Chapter 763: National Guard Readiness Center
Saturday, March 25th, Late Morning
The speeches were boring; they all sounded the same: blah, blah, blah. She felt her eyes glaze over as she watched them speak. Every so often, she would glance over to her sister-in-law, Izzy, who was absorbed in what was being said on the dais. She turned back to watch the speeches and again wondered why Izzy insisted she be there.
Sawyer wished she could pull out her phone. At least Insta would be more interesting than some older people speaking. Izzy had already got on her about being on her phone. Sawyer knew better than to cross Izzy. Sawyer knew her dad wouldn't even be involved; Izzy would settle things once and for all.
The speeches stopped, and there was some clapping followed by commotion. Sawyer watched as a soldier approached this woman, Petra Weller; they hugged and kissed. Sawyer shook her head and turned to look over to Izzy. Izzy was kissing another soldier. Sawyer was shocked; that was when they broke apart.
"I missed you," he said.
"Welcome home," Izzy said.
"What's wrong?" the soldier asked.
"We're not alone," Izzy said.
The soldier turned his head and spotted Sawyer. The soldier smiled. It took a moment for Sawyer, but the face looked familiar; drawn, tired, aged, but familiar. Suddenly, Sawyer smiled, and that slight smile grew. Sawyer's face started to glow.
"Keith?" Sawyer asked.
Keith nodded, and his hands slipped off Izzy reluctantly. He looked at Sawyer and nodded. Sawyer was starting to jump up and down. Keith held his arms wide to let Sawyer hug him.
"Keith!" Sawyer squealed, rushed forward, and jumped into Keith's arms. Sawyer wrapped her arms around Keith's neck and her legs around his waist. Keith held his baby sister close.
Sawyer kissed Keith's cheek, then buried her face into his shoulder. The dam broke, and the tears flowed from Sawyer's eyes. Keith raised his hand and cradled his sister's head like he did when she was little.
Eventually, Keith set her back on her feet. She still leaned against Keith's chest. Keith held out a free arm, and Izzy came over and joined in a group hug. Keith looked down at Sawyer, then looked at Izzy. Behind the dark glasses, he saw Izzy's eyes welling up with tears.
They broke apart; Sawyer found herself leaning against Izzy. The sister and sister-in-law held each other tight. Both Izzy and Sawyer were both bawling their eyes out. Keith disappeared and reappeared with his rucksack on his back and duffle bag in his hands.
Izzy leads Sawyer and Keith out of the Readiness Center towards the parking lot. At the Mercedes-Maybach, Izzy opened the back hatch, stepping aside. Keith looked at Izzy and raised his eyebrows.
"Your Mom let you use this car?" Keith asked.
Izzy nodded, "I've not gotten our vehicles out of Leighton yet," she said.
"So, what have you been driving?" Keith asked.
"Whatever my mom would loan me," Izzy said.
Keith nodded and slung his duffle bag into the back of the Mercedes-Maybach. He followed it up with his rucksack. Once done, he closed the hatch. They climbed into the SUV and drove off.
"Do you want to see Jermaine's grave?" Izzy asked.
Keith shook his head, "Not today, I want to hold Nomi and Ellis," he said.
"I'm sorry about Garrison," Sawyer said.
"Thank you," Keith replied.
"You're welcome," Sawyer said.
"So, how have you been, Sawyer?" Keith asked.
Sawyer shrugged, "I don't know, alright, I guess. I've been trying to get through the year," she said.
"How's cheerleading going?" Keith asked.
"It's over now, but we cheered late because of basketball," Sawyer said.
"Oh yeah? How far into the playoffs did we go?" Keith asked.
"The boys flopped this year, but Brett, Bay, and Av led them to states and won it," Sawyer said.
"That's great," Keith said, "I'm sorry, Sawyer."
"It's okay," Sawyer said.
"It had to kill you being on the sideline watching," Keith said.
"It's okay, I've come to terms with it," Sawyer said.
"Not fair, you should've been on the floor," Keith said.
"I made a promise, Keith," Sawyer said.
"Still not fair that you were forced to make it," Keith said.
"I made it, though," Sawyer said.
"It's been three years; you've kept your word," Keith said.
"I will still keep my word," Sawyer said.
"Are you sure?" Keith asked.
"Keith, let it rest," Izzy said.
"Some promises you don't break," Sawyer said.
Keith nodded, "How's dad?" he asked.
"That's a long story," Sawyer said.
"What does that mean?" Keith asked.
Izzy sighed, "It's best to talk to him and Candi," she said.
"I have to Zoom my sister?" Keith asked.
"No, Candi's in town," Sawyer said.
"So is Ellie," Izzy said.
"Wait a minute, both Candi and Ellie are in town?" Keith asked.
"Yes," Izzy said.
"Let me guess, Kay isn't," Keith said.
"No, she's not; she's in Connecticut getting ready for the next basketball season," Izzy said.
Keith nodded, "What the hell is going on?" he asked.
"When we get to Beaulieu, it will be explained," Izzy said.
"Are you sure?" Keith asked.
"Trust me," Izzy said.
Keith nodded as they drove to Beaulieu.