25. Grey
Chapter 25
Grey
“ I ’ve got to tell you something pretty serious, Grey,” Brock says.
“Should it wait until I’m done benching?” I huff out as I lower the bar to my chest for the umpteenth time.
“Nah, you’re fine. Keep going.”
“All right. What is it?”
“I hear your girlfriend’s crazy. Like looney-bin crazy. Listen, I hate to be the one to break the news to you, man, but I thought you should know.”
I re-rack the bar and sit up. This is definitely something that should have waited until I was done benching. “What are you talking about?”
“Aspen,” he answers, as though that clears everything up.
“I got that much. What do you mean crazy?”
“Apparently she was in the psych ward a few months ago. Like, padded room shit.”
I furrow my brows. That doesn’t really sound like the straight-laced Aspen I know. “Where did you hear this from?”
“I saw a TikTok about it.”
I give him a questioning look.
“But it’s real, man. There was a whole backstory, and it had tons of likes and comments. It’s as legit as they get.”
“What’s the backstory? When was this?”
“I think recently. Her mom had cancer and her sister Willow was off doing tropical bikini photoshoots, so Aspen had to step in and take care of her mom and then?—”
I recoil like I was hit in the face. I’ve never heard any of this before. “Her mom had cancer?”
“I think she still has it.”
“Hold on,” I say, pulling out my phone. I type in “ Isabelle Jordan Cancer ” and click on the first article that pops up dated two weeks ago:
Good news for the Jordans! According to sources close to the family, the beloved matriarch’s—Isabelle—lung cancer has been responding exceptionally well to both surgical and radiation treatment. The family received the good news last month from Isabelle’s oncology team that her stage three cancer has regressed to stage one. We reached out to renowned medical professional and influencer, Dr. Basil, for comment. He stated that when stage three cancer responds well to radiation therapy, as Isabelle’s has, it is expected that the trend will continue. Dr. Basil continued by sharing that only about 25% of people diagnosed with stage three lung cancer live to see another five years, so this news about Isabelle is incredibly promising. If Isabelle were his patient, he says he would set her prognosis as being completely cancer-free within the next few months.
The close family source goes on to share that the entire Jordan family is “relieved and hopeful” with this news. In turn, life for the Jordans has been resuming its normal pace. Robert and Isabelle’s new movie is now in the post-production stage and expected to premiere in theaters sometime next year. The couple was spotted dining in Los Angeles recently to celebrate with their two youngest daughters, Maple and Aspen. Sadly, the couple’s eldest daughter Willow was too busy with her schedule as a model to attend the family reunion. Recently, she’s been making waves for her stunning Paris Fashion Week looks. Click here to see the standout looks from Willow and other models in Paris.
Aspen, who’s also had recent health struggles (although hers have been mental), has been doing well too. She’s currently filming a new movie with James Bond heartthrob Grey Aldridge. They’ve set social media on fire with romance speculation, as they’ve been seen on several one-on-one outings throughout LA. Click here to learn more about the costars’ blooming romance and see their past relationship timelines. Subscribe to stay updated on future “Graspen” developments and all other things pop culture.
“ Graspen ?” Brock laughs, seemingly having read everything over my shoulder. “You’ve gotta fix that, bro, that’s a terrible relationship name.”
“Fix it how? Change my name?”
“How about Aspey? Or Gaspen?”
Only half paying attention to Brock, I go back to the search bar and enter: “ Aspen Jordan Hospital. ” Again, I just click on the first article.
From Stardom to Psych Ward: Aspen Jordan Crumbles Under Pressure of Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis
Authored by: Caroline Draper
March 22nd
Unless you were born yesterday, you’ve probably heard of the Jordan family. The mother, Isabelle, is a world-famous model and movie star. She married Robert, son of 60’s actress, Elizabeth Jordan, and grandson of silver screen actress, Dorothy Wood, as well as a real estate heir on his father’s side and a famous director in his own right. Together, they had three daughters, Willow, Aspen, and Maple. Willow and Aspen are as well-known as their parents, as a famous supermodel and actress, respectively. Little is known about the youngest Jordan daughter, but it doesn’t matter. The primary four members of the family—Isabelle, Robert, Willow, and Aspen—have a combined Instagram following of over 910 million people.
The glamorously perfect life of the Jordans, however, began revealing cracks earlier this month when it was revealed that Isabelle had been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. Naturally, the family was in shambles at the news—except Willow, who took a tropical vacation. Aspen, left to care for her mother alone in Willow’s absence, sadly became consumed by the stress. A few days ago, she was admitted into the inpatient care center at the Beverly Hills Seaside Center for Mental Health. Although the exact mental condition behind Aspen’s hospitalization has not been disclosed, a source close to the family reveals that it was brought on by the stress of her mother’s diagnosis, coupled with her dying career—if you don’t know, Aspen’s TV show, Fairview Ridge , will be airing its final season within the next few months.
In the wake of these events, fans are left wondering if this is the beginning of the decline of the Jordan family. Will the family be able to bounce back from Isabelle’s illness, Willow’s callous disrespect, and Aspen’s mental condition? As speculation runs rampant on social media, many are questioning the resilience of this once-unbreakable family unit. Want to learn more about the deterioration of the Jordan family? Tune into this week’s episode of the Pop Culture Pulse to delve deeper into the Jordan family’s crisis with me and my co-host, Jenna Jarvis.
To say I’m shocked would be an understatement. I knew there were things I didn’t know about Aspen. Obviously. I’ve only known the girl for a few weeks. But to be in the dark about such huge details, like her mom having cancer or her mental health struggles, rattles me. Especially because this seems to be public knowledge—Brock knew about it and he’s not exactly at the forefront of current events.
“So, you didn’t know any of that?” Brock asks.
“Nope.”
He runs a hand over his face. “Jeez, I hope you didn’t make any cancer jokes around her or anything.”
“That’s not really my style anyway, but yeah. That’s just…crazy.”
“Probably don’t say that around her either.”
I don’t say much for the rest of our training session, letting Brock take the lead and talk about what he’s having for dinner, his wife’s latest “life changing” Amazon purchase, and whatever else he says. I’m not really listening, just nodding along and throwing in an “oh, really?” every once in a while.
Instead, my mind is on Aspen. I’m rethinking everything she’s told me and everything I’ve said to her. From denying her a simple coffee date to get to know each other, to the infamous snake incident, I’ve been fucking up from day one. If I’d have known how much she’s gone through this year, I never would have made life so difficult for her. That was never my intention, but I’ve definitely caused her a few headaches regardless. Instead, I would’ve been extra careful not to upset her, to lighten her days rather than make them heavier.
I should have asked her more questions, dug deeper into her life. There were definitely signs that she was going through it. The girl is always fidgeting or bouncing her leg. She doesn't really drink coffee or alcohol, and is constantly looking around as if she’s afraid she’s in someone’s way. If that doesn’t scream anxious, I don’t know what does.
She even told me on our first date how the press seriously mistreats her sister. I should have asked about it and how that affects her, because seriously, that article was brutal. I should have asked about her family as a whole, and whether they were doing well. I should have asked about how she’s adjusting to life on the other side of Fairview Ridge. I should have asked about her life in general, including her mental health. But I didn’t ask about any of it.
Jesus, Julie was right. I really am a dick.