Chapter 590: Chicago

Saturday, March 4th, Morning

(Song lyrics in italics)

The last chance to fight the move didn't go her way; she passed her physical. So, now it was just a matter of time. Her agent told her that she was flying out tomorrow, the car picking her up, and the one that would bring her to the team facilities so she could meet with the coaches and front office. The team would put her up in the hotel, and they would go to the apartment her agent found for her.

Alone again, alone again

I'm in the twilight zone again

Another lonely star-crossed night

Shivered to the bone again

Kay dropped her suitcase on the bed and looked around her bedroom. The room was half empty as she started packing her stuff for the move; Kay sighed, went into her closet, and started pulling out some of the clothes. Kay dropped the clothes on the bed and sorted through her clothes. One item was put aside to wear tomorrow, one or two things were set aside to be packed, and a third group was put assigned to be packed in the suitcase.

Once the pile was sorted, Kay went to her dresser and pulled out more clothes. These clothes were dropped on the bed, and Kay sorted them out. Once she finished sorting, she packed her stuff away.

They never stay, they always leave

I wear my heart upon my sleeve

I won't say what I don't believe

I turn another heart to stone again

"So, you leave tomorrow?" Ivy asked.

Kay nodded, "Yes," she said.

"Will you be coming back?" Ivy asked.

"Probably not," Kay said.

"What will happen with your stuff?" Ivy asked.

Alone again, aah

Can't stop the rain

Alone again

Put out the flame

"One of Clay's people will come here and supervise the movers, and by the end of next week, I should be in my apartment," Kay said.

"How are you going to get around? You don't drive," Ivy asked.

Betrayed again, unmade again

Out of the sun, into the shade again

The silent room, the unsung tune

All the old games must be played again

"They found me some good UBER drivers, and the team has a car service," Kay said.

"What about this place?" Ivy asked.

"Buying out what's left of my lease," Kay said.

"So, that's it," Ivy said.

"What's it?" Kay asked.

"Clay has it all sorted out for you," Ivy said.

"Well, that's part of his job," Kay said.

And all the words we could not say

And all the nights and all the days

We quarreled in the same old ways

And all the same mistakes were made again

"Yeah, and like a gypsy, you're just going on to the next town," Ivy said.

"That's my job," Kay said.

"You're not getting it," Ivy said.

"Getting what?" Kay asked.

"God, you're already checked out," Ivy said.

'What?" Kay asked.

"My point exactly," Ivy said.

"Are you talking about us?" Kay asked.

"Yes, but by your reaction, there isn't much of us left," Ivy said.

"I didn't even know we changed subjects," Kay said.

"I did," Ivy said.

"I thought we were still talking about my moving arrangements," Kay said.

"Karen, we've been in this relationship, and Christ, we met each other's families; I thought we have something," Ivy said.

"So, did I," Kay said.

"But you're packing to move halfway across the country," Ivy said.

"It's my job, and I've been transparent with you about it," Kay said.

"I never thought it would happen," Ivy said.

"It does," Kay said.

"So, that is your response, Karen; what about us?" Ivy asked.

Kay sighed, "I don't want to talk to you about it while we argue," she said.

"Well, I do," Ivy said.

"Okay," Kay said.

"Okay? Is that all you have to say?" Ivy asked.

"No, I was just starting," Kay said.

"So, start," Ivy said.

"I was going to ask you to come with me," Kay said.

"Come with you?" Ivy asked.

"Yes, come with me, live in Uncasville with me," Kay said.

"What about my job?" Ivy asked.

"We could find you another job at the casino; my step-granddad might have a job for you," Kay said.

Alone again, ooh

Despair and pain

Alone again

Can't break the chain

"What about my parents, uncle, brothers, cousins?" Ivy asked.

"I won't be around my family either," Kay said.

"Did you say you'd be playing with your aunt?" Ivy asked.

"Yes," Kay said.

"How is that not close?" Ivy asked.

"They live in Greenwich, which is closer to New York. I'm closer to Rhode Island," Kay said.

"What is there to do in Uncasville?" Ivy asked.

Alone again

Despair and pain

Alone again

Can't break the chain

"I don't know, but we could find out together," Kay said.

"I don't know; it's a lot," Ivy said.

"Just think about it," Kay said.

Alone again, alone again

To sit beside the silent phone again

And all the words we spoke were knives

And so I'm here on my own again

Ivy nodded, "I will," she said, "I have to go."

Kay nodded and watched Ivy leave the room. Kay hesitated a moment and followed Ivy out of the bedroom; Kay met Ivy at the door, embraced Ivy, and kissed her.

When they separated, Ivy looked at Kay. "Why did you do that?" Ivy asked.

The days are dark and drowned in tears

I know the game the rules are clear

I walk alone through all my years

I know you never will come home again

"I always kiss you before we part," Kay said.

"Even if it's the last time?" Ivy asked.

"Especially if it is," Kay said.

Ivy nodded and left. Kay sighed, returned to the bedroom, finished unloading her clothes, and sorted them. Next, she packed them up where they needed to be packed. Once everything was put away. Kay lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. After a minute, a tear came to her eye, then a steady stream. Kay rolled on her side, curled up and cried herself into a fitful nap.

Alone again

Shot through the heart

Alone again

Tear me apart!