Chapter: 299 Bad Mojo
Monday, January 30th, Evening
Ivy sat at the table, looking across the surface at the older brunette woman. The once joyous and determined face now became contoured with pain as she told the story of her oldest son. All three of these women, all three teenage mothers, and Trin was almost not since she was nineteen.
Ivy felt the blood drain out of her face as the story went on. Izzy kept telling her story, as compelled to keep telling it. Several points during her story, Izzy kept drinking her beer as if she was using it to dull the pain.
"Izzy, stop," Trin said, her voice desperate for her sister to stop torturing herself.
"How was Adam, you asked?" Izzy asked, looking directly at Ivy. Ivy knew she was deathly pale, but Izzy looked like she was possessed. Izzy's gaze went through Ivy as if she wasn't there. Izzy kept on with her story. "Adam was a small sweet sickly three-month-old boy, who cooed when I held him close to my heart," Izzy paused, again, and played with her beer glass for a moment. "He came into my life unexpectedly and left way too early."
Izzy looked over to Trin. Ivy noted the pale look of horror on Trin's face. Izzy seemed to be talking non-verbally with Trin, maybe even chastising her sister. Ivy had no idea, based on Trin's stories and how she reacted to the stories, what her endgame was.
Ivy also felt darkness creep into her. She didn't expect this story, nor would it be as dark as Izzy told it. Ivy knew she was a brave person, but part of her wanted to run.
"Izzy, why do you torture yourself?" Ashlyn asked, with concern in her voice.
Izzy just held a hand up to tell Ashlyn to hold on. Finally, she shook her head.
"Izzy, please say something," Ashlyn said.
Ivy noted Izzy took a deep breath. Izzy held it, then let it go. "As painful it is to tell that story, in some ways, it's therapeutic," Izzy said.
"Are you sure?" Ashlyn asked.
Izzy nodded, took her napkin, and dried the corners of her eyes. Ivy noted that Izzy was starting to tear up. "Yes," Izzy said.
Ivy slowly reached over with one of her hands and rested it upon her other. Her hand was starting to shake. Slowly, Ivy felt the color return to her face, and it didn't stop as she began to feel flush from embarrassment.
Ashlyn nodded at Izzy and turned to Ivy. "Ivy. Are you okay?" Ashlyn asked.
Ivy stood up. "I should've asked," she said, feeling her voice was weak and short. Ivy shook her head and walked away.
Ivy went through the front room, didn't even look at Rerun behind the bar. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rerun talking to Mina. Ivy didn't stop and left out the front door.
Out on the street, Ivy turned down the street and walked to the next building. The chilly air filled her lungs and gave her pause. Finally, she stopped by the building and leaned against the wall. Ivy reached into her pocket and pulled out her smartphone. She slowly started to type a message out.
Ivy Kowalski: I made a mistake by coming out here.
Tyler Kowalski: What do you mean?
Ivy Kowalski: It could be a horror show, and we've dated for four months; it's too soon.
Tyler Kowalski: What are you talking about Młodsza siostra?
Ivy Kowalski: I went out with Kay's sister-in-law, cousin, and sister-in-law's sister. It seemed like nothing goes well in this family.
Tyler Kowalski: Ivy, not everyone has an easy life. We didn't have an easy life. How many people have you seen at work who didn't have a great life?
Ivy Kowalski: Tyler, I don't know if it's worth it; maybe I should just come home.
Tyler Kowalski: Why? You and Kay are great together.
Ivy Kowalski: Her family is insane.
There was another long pause. Ivy sighed and looked over the buildings again. She sighed again and studied the darken windows around her. There were a few places that had their lights still on. One of the offices had a name decaled on the window, which read Sketch Dailey.
Tyler Kowalski: What did you do, Ivy?
Ivy Kowalski: I asked Kay's sister-in-law about her dead son.
Tyler Kowalski: Ivy, why did you do that?
Ivy Kowalski: She talked about her other kids, but not that one.
Tyler Kowalski: You didn't think there was a reason why?
Ivy Kowalski: I know why now.
Ivy could almost see Tyler shaking his head on the other side of the phone.
Tyler Kowalski: You've always been one to push it. Remember when you played hockey? I spent more time in the sin bin than on the ice.
Ivy Kowalski: Yeah! Yeah! I know.
Tyler Kowalski: Other than your hoof in mouth, how has your trip been, Młodsza siostra?
Ivy Kowalski: It's been cold, not as cold as back home. This place will be beautiful in the summer.
Tyler Kowalski: Would you visit again? Without Kay.
Ivy looked at her smartphone, thought for a moment. That question was so Tyler, trying to get her out of her own drama and headspace. Ivy quickly smiled.
Ivy Kowalski: The place we're staying at is beautiful and has a lot of things to do there.
Tyler Kowalski: Not was I asked, Młodsza siostra.
Ivy Kowalski: I think it's relevant.
Tyler Kowalski: Anyway, did you take advantage of these things?
Ivy Kowalski: Yes, I have. Also, within days of arriving here, there was a basketball game I went to, which took place in MJ's old high school gym.
Tyler Kowalski: That's cool, Ivy.
Ivy Kowalski: Yes, yes, it was.
Tyler Kowalski: Have I talked you off the ledge yet?
Ivy Kowalski: How do you know I was on the ledge?
Tyler Kowalski: I know you very well Młodsza siostra.
Ivy Kowalski: How come you're so perceptive?
Tyler Kowalski: Because I am.
Ivy looked up from her smartphone. Off to her right, she noticed Izzy was walking over to her. Ivy let out a breath with a large puff of steam. Kay told her Izzy wasn't a woman to mess with. Some of the stories told tonight back that up. Ivy nodded and turned back to her smartphone.
Ivy Kowalski: I have to go.
Tyler Kowalski: Okay, be careful, Młodsza siostra.
Ivy Kowalski: I will Duży brat.
Tyler Kowalski: TTYL
Ivy put her smartphone away and watched as Izzy finished coming her way. Ivy looked back up to the building across the street. She took a breath and exhaled. Finally, Ivy turned to face Izzy as she came closer to her.
"Ivy," Izzy said.
"Izzy," Ivy said.
"Are you okay?" Izzy asked.
"I should be asking you that," Ivy said.
"We need to talk," Izzy said.
"What do we need to talk about?" Ivy asked.
"A lot of things," Izzy said cryptically, and Ivy didn't know what else to do, so she nodded.
