The car ride was filled with smooth jazz, and laughter spurring from both of us. Our bellies were full, but so were our hearts at the warm friendship we had. We got along so well, and the conversation was never forced or awkward. We just clicked, and I did owe thanks to the Puntzer family for that one, although I didn’t thank them for much else.
Kim snagged a sweet spot at the front of the theatre and we walked up to the ticket booth to purchase our tickets for the 7:00 showing.
We walked right past the snack counter, both of us too full to even think of eating again. I was always the movie goer decked out with snacks and drinks, but today I opted out… for my stomach’s sake.
The trailers started, and just as I assumed, they were well worth it. They always gave me a good idea of what I was interested in seeing, and what I wasn’t.
Finally, the movie began to start.
By the end of the film, both Kim and I were in tears. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to either of us, given that the girl does end up with the guy every time, but the storyline was so beautifully written as well as executed by the up and coming actors.
“That was amazing.” Kim turned to me as the credits started rolling.
“Right? I felt like I was a part of their story.” I wiped a stray tear away.
We were the biggest babies.
We grabbed our purses and headed out of the theatre narrowly avoiding a couple who was smashing their faces together near the end of one of the aisles.
The walk to the car was chilly, as it was now dark outside. The cashmere was a good idea earlier, but now I found myself wanting something warmer.
Kim unlocked the door, and I did my usual crutch toss routine and crawled in. The foot was getting easier to walk on, but it was still hard.
The drive to my house was short, and the car was loud with Kim and I talking vibrantly about the movie. We loved it.
Sure enough, my dad was waiting at the door once I sent him an “On our way” text five minutes ago. He was big on my safety lately, and it was a miracle he let me out of his sight at all.
I waved goodbye to Kim as I hobbled up the cobblestone path to my door.
Once inside, I raved about the movie to my dad, who seemed less than enthusiastic about going to see a tear-jerker film. Nevertheless, he listened until 10:00 when he decided to turn in for the night.
I walked up the stairs deciding that the railing was easier to maneuver then the crutches. I walked into my room tossing all my stuff on the bed and turning on the lights.
I shut the door and nearly collapsed at the sight of Mark leaning on my windowsill.
“Mark… what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to bring you something.” He cascaded toward me, palm open, holding a third jewelry box.
“You didn’t have to.” I grabbed it, opening it and being in awe over the gorgeous pair of earrings he brought for me.
I closed the box and tossed it on the bed. Mark took my hands in his, grabbed the side of my face and pulled me in for a kiss.
Every inhibition I had fought telling me that he was wrong for me, began to slip away one by one.
We broke the kiss, and Mark hooked his leg over the side of the window. He leaned his head in, extended his hand to me, and spoke.
“Come with me Katie.”
I shocked myself when my hand reached out and joined his.
The Iron Room Page 23