Three hours of work went by fast, and Katie was happy. Melanie must have been busy in her office because she texted Katie instead of walking twenty feet from her desk.
Melanie: I’m too overloaded to open my office door. You need a relaxing retreat. Bowling alley or the arcade tonight?
Katie: Love to, but have plans.
Melanie: With Mitch?
Katie: No, dinner at my parent’s house.
Melanie: Don’t have to be snappy.
***
“Katie, it’s so nice to have you over for dinner. Your visits are as few and far between as if you still lived in Montana. And what’s this I hear about you seeing a police officer?” June, Katie’s mother, pulled rolls out of the oven.
“Hi, Mom,” she said, ignoring the question. “Where’s Dad?”
“He ran to the store for something I forgot to get. Now tell me who this new guy is. Are you sure you’re ready for a serious relationship, dear?”
“First of all, I’m not seeing anybody. Mitch happens to be at the right place when I need help. And before you ask any questions, let me tell you there are a couple guys in town named Conner and Matt and they’ve tried to cause minor problems with me and Mitch happens to be close by to help take care of it.”
“Those boys always cause problems. Did they hurt you?”
“No. I heard Dad drive in.” Katie didn’t want to get into the details of what had happened, or else they would insist she move in with them for safer surroundings. She wasn’t sure a few minutes from her place would make a difference.
“Kat Kat, my girl. So glad you could make it over for dinner. You’ve been playing the disappearance act.” Her dad, Gary, placed a bag in the freezer.
“Hi,” she said, and gave him a hug. “You’ve been busy at work and Mom is always running around with her friends when she can or doing some type of craft project. So don’t get on my back for being too busy. Didn’t you say you were going to take an early retirement so you and Mom could travel?”
“Our thirtieth wedding anniversary is in October and it’s the start of my early retirement.” Dad smiled. “To top it off, we’re taking a European cruise the company gave me as a gift. Next, Hawaii is on the to-do list for a couple weeks where it’s nonstop warmth for your mom’s arthritis. She’ll never be in pain from the cold.”
“How fun and exciting. Will there be a craft room on the ship to keep Mom from getting bored?”
“Ha-ha, Katie. There is more to life besides crafts.” She winked.
***
“Mom, you outdid yourself again. I’m surprised Dad hasn’t gained a pound with your baking. I’m stuffed past comfort. I should get going so I can get a good night’s sleep.”
“Stay put, dear. We have something for you.” Mom opened the freezer door and came over with a bag. “Here you go. Happy early birthday. Your dad’s business has a meeting out of town and I’m going with him. It happens to fall on your birthday so we had you come over tonight.”
Katie opened the bag and saw a box of frozen lasagna from Waltco. Dad placed a card in front of her. Katie opened it and saw a gift certificate to Julian Clothing Store. An expensive place to buy normal clothes you could get cheaper at any other store.
“Oh my heck, why the gift card? I’ve got plenty of clothes.”
“One day you’ll want to change your wardrobe. Happy birthday, dear daughter of mine. So grateful you moved back home, and we hope your grief will ease. We both know it’s hard at times because of what happened.” Mom gave Katie a half hug. “I know what you’re going to say, you’re tough, but it’s bad to hold it in. Call us or even your friend Melanie if you need to vent.”
Katie hated it when they talked about her past. “Yes, Mother Dear and Father Bear, I will.” She returned the hugs and went home.
As she opened her apartment door, her cell rang. “Hello?”
The line went dead.