Chapter 60: Chicago

Monday, January 2nd, Afternoon

Being an adult sucked, Karen "Kay" Scott thought as she sat, naked from the waist up in her orthoepic specialist's office. He slowly mover her right arm, to see how it felt and the muscles in her surgically repaired shoulder reacted. Which was the reason she was here?

Over the last four years, she had these visits, nearly monthly. Kay reflected, on how they had to nearly re-attach her right arm four years ago. The strength was slowly coming back, as was some of the flexibility. But there was a pain, and she was glad she avoided infection, which would have ended up costing her the arm. No one wanted a one arm basketball player, never mind a shooter like she is. Keith, her brother, pointed out the drummer for Def Leppard lost his arm, and his drumming became more complex. Her brother meant well, but she didn't feel that she could follow her career path, so she fought and dealt with the outcome of choosing to keep her right arm.

"Your arm is coming along, nicely, Karen," The Doctor said.

"You've said over the last few years," Kay said.

"It's true and it feels like you have full movement," The Doctor said.

"I feel my old strength coming back," Kay said.

"That's good," The Doctor said, "Any pain?"

Kay nodded, "Yes, every so often," she said, "Like today."

The Doctor nodded, "We always knew you would have a barometer, and it's a frigid day," he said.

"It sucks, just sitting down in my chair at home, and feels like someone is stabbing you," Kay said.

"I see," The Doctor said, "Is there any loss of motion?"

"When I'm in pain or normally?" Kay asked.

"Either," The Doctor said.

"Not really," Kay said.

The Doctor nodded, "The tattoo is coming along nicely," he said.

Kay nodded, "Thanks, they're doing an excellent job with it," she said.

"Who did the design?" The Doctor asked.

"I did," Kay said.

"Wow, you could be a graphic artist," The Doctor said.

Kay shrugged, "I like basketball," she said.

"Karen let's face the facts, you have only a few more years left in this arm, playing basketball, if you're lucky. I think you need to start thinking about life after basketball. Eventually, they will stop signing you," The Doctor said, "I've seen it too many times."

Kay nodded, "I'll keep that in mind, but I want a title," she said.

The Doctor sighed, and then nodded, "Well, I can't wait to see the tattoo when it's done," he said.

"Me too," Kay said.

"Well Karen, you can get dressed," The Doctor said.

"Thanks, Doc," Kay said.

"You're welcome," The Doctor said, "How are you on pain pills?"

Kay nodded, "I could use a new script," she said.

"Are you using them as directed?" The Doctor asked.

Kay nodded, "Yes Doc," she said.

"I'll send a script to your pharmacy," The Doctor said.

Kay nodded, "Thanks," she said.

"You're welcome," The Doctor said and left the exam room.

Kay got dressed and walked out of the exam room. She set up her next appointment and left the Doctor's Office. As she walked towards the elevator lobby, Kay pulled out her smartphone and called for an UBER. She hoped that by the time she got to the ground floor the driver would have arrived.

She hated the weather here, but she was here only because the Chicago Sky was the only team willing to sign her after her accident. The Doctor was right about that point, eventually, people would stop wanting her, it already happened overseas. Damaged goods, Kay thought, that's what you are. Maybe you should use your art degree in something.

As she got off the elevator, she shook her head. What could she do with an art degree? Design album covers? Work in an advertising firm? None of those jobs excited her, she never wanted to be a graphic artist, she took Art because she liked Art.

Her smartphone let her know that her UBER had arrived. She found it and got in; the driver greeted her. The Driver was a young man who was good looking, in the conventual sense, and tried flirting with Kay. All Kay did was a smile and gently rebuff him. Men flirting with her always caused mixed emotions for her. Part of her was still disgusted, and part of her was flattered, but he didn't have a chance. He was playing hockey, and she was playing soccer.

The UBER dropped her off at a deli she was heading to. Kay got out, paid him, tipped him well, and gave him a five-star rating, it was the least she could do. Why was she that generous? He tried making her feel special at least. Kay always needed to feel special after her Doctor Appointments.

Kay walked into the deli and saw who she was going to meet. This made for the first time today Kay's face broke out into a genuine infectious smile. The person she was planning on meeting here had already arrived. Today was most certainly starting to look up, Kay reflected.

The person at the table looked up at Kay as she walked up. Kay was around six feet tall, one of the taller of her siblings, and the young woman was shorter, but not by much. The woman at the table brushed her brown hair out of her blue eyes.

"You're running a bit late," she said.

"Traffic," Kay said.

"How do you know; I didn't meet someone else?" she asked teasing.

"Funny Ivy," Kay said.

"I try," Ivy said, Kay smiled at her. Her name is Ivy Kowalski, they had met six months ago, and have been dating for four months. They weren't exclusive, nor were they not exclusive.

Kay smiled, "Well you're cute when you do it though," she said.

Ivy nodded, "So, how did the doctor's appointment go?" she asked.

Kay shrugged, "More of the same, it's healed and growing stronger," she said.

"That's good news," Ivy said.

Kay nodded, "Yes, but it's not where I want to be at," she said.

Ivy reached across the table and took Kay's hand, rubbing it, "Babe, it will get there. Don't rush it," she said.

Kay sighed, "I know, it's just frustrating, I lost two years because of the accident. I've already lost Europe. I hate not being able to do what I use to be able to do," she said.

"Kay last year was your comeback season, and you did well build on that. Also, from what you told me you're lucky to have your arm at all," Ivy said.

Kay nodded, "I know, maybe I'm too damn stubborn," she said.

Ivy smiled slightly and laughed, "You don't know stubborn, you're not Polish," she said, "Your persistence is one thing I love about you."

Kay smiled, just a little more, "I'm free the rest of the afternoon, are you?" she asked.

Ivy nodded, "Yeah, I'm for a change," she said.

"Want to do something?" Kay asked.

"What do you have in mind?" Ivy asked.

Kay fidgeted a bit, "Well, I was thinking we could see a movie," she said.

"That sounds, well, okay," Ivy said, "You have my interest piqued. So, that would take up two hours, what else do you have planned?" Ivy finished.

Kay shrugged, "I don't know, maybe play it by ear," she said.

"Wow, Kay Scott, not having something planned out, are you feeling okay?" Ivy said.

Kay turned white, "Yeah, I feel fine," she said.

"Could've fooled me, you never fly by the seat of your pants," Ivy said.

Kay shrugged, "Maybe I feel, I don't know like I want to not have a plan, today," she said.

Ivy nodded, "I would love to go," she said.

"Good let's…" Kay started to say.

"But first you have to admit the truth to me," Ivy said.

That shocked Kay, "What?" she asked.

"It's killing you not having everything planned out," Ivy said.

There was a long pause, Kay didn't know how to respond.

"So, it is," Ivy said.

Kay finally nodded, "Yeah, it is," she said.

Ivy reached over and took Kay's hand in both of hers now. "Babe, it's okay, baby steps, I know it's tough for you," Ivy said.

"Thanks, Vee," Kay said.

Ivy smiled, "Let's have lunch, then figure out what movie we want to see, and if all else rolls right, we'll discuss dinner," she said.

"That sounds good to me," Kay said.

"That's why you have me as your girlfriend, Babe," Ivy said.

Kay nodded, "So, I've never been here, do you suggest anything?" she asked.

Ivy smiled, "Do you trust me?" she asked.

"Yes," Kay said.

Ivy smiled and waved to someone. They came over and smiled at Ivy, "Uncle Walt, can you bring us two specials?" Ivy asked.

"Sure," Uncle Walt said, "Any drinks?"

Ivy nodded, "Thanks and water for the both of us?" she said.

Kay nodded, "Water is fine," she said.

"Oh, I'm being rude, Uncle Walt, this is Kay, the woman I told you about. Kay, this in my Uncle Walt Pawlak, my mother's brother," Ivy said.

"Oh, yes, Kay, a pleasure to meet you," Uncle Walt said.

Kay smiled, "All mine," she said.

"So, what do you do for a living?" Uncle Walt asked.

"Umm, I told you, Uncle Walt," Ivy said.

"It's okay, Vee," Kay said, "I play professional basketball for the Chicago Sky."

Uncle Walt nodded, "That's nice dear," he said, "You don't sound like you're from Chicago."

Kay shook her head, "That obvious?" she asked.

Ivy nodded, "You think," she said.

"I was born in New York, but grew up largely in North Carolina," she said.

Uncle Walt nodded, "Well if you can survive the winter you'll do well here," he said.

Kay smiled, "Thanks," she said.

"Well, I'll get your orders going," he finished and walked away.

Ivy just shrugged and smiled, "That's my Uncle Walt," she said.

"So, I see," Kay said, and just nodded. They locked eyes and waited for lunch to come.