Kathy

by T. L. Haddix

  “Tomorrow afternoon.” She smiled as she opened the door. “I may have some news for him when he gets here.”

  It took a moment for the meaning behind her words to sink in. “What? Really?”

  Daphne nodded. “Number three—maybe a girl this time. But you don’t dare say a word to anyone, you hear?”

  He hugged her. “I won’t. Congratulations, sis.”

  Her housekeeper met them in the foyer. “Good evening, Miss Daphne. Mister Charles. The boys just went up to bed.”

  “Good evening, Nita.” Charles inclined his head. “Have my nephews behaved themselves for you?”

  “Oh, for the most part,” she said with a twinkling smile. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me, Miss Daphne.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Nita.” Daphne watched her go, then she turned to Charles. “If I didn’t have that woman here to help me, I’d lose my mind. She’s my best friend, you know. Aside from Stanton, of course. I don’t think Mother has ever forgiven her for coming with me when I married.”

  Nita had been Augustina’s maid for many years, but when Daphne married, she’d left their mother’s employment without a backward glance.

  “I’m glad you have her. Will you all be at Mother’s for Sunday dinner, do you think?”

  “Perhaps. It depends on how the weekend goes. Would you like me to call you if we won’t be?” His sister’s look was shrewd.

  “Of course. I’m not going in there alone and unarmed, not after tonight.” He kissed her cheek. “See you soon.”

  As he drove home, memories of the ever-elegant and gracious Evelyn surfaced. Their families had known each other forever, and she was the youngest child of a quite large brood, all of whom were already married off. His mother and Evelyn’s were close, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out that they’d decided to pair him up with Evelyn.

  Charles wanted no part of it. Being attached to a woman who was so perfect would have driven him utterly insane within six months. Charles was about as far from perfect as a person could get, and there was no way he could live up to a debutante’s standards. Nor did he want to.

  He thought about Kathy Browning, who was as dissimilar to Evelyn as chocolate was to vanilla. He didn’t think she was rude and crude, not by any stretch of the imagination, but Kathy didn’t have that bred-in-the-bone Southern grace his mother so adored. As far as that went, neither did his sister, which was one of the reasons Daphne and Charles got along so well. He figured it was Daphne’s gentle form of rebellion, and if he was honest, it was probably his as well.

  Kathy’s lack of polish didn’t bother Charles in the least. He preferred chocolate to vanilla. However, it would have annoyed his mother, and subjecting Kathy to that annoyance wasn’t something he particularly wanted to do. He tried to imagine taking her to Augustina’s for a family dinner, and he whistled. “That could be a disaster.”

  He knew from talking to Roy that Kathy was getting better, that she continued to see the therapist he’d recommended back in June and was making significant progress. She was even considering taking a job in Roy’s office as a secretary. But she still had a ways to go, at least according to Roy, before she would be strong enough to stand on her own.

  “Eliza and Nancy would love to see her find someone, but I don’t think the girl’s ready,” Roy had confided during a working lunch last week. “It’s been three months since she started seeing the doctor, but that’s not a long time given what she’s been through. I don’t know that she’ll ever be ready to trust again.”

  Charles hoped Roy was wrong. Of course, there was no guarantee she’d even give Charles a second look if she started dating again, but he hoped he might be able to catch her attention. He was reasonably attractive, and his success held a lot of appeal to marriage-minded women. For the first time in his life, he hoped he’d appeal to a particular woman. He’d spent a ridiculous amount of time mooning over Kathy in the last few months, and he’d feel like an utter fool if it turned out she couldn’t stand him after all.

  Chapter Twelve

  October 14, 1963 was a Monday. It was mostly rainy, a bit cooler than the usual Savannah weather, and for the most part an unremarkable day in the annals of history. But it was Kathy’s first day at her new job working as part of the secretarial pool for the management and billing office at the department store, and as such, it was a day she’d never forget. This time, however, the day was going down in her personal history book as a positive mark. At least, she hoped so.

  The last few months had been challenging on a level she’d never expected. She’d continued seeing Dr. Milton and was still seeing her, though only once a week now. Together, they’d worked through layer upon layer of grief and anger and emotions Kathy couldn’t even begin to name, getting down to the bare bones of who Kathy was and what she wanted her life to be.

  She still wasn’t exactly sure what that was, but she figured getting a job like a normal person was a good place to start. When Roy had mentioned the part-time position, working four days a week in the offices at the department store, she only hesitated a moment before expressing her interest. With his help, she’d easily secured the job, and now here she was, having her first full day.

  “Your duties will include filling in for or helping anyone who needs you,” Mrs. Barnum, her supervisor, explained. “For right now, I have you shadowing Dana in billing. If she runs out of work for you, she’ll send you over to Carol in marketing. Any questions?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  By the time the day ended and Kathy was on the bus home, she was exhausted. She’d learned so much today that her head was spinning, but it had felt so good to be useful, to be necessary to a process, and to know she was earning her keep. It was worth the effort. Finally, after all these years, she was making her own way in the world.

  True, she was still living at home with Eliza, but it was a situation that suited them both perfectly well. Neither was ready to be on her own now or anytime in the foreseeable future.

  A couple of weeks after she started work, she was sent over to Roy’s office to fill in for his secretary, who’d called in sick.

  “You’re familiar with the phone system by now,” he said as he greeted her that morning. “I don’t anticipate it being a very busy day, though I do have several letters that will need typing. Lorna keeps templates in a folder in a drawer under the typewriter. Her father’s quite elderly and tends to have spells from time to time, so she’s prepared a playbook of sorts for her substitutes.”

  “Okay. I’ll familiarize myself with it.” When he beamed at her, she tilted her head quizzically. “What?”

  “I’m just proud of you, that’s all.”

  Kathy smiled and shook her head. “Get on with you.”

  He winked and patted her shoulder. “I’ll be in my office. Oh, Charles will probably be stopping by around lunchtime. We have some paperwork to go over. You know, he asks about you every time I see him.”

  She didn’t know what to think about that, and she frowned as she sat and uncovered the typewriter. “I can’t imagine why.”

  “Can’t you?” Roy chuckled and went into his office. “I can think of a reason or two.”

  “You don’t… no. No,” she said to herself. “He can’t mean… of course not. That’s ridiculous.” The idea that Charles would be interested in her was too wild to even contemplate.

  When he came in a few hours later, she smiled at him with awkward politeness, Roy’s comments echoing in her mind. It was the first time she’d seen Charles since that day on the beach, and she was at a loss for words.

  He stopped short when he saw her. “Kathy! Hello. I didn’t expect to see you today. How are you?”

  “I’m well. And you?”

  “Staying busy. How’re you liking the job?” He wasn’t quite smiling, but his look definitely held warmth.

  Kathy shrugged. �
�I stay busy. I’m enjoying it, really. I’ll let Roy know you’re here.” She didn’t give him a chance to protest before she walked to Roy’s door and knocked, easing it open. “Charles is here.”

  “Show him in, show him in! Thanks, Kathy.”

  As Charles passed her, he smiled at her, and she noticed for the first time how much the expression transformed him from being somewhat ordinary into someone who was surprisingly appealing. The realization shook her as much as the shiver of awareness she felt. He was the first man she’d looked at in years and felt anything for more than platonically.

  “I’m not ready for that,” she whispered as she sat back down. Her heart was pounding, her palms were slick, and she felt a little sick to her stomach. “No, I’m definitely not ready for that.”

  Determined to shove the awareness to the back of her mind and leave it there, she picked up the stack of correspondence Roy had left for her a little while earlier and started typing for all she was worth. If there was one thing she’d learned about herself in recent months, it was that she could do just about anything if she put her mind to it, including distance herself from emotional threats.

  Thinking about the warm smile Charles had given her and her own reaction, she sighed. “You, sir, are definitely an emotional threat. And I’m sorry, but we just can’t have that.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Charles was looking forward to the firm’s New Year’s party as he’d not anticipated anything in a long time. Partly because he did like the people he worked with, but mostly, it was because he knew Kathy would be there.

  He’d seen her several times at the store since October, and she’d made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with him outside of business. She’d not been snide exactly, but he’d gotten the message that his attentions—even though they’d mostly been professional—were not wanted.

  Perversely, that captivated him even more. His sister would have laughed herself silly if she’d known about his interest. He felt like an utter fool, lovestruck and mooning, but he was stuck on Kathy, plain and simple.

  “I’m not sure why she doesn’t like me,” he mused as he subtly straightened his tie in one of the ballroom’s mirrors, “but I’ll figure it out.”

  He realized she’d probably never think of him romantically, but he hoped he might be able to win her friendship at least. Scanning the crowd covertly, he studied the reflections of the people behind him. Kathy’d arrived about thirty minutes earlier with her mother, Nancy, and Roy. Not wanting to appear overly eager, Charles had held off on approaching them. It was time though. They’d nearly circled the room, and they were at the perfect spot for an interception.

  Just as he started out from the secluded alcove he’d been in, however, one of the senior partners called to him. By the time he broke free several minutes later and made his way to the little group, Kathy was nowhere to be seen.

  Trying to not look too disappointed, he smiled. “Hello, Roy. Ladies, you look lovely tonight.”

  Eliza’s smile revealed faint dimples. “Thank you, Charles. You’re looking exceptionally handsome yourself. How are you?”

  “Doing well enough. Are you three enjoying the party?”

  “It’s a fine evening,” Nancy told him. “But you aren’t here by yourself, are you? Where’s your date?”

  Charles spread his hands ruefully. “I’m afraid I’m all alone.”

  Roy nudged him with an elbow. “I thought you were working hard at avoiding your matchmaking mama.”

  Shoving his hands in his pockets, Charles shrugged. “I am. She’s determined to pair me off to a handpicked debutante. I want no part of that.” His mouth tightened as he thought about how embittered that battle had become over the last few months. “At this rate, I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave the country to avoid her efforts.”

  “Surely not.” Eliza frowned. “I’ve never understood parents who pressure their children to marry.”

  That provided him with just the opening he needed. “Speaking of children, Mrs. Browning… I thought I saw Kathy with you earlier. Isn’t she here?”

  Eliza and Nancy exchanged a look. “She is. She stepped out for some air. My daughter isn’t a fan of crowds, unfortunately. And please, call me Eliza.”

  Charles gave her a half grin. “Yes, ma’am. Do you know which way she went? I’d like to wish her a happy new year.”

  Once they’d pointed him in her direction, he set out. It was close to ten o’clock, the party naturally starting and running late because of its purpose. The band was playing festive songs across the room, and the crowd was growing louder by the minute. He could well understand Kathy’s need for peace, though he suspected her past had more than anything to do with her reticence to mingle.

  The door to the veranda was well hidden, tucked away in a quiet corner of the ballroom, and Charles slipped through it. Outside, the patio was dimly lit with strategically placed sconces and torches, and it was the perfect spot for grabbing a few minutes’ respite. Loaded with greenery and comfortable-looking benches tucked into alcoves, the deserted area would also have been the perfect spot for a lovers’ tryst.

  “None of that, old boy. Don’t even let your mind go there.”

  A soft sigh sounded from the far corner of the veranda, and Charles’s heart skipped a beat. He pushed his glasses up and headed in that direction, hoping he wasn’t interrupting someone’s romantic evening. To his very great relief, when he turned the corner into the darkest area, he found Kathy.

  “Evening, ma’am. Mind if I join you?”

  She stiffened, and he heard her sigh again. “Of course not. I was just getting ready to go back inside anyhow.”

  He sat beside her, taking care not to crowd her on the bench. “Why in the world would you do that? It’s noisy and hot and entirely too busy in there. It’s much nicer out here.” He stretched his legs and unbuttoned his jacket, doing some exhaling of his own as the tension he’d not realized he’d been carrying faded. “I may hide out here the rest of the night.”

  Kathy didn’t relax, but she didn’t get up and leave either. “Why would you need to hide?”

  “Ah, the shameful truth. I’m afraid to tell you. You might think less of me.” A smile teased the corners of his mouth, morphing into a full-blown grin when she sent him a perturbed look. “Though I don’t know if you could like me less than you already do.”

  She scowled and turned toward him. “I beg your pardon?”

  “It’s fairly obvious,” he said with a shrug. “If I’ve done anything to offend you, please let me know. I’m sure it’s entirely my fault, whatever it is. I’d just like to know before we roll over into the new year. I might need to make a resolution or something.”

  Kathy stared at him for a moment, her mouth open ever so slightly as a soft pink flushed her cheeks. Then she snorted. “Has anyone ever told you that you are decidedly odd, Charles Kelly?”

  He laughed. “Oh, my sister’s made a similar statement a time or two. So what is it? What’s my crime? I know a good lawyer,” he confided, leaning in ever so slightly.

  She shook her head slowly. “I don’t dislike you.”

  “But you don’t exactly like me either. Do you?” he asked in a quiet, serious tone, all joviality gone. Her answer was too important.

  “No, I can’t say that I do.” She sat back against the bench as though the confession had lifted a weight off her shoulders. “So why are you hiding out here?”

  Swallowing his disappointment, he studied the nails of his left hand. “I’m trying to avoid any marriage-minded bombs my mother might have placed in my path, if you want the stark, honest truth. I’m sure a couple of ladies in there have a mission tonight with instructions straight from Augustina Kelly. If I’d not been obliged to attend because of my partnership with the firm, I’d have stayed home.”

  He felt the weight of Kathy’s gaze as she
studied him, but he didn’t look at her. He was afraid of what his face might reveal if he did.

  “That surprises me. I would have pegged you as being the straight arrow who was determined to start building the perfect little family.” There was a bite in her tone that was unexpected.

  He glanced at her. “No. I’ve never wanted that, not really. That’s always been my mother’s dream for me. Not my own.”

  She turned toward him, reluctant curiosity in her eyes. “You don’t want children? A wife?”

  “I have no desire to be a father—never have. As to the question of a wife… it’s complicated.” He groaned inwardly, hoping her curiosity didn’t lead her down the path of asking why. Explaining that he’d only ever met one woman who’d made him remotely consider marriage—and that was her, the woman who didn’t even like him—would have been truly humiliating.

  An arrested expression crossed her face, and she leaned toward him just a bit. “You surely aren’t… are you gay?”

  Stunned, Charles stared at her for a long minute, then he burst into appalled laughter. “You think I’m… no! No, I’m not gay.” He wasn’t sure whether he was more outraged or amused. He cringed, thinking of what that meant as far as her impression of his masculinity. “You thought I was a homosexual?”

  “No! Of course not. But most men your age, with your social position, well… they need a wife.” She lifted her hands to her face. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You must think I’m awful.”

  Charles was still chuckling. “No, I don’t.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m ridiculous. I’ve been reading too much lately. That’s my only excuse.”

  Ignoring the previous conversation, he focused on her comment. “What do you like to read?”

  “Everything.” She moved her shoulders in a loose shrug and sat back. “I never was much of a reader growing up, you see. That was more my sister Sarah’s purview. She’s a librarian even—at least, she is when she works. She’s busy being a mother right now. Anyhow, after I started seeing Dr. Milton, I needed something to do to keep me busy. She suggested reading, so I started. And I’ve not stopped since. I swear I’ve checked out every book they have at the library, and I have a whole bookcase of my own that’s overflowing.”