Chapter 221: Beaulieu Manor
Saturday, January 21st, Evening
Pushing the door to the parlor open, she walked in and found her sister-in-law sitting on the sofa with her feet pulled up, and had an open book on her lap. Izzy's slip-on shoes were on the floor underneath her. Ellie studied Izzy, nodded, walked over to a chair, and hopped into the chair with a bounce.
"I'd say that's a hard landing," Izzy said, looking up from her book.
"Yeah, well, my approach was a little fast," Ellie said.
"So, how long did it take to calm the kids down?" Izzy asked.
"Nomi calmed down rather quickly, she's working on something for school," Ellie said, "Ellie took some time."
"I've been finding that too," Izzy said.
"They are washed and ready for bed. What surprises me is that you're here, and the kids wanted to spend time with me," Ellie said.
"They love their Aunt Ellie," Izzy said.
"But, I'm not their mom," Ellie said.
"They see me every weekend; when was the last time they saw you?" Izzy asked.
"Last year when I came down to see Keith off," Ellie said.
"Yeah, well, that's what happens when you move away, and they grow up so fast," Izzy said.
"God, yeah, and Nomi's going to be tall," Ellie said.
Izzy nodded, "Well, she's getting the Scott Family Height," she said.
"She's going to be as tall as Chase, easily," Ellie said.
"I'd say your height, you're taller than Chase," Izzy said.
"Not by much," Ellie said.
"But of enough to be noticed," Izzy said.
"I'm the shortest in my family," Ellie said.
"You're still tall," Izzy said.
Ellie shrugged, Izzy nodded, "So, what trouble did you get into back in New York?" Izzy asked.
"What do you mean?" Ellie asked.
"C'mon Ellie; trouble has a way of finding you. Also, you suddenly show up down here on a private flight with my mom," Izzy said.
"Well, I came back for the ceremony next week," Ellie said.
"A week before everyone else?" Izzy asked.
"I like to show up early," Ellie said.
"Since when?" Izzy asked.
"When I started paying my bills by freelancing," Ellie said.
"So, what did you do to piss my mom off?" Izzy asked.
"As far as I can tell, I exist," Ellie said.
"I don't think it's that," Izzy said.
"Maybe, it's because I'm living in a multi-million-dollar brownstone and only paying the utilities," Ellie said.
"That's it? Hell, when Keith gets back, we'll open Leighton," Izzy said.
"And? I know this," Ellie said.
"Leighton is a similar situation to yours," Izzy said.
Ellie shrugged, "I never enquired it wasn't my business," she said.
"Well, my mom hasn't a leg to stand on, since my brother lives here when he's in town," Izzy said.
"So, what'cha reading?" Ellie asked.
"Love in time of cholera," Izzy said.
"Garcia Marquez, I never pictured you for the type," Ellie said.
"No, I'm not reading it," Izzy said.
"What are you reading?" Ellie asked.
"Hobbes' Leviathan," Izzy said.
"A little light reading before bed," Ellie said.
"Just understand some thought that's out there, I'm more of a Locke person," Izzy said, "I have a copy of Two Treatises of Government on my nightstand in Georgetown."
"I have handcuffs and other assorted toys," Ellie said.
"Ellie! I didn't need to know that," Izzy said.
"It shows how different we are," Ellie said, "What book does Keith keep at his bedside?"
"Before he left, it was Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass," Izzy said.
"Sounds like my brother," Ellie said.
"So, enough dodging the subject, what did you do that caused you to be here?" Izzy asked.
"I told you already," Ellie asked.
"Fine, don't tell me, I call my sisters, and I'll get the truth," Izzy said.
"You wouldn't do that," Ellie said.
"I made the CEO of the largest retailer in this country cry when he testified before me in committee," Izzy said.
"You didn't," Ellie said.
"I did," Izzy said, and Ellie saw the coldness in Izzy's eyes, that rarely came out. Ellie knew that the Adams Women were apex predators, but Izzy was by far the most dangerous.
"You won't drag your sisters into this?" Ellie asked.
"I won't have to if you tell me," Izzy said.
"Fine! I needed to get away from someone who wouldn't give me space," Ellie said.
Izzy sighed and canted her head, "What happened?" she asked.
"We were out clubbing, and we went back to the brownstone. They tagged along because it was easier to crash at my place then take the subway into Brooklyn," Ellie said.
"Go on," Izzy said with a nod.
"Before we got inside, they kissed me unwanted. They told me they wanted to be with me. I told them I wasn't sure and needed to think about it," Ellie said.
"Did they sleep with you?" Izzy asked.
"No, you know there's plenty of room in the brownstone, and I locked the bedroom door," Ellie said.
Izzy nodded, "Did they give you the time you asked for?" she asked.
"No, they didn't," Ellie said.
"Okay, so go on," Izzy said.
"I went out with common friends, I think it was a set up with a different person, and they showed up," Ellie said.
"The they from the brownstone?" Izzy asked.
"Yes," Ellie said.
"Continue," Izzy said.
"We had a confrontation at the club, and my world turned upside down," Ellie said.
"So, you came here to hide?" Izzy asked.
"It was your mom's idea for me to come home and find Ellie again," Ellie said.
"I should have never given my mom those self-help books," Izzy said.
"Have to respect the queen in her queendom," Ellie said.
"So, true," Izzy answered, "So, have you started finding Ellie? God, that sounds like a bad Disney rip-off."
"I don't know, I'm hanging out with Jolie Murphy Tuesday night, and already have work," Ellie said.
"The book store?" Izzy asked.
"No, freelance writing," Ellie said.
Izzy nodded and returned to her political treaties. Ellie shrugged, reached forward, and picked up a magazine. They both just sat there and read in silence.
