Chapter 3
“I know I had that folder sitting out here a couple of hours ago,” Katy said. “I hope one of the kids didn’t somehow walk off with it.”
Katy had walked her class to the school exits so they could load onto the buses and ride off into the sunset – at least for her – nearly thirty minutes ago. She finished filing some things and was now gathering what she would take home. Today had been a good day – no fire drills, no fights, and no kids acting too bad. Now, she was racking her mind trying to find a plain vanilla folder with math worksheets inside, which she wanted to take home and grade since she planned on having the time this evening.
Katy searched through drawers, through every file on the desk, and even some of the cubbies in the back of the classroom. She felt dumb when she found the folder on the floor under her desk. She snatched it up quickly, tossed it into her bag, then headed for the hallway.
Katy’s drive home was every bit of the usual. Traffic slowed a bit when she got out to the suburbs. After a couple of busy exit and on-ramps, as well as a small slowdown in a construction zone, she zoomed out into the country freely for about twenty minutes then got off at her exit. As the road sloped with the hills, she thought about her life. What would be her next move? She still couldn’t decide on the Master’s part, but knew she was ready to do something. Brennon’s words – his pure, helpful advice – had been on her mind. She smiled at just the thought of him.
Kettering Road sloped uphill then turned a bend in a wooded area at the sides of a creek. From then on, after going up another slope, there was a majestic view of their house. The road pointed directly toward it for at least a few minutes before finally winding a different way. When Katy turned into the driveway then winded around another wooded bend and into the circular driveway, she was a bit surprised to see another car in the driveway – a white Chrysler was parked next to her father’s Buick. Katy’s forehead wrinkled up as she processed it all and grabbed her bag.
“Absolutely and that’s what I was trying to get through to the board at the last meeting,” Katy’s father Richard had been emphatically explaining when she walked through the door. “You know that bonehead Skillman doesn’t want to hear it. He’s only in it for the money and everybody knows it, but his family owns this and that, so you know how that goes.”
Katy chuckled and shook her head. She realized her father was venting his frustrations about serving on the local development board in La Grange, which was about an hour away. “Hey Dad! It’s me!”
“Oh, hey Katy,” Richard said, stepping out of the living room and into the foyer. “Before you go upstairs, you wanna come in and say hello real quick?”
“Yeah, sure,” Katy said. She hung her jacket on a hook then stepped up to the living room entrance. She was surprised to see Brennon sitting on the fainting couch, in the very spot where she’d been sitting with him last weekend when they had people over to the house. “Oh, hey.”
Brennon smiled – a genuine, happy-to-see-you smile. He stepped across the room, hugged Katy tightly, then sat back down. Richard stepped back into the room.
“Yeah, since I didn’t get to talk to Brennon the other night when everybody was over here, I decided to see when he could stop by.”
“Yeah, that’s cool,” Katy said. An urge came over her to sit down and join the conversation...not for her father, but rather to talk to Brennon. But she didn’t want to disrupt her father’s venting about the board. After all, everyone knew how passionate the man was about it. “Well, I won’t interrupt you guys. Nice to see you again, Brennon.”
“Yeah,” Brennon said, looking into Katy’s eyes. “Likewise.”
Katy graciously bowed out of the room as her father picked up where he left off. She grabbed her bag then headed upstairs. She paused for a moment at the banister looking over into the foyer. Brennon had started speaking. For whatever reason, Katy wanted to hear what he said. Even if she didn’t know what he was talking about or referring to, she still listened intently.
Katy retreated to her bedroom, pushing the door up so she could change out of her clothes. Her phone rang only moments after she pulled her shirt up over her head. It was Eve calling. She answered. “Oh God.”
“Well, geesh,” Eve said. “Is that how you answer the phone now, Katy?”
“For you it is,” Katy said. She vividly recalled the last time they talked, which was a few days ago. Eve called with her usual story about how Katy needed to get herself out there in the world so a man could notice her. Then, as to be expected, Eve went on and on about the guy she met at the house the few nights before. He seemed so nice and Eve was sure he was interested in Katy. “So, what’s up? Are you at some bar somewhere with your legs out and crossed and chest hanging out trying to get some guy to notice you?”
“Now, now, Katy,” Eve said then sucked air through her teeth. “You know it’s getting a little too chilly to have your chest out right now. So, I probably won’t be doing that.”
Katy shook her head disapprovingly as she lay on the bed, turning her head toward the windows. The view of the hills beyond the church steeples down in town had become a signature scene for Katy throughout her childhood. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So, anyway, what are you up to today?” Eve asked.
“Just got home,” Katy said. “Dad is downstairs giving a earful to Brennon.”
“Brennon?” Eve asked, sounding as if she were on the edge of her seat. “Isn’t that what’s-his-name that came and sat with us out on the patio?”
Katy sighed loudly. “Yes, that’s him.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s Brennon. Eve, please don't start.”
“Don’t start what?” Eve asked. “You said to not try to hook you up with the guy or imply that kind of stuff...and I didn’t, Katy. Geesh, would you calm down. So, I think I should tell you I think that guy’s interested in you. I really do.”
Katy paused for a moment. Brennon certainly was an attractive, handsome man. And he was interesting while having a lot in common with her. The thought of dating him, though, was somewhat strange. After all, he had practically watched Katy grow up. There was a little more than fourteen years between she and him. “Eve, I couldn’t even date him if I wanted to.”
“Why not?” Eve said. She purposely cleared her throat. “You yourself mentioned that you two aren’t really related. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“Eve, no,” Katy said. “That’s my cousin Melanie’s brother. I know I talked to you before about how close Melanie and me were growing up. There’s no way I could get involved with him romantically.” She made sure to keep her voice low. Big, old houses like theirs were known for carrying conversations around effortlessly. “Do you know how much older than me he is?”
“Well, no, I don’t,” Eve said. “And he doesn’t look that old. How old?”
“Probably like thirty-eight or thirty-nine...something like that,” Katy said with a matter-of-fact tone. “Yeah, he’s that old.”
“Now, now, Katy,” Eve said. “There’s nothing wrong with dating an older man. You know,” he laughed with a sinister tone, “I’ve had my few experiences, let’s call them, with older guys. You know, Katy. You are pretty and bright and cheerful and all that. Maybe that’s what you weren’t meant for.”
Katy’s nostrils flared and she shook her head. “You know what, Eve? You sure give a lot of dating advice for someone who hasn’t even had a long term boyfriend in like a million years.”
“Exactly, Katy,” Eve said. “You know why? Because I’m out here dating. Anyway, don’t try to change the subject. I know you’re interested in that Brennon guy. It was written all over your face.”
“Huh?” Katy asked. “Eve, what are you talking about? I was just talking with him. He used to be a school teacher, so we talk about that kind of thing. That’s all, Eve.”
“Yeah, well, that might be all you talk about, Katy,” Eve said, “but I could tell by how you were looking at that guy. He’s interesting, I will say that. Handsome. Educated. Talks like he’s had some experiences and whatnot. I don’t know, Katy. Guy seems like he might be a good match for you. He is a young forty, I will say that.”
“Yeah, he is,” Katy said. “But still, Eve. Do I find him attractive? Yeah, I do. Conversation with him is nice and we have a lot in common. But, I don’t know what you mean by how I was looking at him.” She listened while Even explained the look in her eyes when Brennon came out on the patio. “Yeah, well, I don’t remember it like that. It’s Brennon, Eve… Brennon. Melanie’s older brother. When she and I were kids, he would drop her off and pick her up. Hell, there were even a couple of times he took me and her to the skating ring and even the fair.”
“Okay, so what are you saying, Katy?” Eve asked. “You act like the guy was prowling on you when you were a teenage girl. It doesn’t sound like he was.”
“Well, no,” Katy said. “I don’t get that feeling. But you know what the family might think about something like that, Eve. Come on, get real. Yes, he’s an attractive man and all that, but fourteen year’s difference? And he’s related...in a way, in a way. I can only imagine how my dad would react. My mother would probably take off her glasses. And you know what that means.”
Eve laughed. “Oh, Katy. You should be a little more optimistic, I think. Seriously. What do you have to lose? And you said it yourself that one he’s not related, and two that you haven’t seen him in so long. You’re an adult now and so is he. If you two wanna date or something, then there’s no reason you can’t.”
“Wait a minute, Eve,” Katy said. “Who even said we wanted to date? You’re talking as if he asked me out or something. Seriously, Eve.”
“Seriously, Katy,” Eve said, mockingly. “You need to be open to love when it comes along. I plan on being married by thirty… And you are missing out on good chances to have a good guy. And you’re still a virgin… So, the longer you wait, the crazier you’re going to get. I can already see it in you.”
Katy groaned. “Why did I even answer the phone?”
Katy continued talking to Eve, telling her that trying to see Brennon on that level would just be inappropriate for the family. Eve continued pushing, arguing that Brennon really did seem like a good match for Katy.
Just as Eve had been naming off ten reasons Katy should be open to dating Brennon, her father called out her name from the bottom of the steps. “Let me call you back, Eve,” Katy said, deciding to use this as her out from Eve’s absurd conversation.
“Yeah, Dad?” Katy asked from the top of the staircase. She looked out over the banister as her father Richard walked out into the foyer.
“Yeah, Katy, I was worried you weren’t still here,” Richard said. “I just got a call about our rental property down in Henry County and have to leave right now.” He waited while his daughter made her way down the steps before he continued on with explaining. “Brennon says that he has somewhere to be out this way at a time that, well, would’ve been when we finished up with our talk. I told him he should just wait around here until he needs to leave, but wanted to make sure it was okay with you. Were you going anywhere?”
Katy looked away for a moment. “No, not that I know of. And yeah, that’s fine. Just let me get something from upstairs then I can sit down here with him for a little while.”
Richard thanked her daughter then zipped around to the kitchen to dig for the keys to his property. Katy turned the corner at the top of the steps then stopped. She had forgotten why she needed to come back up to her room. As she climbed the steps, she thought about Brennon, who she assumed to still be sitting in their posh living room. Her heart fluttered; she became a bit nervous. She reflected back to what she’d been thinking about which Eve said as she climbed the sloping road that led back to their house. She never would’ve thought Brennon would be at the house having a meeting with her father. And she certainly didn’t think she would wind up having to entertain him for a little while.
Wow, this is crazy, Katy thought. She then rolled her eyes. She could only imagine what Eve would say when she found out.
Katy did a quick scan of her room to make sure there wasn’t anything she wanted to carry downstairs with her. She then headed downstairs, hesitating at the top of the staircase. The idea of Brennon being interested in her just seemed so strange. However, whether or not she wanted to admit such, it wasn’t a scary proposition. She came to the bottom of the steps, said goodbye to her father, then stepped into the living room. Brennon looked up and smiled just as Richard had been pulling the front door closed.
“Look, I understand if you have something else to do this evening,” Brennon said, standing up. “I was trying to tell your dad that I could easily find a way to kill time, but,” he paused, “he insisted on getting you.”
Katy smiled before she responded. Brennon’s consideration was certainly nice; his genuine personality was so refreshing in a world where people were out for themselves. She crossed the room and plopped down into a chair, insisting that it was truly okay. Brennon thanked her then sat back down.
“So, how did your day go up at the school?”
Katy paused in disbelief. For the last year or so, the only person to really ask her about her day at work was Eve. However, Brennon asking was certainly different. He seemed truly intrigued, and probably could help her reflect on whatever issues she had going.
Katy spilled about her day – held no details back. She talked about her interesting students, and the little boy whose mother brings lunch up to him every day. The crazy grandmother who wanted to volunteer on every school field trip called about an upcoming trip. The lady practically talked Katy’s ear off.
Brennon laughed. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I forgot all about field trips. Makes you feel like a parent, doesn’t it?”
Katy nodded. “Exactly. Really...exactly, Brennon. It really does feel like a parent, but I kind of like it. Like when we go to the museum. I see the parents walking by with their kids...or sometimes the grandparents...and I’m like oh, how nice.”
Brennon leaned back into the couch and laughed. “You are too funny. Is that how you see it? I don’t.”
Katy squinted at Brennon. “Uh oh, let’s hear it. You’re a man, so you probably see it like a nuisance.”
Brennon looked away bashfully. “Well, I wouldn’t say that. Yeah, it looks cool in pictures, but when you go with a group of thirty kids and there’s 4 adults, it wasn’t all that fun to me. What made it even worse, at least when I was teaching, was how we had so many field trips that just so happened to be downtown. And you know how that can make you nervous with all the traffic and stuff around.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Katy said, nodding. “I could see that.”
The conversation then steered on to Brennon talking about his true feelings toward being a professor. “Sometimes I wonder what’s next for me. I was actually thinking about our talk we had out on the patio and about what I’m going to do next with my life. I’m kind of inspired.”
“Inspired?” Katy asked, surprised. “Inspired by what? By me?”
“In a way,” Brennon started explaining. “You know how I started my career kind of late. Well, I guess my problem is that I just didn’t imagine myself beyond the point of being a college professor. But, now that I’ve been in it for some years, I’m wondering now if this is where I want to stay. Sure, I like being a professor. But...there’s some things about it that make me wonder if it’s somewhere I want to be for years and years.”
Katy listened as Brennon opened up about his own issues regarding his profession. When she responded with her advice or idea, she noticed how Brennon listened intently. It was almost as if he held on to her every word. Having his direct, undivided attention made Katy a bit nervous, but she took a deep breath and stayed 100% engaged in the conversation.
“Seriously,” Katy said. “If you wanted to work in a field where you help create the educational materials, then you should really go for that. I don’t see why you can’t. Seriously. You might as well. You have the qualifications. You have the skills, the drive. And, if I’m not mistaken, aren’t some of those companies headquartered right here in town.”
“Yes, they are,” Brennon said. “And thank you, Katy. I just thought I would run the idea by you since, you know, you were thinking about making a different move as well.”
The conversation carried on then the two were a bit startled when the front door opened. Katy’s mother Linda walked in, saw the two, then jumped into the conversation by sitting down in the living room with them. Twenty minutes passed, the three of them having talked about numerous subjects, then Brennon announced that he needed to get going so he wouldn’t be late.
Linda thanked Brennon for coming by and talked about how nice it was to see him again. Katy walked him out onto the porch while her mother disappeared, presumably heading back to the kitchen. On the wrap-around porch, as the sun started its early decent out of the sky around 5 pm – orange and purples hues of light streaking across the horizon with the hills in the background – a breeze whipped by. Katy’s golden brown hair lifted up off of her shoulders; Brennon looked at her, taking in her beauty.
“Hey, I just thought I would give you one of these,” Brennon said, extending his arm out with one of his cards in his hand. “I meant to tell you I’ll be meeting some colleagues from the university who might be able to tell you more about the master’s program. If you would like, we could have lunch soon. I can help to write you a letter or recommendation for a program.”
Katy smiled and nodded, not knowing what to say. She had his phone number, but truly hadn’t thought of seeing him beyond coming to a family function at the house. She accepted the card. “Okay, absolutely. That actually...actually sounds nice.”
Brennon looked into Katy’s eyes for a few long moments then glanced back at his car. “Well, I’ll get going. Maybe next week sometime or something like that? Just let me know what works for you and we can go from there.”
“Yeah, no problem,” Katy said.
Katy stood on the porch while Brennon climbed into his car then headed toward the road. Before getting out of sight, he looked back and into her eyes once again. Katy felt a connection, even though she wouldn’t dare say anything. There she stood, on the porch, for a few moments in thought. Finally, she sat down then crossed her legs. She chuckled, shaking her head. “Wait until Eve hears this,” she mumbled. “Just wait.”