Chapter 155: Chicago

Wednesday, January 11th, Late Morning

(Song Lyrics in Italics)

The weak afternoon light drifted into the apartment; still, the early afternoon, the overcast hazy of a mid-western winter kept sapping the sun's strength. It gave the room a moody shade, and the music didn't help.

Kay came sliding out of her kitchen on wool socks. She was just wearing a baggy UCONN hoodie and boy shorts. Her hair was a mess, as she didn't brush it today. Not that it mattered. She wore her hair short and has done so since her last few years of high school. It drove her Aunt Brooke crazy as when Kay would occasionally model for her. In her hand, as she came out of the kitchen, it was a long neck bottle of her favorite beer.

There's no jolt in her movement as she came to think of the wind whistling by. The downbeat sounds of the music she listened to fill her ears. Leaning against the window, she looked outside the window. She gazed over the city, splayed out before her.

Slowly, she took a long pull of her beer bottle. The liquid-filled her mouth swirled around, and then down her throat. There was a bit of warmth in her stomach.

No time for rest
No pillow for my head
Nowhere to run from this
No way to forget

Around the shadows creep
Like friends, they cover me
Just wanna lay me down and finally
Try to get some sleep

Looking around the room, she saw her phone sitting on a table. It was plugged in and playing her music. She smirked and turned to the window and looked at her reflection.

Kay normally didn't wear makeup; it wasn't her way. Yet the reflection showed she looked horrible. There are bags under her eyes, as well as both her eyes being red-rimmed. The last few nights had been rough on her. Ivy had been working, and Kay was alone. She stopped checking her email out of fear of getting another one.

Through the music and silence, the sounds of a key in the door lock cut through to Kay's ear. Kay turned around and looked at the door. Ivy came through the door, closing it behind her, and slipped off her coat.

Slowly, Ivy walked over to the kitchen table. Her coat ended up draped over the back of the chair, and the keys went down on the table. Ivy looked over to Kay and shook her head.

We carry on through the storm
Tired soldiers in this war
Remember what we're fighting for

"A bad day?" Ivy asked.

Kay looked at Ivy, "What makes you ask that?" she asked.

"Well, Kay, you look like you just rolled out of bed," Ivy said.

"I slept in," Kay said.

Ivy canted her head, "Why did you sleep in?" she asked.

"I had nothing to do today," Kay said.

Ivy nodded and looked Kay over from head to toe. She nodded in approval, "At least you're comfortable," she said.

Meet me on the battlefield
Even on the darkest night
I will be your sword, your shield, your camouflage
And you will be mine

Echoes and the shots ring out
We may be the first to fall
Everything can stay the same or we could change it all

Meet me on the battlefield

"Thanks," Kay said.

"So, what's with the depressing music?" Ivy asked.

Kay shrugged, "Just felt like listening to it," she said.

"That's not like you," Ivy said.

"Well, I'm sometimes like that," Kay said.

Ivy walked into the living room. Kay studied her with a cautious gaze. Ivy came over to Kay and pushed a few stray strands of hair out of Kay's face.

"Did you get another bad email?" Ivy asked.

"No," Kay said.

"Karen," Ivy said.

"Okay," Kay said, "I don't know."

Ivy canted her head, "Why don't you know?" she asked.

We're standing face-to-face
With our own human race
We commit the sins again and our sons and daughters pay
Our tainted history, it's playing on repeat
But we could change it if we stand up strong and take the lead

"I've not checked my emails for the past two days," Kay said.

Ivy looked at Kay, "Why haven't you?" she asked.

"I just can't deal," Kay said.

"Kay, I want to help you," Ivy said, "But you won't share with me."

Kay sighed, "I don't know how to say it," she said.

"Just the basics, Kay," Ivy said, "We're both adults and almost thirty, of course, we have baggage."

Kay sighed, "I have to go to Tree Hill for a week," she said.

"So? Is that a bad thing?" Ivy asked.

Kay shrugged, "It could be," she said.

Ivy cocked an eyebrow, but she let it drop. "Why do you have to go back?" she asked.

Kay shrugged, "Well, there is something the town is doing," she said.

"What is the town doing?" Ivy asked.

"My freshman year, we won our first state championship, and I was on the team," Kay said.

"Okay," Ivy said, "Is there a point there?"

"Well, they're honoring the team, and my Dad, who was the coach," Kay said.

"So, they want you there?" Ivy asked.

Kay nodded, "Yes," she said.

When I was younger, I was named
A generation unafraid
(For the heirs to come, be brave)

Ivy looked at Kay, "You want to be there," she said.

"Yeah, I want to be there for my Dad," Kay said.

"So, go," Ivy said, "I bet your father would love to see you."

Kay nodded, "I'd love to be there, but…" she said, and trailed off.

"The bad emails," Ivy said.

Kay's face got downcast, and she nodded, "Yeah," she said.

Ivy nodded, "You shouldn't let someone pettiness get in the way of this. I bet you'll see your whole family, and they probably miss you too," Ivy said.

"I'm not so sure about it," Kay said.

Ivy took hold of Kay's hands and gripped them tightly. "Kochanie, you should go," Ivy said, "You need to go."

"Maybe," Kay said, and paused, "I'm just a coward."

"Kochanie, you're the bravest woman I know," Ivy said.

"What is this word you keep calling me?" Kay asked.

"Don't change the subject," Ivy said.

"I want to know if you're making fun of me," Kay said.

Ivy shook her head, "For one, I'm not," she said, "Two, it's some of the little Polish I know. It's a term of endearment."

And meet me on the battlefield
Even on the darkest night
I will be your sword, your shield, your camouflage
And you will be mine

Echoes and the shots ring out
We may be the first to fall
Everything can stay the same or we can change it all

Meet me on the battlefield

"Okay, fine," Kay said.

"So, why do you think you're a coward?" Ivy asked.

"Because I don't want to face what's in those emails," Kay said.

"But if you face them, maybe you could end this torment," Ivy said.

Kay nodded, "Maybe," she said.

Ivy took Kay's hands up to her mouth and kissed them. "Kochanie, go, spend time with your family, they miss you, and you miss them. Get honored; you deserve it. Be there for your father's honor, too," she said, "I'll be here waiting for you to come back to me."

We carry on through the storm
Tired soldiers in this war
Remember what we're fighting for

"You don't want to come with me?" Kay asked.

"I didn't think I was invited," Ivy said.

"Because I didn't invite," Kay said, "Yet."

"You want me to come and meet your family?" Ivy asked.

"Yes, come with me," Kay said.

"Well, I have to see if I can get the time off of work," Ivy said.

"Well, ask," Kay said.

"I will," Ivy said, "When is it?"

"The week of the thirtieth, but I want to leave earlier," Kay said.

"Well, I'll ask," Ivy said.

Kay smiled, "Thanks," she said.

Ivy beamed at Kay, "Oh, Kochonie, I didn't know you cared," she said.

"I do," Kay said, and they kissed.

Echoes and the shots ring out
We may be the first to fall
Everything can stay the same or we can change it all
(We can change it all)

Meet me on the battlefield

Meet me on the battlefield
(We could change it all)