Waiting for Dusk

by Nancy Pennick

  A plump, sweet-faced woman ran up to her. “You must be Kathryn, the new girl. I’m going to have you work alongside Anna today so you can see how we do things. We run a tight ship. The vacationers come first. We must serve them and keep them happy. Now away you go.”

  Oh, great, I get to work with unfriendly, non-talkative Anna. What else can make my day?

  Katie walked over to Anna. “You’re stuck with me for the day.”

  Anna grabbed her hand. “Oh, no, Kathryn. You are stuck with me. Lucinda was trying greatly to get you to work with her. I’m a quick and quiet worker. I guess that’s why Miss Betsy chose me. Harvey girl, in training, that’s me. I’d don’t know if I’ll ever make it out to the dining room.”

  “A what? A Harvey girl? I never heard of that.”

  “Never you mind. Come on.” And off they went to start the chores for the day.

  The day went by quickly. Katie wasn’t allowed to wait on the customers or vacationers, as they were told to call them, although Anna told her locals ate there too.

  They filled the orders, scraped the dishes, took the dishes to the dishwashers and brought food to the cooks. By the end of the day, Katie felt very tired. During that time she discovered she liked Anna. She enjoyed her day and couldn’t figure out why Lucinda didn’t like Anna.

  Miss Betsy interrupted Katie’s thoughts. “Miss Kathryn!”

  “Yes, Miss Betsy?”

  “I would like you to get some more eggs for the cook.”

  Katie was a little surprised she was asked to do something on her own so early in training. She went to find Anna. “Anna, where’s the refrigerator? I need to get some eggs.”

  Anna laughed.” The...”

  “Oh, you might call it the ice box or something like that!”

  “I’m not laughing about the refrigerator or the ice box!” Anna smiled at her. “If we are out of eggs and you were asked to get them, you have to go out there.” Anna pointed to the backdoor.

  “Outside? Again?” Katie suppressed a scream.

  “Yes, from the henhouse. I will go with you. Here take this basket.”

  At the last moment someone called Anna away, and Katie had to head outdoors on her own. She opened the door and looked around. Straight back from the hotel, across the road from where Mr. Johansson had dropped them off, was a henhouse and a barn. She hadn’t noticed them earlier. The area was all fenced off and she couldn’t find a gate. Kate clumsily climbed over the fence, thankful no one was watching.

  Entering the henhouse she thought, I can do this. Hens sit on eggs and all I have to do is stick my hand under them and I should hit the jackpot.

  Katie stared down her first subject. The hen did not seem too scary. She spoke softly to it. “Thank you, Mrs. Hen.”

  Reaching out her hand, she slid it under the hen and found two eggs. She continued on, having success and sometimes none, slowly filling the basket and trying to decide if there were enough eggs to satisfy Miss Betsy.

  “Well, maybe just one more.” She stared the last hen down, then reached in. That time the hen was not going to cooperate. It squawked and pecked away at her, then flew up and off the nest. That was more than Katie could take.

  She ran out of the henhouse, climbed the fence and fell to the ground, always remembering to balance the egg basket carefully. She lay on her back by the side of the fence and laughed. Then she got very quiet. Did I hear another laugh?

  Katie sat up and looked around. “Who’s there?”

  “Over here,” the voice said.

  Katie glanced over at the hotel, and leaning against the wall in the shadows was a boy about her age. She got up and walked toward him. She’d show him. Who was he to laugh at her? Look at all the eggs in this basket. I didn’t break one during my getaway.

  The closer she got to him, the more clearly she saw him. He wasn’t a boy but almost a man. The cliché, ‘tall, dark and handsome’ fit him. His dark brown, wavy hair was long on the top, and shorter on the sides. A strand of hair fell into his eyes. His eyes sparkled and locked onto hers. Her legs felt like mush, and she stumbled. He reached out and caught her.

  “Are you okay?” his voice was kind, concerned.

  Katie tried to gain her composure. “Yes, yes. Are you one of the vacationers? Because if you are, I shouldn’t be talking to you. It’s against the rules.” Rules? What am I thinking? It’s my dream after all.

  “No. No I’m not. I work here at the park doing an internship. My name is Andrew, by the way. Andrew Martin.”

  “I’m Kathryn, but everyone calls me Katie.”

  Andrew’s brows crossed. “Katie doesn’t seem to suit you. I think I shall call you Kate.”

  Katie thought Andrew was a little full of himself, deciding a new name for her.

  “Then I shall call you Drew,” she shot back.

  “Drew, it is then!”

  Kate found him charming. He had a strong laugh and a beautiful smile. It was hard not to stare at him—something she was good at, according to her mother. She felt she would never get tired of staring at him. She wanted to reach out and brush back the piece of hair that fell over his forehead.

  Katie blinked and brought herself back to earth. “I need to get these eggs into the kitchen.”

  “By all means, don’t let me hold you up. It was very nice to meet you, Kathryn, Kate.”

  “And you, too, Andrew...Drew.” Katie started for the door.

  “Kate. Are you staying at the boarding house by chance?”

  “Yes. Yes, I am,” She blushed and went inside. “Here are the eggs!” she called out to anyone who would listen.

  Anna came running up and took them from her. “You were gone a long time but I covered for you.”

  The workday finally ended and Mr. Johansson was waiting in the Buick when the girls came out after their shift. “Have a good day, girls? Meet anyone special?” he chuckled as he said it.

  “Now, Mr. Johansson,” said Lucinda. “You know our goal is to become servers in the dining room first and then meet someone special. And by the way, girls, I’m now an official Harvey girl! No more training for me.” She squealed with delight.

  Ruthie and Anna said all the right things to her, especially Ruthie.

  “You are so lucky, Lucinda! You’re the first to make it. You’re so much prettier than me, I knew it would happen.” She smiled brightly.

  Anna looked at Katie and rolled her eyes. Katie was a little taken aback by what Ruthie just said, because Ruthie was very attractive. She had long auburn wavy hair, a little bit of a nose with a few freckles sprinkled across it and lovely green eyes.

  Lucinda was just an average girl, not a raving beauty, but made up for that in personality. When Katie first met her, she thought she was lovely. Even though she had mousy brown hair, it was fixed in what might be the latest fashion for the day, a short bobbed haircut with waves. Her radiant smile made one feel it was only meant for them. She was nice looking, but not beautiful.

  Funny, it reminded her of high school. Katie had met girls like her. The girl with the most mesmerizing personality could be very popular and have a group of friends hanging on every word. She began to see Lucinda in a different light. Why did she not like Anna? Why did Lucinda practically warn her away from Anna? She made a mental note to ask Anna later.

  When they got home, Mrs. Johansson had dinner waiting for them. They talked and laughed with both Mr. and Mrs. Johansson while they ate. Katie felt so at home with Mrs. Johansson because she reminded her of MiMi. No, not reminded her of MiMi. She looked just like a younger MiMi.

  Mrs. Johansson spoke, “Girls, remember that it’s lights out at nine. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, especially you, Lucinda!” She gently patted the girl on her hand.

  Each girl got up and thanked both Mr. and Mrs. Johansson for dinner. Ruthie hugged them both. Lucinda hugged Mrs. Johansson. Anna shook their hands. Katie was last. She wanted to throw her arms around Mrs. Johansson, call her MiMi and ask for her help in unders
tanding everything. Instead, she just shook their hands.

  “Good night and thank you,” she said softly.

  When Katie left the kitchen she found Anna waiting outside in the hall. “You did well your first day.”

  “Thanks.” Katie blushed. “Anna, can you come to my room and talk?”

  “Sure. If that’s what you want.”

  “I want to ask you a few questions. First, what is a Harvey girl? And why does Lucinda hate you so much?”

  Before Anna had time to answer, Lucinda was at Kathryn’s door. “Party in my room before lights out! Come on, Kathryn. You too, Anna.”

  Anna’s expression changed to a look of shock. “Oh. First, you have to put on your nightgown. That’s how we do it,” Lucinda called out as she left the room. Anna followed, giving Katie a slight wave as if to say see you soon.

  You mean we’re having a pajama party, like a sleepover? Katie rummaged through the dresser drawers in her room. She found a beautiful white cotton nightgown and put it on. She went down the hallway to Lucinda’s room. Ruthie was already there. She too was wearing a white nightgown. Her creamy white skin glowed in the evening light. Katie sat down on the braided rug next to the bed. Lucinda and Ruthie were already situated on the bed. Anna came in and plopped down next to Katie.

  “Kathryn, since you are new to our get-togethers, I will tell you what we do. We don’t talk about work unless something special happened. If we do need to talk about work, we get that out of the way first. Then we tell stories and talk about our dreams.”

  Katie thought that was very strange. Why would you tell everyone what to talk about? Oh, right, it’s Lucinda. We all have to do what she says. Aloud Katie said, “How long have you been here, Lucinda?”

  “Since the spring. April second, to be exact. Anna and I came on the same train, didn’t we, Anna?”

  Anna just nodded.

  “Anna always likes to do everything I do. She likes everything I like. Isn’t that right, Anna?” Lucinda continued to badger her. “Not talking tonight?”

  Without saying a word, Anna got up and left.

  “Lucinda!” Ruthie said. “Sometimes we have to forgive those who we feel trespass against us.”

  Lucinda, her eyes still fiery, turned to Ruthie. She grabbed a pillow and smacked Ruthie with it. “Pillow fight!” she screamed.

  At that moment, there was a tap at the window. The girls grew quiet and all turned toward the window. It was nearing dusk and hard to see.

  “Probably some creature,” Ruthie said casually.

  Then there was a tap, tap, tapping sound again.

  “Unless it knows how to make a rhythmic tapping sound, I don’t think it’s an animal. I’m going out there to see,” said Katie.

  “Not a good idea!” Lucinda shouted after her.

  By then Katie was down the hall and out the door. The warm night air hit her face. It felt good to get out of Lucinda’s room. It was closing in on her, especially after the strange attack on Anna.

  Katie was deep in thought, when she heard a sound. A footstep? She spun around to see Drew standing there. “Oh, I didn’t mean to startle you, Miss Kathryn. You did say you were staying at the boardinghouse and I thought I’d come to see if you are comfortable. If you have everything you need.”

  That’s a good line, Katie thought. He was so handsome in the moonlight she could have stayed in that spot forever. Drew walked over to her. “I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you.”

  “Lights out!” Mrs. Johansson called in the distance.

  Katie couldn’t help it. It was her dream after all. She fell into Drew’s arms and kissed him. He kissed her back. They seemed to melt into each other as one. Right then and there Katie wished that it was not a dream and that it would never end.

  Chapter Four

  “Time to get up! Time to get up!” Mrs. Johansson knocked on Katie’s door.

  Katie groaned and rolled over. Then she sat up in bed. “Drew!” she said aloud to no one. She gasped.

  She was staring at a pale sky blue wall. That was not the pine wall of the boardinghouse. It was definitely her bedroom. The large 3-D butterflies her father helped mount on the walls seem to flutter in the morning light. Her blue and yellow floral quilt was kicked off the bed, lying on the floor. Her cream color desk and dresser were in place. Even the black leather-bound book was on the nightstand. It was all a dream.

  Katie put her head in her hands. It seemed too real but she knew in her heart of hearts that’s all it was. She slid out of bed and opened her door. There in the familiar hallway stood Mrs. Johnson. “Oh, MiMi, it is you!”

  “Who do you think it would be, child? The boogeyman?” Mrs. Johnson chuckled.

  “Well, what are you doing here, since I don’t need a babysitter anymore?” Katie teased.

  “Your mother asked me to make sure you were up and dressed by the time she got home. She has a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise? What is it?”

  “It’s not a surprise if I tell you, is it? Now get yourself dressed and come down and have something to eat.”

  Katie went back into her room. Should I tell MiMi about my dream? She’s good at analyzing dreams and always makes me feel better.

  But it was different this time, it all felt so real, she decided against telling her.

  When Katie got downstairs, she found Mrs. Johnson in the kitchen. There was a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice waiting for her.

  “Cereal? That’s all?” Mrs. Johnson was known for her famous breakfasts and always made something special for her.

  “You slept late and your mother wants you ready to leave when she gets home. You’ll be eating again soon enough.” Mrs. Johnson packed a picnic basket.

  What was going on? A picnic? That’s the surprise?

  Katie’s mom walked in the door. “Thanks so much, Maya. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Oh, you won’t ever have to find out.” Mrs. Johnson picked up her purse, kissed Joanna on the cheek and went out the door.

  “Wait! Isn’t Mrs. Johnson going on a picnic with us?” Katie was a little disappointed. Maybe she would find the nerve to talk to MiMi during their outing.

  Katie’s mother put her arm around her. “No, it’s just you and me, kid. I do have a surprise, though, besides the picnic. Since you turned sixteen, your father hasn’t had much time to take you out for driving lessons. So today you and I are going driving...in the Mustang.”

  “Me? Drive the Mustang?” Katie was elated. That was a surprise.

  “Yes, only when we get to the lake and you have plenty of room in the parking lot.”

  “We’ll have the top down, right, Mom?”

  “Yes, the whole way.”

  Katie grabbed the picnic basket and ran out to the garage, leaving her cereal untouched.

  “Come on! Let’s go!”

  “Good thing I packed our towels and swimsuits already.” Joanna called after her. “It’s great to see you so happy.”

  Katie opened the special third car garage door. There sat the gleaming 1969 black convertible in all its glory. It had two large red racing stripes down the black hood that were about a foot wide. The black leather seats were soft and smooth.

  “Mom, come on! You’re taking too long!” Katie shouted from the car. She jumped into the bucket seat.

  Katie heard the trunk pop open and turned to see her mother throw everything in. The trunk slammed shut, her mom hopped in the driver’s side and started the car. It purred like a kitten, as her father always said. Katie leaned her head back on the headrest as her mother pulled out of the garage and headed for the open road.

  When they got to the lake, Katie couldn’t wait to drive the car.

  “Let’s eat lunch first, Katie. I’m starving!” Her mom parked and ran around to the back of the car.

  Katie loved Mrs. Johnson’s egg salad sandwiches and was sure that was what she packed for them, plus other surprises. They found a picnic table and sat down to
eat.

  “I’m sorry I’m neglecting you this summer, Katie. I didn’t know I was going to have to teach a class at the University.”

  “I’m a big girl now. I’ll survive.”

  “I guess I have to start thinking of you that way. You will always be my baby girl though.” Joanna patted Katie’s hand and dropped the keys into the palm of her hand.

  Katie looked at her mom and felt a shiver of excitement go down her back. “Now? Really?”

  “Now. Really.”

  Katie jumped up, cleaned off the picnic table and ran to the car. She slipped into the driver’s seat. When Joanna sat down on the passenger side, Katie glanced at her and said, “What about Dad? Do you think he’ll be alright with this?”

  “Don’t worry about Dad. I’ll take care of him.”

  Katie started the car and slowly took it for a scenic drive in the parking lot. Afterward, they spent the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, going in and out of the lake, talking and laughing about past summers they had spent as a family.

  “Wow, it’s getting close to dinnertime. We should be going,” Katie’s mother said as she looked at her watch.

  Katie reluctantly agreed. She enjoyed herself and hadn’t thought about her dream. Now that she was going back home, she had an odd anticipation about reading the book again. She shivered.

  “Are you cold, Kate?”

  “What did you call me?” Katie said with a little more anger in her voice than she planned. It should be no big deal. But her mother had never called her Kate before. It took her by surprise.

  “Well, my dear Kathryn, I think I called you Kate. Is there anything wrong with that?”

  “No. Sorry, Mom. I guess I’m just tired.” Katie did not want to go into a whole story about her dream and meeting a boy named Drew who called her Kate. They drove home most of the way without talking.

  Katie unloaded the car, then helped her mother get dinner ready. They hadn’t said a word for hours until her mom broke the quiet. “Are you okay, baby? You were having so much fun, and now it’s like you are back to your brooding self. I’m ready to hear ‘I’m bored’ come out of your mouth again.”