Waiting for Dusk

by Nancy Pennick

“What book, sweetie?”

  “You know, the one you gave me. The romantic historic fiction book, remember?” Katie was getting upset.

  “Oh, I thought you finished it. I lent it to one of my college students. She has such an interest in those types of books. I told her I had the perfect one for her.”

  “I wasn’t done reading it!” Katie screamed. She wasn’t sure how many times she read it. It was all a blur. “Plus it was just here this afternoon!”

  “You weren’t done? You’ve had that book since the beginning of July,” her mom acted surprised. “She stopped by this evening, during the party, and I gave it to her then.”

  “I hope that girl in your class is a fast reader. Tell her I need it back in ten days.” Katie breathed heavily.

  “Ten days? What’s the significance of ten days?” Her mother now seemed more interested.

  Katie thought fast. “It will be Labor Day weekend and I’ll have more time to read.” She wasn’t going to say it would be September third, Aunt Lucinda’s wedding, and I’m in it. Katie wondered how she could tell her mother that.

  “Yes, ma’am! Will do! Now go to bed.”

  “Sorry for yelling. Thanks again for everything, Mom. You too, Dad, wherever you are!” Katie called out as she went up to bed. She hesitated on the stairs for a moment, thinking she heard her father’s voice.

  “Good job, Joanna.”

  That was weird.

  Chapter Fifteen

  School started uneventfully. Katie counted down the days until the wedding, and seeing Drew again. She went from class to class in a fog.

  “Hey, Katie! You walked right by me.” Erin ran to catch up. “Ty told me he asked you to Homecoming. Are you two a couple?”

  “No! We’re just friends.”

  “Then you don’t mind if...” Erin started to ask.

  “Be my guest,” Katie waved her hand. She was glad Ty would have a distraction.

  “Tryouts tomorrow. Be there!” Erin waved as she headed off to class.

  Katie decided she would go to tryouts just to keep everyone quiet. Ty kept reminding her about them. Even her mother got in on the act.

  Katie spotted Matt and Jordyn holding hands in the hall. Wow, they are a couple! “Hi, Jordyn, Matt.” Katie raised her eyebrows at Jordyn.

  “Oh Katie, stop it! Everyone knows. And guess what? I’m going to try out for cheer squad, too!”

  “Great. I hope you make it instead of me,” Katie said almost under her breath.

  “I hope we both make it. It will be so much fun. Talk to you later.” She walked off with Matt down the hall.

  When Katie got home later that day, she reminded her mother about the book. “That girl has less than a week to finish reading.”

  Her mother changed the subject. “Basketball cheerleading tryouts are tomorrow? I ran into Sheri Taylor at the grocery store. She said Jordyn was so excited. They’re helping her practice at home. Want me to help you?”

  “No thanks, I’ve got this.” Katie would say anything at that point so her mom would leave her alone.

  “Ty really wants to make the basketball team, doesn’t he?” her mom continued. “Such a nice boy and so handsome too. Don’t you think?”

  “Mom, stop it! Are you trying to play matchmaker? First it’s cheer coach, and now this?”

  “I’m just trying to take an interest in your life, sweetie. We working moms have to try harder.”

  “Well, don’t!” Katie thought that sounded a little harsh. “Sorry, I’ve had a long day. I’m going to my room to study.”

  “Before you go, I wanted to tell you that Dad made a reservation at the state park for Labor Day. He really wants to go fishing. Plus he’d love to have some more time with you. I’m even calling you off school on Friday so we can get there a little earlier.”

  “Great.” Katie said as she went up the stairs. “I guess I better start practicing some cheers.”

  * * * *

  Katie nervously rubbed her hands together. There was a part of her that wanted to make the cheer squad and another that didn’t care. She watched the other girls warm up and decided to join them.

  Jordyn ran onto the floor and stood next to Katie. “I’m so excited. Just want to make it through to the final round.”

  “Yeah, that’d be nice.”

  “There’s Erin. I think it’s time to start.”

  The girls were called in groups of four to perform a variety of school cheers. Katie barely watched the proceedings until it was Jordyn’s turn. She did well and Katie was positive she made the call-back list. When her turn came, she mindlessly went through the routines and hoped for the best.

  When tryouts were over, Jordyn grabbed Katie’s hand. “Meet you first thing Monday and we’ll check the list together.”

  “Sounds good, I’ll see you then.”

  * * * *

  The following Monday, Katie met up with Jordyn and headed to the gym. The results were posted on a bulletin board in the hallway. Both girls were on the list.

  “We made it! One step closer.” Jordyn clapped her hands together. “One more round and we’re in.”

  “I’ll practice with you tonight, if you want,” Katie offered. She decided to make an effort if she made it through to the final round.

  That night, after they practiced for a few hours, Katie got a call from Jordyn. “Hey, didn’t I just see you?” she teased.

  “I know, I’m sorry. I had to call and talk. This is going to be the longest two days of my life. I hope we both make it. I don’t want to do this without you.”

  “Listen, whatever happens, you did great. If I don’t make it, you’ll be fine without me.”

  “I won’t be fine without you. You’re one of my best friends. Besides, you could make the team and I won’t.”

  “You need to stop worrying so much. Whatever happens, it was meant to be. Hey, Jordyn? I just got another call. Gotta go.” Katie switched over to the new call.

  “Katie, do you have a minute? I need to go over something with you.” Erin’s voice sounded hesitant. “I know Jordyn’s your friend. She was good enough to make the final callback but I’m not so sure about the team. She’s just not as good as you.” There was a silence.

  “It’s not my choice, Erin. It’s yours and the other girls.” Katie didn’t know where this was going.

  “Yes, but the other girls look up to me, being the senior captain.”

  “I think Jordyn would make a good addition to the team.”

  “You’re better,” Erin paused. “She could make the team...if...if...”

  “If what?” Katie wasn’t really into the conversation.

  “If you’d put in a good word for me with Ty. There, I said it. I know it sounds terrible but I’d love if you would.”

  Katie was stunned. “Is this blackmail?”

  Erin laughed. “Oh, no. Never mind that I said anything. I just hope Jordyn does well tomorrow. You never know what could happen.”

  Katie hung up. Her head pounded. She hated the idea. She would not do it, even for Jordyn. She’d have to make it on her own.

  Her phone rang again. “What!” she answered with a huff.

  “Well, hello to you too.”

  “Sorry, Ty. I thought you were someone else.” Katie rubbed her forehead. Too much thinking for one day.

  “That’s okay. I know how that is. Just wanted to ask you something. You know that movie we’ve been waiting to see? It starts Labor Day weekend. Thought it would be fun for us to go. I really want to see it on the first night. How about Friday?”

  “That’s nice, Ty, but I don’t think I’ll be here this weekend.” Katie was glad her mom gave her an excuse. “My parents booked a cabin at Salt Fork. I’m not even going to school on Friday. Maybe you can ask someone else if you really want to see it. I’ll go with you when I get back.”

  “I just may do that...”

  “Which? Ask someone else or wait for me?”

  “Both!”

  They l
aughed together, like old times.

  “See you tomorrow, Ty,” Katie said, then hung up the phone.

  Katie was glad to finally have some time alone to focus on her own problem. How would she go on a vacation with her parents and still go to the wedding? She needed to get her hands on that book so she could take it to the cabin. That college girl better return the book soon. She flopped back on her bed, and gazed at her ceiling hoping it would all work out.

  She wished it was Wednesday and tryouts were over. Jordyn did pretty well today and Katie hadn’t really put her heart into it. There was little chance she’d make the team. Besides, she had too much on her mind to give it the effort it deserved if she was chosen.

  The next day, Katie had trouble concentrating on her school work. Her mind kept drifting to other places and the conversation with Erin kept popping in her head. If that wasn’t blackmail I don’t know what is.

  She drifted through the day, barely paying attention to the teachers. She wanted to scream out “boring” a few times but promised herself she’d stop using that word. It drove her mother crazy.

  Finally it was time to head for the gym and tryouts. Katie threw on her workout clothes in the locker room and ran out to join the others. Erin was organizing them in groups. She winked at Katie as she passed by. It made her stomach churn and confirmed she was right. This made her more determined to do her best. No more I-don’t-care attitude. Katie ran out to the middle of the floor when her group was called and put on the show of a lifetime.

  After it was over, Jordyn and Katie left the locker room together.

  “You were on fire,” Jordyn slapped hands with Katie. “There’s a spot for you on the team for sure.”

  “You weren’t bad yourself.”

  “Thanks, now we just have to get through the next twenty-four hours and we’ll be golden!” Jordyn waved as she went out the building.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Let’s get this day over with,” Katie never thought she’d dislike the word Wednesday as much as she did today.

  “Come on, it’s not that bad.” Lindsey tried to cheer her friend up. “I could’ve tried out. Me and my two left feet.”

  “Now that I’d love to see.”

  Jordyn ran up to Katie. “Come on, I heard they’re posting the new members for the team!”

  They headed for the gym. Erin was closing the glass to the case where all the physical education messages were posted. She turned, and winked at Katie. “I didn’t know you had it in you,” she said as she walked away.

  Jordyn was busy looking at the list. She didn’t hear what Erin said. “I made it! I made it! Katie I don’t believe it.”

  She turned to Katie jumping up and down. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t even look for your name.”

  Both girls looked at the list again and Katie’s name was not on it. She didn’t really care, but tried pretending to be disappointed. “Maybe next year.”

  “How could I make it and not you? That’s just too hard to believe. I think we should talk to Erin.”

  “No, that’s alright.” Katie didn’t want her doing that. Maybe that was Erin’s way of keeping her away from Ty. Erin was on the basketball cheer squad, Katie would not be. Still, thinking back, it was strange what Erin said on the phone and so was the wink she just gave her now. She acted like Katie would make the team and Jordyn would not if Katie didn’t give into her blackmail. Well, it didn’t work. Jordyn made the team on her own just as Katie thought.

  Ty came up to the girls who were still standing by the case. “Well, ladies? What’s the verdict?”

  “I made it and Katie didn’t,” Jordyn glowed with excitement. Katie shrugged her shoulders as Jordyn put her arm around her. “Sorry, Katie. I really mean that.”

  “Do you mind, Jordyn, if I talk to Katie alone?” Ty asked.

  “Sure, I’m going to find Matt and tell him the good news!”

  “I just want to check out something with you. Is it okay that I asked Erin to the movies on the Friday? She was nice to me at your pool party and I thought she’d like to go. I don’t like her as a girlfriend or anything like that. I don’t want you to get jealous...or maybe I do.” Tyson’s eyes twinkled as he teased her.

  Katie was a little shocked. Now it all made sense. Erin thought Katie had Tyson ask her out to the movie. That’s why she winked and said what she did. That’s why Jordyn made the team. Erin planned all along for Katie not to make the team. Now she wasn’t sure she liked Ty taking Erin to the movies.

  “Just be careful of that one,” Katie answered.

  * * * *

  Thursday finally arrived. Katie got through the day somehow. All her friends were consoling her for not making the cheer team, and she tried to go along with them, but underneath she didn’t care. She got the assignments she would miss on Friday, looking forward to the day off. If only she had the special book in her possession she could be happy about missing a day. Katie hoped it would be waiting for her when she returned home. At last the final bell rang.

  Lindsey came running up to Katie. “Kates, have fun at Salt Fork. Catch a lot of fish. I’ll be thinking of you.”

  She turned to Lindsey and said, “Can I tell you something?”

  “Uh, oh. I can tell by that look on your face this isn’t going to be good.”

  “I have to get out of going to the state park with my parents. It’s the wedding weekend and I need to get the book back.”

  “Tell them you don’t want to go and you can stay with me. We’ll look for the book together.”

  “I don’t want to hurt their feelings. I have to think of something really good.”

  “We have a project due next week, and have to work on it.”

  “That’s pretty good. I’ll let you know what happens.” Katie hugged her friend. “What would I do without you?” She ran to catch the bus.

  When Katie walked into the kitchen her mom was packing a cooler. “Wow, you are getting a head start, aren’t you?”

  “We’re leaving tonight instead. Aren’t you excited?” Her mom continued to pack.

  “Did you get the book?”

  “Oh, no. She wasn’t finished yet.” Her mom peered into the refrigerator.

  “What?” Katie felt her cheeks turning red.

  Her father came out of the family room. “No need to get upset, Katie. I’m sure you’ll get the book back in a few days.”

  “A few days? I need it now!” Katie started to cry.

  “There are other books you can take, honey.”

  “No, there aren’t! I want that book. Don’t you understand?”

  “I don’t see the big deal.” Her father crossed his arms.

  She couldn’t explain to her parents what the big deal was. It was not a good idea to say her dream world and her friends and the boy she loved were more important than going on this trip.

  “You don’t? Well, I know who will!” Katie stormed out the patio door. She went down the deck steps and onto the ‘Katie’ path. It was a small path that Maya built when Katie was small so she could get back and forth between the houses easily and safely. There was a picket fence on the side of the path facing the street. On the other side was a small garden. Katie and Maya had planted perennials and annuals along that path for years.

  Maya usually had her back door open during the day so Katie was able to get into the house. “MiMi!” Katie was hysterical when she came in the door. She stopped in her tracks. There, standing at the mantel looking at photos, was a handsome young man. He turned around and looked at Katie. “You seem upset, little sis!”

  “Carl Jr.!” Katie flew into his arms. Everything seemed a little better now that he was home. Carl started college when the Roberts moved in. He came home for the summer and on holidays. Even though he was much older than Katie, they bonded like sister and brother, and she hated it when he moved to the west coast. He teased her that he couldn’t be a marine biologist in Ohio.

  They sat down on the couch.

  “Now tell me
what’s bothering you?”

  Katie gave him a shortened version of the dreams she had after reading the book, the connection she made between her family, the old photos and the dreams. She told him she was supposed to be in her great-great Aunt Lucinda’s wedding this weekend and he didn’t even laugh. She left out Drew, though, because she didn’t want him to think it was all about a boy. Katie put her head on his shoulder and let out a deep breath.

  “Carl! Carl Jr.!” Maya was calling his name.

  “In here, Ma, with li’l sis.”

  Maya entered the room. “Ooo, you look like you have been crying.”

  “I think she’s okay now.”

  “I didn’t know Carl Jr. was coming home.” Katie looked at her intently. Then she looked at Carl and smiled. “He looks more and more like Carl Sr. every day.”

  Then both Carl and Katie said, “God rest his soul.”

  “You two stop making fun of me. I can’t help how I talk.” Maya gave them a huge grin.

  “Oh, and Carl? Are you still the only Swedish-African American in California?” Katie turned back to Carl, and they both high-fived.

  “Yes, the one and only. There better never be another.”

  “Then your joke won’t work anymore.” Katie laughed with Carl.

  “I didn’t know you were here, Katie. Let me go and get something for us to drink. Iced tea okay with you?” Maya walked out of the family room.

  “I’ll help.” Carl jumped off the sofa.

  Katie wandered around the room while they were gone. She looked at the pictures on the mantle. There were many pictures of Carl Jr. in different phases of his life. Maya sure loved him. There were some pictures of Katie, too, as well as a portrait of Katie and Carl Jr. they took for Maya one Christmas. Katie was lost in her thoughts until she heard Carl’s voice coming from the kitchen.

  “It wouldn’t hurt, Mom. Talk to her. Feel her out. Don’t give too much away, that’s all.”

  Maya came back in carrying a tray with glasses and a picture of iced tea. “Sweet tea, just the way you like it. Carl tells me you’ve had some reoccurring dreams, is that right?”

  Katie nodded. She looked gratefully at Carl. She wouldn’t have to tell her story all over again. She took her glass of tea and sipped slowly. “I need to get my hands on that book. You have to help me. That’s the only way I can have the dream. Can you call my mom and talk to her?”