Chapters 9-10

As I make my way into the writing world, I would like to build an email list of those who are enjoying reading about Katie and her struggles as a single woman. If you would be interested in being on my list, please send me an email at donnie.cathy.wall@gmail.com. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy Chapters 9-10.

Chapter Nine

        All the way to Port City, Mark and Katie chatted about work and the politics of the upcoming board of education elections. He was an engaging conversationalist, and she enjoyed the respect he paid her knowledge of their shared work.

        Before she knew it, they were pulling into the restaurant parking lot. Mark exuded confidence as he opened the door for her, walked in and spoke familiarly with the maitre de that confirmed their reservation and led them to a small, intimate table where a bottle of wine was chilling. “I took the liberty of arranging everything in advance since we got a late start,” Mark said pulling out her chair.

        Katie slipped into the cushioned seat and smiled at her charming companion. “Not at all, she said. “I’m trusting myself to you completely.”

        After a glass of wine, dinner was served ­­– grilled shrimp bruschetta, salad and finally lobster with steamed asparagus and cheesecake for dessert. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the wine was a perfect compliment to the food Mark had chosen. As they ate and talked, a waiter appeared, replacing the first bottle with a second and before she realized it, Katie had drank three glasses of wine, enough to bring a flush to her cheeks and cause her to feel a little light-headed. After they finished and the check was paid, Mark offered her his arm and they strolled down the street of the charming historic district of the old river town. Buildings that had once featured storefronts and warehouses now housed galleries, restaurants and trendy nightclubs, offering residents of the small city a taste of a more urbane lifestyle.

        With her hand resting in the crook of Mark’s arm, Katie felt confident and beautiful. As they walked, she registered the appreciative looks that Mark received from the groups of single young women who made their way into various clubs and enjoyed knowing that they were envious of her place by his side. Thanks to the wine, she felt relaxed and uninhibited; her mood was lighter than it had been in months.

        After a walk to the end of the street and a few minutes of admiring the view of the river, Mark and Katie  made their way back to the club situated beside the restaurant where they had eaten dinner. Unlike many of the others that catered to a college crowd and featured the latest dance music, Progressions was a smaller, more intimate venue that featured primarily jazz and blues musicians. Mark was a frequent guest and as such was welcomed warmly when he came in. They stopped by the bar where Mark ordered her another glass of wine in spite of her protests and a whiskey for himself and then made their way to a table close to the dance floor.

        As they were settling into their seats, Mark leaned in to speak to Katie but his words were lost as a slender redhead approached the table. She was dressed in a brilliant green dress with a plunging neckline and a short skirt that revealed plenty of her porcelain skin. Katie’s new confidence evaporated like the morning dew as the stunning newcomer held out both of her hands and called above the music from the band and the noise of the crowd, “Markus, you darling! Where have you been?”

        Mark’s head snapped around and a broad smile spread across his face when he heard the greeting. “Shay!” he said and rose to embrace the lovely redhead. Grabbing an extra chair and dragging it to what had been an intimate table for two, Mark introduced his friend. “Katie, this is my friend, Shay Crowell. We went to college together. Shay, this is Katie.”

        Shay reached across the table to shake Katie’s hand, obviously sizing her up in the process. “Delighted to meet you,” she said in a voice oozing with false sincerity.

        Trying to adapt, Katie said, “Likewise.”

        Mark watched, seeming to be enjoying the interchange between the two women. “When you said you couldn’t join me for dinner, I called Shay to see if any of the old crew would be in the District this evening. Is anyone else joining us?”

        As Shay began to chat about old friends who might be joining them, Katie tried to get a grip on her emotions. She quickly recognized that her indignation at Shay’s appearance was little more than jealousy. She and Mark had never set boundaries about seeing other people, and she had no reason to believe that his pre-arranged meeting with Shay was to be a date, but the woman’s familiarity with Mark unnerved her more than a little. She had gone from feeling like the belle of the ball to feeling like a wallflower as Mark and his friend chatted intimately, Shay leaning in close to be heard over the music.

        Unexpectedly, Shay turned her attention to Katie.

        “So, Markus tells me that you are a teacher,” she said.

        “Yes,” Katie replied awkwardly. “I teach English.”

        “How perfectly dreadful,” she replied, throwing her head back and laughing. “I simply do not see how the two of you do it. I’m fairly certain I’d blow my own brains out within five minutes.”

        At a loss for words, Katie simply smiled and feigned amusement. “And what do you do?” she asked.

        “I have a studio here in the District,” Shay replied. “I’m a photographer. Perhaps you’ve seen my work?”

        “She’s incredibly full of herself since she won her little award,” Mark smirked.

        “Little award?! You’re such a pig,” Shay said. “I recently won a Merit Award in the annual PPA contest for one of the images from a study I did on the docks.”

        “The only thing you were studying was the guys who work on the barges,” Mark said snidely.

        “You are such a Philistine, Markus,” Shay retorted, rolling her eyes and finishing the last sip of her martini. “Now, make it up to me by buying me a drink and maybe I’ll forgive you.”

        “Of course, your highness. Katie?” Mark asked as he pushed back his chair.

        “No, thanks. I’m fine,” Katie said.

        Mark made his way through the crowd that was quickly filling the small bar. Katie watched him go, feeling like the shipwreck survivor who sees the life preserver floating farther and farther away.

        “So how long have you been seeing our Markus?” Shay asked possessively.

        “A little over three months I guess,” Katie replied hesitantly. “We…”

        “Wow, really. That might be some kind of record for him,” Shay said, leaning back in her chair. “What’s your secret?” she asked arching one perfectly plucked eyebrow.

        “No secret,” Katie said blushing. “We enjoy one another’s company.”

        “Right,” Shay said, unsnapping her bag, pulling out a mirror and checking her makeup. Finding all to her satisfaction, she returned the mirror and looked at Katie. “Look,” she said, “you seem like a nice person so I’m going to lay it on the line for you. I’ve known Mark since we were in college. He’s a charmer, but I’ve never known him to stay with anyone very long. He simply doesn’t have the attention span for it. So, if you are hoping to settle down and have the picket fence and the kids with…”

        “I already have a home and a child. I’m not expecting anything,” Katie said bristling. She had been willing to be polite for Mark’s sake, but the effects of the wine were beginning to dull, and she felt her temper rising.

        “Oh,” Shay said, taken aback. “Divorced?”

        “Widowed,” Katie replied shortly.

        “I’m sorry,” Shay said, seeming genuinely embarrassed.

        The two women sat in strained silence waiting for Mark to return. Katie was grateful that the wait was short. Mark soon returned with Shay’s drink.

        “So are you two getting to know one another?” he smiled broadly.

        “Oh, absolutely,” Shay replied and sipped her new drink. “Perfect! You are on your way to absolution.”

        “On my way?” Mark laughed. “What else do you want? The price of drinks is ridiculous in here.”

        “You’re paying for the ambience,” she said. “You’ve lived in Farmville too long. Now dance with me. You know how I adore this song.”

        Shay rose gracefully from her seat and wiggled her manicured fingers at Mark. He looked at Katie, shrugged his shoulders and took her hand. “The next one is ours,” he said.

        She faked a smile and nodded as the two snaked their way onto the dance floor. Her perfect evening was officially ruined. Sitting alone in the crowded club, she could feel a lump forming in her throat.  She watched as the two of them danced, Shay’s movements obviously bent on seduction, and Mark laughing, obviously appreciative of her attention. She simply could not cry. That would be the final humiliation.

        Intent on controlling her emotions, Katie was unaware of the man standing beside their table. “Is this seat taken,” he asked.

        Before Katie could reply, the man had slipped into Shay’s unoccupied chair. “Brian McCallister,” he said extending his hand.

        “Katherine Glenn,” she said taking the offered hand. His grip was firm and lingered for a second longer than necessary. “My friends call me Katie.”

        “I think I’d like to be your friend, so may I call you Katie?” he smiled.

        Brian appeared to be somewhat older than she with dark hair that was graying at the temples. His eyes were blue and twinkled with good humor when he smiled.

        “So where are you from Katie?” he asked. “And what do you do and what brings you to Port City?”

        “How could you tell I’m not from Port City?” she asked, laughing at the barrage of questions.

        “I couldn’t until now,” he said, smiling again. “I’m a police detective so I’m pretty good at asking the right questions.”

        Katie laughed again. She was relieved at being rescued from her own gloomy thoughts. “Well, you’re right,” she said. “I live in Lincoln. My friend and I came over for dinner this evening.”

        “Friend?” he asked.

        Katie pointed toward Mark and Shay.

        “Seems to be having fun,” Brian said. “Would you care to join them?”

        She felt a moment’s hesitation. This was completely unlike her. She rarely spoke to strangers much less danced with one, but a second song had started and Mark had made no move to come over for the dance he had promised her. “Why not?” she thought and took Brian’s extended hand.

        It had been awhile since she had been dancing, but Brian was a strong lead and she quickly became comfortable. Her silky red dress swished and swirled as they danced and basking in the appreciative light in her companion’s eyes, she began to recapture the bright mood she had felt earlier. After another song, the band took a break and Brian led her back to the table where Mark and Shay were sitting.

        Brian introduced himself to Shay and Mark and pulled up a stray chair from a nearby table. “So what do you teach in Lincoln?” he asked Shay.

        “Are you serious?” Shay laughed. “What in the world makes you think I live in Lincoln or teach anything?”

        “Katie said she and her friend were teachers in Lincoln. I suppose I assumed you were her friend. My mistake,” he said.

        “No, I would be her friend,” Mark said quietly. “And speaking of Lincoln, it’s time for us to be making our way back. Katie has a big family get together tomorrow.  Shay, it was good to see you again. I’ll be in touch. Brian, good to meet you.”

        Katie was somewhat taken aback by Mark’s abrupt change of mood. Quickly, she gathered her purse, shook hands with Brian and thanked him for the dances, and said goodbye to Shay. Mark took her elbow in hand and the two of them made their way toward the door.

        When they emerged into the cool evening air, Mark let go of her elbow and began walking briskly for the parking lot next door. He was absolutely silent, and Katie could barely keep up with his quick pace.

        When they got back to the car, he unlocked her door but did not open hers so she opened it herself and slid into the car. “What in the world is the matter with you?” she asked.

        As she watched his face, she could tell that he was clenching and unclenching his teeth, obviously furious. “Wrong?” he finally said. “Why, what in the world could be wrong. I had a perfectly lovely dinner date and then got the pleasure of watching as my date made a fool of herself by rubbing all over a complete stranger on the dance floor of my favorite club. What man wouldn’t enjoy being humiliated in front of one of his oldest friends?”

        Katie was dumbstruck by Mark’s reply. She sat in absolute silence for a split second before her own temper began to flare.

        “Rubbing all over? Have you lost your mind? I danced to two songs, no one and a half songs, with a very nice person who treated me with complete respect. If anyone should be angry it should be me. I came over here under the assumption that we were having time alone only to have your good “friend” Shay slither in and monopolize your time and attention. I’m sorry that I wasn’t content to sit quietly and play second fiddle to the Queen of the District, but it wasn’t particularly pleasant sitting there all alone in a strange place while you and your “friend” ran off to dance.”

        “Don’t be ridiculous, Katie. Shay and I are like brother and sister.”

        “Well then you have a really, really strange family. And you may look at her like a sister, but I can tell you that she doesn’t see you that way. She all but warned me off while you were gone to the bar.”

        Mark clenched his teeth and drove in silence, and Katie leaned against the door and looked out the window, fuming. She couldn’t believe that after the way she had been ignored that he had the audacity to accuse of her behaving badly.

        The trip home passed in strained silence. When Mark pulled up in front of her house, he did not get out and open her door but sat stone-faced as she gathered her things to get out.

        “Thank you for a lovely dinner,” Katie said formally, opening the door. She stepped onto the drive, slammed the door, whirled around and marched for the front door, but her show of ire was lost on Mark who threw the car in gear and drove away without a word.

        Once inside, Katie’s resolve melted. She went straight to her room, threw her clothes in a pile, grabbed one of David’s old t-shirts out of her drawer and pulled it over her head, after which she fell into bed and cried furious tears until she fell asleep.

Chapter Ten

        When Katie woke up the next morning, her eyes were hot and swollen and her head ached. She glanced at the alarm clock and realized that she had slept far too late to make it to church with Lucy and the rest of the family. “Great,” she said. “Another black sheep mark.”

        She rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen in search of coffee. Lucy had brewed a pot and left her a note – “See you at Nan’s.” Katie felt another pang of guilt at having let her daughter down. She poured herself a cup, ran a cloth under cold water and headed for her favorite chair. Two more cups of coffee, two pain relievers and several cold cloths later, she began to feel human enough to consider facing dinner with her parents.

        By the time she had showered and dressed, church was very nearly over so Katie packed up the pies, grabbed her keys and her conspicuously quiet phone and climbed into her SUV. The warm weather was still holding even though October would soon be past, so she opened her sunroof and rolled down the windows, breathing in the smells of crops being harvested in the fields along the road. The whole world seemed awash in shades of red and orange and gold as she drove toward her childhood home.

        Katie’s parents, Henry and Emily McNally, lived only two miles from her own farm. The space between was occupied largely by farmland. In his younger days, her father had worked the land himself, but like most small farmers, he had found it more profitable to lease the land to large-scale operations and work elsewhere. Retired from the coal mines that provided the only other major industry in the area, Henry’s days were now filled with the church, his garden, the livestock and the never-ending list of small jobs on both his own place and Katie’s. Her mother had never worked outside the home, her entire life focused on raising Katie and her two sisters and then helping them with their children.

        Katie pulled into the long drive, her stomach in knots as she anticipated the questions that were imminent. Where was Mark? Why hadn’t she been at church? She felt totally unprepared for the onslaught in light of the way last night’s date had ended. Another quick glance at her phone showed no word from Mark. Maybe her parents would hold off considering both Kade and Sadie were expected. Maybe they would be so focused on Evan or little Tess that her life could momentarily avoid scrutiny. Katie sighed deeply. She could only hope.

        The rest of the family hadn’t arrived yet, so Katie let herself in and put the pies on the counter. Her mother had cooked most of the dinner early that morning and put it in the refrigerator so she began to take the dishes out and warm them up. Within a few minutes, she heard a knock at the back door and heard Sadie call, “Katie?”

        “Come on in,” she called back.  She heard the door close and her young friend came through the mudroom and into the kitchen. “Looks like we’re first, so we’ll start getting it on the table. You not go to church either?”

        “No, I laid out this morning. I’m still going with my parents in Greenville, and I didn’t think I could make it there and back for dinner. I know I need to find a church over here now that I’ve moved closer to the school, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet,” Sadie said.

        Katie nodded her head. She understood the strong ties that Sadie felt with her parents and sympathized with the difficulty she had letting go of the familiar. Moving to Lincoln over the summer had been a major decision, and Sadie had admitted that she still felt like an outsider in the small town in spite of the three years she had taught at the high school. “It’ll happen. Don’t rush it,” she reassured her friend. “Do you care to set the table?”

        “No, I don’t care at all. Just point me in the right direction,” Sadie said with a smile. “Who else is coming today?”

        Katie took plates from the cabinets and handed them to Sadie. “The whole motley crew I guess. Leigha and Wes, Matt and Kaylee and their little girl, Tess, and Evan will all be here plus Mom and Dad and Lucy of course. Kade is supposed to be here and maybe even Elsie. I don’t think you’ve met our youngest sister have you?”

        “I don’t think so,” Sadie said.

        “Well, you are in for a treat then,” Ana laughed.

        “Why?” Sadie asked apprehensively.

        “Elsie is the typical baby of the family. She’s eight years younger than me so Leigha and I spoiled her as much as Mom and Daddy. She’s a nurse at University Hospital and the family princess,” Katie said.

        “Sounds…interesting,” Sadie said hesitantly.

        “Oh, I’m exaggerating. She’s really a good kid. The two of you will probably have more in common than we do. She’s way closer to your age than me.”

        “Good grief, Katie, it’s not like you’re ancient,” Sadie said.

        “Yeah, well I feel ancient. I’m forty. I can’t believe Mark even considers going out with me.”

        “Why? How old is Mark?” Sadie asked.

        “Like thirty-two,” Katie said.

        “That’s not much of a difference. I’m thirty-three,” Sadie said.

        “It’s a lifetime,” Katie sighed. She looked out the window to see a parade of vehicles coming up the long drive. “Looks like we’re about to be invaded.”

        The various members of Katie’s extended family began to file into the big kitchen, laughing and hugging both her and Sadie in turn. Leigha introduced Sadie to Elsie and Kade as her mother took over the last stages of the preparation of dinner and sent everyone to the dining room where she had set up a folding table beside the big trestle table to accommodate the extra people. The meal proceeded with much laughter and story-telling and thankfully for Katie, nobody even mentioned Mark or the fact that she hadn’t been at church.

        After lingering over  their dessert, Emily rose and began to clear the table. Katie and Leigha got up to up to help their mother. “Looks like our cue to escape,” Kade said. “Who’s up for washers?”

        “I’m game,” Evan said. “I do enough dishes on campus. What do you say, Luc?”

        “I’m in,” Lucy said. “Who’s your partner, Uncle Kade?”

        “I was gonna ask you Sprout, but looks like Evan beat me to the punch. Anybody want to join us?” Kade asked.

        “Ugghhhh. Not me,” Elsie said. “I just got a manicure and I’d like it to last until I go back to work.”

        “Well, la-de-dah,” Kade said. “Wes?”

        “Sorry, bud. Game’s on. Henry, you with me?”

        “You know it,” Henry replied.

        “Sadie can be your partner,” Lucy said. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

        “Yeah, come toss with us, Ms. Harper,” Evan joined in.

        “I don’t know how to play washers,” Sadie began.

        “Not a problem,” Kade said. “I’ll give you a quick lesson and besides, the kids are awful. I could beat them blindfolded.”

        “Hey!” Lucy protested.

        The four headed for the door, Lucy and Evan defending their honor and Sadie making excuses for what she was sure would be a horrible performance. Matt and Kaylee took Tess and followed the competitors outside, leaving Katie, Leigha and Emily to clean up the dishes.

        The three worked in companionable silence for a few minutes. Katie held her breath as she worked, waiting for the questions she had hoped to avoid. She didn’t have to wait long.

        “I thought perhaps your boyfriend would join us today,” Emily said, her eyes on the dishes in the sink.

        “He’s not my boyfriend, Mom,” Katie said, rolling her eyes at Leigha who barely suppressed a snicker.

        “Well, whatever you call him, I thought he might come to meet the family. You’ve been dating for quite some time now and he’s never set foot on the place,” Emily said, her voice hinting at a disapproval that made Katie’s hackles rise.

        “Mom…,” Leigha began, sensing an impending explosion, but her mother cut her off.

        “I just think that if a man is going to spend time with a woman he should at least pay her family the courtesy of a visit, that’s all,” Emily continued.

        “Well, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. We had a huge fight last night, and I doubt we’ll be seeing each other so his lack of social etiquette will no longer be a source of distress. I’m sure you are all happy to hear that,” Katie said her anger at Mark merging with the stress of waiting for her mother’s questions and creating an emotional firestorm. Katie wadded her dish towel into a ball and threw it on the counter, a knot in her throat and angry tears forming in her eyes. “I think I’ll go get some air.”

        Emily called to her daughter as Katie stomped toward the back door, but Katie ignored her, slamming the door for good measure and stalking out to the porch swing suspended from a maple tree in the side yard. She watched sulkily as Kade coached Sadie on the finer points of pitching washers as the kids laughed and joked in good-natured competition.  After a few minutes, she felt more than heard her father walk up behind the swing.

        “Can I join you,” he asked.

        “Sure,” Katie said moodily.

Henry walked around and sat down beside his daughter.

        “You know, your mother and I have made no secret of our concern about your relationship with Mark. Honesty has always been our family policy, but we also have tried to make it clear that we respect your right to make your own choices about your companions and what you do or don’t do.”

        “Daddy, I…” Katie began, but Henry cut her off.

        “No, Katherine, let me finish. Your mother is usually the one to handle this sort of thing. Don’t make it harder for me. Even though Mark isn’t the person that we would choose for you to spend time with, we respect your right as an adult to make your own choice, but to suggest, even for a second, that your mother would wish any more sadness in your life is just cruel. She loves you and would do just about anything to ease your heartache. For you to think otherwise is…well, it’s just childish,” Henry finished sadly before rising from the swing.

        Katie sniffed and wiped away hot tears of shame. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she began.

        “I’m not the offended party, dear heart. I’m gonna go see if there’s room in the game for the old master. You think about what I said,” Henry said and he walked across the yard to join the others in their game.

        Katie sadly stared down the drive, miserable in the knowledge that she had hurt her mother’s feelings. It seemed that she was destined to wreck relationships this weekend. Before too long, Kade flopped down in the swing beside her, pushing the swing into motion.

        “Missed you this morning. I thought you might join us with Evan and Elsie both being home,” he said, nudging her with his shoulder.

        “I planned on it. Late night. Overslept. Wait a minute. Us? Since when are you among the faithful?” Katie asked sarcastically, a little annoyed at another indictment of her choices.

        “June,” Kade said candidly.

        “For real?” Katie asked, a little surprised. “What brought that on?”

        “Your daughter,” Kade replied. “She asked me to come with her to the Father’s Day supper. She said she wanted someone to be there just for her. How could I turn that down? You know I’d walk through fire for her, Duchess. I’ve never made any bones about that.”   

        “I know. But that doesn’t explain regular attendance,” Katie said.

        “You know, David tried for years to get me to come to church with him. I always had an excuse. Later. Too busy. Not interested. It was always something, but he never stopped trying. He told me about how his life had changed after coming to Lincoln and getting involved at Shiloh. About how Jesus had changed him. But me – I was just too busy with my own plan. And then David wasn’t there to ask me anymore. “

        Kade was quiet for a moment as if gathering his courage to go on. “You aren’t the only one that misses him, you know. David ended up being the best friend I ever had next to you. So when Lucy asked me to come with her, it was like having one last chance to do something for David. She introduced me to Pastor Neal, and he helped me to understand how I could have that change in my life, too. I’ll be honest with you. I thought it was just words at first, but the more I listened, the more I began to see how all the wild stuff I’ve ever done, the drinking, the fighting, the running around, was just my attempt at filling a hole that God created in me, a hole that was meant to be filled with Him. One morning I was feeding the horses before I went to work when I decided that I wanted that peace I saw in David, not just for Lucy or David’s sake, but for my own. I confessed my sins right then and there and asked Christ into my heart. So yeah, I guess you could call me one of the faithful or at least that’s what I want to be.”

Katie was dumbfounded. How could one of her oldest and dearest friends make such a dramatic change in his life without her knowing? Had she really been so self-absorbed?

“I don’t know what to say, Kade,” Katie said. “I didn’t…I should have…”

Kade put his arm around her and laid his cheek against the top of her head. “It’s OK, Duchess. I’ve just been waiting for a good time to tell you. You’ve been a little sensitive on the topic of church, and I didn’t want to get you all worked up.”

She shook her head silently.

Kade stopped the swing. “I’d better get back to my pupil,” he said. “I don’t want Henry teaching her any bad habits. I think she might have some real potential,” he grinned mischievously.

Katie had seen that look before. “Kade, don’t you dare,” she said sternly. “She just ended a relationship. The last thing she needs is Lincoln’s most notorious playboy running his game on her.”

“Haven’t you heard?” he said with a wink. “I’m a changed man.” And he jogged back toward the game of washers before she could say anything else.

Katie shook her head and smiled weakly. She would have to warn Sadie later. But now, she had fences to mend.

She walked back in the kitchen to find her mother at the counter packaging leftovers for everyone to take home. She walked up behind Emily and wrapped her arms around her petite mother’s neck, leaning her forehead against her mother’s head. “I’m sorry, Momma,” Katie said. “I’m such a brat sometimes.”

Emily smiled as she continued to work. Reaching around to pat her daughter’s arm, she said, “It’s all right, lovest. I need to learn to keep my opinions to myself sometimes. Now help me package up all this food before everyone gets ready to go.”