Chapter 762: National Guard Readiness Center
Saturday, March 25th, Late Morning
The morning started well enough; she got her kids up, dressed, and fed. That was the easy part; her sister-in-law was being a slug. A teenager, she understood her sister-in-law needed sleep, but she wanted to get going, and her sister-in-law was holding her up. But she was her usual persuasive self and got her sister-in-law motivated.
After breakfast, Izzy got Sawyer to the east range parking lot and the waiting Mercedes-Maybach. Sawyer climbed into the passenger's seat, buckled up, crossed her arms, and pouted. Izzy climbed in behind the wheel and looked at Sawyer.
"Please, don't pout," Izzy said.
"I'd rather be asleep," Sawyer said.
"You'll enjoy this," Izzy said.
"It's some boring thing; why bring me?" Sawyer said.
"Because we hardly spend time together, you need to get out of the house and the funk you're in, and finally, I think you'd enjoy this," Izzy said.
"You're so sure," Sawyer said.
Izzy kept her mouth shut as they reached the readiness center. She parked the Mercedes-Maybach in a parking spot. They got out and pulled on her long trench coat. Sawyer stood next to her and shook her head. They walked into the drill shed and found it filled with people.
Sawyer watched as several people approached Izzy. Being around Izzy long enough, Sawyer noted it was social, not political. Izzy signaled Sawyer over, and she came over to Izzy.
"Yes, Izzy," Sawyer said.
"These are some of the people I want you to meet," Izzy said.
"Okay," Izzy said.
"This is Mrs. Masterson; she's Keith's loader's mom," Izzy said, "This is Sawyer, the sister that Keith always brags about."
"Nice to meet you, Sawyer," Mrs. Masterson said.
"Same here," Sawyer said.
"This is Mrs. Weller; she's Lieutenant Weller's wife; he's Keith's platoon leader," Izzy said.
"Hi," Sawyer said.
"Sawyer, you're Sergeant Scott's what?" Mrs. Weller asked.
"His youngest sister," Sawyer said.
"So, are you excited?" Mrs. Weller said.
"I don't know," Sawyer said.
Mrs. Weller turned to Izzy. "She doesn't know?" she asked.
Izzy shook her head, "No, Petra, she doesn't," she said.
"Oh," Petra Weller said; Izzy noted Petra was model tall and in her mid to late twenties with glowing blonde hair. At one time, Izzy would be jealous of such a woman, be it her hair, height, or other things. Now, Izzy was comfortable with who she was and what she could control. Izzy adjusted her sunglasses and looked up at Petra.
"Did you bring Lora?" Izzy asked.
Petra shook her head, "No, she's with Marc's parents; she's too little for this. Where are you two?" she asked.
"With their grandparents," Izzy said, "They have too much energy."
"I'm not looking forward to it," Petra said.
"It happens gradually," Izzy said as she studied Petra. The woman wasn't local; her voice gave it away. Izzy wondered if it was a college thing or they met through the army.
Petra nodded, "So, are you speaking?" she asked.
"I was asked to," Izzy said.
"I take it you said no," Petra said.
"I want to be here," Izzy said, to which Sawyer looked puzzled.
"Not up front? I figure you'd be used to it by now," Petra said.
Izzy shrugged, "Yes and no, I just want to be here, live in this moment, and hope and pray it doesn't happen again," she said.
"Your lips to his ears," Petra said, pointing to the sky.
"Yeah," Izzy said, "Sawyer, please put your phone away."
Sawyer looked at Izzy, "Why? I'm bored," she said.
Izzy sighed, "They're starting, and please be respectful," she said.
"What's happening?" Sawyer asked.
"A military ceremony," Izzy said.
Sawyer nodded, "Okay," she said, put her smartphone away, and got comfortable. Izzy smiled at Sawyer and got closer to her. Izzy put her arm around Sawyer. The teenager huffed and slumped her shoulders, letting Izzy keep her arm over her.
The speeches by her local colleagues were typical. Izzy knew every point and beat without even trying. She looked down at Sawyer, who seemed to be zoned out. Izzy had learned to put herself in a place that allowed her to stay mentally awake. It came in handy during the long debates on the floor of the house.
Though bright and mature for her age, Sawyer is still young at times. She's a good kid, and Sawyer still has much growing to do. Izzy knew that Sawyer had it in her to be a force of nature.
Izzy saw something in Sawyer. She hadn't expected to see it in Sawyer, at least for a few more years, but Izzy saw it. Also the depression that came with it. Sawyer tried to hide it. If Brooke hadn't been busy with Callie, she would've spotted what was happening with Sawyer. Izzy didn't expect Lucas, Sawyer's dad, to notice; he had his own stuff. Izzy snorted; she would have to step up and help Sawyer.
The last of the speeches ended, and people started to mill about. Izzy saw Second Lieutenant Marc R. Weller Jr., Keith's platoon leader, and Petra's husband, come cutting through the crowd. He met his wife, took her into his arms, and kissed her.
Sawyer snapped out of her fog and looked at Izzy, shocked. Izzy smiled at her sister-in-law with a look that only said "surprise." Izzy turned to the front just in time to see Keith approach.
Keith still towered over Izzy and cut a dashing figure in his field uniform. Izzy felt weak in her knees as she gazed into her husband's eyes for the first time in six months. Keith wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Their lips found each other, and they drank deeply of each other.
They broke apart and looked at each other.
"I missed you," Keith said.
"Welcome home," Izzy said.
"What's wrong?" Keith asked.
"We're not alone," Izzy said, looking over with her eyes.
Keith turned his head and smiled.