Chapter 578: Chicago
Thursday, March 2nd, Afternoon
She stepped through her front door and kicked the door closed behind her. Dropping her keys into the bowl by the door, she dropped her bag onto the floor and shrugged off her coat. After hanging up her jacket, she grabbed her bag and walked into the kitchen, putting the bag on the counter.
Karen "Kay" Scott moved her right arm to work out the exhaustion in it. She had a good session with her PT and felt her shoulder would be ready for the season. The doctors thought, for the first time in three years, she'll be close to one hundred percent. It made Kay hopeful that she could return to playing in Europe, maybe even France again.
Kay made herself a cup of tea and walked into the living room. Standing in the window, she looked out among the buildings and rail lines. Of all the cities she's been to, Chicago had to be one of her favorites, maybe second only to Lille. There was something about the Second City and the land around it.
She sipped her tea and looked at the slate gray sky and the angry clouds in the distance. The lake looked angry, which meant a storm would hit soon. If the storm didn't hit tonight, she could go to her favorite bar, but she'd be stuck indoors if it did.
Kat shrugged and went to her bedroom to change her clothes. She needs a shower after her PT session. After taking another sip of her tea, she put her mug down on her dresser and started to empty her pockets.
After the pocket was empty, Kat started to strip out of her clothes. Her smartphone rang when she was down to her under armor sports panties and sports bra. Key grumbled and grabbed her phone.
"Yes, Clay," Kay said.
"How did PT go today?" Clay asked.
"It went awesome; my shoulder feels good as new, ready to take on the world," Kay said.
"How did the last doctor's visit go?" Clay asked.
"First time in three years, I'm almost one hundred percent," Kay said.
"That's what I like to hear," Clay said.
"I know; I'm hoping to attract attention so I can return to Europe, maybe even Lille," Kay said.
"This is the first time I've heard you upbeat in a while," Clay said.
"It's great, I know," Kay said.
"I'd hate to put a damper on your mood," Clay said.
"Why? What's up, Clay?" Kay asked.
"I'm going to send you an email," Clay said.
"What's this about?" Kay asked.
"You have an appointment tomorrow for a physical," Clay said.
"Why? I just saw a doctor about my shoulder," Kay said.
"It's by a team doctor; they're flying out specifically for this," Clay said.
"Clay?" Kay asked.
Clay sighed, "That trade I mentioned happened, you and Chicago's first-round pick for Lelo Rankin," he said.
"So, I've been traded to Connecticut," Kay said.
"Yes, you have," Clay said.
"Why?" Kay asked.
"They wanted you; it's good to be wanted," Clay said.
"But Connecticut," Kay said.
"On the bright side, it will be a mini-family reunion; your aunt signed there," Clay said.
"Thanks," Kay said sarcastically.
"Just don't be late to the physical," Clay said.
Kay fell back onto the bed, landing hard on her butt. She dropped her smartphone, and it landed with a thud on the bed. Kay sighed hard and shook her head.
Slowly, she fell onto her side on the bed. Kay pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. Suddenly, she started to tear up. The tears eventually became hard sobs. After a few minutes of this, her hard drive crashed, and she lay there in a ball at first, crying, but her tears soon dried up.
Kay laid there unaware for an unknown time. The next thing that registered was the apartment door open and close. The sounds of keys being dropped into the bowl and their feet clumping before their shoes were removed.
After a few more moments of silence, Kay laid silent, unblinking. She listened but heard nothing. Her mind was still in a fog. Kay's ears slightly perked up.
"Kay!" the voice of Ivy Kowalski, Kay's girlfriend, called out.
After a few moments of silence, Ivy called out again. Kay laid still as a stone.
Finally, the bedroom door opened, and Ivy walked in.
"There you are; I see you're taking a nap," Ivy said and looked around the bedroom.
"You need to tidy up the room; you can't leave your clothes all over the place," Ivy said and looked at Kay.
"Kay, are you okay?" Ivy asked and walked over to the bed. Ivy sat down on the bed next to Kay. She rested a hand on Kay's shoulder.
Kay just lay there staring blankly at the wall.
"Kay, talk to me," Ivy said.
"Umm," Kay said.
"Kay?" Ivy asked.
"Umm," Kay said.
"Kay, what's wrong? Talk to me," Ivy said.
"Clay called me," Kay said.
"So, your agent called; what did he want?" Ivy asked.
"He told me I'm being traded to Connecticut," Kay said.
"What?" Ivy asked.
"Yeah," Kay said, in a solemn funeral tone, as Ivy's face turned a whiter shade of pale, and all joy died in the room.
