Chapter 373: Garrison House
Saturday, February 4th, Late Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
Today she chose a simple car and drove herself. It's a rental in Kari's name, but it didn't flash out who she is so that she could fly under the radar. Izzy dressed casually but formal, not showing the airs of working on Capitol Hill.
Casually, she parked the car and got out. Izzy looked over to Kari, who came as a friend for moral support rather than as a staffer. Izzy looked at the modest house and the people standing around it. Izzy knew this would be one of the toughest things she's going to have to do.
"What are you thinking?" Kari asked.
"I'd rather face a thousand deaths," Izzy said.
"We're not in Virginia anymore," Kari said.
"Just a thought, Kari," Izzy said.
"Thoughts, and dreams, the luxury of the privileged," Kari said.
"Which you're among," Izzy said.
"Nor do I deny that," Kari said.
Izzy sighed, "Yeah," she said.
"Your feet are stuck in concrete," Kari said.
"I'm building up my courage," Izzy said.
"What's Mrs. Garrison's name?" Kari asked.
"Odette, Odette Garrison," Izzy said.
"Well, don't you think we should go pay our respects to Miss Odette?" Kari asked.
"I wouldn't call her Miss Odette," Izzy said.
"What should I call her?" Kari asked.
"Ma'am," Izzy said.
"Okay," Kay said.
Izzy took a deep breath, "Okay, let's go," she said.
"Lead the way," Kari replied.
The two women walked down the sidewalk, past the two houses to the Garrison House. The people standing on the porch in the chilly weather, either talking or smoking, stopped what they were doing and looked at Izzy and Kari. Kari stood out as a tall Nordic-looking blonde in the crowd, Izzy not so much. Izzy just nodded and walked to the door.
Ringing the bell, Izzy waited. The door opened, and a woman slightly older than Izzy and Kari stood there. The woman in the door first looked at Kari, rolled her eyes, then looked to Izzy. The coldness in her eyes softened when she recognized who Izzy is.
"Izzy, I didn't expect you so soon; please, please come in," The Woman said.
"Thank you, Shelby," Izzy said, "I'm sorry for your loss; Jermaine was a great friend."
"Thank you, and you're welcome," Shelby said and opened the door. Izzy stepped into the house, and Kari followed. Once inside, Izzy looked at Shelby.
"Shelby, this is my friend Kari Johansson," Izzy said, "Kari, this is Shelby Garrison, Jermaine's sister."
Shelby and Kari shook hands, "A pleasure to meet you," Shelby said, "Just wish it was under better circumstances."
"All mine," Kari said, "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Shelby said and turned to Izzy. "So, Izzy, are you here as a friend or as a leech?"
"A friend, Keith, and Jermaine have been friends since they joined up," Izzy said.
"Sometimes, you have to make sure," Shelby said.
"I understand," Izzy said, "Where's your mom?"
"Momma is in the living room," Shelby said.
"Thank you," Izzy said.
"Just be aware Jermaine was her baby, and she's not taking it too well," Shelby said.
"I understand," Izzy said.
"Are you sure?" Shelby asked.
Izzy nodded, "That's why I'm here."
"Maybe, we should listen to Shelby," Kari said.
"I have to see your mom, Shelby," Izzy said.
"Okay," Shelby said, "Follow me."
Izzy nodded; Shelby walked through a doorway, which Izzy and Kari followed. There were several groups of people standing or sitting around talking in hushed tones in the living room. Izzy knew several of them as the family of Jermaine, additions friends, or civilian co-workers. They were looking over to see one of the unit's wives that was involved in supporting the families. Also, in civilian clothes, one of the sergeants stayed behind to administer the unit's rear elements.
"Momma," Shelby said to an older woman sitting in a chair.
"Cecil, is that you?" Odette Garrison said.
"No, it's Shelby," Shelby said.
"What, what do you want?" Odette asked.
"Izzy Scott is here to see you, Momma," Shelby said.
"Izzy Scott?" Odette asked.
"Keith Scott's wife," Shelby said.
"Keith Scott?" Odette asked.
"Jermaine's gunner, Momma," Shelby said.
"The little dark-haired woman?" Odette asked.
Shelby looked at Izzy and turned back to Odette. "Yes," Shelby said.
"Ah, yes, Isabella," Odette said.
"Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said and walked over to Odette. The older woman stood up and hugged Izzy. For some reason, Odette never called her Izzy but always called her full first name.
"Isabella, it's so nice to see you," Odette said, holding Izzy tight.
"It's nice to see you, Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said.
"What happened to Jermaine?" Odette asked.
"I don't know," Izzy said, feeling Odette's face bury into her shoulder.
"What does Keith have to say?" Odette asked.
"I don't know; I've not heard from Keith," Izzy said.
"Why did my son have to die, Isabella?" Odette asked.
"I wish I knew, Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said.
"They took away my baby boy," Odette said.
"Yes, they did," Izzy said.
Odette finally released Izzy and gently sat back down in the chair she initially was sitting in. Izzy stood there looking at Odette. Odette looked up at Izzy and gestured to an open seat.
"Please, Isabella, have a seat," Odette said.
Izzy nodded and took a seat on the sofa. Odette leaned over and rested her hand on Izzy's hand. Izzy smiled weakly at Odette.
"I'm truly sorry for your loss, Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said.
"Thank you, Isabella, thank you," Odette said.
"If there is anything you need, just ask, Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said.
"What I want is my baby boy home," Odette said.
"I understand, Mrs. Garrison," Izzy said.
"Do you understand losing a child?" Odette asked.
Izzy nodded, "Yes, I do, Mrs. Garrison," she said.
"You do?" Odette asked.
"Yes, I do," Izzy said.
"You lost a child?" Odette asked, shocked.
"Yes, I did," Izzy said.
"When?" Odette asked.
"My oldest son, he was three months old," Izzy said.
"Oh, Isabella, I'm so sorry," Odette said.
"Today, this week, isn't about me, it's about you and what you need," Izzy said.
"What I need is my baby boy home," Odette said.
Izzy nodded, "He'll be home soon; I checked before I came home," Izzy said.
"Thank you," Odette said.
"No, thank you," Izzy said and patted Odette's hand.
