Chapter 769: Norwich
Monday, March 27th, Afternoon
The car service dropped her off in front of her apartment. She grabbed her bags and headed towards her front door. She unlocked her door and stepped in. She dropped her bag by the door. She looked around her apartment, shrugged, and then went to the bathroom, shedding her clothes as she went.
Karen "Kay" Scott started the shower and stepped into the stream. The hot water loosened up her body and washed off the sweat and workout grime. Once Kay washed herself, she dried her face, stepped out of the shower, and wrapped herself with a towel.
Kay walked into her bathroom; she dropped her towel, put on a fresh pair of underwear, then pulled on her veteran UCONN sweatpants and black sports bra. Kay left the bathroom to dry her short hair and looked across the room. The room was pleasant and well-lit, and her modest furniture looked nice for the space. Norwich wasn't Chicago, and Kay felt alone here.
Sighing, Kay walked into her kitchen and pulled out a water bottle. There was a knock on her door. Kay sighed; she reached for her laundry basket and pulled out her cropped Carolina Panther jersey. She pulled it on and went to answer her door.
Kay opened the door and saw one of her neighbors, the wife, Tanzi Philips. Plastering on a smile, Kay looked at Tanzi, wondering what Tanzi wanted.
"Hi, Kay," Tanzi said.
"Tanzi," Kay said.
"What are you doing?" Tanzi asked.
"I just got home from my session with the trainers and working out at the team faculty," Kay said.
"So, Honey, what are you doing now?" Tanzi asked.
"Having a bottle of water," Kay said.
"Have you had lunch?" Tanzi asked.
Kay shook her head, "No," she said.
Tanzi looked down, then up, "Good, put your shoes on; we're going to lunch," Tanzi said.
"Don't I have to dress nicer?" Kay asked.
"No, you're fine," Tanzi said.
"What type of place is this?" Kay asked.
"Hooters," Tanzi said.
"I'm not going to Hooters," Kay said.
"It's a joke," Tanzi said, "It's a local place that serves pub grub."
"I'm on a dietary program," Kay said.
"Be bad for one meal," Tanzi said.
Kay huffed, "Fine," she said.
"Get your shoes on, and we'll go," Tanzi said.
Kay nodded and got on her shoes. They took Tanzi's car into downtown Norwich. Tanzi led Kay to a local pub, and they got their seats. After they ordered, Tanzi looked across the table at Kay.
"What?" Kay asked.
"How are you settling in?" Tanzi asked.
"Well enough, I'm getting used to the weather," Kay said and moved her right arm, "See, I have more motion than before."
"How did you do that to your shoulder?" Tanzi asked.
"A car accident," Kay said.
"Was it bad?" Tanzi asked.
"My shoulder, yes, the accident I don't remember, I'm missing some time," Kay said.
"Were you driving?" Tanzi asked.
Kay shook her head, "No, my girlfriend at the time was; I've never driven," she said.
"You don't drive? Why don't you drive?" Tanzi asked.
"Cars scare me," Kay said.
Tanzi took a sip of her drink. "I see, so I see you and Mal hit it off," Tanzi said.
"We know each other, as we were at UCONN together," Kay said.
"Oh really?" Tanzi asked.
"Yeah, we were in the same jock study group," Kay said.
"Okay," Tanzi said.
"Mal helped keep me on the court," Kay said and chuckled, "I was in the Cees get degrees party."
"You were?" Tanzi asked.
"I've never been good at school; I've had to work hard to get Cees," Kay said.
"What are you good at?" Tanzi said.
Kay laughed, "Not much, love is not it; other than basketball, I would say art; I'm good at drawing," she said.
"Oh really! I'll have to see some of your work," Tanzi said.
"I have several hanging in my apartment," Kay said.
"That's your artwork?" Tanzi asked.
Kay nodded, "Yes, I've done most of them," she said.
"Most?" Tanzi asked.
"I have one of my mom's hanging up in my bedroom," Kay said.
"Oh, that's nice," Tanzi said.
"Thanks," Kay said.
The server brought their lunch. After a few moments, they tried their dishes and nodded their approval. After the server left, they started to eat their food. After a few bites, Tanzi looked up at Kay. Kay knitted her eyebrows and studied Tanzi.
"Yes?" Kay asked.
"There is something I have to ask you," Tanzi said.
"Yeah?" Kay asked.
"What are you planning to do with Mal?" Tanzi asked.
"Be friends," Kay said.
"Just friends?" Tanzi asked.
"Yeah, we're just friends," Kay said.
"Are you sure?" Tanzi asked.
Kay nodded, "I'm sure," she said.
"Thank you," Tanzi said, "For being honest."
"You're welcome," Kay said.
They finished lunch and then returned to their apartment complex.