Candi asked.
"It was all fucked up, all of it, and honestly, I don't even care about the bridges I burned; I'd do it all again," Lina said, reaffirming her loyalty to the woman sitting across from her, "I'll never grow tired of saying thank you for all that you did for me."
"All I did was help you learn how to run the point," Candi said.
"You have to know that's just the basic, surface-level stuff," Lina smiled, "For me, it meant a whole lot more than that."
I'm not a savior or anything like that, Lina," Candi said.
"I didn't say you were; I just want you to know I valued you for the time you put in to mentor me, that's all," Lina smiled.
"Well, thank you then," Candi said.
Lina nodded, the smell of tacos hitting her nostrils, "Food's here," Lina grinned.
"Yeah, hopefully mine aren't spit-flavored," Candi said.
"Eff 'em all, you're doing better than most of this town anyway," she raised her glass in a toast with a grin on her face.
"Thanks, but I rent a single room out and only own a used SUV," Candi said.
"They just better hope you don't end up being the one who has to save them," Lina laughed.
"Nah!" Candi laughed, "So, when is Jett going to make an honest woman out of you?"
"Ask him," Lina winked, a laugh escaping her mouth.
"How long have you two been together in total?" Candi asked.
"Since college, then he moved, and we got back together when he came back about two years ago," Lina smiled.
"That's longer than any relationship I've ever had by several magnitudes," Candi said as the plate of tacos was placed before her, "Thank you."
Lina shivered in delight as her platter came next, "Apologies in advance, this may be frightening. I haven't eaten much today," Lina laughed. She made up the first taco, biting into it.
"Why not? That was one thing I told you: a good diet is the foundation of performance," Candi said, making up her first taco and taking a bite.
"Truthfully, I haven't actually eaten much; I've been snacking like a bird," Lina laughed, "What I do, I do at home, so I time breaks and refuel sessions using the alarm on my phone. This is the first actual meal of the day," she smiles, diving into her next taco.
"Why?" Candi asked, the doctor's tone starting to filter into her voice.
"Working all day," Lina said matter-of-factly.
"Still need to eat, have to keep the machine fueled," Candi said, a move of her doctor's voice slipped in.
"I can order myself another taco platter if that would ease your worries?" Lina grinned.
"No, binging is just as bad, if not worse," Candi said, shaking her head.
Lina just shrugged. "Okay then," she said, sipping her beer.
"So, what is your full time?" Candi asked.
"It's affiliate marketing mostly, but I dabble in many other forms, too," Lina said.
"Not everyone can be like Big Mack and play full-time," Candi said, laughing.
"Facts, and you know what? That's okay, too," Lina agreed.
"Yeah, Dev, well, she married well," Candi said, "A few of the others went into coaching."
"I'm aware, so did I believe it or not, and my remote employment allows me to focus on that. I'm proud to see everyone coaching; it's inspiring," Lina said.
"Not everyone could be my aunt," Candi said.
"Yeah, but it's been great learning the ins and outs from that one, I'll tell you!" Lina grinned, "She's still just as great a leader as she was when she played," Lina smiled.
"Still playing, I'm surprised you've not heard, she's signed with Connecticut," Candi said.
"We talk," Lina pointed out, "When she can, of course. And speaking of the Sun, I have to get my hands on some tickets!"
"Why?" Candi asked, "You can see more on TV."
"Every generation has that once-in-a-lifetime talent that you don't want to see on TV. Number two is that I have extended family in that area, and they like watching the team play."
"I thought it was wanting to see your old backcourt mate," Candi said.
"That's part of it," Lina spoke honestly.
"You get along with Kay?" Candi asked.
"Someone has to," Lina shrugged.
"Ellie kind of does," Candi said.
"She's definitely an acquired taste, but she's also not a bad person," Lina said. She also knows Candi has issues with Kay.
"Yeah, well, someone came to visit me out in Hermosa," Candi said.
"Who?" Lina raised a brow.
"Guess, and she called me Lynn," Candi said.
"I'm almost scared to guess; just tell me," Lina laughed softly, throwing down her napkins and letting Kora take the empty platter away.
"My birth mother," Candi said.
"Oh..." Lina cringed, "Yeah, heavy stuff."
Candi shrugged, "This is her semi-annual attempt to reconnect," she said, "This was the first time she showed up in person."
"I'd love to know what happened," Lina said calmly.
"I told her to leave and leave me alone," Candi said and took a bite of her taco.
"What do you think she wanted to absolve her guilt?" Lina shook her head.
"I'm not that type of doctor, and if I were, I wouldn't specialize in abnormal physiology," Candi said.
Lina laughed softly, enjoying her meal and beverage.
"She did raise me for sixteen years, but after the accident, just dumped me like last week's trash," Candi said.
"Her loss," Lina shrugged.
"Yes, exactly, but now, after basketball and after medical school, she wants me back in her life, to be a shiny trophy on her mantel," Candi said. "Look at my single daughter; isn't she great? Did I mention she did it on her own?"
Lina snorted, "preach it!"
"Oh, please! I had a lot of support through most of it. I told you about Duke, right?" Candi said.
"Yeah! You were living with James, Ashlyn, and Brett."
"Not quite living, but I visited a few times a week. That mattered those first two years when we overlapped," Candi said.
"I bet it did; family is important," she agreed.
"You remember how I was my senior year, right? After Izumi?" Candi asked.
"Yeah, I do."
"I needed family for those three years," Candi said.
"I'm glad you had what you needed." Lina fell into deep thought.
Candi nodded; she looked at her protege, friend, and replacement. She always respected Lina for how much she took on and excelled.
"Oh," Lina sighed, "well then."
"Sorry, just thinking," Candi said.
"Yeah, I've been there," Lina said.
"We all have at one point, except maybe Keith," Candi said, giggling at her joke.
Lina laughed, "Poor Keith. Not even here to defend himself."
"My brother is, well, he's my brother," Candi said and thought about the times when he played at Duke he would sneak over to visit.
Lina nodded.
"How about you? How's your family?" Candi asked.
"Ah! You know the Oomens! We're amazing!"
"Really?" Candi asked.
"Yeah. We really are doing great," Lina smiled.
"Good to know; what is everyone up to?" Candi asked.
"I've honestly been so caught up in my own stuff that I haven't asked lately," Lina admitted with a laugh.
"We all get there, Lina," Candi said, "So, you still coaching Youth League?"
"Very much so; I am still just as appreciative of the opportunity to mentor the next generation of Tree Hill basketballers as I was when I started. Brings back wonderful memories of my time playing in the league," Lina said with a grin on her face.
Candi nodded, "MMMM, people still say I made a mistake not going at least overseas to keep playing," Candi said.
"You had goals and dreams of your own to remember. Those who pointed that out forgot how to dream."
"True, but sometimes I do wonder what it would've been like," Candi said.
"Maybe there's something that the universe is trying to tell you," Lina said.
"Robert Frost, I could have taken that road, but I took the one less traveled, and it has made all the difference," Candi said.
"You don't still feel the pull?" Lina asked.
"When a team is doing awful, and I could plainly see what they need to do, or whenever Kay's on the court," Candi said and chuckled.
Lina shook her head and chuckled. The dynamic between the two Scotts had highly amused her.
"Am I not off base? You played with Kay longer," Candi said.
"That girl.." Lina laughed, shaking her head, "You're not off base at all."
"She played well enough, UCONN saw something in her, and she had a good career in France, but here in the US, she seems, I don't know," Candi said, shaking her head.
"She's a great player," Lina agreed, "But ya know." Lina shrugged.
"Yeah, anyway, you should stop by and see Coach. He always likes it when old players visit, and it will pick up his spirits; he's been down the last few years," Candi said.
"Don't I know it," she nodded, "I'll email him when I get home."
"I don't know if you have been following, but he lives at Beaulieu now," Candi said.
"I heard it's nice of Ms. Davis to support him through everything."
"You would know it better than me, but I believe she called it giri," Candi said.
Lina grinned.
"So, what else is Lina up to?"
"Working in the admissions department at the community college. It's a simple job, but it allows me the freedom to coach basketball," Lina smiled.
"I wish I had the time," Candi said.
"With all due respect, you make plenty of time for the things you really want to do, Dr. Scott," Lina gave her a pointed look.
"Not where I can coach full time, you know how I am; if I want to do it, I will do it how I see right. There are a few girls I teach on the side in the local park, and I even hustle some ball to help them with cash," Candi said.
"Okay, that part's understandable, but I meant what I said: You enjoy being a doctor and helping people that way. It's something you really want to do. I guarantee, you and I would be back together on a court again; if you really wanted that to happen. You're a Scott; it's in your DNA."
" Haha!" Candi said, "Too much has been said about Scott DNA."
"It's got a reputation around here for being really good at the sport for a reason," Lina laughed.
" Haha, I know! But how many Scotts have gone on to play pro versus ones who haven't?" Candi said.
"You all certainly had the ability; life just took over for those that didn't. And I guarantee your father would've gone pro if his health didn't prevent him from doing so."
"James, Angela, and Kay wanted it...myself, and Brian didn't, and I still haven't quite figured out why Keith didn't," Candi said.
"Maybe he just felt pulled in a different direction. He wanted something more." Lina smiles as she mentions her brother, knowing their relationship is deeply important.
Candi shrugged, "It was all he talked about when I first moved down here when I got to the league. One year short, and he ends up working for his mom," she said.
"Maybe as he started really thinking about it, he realized basketball wasn't bigger than him. Not to say that being part of the family legacy wasn't important to Keith anymore, but that he realized the key to fulfillment was about going beyond and above yourself."
"Does that make sense?" Lina asked.
Candi shrugged, "I've never noticed my brother could be that deep," she said and laughed.
"Look at who his wife is," Lina chuckled softly, "No doubt Izzy has had more of an influence on him than we realize."
"Well, my brother was always known as being small-brained, but maybe you're right," Candi said.
"Explain how he got into UNC, come on. We all know he was more focused on the sport before she came into his life. She taught him a lot, including that there's more to life than the game."
"That fact he could sink a three at will, pass like a laser, and drive into the paint like a bulldozer helped the Tarheels picking him too," Candi said.
"He was one of the best I've ever seen, that's absolutely for sure," Lina would never disagree with that.
"I think the fact that James always got the better of him hurt him too," Candi said, "Men and their pride."
"Seriously. I'll never get that," Lina scowled a bit before shrugging it off.
"James owning Keith or male pride?" Candi asked.
"Male pride," Lina said.
"I don't know, maybe too much small-brain thinking," Candi said, holding up one hand with two fingers about an inch apart.
Lina just laughed, shaking her head. She'd switched to non-alcoholic beverages a while ago.
Candi smiled and went back to her taco.
She's enjoying the night out with a long-time friend, "So, what's next?" she checked her watch.
"In life? Get my dad on the road to recovery, finish my schooling, and maybe private practice," Candi said.
"What about Clinical work? I see a bunch of states working on building multimodal facilities, including the newest one out in Charlotte. The concept is a facility that can handle both emergency medicine and urgent care all in one place. I think that's pretty cool."
"I went into medicine to help children," Candi said.
"Help people, help children," Lina grinned, "One way of saying is just specifying who."
"Plenty of children have heart issues like I did," Candi said.
"Who says you can't do that from a clinic?"
"I've not had offers to clinics; many of the doctors I am working with and learning from have either made me offers or suggested me to practices," Candi said.
"Well, isn't that clinical? Or is that just one term?"
"I work in a hospital, so I'm getting experience," Candi said.
"Yeah, everyone has to do that somewhere, right?" Lina signaled for Kora, leaning over to whisper in her ear.
Kora smiled, "Be right back with the check."
"I had a young boy who had to have surgery because of a defect that was causing him issues when he played basketball. He was down in the dumps; I got him cheered up and had James pay him a visit when he was in town," Candi said.
"You two are pretty amazing people," Lina smiled.
"Thanks, he really wanted to meet Uncle Nathan," Candi said.
"James is cool, too," Lina said.
"Well, Uncle Nathan face-timed him," Candi said.
"The Scott men, how good they are, well, almost all of them anyway," Lina winked.
Candi nodded, "Please, help cheer coach up," she said, "He really needs it."
"You have my word, Candi; I'll email him to set something up," Lina smiled.
Candi nodded, "Thanks, Lina," she said.
"I owe that man my adult life; you know I'd do anything for him. We all would," Lina said.
Candi nodded.