Chapter 361: Congressional Office Building

Friday, February 3rd, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)

(Song lyrics in italics)

Day three of the crisis didn't seem any different. The DoD was quiet, and she's unsure what was going on there; that was the image they were putting out. To Izzy, she didn't know what a greater sin, them not knowing or knowing and not sharing. Last night, it had gotten worse when they announced the incident and causalities, but names were withheld pending notification.

Izzy sat behind her desk, waiting. It would be an officer and possibly a chaplain. They would come and tell her, of course, there would be a piece of paper. There was always a piece of paper. The infamous lines would readout; we regret to inform you.

Looking up from her desk, she grabbed her phone and scrolled through it. She found her playlist labeled Blue Star. Izzy stared at it and flipped to another one called Gold Star. Opening the playlist, she found a song and played it.

It's not hard to reach back to the day
Underneath that Iowa sun
Running to the tower of Waterloo
Looking for the Sullivan's train to come
And his five boys would run to the top
And salute him as he went by
First we'd wave hello
Then we'd wave goodbye
Goodbye

Izzy's mind drifted to the concept of the Blue Star. If a family member served overseas in a time of war, the family would hang a red and white banner with a blue star for each family member serving overseas. If a family member passed, you would replace a blue star with a gold one. There's a group for mothers that lost their child in service of their country; Izzy also knew there is one for the spouses. Neither were clubs that Izzy wanted to meet the membership requirements. Selfishly Izzy wanted her husband home and in her arms.

Izzy knew Keith was a gunner, which meant he was under armor and would be protected. Also, Izzy wasn't stupid and understood that he would be trapped in the turret if hit. Shaking her head, she looked up at the door. Skye stood in the doorway, looking at Izzy.

It's not hard to reach back to the days
After the attack on Pearl
Overnight my buddies turned into men
Running out of time for games and girls
And the Sullivan boys were not overlooked
Uncle Sam calling each by name
The very next day they left on a mystery train

"Yes, Skye?" Izzy asked.

"Leadership has sent over the next zoom meeting information," Skye said.

"Thank you," Izzy said.

Skye nodded, "So, why are you listening to this sad music?" she asked.

"Really? It's sad music?" Izzy asked.

"Not funny, Izzy," Skye said, "You're worried about Keith."

Izzy nodded, "Yes," she said.

"He's alive and uninjured," Skye said.

"How do you know?" Izzy asked.

"When my dad was wounded, they emailed my mom to tell her he was injured. I don't doubt Keith would've done the same," Skye said.

"Are you sure, Skye?" Izzy asked.

"It's Keith, I don't doubt he'd take care of you, and your peace of mind," Skye said.

Say goodbye, bye, bye, Mrs. Sullivan
And don't you cry, cry, cry, cry, cry
"We regret to inform you
The Navy has taking your sons away-
All five, five, five, five...
So put your blue stars in the window"

Izzy nodded and looked out of the window. The music washed over her and played with her imagination. Even with the self-assuring words floating in her head, the waves of Gold Star fears pushed and battered those positive thoughts.

"You said I forfeited my rights to be a worried soldier's wife when I was elected," Izzy said.

"Yes, I do," Skye said.

"I can't help but be the worried wife," Izzy said.

"Yeah, well, keep it private," Skye said.

Izzy took a deep breath and sat up straight in the chair. She looked at Skye and sighed. "So, have we heard from Kari?" she asked.

Skye shook her head. "No, she disappeared again this morning," she said.

"She's onto something," Izzy said.

"Are you sure?" Skye asked.

"Has Kari worked any other way?" Izzy asked.

Skye nodded, "You have a point," she said.

It's not hard to reach back to her smile
When she'd receive a letter
And the letters they sounded generally the same
Said if they couldn't be home
At least they were together
On a mighty fighting battleship
Somewhere in the South Pacific
The letters never got much more specific

Say goodbye, bye, bye, Mrs. Sullivan
And don't you cry, cry, cry, cry, cry
"We regret to inform you
The Navy is keeping your sons away-
All five, five, five, five...
So keep your blue stars in the window."
In the window

Izzy nodded and looked back out the window. Skye walked into the office and closed the door behind her. Slowly, Skye took a seat on the sofa and looked at Izzy in silence. There were many hours they would sit here in silence.

After what seemed like hours but was probably just minutes. The door opened, Kari walked into the office, closing the door behind her. Kari took a seat in one of the office's chairs and relaxed.

"So, you surface again," Skye said.

"I never disappeared," Kari said.

"But you weren't here," Skye said.

"My job doesn't require me to be here. In fact, as you know, Skye, I work better not being here," Kari said.

"So, were you out finding information?" Izzy asked.

"Yes, I was," Kari said.

"So, what did you find out?" Izzy asked.

"The one death was a sergeant first class," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, "So, do we have a name?" she asked.

"Yeah, that we do," Kari said, "He's also is, well was, one of your constitutes."

"What is the name?" Izzy asked.

Kari sighed and nodded. "Sergeant First Class Jermaine Garrison," she said.

"Oh my god, Izzy," Skye said.

"What?" Kari asked.

Izzy shook her head, turned around, and sat there for the longest time. Finally, Izzy turned around, and the two other women noticed Izzy's eyes were puffy from tears.

It's not hard to reach back to the day
When the war finally came home
Uncle Sam'll send you a telegram
So he doesn't have to tell you over the phone
I heard she cracked up
When they found out what the war had cost
When all five of her boys were lost
They were, they were, they were...

"What's wrong, Izzy?" Kari asked.

"You don't know?" Skye asked.

"Don't know what?" Kari asked.

"Jermaine Garrison is Keith's best friend in his unit," Skye said.

Say goodbye, bye, bye, Mrs. Sullivan
Go ahead and cry, cry, cry, cry, cry
"We regret to inform you
That all your sons have passed away-
All five, five, five, five...
So change your blue star to gold."

"Oh," Kari said.

"It gets worse," Skye said.

"How could it get worse?" Kari asked.

"He's Keith's tank commander," Skye said.

"Oh fuck," Kari said.

"Jermaine is also Ellis's godfather," Izzy said.

Kari nodded, "I'm sorry, Izzy," she said.

Izzy nodded, "So, when is he coming home?" she asked.

"Later today," Kari said.

"Get me the time," Izzy said.

"I will," Kari said.

Izzy looked at Skye. Skye looked up at Izzy. "Yes, Izzy?" Skye asked.

"Get John on the phone, I want to talk to him about my connections with the soldier, and I will be heading to see him arrived home," Izzy said.

"Okay," Skye said.

"Also, Skye, get me leadership on the phone to let them know I'm going to be out of the district for the return of Sergeant Garrison since he's from my district," Izzy said.

"I'll make it happen," Skye said.

"Thank you," Izzy said.

"That's my job, Boss," Skye said.

Izzy nodded, "Kari, can you make sure we have the first aid kit ready when I get home," she said.

"I will, Boss," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, stood up, and walked to the window. She looked out the window over the frozen scape of the District.

Blue star to gold
Blue star to gold
Blue star to gold
Blue star to gold
Change them to gold