Chapter 311: Gardens of Beaulieu
Tuesday, January 31st, Morning
After breakfast, Kay and Ivy headed out to the Privy Gardens just outside the East Range. The morning is gray and overcast. The two young women walked arms intertwined. Ivy leaned against Kay as they walked down the trails of the gardens.
Ivy would watch her breath come out of her nose in puffs of white-gray steam. Ivy's dark hair was held back with a hair tie. Some fringe was dancing as the light breeze blew across the Privy Gardens. She wore a pair of Doc Martens and would every so often kick a loose stone down the trail.
Kay looked over to see Ivy resting her head on Kay's shoulder. Kay's nose and cheeks were taking the cherry red color as the cold air nipped at her. This time was one of the few times they were able to sneak off by themselves.
"So, what are these trails?" Ivy asked.
"This is the Privy Garden," Kay said.
"I didn't ask the name of them. So, what's the purpose of the Privy Gardens?" Ivy asked.
"A place to walk, the look, a place for the bees. Also, in the spring and summer, the scent of the flowers from the gardens come through the open windows of the East Range if the wind is just right," Kay said.
"So, why did you bring us out here?" Ivy asked.
"So, we can be alone and away from the chaos of my family," Kay said.
"It is chaos in there," Ivy said.
"Yeah, my Aunt Brooke and her kids can be a bit overwhelming," Kay said.
"Sawyer is a bit overwhelming by herself," Ivy said.
Kay nodded, "I have no idea where she gets all that energy from," she said.
"What's the story with Sawyer and Keni?" Ivy asked.
Kay shrugged, "They grew up together. Instead of daycare, they were passed around between my mom and my aunts Haley and Brooke when they were little. So, they spent so much time together they're almost the same person," she said.
"Who's older?" Ivy asked.
"Sawyer, she's the oldest of those three girls, with my cousin being in the middle, and Keni is the youngest," Kay said.
Ivy sighed and looked over the bushes with faded green leaves. "Do you know what any of these plants are called?" she asked.
Kay pointed to one, "I think that's Bob," she said and pointed to another, "That's Lorelai."
Ivy swung out and bumped Kay. "Very funny," she said.
Kay laughed, "I don't know anything other than they're flowers, and some are rose bushes," she said.
"Oh yeah?" Ivy asked and looked over the gardens. Finally, they came to the center of the Privy Gardens, where a beautiful fountain was located. The fountain is currently drained because of the cold weather. The two young women looked over the fountain.
Kay looked it over and wondered if this was one of the expensive ones Brooke had built. Supposedly some of the other fountains were made cheaper. The expensive ones were supposed to be where the public would see them. Where they weren't meant to be seen by the general public, they were more utilitarian and made of cast concrete.
"Do these fountains work?" Ivy asked.
Kay nodded, "Yeah, they're probably shut down because of the weather," she said.
Ivy looked around the center of the gardens. Finally, she looked at the brick walls of the East Range of Beaulieu Manor. Once she took it all in, she looked at Kay.
"This place looks amazing," Ivy said.
"You should see this place when it's in bloom," Kay said.
"I wonder, did any of the brides that get married here have their pictures taken here?" Ivy asked.
"No, these are the Privy Gardens only the family have access to these gardens," Kay said.
Ivy nodded, "Two of Brooke's daughters are married, right?" she asked.
Kay nodded, "Yes, her two oldest," she said.
"Were they married here?" Ivy asked.
"Chase was the first of the Beaulieu Brides," Kay said.
"They have to have had their pictures taken here," Ivy said.
Kay shrugged, "I don't know, I wasn't in Chase's wedding," she said.
"How about your brother and sister-in-law?" Ivy asked.
"I think we might have taken pictures here," Kay said.
The two women started to walk through the rest of the Privy Gardens. Ivy looked at the various hibernating plants. Finally, Kay led them out of the Privy Gardens to the corner of the building. They were roughly in the North East Corner.
"So, what's going on tonight?" Ivy asked.
Kay sighed, "We're going to a basketball game. Before the game, from my understanding now, we'll be called out, a banner will be unveiled, and probably a photo op. After that, we watch the game," Kay said.
"It sounds…so exciting," Ivy said.
"Well, hopefully, they won't have us wear jerseys," Kay said.
"What's wrong with jerseys? I've always thought you look great in yours," Ivy said.
"I don't know," Kay said, "I'm just hoping none of the Garlands show up."
"Not a big fan?" Ivy asked.
Kay sighed, "They're an ex's family," she said.
"We all have baggage," Ivy said.
"I know, mine has the reminder of being attached to me," Kay said.
"You're shoulder?" Ivy asked.
Kay nodded, "Yeah, my shoulder, my dad's books, the fact I dated the granddaughter of the richest man in town," she said.
"What happened that night?" Ivy asked.
Kay shrugged, "We went out, we left the club, got into her car, and I'm in the hospital," she said.
"Is that all?" Ivy asked.
"That's all I remember," Kay said, "I had a head injury; all I know was Ashlyn's sister and husband were in the other car."
"Okay," Ivy said, unsure.
"They died, along with one of his sons," Kay said.
"Why did you hide this? Guilt?" Ivy asked.
"Yes," Kay said.
"So, why don't you ask your ex about what happened?" Ivy asked.
"We're not exactly talking, and the break up was rough," Kay said.
"The accident caused the breakup, right?" Ivy said.
Kay nodded, "Sort of; we were heading that way anyway," she said.
"Kay, you're a great woman; why don't you just ask your ex what happened, at least just for your own piece of mine," Ivy said.
"Ask Connie about the accident?" Kay asked.
"Connie is her name?" Ivy asked, "I thought it's Carrie."
"No, Carrie is Connie's mom," Kay said.
"Okay, so why don't you get together and talk. If you need support, I'll be there for you," Ivy said.
"Uhm!" Kay said.
"What? You don't want me to be there?" Ivy asked.
"No," Kay said.
"So, what's the issue, Karen?" Ivy asked.
"What do you mean, Ivy?" Kay asked.
"Why won't you talk with your ex?" Ivy asked.
"Because Connie is brain dead," Kay said.
"Oh! Wow! I didn't know," Ivy said.
"I didn't tell you, well, things with her family went south after the accident," Kay said.
Ivy turned to Kay and hugged Kay. "It's okay," she said.
Kay nodded, pressed her face into Ivy's shoulder, and cried.
