Kathy

by T. L. Haddix

  “The chicken salad, please,” Kathy told the waiter.

  He smiled and took Augustina’s order, then he bowed and left.

  Augustina was still frowning. “You’ve been here?”

  Kathy nodded. “A couple of weeks ago. My mother and sister and I. Sarah came in from Kentucky, and it was something she’d wanted to do for a while, have a formal tea. It was nice.” Realizing she was on the verge of rambling, Kathy clamped her mouth shut and tried not to fiddle with her silverware.

  “You’re close to your family?” Augustina sipped daintily from her glass.

  “Very.” She thought about Roy and Nancy, and a grimace slipped out. Roy’d fallen all over himself yesterday to apologize, but things were still awkward between them. “Though we have our moments.”

  “Most families do. For example, my son. The stubborn boy is the most hardheaded man I believe I’ve ever met, with the exception of his father, rest his soul. What are your intentions toward Charles?”

  Kathy stared at her. “I-I don’t have any intentions toward him.”

  “None?”

  She frowned. “No. None.”

  “Hmmm. Well, I find that difficult to believe. After all, someone in your position, who manages to snag the attention of a man as prominent and successful as my Charles… I’d think that would be the realization of a lifelong dream.” Her look was full of challenge and superiority as she waited for Kathy’s response.

  Carefully, Kathy picked up the napkin that she’d placed in her lap when they’d sat. She folded the linen in half then half again, and very precisely, she placed it on the table, flattening her hand on top of it. “What position, exactly, am I in?”

  With Sarah and Owen leaving, with her feelings for Charles having exploded almost overnight, and with Nancy’s statement ringing in her ears, Kathy was finished. Done. Her temper rose and threatened to choke her in a way it hadn’t done in a long time, but she pushed it back, determined to see the confrontation with Augustina through to the bitter end.

  “I am aware of your situation—your previous marriage,” Augustina said. “It might surprise you to find out that I’ve known about you for some time now. At least since the day Charles blew us off to have brunch with you and yours. I made some inquiries, and what I discovered was quite enlightening. I know where you come from, Ms. Browning. In any event, I imagine you think you’ve landed in the cream with my son. It certainly beats anything you’ve ever done before.”

  Kathy gave a little shake of her head. “I can’t argue with you on that point, though I believe our interpretations of what constitutes the ‘cream’ are probably vastly different. With all due respect, Mrs. Kelly, I’m not willing to discuss my relationship with your son. I don’t care to antagonize you, but neither will I roll over and whimper in the corner because you’re interrogating me.”

  The other woman quirked an eyebrow. “You’re not what most people would consider suitable for someone of Charles’s standing. Do you really expect anything permanent to come of your affair? Don’t you think he deserves someone he can build a life with?”

  A sharp lance of pain pinched Kathy’s heart, and she looked away. “I think he deserves a woman who will love him with all her heart, someone who makes him glad to be alive. Someone he can confide in and turn to without hesitation, who won’t be there just for the good times but for the bad as well, and someone who doesn’t see him solely as a—a pedigree, a way to further her social position.”

  She stood, the feet of the chair scraping against the wood floor with a loud screech. Trembling, she faced Augustina down. “I’m sure you thought you’d bring me here today and intimidate me, maybe pay me off. After all, I’m poor white trash, a fallen woman to boot, and I never should have crossed the path of your son, much less fallen in… well. But you can’t do or say anything to me that hasn’t already been done or said. I’ve been through hell, and most days, I’m not sure I’ve made it back.

  “See, my husband killed my children out of spite. My daughter and my son… they were just babies. He gave them something to make them sleep, then he shot them in their beds,” she said in an anguished whisper, ignoring the lone tear tracking down her cheek. “He killed the man I was planning to run away with, he killed himself, and he left me here to live with what I’d done. So no, I don’t think I’m an appropriate match for Charles, but I’m going to hold on to the little bit of happiness I’ve found with him for as long as he wants me because the alternative doesn’t bear contemplation. I’m well aware that I’m not good enough for him. I do not expect what we have to last. But I’m selfish, you see. I’m not ready to let him go, not just yet.”

  When Augustina clasped one of Kathy’s clenched hands, tugging gently, Kathy didn’t understand.

  “Sit down, child, for heaven’s sake,” she said in a ragged voice. Her face was pale, her mouth drawn, and surprisingly, her eyes were full of sympathy.

  After a moment, Kathy sat.

  “I didn’t know about the children, and I thought you were divorced. My God, how did you find the strength to go on after that? I’m so terribly sorry.” Augustina sighed and shook her head. “I didn’t bring you here to pay you off. I came here to take your measure, to make sure you were the kind of woman my son needs and deserves. I certainly never meant to stir up the kinds of memories I apparently have, and I am genuinely sorry for that. The last thing I wanted was to cause you pain.”

  Completely out of words, Kathy kept her silence, studying her opponent as she waited for the next move. She didn’t trust that there wouldn’t be another sally, not after what had just happened.

  “Charles hates debutantes. I’m sure you’re aware of that by now, especially in light of your little encounter with dear Evelyn. That silly girl… I never imagined she’d take things so far—all because she read a romance novel and thought it sounded ‘sophisticated.’ Truly, I knew nothing would ever come of throwing them together except that I might be able to spur Charles into finding someone of his own.” She held up her hand when Kathy sent her an incredulous stare. “She’s already found someone to soothe her ego. I had him waiting in the wings because I had an inkling of how things would end. Just not quite so dramatically.”

  “You never meant for Charles to end up with her?” Kathy was stunned. Augustina had surprised her again.

  She laughed. “Oh, heavens, no! He’d be bored to tears within the first week. Maybe two—she’s a pretty girl, after all. But you… you’ve had him tied up in knots for some time. I knew someone did, though I didn’t know who she was, and I figured the only way he was ever going to make a move was if he was pushed. Of course, if I’d known about the two of you before all this mess with Evelyn, I’d not have pushed quite so hard.” She sat back as the waiter returned with their lunches. “Thank you, Raul. I believe that’s all for now.”

  “Of course, Ms. Augustina. Just ring if you need me.”

  She winked at him and touched the handle of the small bell he’d placed on the table. “You know I will.”

  Utterly bemused, Kathy watched the man smile and wink right back, making Charles’s mother blush like a schoolgirl.

  “I think I’ve fallen into the rabbit hole,” Kathy muttered as he left.

  “I imagine you do. Now, as I was saying, I knew you were special as soon as Daphne told me how Charles had looked at you that day at brunch. Oh, yes,” she said, nodding when Kathy gaped at her. “A sister knows these things, and she took great pride in telling me all about how I’d missed the boat with my matchmaking.”

  Kathy gave a short laugh. “He said she was a hellion.”

  Augustina sighed as she stirred sugar into her tea. “That girl. I do live with the great hope that someday she’ll turn into a proper lady on me at least half the time, but I’m not holding my breath. She gets her irascibility from her father, you know.”

  Kathy had her doubts about that, but she did
n’t argue.

  “She’s happy as a clam, and that’s all that matters. That sort of happiness is all I want for Charles as well.” She eyed Kathy. “I don’t agree with your assessment of yourself and your suitability for my son. I think you’re exactly what he needs, and moreover, I suspect you’re the person he wants. And that you’re so defensive of him and what he deserves? I suspect he’s what you need and want too. You care about him. Don’t even bother denying it.”

  The situation was so unexpected Kathy couldn’t help but laugh. It was either that or cry, and she wasn’t about to bawl her eyes out. Not today.

  “Not everyone shares your opinion,” she said, lifting the cup of tea Augustina had poured for her. “My aunt Nancy, for example. She believes I’m getting above my raising.”

  Augustina snorted. “If you were toothless and barefoot, I might agree with her. Are you going to let her opinion influence you? What about your mother? Your sister? Eat your salad. It’s too good to let go to waste, and you’ll feel better with a full belly.”

  Kathy’s smile felt more natural this time, and she set down her cup. “My mother would say the same thing. She and Sarah, my sister, they both adore Charles. They’d love nothing more than to see me married to him.” She grimaced, hoping she hadn’t gone too far.

  His mother eyed her shrewdly. “I don’t imagine you’re too eager to enter back into holy matrimony after what you went through. After all, a man has a lot of power in a marriage even in this day and age. Even if he’s a good man, that’s a lot of trust to place in one person when you know how badly it can go.” When Kathy tilted her head, Augustina shrugged. “My best friend was in a very similar situation as you back when we were young women. I did what I could, but it was a different world then, and what I could do wasn’t very much. I’m assuming your marital life wasn’t roses and sunshine given what happened.”

  “Only if the roses were full of flesh-ripping thorns and no blooms and the sunshine was scorching hot enough to destroy me.”

  Augustina touched her hand. “You’re lucky you survived.”

  Kathy’s grimace was wry and twisted. “I’m still not sure I have some days.” She shook her head. “How is it that you have Charles fooled so well that he believes so strongly that you’re trying to matchmake for him?”

  “Dear, I am trying to matchmake for him. But as to your question, I know my son. I know how stubborn he is, and I figured as soon as he realized the best defense was to throw up a good offense, he’d do my work for me. He’s always been that way. He hated brussels sprouts and asparagus when he was young, but he despised peas. A rule in our household was that the children had to eat at least two vegetables out of the three on the table at dinner, even if it was only a couple of pieces of the ones they didn’t like, and so out of self-defense, he ended up eating the sprouts or the spears. I made sure we had one or the other most of the time.”

  Kathy had to laugh with admiration. “That’s diabolical.”

  “Thank you. I thought so. I was able to use the same tactic with him for piano lessons.”

  “What were his other choices?”

  “Violin or painting. As a reward, we let him take fencing. Now, if you could keep this little secret between us, I’d appreciate it. I had to share it with Daphne not long ago given that she’s produced headstrong boys as ornery as she ever was.”

  The rest of the meal passed with comfortable conversation as Augustina told her of some of Charles and Daphne’s antics growing up. By the time they were ready to go, Kathy hated to see the outing end.

  “I didn’t expect to like you,” Kathy admitted as they walked to the curb. “I’ve been quite nervous about meeting you.”

  Augustina squeezed her arm. “Of course you have. Remind me to tell you about the first time I met my own mother-in-law. It’s a doozy.”

  Kathy smiled and shook her head. “I think you’re being optimistic.”

  “No. I just know my son. Well, let’s get you back to work before you’re late.”

  “One thing,” Kathy said, clearing her throat. “Do you think we might be able to go a little… slower this time?”

  Charles’s mother grinned and snapped on her gloves. “Now where’s the fun in that?”

  “Fun. Yes. That’s the word I was looking for.” Kathy reminded herself it was only a few blocks as she got in the passenger seat.

  “Live a little, young lady! Hold on and enjoy the ride.”

  And with that, they were off. The trip back to the store was no less “exciting,” Kathy thought as they pulled up at the curb.

  “Here you are. I hope you’ll come see me soon, and bring your mother too. I’m looking forward to getting to know you both.”

  “Mrs. Kelly, I’ll do that. Thank you so much for lunch.”

  She leaned over with a grin as Kathy got out. “Call me Gus, dear. All my friends do.” With a wave of her hand, she was off.

  This time, there was no screech of brakes, but Kathy still winced as she watched her drive away. “Gus. Yes, okay.”

  Feeling as though she’d truly stepped into an alternate reality, Kathy made her way inside. Charles’s mother was so far removed from what Kathy had expected she almost thought she’d dreamed the entire encounter. As she tried to focus on her work instead of lunch, she chuckled.

  “One thing’s for sure—it’ll be interesting to see where we go from here.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Charles was having a productive, if somewhat slow, day. He was finally caught up on all the work that had piled up while he was in New York, and he was even thinking about leaving early. At least by six o’clock.

  Whistling, he stepped out into Sally’s office. “Do you have… Mother.”

  Augustina scowled. “I’m surprised you recognize me, Charles Huston Kelly, given how studiously you’ve been avoiding me recently.”

  He still wasn’t ready to talk to her or hear a lecture about his duties as the only son, and he barely stifled a sigh. “I’d love to talk to you, but right now, I have a hundred things I have to do. Right?”

  Sally shook her head. “Don’t pull me into this.”

  “I knew I liked you for a reason,” his mother said, winking at Sally conspiratorially.

  Exasperated with them both, he shoved his glasses back into place. “Mother, I told you I have work to do. I’ll try to get over to the house this weekend.” He was hoping he could convince Kathy to go with him and finally meet everyone, but he was also worried that it might be too much, too soon. It would take her a while, he feared, to recover from Nancy’s jab.

  “You’ve had a lot of work lately, Charles. Don’t think I don’t know you’re avoiding me.”

  A strong twinge of guilt bit him, but he ignored it. He kissed her cheek instead. “I’ll see you soon. Sally, come in and take this dictation, please.” He headed back into his office.

  “I had lunch with Kathy Browning today.”

  Charles stopped dead in his tracks, one foot lifted off the floor even. He turned to stare at her, mouth agape. “You what?”

  Sally stood. “I’m going to go get some… coffee. Yes, that’s it. Excuse me.”

  “I know I didn’t hear you right,” he told his mother carefully. “Can you repeat that?”

  She snorted and brushed past him into his office as though it was hers. “You heard me. Good Lord, you sound like your father when you use that tone. I didn’t appreciate it any more coming from him, you know.”

  Charles cursed. He followed her and shut the door, suddenly terrified that his world had been turned completely upside down without him being the least aware. “You met Kathy?”

  “Mm-hmmm. We had lunch.”

  “Lunch?”

  “Yes. The meal between breakfast and dinner? Lunch.” She sighed and sat on the couch, smoothing her hand over the gloves she held. “That girl… I wanted to hu
g her and take her away from the world that’s hurt her so. Do you love her, Charles?”

  Stupefied, he sat heavily on one of the chairs in front of his desk and stared at her. “I do. Mother, I…”

  “She’s very afraid she’s not worthy of you, but I believe she cares for you deeply. I couldn’t have chosen a better person for you if I’d tried. I think you’d better marry her.”

  Charles rubbed his hand over his mouth. “Who are you, and what have you done with my mother?”

  With a scowl, she swatted his knee with the gloves. “I’m serious. I think you’ll have a devil of a time convincing her to marry you given what she’s been through, and I can’t blame her. My God, I opened up that wound without realizing… she’s all right,” she hastened to assure him. “I left her smiling at the curb with a promise to see her soon.”

  “You drove?” Charles grimaced. “She was probably grateful to be alive after that.”

  Augustina huffed and narrowed her eyes, but instead of chastising him, she floored him. “I like her.”

  He didn’t know what to say. The ticking of the small grandfather clock on the wall was the only sound as he struggled to sort out his feelings. “I hoped you would eventually. She’s not like Evelyn, and I wouldn’t want her if she was.”

  She gave a hard sigh. “Oh, I didn’t want to have to admit to this. Do you remember the brussels sprouts you loathed so much as a child?”

  He scowled. “Of course I do. Nasty things that I still don’t like.”

  “But you ate them.”

  “Yes, only because the alternative was… worse. I’ll be hanged. Mother, you’re cagey.” He shook his head, admiring her tactics even as he was perturbed to realize how well he’d been played.

  Augustina beamed at him as she stood. “Of course I am. A woman has to be when she has children as hardheaded as you and your sister. I was as surprised as anyone at Evelyn’s boldness, but all’s well that ends well. Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll be going. Will you bring Kathy to dinner Sunday if she’s available? Her mother too?”