Chapter 710: Norwich
Thursday, March 16th, Evening
The apartment was better laid out and made her stuff look insufficient. Her apartment was effectively bare. Shaking her head, she dropped into her chair and started getting music to play on her smartphone. Getting her elastic workout band out, she began to stretch out her shoulder. She did this to keep flexibility in her shoulder.
Kay leaned back and closed her eyes. This is routine, ordinary in her life. The sounds she liked when in France filled her ears. Kay enjoyed playing in France; she felt good being more than a role player. The biggest appeal to play in France was she was just Kay. No other baggage came across the pond with her. But here she is, back in Connecticut and alone.
There was a knock on her door. Kay sighed and walked to her door. Once she opened it, she found one of her neighbors, Osbourne "Ozzy" Philips standing at her doorstep.
"Hey Kay," Ozzy said.
"Hey, what's up?" Kay asked.
"I was sent over here to drag you to dinner, according to Tanzi; I can't accept no for an answer," Ozzy said, "I don't know about you, but it's not good policy to make your partner mad."
"No, I guess not," Kay said, "But why invite me over?"
Ozzy shrugged, "I guess Tanzi thinks you're lonely," he said.
"I'm a loner," Kay said.
"Even loners sometimes need people," Ozzy said.
"Okay, fine, Ozzy. Do I need to change?" Kay asked.
"It's formal, come on," Ozzy said.
"I'm coming," Kay said, grabbed her phone and keys, and followed Ozzy. They went next door, and Kay walked in. She saw little Tanzi talking with a woman about Kay's sister Ellie's height but with light brown hair. This woman turned and saw Kay standing next to Ozzy.
"Well, hello again, stranger," the woman said with a twinkle in her eye.
"What? How?" Kay asked.
"You're not happy to see me?" the woman asked.
"Mal, you already know Kay?" Tanzi asked.
"I'm going to check dinner," Ozzy said, entering the kitchen.
"You can say that," Mal said, "Karen here was why I gave up basketball."
"That wasn't me," Kay said.
"Well, if you didn't sign," Mal said, or Dr. Mallory Thomas, DCA.
"That's on the coaches," Kay said.
"What happened?" Tanzi said.
"Some recruiting shit," Kay said.
Mal laughed, "You're too easy," she said, "I just love messing with you Kay, come here."
Kay shook her head, and the two women embraced; they separated and looked at each other.
"What? How?" Kay asked.
"I work for the Sun as director of communications," Mal said.
"Oh," Kay said.
"Believe me, I was happy when they brought you in," Mal said.
"That's two people," Kay said.
"Yeah, you were easy, your aunt on the other hand; everyone wants to talk about or to her," Mal said.
Kay sighed, "Great," she said.
"You're too easy," Mal said.
"Who's your aunt Kay?" Tanzi asked.
"Angela Scott," Kay said.
"Oh, wow, nice," Tanzi said.
"Yeah, we're building the team around her," Mal said.
"How do you two know each other?" Tanzi asked.
"College," Kay said.
"We were classmates and roommates," Mal said.
"Okay," Tanzi said, "Now, no more work talk."
"What are you going to do about it?" Mal asked.
"Cross me and find out," Tanzi said.
"I surrender," Mal said.
"I have no issue with that," Kay said.
"Okay, Kay, would you like something to drink?" Tanzi asked.
"Water would be fine," Kay said.
"Okay," Tanzi said.
"Water?" Mal asked.
"Training, and I rarely drink now," Kay said.
"I see," Mal said, "Nice tattoo, your design?"
Kay nodded, "Yeah," she said.
"How is Connie?" Mal asked.
Kay shrugged, "The same," she said.
"And you?" Mal asked.
"Constantly rehabbing my shoulder and newly single," Kay said.
"Newly single?" Mal asked.
"When I was traded here, my girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, didn't want to come along," Kay said, "So, newly single."
Mal nodded, "I've got to ask, have you gotten out and seen the area?" she asked.
Kay shook her head, "No, I don't drive," she said.
"Still?" Mal asked.
"Never have," Kay said.
"Okay, well, you will not say no, so Tuesday night, I'm picking you up, and we're going out," Mal said.
"Mal," Kay said.
"No," Mal said.
"Mal!" Kay said.
"No!" Mal said, a grin on her face.
"Fine," Kay said.
Mal smiled, "Great, I'll text you when I'm coming over," she said.
"How?" Kay asked.
"I have your number," Mal said.
Ozzy entered from the kitchen carrying dinner. "Dinner's ready," he said.
Kay shrugged and went towards the table; Mal followed.