Chapter 781: Jamlyn
Tuesday, March 28th, Evening
As her regular practice, she curled up on her California king-sized bed. Turning on the TV, she set the channel to the Miami versus Detroit basketball game. Sitting up, leaning against the headboard, she looked at the TV and listened.
Ashlyn sighed; how many times had James played in Detroit? Sometime during this night, it will be mentioned that Nathan started out playing for the Pistons, and James grew up in Detroit as a young child. Ashlyn rolled her eyes. Los Angeles was worse, and the Clippers weren't as bad as the Lakers. Of course, it was always worse with the Lakers. This was normal, and Ashlyn was glad Nathan didn't usually travel back to where he played and never when James played in those cities.
A soft knock on the door shook Ashlyn out of her non-thoughts. She looked towards her door and sighed. The sound of the knock was one of the kids. Ashlyn sighed again.
"Who is it?" Ashlyn asked.
"Maeghan," a soft girl's voice answered back.
"What's wrong?" Ashlyn asked.
"I'm having trouble sleeping," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn canted an eyebrow. "You are?" she asked.
"Yes, Momma," Maeghan said.
"How can I help?" Ashlyn asked.
"Can I lay in your bed for a while?" Maeghan asked.
Ashlyn sighed and thought for a moment. She was watching basketball. Maeghan disliked basketball. Ashlyn shook her head and looked at the TV, unsure what would happen.
"I'm watching basketball," Ashlyn said.
"It's fine," Maeghan said in a disappointed voice.
"You can come in," Ashlyn said.
"Thanks, Momma," Maeghan said and opened the door. The blonde 'tween quickly closed the distance from the door and the bed. Maeghan hopped onto the bed and made Ashlyn bounce. The 'tween crawled over to Ashlyn, slipped under the covers, and cuddled up to Ashlyn.
"Comfortable?" Ashlyn asked, remembering the many nights Brett would do the same thing. Many of those nights were when they lived in Durham; when Ashlyn and James attended Duke University, and James was on the road.
Maeghan nodded her head, "Yes, Momma," she said.
Ashlyn smiled and kissed the top of Maeghan's head, "Good," Ashlyn said.
Watching the TV, Ashlyn glanced down at her blonde daughter, Maeghan. Maeghan was Ashlyn's second child and second daughter, but the first with her husband. Ashlyn's oldest, Brett, was from a high school relationship, and Brett had her dad's ginger locks. Maeghan had Ashlyn and James's blonde hair. The 'tween remained cuddled up but seemed to be watching the TV.
"Momma?" Maeghan asked.
"Yes?" Ashlyn replied.
"Why do you watch basketball?" Maeghan asked.
"You know, because Daddy is playing," Ashlyn said.
"Do you enjoy watching Daddy play?" Maeghan asked.
"Of course I do," Ashlyn said, a white lie she knew.
"Why?" Maeghan asked.
"Because I can't play anymore," Ashlyn said.
"Why?" Maeghan asked.
"I got hurt, really bad," Ashlyn said, her hand falling onto her bad knee.
"So, all you could do is watch?" Maeghan asked.
"I also coach," Ashlyn said.
"Why do you like basketball?" Maeghan asked.
"It's something I did with your Grandpa Buck, and later, I played with my two best friends," Ashlyn said.
"Who were your friends?" Maeghan asked.
"Auntie Tall and Auntie AP, of course," Ashlyn said.
"Oh, I didn't, I'm not sure," Maeghan said.
"That's how I met them; we played basketball together and graduated together," Ashlyn said.
"Oh," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn nodded, "Why do you ask?" she asked gently.
"I don't know," Meghan said.
"Maeghan?" Ashlyn asked.
"I don't know how to say it," Maeghan said.
"Take your time and try," Ashlyn said.
"I'm not sure, Momma," Maeghan said.
"Try, that's all I ask," Ashlyn said.
Maeghan sighed, cuddled closer, and buried her face into Ashlyn. The 'tween shook a bit, then rolled onto her back.
"I feel left out," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn looked at Maeghan, "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Well, until Joplin got here when Brett wasn't around, I would feel left out," Maeghan said.
"Why?" Ashlyn asked.
"Landon and Logan are only interested in basketball. Brett's willing to do things with me, but she wants to be with her friends," Maeghan said.
"So, you feel lonely?" Ashlyn asked.
"I don't feel like I belong," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn nodded, "I see. Do you have friends at school?" she asked.
"One or two," Maeghan said.
"Do you know BB Burke?" Ashlyn asked.
"Brett's sister?" Maeghan asked.
"Yes," Ashlyn said.
"She's in the other class," Maeghan said.
"So, you aren't in the same class," Ashlyn said.
"No," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn nodded, "How about this?" she asked.
"About what?" Maeghan asked.
"Since Grandpa Buck is here, he could watch your brothers; we could go out and do whatever you want one night, heck, Thursday," Ashlyn said.
"Are you serious, Momma?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yes," Ashlyn said.
"Okay, Momma," Maeghan said.
Ashlyn leaned down and kissed Maeghan on the top of the head. She returned to watching TV. Maeghan curled up to Ashlyn and fell asleep.