Waiting for Dusk

by Nancy Pennick

  “What’s so funny, Kates?” Lindsey frowned.

  “I was just picturing me hiding in a train station.”

  “What did you just say?” She held her hand to Katie’s forehead. “I think you’re coming down with something.” She then flashed a knowing look. Katie was keeping her informed of the dreams.

  Jordyn jumped up and said, “I’ve got to get going. I promised the moms they could take me school shopping.”

  The girls said their good-byes, then Katie and Lindsey went outside and sat on the deck. No one was home so they knew they could speak freely.

  Lindsey went first. “I’m a little concerned that your dream life is overtaking your real life.”

  “I know you mean well, but don’t worry about me. Don’t you think this is all based on the pictures I saw of my family and the stories I heard my mom and dad tell?” Katie swung around in her chair. She convinced herself Drew was not real and the dream world was just for fun.

  She sighed and looked around her. It was a beautiful day. The sky was almost like an Arizona sky, bright blue with white puffy clouds, reminding her of another place, another time.

  “Then how do you explain Drew?” Lindsey broke into her thoughts. “Think about that, why don’t you? I’m afraid you’re falling in love with a dream, that’s all. I’m your best friend and will always be here for you, support you no matter what.”

  “Thanks for that. The same goes for me, you know that don’t you?” Katie turned back in her chair and threw her hand out. Lindsey slid her hand along Katie’s and then they grasped hands. “Sisters till the end.” It was their joke of a secret handshake. They laughed and sat in silence for awhile.

  “School starts on Monday.”

  “Don’t remind me! This is our last weekend to have fun. What shall we do?” Katie looked at Lindsey.

  “You should have a pool party. Let’s invite everyone we know!” Lindsey peeked at Katie from the corner of her eye.

  “That might not be a bad idea,” a familiar voice said. It was Katie’s mom. She slid the screen door open and sat down with the girls.

  “Really?” Katie couldn’t believe it.

  “Really.”

  Lindsey jumped up. “Come on! Let’s go to your room and start inviting people!”

  They stayed up very late calling and texting people. “Yes, this Saturday. Yep, two days away! Good! See you then!” Katie hung up the phone. “You may as well sleep over, Linds. It’s really late. Ty’s bringing the basketball team, he has so many friends on it. Gosh, I hope he makes the varsity team. His heart is set on making it.”

  “Katie, you’re rambling. Calm down. Are you sure you want me to sleep over? I may interfere with your dream life.”

  Katie playfully pushed her and Lindsey screamed. Katie put her hand over Lindsey’s mouth. “You don’t want to wake the parents!”

  They talked and planned until the wee hours of the morning, finally falling asleep, exhausted, on Katie’s bed.

  When morning came, Katie was the first to wake up. She looked over at Lindsey. She snored lightly. Wow, I must have been tired. No dreaming at all.

  She gave Lindsey a little shove. “Come on, we have to go shopping for the party. New bathing suits!”

  Lindsey popped up. “Sounds like a plan. Let me call my mom and tell her I’m never coming home. Then we can get going.”

  Katie looked forward to the party. She would see a lot of people she didn’t see all summer. The weather was great so there were no worries for a rain out. She went into her bathroom to take a shower and looked in the mirror. She saw a 16-year-old girl who was going to start her junior year in high school. Why did she ever think she could live a glamorous life with Drew? Oops, there I go again, mixing up my worlds. Well, no more of that. This party will be the start of a very good school year.

  When she came out of the bathroom, Lindsey was looking at the old pictures Katie found in the attic. “Is this Lucinda?” She pointed to the bride.

  “Yeah.”

  “Wow. Henry could use some braces, couldn’t he?” Lindsey teased.

  “He’s a very nice man. Don’t make fun of him.” Katie met him over these past few weeks. He was a gentleman, yet there was something very macho about him. He also loved Lucinda, his Cindy, very much. Katie could tell that much. It was a little harder to tell if Lucinda loved him back in the same way. There definitely was affection on her part.

  “And this is your great-grandmother, Loretta?” Lindsey was still looking at the picture.

  “Yep,” Katie brushed her hair.

  “She looks like you. Or you look like her, which is it?” Lindsey lay back on the bed, picture in hand. “This other girl is Kathryn? The one you’re named after?”

  “Yes, again.” Katie kept brushing as she studied the picture with her friend.

  “Spooky resemblance.” Lindsey did a fake shiver.

  Katie needed a distraction. “Let’s go shopping. We’ll eat something at the food court. Good thing your car is here.” She grabbed Lindsey’s hand and the two ran down the stairs and out the door.

  * * * *

  When she got home, Kate found her mother unloading the car and they walked into the house together. “Why is it you have one small bag and I have all the party supplies and groceries?” Katie’s mom whined and then said, “Show me what you bought.”

  Katie pulled a new swimsuit out of the bag. Her mother raised her eyebrows. “Don’t show that to your father before the party starts.”

  “Look, Mom. It has a cute skirt that goes with it. I’m going to wear that when everyone first gets here.”

  “Dad will be the chaperone and grill master, so I have everything covered.” Her mom sat down on the sofa. “How many are we expecting?”

  “Forty or so people.”

  “Forty?”

  “You didn’t give me a number. They probably won’t all show up. There might be about thirty kids here. How’s that?” Katie sat next to her mother, leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder and looked up at her.

  “When you give me those puppy dog eyes, Blue Eyes, I can’t resist.” Her mother squeezed her. “Just don’t tell your father.”

  “Hey, there’s been a lot of ‘just don’t tell your father’, ‘don’t show your father’ comments.” Katie loved having secrets with her mother.

  “And don’t tell your father that either!” Joanna got up and started to head for the kitchen.

  “What’s this ‘don’t tell your father’ business I’m hearing,” Jackson walked in the door.

  “Nothing,” they both answered.

  “My girls are at it again.” Jackson shook his head.

  Joanna gave Jackson a kiss on the cheek as she passed by. “We’re letting Katie have a pool party tomorrow. Sort of a back-to-school party, you might say.”

  “Oh, we are, are we? Why am I always the last to know?” Jackson threw his hands up in mock disbelief.

  “Because you are never home,” Joanna and Katie answered in unison again.

  They all laughed and Katie knew everything was a go.

  * * * *

  The sun shone brightly in the late afternoon sky. Katie helped her mom get things ready for the party. Lindsey and Jordyn both slept over and also helped set up until they went home to get ready. Katie had no dreams that she could recall. She thought about it a lot while she prepared for the party.

  “Mom, is it alright if I go get ready now?” Katie was anxious to go upstairs to her bedroom for some reason. She saw her mother nod so she headed up.

  She grabbed the bag that her new suit was in and looked for scissors in her drawer next to her bed so she could cut the tags. As she opened the drawer, she looked at the book lying there on her nightstand. She picked it up and turned it over and over in her hands, thinking, Every time I read this book, I have the dream. The nights I didn’t read, I did not have it. That’s it! The book and the dream must have some sort of connection. Well, I’ll definitely read a chapter tonight because I need t
o say good-bye to everyone. They know I’ll be back for the wedding but I definitely want to say my good-byes. It’s the proper thing to do.

  Katie smacked her forehead. Listen to me! I’m worried about being proper and polite. She learned some different life lessons at the canyon. Wouldn’t her parents love that? Plus I have to see Drew one more time and firm up our plans. I need to make sure he stays away from the station until exactly one-thirty.

  She had confided in Anna a little but did not say she was from the future. Anna would think she was crazy. Katie just explained she was coming earlier than she thought and still wanted to meet Drew at the station. Anna said she would come up with something to keep him away until the designated time. Katie hoped Drew would be agreeable.

  Katie crossed her fingers, kissed them and raised the fingers to the sky. “Here’s to you, Anna,” she said aloud.

  “I’m starting to think Anna is your best friend instead of me,” Lindsey teased as she came in the bedroom door. “You’re not even ready. Go in that bathroom and get ready, girl.”

  When Katie came out in her bikini top and matching skirt, Lindsey whistled. “You are totally...I know we hate using this word...hot! What did you do to your hair?”

  “I bought a wave iron. Do you really like it?” Katie twirled around.

  “Yes, And these outfits are totally awesome!” Lindsey twirled, too.

  “Oh, Lindsey you look great. You should definitely get a Homecoming date tonight!”

  They went downstairs to find Jordyn talking to Katie’s mom. She wore a tankini with a wrap-around skirt with a slit up to the waist, so the bottom of the suit was still visible. “You’re rockin’ it too!” Lindsey grabbed Jordyn’s hand. They all went outside.

  Jackson was already on the deck. The tiki torches were lit and Japanese lanterns, kept for special occasions, were strung around the deck.

  “It looks great, Dad, thanks.”

  Just then, a group of boys rounded the corner of the house. “Is this where the party is?” Ty’s voice was heard above the rest. Five boys jumped into the pool all at the same time. Water splashed over its sides.

  “Let the party begin,” Katie shouted to her girlfriends.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Katie never counted how many people showed up at the house that night. It probably was more than thirty. Her parents didn’t seem to mind. They kept smiling at each other. Her dad was manning the grill, filling plates with hot dogs and hamburgers. Her mom had coolers filled with ice and kept replenishing them with soda pop and bottled water. There were the usual snacks of chips, pretzels and taco chips with an assortment of dips. Joanna made sure she had a platter of fruits and veggies, too. Everything was going well. People were in and out of the pool, but Katie didn’t venture into the water.

  Jordyn ran up to Katie, soaking wet. “Aren’t you coming in?” She grabbed her hand.

  “No, not yet. Give me some time.” Katie was thinking of an excuse not to get her hair wet. She worked too hard on it.

  “Guess what? I have a date for Homecoming,” Jordyn lightly clapped her hands. “Matt Parker asked me! He threw me in the water three times. I told him if he did it once more, he’d have to ask me. He threw me in, jumped in and asked me to the dance.”

  “That’s great, Jordyn.” And so high school, Katie thought. What’s wrong with me? These are my friends. They seemed so immature at the moment.

  “Par! Ty!” someone yelled and then there was a loud splash.

  Katie giggled. I’m being a little too serious. I should definitely party.

  Ty came up on the deck, grabbed some food and sat on the step. Katie joined him. “Not swimming? It’s the hair, right?” Ty pointed to her locks.

  “How did you know?”

  “Well, you have a new bathing suit and you did your hair in some fancy way. It wasn’t too hard.” He winked at her. “I brought something for us later.”

  Katie wrinkled her brow. I guess I can wait and see, she thought.

  The evening turned from dusk to night. The torches reflected in the pool and gave a mystical glow to the party atmosphere. Someone plugged their MP3 player into the outdoor speakers. Music filled the air. Lindsey started to dance and many others joined her.

  “Dance?” Ty cut in.

  “Sure.” Katie took his hand.

  The night seemed to go on and on. It was magical for awhile. Katie let herself get lost in the music. She danced with all the girls, but Ty always managed to find her.

  “Come on, I want to show you what I brought.” He took her by the hand, guided her through the dancers and out to the side fence that led to a garden. The garden was a secluded place that really couldn’t be seen too well at night. Solar lights lit the path and a few lanterns hung in various places in the garden. They walked to the glider and sat down. Ty leaned over the back of it, and pulled out a bag. He dug around in the bag, and turned around. In his hands, he had two beers. “Here’s to us turning sixteen, Katie.” He handed her a can.

  “Ty, where’d you get those? What if my parents see?” Katie was a little nervous.

  “From our refrigerator in the garage, it’s stocked with everything and won’t be missed. Your parents are busy.” He quickly answered her questions. He popped open his can and reached over and did Katie’s for her. “Drink up.”

  Katie didn’t know if she really wanted to drink up. She had a few sips of wine on holiday occasions. Her parents always talked openly about drinking and being responsible. She took a sip. Yuk!

  Ty seemed to be enjoying his. She would try again. Even though she didn’t really like it, Katie decided the best way to drink it was fast. If she did that, it would be over and done with.

  “Wow. You don’t want this going to your head now, do you?” Ty gently touched her arm.

  Katie felt warm and lightheaded. Maybe it was too late. “Did you bring anymore?”

  Ty produced two more. Katie took it, popped the can and said, “Race you!”

  Ty took the challenge. When they were done, they looked at each other and said, “Happy Birthday!” Ty grabbed Katie and kissed her. Not a friendly kiss, but a boyfriend’s kiss. She kissed him back. She liked it. She curled her legs up on the cushion of the bench and leaned into him. Her skin touched his bare chest and he pulled her closer.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do this. Kiss your lips, feel you skin against mine. I could stay here forever.” Ty whispered into her ear.

  Forever. That word brought her back to her senses. “Drew,” she said softly.

  All of the sudden, Katie felt a little sick. She drank the beers too fast, plus she didn’t even like it.

  “What did you say?” Ty looked puzzled.

  “I said...do you want to get something to eat? I’m starving,” Katie stood up.

  Ty stood up, too. “Okay, if that’s what you want.” He pulled her close again and she froze. His lips touched hers but they weren’t Drew’s. She wanted to cry and she wanted this party to be over.

  “What’s wrong, Kate? Did I do something wrong?”

  “Don’t ever call me Kate! Do you hear me? Don’t ever call me that!” Katie started to cry. She ran up the path, through the fence and jumped into the pool. The water felt cool and soothing. She wanted to just sink to the bottom and stay there. The next thing she knew she felt arms around her, and someone pulling her to the top.

  “Are you nuts? What are you doing?” Ty gazed at her with hurt eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Ty. I can’t do this. I can’t be who you want me to be. Please, let’s just stay friends. Promise me you’re not mad at me,” Katie’s words tumbled out.

  “I’m not mad at you. I can wait. I know you’ll feel different eventually. I will be so irresistible that you won’t be able to stop yourself.” He swam away and joined his friends.

  Katie swam to the side of the pool and got out. She grabbed a towel from the pile and sat on the side of the pool with her legs in the cooling water. She watched a group of people play voll
eyball. Ty was in the middle of it. The girls seemed to love him, Erin especially. She seemed to conveniently fall into him whenever she could.

  Take him, Erin. He’s all yours. Katie got up and dried off. She headed for the deck and sat on the step.

  “Where have you been? I was looking for you. Did you hear about Jordyn?” Lindsey sat down next to her.

  “Matt Parker asked her already. I know.”

  Lindsey put her head in her hands. “Now what about me?” She pouted.

  “You’ll be fine. School hasn’t even started yet.” Katie leaned forward, and lightly pinched Lindsey’s pouty cheek.

  The party guests started to depart. The music stopped. Her father put out the torches, and invited everyone up to the deck. A few people stayed and chatted for awhile, but finally they all headed for home. Katie went into the house. She looked at the clock. It was one a.m., time left to read.

  Katie kissed both her parents. “Good night and thanks. Is it alright if I help clean up in the morning? I’m really tired.”

  Her mom nodded. “Your father will probably have it all done by then, but it’s fine, honey. Go to bed.”

  When Katie got to her bedroom, she grabbed a tank and pajama shorts, and went into her bathroom. She decided to take a long, hot shower. She dried her hair and in the steamy mirror wrote ‘Drew’ with a heart under it.

  She thought about Ty and what happened tonight. She really didn’t want to hurt him. He’ll be fine. Look how he rebounded when he was playing volleyball.

  Katie padded over to her bed, looked at her nightstand, then opened the drawer. The book was gone. It was nowhere to be seen. She looked under the bed, in the closet and in all of her drawers. She even called Lindsey. Her heart began to pound. Finally, she went downstairs.

  Her mom was still in the kitchen with a glass of wine in her hand. “I thought I deserved this after that wonderful party.” She held the glass up to Katie.

  “Mom, where’s my book?”