Chapter 804: Beaulieu Manor

Friday, March 31st, Evening

He sat behind his desk, staring at his laptop screen. With the handover coming in less than a week, he wanted his classes ready for the new teachers. He reviewed the various lesson plans, ensuring they were all set and clearly spelled out. That was when he got a video call on his laptop.

Lucas sighed, minimized his work, and looked at the call notification. Shaking his head, Lucas sighed again and pressed the accept button.

"Hello, Angela," Lucas said.

"Hey, Big Brother," Angela said.

"Rereading Orwell?" Lucas asked.

"I was thinking more, Macross," Angela replied.

"So, what's up?" Lucas asked, rolling his eyes.

"I wanted to call and see how you are," Angela said.

Lucas sighed. "I feel; the same. You know, Angela, I've had this condition since birth, knew about it since I was seventeen. How do I feel? Well, I feel the same, always the same. It's tiring to get asked the same question repeatedly," Lucas shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Well, I feel great and haven't seen you in a few weeks, so I just wanted an update on how you're doing," Angela replied.

"Frustrated, that's all, Angela," Lucas let out another sigh and opened his eyes.

"It's for the best, and you have to be patient; this surgery should make your life easier," Angela nodded and drummed her fingers.

"It's not only that," Lucas shook his head and then bowed it.

"Then what else is it, Luke?" Angela asked.

"I've been following women's basketball. You know there are crazy fans out there," Lucas stated.

"Yeah, could you imagine them when they and I double down when they are in the arena?" Angela played with her fingernails.

"It seems there are crazy fans online," Lucas sighed.

"Welcome to the internet women's basketball community," Angela laughed and leaned back.

"Do you read what's online?" Lucas asked.

"Hell no," Angela laughed, "I want to keep my sanity."

"Oh, okay," Lucas nodded.

"What's up?" Angela gave Lucas a concerned look.

"Yeah, what is their obsession with Caitlin Clark? I watched her play; she's a good player, but she's not the second coming?" Lucas stated.

Angela nodded. "Cait's good; she makes you step up your game, but I've beaten her," she brushed off her shoulder.

"How do you seem to do that?" Lucas asked.

"Power of the mamba," Angela laughed.

"Angela!" Lucas stated, giving her his dad's voice.

"Simple, she's an oversized point guard. I've dealt with them before, and one better," Angela said.

"I can believe they bitched about her not being on the Olympic team; she didn't try out," Lucas said.

"I felt bad for what they put Dee through; with what she had done, she didn't deserve that bull."

"UCONN girls always stick together," Lucas said, a sense of camaraderie in his voice.

"Yeah, well, what do you expect? Some of it could be considered trauma bonding, but I had a different coach," Angela said, sharing a knowing look with Lucas.

"So, how is Kay doing?" Lucas asked.

"She's adjusting but has to work back into shape," Angela replied.

"Shoulder?" Lucas swung his right arm in a circle, working it out.

"It's always her shoulder," Angela shrugged.

"Jess?" Lucas asked.

"Doing well," Angela said.

Lucas nodded, "So, what else do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to check in on my only brother," Angela innocently replied.

"What do you want, Angela?" Lucas asked.

"I want to talk," Angela said.

Lucas nodded and scratched his nose. "So, talk."

"When do you know it's time to walk away?" Angela asked, cupping her nose and mouth afterward with both hands.

"Depends on the context; everything depends on the context," Lucas nodded and tapped his forefinger on his nose.

"I have Jess to worry about, and I've been traveling a lot," Angela mentioned absentmindedly.

Lucas nodded, "You need to do what is right for you and Jess."

"That's the problem, I'm not really sure," Angela pointed out.

"Are you asking about coaching?" Lucas inquired.

"I've coached Jess in juniors," Angela replied.

Lucas snorted, "In some ways, that's easier," Lucas muttered.

"What is easier?" Candi said from the door.

"Coaching juniors is easier than high school," Lucas replied.

Candi nodded, walked into the room, and looked her dad over. Lucas noted Candi was dressed to head out.

"I can see that; who are you talking to?" Candi asked as she walked behind Lucas's desk. She smiled as she looked at the laptop. "Hi, Angela."

"Candi, how have you been? I didn't know you were in Tree Hill," Angela said to her niece.

"Helping out for a bit, then back out to the left coast," Candi replied and nodded.

"You're dressed up," Lucas interjected.

"I ran into an old school friend. We're getting dinner, and by dressing up, you mean clean clothes; I brushed my hair instead of putting it up. Then, yes, I'm dressed up," Candi retorted.

"Well, have a good time," Angela said.

"Where are you going?" Lucas asked.

"Rerun's," Candi replied.

Lucas nodded, "Bold move."

"Time to be a bigger person and let the past die," Candi replied, her voice filled with determination.

"About time," Angela chimed in.

Candi checked her smartwatch. "Time to head out."

"Enjoy," Lucas told her.

"Don't stay up," Candi commanded and left.

Lucas shrugged and looked at Angela, who smirked back at him like she was saying what you expected.