Chapter 247: Retrospective
Wednesday, January 25th, Evening
The bathroom door opened, and Ivy walked into the bedroom she and Kay had. Her head was continually swiveling around, looking at the various pictures and other artwork. She walked over to the bed, drying her hair.
Ivy laid out on the king-size bed that filled out a good part of the room. She shifted around the bed to feel it underneath her. Ivy looked up to see Kay sitting in the bay window seat.
"This place is crazy. Is this where you grew up?" Ivy asked.
Kay shook her head, "I grew up at my parent's place, Leighton; this is my Aunt Brooke's place," she said.
"This is crazy! Who is Aunt Brooke anyway? She must be your mother's sister; she doesn't look like your father," Ivy said.
"She's my mom's best friend," Kay said.
"Ah! Well, looking at the information about the facilities, this place is hooked up," Ivy said.
"Yes, it is," Kay said, "What happened in the parlor? That's not like you."
"I got overwhelmed, Kochie, with the flight, the sheer awesomeness of this place, and meeting so many people in such a short time," Ivy said.
Kay shrugged, "This isn't everyone; the kids weren't there," she said.
"The kids?" Ivy asked.
"My niece and nephew," Kay said.
"Wow, your family probably thinks I'm anti-social or something," Ivy said.
Kay shook her head, "No, just worried if you were feeling alright," she said.
"Well, you'll get a second chance at dinner," Kay said.
"When's that?" Ivy asked.
"Soon, that's why I'm here, to dress for dinner," Kay said.
"You're already dressed," Ivy said.
"My Aunt Brooke has watched too much Downton Abbey. Just put on your nicest dress, and everything should be fine," Kay said.
"Okay, and if I get overwhelmed again?" Ivy asked.
"I'll be there next to you, and Beaulieu is like Hogwarts. There always seems to be the room you need when you need it," Kay said.
Ivy laughed and got off the bed. Kay pointed her to an amour where Ivy found her clothes were hanging. Ivy selected something to wear, and Kay gave her a thumb up. The two women changed for dinner and started to head out.
"I'm surprised there's no one to help us dress," Ivy said.
"I believe Aunt Brooke saw somethings as excessive," Kay said.
"Small wonders," Ivy said and gestured to Beaulieu.
"So, there are a few things you need to know," Kay said.
"What's that, Kochie?" Ivy asked.
"This is Aunt Brooke's queendom, so she'll sit at the head of the table," Kay said.
Ivy shrugged, "Not a big deal," she said.
"Beaulieu is mostly dry. Aunt Brooke is a friend of Bill W. So, please don't expect to see alcohol tonight?" Kay said.
"That's fine," Ivy said.
"For a quick rundown, not everyone around our age named Scott is one of my siblings; I have cousins and an aunt who is three years older than me," Kay said.
"Don't worry about it, Kochie," Ivy said.
"From what I understand, Keni, Aunt Brooke's daughter is going through a rebellious phase," Kay said.
"We've all been there," Ivy said.
Kay smiled, and they entered the parlor. Sitting on several of the couches were Ellie, Sawyer, and Keni. Brooke was in an upholstered chair. Lucas was over in the corner with Nomi and Ellis.
Brooke stood up. "Ivy, my dear, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm feeling good, Mrs. Davis," Ivy said.
"Please, call me Brooke or Aunt Brooke if you like," Brooke said.
"Okay," Ivy said.
"Please, join us," Brooke said, "Keni, let Ivy and Kay sit next to each other."
Keni rolled her eyes, got up, and walked over to where Sawyer is sitting. Keni flopped down next to Sawyer. Ivy noticed everyone was presentable, but Keni seemed to be wearing an oversized tracksuit.
"Watch the attitude, Keni," Brooke said.
"Yes, Mom," Keni said sarcastically.
Kay and Ivy took a seat on the couch that Keni left. Ellie looked over at Ivy and leaned forward. "We were abortively introduced earlier; I'm Ellie, Kay's sister," Ellie said.
Ivy looked at Ellie, studying her for the first time. There was a vague family look between Ellie and Kay, but one would think cousins, not twin sisters. It was the blue eyes; they had the same blue eyes. Ellie's hair was a lighter blonde than Kay's.
"A pleasure to meet you again," Ivy said, "You're her twin, right?"
Ellie laughed, "We've been accused of that," she said.
"I like your choker," Ivy said.
Ellie smiled, "Thanks, it's my favorite piece," she said, as her hand went up to touch the necklace unconsciously.
"You're welcome," Ivy said.
"So, is there anything you want to see while you're here?" Ellie asked.
Ivy looked embarrassed, "Well, I kind of want to see where MJ played high school ball," Ivy said.
"EA Laney," Sawyer said, "We play them Friday."
"What?" Ivy asked.
Ellie made a hmm sound, "Pardon my sister," Ellie said, grabbed Sawyer in a headlock, "She's young and still speaks up when adults are talking."
"Let me go, Ellie, or I'm going to kick your ass," Sawyer said.
"You shouldn't be kicking anyone's ass," Ellie said.
"Ellie!" Sawyer said with a whine in her voice.
"Ellie, please," Kay said, disapproving.
Ellie let go of Sawyer, "I'm just teasing her," she said.
Ivy noted Sawyer looked like a younger version of Ellie. They looked more like sisters than Kay and Ellie did. One difference, Ivy noted, was Sawyer's green eyes.
Sawyer came over to Ivy. "Hi! I'm Sawyer; I'm the little sister. I heard you want to see MJ's high school gym, we're playing there Friday, and you can come with Kay and watch me cheer," Sawyer said, Ivy, wondering if Sawyer even took a breath.
"Sawyer, breath," Kay said.
"I am breathing, Kay," Sawyer said, "Please forgive Kay, as you probably know she can be a stick in the mud."
Ivy shrugged. Keni pushed herself into a sitting position. "I'm Keni, Brooke's daughter, and well, Sawyer's counterpoint," she said.
Ivy nodded, noting Keni was physically smaller than any of the women collected together. She had hair that was on the brownish side of black and hazel eyes. Nothing on Keni seemed to presentable or neat.
"A pleasure," Ivy said.
"So, what do you think about the Montauk Project?" Keni asked.
"Never heard of it," Ivy said.
Sawyer moved quickly, wrapping an arm around Keni. After that pause, she moved her hand up and covered Keni's mouth.
"You can inform her later," Sawyer said, "So, Kay is there anything you want to do while you're here?"
"I have to go to Tri-Angle Cottage," Kay said.
Before anyone could respond, Lurch showed up. "Dinner is ready," he announced.
Everyone got up and headed to where Lurch came from. Ivy looked around and took it all in. She noticed Lucas took Kay's arm as they walked to the dinner table and chatted lightly. This will be interesting times here, Ivy reflected.
