Kat just stared, her mouth agape. She narrowed her eyes. “Dawn said..."
He looked at her sharply. “What did my sister say?"
"Dawn said you were a physical education teacher."
"Were being the operative word there. I have a Master's degree in physical education and a bachelor's in special ed. I had intended to teach before my father got sick, then ... well, everything changed."
Everything changed...
It always does, she thought.
"S-so you went to work for MegaMart?"
He smiled thinly. “The board of directors wasn't happy. My father insisted on running the company, even after the Alzheimer's took hold. They considered him ... an embarrassment. I for one did not relish the thought of my father, the founder of MegaMart, being thought of as ... crazy. So, I took over. I stepped in and took the reins."
"But that wasn't what you wanted."
"No, Kat, it wasn't. I wanted to be a gym teacher."
She smiled. “That's sweet and ... wonderful, Jared."
He shrugged. “Some dreams ... well, they aren't big dreams. At least, not to everyone."
"Oh, no! Jared, a dream is just that ... a dream. No matter how big."
"I guess...” He pulled at a few blades of grass and tossed them away.
"There's no guessing about it,” she replied firmly. “And I think it's wonderful what you did for your father. He'd be proud of you Jared, very proud.” Like I am, went unsaid.
For just a second he seemed unsure. Then he blurted out, “Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Will you come to the Civic Association Meeting on Thursday? Will you come and endorse my idea?"
Her heart pounded. She didn't speak for a few seconds then she said simply, “Yes."
Jared kissed her soundly on the lips. They didn't say anything more for quite some time. Kat snuggled back down in Jared's arms as they listened to the music coming from the amphitheater. He kissed and caressed her, stirring her desire for him, letting her glimpse at the night of passion that was to come.
Kat felt drowsy and replete. The next thing she knew, Jared whispered in her ear. “Before my she-cat takes her snooze, she has to open her presents."
She laughed, the sound lazy. “Presents? What presents?"
He reached for the old fishing basket, placing it between his legs. “This was the basket my father and I used to take on all our fishing trips together."
Kat eyed it. “It is?"
"We kept bait and tackle in it, our lunch and snacks. It's got a wealth of fond memories and history attached to it."
"I'm sure it does,” she murmured, running her hand over the wooden slats. They felt rough, splintery.
"Open it,” he told her.
She hesitated.
"Go on,” he nodded toward the basket. “Take a look at the presents I got you."
Kat flipped open the lid, peering inside. She blinked once, not sure of what she was seeing at first, and then she pulled a long white, plastic-handled brush from the inside. “A toilet bowl brush?” Kat screwed up her face and shook her head in disbelief. “A toilet bowl brush is my present?"
"Now, now...” he grabbed it from her hand. “I told you the basket held a wealth of history. This,” he pointed the brush at her. “Is MegaMart history. The ninety-nine-cent toilet bowl brush. It was MegaMart's blue-light special from August, two thousand and three."
Kat's mouth hung open. Then she covered it and fell back onto the blanket, a peal of laughter escaping as she did.
Jared followed her down on the blanket and covered her with his body. “You think it's funny? You're laughing at my family's history!” He tickled her ribs, making her laugh more.
"Oh, God, Jared, stop!” she squealed. “Jared!"
He did, helping her sit upright.
"Jared,” she grinned. “That really is funny."
"Go on,” he nodded in the direction of the basket again. “Open all your presents."
Kat reached in and pulled out a small box. A picture of what appeared to be a small plant on a pig lined the outside of the box. “What the ... oh no ... it's the ‘Chia-Pet,’ isn't it?” Again she laughed.
"The MegaMart blue-light holiday special, December, nineteen eighty-five."
"Oh, oh ... Jared, it's priceless.” She dug through the basket and came away with a box containing a ... rock. “No ... this isn't..."
"The ‘Pet Rock,’ the MegaMart, blue-light special, circa nineteen seventy-five."
Again, Kat erupted into peals of laughter.
"Okay, dig again, my lovely opponent. I've got something else for my she-cat."
She reached in and withdrew a clear, plastic bag. Kat read the label on the outside of the plastic covering aloud, “Ladies two-piece baby-doll pajamas, one size-fits-all.” Kat's eyes widened. “No..."
"Sure. The MegaMart blue-light special of the week, circa ... the present."
He grabbed the package from her and opened it, taking out the bloomer-style bottom and wide pajama top, decorated with little blue flowers.
Kat covered her mouth, trying to hold in her laughter as Jared held them up, first the top then the bottom. “Looks great on you,” he told her as he placed the pajama top near the front of the bodice of her dress. “And the bottom ... real sexy."
Kat couldn't stop laughing. She didn't want to. She was having the time of her life. It felt good.
"Okay, one more thing."
She sighed and hiccupped. “Jared, I don't think I could stand anymore."
"Just one more thing, I promise."
Kat sighed. “Okay, then, one more.” She dug down to the bottom of the basket and withdrew a large envelope bearing the MegaMart logo.
"Go on, open it.” Jared told her, his eyes intense.
She did, and removed what appeared to be a ... contract. Kat scanned it, her eyes widening. Her hands shook, the papers falling from her hands.
"Jared ... it's ... it's..."
"A contract. Between you and MegaMart. I want you by my side, Kat, here in Summerville. When we start this project, I want your help and advice. I can't think of a better person to have at my side than you."
"But ... Jared. I'm not cut out to be ... I mean. I'm not the corporate type. I never was.” It's what Arthur was, went unsaid. He was Corporate America ... money, power ... her downfall.
He grabbed her hands, taking them in his own. “You'd be perfect for this. I know you would. You're the heart and soul of Summerville."
She pulled away, shaking her head. “It's the people, Jared, not just me."
"Yes, but ... I see what you've done here, Kat. You've given your life to Summerville. That's all I need to know about you—that you care."
Her throat felt tight.
"And if that's not enough to convince you, maybe this will."
He withdrew another envelope from the basket and placed it in her hands. Kat opened it with trepidation, withdrawing a check made out to her from MegaMart. Her eyes flew to his dark ones. “Jared ... thi-this is a check for a hundred thousand dollars."
"According to that contract, we pay you half now, after signing, then the other half upon completion of the project."
Two hundred thousand dollars! What she couldn't do with that ... it would help a lot of women.
Kat smiled at him, her heart swelling with joy.
"Show me where to sign,” she said softly. Then she leaned over and kissed him.
When she finished, she handed the contract back to him. He folded it and placed it back in the old fishing basket, but not before he withdrew a long, black jeweler's box.
Kat shook her head, eyeing the box “Y-you said that was it."
"I couldn't let that be the last thing my she-cat received tonight.” He placed the box in her hands. “This is strictly from me. It has nothing to do with MegaMart."
Her hands trembled as she untied the pink ribbon lining the outside of the box. When she opened it, she gasped. Her hand flew to her mou
th. “Jared...” she breathed. “I-I can't accept this."
"Yes, you can, my lovely opponent.” Jared grasped the box and lifted the necklace from the black satin lining the inside of the box. Kat swallowed as she watched him open the clasp. “Come here,” he said softly. “Turn around and lift your hair."
She did, allowing him to place the necklace around her throat. When she turned to face him, he whistled. “I knew it. It's you."
Kat grabbed her handbag and withdrew a small mirror. She gazed at her reflection, her neck adorned with the diamond and pink sapphire tiger hanging from an exquisitely crafted, gold-mirrored chain.
"Its twenty-two-karat white and yellow gold,” Jared told her.
Kat couldn't speak, all she could do was stare. The tiger's eyes stared back at her—they were crafted entirely of emeralds. Their deep green color winked at her, the cat's eyes glowing softly against its pave-diamond-crusted face. Small strips of pink sapphire lined the jeweled animal's sleek body.
He smiled, reaching out to finger the tiger. “The pink sapphires and white diamonds remind me of KISS and the tiger—that's you.” Jared dropped his hand.
"I-it's too much,” she said softly. “You shouldn't have.” She fingered the necklace at her throat.
"I wanted to, Kat. I wanted you to have something just from me."
They made love that night as the fireworks went off overhead. The bright, spinning, noisy lights invaded the summer sky, lighting up Summerville. They showered down all around them, a sparkling, glittering array of colors.
Kat saw her own shimmering stars that evening as Jared brought her to passion's wide abyss, loving her until her body went limp, until her mind knew nothing but him.
But in the back of her mind, a little voice kept saying, ‘Everything changes, Kat. It always does.'
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eighteen
That Saturday morning, Kat stood at the front door of KISS. Balancing her bags and keys, she managed to open the front door and frowned. She gazed upwards just as a passing cloud blocked out the early morning sun. Strange, she mused, when a breeze kicked up. Kat could have sworn it would rain. It never rained in Summerville. She kicked the front door closed with the heel of her shoe and strode to the back of KISS. Depositing her bags on the desk in her office, she heard the bell jangle.
Kat glanced at her watch. Ten fifteen. Whew! She had just made it in ... barely. Jared's vigorous loving had her sleeping later than usual. She walked to the front of KISS then heard Lilith.
"Good morning!” her friend called out.
"Hi Lilith.” Kat walked over to the cash register and turned it on.
"Have a good time last night at the concert?” Lilith asked, her violet eyes dancing.
"I did. How about you?"
Lilith shrugged. “Sure, but I'm more interested in how you and Jared made out."
Kat stuck her tongue out at her. “Very funny. Nice play on words."
Lilith erupted into peals of laughter. “You know what I mean."
Kat sighed. “I never kiss and tell. You should know that."
"Oh you!” Lilith giggled. “Stop already."
Kat grinned at her as she opened the door to the register then closed it. “I had a marvelous time Lilith. Jared's..."
"Wonderful?"
Kat became serious. “Yes. Wonderful."
The bell above the front door jangled in warning. Kat looked over to see a tall, thin, elegantly dressed woman walk in. Her sleek, blonde hair had a zillion different shades in it. Kat imagined it must cost her a small fortune to get it highlighted that way. She had on a pair of stylish, dark glasses, the white frames a fashionable contrast to the black-tinted lenses. Kat sized her up immediately. One of Long Island's Gold Coast Blue Bloods.
"I'll chat with you later, okay? I see you've got a customer."
"Okay, Lilith."
Lilith walked by the woman standing at the entrance. As she did, Kat noticed how the woman looked Lilith up and down.
Oh boy, this was going to be some morning ... but a customer was a customer.
Kat walked over to her. “Can I help you?"
The woman removed her dark glasses revealing a pair of pale blue eyes. Vague recognition stirred within Kat. She felt like she knew her...
"You're Kaitlyn Sullivan, aren't you?"
Kat smiled. “I am. But please, call me ‘Kat.’ Did someone recommend KISS to you?"
The woman gave a shrill laugh. “Oh ... oh no. Not in the least."
Kat bristled. “Well then, how can I help you? Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"Just you,” the woman laughed snidely.
"All right,” Kat said, impatient. “You found me, now, what do you want?"
"Well now, no need to get testy."
Kat balled her right hand into a fist at her side. She had the most unholy urge to take a swing at the woman.
"I'd like to introduce myself,” the woman stuck out her hand. Long, red nails adorned each finger. “My name is Georgia O'Reilly.” She smiled thinly, and finished by saying, “But everyone calls me George."
* * * *
That vague feeling of recollection continued to haunt Kat as she stood there, looking at the blonde woman. “Ms. O'Reilly.” Kat stated, her tone flat. “Do I ... know you? Should I?"
George snorted. “I'm only Jared Martin's assistant. I think you would know me."
"Jared never mentioned you,” Kat murmured in response. Her stomach did a little flip.
"Oh, he didn't? I'm surprised. I'm usually the one he sends to close all his ... deals."
Kat blinked once, registering what George said. “I see..."
"So, the reason I'm here is to show you something."
Kat angled her head. “What?"
George dug through her bag and withdrew a Manila envelope. She handed it to Kat. “Go on, open it."
Kat reached for the envelope. She opened the metal clasp on the back and looked inside.
George sighed with impatience. “Here,” she said snidely. “Give me that!” She wrenched the envelope from Kat's hands and dumped its contents on the counter in front of them.
Kat gazed down at the five by seven photographs.
"Aren't these nice?” George queried.
Kat's hand shook as she picked up the first photograph—it was a picture of April and Bill outside in the back of KISS.
The others were equally shocking. Pictures of all her friends, of the women she helped. Each one dressed in the outfits she had designed for them—the outfits designed to bring the spark of life back in their souls. Souls that had been devastated by illness and disease. Kat held each photo up to her scrutiny ... the last ones being the lingerie party. All her friends, and the three young women who had come to her for help, were photographed in Kat's stunning lingerie creations.
She felt sick inside.
"How did you get these pictures?” her voice vibrated with anger.
George shrugged. She folded her arms under her breasts and leaned against the counter. “I have my ways."
"These mean ... nothing.” Kat said, and flipped the picture she had been viewing right back at George.
"Oh no?” George lifted a brow. “I'd say they mean quite a bit."
"Get out of here,” Kat told her, her voice low. “Get out now."
"No, I don't think I will,” George admonished. “Because you see, there's this little thing called the Internet. Have you heard about it?"
"Of course,” Kat snapped at her.
"Well then, I believe that these pictures would be of great interest to, oh ... let's say ... the media? Wouldn't they like to see them?"
Kat folded her arms under her breasts. “And just what would the media want with them?"
"How about this? How about I tell the newspapers and the television stations what really goes on at KISS."
Kat paled. “What do you mean?"
"How about I tell them that Ms. Kaitlyn Sullivan is running a little sid
e business here. A side business of prostitution."
Kat's eyes bugged out. “Why you bitch!"
George laughed, unfazed. “Yes that would make a great story. And these photos,” George swept her hand in front of her, aiming at the pictures on the counter. “These photos tell the story beautifully, particularly this one. It's the one of you accepting a large wad of cash from this man here."
Kat looked down at the picture of her and Bill, April's husband.
"And this one ... where all these ladies are coming out of the back of KISS, dressed ... well, you know ... and these men here, greeting them at the back door."
"Those men are those women's husbands a-and boyfriends."
"Right. Sure."
Kat slumped against the counter.
George sighed, gathering up the pictures. “Digital photos are just great, aren't they? You can send them anywhere, to anyone ... and to think I've made several copies."
Kat paled.
"Now, Jared gives me full authority to close theses deals.” Her pale blue eyes locked with Kat's. “And that's because ... well, we've known each other for quite some time, now."
Kat moved away from the counter. She got closer to George and stared right back at her. The blonde! The blonde she had seen Jared with in ‘People Magazine!'
The blonde was ... George.
Kat's hands grew clammy.
"So, how about it, Kat?"
She bristled at George's flippant use of her first name.
"What will I do with these pictures? Pass them along to my ... media friends?"
"No!” Kat shouted. “No,” she said again, her voice ... defeated. “Don't, please, I-I'll do anything, just don't..."
"Hmmm ... a very telling statement."
"Huh?"
"'I'll do anything.’”
Kat's stomach roiled.
"So, here's what you're going to do in exchange for me not going to the media with these pictures."
Kat's legs wobbled. She grasped the counter for support.
"The first thing you're going to do is stand up at that Civic Association Meeting and back MegaMart one hundred percent."
Kat smiled snidely, her bravado returning. “I was going to do that already."
"Wonderful!” George clapped her hands. “Now, here's number two. You're going to also stand up at that Civic Association Meeting on Thursday and tell everyone that you're declining the position Mr. Martin offered you with MegaMart."
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