Stealing Time

by Nancy Pennick

  “Tyson always does something, doesn’t he?” She tried to laugh it off like she was making a joke.

  “If he did...”

  “Drew, no. He didn’t.” Kate turned her head and felt the tears welling in her eyes again. She couldn’t tell him that the real Tyson emerged tonight, and she had no idea what he would do next.

  Chapter Three

  Senior year seemed to fly by, and Kate had no idea where the days went. She stood at her bedroom window, gazing out at the backyard on a sunny June day. The lilacs, a reminder of Drew’s mother and their wedding, were in full bloom, proudly showing off their dark purple and lavender colors. The pool was open in time for her graduation party, its waters sparkling in the morning sun. Hard to believe she and her friends recently graduated, and their June parties started.

  Her family and Drew were invited to Tyson’s party and attended with no problems. It was like nothing ever happened between the families. Kate was determined to make it work and raise no suspicions. Her plan was to get through the summer and finally put some distance between Tyson and her. Strangely enough, Ty went back to friend mode after the dance, never referencing their conversation or kiss.

  Tyson’s mom, Mrs. Gray, went a little overboard making them feel welcome at his party, but other than that, Kate felt comfortable at their house. It was such a familiar place, a place where she grew up. She knew where the remotes were and what cupboard contained the snacks. The couch in the family room was still the same, a little worn from all the jumping they were allowed to do when they were younger.

  Mrs. Gray was very tolerant of bad behavior and most of the time let Tyson have his way. He was an only child, too, and sometimes Kate was jealous of how he got to do anything he wanted. He never wanted for toys or money and always wore the latest fashion. Maybe that’s what helped him land his summer job as a model. He always knew what was popular and in style plus he was tall, blonde and good-looking.

  Kate turned away from the window and decided to get ready for her party—actually hers and Drew’s. They decided to have a combination party because they knew the same people. Kate went over the guest list in her head. Lindsey, Jordyn and their families, the Grays and her mom’s family, Drew’s football friends and her group of friends who had stuck together since elementary school were all coming. Most important were Maya Johnson and her son, Carl Jr. They lived next door and were like family. They were time travelers, too.

  Maya, the original traveler from the present, was the keeper of the set of books. She had them locked safely away in her home. Drew and Kate kept theirs on the nightstands, right next to their beds, ready and waiting for the next adventure. Drew’s was at the Roberts’ house since he spent most of his time there. The guest bedroom was really Drew’s room. Kate headed for that room now, needing to be near him for some reason. She opened the drawer of one of the dressers and pulled out a shirt, raising it to her face. She took in his essence, faintly smelling him on the shirt.

  “You could smell the real thing, you know.”

  Kate jumped, startled by the interruption. “Drew, you scared me!” She playfully punched his chest and then melted into him. “I was missing you, and...” No, need to tell him about her Tyson concerns on their special day.

  “You decided to smell my shirt,” Drew teased. “Now let me smell you.” He snuggled against her neck, softly kissing it.

  “You better stop, or you’re taking me to the canyon right now!” Kate giggled, then gave him a quick kiss. “I have to get ready. I haven’t talked to Anna yet.”

  “Well, you better get going. I know once you two get started you’ll never get off the phone.”

  “She’s my best friend, Drew.”

  “Don’t let Lindsey hear you say that.”

  “She knows! Plus she can’t be jealous of her great-grandmother, can she?”

  “Anna was your first friend at the canyon. You found her again, right here in the present, so Lindsey would never deny you that friendship. And like you said, it’s her Grandma J.”

  “I’m so lucky to have found her. Just wish she was up for traveling.”

  “At 101-years-old, she’s doing pretty well. I’m glad we both have her.”

  Kate kissed Drew again. “I am, too.” She felt happy and lucky at this moment and wished that feeling could last forever as she headed for her room.

  Kate threw on a sundress, grabbed a pair of sandals and did a final touch up of lip gloss in the bathroom mirror before heading down to the party. She wanted to make sure she was early and available to greet guests. Her phone rang, and she skipped over to where it lay on the bed, quickly answering it.

  “Anna, glad you called back. I was surprised I got your voice mail earlier.” Kate worried when Anna didn’t answer because she always picked up when she saw Kate’s number, even if she was on another call.

  “Oh, you know us old folks, always forgetting where we put things,” Anna joked. “Couldn’t find the darn thing till now and saw you called. I know you have a party to attend but had to call and say congratulations, Kathryn. You graduated high school—finally! It’s been over eighty years since I did, and it’s about time you did, too.”

  They both laughed together. Kate didn’t know what she’d do without Anna in her life. She was one of the few who understood what it was like to live both lives, here in the present and back in 1927.

  “Anna, I have so much to tell you, but you’re right, the party’s about to start. Wish you were here.”

  “Me, too, but soon you’ll be here with Lindsey to celebrate your eighteenth birthdays and then...college.”

  “I know. I can’t wait. Drew and I plan on visiting every weekend once we’re at school.”

  “You shouldn’t waste your time visiting an old lady. It’s a couple hours drive. That’s too much. Don’t you kids have better things to do? Like head to that cabin in the woods for the weekend?”

  The cabin was Drew’s home at the canyon, built for him by his grandfather. When Drew and Kate went back to 1927, they always ended up there so they could be alone. “Anna, stop it. You know you’re important to us. Everything will work out.”

  “Well, just think about it, okay? And tell Drew I said it’s about time he graduated, the old man,” Anna snickered. “What is he now? Nineteen?”

  “Yeah, his birthday was in January.”

  “Well, he finally aged a year. He should be as old as me!” Again the two friends laughed and said their good-byes.

  Drew stopped by Kate’s room on his way down so she was able to tell him about the conversation.

  “Wow, it’s hard to believe I could be over one hundred years old, too...if I was still alive, that is.” Drew winked at her.

  “You would be, and I’d still love you.” Kate hugged his arm as they headed down the steps.

  “Even if I was old and wrinkled?”

  “Even then.” Kate spotted Maya and Carl in the family room. “Ooh, I wanted to be down here before anyone came.”

  “It’s just us.” Maya hugged Kate tightly. “Guess what? I’m coming to Arizona for your birthday.”

  Kate was shocked. Maya had avoided Arizona for years, fearing Anna would recognize her from the past. Now that Anna knew the truth, there was no reason to stay away.

  Maya and her husband Carl Sr. ran the boardinghouse at the Grand Canyon. They were known as the Johanssons back then. Carl was from the past and had discovered the books when he renovated the home. He was the pioneer, the first to travel to the future using the book, meeting Maya in the process. Together they figured out how the book worked and how to use it. They married in the present and had one son, Carl Jr.

  Anna, Lucinda—who was Kate’s great-great aunt—and Ruthie were young girls who came to work as Harvey girls at El Tovar restaurant. They lived at the boardinghouse with the Johanssons. Kate met them on her first day at the canyon after waking in a strange bedroom.

  Thinking it was only a dream, she went along with everything that happened. Maya was the o
nly person she recognized, but insisted she was Mrs. Johansson. Kate was always suspicious, but Maya never let on until Kate figured out the truth.

  “Maya, I’m so happy you’re coming. I heard Carl’s bringing his family, too.” She turned to Carl Jr., hugging him next. “Can’t have a birthday without my big brother.” Kate always called Carl her brother, even though he was her friend and neighbor. It just felt right.

  He laughed. “It won’t be like last year. I had no idea what you and Drew were up to, but I’m glad we’re in this together. It will be great seeing Thomas the Third again. He may be surprised to see his Aunt Josie and cousin Carl with me. Might be a lot of explaining to do.”

  “We’ll think of something, I’m sure.” Kate grew nervous when she thought about all the ins and outs of their double life. It was like they were in a private club, and everyone was sworn to secrecy. She didn’t want a lot of people finding out. Things could go terribly wrong

  Carl’s story from the canyon was a complicated tale. Although his father was the first time traveler, Carl Jr. never visited the canyon. His parents kept him away, thinking it best. Kate encouraged him to visit last summer so he could see his dad. Little did she know he’d meet someone and fall in love.

  “Are you really okay, Carl?”

  “Hey, I come from a great gene pool. Remember I’m the one and only Swedish-African-American who...”

  “Left California?”

  “Better not be another one out there.”

  Kate laughed at their old joke. When she was a little girl Carl moved to California. She cried and asked why he had to go. Carl told her there had to be a Swedish-African-American in every state, and they needed one. That was the beginning of the private joke.

  “Your father would be proud.” She patted his face. “And so would Rachel.”

  Rachel worked as a maid at the canyon. Carl fell instantly in love when he met her. As soon as Drew found out who she was, he insisted Carl stop seeing her. She was meant to marry Thomas Cook, his best friend. The Cooks would have three children, Josie, Dorothy and Thomas Jr.

  After learning the Cook history from Thomas the Third last year, Carl Jr. figured out that Josie, the oldest of Thomas and Rachel Cook’s three children, was really his daughter. Kate almost wanted to laugh at how ridiculous that sounded. It was odd to think a woman in her eighties could be Carl’s daughter. He was in his early thirties, young enough to be Josie’s grandchild. But it happened. Everyone agreed it was fate. Josie was supposed to be his daughter.

  More guests began to arrive, and the party began. Drew hung out with his football friends, while Kate talked with Lindsey and Jordyn.

  “I wish you could come to Arizona for our birthdays, Jordyn.” Kate felt like they were drifting apart now school had ended.

  “I do, too, but my moms want me to visit the college one more time. Then we’re going on vacation. They want me all to themselves this summer because I’m leaving. I told them it’s time to revisit China and get another baby!” Jordyn said lightly with humor. She was back to her fun-loving self after last summer’s miscarriage and break up with Matt Parker. Kate was happy for her, and that was the best gift someone could give a friend. Jordyn found a fresh start with Brian, and the two would be together at college.

  Kate wanted some time to herself so she wandered off from the crowd. She stood in a corner of the deck, soaking up the beginning of summer and daydreaming of starting her canyon life. She could return in July—just like the past two years. The excitement was building because she could see all her friends again and live the life she loved, sometimes more than this one.

  That thought was interrupted when Tyson and his parents arrived. Kate hugged Mrs. Gray, and even let Tyson give her a quick peck on the cheek.

  “Your turn to celebrate, Katie,” Tyson whispered in her ear. Aloud he said, “So have you chosen your college yet?”

  “Just about.” Kate hated lying, but she and Drew made a pact not to tell him where they were going until the last possible moment. “What about you? Ohio State?”

  Kate knew Tyson gave the school a verbal commitment but had other offers. She didn’t think there were any schools in Arizona that talked to him, but they weren’t taking any chances.

  “Yeah, I think I’ll go there. Didn’t Drew get an offer from OSU? He should take it, and we’ll be at the same school. Erin’s in the process of transferring there. It’d be like old times.” He gave her a sly smile.

  Kate was aware of what old times could be like so she kept up her wall of privacy. “You never know. It might happen.” She hoped this would throw him off the trail.

  “I’m being pressured to commit by my parents. They’re all for me staying in Ohio so they can come to my games.”

  “Well, there’s a deadline for all of us. When’s yours?”

  “I have to make up my mind before I leave.”

  That was news to Kate. “Leave? Are you still modeling?”

  “Yeah, just for the summer. Thought I’d make some cash for spending money this year. Heading to New York City tomorrow for about a month.”

  Kate did a back flip in her mind. Tyson would be gone for most of the summer. Her family left for Arizona next week and when they returned, her dad and Drew would make their semi-annual trip to New York City. The main reason for the visit was to go to their bank to withdraw money, jewelry, stocks and bonds deposited in 1927. They began to share the wealth with Carl after the tragic year he had.

  Scenes began to whirl through Kate’s head from that time. Carl revealing how he figured out Josie was his daughter and not Thomas’. How he let Rachel go...insisting she marry Thomas so history stayed the same. Carl and Kate hiking down the Kaibab Trail at the canyon to find Drew. Carl taking Drew’s place in the boat because he said someone needed to die that day. Carl being brought back unconscious. Kate sitting by his bedside, praying he’d live. Standing by him as he grieved for a life and love he’d never have.

  Kate knew it would never make up for what happened or ease anyone’s conscience, but felt he was entitled to the money. Maya encouraged him to save and invest, like any good mother, but Carl bought a sports car. No one faulted him.

  “Katie, are you listening to me?” Tyson put his hand on her arm and gave a little shake.

  “Oh, yeah, you were saying?” Kate felt bad she missed what he said. She needed to know his plan and stay on top of things.

  “I said it will probably be OSU. I’ll make the call tomorrow. Tell Drew to do the same.”

  “Sure, sure...” Kate’s eyes met Drew’s as he came up the deck stairs.

  “Hey, is it alright if I run upstairs to the bathroom? Seems this one has a line.” Tyson pointed over his shoulder.

  “No problem.” Kate was distracted by the look on Drew’s face and wanted to assure him everything was fine.

  “What’s he up to now?” Drew took her in his arms.

  “Committing to Ohio State...tomorrow.” Kate kept her voice low. “He thinks you’re going there, too.”

  “Well done, wife.” Drew kissed her on the forehead. “You’re getting better and better at this spy thing.”

  “Plus he leaves for New York City tomorrow for a month or so.”

  “Even better.” Drew shook his head. “You know I don’t like the fact he’s around when I’m gone. He seems to have a sixth sense about coming over when you’re alone.”

  All of a sudden, it struck Kate that Tyson was upstairs alone. “Did you put your book away before you came downstairs?”

  “I think so. Why?”

  “Tyson’s up there.” With that, Kate slipped out of Drew’s hold and headed for the stairs.

  “Thanks, Katie.” Tyson waved his hand as he came down the stairs. “Just got a text from Erin. I’m picking her up and will be right back.” He headed for the front door and was gone before she could say a word.

  Running up the stairs, taking two at a time, Kate rushed into her room. Everything looked in place as she opened the drawer in her n
ightstand. Her book stared up at her. Breathing a sigh of relief she ran to Drew’s room. She glanced at the table next to the bed and not seeing the book, started opening all of the drawers, searching through socks, sweatpants, and t-shirts.

  “Hey, you’re making a mess.” Drew stepped in the room. “If the book isn’t on the table then I put it in the bottom drawer. Here, let me.” Drew gently moved Kate to the side. He pulled out the bottom drawer and felt under a pile of jeans. He glanced up at her with a frightened look in his eyes. “It’s not here.”

  “Oh my gosh, Drew. Tyson’s got the book!” Kate began to cry hysterically. What she feared most just transpired. The book got into the wrong hands.

  Drew sat her down on the bed, putting his arm around her to calm her. “No one can see you like this. Try and pull yourself together. We have to let your dad know right away. We’ll figure out a way to get it back.”

  “I’ll tell Carl. He’s good at figuring out what to do.” Kate got up and wiped her eyes with a tissue. “How do I look?” She turned to Drew.

  “Like you’ve been crying.”

  “Not good.”

  “Take a minute and compose yourself. I’m going to find Jack and bring him up.” Drew disappeared and within a minute was back with Kate’s dad.

  “Are you two sure you checked everywhere?” Her father glanced around the room. “I don’t know what to say.” He hit himself lightly in the head. “Think! I want to be an investigative reporter, and I’ve got nothing.”

  “Investigative reporter?” Her father’s comment distracted Kate for a moment. “Where did that come from?”

  “Always wanted to be one. Maybe write a crime novel or two.”

  “But your books are about travel and...”

  “Just fluff pieces, practice.” Her father abruptly cut her off. He rubbed his face. “Sorry to be so gruff.”

  “We’re all upset. Can’t think straight right now.” Drew laid his hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “We’ve got this. Go back to the party.”