Chapter 371: Georgetown

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

The day has been long, but a lot had been accomplished. In Georgetown, she changed into her Yale sweatpants, and an oversized black hooded sweatshirt then went out onto the back porch. In the cold District air, she stood holding her cup of coffee and looked up to the skies. She looked for Sirius.

Finally, she put down the mug and reached back, putting her hair in a ponytail. Izzy picked up the mug and looked over the small yard the townhouse had. When the kids were on vacation, Keith would sometimes come up here, and they would play in the backyard.

"Thinking about what?" As she walked out onto the porch, Kari asked, carrying a mug and a bottle of bourbon.

"The sky and when the kids come up here," Izzy said.

"I miss those monkeys; when are they coming back up here?" Kari asked, holding up the bottle of bourbon, "I brought the first aid kit, want something to warm you up and numb the pain?"

Izzy nodded, "Sure," she said and held out her mug. Kari poured some of the amber liquid into the mug until Izzy held her hand out.

"One of those days," Kari said.

"It's been a few days, but it feels like one long one," Izzy said, swirled her drink, and took a sip.

Kari joined her in a drink as well, "I remember, this one night we were living on campus, and Morticia Adams here was stressing about some basketball game," Kari said.

"Morticia Adams? Really Kari?" Izzy asked.

"I could have said Queen of the Damned," Kari said.

"God, that's even worse," Izzy said.

Kari nodded and took a drink, "You've had a hell of a past few days. I can't imagine any of it; at least Keith is still alive," she said.

"But Jermaine is dead, and they aren't home, either," Izzy said.

"I heard of a British Epithet, When the King Called, he answered, when the King of Kings Called he answered," Kari said.

"You're the closest thing to an atheist that I know; when did you become religious and a monarchist?" Izzy asked.

"I'm neither," Kari said, "But the sentiment is a sentiment. The President called both Keith and Jermaine answered."

"So, using your logic, The President of Presidents called Jermaine answered," Izzy said.

"Yeah, basically," Kari said and gulped her "coffee."

"I went to Dover Air Force Base," Izzy said.

"Why?" Kari asked.

"That's where they brought Jermaine on his way home," Izzy said.

"You wanted to be there to welcome him home," Kari said.

Izzy took a drink of her coffee; she looked out into the night. "Yeah, I needed to be there to welcome him home," Izzy said.

"Whatever you have to do," Kari said.

Izzy took another drink of her coffee. Before she finished swallowing her mouthful, Izzy held out her mug for a top-off. Kari topped off Izzy's "coffee." "I'm a bit ashamed, though, Kari," Izzy said and took another drink.

"Why do you feel ashamed?" Kari asked.

"I was sweating bullets that Keith had been killed, and you told me it was Jermaine, who is a friend, all I felt was a relief, and strangely glad it wasn't Keith," Izzy said.

"That's why? That's all?" Kari asked.

"Yes, isn't that enough?" Izzy asked.

Kari took a sip of her drink. She looked Izzy over and then nodded. Kari sighed and rested her hand on Izzy's shoulder. "Iz, that's normal, Keith is your husband, and you're glad he's alive," she said.

"But instead of sorry for losing a friend, I was glad it wasn't my husband," Izzy said.

"That's your first feeling. Do you feel bad for his death?" Kari asked.

"I do," Izzy said.

"See, you're human," Kari said.

"You're not helping, Kari," Izzy said.

"Am I?" Kari asked.

Izzy sighed and took a draft of her "coffee." "Maybe you are," she said.

"Look, I've maybe not known you as long as Skye or be as close to you as Chase, but we've lived together in tight quarters for four years. I think we understand each other well enough," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, "So, you know I'm going to the funeral, and I'm going to talk to Mrs. Garrison," she said.

"Please, let me come and be your assistant on this trip," Kari said.

"Why you and not Skye?" Izzy asked.

"Well, Skye needs to keep you abreast of things here, for one," Kari said.

"Two?" Izzy asked.

"Don't let Winter go with you to the funeral," Kari said.

"What is your thing with Winter?" Izzy asked.

"There's something about, Winter, something not right, disingenuous even," Kari said.

"That's just Winter," Izzy said.

"She's not loyal to you," Kari said.

"Why wouldn't she be loyal to me? I'm her boss," Izzy said.

"John recommended her to you, right?" Kari asked.

"Yes, he said she came from a good family, was local, and she was capable," Izzy said.

"But not loyal," Kari said.

Izzy took another sip of her "coffee." "No, I don't think that came up," she said.

"I doubt she isn't loyal to someone, just not you," Kari said.

"So, who do you think she's loyal to?" Izzy asked.

"Winter Overton," Kari said.

"What makes you so sure?" Izzy asked.

"I have my sources; isn't that what you pay me for?" Kari asked.

"I do," Izzy said.

Kari nodded, "Good," she said.

"I will be there when they send Jermaine home to his mom. I want and will be there for her and as his friend's wife," Izzy said.

"And I'll be there as your friend and aide," Kari said.

"You know, Skye will be disappointed she's staying behind," Izzy said.

"With what's happening, Skye is better suited to be here than me," Kari said and sipped her drink.

"You underestimate yourself," Izzy said.

"I just have a certain comfort zone," Kari said.

"Maybe, you need to get out of your comfort zone," Izzy said.

"Maybe, but then again, who will you get to replace me?" Kari asked.

"You do raise an interesting point," Izzy said.

"I usually do," Kari said.

"Well, freshen me up, again," Izzy said and held out her mug.

"Sure," Kari said and poured more bourbon into Izzy's "Coffee." The two college roommates took a seat and started to talk for a few more hours before Kari put Izzy to bed after she passed out.