Chapter 290: Wild, Wild Night
Monday, January 30th, Evening
Ivy felt herself shaking inside. The stories they told about the Scotts were a mix of horror stories and sweet romance stories. Some of what Izzy told her about Kay's accident made sense, but it also made her worried about the type of person Kay is.
"I just don't know," Ivy said.
"Well, Kay has always been the shyest of the Scotts. Brian is a close second," Trin said.
Ivy looked at Trin. What are you getting at, Trin? Ivy wondered. "Oh, but from what you told me, Brian was self-centered and arrogant," Ivy said, desperately.
"So was Kay before the accident," Trin said, almost cackling in delight.
Ivy nodded; this isn't good, she reflected. "Okay," she said, trying to shield her doubts.
Ivy noted Izzy put a smile on her face. From what Ivy started to understand about Izzy, this was her fake politician smile. Izzy was looking over the three women at the table. Finally, Izzy settled her eyes on Ashlyn.
"Have I ever told you the story of the night that Keith and I got engaged?" Izzy asked, looking at Ashlyn with an earnest look in her eyes.
Ashlyn shook her head slowly, "No, other than it happened on the weekend he visited you in New Haven," she said.
Izzy turned to look at Trin, her eyes taking a bit harder look at her sister. "Did I tell you?" Izzy asked.
Trin shook her head, having in her body language the nervousness of a little sister being comforted by her older sister. This scene is funny since Trin was taller and stronger built than the waifish Izzy. "No, I don't think so," Trin said.
Izzy turned her focus to Ivy. Ivy noted Izzy's face still wore a joyful mask, but her eyes changed to a gentle look. Ivy wasn't sure if she would call it sympathy, but it was different from the look she gave Trin. "Do you want to hear that story?" Izzy asked.
Ivy canted her head then straightened her head out. Slowly, with caution, she nodded her head. "Sure," she said.
Izzy's smiled changed from fake to genuine. "Well, maybe we should get another pitcher, maybe some more snacks, cause I'm going to tell you about one hell of a wild night," Izzy said with sheer joy.
"I guess we should," Trin said, her voice clipped to cover emotions.
"Just don't get me drunk," Ashlyn said.
"Don't worry, I'm your ride," Izzy said.
"So, you don't get drunk," Ashlyn said.
Izzy smiled, "No fun," she said and winked at Ashlyn.
"Yeah, sure," Ashlyn said, "Mina, when you get a chance," Ashlyn said when she caught sight of Mina.
Mina came over to the table. "I got a moment; it's not like they're knocking the door down here," she said.
"Typical for a Monday?" Izzy asked.
Mina nodded, "Yeah, pretty much, what can I get, Y'all?" she asked.
"Another pitcher, and the family taco platter," Izzy said.
"Hungry, I see; I'll get right to it," Mina said, a bit sarcastically, and walked away.
"She's a bit wicked," Ivy said.
"That's why I like her, and she keeps the girls in line," Izzy said.
"A good thing, I guess," Ivy said.
"I'd say," Ashlyn said.
Izzy smiled and looked at Ivy. "So, where was I?" she asked, almost playfully. Ivy noted that Izzy seemed to change emotions and thoughts rather rapidly or puts on the airs that she did. Ivy wouldn't call it bipolar, but being able to read people, Izzy could mask herself. Maybe, Izzy was the most dangerous person at the table.
"You were going to tell us about the night you and Keith got engaged," Ivy said.
"Oh yeah, it started right after the Tarheels lost in the Elite Eight our senior year of college. Kari and I, Kari's my roommate at the time, were living in a place we rented in Wooster Square in New Haven. I used to bike onto Old Campus for my classes. It was a Thursday night, and my classes were over for the week. After dinner with Kari and our friend Whit, I settled in for some studying. Kari went out with Whit, so I was alone. That was when I heard a knock on the door. I grabbed the baseball bat I kept handy and went to the door. It was Keith; he traveled from Chapel Hill to New Haven; I greeted him excitedly and noticed he's exhausted. After slowing him in, I tucked him into my bed and moved my studying to the living room. Kari eventually turned up, and I explained to her what happened. She shrugged and went to bed. I followed and joined Keith in my bed," Izzy said.
"Who's Kari?" Ivy asked.
"A college friend of Izzy's and a member of her inner circle," Trin said.
"Was Kari dating Whit?" Ashlyn asked.
"No, they were childhood friends. Anyway, I got up the next day, let Keith sleep, and went for my morning jog. When I came back to my apartment, Kari was up, and we talked more about my surprise visitor. Kari shrugged and just suggested we show him a good time tonight. I'm like, sure it's Friday, New Haven, and well, what could we do?" Izzy said.
"What did you do?" Ivy asked.
"I woke him up, threw him a towel, told him to shower, and asked him what did he want for dinner. New Haven has some great Italian Restaurants, and I was going to get it delivered. Anyway, he agreed and went for his shower. Afterward, the food arrived, and we ate, Keith, Kari, and myself in the living room. I explained we were going out tonight, and he agreed," Izzy said.
"Keith's that agreeable?" Ivy asked.
"He was exhausted, has four sisters, and I had him fairly well trained by then. So, we ate, got ready, and Whit picked us up in his car. We headed over to Crown Street; back then, many of the clubs had an open bar for bar drinks the first hour; they called it Happy Hour and just paid the cover charge. We paid the cover, drank, and BS'd for an hour. When the dance floor opened, we checked it out and danced to a few songs. Once that excitement ended, we hiked down Crown Street to York Square. There was a record store there where bands would leave free passes to the local music venue around the corner," Izzy said.
"How much did you spend so far?" Trin asked.
"About five or ten bucks, whatever the cover was. So, we went to the music venue and waited for the bands to go on stage. The opening act was boring, so we decided to check somewhere else out. We got our hands stamped and headed back to Whit's car. We went across town to a strip club," Izzy said.
"What did you do at the strip club?" Ivy asked.
"What can you do? Keith and I bought each other lap dances. Kari had a good old time with the dancers while Whit hung out at the bar. After some time, there we left the club, got our hands stamp, just in case, and headed back to the music venue to check out the last two bands of the night. Once the show finished, we headed back to Crown Street. There's a burger place over there; it's one of the places credited with inventing the hamburger. After that, we headed back to my apartment at Wooster Square," Izzy said.
"Sounds like a fun night," Ivy said.
Izzy nodded, "It was; well, I left Keith in my bedroom while I went to the bathroom. Once I came back to see Keith standing there. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small fuzzy box, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes," Izzy said.
"That's a great story," Ivy said.
Izzy nodded, "It was one of the best nights of my life. Keith and I got married in late May and have been together ever since, and now we have two beautiful children. I have a few complaints, now," Izzy said.
"Now?" Ivy asked.
"In long term relationships, you go through long periods of positives and periods of negatives," Ashlyn said.
"Isn't that any relationship?" Trin asked.
"Yeah, I guess, just one question though," Ashlyn said.
"Okay, what would it be?" Ivy replied.
"You want to get into a long-term relationship with a professional athlete?" Ashlyn asked.
Ivy nodded, "Yeah, I think I am," she said.
"Let me give you some of my experience," Ashlyn said.
Ivy nodded, "Okay," she said.
Before Ashlyn could speak, Mina showed up with a fresh pitcher of beer.
