Sky Queen

by Judy Kundert

  Neal smiled and touched her hand. “Do you mean a ‘hit-the-road-Jack drink’ since you’re busy with other things?”

  Katherine attempted to slip her key into the door. She sighed when the door opened. “Come on in. Bear with me” She had envisioned Neal’s first visit to her apartment since she had redecorated it in her style. It’s wasn’t a fantastic event since she rushed to hide the mess in her living room.

  Neal walked in and headed toward the living room with the wall of windows open to a clear view of the glowing nightlight of the moon shining on Lake Michigan, the lights of Lake Shore Drive, and the sparkling stars. “Wow. Cool place.”

  Katherine rubbed the back of her neck. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

  Neal turned from the window and hugged Katherine. “Sure.” He pulled her back and looked into her eyes. “This will be our last wine until we’re in D.C.”

  Katherine wrinkled her brow and jerked back. “D.C.?”

  “Yeah, just one week ago, in Ravinia, you hinted that you’d come to D.C. Right?”

  “Right. We can talk about that, but let’s have a glass of wine first.”

  Neal’s forehead wrinkled, and his face flashed red like a raging forest fire. He surveyed the cluttered room to find a place to sit. He flung an old winter pea coat on the floor and plopped on the sofa. “Okay. Let’s have a glass of wine.”

  Katherine lingered at the kitchen cabinets to give herself time to find a way to respond to Neal’s question. Mesmerized with her thoughts, she clutched the stem of a wine glass. Last week, moving to Washington D.C. was tangling in her mind, but it was a fantasy, and now she had Athens to consider. Without a job, she needed a shelter but she didn’t want Neal to be a haven in the storm. They had the beginnings of a relationship. I can’t lean on Neal. I have to be my person who can give and not take from him. Neal might be my future, but not my only hope for now. Then, she tightened her fingers around the wine glass. It shattered. She shrieked. Neal rushed to mop up the blood dripping from her hand.

  Neal wrapped paper towels around her hand and stared into her mist-filled eyes. “Are you okay? What’s happening with you?”

  She turned her face from his gaze and finished wiping the blood from her hand. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back. I think I have gauze in the bathroom.”

  Closing the bathroom door, she leaned against it and sighed. Neal was the best, and she didn’t want to ruin their relationship, but she couldn’t just move in with him like that. I’ll just tell him we can call and write. I can’t decide until I get an apartment and a job. If he’s serious, he will slow down and wait.

  She returned to the living room with a big smile. Neal greeted her with a scowl accompanied by narrowed eyes like daggers. Neal’s left hand crunched Angelos’ tour business brochure. He waved it under her nose. “Is this from the guy you were with tonight? Is this why you didn’t want to talk about D.C.?”

  Katherine closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “No. He’s a business acquaintance. He asked me if I’d like to work with the family tour business in Athens. I didn’t seriously think about his offer. I only found out about it when he sprung it on me after we’d gone to see the Greek art exhibit. Heck, how could I decide on something I learned about two hours ago? Of course, I’m not planning to move Athens!”

  “And you’re not going to D.C. either, are you?” Neal shouted.

  Katherine reached out for Neal’s hand. He pulled it back and turned to walk out the door. “I thought you were different, that we had something. But I turned my back, and you’re out on the town with a jerk from the Playboy Club. We had an exciting summer, but it’s come to an end. Thanks.”

  The door slammed. Katherine stood in silence, her apartment encircling her with a darkness that made her chest fight for air.

  42

  LIKE AN ICE STATUE, Katherine remained in the center of the living room where she and Neal had embraced. Now her stomach jiggled with pain, and her heart thumped like a war dance drum. He’d come to see her. He’d wanted to tell her something. But then, it all changed with Angelos’ tour agency brochure. Motionless, Katherine’s mind flooded with images of her and Neal at the zoo, at the Gaslight Club, at Ravinia. Each gave her a beautiful warm glow like a warm winter fire. Together they’d woven a harbor of comfort and communion.

  She rubbed her brow to find a calm place. The night had begun with balloons, champagne bubbles, and the promise of new endeavors and aspirations. A flow of tears streamed down her checks as Katherine walked around her empty living room. Its emptiness mirrored the void inside her. I was full of love, excitement, and dreams and now they’re gone? I didn’t even admit my feelings for him to myself. Now I realize how much he was going to mean to me and did mean to me. I didn’t want to harm our relationship.

  Katherine narrowed her eyes to block the last teardrops, but it was like squeezing water from a sponge. She spotted the crumpled brochure that Neal had flung. Katherine collapsed on the floor and slipped her legs into a yoga position. She ironed the wrinkles out of the Acropolis displayed in the center of the brochure. The next page was full of bullet points of tours: Greek Towns and Villages; Greek Islands; Best Castles and Forts; Best Beaches of Greece; Best Greek Archeological sites; Best Museums. Her shaking finger moved over each tour, awakening visions of Greece. She sighed. I could have a job in Greece with these tours. What an incredible destiny. Is it mine? Her finger flipped to the next page and crumbled yellow notepaper flew out and landed on the floor. Katherine’s brow wrinkled as she grabbed the mysterious paper. She held the paper to her nose. “Neal?”

  She held the crumbled note against her chest. She sniffled as she read Neal’s handwritten note.

  Dear Katherine,

  I may not get a chance to see you tonight. If you’re not home, I’ll leave this with your doorman. I got a call to start my job at the Justice Department two weeks earlier than planned. My workday starts next Monday. I’m packed and ready to move out tomorrow morning. Tonight is the only time I have left to see you before I move to D.C. Are you still coming there?

  I’m going to my parent’s cabin on Whidbey Island for a couple of days to get some of my things. (You must go with me sometime, maybe when you get a Seattle layover.) While I’m there, I won’t have phone connections. Then I’ll fly from the island to D.C. I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I can. I have an apartment in Georgetown (it may be yours too). I don’t have a phone hooked up.

  I’ll miss you.

  Neal

  Katherine clutched the note to her chest. She jumped up and rushed to her bedroom. The neon light on the clock flashed the time: 12:30 a.m. It was too late to call him. She tumbled into bed and rolled around restless all night.

  The next morning, Katherine awoke with her muscles strung tight, and her heart pounded like Beach Boys surf beat drums. Katherine rushed to get to Neal’s apartment; she flung on her Jefferson Airplane T-shirt and jeans and climbed into her sneakers.

  While she waited for a taxi, her rapid heartbeat continued. Her mantra galloped through her mind: Neal has to be there, he has to be there, he has to be there. A taxi interrupted her plea.

  She hopped in the yellow cab. “Please rush to 546 Addison. My life depends on it!”

  Right then, that’s how she felt. Early that summer, her life had been moving on smooth waters. She was a stewardess with a life of travel fun and expectations. She’d had a growing relationship with a man who may be Mr. Right. How could this happen, when she was on a journey to help the Chippewa tribe, not to find romance?

  The taxi driver stopped at Neal’s Lincoln Park basement apartment and shouted, “Miss, this is your stop!” He shouted louder, “Miss this your stop!”

  Katherine blinked and gasped. “Oh. I’m sorry.” She paid him and descended the circular inlaid stairs to Neal’s apartment. Closed blinds blacked out the windows. No noise or signs of people inside. What if he is here? What if he has a woman with him?

  Before she could think of another ques
tion, a man called to her from the top of the stairs. “Hello, Miss. Are you looking for Neal Meyer?”

  “Yes, I’m a friend.”

  “I’m the landlord.” He started down the winding stairs in a rush. “Are you Katherine?”

  “Yes.”

  “Neal stopped by last night to settle up with me since he was leaving early this morning. He took off at five.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a notepaper. He handed it to Katherine. “He asked me to give this to you if you came here. He’s an excellent young man. He was my best tenant.”

  Katherine ran up the steps and tripped on the last stone. Her elbows stopped her fall. Clutching the note in her fist, she pushed herself up and propelled herself into the street. Breathless, she plopped on a long low-rise cement wall. Her hands shook as she fought to open the folded paper. She wiped her eyes and read the note.

  Dear Katherine,

  I’m leaving this with Walt, my landlord, since I may not have a chance to see you before I leave. I want you to know how much I’ll miss you and hope it won’t be long until we are together in D.C.

  Neal

  The note fluttered in the breeze as Katherine clung to it. Closing her eyes, she saw Neal walking out the door and out of her life. The Thunderbird necklace struggled to calm the turbulence in her heart.

  Why did I accept Angelos’ invitation? It wasn’t a romantic date. It turned out to be a job interview. And Neal hasn’t pledged himself to me. I owe him nothing. I think I fell in love with him, but I don’t know how he feels about me. What’s the matter with me? I’m acting just like Emma Jean. I have my life waiting for me. I’m don’t want a retro, submissive role.

  Katherine jammed the note into her pocket, touched her Thunderbird, and heard it say, “Can you hear your life’s summons? Get moving. You have lots of work to do.”

  Katherine turned on East Fullerton Avenue to take a long way home with a walk from Fullerton Beach to Oak Street Beach. Her gait increased along Lake Michigan, and she moved between a skip and dance.

  43

  “YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO meet in my office,” the supervisor’s letter read, “in full uniform without that necklace at 13:00 on July 27. Upon an acceptable appearance check, you will return to a full flight schedule starting on August 1.”

  The Warhol calendar on her desk said: “They always say time changes things, but you change them yourself.” Katherine circled the current date, July 24, on her calendar. She had three days before her launch or skunk day.

  Katherine leaned back and released her clasped hands to the ceiling. The phone rang. Like a ballerina completing her fifth position, Katherine answered the phone. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Katherine, How’s everything?” Angelos’ Greek accent jarred Katherine. I forgot all about him. What does he want?

  Katherine sighed. “Super. And how’s everything with you?”

  “Well, my cousin leaves today for Washington D.C., and we’ll take her to the airport. I wondered if you might be headed to the airport tomorrow. If so, do you have time for coffee to discuss my job offer?”

  Any mention of Washington D.C. made Katherine’s heart thump. Her body zoomed with adrenaline dashing to the crown of her head and the bottom of her feet. “Why is your cousin going to Washington D.C.?”

  “She wants to visit the Smithsonian Museum. She hopes to learn more about American culture, and she told me to let you know that she’s meeting with your anthropology professor. They are both on their way to Washington D.C. for a summer project at the Smithsonian.” He coughed. “Both of us enjoyed visiting with you at the exhibition the other night.”

  The Castle at the Smithsonian Museum floated into her mind. How could I forget the pull that the city gave me? I promised myself that I would go back. That’s where I got my inspiration for anthropology. “Give her my kind wishes. Yeah, that’s Professor Margret Kingsley. She’s kept my feet to the fire to complete a paper that I’ve owed her since I left Beloit.”

  Angelos cleared his throat. “Katherine, do you have any questions about the offer for you to work with our tour agency in Athens?”

  The moment of truth was approaching for Katherine. Her heart fluttered as she took in a deep breath to stare at the date of her meeting: July 27. Her body and mind collided with energy and direction. An inspiration cloud floated over Katherine’s head. The Smithsonian, my big mountain, and I’d never thought of it. But here it was waiting for her to climb on and up. Okay, courage. Give me a shove. “Well, I’m honored that you even thought of me. You, as a Greek, know the importance of following a personal destiny.”

  “Yes, we Greeks believe that a person must have the enthusiasm to help one’s passions shine out. Do you know your future?”

  “Eureka! Yes, thank you, you helped me get the spark. I’m going to check with Professor Kingsley to see if she can find me a student job at the Smithsonian!”

  Angelos roared. “Certainly. I’ll mention your interest to my cousin as well. That’s what we thought.”

  “We?” Katherine asked.

  “Yes, my cousin said that you have a huge interest in pursuing your anthropology degree. She wants to help women achieve bigger roles in the world. She noticed something in you. Not what I saw in you.” A big sigh and then silence. “By the way, that Neal guy, is he your boyfriend?”

  Katherine’s body heat zoomed like stifling heat blazing off Key West’s South Beach. No, she thought, we’re not even friends anymore. “He’s my old roommate’s friend. Why?”

  “Well, I didn’t want to get you in trouble with him. I thought he was ready to slug me. I apologize if I caused you any problems.”

  “You’re fine. Don’t worry. I must be keeping you right now.” She paused. “I wish that I could work with you, but my place is in the Smithsonian. Thanks again for understanding.”

  “I wish you could work with me too, but you have to do what you love.”

  “Exactly. Thank you. And I hope your tourism agency is your passion.”

  “Sure. I hope so. When you visit Athens, I’ll give you a complimentary tour package.”

  Katherine wanted to give him a hug. “Thanks. I’ll remember your offer.”

  “Definitely. Thanks. Say, can you meet me for a drink before I leave?”

  “Darn it; I have a full schedule for the next couple weeks.” Katherine smiled and mused. Like becoming a warrior woman.

  “Then I guess I’ll see you in Athens.”

  44

  KATHERINE FLOATED THROUGH O’Hare International Airport. The thoughts of new ventures hummed in her mind along with the usual sounds of the airport: pages shouting passengers’ names, jet engines roaring, and the constant chatter of passengers

  “Hey, Katherine! Wait up!” Carol called from behind her.

  Katherine jolted to a stop. Be a good girl. I’ll never see her again. She hadn’t connected with Carol. “Hi, Carol, how are you?”

  “Wonderful!” She flashed a pearl ring under Katherine’s nose. “This is from my agent and future husband. He’s a drummer. We’re moving to L.A. later this year. He’s got a gig to finish up here at Universal Recording Studios.” She took a breath. “Sorry, I’m rushing to check-in, but say, what’s this rumor I heard about you?”

  “That I’m resigning today? Is that what you heard?”

  Carol’s mouth flew open. “Oh, no! I wanted to ask if you needed a roommate for six months. Anita, you know, your almost flat mate, was my friend. I talked to her last week, and she wondered if you ever got a roommate. Well, my man can’t leave Chicago until he finishes the recording session with Ramsey Lewis and Tony Bennett.” She paused and let the name-dropping float around Katherine. “I want to move downtown to be closer to him. Right now, I’m living with three other stews in Schaumburg.”

  Wow, Katherine thought, she is a genuine person. I rushed to judgment. I’m getting a nudge with my favorite quote again. As Anaïs Nin says, ‘We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.’ “What time is your check-
in? Talk for another five minutes?”

  “I have fifteen minutes before check-in.” She pointed to a couple of bar stools at the snack bar inside the gift shop. “Let’s get a quick Coke.”

  Resting on the stool and sipping on her Coke, Katherine leaned forward. “Can you keep a secret?”

  Carol nodded.

  Katherine’s inner tuning hummed. When I flew with her last month, I was so different. Time exploring myself gave me a treasure. I got to discover me and not what others thought I should be. I saw what I think of myself. What a lesson to learn. Now I can move forward and feel good.

  “I can’t wait to turn in my resignation. I’m so thrilled since I’m starting a job at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.” She put her finger to her lips. “I’ll be moving out of my apartment and need someone who needs a six-month lease. My parents promised to pay my half of the rent if I could find someone to move in and pay the other half. The rent is $250.00 a month for a one-bedroom apartment for you alone. The apartment is a block from Lincoln Park and the beach.”

  Carol squealed. “I love it, and I’ll take it!” She hugged Katherine and flew off her stool. “Yikes. I’m late for check-in. Please put a note in the mailbox with the details. I’ll call you tomorrow when I get home from my San Mateo layover.” She hugged Katherine again.

  “Have a safe trip. Talk to you tomorrow.” Katherine watched her walk away. She rubbed the back of her neck and her brow wrinkled. No more San Mateo layovers for me. Plus, I’ll have no more one-bedroom apartment next to Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. She sighed and glided off the stool. Katherine gave the waitress a big smile and slipped five dollars on the counter. I’m ready.

  At the crew lounge door, Katherine paused and rubbed her Thunderbird. As she opened the door, she inhaled the strong scent of Old Spice. A pilot reached from behind her to hold the door. Katherine smiled at the young pilot from her Las Vegas junket.