Chapter 603: Thames View Apartments

Tuesday, March 7th, Afternoon

The apartment that was arranged for her was nice. It had two bedrooms, a balcony, and a view of the Thames River. From her apartment, she could see the Casino. At least the movers came in and set up most of her furniture. So, there was much in the way of unpacking.

Karen "Kay" Scott checked the fridge, and Clay's people stocked it with a week's worth of food. That meant she was good for a bit but would have to go shopping soon. Kay looked at the sheet of paper on the counter, which had a list of trusted UBER drivers, among other things.

Kay walked to the sliding glass door and looked out among the bare trees and dark river. It was cold, maybe not as cold as Chicago, but cold. Clay's people also gave her a list of doctors for her shoulder so she could keep improving.

She took one more lap around the apartment and noted what she would have to do. Kay finally sat on her bed and sighed. She missed Ivy, and there had been no response from Kay's texts and voice mails. Kay looked at her suitcase and knew she had to unpack it.

Kay stood up and pulled her sweatshirt off. She pulled down the sleeves of her retro Nike T-shirt. Looking over the bags, she decided to attack her larger bag when she heard a knock on the door. Kay sighed and headed towards the front door.

Slowly opening the door, she could see an unremarkable couple standing there. All Kay, though, was average and beige. They were of average height and had brown hair and brown eyes; they were in their thirties.

"Hello, neighbor," the man said.

"Hello," Kay said tentatively.

"I'm Osborne Philips; everyone calls me Ozzy; this is my wife Tanzi," he said.

"Kay," Kay said.

"Not to be rude, but what shall we call you?" Ozzy asked.

'Kay," Kay said.

"Now, please don't be rude," Ozzy said.

"Dear, I think her name is Kay," Tanzi said.

"Oh," Ozzy said.

"Kay, may we come in?" Tanzi asked.

"Sure," Kay said, stepping aside and letting them in.

Ozzy stopped as Kay closed the door. He looked her over, and she clearly was a head taller. He also studied her sleeved right arm.

"I'm sorry for that; I didn't expect Kay to be your name," Ozzy said.

"It's alright," Kay said.

"Where did you move from?" Tanzi asked.

"Chicago," Kay said.

"You don't sound like you're from Chicago," Ozzy said.

"I'm not," Kay said.

"Oh, okay, military?" Ozzy asked.

"No," Kay said.

"So, what brings you to Norwich?" Tanzi asked.

"Work," Kay said.

"Where do you work?" Ozzy asked.

"The casino," Kay said; she noticed Ozzy was starting to get frustrated.

"Dear, our new neighbor, is shy," Tanzi said.

"Oh," Ozzy said.

Tanzi looked at Kay, "Kay, dear, why don't you show me around your apartment," she said.

Kay nodded, "Okay," she said.

Tanzi followed Kay to the spare bedroom. "The spare room, right now, it's collecting my boxes," Kay said.

"What are you planning to use this room for?" Tanzi asked.

"A spare bedroom," Kay said.

"I see," Tanzi said.

Kay leads her to the main bedroom. "This is my bedroom," Kay said.

"Very nice," Tanzi said and walked over to the pictures. She looked at the first one. "Who are they?"

Kay walked over and looked at the picture. "My brother and sisters," she said.

"Oh, where are you in this group, age-wise?" Tanzi asked.

"The middle," Kay said.

Tanzi put the picture down and picked up another one. "Who is this?" Tanzi asked.

"Me and my twin sister," Kay said.

"When was that taken?" Tanzi asked.

"We celebrated our birthdays in the Bahamas," Kay said.

"Twins and birthdays?" Tanzi asked.

"Sounds like fun," Tanzi said.

"My sister and I are twins, but we were born on different days because of midnight," Kay said.

Kay nodded and looked at the picture. Kay didn't have a tattoo on her arm, and it was before her accident. It was after Connie and she broke up, but before they got back together and got into the accident.

"It was," Kay said.

Tanzi put the picture down and picked up the last one. "Who is this?" Tanzi asked.

"That's Ivy," Kay said.

"Ivy? Friend?" Tanzi asked.

"Girlfriend," Kay said, "Ex."

"Ex? Why?" Tanzi asked.

"My job brought me here from Chicago," Kay said.

Tanzi nodded and put the picture down. She looked at Kay and gave her a knowing look. Tanzi gently put her hand on Kay's arm. "It will be okay, dear," Tanzi said.

Kay nodded, "Yeah, it usually does," she said.

"So, Kay, what do you do at the casino?" Tanzi asked.

"I play for the basketball team," Kay said.

"You play for the Sun?" Tanzi asked.

Kay nodded, "Yes, I do. I was just traded from Chicago," she said.

"That's why your girlfriend is now your ex," Tanzi said.

Kay nodded, "Yeah," she said.

"Do you know where to shop and stuff?" Tanzi asked.

Kay shook her head, "No, I don't," she said.

"Well, Kay, we'll leave you be to unpack, but if you need anything, we'll be next door," Tanzi said.

Kay nodded. Tanzi nodded to Kay and left the room. A moment later, the apartment door closed. Kay was alone again; she looked at the bed and knew she had to unpack.