She nodded. “I’ll be fine.” She looked up at him. He looked genuinely concerned. She shifted so that she was leaning against the back of the bench. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why are you so good to me? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate it, but you barely know me.”
Brandon cleared his throat. “I just believe that the world is terrible enough without us being cruel to one another. I think that we have to take care of each other.”
She grinned. That was an acceptable answer.
She shifted in her seat. She turned around and saw carvings on the back of the bench.
“What’s that?” She pointed to them, and Brandon turned around.
“Oh, they’re just people’s undying declarations of love for one another.”
They studied them. One of them read SJI + LOW = Love 4eva.
She gave him a mischievous look, and then picked up a sharp stone on the ground.
“What’s your last name?” she asked.
He gave her a curious look. “What are you doing?”
“Trust me. What’s your last name?”
“Morrissey,” he said hesitantly.
She carved the following onto the bench:
KS + BM = …
She paused. “What should I put after that equal sign?” She had this flirty look on her face.
Brandon widened his eyes.
Katie then lifted her hand and caressed his bottom lips with two fingers. Mesmerized, he fell in a calm stupor as she traced his mouth with her fingers.
He shivered, but not because of the cold.
It was over too soon. She moved her fingers away. Brandon felt disappointment sink in. But, before he could process it, she moved in, hovering just inches from his face. Then, she kissed him on the lips. It was a warm, passionate kiss, making the cold of the night dissipate. She pulled back, and Brandon touched his lips in surprise that she had made the first move this time.
She turned around and carved a shape that resembled lips on the other side of the equal side. Then, she threw her head back, laughing.
Brandon couldn’t stop looking at her. She was radiant in the moonlight, like a Greek goddess coming to life.
Although he didn’t know what was so funny, he started laughing too. Her laughter had been contagious.
He stood up and took her by the hand. “Come on. Let me show you something.”
“You mean there’s more?”
He nodded. “A lot more.”
He led her around the path, until they reached a hidden side path.
She stared into the darkness. “Where are we going?”
“Trust me,” he said. “I know what I’m doing. You’ll like the surprise.”
He held her hand and advanced, but she stayed rooted in place.
Brandon turned around. “Do you trust me Katie?”
The old fears of walking into darkness with a boy made her chest uncomfortable. Her mother had always warned her not to go into dark places with boys.
Katie looked at Brandon. He smiled, and rubbed her hand with his fingers.
She peered into the darkness, but couldn’t see anything except giant trees and wide bushes. In the blackness, they looked like beasts.
Then, she heard a rustling sound in the bushes. She tightened her tight on Brandon’s hand, and studied him.
He was looking at her with his head tilted to the side. He looked completely harmless, someone with good intentions.
She reminded herself that he had been nothing but a gentleman so far.
Katie took a deep breath. “OK, let’s go.”
He smiled, and she followed him into the darkness. Branches and bushes reached their fingers out at them as they pass, but they dodged them and finally arrived at a clearing. The scent of fresh pine surrounded them.
She could see only black as her eyes adjusted. “What am I looking at?”
“Just wait and see,” was all he said.
After a few minutes, Katie could make out an oval outline. Then, as she examined it, she realized it was a piece of fabric stretched out over a steel frame with four beams on the ground.
Brandon hurried up to it, and hopped on. “Come on. The fabric’s safe. I tried it out yesterday.” He started to jump up and down.
When she realized that it was a trampoline, she let out a squeal of delight.
She raced toward it and jumped on. “I love these. I used to have one when I was a kid but it broke and we couldn’t afford to replace it.”
She hopped up and down as Brandon did the same next to her. The thrill of bouncing up and down made her forget all about the contest, as though it were an event in a fantasy world.
As Brandon jumped, he held both Katie’s hands and they became one enormous jumping object.
Katie held onto him, and enjoyed the feel of his warm hands on hers.
Brandon put his mouth beside her ears. “That’s not all.”
“How can you top this?”
“If you jump high enough, you can see the mountain on one side, the river on one side, and the cities on the third. Wanna try it?”
Katie could barely hear him as the wind rushed in her ears.
“Hell yeah!” she yelled.
“Alright, when I say now, we jump harder, OK?”
She looked in his eyes and gave him a big nod.
They landed on the fabric and he said, “Now!”
With all the strength in her legs, she hopped up.
Brandon pointed in a direction. “There!”
She turned her head and saw a magnificent mountain. It was snowcapped and had lights around it, like a Christmas hat.
They landed on the fabric. Brandon shouted, “Now!”
They shot into the air and Brandon yelled, “There!”
She turned her head and saw the mighty Fraser River. It was bubbling and reflected all the lights from the moon and stars. It was a mirror of the heavens.
Katie stared at the sight until they landed again.
Brandon wrapped his arms around her. “Last time! Now!”
They jumped and he said, “There!”
She turned her head and saw blackness mixed with sparkling light from the cities. She was in awe.
They finally landed in a heap on the fabric, limbs entangled. Their heart rates and breathing were slowing down, but they couldn’t stop laughing.
“That was so fun!” Katie exclaimed.
“I know, wasn’t it? But I’m exhausted!”
“How did you find this place?”
“I stumbled on it yesterday.”
When their heart rates and breathing were back to normal, they lay on the trampoline, spooning.
Brandon kissed the back of Katie’s neck. “You have such a beautiful neck. Really smooth.” He inhaled and the scent of vanilla tickled his nostrils.
She giggled. “Stop it. It tickles.”
He rested his hands on her waist.
The only sound was crickets chirping.
She sighed. Now she knew what being perfectly content was like.
When the wind grew cold, she put her hands on his. Then, she said, “Hold me closer.”
He tightened his grip.
There was silence.
Then, Katie said, “I don’t know a lot about you, Brandon Morrissey. Tell me something about yourself.”
Brandon sighed, and his breath stroked Katie's neck.
“Let’s see. Where to begin? My father’s an investment banker in Toronto. He wants me to follow in the family business, but I don’t really think that’s for me.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to do something for people. Promise you won’t laugh at me.”
She said nothing.
He said, “I want you to promise.”
“OK, I promise.”
“You know those farms down on Marine Drive?”
She nodded.
He stroked her neck with one finger. “Well, I always wonder
ed what it would be like if I became a farmer and grew food for people. My grandfather has a farm down in Langley.”
He shifted in his position, so that he was lying on his side and looking at her intensely. “I hate big cities. I’ve always hated going to visit my dad as a kid in Toronto. All those artificial streets, pavements, buildings, stores.” He made a face, as though he had discovered a fly in his soup. Then, his expression changed to dreamy. “I’ve always loved the countryside. Growing up, my favorite memory is going to my grandpa’s farm close by. I would help him plant apple trees, and then my grandma would make apple pies for us.”
His eyes were far away. “I remember playing hide and seek in the cornstalk maze with my cousins.”
He laughed, rubbing his eyes. “Best memories of my life. So I’ve always wondered what it would be like if I actually did run a farm.”
She laughed. “That’s a funny dream.”
“It wouldn’t be so funny if you ran out of oregano and came begging me to grow you some,” he said in a joking tone.
She slapped his hands gently. “Would you grow me some if I needed it?”
He nodded, rubbing his nose against her neck. “You bet I would. I’ll buy you a whole oregano farm and plant oregano plants.” He grinned. “We can have pasta for dinner every night.”
Brandon looked at her sincerely. “I promise.”
She turned around and pinned him down on the fabric. She climbed on top of him, and then stared him in the face. “I don’t know. I want someone more ambitious.” She used her best teasing voice.
Brandon looked concerned.
He was starting to sweat again.
She ran her fingers through his hair. It was also soaked with sweat.
Katie said, “But I still think it’s very sweet. I’m going to hold you to that promise.”
She moved her face closer to his. As she approached, she could smell cologne mixed with sweat. It was a very masculine smell.
She saw that his eyes were nervous, so nervous that they were darting all over the place, looking at anywhere but her face.
Katie stroked his cheekbone. “It’s OK. You can look at me.”
He looked at her as though hypnotized.
Then, she reached in and kissed him. They kissed for a while, until they were both hot and sweaty.
They kissed until Katie had to come up for air. Then, she laid her head on his chest. The sweat on his shirt soaked onto her cheek, but she did not mind.
He hugged her, putting his arms on her back.
They closed their eyes, and lost themselves in the moment, and in each other.
They did not know how long they had been lying on the trampoline, but when they looked at the sky again, they saw just the faintest rays of the sun poking through the clouds. It was starting to disperse the clouds, just spreading them apart.
Katie stood up. “What time is it?”
Brandon pointed at the sky. “I’m guessing it’s sunrise.”
Katie stood up. “Oh my God. My mom’s going to kill me.”
She started to climb off the trampoline, but Brandon held onto her leg. She froze and turned around.
Brandon was lying there with one hand behind his head, just relaxing and enjoying himself.
“What’s the rush? I mean, you’re already late. A few more minutes can’t kill you.”
Katie saw the truth in that.
Brandon tugged on her jeans. “Just lie down with me. I’ll take you home in a little bit.”
Katie lay herself down, and he took her hand. It was still crisply cold, but snuggled together again, they were starting to warm up.
He turned on his side and propped one hand under his head. “You know, I’ve been trying to talk to you since the beginning of the semester.”
She mock gasped. “You mean you didn’t help me gather papers out of the goodness of your heart?” She put a hand to her mouth, smiling.
He shook his head. “Unfortunately, no.”
He pointed at the heavens. “Have you ever seen the sunrise? I mean, not on TV, but in person?”
She exhaled a visible breath. “No, I haven’t.”
He pointed at the salmon pink and golden peach rays. “Sometimes, I think it’s even more beautiful than sunset.”
“How so?”
He sat up cross-legged and stared at her. He reached over and brushed her hair out of her face.
“Because it’s the start of something new,” he said.
*
Chapter 7
That Christmas, Katie invited Brandon for dinner at her house. She was setting the table with polished silverware and fine china when her mother came into the room.
Her mother, Catherine Simpson, was a large lady that oozed authority. As a high school teacher, she had to, or else she would have been eaten alive in the classroom. Unfortunately, she had a habit of bringing that attitude back home.
“Honey.” Catherine put a large hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
Katie spun around. She had to crane her head up to see her mother’s face.
Katie smiled. “Are you excited about meeting Brandon?”
Her mother nodded, her bob hairstyle bobbing up and down. “Yes, but to be honest, I have my doubts.”
Katie set down the last of the plates. “What do you mean?”
Her mother gestured to the chairs. “Why don’t we have a seat?”
They sat down.
Her mother adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses. “When I was young, I wanted to be an actress. Then I met a boy I really loved and he convinced me not to enter that industry, and just be with him instead. He would afraid he would lose me to Hollywood partying and all that.”
Katie raised her eyebrows.
Catherine waved one hand. “Don’t worry. This was before I met your father.”
“Do you regret not being an actress?”
“No, I don’t think I would have liked to be one, but that’s not the point.” Her mother stared at her. “I didn’t even try. I didn’t get to audition. I was too wrapped up in him even to bother.”
Katie started playing with her hair. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t date, but just don’t let a boy stop you from at least trying to fulfill your dreams. Even if you fail, at least you can say that you tried and you won’t look back on it with regret.”
Katie looked at her mother’s serious face. “Why can’t he go to New York with me?”
“You have your dad in New York already. He could take care of you. And besides, would you ask Brandon to make that sacrifice for you?”
Katie shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“And even if he did go with you, he might turn off a lot of designers. They like to see single girls, not attached ones.”
Catherine put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, patting her. “Just remember what I said. I’m only doing this for your own good, honey.”
Katie nodded. “Is dad OK in New York?”
“I don’t care.” Catherine got up. “You got a package from him. An application form for an internship at Prattico’s in New York.”
Katie perked up.
Her mother gestured toward the kitchen. It’s waiting for you on the counter.”
The bell rang and Katie turned toward the door, forgetting all about the application form.
“I’ll get it.”
Her mother got up. “Dinner’s ready. I’ll get the food.”
Katie opened the door and gave Brandon a big smile. His face was red and his hood was covered with snowflakes.
Katie peered outside. It was dark and the snow was coming down hard.
She rushed into his arms, and kissed him.
He hugged her, and shivered. “It’s so cold out here.” Then, he sniffed the air. “Smells like gingerbread. Spicy. Just like you.” He pointed at her.
Katie slapped his fingers away playfully, throwing her head back.
A blast of winter wind entered the front door, and Kat
ie scrambled to close it. Brandon took off his jacket.
“I can take that for you,” Katie said. “Are you nervous?”
Brandon hugged himself, trying to warm up. “God yes.”
“Don’t worry. My mom will love you,” she said, taking his jacket. She noticed that he was wearing a beautiful white sweater and casual jeans. Typical winter wear.
She liked it. She went up to him and kissed him again.
When she was done, he said, “What was that for?”
She remembered what her mother had said about having to leave him. “Just because.”
She hung up the jacket. “Just because,” she repeated.
He grinned and looked around. In front of the fireplace was an ornate Christmas with an angel on top.
“Wow, your family goes all out. Mine barely has Christmas dinner.”
“That’s why I invited you.” She took his hand and his face lit up.
They were about to enjoy a moment, when her mother’s piercing voice shouted, “Dinner time.”
She appeared in the hallway, and the couple stopped holding hands.
Katie turned toward her mother. “Mom, this is Brandon.”
Catherine smiled and extended one hand. “Brandon, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Brandon shook Catherine’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Simpson.” He noticed that she had an iron grip.
“Please, call me ‘Your Highness.’”
Brandon looked uncertain.
Then, Catherine burst out laughing. “I’m just kidding.”
Brandon laughed nervously. He got the feeling that she was not entirely kidding.
Catherine pointed in the direction of the dining room. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Brandon was led into a dining room piled high with all sorts of Christmas dishes. There was a roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, mash potatoes, garden salad with multiple kinds of dressing, garlic bread, gingerbread cookies.
The three of them sat down. Brandon said, “Wow, this looks so good.”
Catherine indicated the dishes. “Please help yourself.”
The three of them began to pile food onto their plates while Winter Wonderland played on the radio in the background.
Catherine started cutting her drumstick. “So Brandon, what are you thinking of doing after graduation?”
“Well,” he said, playing with his fork. “My father wants me to be an investment banker, but that’s not where my passion is.”
Meet Me at Taylor Park Page 6
