Chapter 306: Because the Night
Monday, January 30th, Evening
(Song Lyrics in italics)
As the last of the women left the bar, Mina looked to Rerun. He looked at his wife and nodded.
"That's the last of customers," Mina said.
"Yeah, are the dishes done?" Rerun asked.
"Wade was doing them as we speak," Mina said.
Rerun nodded, "Lock the doors," he said.
"We're closing?" Mina asked.
"Yes, I'll close up here. Take Eric home, and I'll meet you at home," Rerun said.
"Okay," Mina said, "I'll check on Wade."
"Alright," Rerun said.
Mina headed to the front door and locked it; next, she headed to the kitchen. Rerun wiped down the bar and closed out the register. Once finished, Rerun walked across the bar to the jukebox and put some money into it. Rerun selected a song.
Rerun returned to the bar and started to put the bottle away. Mina came out of the kitchen, followed by a black-haired eight-year-old boy. She had her purse and coat hung over her arm.
"Wade's finishing up in the kitchen," Mina said.
"Okay, good," Rerun said, he looked at his son, "I'll see you when I get home, Eric."
"Will you be home before I go to bed?" Eric asked.
"I'll try," Rerun said.
"Don't stay too late," Mina said and kissed Rerun. She turned to Eric. "Come on, Eric, let's go home."
Rerun smiled as he watched his family leave.
Take me now, baby, here as I am
Pull me close, try and understand
Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe
Love is a banquet on which we feed
Izzy and Ivy drove away from the parking lot in the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600. As the near-empty streets of Tree Hill pass by, Izzy looked over quickly at Ivy.
"So, what did you think of the ladies?" Izzy asked.
"You're an interesting bunch," Ivy said.
"Well, they're my family in some form or another," Izzy said.
"Yeah, how do you put up with it?" Ivy asked.
"They're family; Ashlyn is generally a good person. Trin, well…" Izzy said.
"A bitch," Ivy said.
"A good term," Izzy said.
"What was her agenda tonight?" Ivy asked.
Izzy shrugged, "Trin is not one to do things without a plan. My thought is she wanted you to at least know what you're getting into," she said.
"Why would she do that?" Ivy asked.
"You heard her story, well Brian was a piece of work," Izzy said.
"Why would she tolerate the behavior?" Ivy asked.
"I think there are a few reasons our dad wasn't in our lives. Trin tried reaching out to him, and he didn't even remember her name," Izzy said.
"Other reasons?" Ivy asked.
"I believe Brian was Trin's first love, and he destroyed her heart," Izzy said.
"Okay," Ivy said.
"Don't worry about Trin or even Ashlyn," Izzy said.
"Why?" Ivy asked.
"Of the three other women at the table with you, I'm the one you'll interact with the most," Izzy said.
"Why?" Ivy asked.
"Kay's my sister-in-law," Izzy said.
"I didn't think about that," Ivy said.
"Don't worry, you'll have no problems with me," Izzy said as she pulled into Beaulieu Manor.
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel when I'm in your hands
Take my hand come undercover
They can't hurt you now
Can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now
Soon after Izzy and Ivy left the parking lot, Trin and Ashlyn got to her borrowed vehicle. Trin unlocked it and let Ashlyn into the passenger side. Ashlyn pushed the seat back and climbed in.
The drive to Jamlyn consisted of no talking. Only the local radio station played with an occasional comment from the DJ, Boudica. Trin just kept her eyes on the road, and Ashlyn looked out the window.
Finally, they arrived at Jamlyn. Ashlyn got out of the car and headed into the house. A few moments later, Keni and Sawyer came out of Jamlyn. The two teenagers stopped, looked at the car, and then at each other. After a few moments, they talked, and finally, they got into the car—Sawyer in the front and Keni in the back.
"So, where's Izzy?" Sawyer asked.
"She took Ivy right back to Beaulieu," Trin said.
"Probably trying to get out of paying us, just like the reptilians' puppet she's becoming," Keni said.
Trin looked to the backseat in the rearview mirror. "Keni, she's your sister," Trin said.
"Doesn't mean she's fallen under the sway of the reptilians," Keni said.
"I swear, when our brother gets back, I'm going to knock his block off," Trin said.
"Why would you want to knock Tucker's block off?" Sawyer said.
"Because he filled Keni's head with these conspiracy theories," Trin said.
"It was just their way of bonding," Sawyer said.
"Why are you defending Tucker?" Trin asked.
"Because she has a crush on Tucker," Keni said.
"I do not!" Sawyer said.
"Right! Someone protests too much," Keni said.
"Sawyer, it's okay to have a crush on Tucker, cute even," Trin said.
"I don't have a crush on Tucker!" Sawyer said.
Trin laughed as she turned into Beaulieu.
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
After Izzy and Ivy parted ways, she headed upstairs in the East Range. At the top of one of the many staircases, she looked at a portrait on the wall. Izzy smiled and looked into the corner and noticed the signature, P. Scott. She looked over the painting and nodded. The painting is a portrait of Izzy holding a baby Nomi.
Izzy walked down the gallery and came to the door of her old bedroom. Checking her watch, she nodded. Gently, she opened the door and quietly stepped into the room.
Slowly, carefully, she closed the door behind her. Carefully, Izzy walked across the room. In the dim light, she looked over the sleeping form of Nomi. Izzy smiled a soft but proud smile.
Izzy leaned over and brushed a few stray locks of dark hair out of her sleeping eyes. Izzy bent down and kissed Nomi on the forehead. Straightening up, she looked around the room; Izzy finally adjusted the covers.
Slowly, in a bid not to wake Nomi, Izzy left the bedroom. She closed the door behind her and looked down the gallery. Finally, she came to another bedroom door.
Opening the door, Izzy looked in and nodded. Slowly, she walked into the bedroom and came upon the bed with the sleeping form on the bed. Izzy looked over the sleeping form of her son, Ellis. Izzy sighed, bent down, and kissed Ellis on his forehead. Izzy fixed the covers and slowly left the room.
Once the bedroom door closed, Izzy looked down the gallery. Izzy shook her head and walked down the empty gallery keeping the lights on by triggering the motion sensors.
Izzy came to the room her mom has been allowing her to use. She entered the room, turned on the lights. Closing the door, Izzy started the undress. Once she was naked, she looked in the mirror.
Looking down on her hip, she saw her black raven tattoo. She smiled and dressed for bed. After she dressed, she picked up her used clothes and got them to where they needed to be.
Izzy went to the bathroom and removed her makeup. Slowly, she went to bed and picked up a small framed picture of her and Keith just before he left. Putting the picture down, Izzy moved onto the bed and pulled up the covers.
As she got comfortable, she left half of the bed open for Keith.
Have I doubt when I'm alone
Love is a ring, the telephone
Love is an angel disguised as lust
Here in our bed until the morning comes
Ivy stumbled through the galleries of Beaulieu Manor; she was a little buzzed and tired. Beaulieu being a large complex, it's easy for people not familiar with the layouts. Ivy passed through several of the galleries and come to a few locked doors. Finally, she finds a set of stairs that lead to another locked door.
Finally, Ivy found the one portrait that she remembered was across the room they were assigned. Opening the bedroom door, and she found her way in. Ivy closed the door behind herself.
Walking across the bedroom, Ivy started to get undressed as she moved. Hanging up her coat, she looked at the sleeping figure of Kay. Ivy finished getting undressed, found the clothes she sleeps, and headed to the room's bathroom.
Ivy took a warm shower to loosen up her muscles and the cobwebs in her head. Once done, she dried herself off and slipped into her bed wear. Ivy walked into the bedroom and looked around the room.
The faint moonlight came in through the bay window. The mystical moon glow highlighted the sleeping form of Kay in California King Bed. Ivy sighed and crawled into bed.
Carefully, Ivy scooted closer to Kay and cuddled up to her.
"What?" Kay asked drowsily.
"It's just me, Kochanie," Ivy said and kissed Kay's cheek.
"How was your night out?" Kay asked in a sleepy voice.
"What do you think?" Ivy asked.
"You're tired from having your ear talked off by the Adams Girls," Kay said, her voice slowed from sleep.
"Has Trin always been such a bitch?" Ivy asked.
"Yeah, she has," Kay said.
Ivy kissed Kay again, "Good night, Kochanie," she said.
"Night," Kay said and soon fell asleep. Ivy cuddled closer and fell asleep as well.
Come on now try and understand
The way I feel under your command
Take my hand as the sun descends
They can't touch you now
Can't touch you now, can't touch you now
The game finished; Ashlyn looked at the TV. Miami beat Brooklyn 104-96, and James scored twenty points. So, James should be pleasant when he calls later. Ashlyn shrugged, turned off the TV, and headed off towards the stairs.
Ashlyn walked up to the second floor and looked down the hall. She sighed and wondered if she shouldn't have that last beer. Ashlyn's brain felt a bit heavy from the beer.
Slowly, she walked over to Maeghan's door. Ashlyn grabbed the doorknob with one hand. She rested her arm against the door, and she rested her forehead against her forearm. After a minute, she sighed and pushed herself off the door.
Ashlyn opened the door and looked into the bedroom. Her second daughter laid curled up in bed, slowly breathing; Ashlyn walked into the bedroom and kissed Maeghan good night. Ashlyn left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Ashlyn walked down the hallway to the next bedroom door. It's Brett's bedroom; Brett isn't here. Ashlyn's oldest daughter was over her dad's this week, so the room is empty.
Ashlyn moved on to the next door. She opened it and checked on her son Logan. After kissing him good night, Ashlyn left his bedroom, closing the door behind her.
After a sigh, Ashlyn walked to her other son's bedroom. She repeated what she had done with her other children. After kissing Landen, goodnight Ashlyn went to her bedroom.
In her bedroom, Ashlyn changed out of her clothes and took a shower. After her shower, she changed for bed and left her bathroom, drying her hair; once she was satisfied with her hair, she tossed the towel in one corner.
Climbing into bed, she got comfortable and pulled the covers over her. That's when her smartphone went off, the sound s of the ring tone, Jim Jones We Fly High, filled the room. Ashlyn smiled and grabbed the smartphone.
"Hey, James. Yes! Babe, you had an awesome game," Ashlyn said.
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Trin walked across the East Range of Beaulieu Manor with her usual practiced ease. The only thing she did was remove her heels as she walked over the marble floors. Their floors were domestic marble; the North Range had the Italian Marble floors.
As she walked to her room, she saw Ivy wander over towards the Clock Tower. Guest often got lost in Beaulieu. Nothing new, they find their room; eventually, they've not yet found a guest who died from getting lost.
Trin first went to her room and put her shoes where she kept them. Next, she changed out of her clothes and neatly folded them, setting them aside. Trin next showered and, once finished, dried her hair, and dressed for bed, putting on a pair of thick shocks.
Once her hair was dry, Trin folded up the towel and put it aside. Trin turned down her bed covers. Looking at the bed, Trin shook her head and left her bedroom.
Trin walked down the gallery to Wyatt's room. She opened the door and walked in. Her son laid in the bed, asleep. Trin looked down at Wyatt as he slept. He looked so angelic as the moment passed.
Finally, Trin sat on the edge of the bed and looked him over. She reached over and played with a few stray raven locks of his hair.
When Wyatt was an infant, Trin often stood over his crib and watched him sleep. Often at night, she had her tea and just watched in amazement that she created such a perfect angel.
Trin, what are you doing? How could you try to cause a rift in someone's relationship? Why have you let Brian so taint your view? Brian lives in your head rent-free.
Trin brushed the stray locks out of Wyatt's eyes. Wyatt was the best part of Brian, he gave her, and that's what she should be concerned with.
With love we sleep
With doubt the vicious circle
Turn and burns
Without you I cannot live
Forgive, the yearning burning
I believe it's time, too real to feel
So touch me now, touch me now, touch me now
The patrol took up a night laager. The usual routine of refueling, re-arming, mail, and feeding the patrol took place. The crews settled into their watch routines for the long night.
Tarheel found himself sitting in the commander's copula of Damage Plan. He moved the commander's independent thermal viewer to study the parameter. The main turbine engine was cold, but the auxiliary power unit powered the system of the tank.
It's a boring watch; nothing seemed to be out there. Every so often, Tarheel noticed the outline of what Tarheel thought were deer. He reflected on the images on the screen. Yeah, this would be great to have when he went out hunting and be able to clearly see the deer in the dusk and mist.
Tarheel smiled and leaned back in the copula, resting his back against the open hatch. He closed his eyes for a few minutes. The moments stolen in the dark gave him a sense of peace. Finally, he opened his eyes and looked to the sky.
"Take a look to the sky before you die," Tarheel said.
He chuckled and studied the slightly overcast night sky. Tarheel slowly looked for the brightest star in the sky. Once he found the star, he looked deeply into its light.
After taking a few deep breaths, he closed his eyes again. For a few loose moments, Tarheel thought of his family back home. Taking one last breath, he mentally sent a message to his wife.
Opening his eyes, he looked over the stars once more. Lowering his gaze, Tarheel looked along the horizon. Once finished, he started to scan the parameter again with the thermal viewer and tried not to miss his family back home.
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
Because tonight there are two lovers
If we believe in the night we trust
Because tonight belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because tonight belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
(BLOG Post in italics)
Maybe with a big day coming up the next day a night out to relax and meet people could help with the nerves. On the other hand, it could also fray the nerves more, depending on the agenda of the people involved. I personally think that not everyone that went out to the bar tonight had the truest and purest intentions with their actions. Again, who am I to judge other people's actions. At least the night is over and hopefully their nerves are settled and not made worse. Do any of you have stories going out the night before something big and it either turned out good or bad? Please share below.
RavenHussar
T3 Collective
Author's Notes
Welcome to the end of Episode 7: Down on Main Street. This is an interesting story of how this came about. Originally Episode 7 is what is now Episode 8. What was happening was Episode 6 was running long, and I wanted to end Episode 6 on a Sunday. That made me have a hanging day, either combining it into the next episode or splitting it off. As you can tell, it ended up being its own Episode.
Around New Year's, I was visiting my parents, and while driving, I was thinking about this problem. I liked the idea of a few characters spending a night together in a bar telling stories and getting to know each other. It jellied during that drive when I stopped at a stoplight and looked across the intersection at a bar I've known existed for years, "Reruns on Main Street," which is located on Main Street in my parent's city. That clicked, especially since I have a character called Rerun. Also, that's where the name Down on Main Street came about, which is a Bob Seager and Silver Bullet Band song.
This Episode also reflects the first in a series of changes in how I write. I use to have a master file that I kept everything in but would split it out to publish. I eliminated the master file, and also, after I finished editing a chapter, it would upload to the Doc Manager on the site.
At the end of Chapter 277: Beaulieu Manor, the song that Izzy plays on the piano is one of the most known piano pieces, hell pieces by Beethoven. Bagatelle number 25 in A Minor is better known as Für Elise. It is a light and easy piano piece to play, so Izzy isn't much better than Trin.
The events in the story Izzy tells Ivy in Chapter 290: Wild, Wild Night, is based on a night that my friend Deek, Joe, and myself had—running around the city of New Haven and being stupid. One difference is no one got engaged at the end of the night. Sadly, most of those things can't happen anymore, as most of the clubs closed, the record store closed, and COVID. Still, it was some wild and fun times.
Izzy's belief and story, she tells Ivy in Chapter 302: Comfort, is based on a conversation I had with a friend of mine years ago. She had lost two children and had a young son. We talked about losing a child, and to cheer me up, she told me her story. She told me her belief that the soul was the same for all three, and it's time to be with her when she gave birth to her son. It was a comforting story, and I always remembered it. I thought Izzy would develop a belief similar to what she told me.
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
Carson Murphy has passed away. (Episode 2)
Spencer Churchill "Church" Grady was killed in action as a US Navy Seal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery (aka The Garden). He is also Jessica Ashlyn Scott's Dad. (Episode 4)
Constance "Connie" Garland is in a permanent vegetative state. (Episode 6)
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Playlist
In Chapter 276: Hatebread – I will be Heard
In Chapter 287: Fireflight – Unbreakable
In Chapter 292: Anthrax – Only
In Chapter 298: Blink 182 - Adam's Song
In Chapter 306: Patti Smith Group – Because the Night
Poems
Translation Guide
In Chapter 294: Video et taceo is Latin for I see and I say nothing.
In Chapter 299: Młodsza siostra is Polish for Little Sister
In Chapter 299: Duży brat is Polish for Big Brother
In Chapter 306: Kochanie is a Polish term of endearment close to My Darling/Sweetheart
