Chapter 296: Rerun's Story
Monday, January 30th, Evening
Mina relieved him at the bar to check on the few patrons and use the restroom. Rerun walked through the main room and checked on a few of the tables. Finally, he wandered into the back room and the four women at the table, three of them he went to high school.
He watched as the four women were talking. The brown-haired one, Ivy, was shaking her head as she spoke to Izzy. From his limited watching, he could tell that Ivy and Izzy were getting close. Maybe, they should be close since Ivy's girlfriend is Izzy's sister-in-law.
Rerun nodded and walked up to the table, and looked over the table.
"I've got to hear that story," Ivy said.
"What story is that?" Rerun asked.
Ivy looked at Rerun. "The fight Jessalyn and I got into during the boys' varsity game," she said.
"Yeah," Rerun said and nodded with a chuckle, "That game. I wonder if it will get mentioned tomorrow night."
"It shouldn't; it was during the bays' game after all," Izzy said.
"So, true," Rerun said, "So, what are the ladies talking about?"
"Exchanging Scott Family stories," Trin said; she's the youngest of the Adams' girls and Izzy's sister. Rerun had little use for Trin, as she seemed to be the most self-centered of the three women. "For Ivy's sake," Trin finished.
Rerun nodded; in a small town and with a family, the size of the Scott family contained many stories. These stories often made bigger since two of the Scott Boys married into other large families. "Scott family stories?" Rerun asked, "Practically everyone in this town has a Scott Family story. Hell, I even have a few Scott family stories."
"Really? I'd like to hear a few," Ivy said.
Rerun felt a hand on his wrist. He looked down to see Izzy's hand on his wrist. "Rerun, you don't have to tell your story," she said.
Rerun nodded; she knew what story he was going to tell. He had to tell that story, like that sailor with the albatross around his neck. If asked to tell a Scott Family story, it's the one he told.
"It's my story to tell," Rerun said.
"It's not just your story," Izzy said.
"But it makes me look like the bad guy," Rerun said.
Izzy nodded as she looked Rerun in the eyes. "That's true," she said.
"I have to hear this," Ivy said, with an earnest manner.
Rerun shook his head, shrugged, and felt Izzy remove her hand from his wrist. Izzy gave him silent approval to tell his story. He looked at Ivy. "It's not a pretty story," Rerun said, sighed, and nodded.
"So, are you going to share?" Ivy asked.
Rerun nodded, "Yes, it was my junior year when she moved here from New York City. At first, I didn't know she was a Scott; she went by the last name Strauss. Somehow we got to know each other and became friends. We were the same age, but she was a year behind because she started school late. Well, the junior semi-formal was rolling around, and we were sort of dating, so I asked her to the semi-formal," Rerun said.
"Did she say yes?" Ivy asked.
"Of course, she said yes, or there wouldn't be a story," Trin said.
Izzy slapped Trin's arm. "Let Rerun tell his story," Izzy said.
Rerun nodded, "Yes, we went to the semi-formal and had a great time at the dance. The after-party was at the Scott Family Beach House. While there, we got separated. I went looking for her, but it took all night. The person I was looking with was also looking for her date. We found them in bed together," Rerun said.
"Oh! My God! What happened afterward?" Ivy asked.
"I stopped seeing her and told people I knew what happened, including my friend Keith, who I didn't know is her brother. The news went around the school like wildfire. She got shunned, as people thought she did me dirty. Only Izzy and Ashlyn here stood up for her," Rerun said.
"What happened afterward?" Ivy asked.
"During the summer somehow, someway, she went with her story to the police. It turns out that the guy she hooked up with had complaints against him. Well, the police investigated, and the Scotts changed the locks of the beach house. The school year started with her ostracized by the school as a whole. I ignored her that year, and she joined the basketball team, so I had to see her all the time," Rerun said.
"How did you feel about all this?" Ivy asked.
"At the time, nothing she cheated on me, and she didn't deserve the time of day. Another woman, not Izzy because she also told me…" Rerun paused, bowed his head, and rubbed his chin. After a moment to compose himself, he picked up his head. "She told me what happened, and she wasn't the only one; I felt like an ass."
"Did you ever make right with her?" Ivy asked.
Rerun nodded, "Eventually, we made good, but it was years later," he said.
"Why did it take so long?" Ivy asked.
"Pride mostly, I wasn't happy with how I handled things after I found out the truth," Rerun said.
"So, basically, you were like most men, an ass," Ivy said.
Rerun nodded, "Well, I have to use the restroom and relieve Mina after that embarrassing share," she said.
"I'll see you later, Rerun," Izzy said.
"Yeah," Rerun said and walked away.
Ivy looked at Izzy, "So, did they Parent Trap the twins?" she asked.
"What are you talking about?" Ashlyn asked.
"The girls that Rerun was talking about," Ivy said.
"Ellie was a cheerleader and never played basketball," Ashlyn said.
"Is there another sister?" Ivy asked.
"No, there are just five Scotts in that family, four girls, and one son," Izzy said.
"What about James' family?" Ivy asked.
Ashlyn shook her head, "Just James, Brian, and LK," she said.
"Sawyer and LK weren't even born then," Trin said.
"So, who was it? Kay?" Ivy asked.
"No, it wasn't," Trin said.
"You've already met them," Izzy said.
"Then who?" Ivy asked.
"Candi," Izzy said.
"Candi? The doctor, she's the oldest," Ivy said.
"Yes, you're correct; she's the oldest," Izzy said.
"Wouldn't that make her your age, Ashlyn?" Ivy asked.
"No, Candi's a year younger than me," Ashlyn said.
"So, how does that work, is she Keith's twin?" Ivy asked.
"No, you missed a key thing in Rerun's story," Izzy said.
"Which would be?" Ivy asked.
"Candi had her mom's last name, Strauss," Izzy said.
"What was Keith's mom's last night?" Ivy asked.
"Sawyer," Izzy said.
"Isn't that the name of their youngest sister?" Ivy asked.
"She took her name from her mom's maiden name," Izzy said.
"So, what is going on here with that story being about Candi?" Ivy asked.
Trin leaned forward and looked at Ivy. The two women locked gazes. "Let me explain to you something about the Scott family," Trin said.
Ivy nodded, "Okay," she said.
