Page 21 of Shadows of Before

Katie returned home from a slow jog to give herself some energy and then put on a pot of coffee. She showered, dressed in summery linen shorts and a top to match. Mary had given the set to her as a present.

The doorbell rang. Huh. She wasn’t seeing Will today. She hadn’t talked to him in two days because he’d wanted more from her. Sighing, she went to the door and opened it. “Mary, what are you doing here?”

Her sister-in-law scowled. “What the hell kind of greeting is that?”

Mary was the opposite in looks of Kate. Her hair flowed to her waist and her build was slim, even after having a baby.

“I’m sorry. I’m just surprised.”

Mary hugged her, and Kate clasped onto her solid, safe embrace.

When she drew back, Mary said, “You have my outfit on.”

“I do.”

“It’s too big.”

“What?”

“It’s too big on you now. You’ve lost weight.”

“Some.” She gave her a smile. “Hey, where’s the baby?”

“With Dad. Hank is away on business so I came home. I spent the night with my Mom and now we’re at his house. Your father’s raised several babies.” She plopped her hands on her hips. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Kate was embarrassed. She’d shared everything with the woman standing before her: first kisses with a boy, thengoing all the wayas they’d used to call it. They’d borrowed each other’s clothes and were unashamedly naked with each other to change clothes or right after a bath. But now…

“It’s…”

Mary brushed by her. Kate shut the door. “My God.” She halted, waited, then turned. There were tears in her eyes. “Is it all like this?”

Kate froze. Then nodded.

Mary checked out the living room and bedrooms then came back to the kitchen. “How can you live like this?”

Kate blurted out, “I don’t have money to rent anything else.”

“Ah, sweetie.” She grasped Kate’s arm.

“Sit down. I’ll get us coffee.”

Mary sat on a cracked vinyl seat and winced. “On second thought, I’ll go into the living room where I saw your good furniture.”

Kate followed soon with two mugs. Mary had dropped down on one end of the couch. She took the mug and sipped. “Hmm.”

Kate sat at the other end.

Mary cocked her head. “Katie, are you punishing yourself for what happened to your life by living here?”

“No! I told you I couldn’t afford more.”

“I don’t believe that. The rents aren’t that high in Westwood. But if it was true, you can afford paint, get curtains, rugs.” She glanced at the hardwood floor. “You could make this shine.”

“It takes too much energy.”

“What are you expending your energy on? Certainly not work. You sit at a desk.”

Though she hated this conversation, she blurted out, “I see some guy.”

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