Chapter 28: Chicago
The Tattoo Parlor was quiet as she sat bent over. There was a buzzing as the artist worked on his latest patron. The Patron sat there leaning forward topless and just listening to the buzzing.
Karen "Kay" Scott sat there and would wince every so often. Kay was the oldest twin and second child of Lucas and Peyton Scott; her younger fraternal twin was her sister Ellie. Both Kay and Ellie were named after their grandmothers. Kay was currently a professional basketball player; her team is the Chicago Sky.
The buzzing stopped. Kay took a deep breath and released it.
"This is a nice design," The Tattoo Artist said.
"Thanks," Kay said.
"Who did the design work?" The Tattoo Artist asked.
"I designed them," Kay said.
"You're an artist?" The Tattoo Artist asked.
Kay nodded, "Yes, I've been drawing since I was a young child," she said.
"You're extremely talented," The Tattoo Artist said and looked over her sleeve tattoo he was adding to. He noticed there were several surgical scars.
"Thank you," Kay said.
"You're welcome," The Tattoo Artist said, "We're almost done with the session, I have a little more work to get there."
"Okay," Kay said.
"I've worked on some bad surgical scars, these are pretty bad on you," The Tattoo Artist said.
Kay nodded, "Yeah, I wear them awful too, that's why I'm covering them up," she said.
The Tattoo Artist nodded, "If you don't mind me asking what happened?" he asked.
Kay sighed, "No, I don't mind," she said, "I was in a bad car accident, four years ago."
"Sorry to hear that I hope you're doing better," The Tattoo Artist said.
Kay nodded, "Slowly, I had two surgeries to repair the damage," she said.
"Did it affect your game?" The Tattoo Artist asked.
"Sadly, it did. I'm still getting my old arm strength back," Kay said.
"Well your design will look good on you," The Tattoo Artist said.
Kay nodded, "Thanks," she said.
"What happened in the accident?" The Tattoo Artist asked.
Kay sighed, "I don't remember much about it, but I know I was the passenger in the car that hit the other one. I also had a head injury," she said.
The Tattoo Artist nodded and worked on getting his tools ready, "Sorry," he said.
"It's okay," Kay said, "Mostly."
"I'm ready to finish up," The Tattoo Artist said, "Are you ready?"
"Let's get going," Kay said.
"Okay," The Tattoo Artist said and started working on Kay's tattoo. Kay sat there and just waited for it to be finished. When they were finished Kay pulled on a sweatshirt that had a UCONN logo on it. Next, she pulled on her winter jacket. She pulled out her smartphone and clicked on the UBER app, in which she ordered a ride.
Once the ride came, she rode to the small apartment she rented. Kay entered her apartment and removed her coat. Hanging up her coat she looked over her small but comfortable apartment. She made average WNBA salary, plus a few endorsement deals, she could live here and not have to play overseas, since her shoulder and arm surgery had been tough on her, and she needed the offseason.
She walked over to one wall and adjusted one of the pictures. The picture she adjusted was from two years ago, and it was her and her sisters, Aunt Angela, and her Grandma Karen. It was the last time they were all together, it was just after Sawyer graduated eighth grade. Kay looked at the picture, which showed her in a long sleeve shirt, as this was right around her second surgery. She was hiding the bandages and scars.
Kay sighed and looked at another picture of her and her sister Ellie. It was the last trip they took together, before Kay's accident. They were celebrating their twenty-fifth. They were on the beach, in swimwear and smiling. Four years ago, a last happy moment.
Walking away she went into the kitchenette to get something to drink. Kay turned when she heard her smartphone ring. She walked over to it and answered it.
"Hi Ellie," Kay said, "Yeah, cold as hell here too. Ever wonder why we use that expression cold as hell when the image of hell is fire? Oh, really Dante and the Divine Comedy used the imagery of it being ice cold. Anyways you called what's up? I've been good, living on my savings from the season, still rehabbing my shoulder. It's a constant process, that's how bad it was. The only way to stop is to get it cut off or stop playing.
"No, no, not seeing anyone, seriously. I know, but it was a big deal, and how it all ended. Yes, I still visit when I pass through Tree Hill. Yeah, hopefully, we can grab dinner when I come to New York this season.
"Okay, love you too Sis, bye," Kay hung up. Putting down her phone she went back to the fridge. She took out a bottle of water and took the cap off. After taking a sip she walked over to the window and looked out among the sprawling cityscape.
Kay took another sip of water. Her shoulder hurt, not the surface pain from the tattoo work, she could live with that pain. It was much deeper; it was deep in the body. The pain was a consistent part of life since that Annus horribilis, and that accident that changed her life, and nearly took her arm.
Just a few more years, Kay thought, and she could rest. Walking away from the window, she looked at the clock on the stove. It was time and she took a seat in her favorite chair. Opening up her laptop she set the internet explorer to the streaming service she wanted and waited for the basketball game to start. She smiled remembering, fondly, these years, now past, when she could conqueror the world.