Chapter 465: Kay's Apartment
Tuesday, February 14th, Afternoon
In the Second City, the lake effect winds blew by her window. She sat in her chair, looking out the window at the passing train. Every so often, a strong gust of wind would rattle the panes of glass. The room was dark except for the screen of her laptop, which had several windows opened to various sports reporting web pages.
Kay sat in the chair, her right arm doing exercises to rehab her shoulder. Hardly paying attention, Kay stared out the window only ever so slightly her eyes would avert to the computer or her smartphone. Kay's left hand clawed at the arm of the chair.
All Kay could do was rehab her shoulder and wait. Damn it; Clay flashed through Kay's mind. On Valentine's Day, of all days for Clay to call and even suggest she would be traded.
Connecticut, Kay had nothing against the state, but there are things that she didn't like. Kay didn't drive; she didn't even have a driver's license, so she couldn't get around. Public transportation wasn't very good in Connecticut, so she liked Chicago.
Kay sighed; there was Ivy. Kay looked at a picture on a side table; a picture of Kay and Ivy sat, taken at their favorite bar in a typical couple pose. Kay studied the picture and tilted her head. Her girlfriend was a native of Chicago and still had family here. Ivy wouldn't want to move to Connecticut.
Kay put down her weight and stood up. Slowly, she reached over to the framed picture. Looking over the picture, Kay traced a finger over Ivy's face. Kay took a deep breath, let it out, and put down the picture. Turning away from the picture to the window, Kay stood in the window; she looked out at the train station. Kay placed her hand on the window and felt the cold glass against her hand.
Ivy was important to Kay; Ivy is the first serious relationship since Connie and the accident. Maybe if she did get traded, the relationship would end, which Kay knew would hurt her and, of course, Ivy.
Kay snorted; how's that for a kicker, relationship ended because of work. When she traveled to play in Europe, she didn't end her relationship with Connie. Kay admitted it was ending with Connie. Connie hadn't been faithful, but what could Kay say to that?
The nightmares would ebb and flood, especially with the accident. All Kay could remember about the accident was the interior of Connie's car, scraping screaming, then a flash of light. The next thing she remembered was waking up in the ICU with her arm hanging and a massive headache.
Yet somehow, to Kay, that break-up seemed easier than the possible one she faced when/if she got traded. Trades are weird; during the season, you drop everything and go. In the off-season, you have more time, but barely.
Maybe, Ivy would want to do LDR; perhaps she wouldn't; possibly, Ivy would relocate with her to Connecticut, or she won't; maybe, they would break up, perhaps they won't.
There are too many balls in the air. Kay shook her head and removed her cold hand from the window. What did Tucker tell her when she lay in the hospital bed? Control what you can control, and let the other things fall to the wayside. That was something she tried to follow. Of course, she was who she was, and nothing was simple. Kay knew she brooded.
Walking across the room, she grabbed her sweatshirt and pulled it on. The faded and comfortable sweatshirt had the logo of the Chicago Sky on it. After her accident, Kay was a free agent, and once she was cleared to play, only Chicago took a risk on her. So, Kay was loyal to them. Of course, it's business, so they don't have to be loyal to her.
Connecticut? Angela just sighed with Connecticut; are they building around her? Kay wasn't sure if he wanted to be Angela's role player again. Kay always tried to stay away from Angela and make her own name.
Kay walked into her kitchen and got a glass of water. She looked across her apartment to the window. On the other hand, Connecticut wouldn't be that bad; she could see her grandma and Andy more. Of course, there's Jess. Kay glanced at her arm; she was spending time still in Chicago to finish her sleeve.
Kay walked over to the breakfast bar, took up her smartphone, and pressed a few buttons. Kay waited for it to connect.
"What, Kay?" Ellie asked.
"Are you busy?" Kay asked.
"I'm at the final fitting for the show tomorrow, and Trin is here, so you know what that means?" Ellie said.
"She's being insane and controlling?" Kay asked.
"Yes," Ellie said.
"So, what else is new?" Kay asked.
"Not funny, Kay," Ellie said.
"I wasn't trying to be funny," Kay said.
"That's right, you didn't get a sense of humor, just the angst," Ellie said and laughed.
"Seriously, Ellie," Kay said.
"Okay, okay, why did you call and make it quick? Trin is coming with an insane-looking Bobbi-Lee," Ellie said.
"Clay called, and there seem to talk about trading me to Connecticut," Kay said.
"So?" Ellie asked.
"I like Chicago, and what about Ivy?" Kay asked.
"Well, you'll get over Chicago, and as for Ivy, she either comes or doesn't. There's always another person," Ellie said.
"Easy for you to say," Kay said.
"I don't cut half my choices off," Ellie said.
"Funny, Ellie," Kay said.
"Seriously, I think it would be great, grandma would love seeing you, and you could help Jess gang up on Angela," Ellie said.
"I'd be closer to you as well," Kay said.
"Yeah, you would," Ellie said, "Got to go, Kay."
"Bye," Kay said as Ellie disconnected. Kay shrugged and put her smartphone down.
Kay heard the lock to the apartment. Looking up from the breakfast bar, she saw the door open, and Ivy stepped in. Once the door closed behind her, Ivy put her backpack down took off her coat, watch cap, gloves, and boots. Kay watched as Ivy did this meticulously, and then Ivy slipped on some slippers. Kay had to admit Ivy looked hot in her uniform.
Ivy looked at Kay, "Hey, how was your day, Kochanie," she said.
"You know, the usual," Kay said.
Ivy crossed over to Kay and wrapped her arms around Kay's neck. Kay was taller than Ivy, so the Polish American woman had to push up on her toes. The two women kissed each other. Once, they broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.
"Happy to see me?" Ivy asked.
Kay nodded, "Yes, yes I am," she said.
"Are you excited for tonight?" Ivy asked.
"Of course," Kay said.
"So, let us take a shower and get dressed," Ivy said.
"I've nothing picked out," Kay said.
"Oh, Kochanie, don't worry, I have everything already picked out," Ivy said.
"You do?" Kay asked.
"I do," Ivy said.
"When did you have time to do that?" Kay asked.
"When it's important, you make the time," Ivy said.
"Yeah," Kay said.
"Come, Kochanie, let's start getting ready," Ivy said, took Kay's hand, and started leading her to the bedroom.
