Chapter 305: Adjournment
Monday, January 30th, Evening
Trin watched Ashlyn as she looked at the TV.
"I got it," Ashlyn said.
"Got what?" Trin asked.
"We'll leave at halftime," Ashlyn said, "Well?"
"I'm good with that," Izzy said.
"No complaints here," Trin said.
"You guys are my ride," Ivy said.
Ashlyn smiled, "Good, now I'm going to watch the game," she said.
"I'm going to use the ladies," Trin said, got up, and left for the restroom.
Inside the lady's room Trin looked into the mirror. She studied her eyes closely. Finally, she ran the water and cupped her hands underneath the streaming water. After the temperature reached the point, she liked it; she let the water fill her hands. Finally, she splashed the water on her face.
Once the water hit her face, she shook her head. Trin ran her hands over her face and back across her head, smoothing down her hair. Finally, she turned to the paper towel dispenser and pulled a few out. She carefully dried her face and stared at herself in the mirror.
"Trin, what are you doing? Trying to ruin someone's relationship? What's gotten into you?" Trin asked the mirror, which answered in silence.
With a few more paper towels, Trin finished drying her face and quickly straightened up her hair. She left the lady's room and returned to the table. Trin found Ashlyn on her smartphone texting; Ivy and Izzy were half-ass watching the game. Trin retook her seat.
"What did I miss?" Trin asked.
"Not much, just the beginning of the game," Ivy said.
"Ashlyn, you wanted to watch the game, but you're on your phone," Trin said.
"I'm texting Keni and Sawyer," Ashlyn said.
"Why?" Trin asked.
"To tell them when I'm coming home and to tell them the rules for game night," Ashlyn said.
"Rules for game night?" Ivy asked.
Ashlyn nodded, "The kids can listen to the game in their rooms, but they have to be in bed at halftime," Ashlyn said.
"The kids know the rules?" Ivy asked.
"Yes, and they're generally good about it. I just don't want them trying to take advantage of Keni and Sawyer," Ashlyn said.
"You think with those two?" Trin asked.
"I pretty sure I know; that's why I prefer Brett to watch them, or Eilish; but Eilish had left and Brett's at her dad's this week," Ashlyn said.
"Eilish?" Ivy asked.
"My babysitter," Ashlyn said.
"Why wouldn't you ask Brett to come over? You said she's good with the kids," Ivy said.
"She's at her dad's, so I don't want to drag her home. Also, she might have had plans with Garvan tonight," Ashlyn said.
"Garvan?" Ivy asked.
"Garvan Muir, a basketball player and Brett's boyfriend," Ashlyn said.
"Oh, okay," Ivy said.
Ashlyn put her smartphone away and started to focus on the game.
"Do you miss being in Miami?" Ivy asked.
"No, not really," Ashlyn said, not taking her eyes from the game.
Ivy nodded and turned back to the TV. Izzy studied the game and neatened up the table a bit. Trin just took it all in.
Mina came over and looked at everything. "Are y'all finished?" she asked.
"Yes, you could take the dishes," Ashlyn said.
"Are y'all going to need more drinks?" Mina asked.
"I'm done," Izzy said.
Ivy nodded, "I'm good as well, thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," Mina said, on reflex.
"I have a full, busy day tomorrow, as y'all know," Ashlyn said.
"We know, Ashlyn," Trin said, "I'm all set," she said to Mina.
"Okay," Mina said, "How much longer do y'all think y'all are staying?"
"Halftime," Ashlyn said.
Mina smiled, "Good, maybe I could convince Rerun to close down early; I still have to drive the girls tomorrow," she said.
"Good luck convincing him," Trin said.
"I have ways to convince him," Mina said slyly.
"Mina, please, when you get a chance, bring me the bill," Izzy said.
"Why? I thought we're splitting it?" Ivy asked.
"That's right, the whole congresswoman thing," Ashlyn said.
Izzy nodded, "I have to show I can't be bought," Izzy said.
"Not me, a nice pair of shoes, and I'll do what you want me to do," Mina said.
"Is that how Rerun got you?" Trin asked.
Mina rolled her eyes and grabbed a few plates, "I'll be back with the check," she said and walked away.
"Trin, really?" Izzy asked.
"Why didn't we just do separate checks?" Ivy asked.
"Forgot?" Ashlyn asked.
Izzy shrugged and gave a sideways glance to her sister as the game slowly pushed on. Trin looked them all over and sighed.
"Do you think tonight was a success?" Trin asked.
Ashlyn shrugged, "Depends on your goals. As for me, a night out with adults, it's a win," she said.
"It was nice to get out and meet new people," Ivy said.
"I wonder if a dude will join us eventually," Izzy said and sighed, "It's fun."
Mina came back with the check. Izzy took the bill, read it, and pulled out her wallet. Paying the bill in cash with a big tip, Izzy handed it back to Mina.
Mina nodded, "Thanks," she said.
"You're welcome," Izzy said and watched Mina leave.
"I'd say it's about time to call it a night," Trin said.
"Sounds good to me," Ivy said.
Izzy nodded, "Okay," she said.
Ashlyn nodded and waited for the clock for the second quarter to wind down. Once the clock ended the first half, she looked up at the other women. "Let's go," she said.
The four women stood up and started putting their coats on. As a group, they walked out of the back room. As they crossed the front room, each one of them looked at the bar and Rerun.
"Good night, Rerun," Trin said.
"Night, Trin," Rerun said.
"Good night, Rerun," Ashlyn said.
"Night, Ashlyn," Rerun said.
"Good night, Rerun, a pleasure to meet you," Ivy said.
"Night, Ivy, and the pleasure was all mine," Rerun said.
"Night, Rerun," Izzy said.
"Night, Izzy," Rerun said.
The four women walked out of the bar and onto the sidewalk of Main Street. They looked around the streets, and finally, Izzy turned to Trin.
"Trin, could you bring Ashlyn home?" Izzy asked.
"Why?" Trin asked.
"I just want to talk to Ivy in private," Izzy said.
"Okay, any problems with that?" Trin asked.
"No," Ashlyn said.
"No," Ivy said.
"Sure, I can do it," Trin said.
"Don't forget to bring Keni and Sawyer home," Izzy said.
"Okay, I won't," Trin said.
"Let's go," Izzy said to Ivy,
"Okay?" Ivy said, and they headed off towards the manciple parking lot, "What's that about?"
"We'll talk in the car," Izzy said as they headed towards the parking lot.
