Chapter 13
Nathan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Am I your brother now?”
Kathleen responded calmly, “Isn’t that who you are to me?”
“Kathy,” Nathan said, “I saw all the photos you left me.”
Kathleen’s expression stayed the same. “Okay.”
“But a few of them were destroyed by Kelsey.”
“That’s understandable,” Kathleen replied. “She’s your wife. She has every right to handle your things as she likes.”
“She’s not!” Nathan grasped her shoulders urgently. “Kathy, I didn’t marry Kelsey. The moment I found out you were gone, I called off the wedding. I’ve been searching everywhere
for you.
“There was this girl who ended her life wearing clothes you donated–I almost thought…”
Kathleen frowned. “Nathan, please let go. You’re hurting me!”
“Stop calling me ‘Nathan“!”
She looked up at him with a slight smile. “Very well. How about ‘Mr. Meyer‘? Does that work for you?”
Nathan was furious. “Kathy!”
Kathleen took a deep breath and carefully pried his hands off her shoulders. She took a step back and stood beside David.
“I hadn’t finished introducing you,” she said. “Nathan, this is my boyfriend, David Clarke.” David looked a bit surprised, but Nathan was even more stunned.
“You’re calling him your boyfriend? How long have you ever known him for? Kathy, don’t make such a reckless decision!”
“Nathan, the length of a relationship doesn’t imply a stronger bond.”
Nathan picked up the underlying meaning
calm himself. “Kathy, can we please talk?”
ehind her statement. He took a deep breath to
“There’s nothing more to discuss between us. Your bride is waiting for you. I’m doing well here in Milsworth. I have a job, and I have company.
“Thank
you
for your care over the years. I’ll find a way to repay you and your family’s favor.”
“I don’t need that!”
“What do you want, then?”
Nathan was at a loss for words. What he wanted was her. But faced with Kathleen’s cold gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud.
“Go home, Nathan. You’ve already let one woman down; don’t do it to another.”
“Kelsey is not my woman, Kathy. Just give me ten minutes, please. I need to explain everything to you.”
“I have things to do with my boyfriend. Maybe another time.”
Kathleen gently tugged on David’s hand, and he followed her as they walked away.
After a while, David turned and said, “Your brother is still standing there.”
“Forget about him,” she replied with a smile. “Come take a look at some furniture for me.”
“Are you sure? He seemed pretty down.”
Kathleen laughed. “He just got married; he has his beautiful bride to keep him company. Why would he feel down?”
David spent the entire afternoon shopping with Kathleen in the mall. Kathleen bought quite a few things–anime figurines, wall art, and a huge plush bear larger than David.
As David carried the enormous bear through the mall, people couldn’t help but stare. Embarrassed, he asked Kathleen, “Do I look silly?”
Before Kathleen could answer, two passing girls laughed and said, “No, we think you must really love your girlfriend!”
David blushed deeply and quickly explained, “I’m just blushing because this bear makes me feel stuffy. That’s all.”
Kathleen couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe dating an earnest and gentle boyfriend wasn’t so bad after all. At least she wouldn’t have to constantly second guess his feelings, as he had proved them through his actions.
By the time David dropped her off, it was already getting dark. He didn’t enter her apartment out of respect and simply placed her things by the door.
“What are you doing out there?” she asked. “Come in.”
David still seemed hesitant. “Kathleen, about what you said earlier… was it true?”
“What did I say?”
“That I’m your boyfriend.”
Kathleen thought about it before nodding firmly “The answer is yes. I appreciate your courage. Right now, I’m open to getting to know you better. But to be upfront with you, I’m
33
not sure if I feel the same yet. If you’re okay with it, we can take things slowly.”
David lit up. “Really?”
Kathleen nodded, smiling. “Yes.”
“I thought…”
“What is it?”
“I thought you only said I was your boyfriend to make Nathan jealous.”
Kathleen sighed. “If it were before, maybe I would’ve done that.”
“What about now?”
Kathleen replied sincerely, “Now, I just want to start a new life.”
“Kathleen, you… loved him, didn’t you?” David added, “I mean before this.”
Kathleen didn’t deny it. She nodded. “Yes.”
She thought he might ask her about her current feelings or question her about her
complicated past.
Watching David huff and puff as he carried the huge plush bear into her apartment, his face covered in sweat, she couldn’t hold back a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“I thought you’d ask if I still have feelings for him,” Kathleen mused.
“You said it was all in the past.” Wiping his face, David grinned. “And I trust you.”
