Page 30 of House of Clouds


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“You’ll have to come over so we can catch up.”

“Mark?” A woman came alongside Mark, sliding her arm through his.

It took Kate only a few moments to recognize her. Though her hair was shorter and no longer gathered up into a ponytail, she still had the same petite, slim athletic body that earned her the captaincy of the cheerleading squad back in high school. Belinda Masterson. Or Bunny, as she was known back then.

“Oh, Kate,” she said. “It’s you. Didn’t recognize you at first.” She waved her hand up and down toward Kate. “Your, um, clothes. They’re kind of unusual.”

If Kate had any question about the identity of the woman standing in front of her, the words and condescending tone gave all the confirmation she needed. She looked down at her mother’s belted-in jeans, her mother’s peasant blouse Kate had worn on impulse, and the old corduroy suit jacket that had been either her father or grandfather’s, which she had paired with a dark wool scarf for good measure.

She looked up and grinned. “Paris fashion, Bunny. Sorry if you didn’t understand that.”

Bunny blinked, looked Kate up and down, her brow furrowed a moment, before she glared at Kate. Kate gave her a fake smile.

“I was just saying to Kate that we should catch up with her,” said Mark. “Maybe invite her to dinner.”

Bunny looked up at him, clutching his arm tighter. “Kate might not have the time, babe.”

Kate stared at Mark who turned to her, a smile lighting his face. “Sure, you can make time for old friends, can’t you Kate? It’s been so long, and we’d love to have you over.”

We? Since when had they become a “we”? She glanced at Bunny’s left hand, where a wedding ring and an accompanying diamond ring rested. Kate’s heart lurched at the betrayal. How could he? Though Mark had played football, she, Mark, and Missy had avoided Bunny at all costs. Kate gave him a look that she thought communicated all the disbelief and utter betrayal she felt.

“Please say you’ll come,” said Mark, the plea in his eyes as well as his voice.

She looked down at her feet, to hide the anger and hurt that were raging through her now. “I don’t know. I’m pretty tied up with my father. He hasn’t been well.”

“Your dad?” said Mark. “I’m sorry, Kate, I hadn’t heard. I hope it’s not serious.”

She forced a smile. “Thanks. I can’t tell yet what the situation will be.”

“Well, why don’t you give me a call when you know more?” said Mark. He dug his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Here, put your number in there, and I’ll text you.”

Kate took the phone reluctantly, unable to think of a reason to refuse. She was conscious of Bunny’s sullen glare, and perhaps it was that which made her give her a smile and say, “Thanks so much for the invitation. I’ll be sure to let you know.”

* * *

Kate walked into the kitchen and set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter, Tom following close behind her. She’d refused his help to carry them in, suppressing her annoyance that he felt she couldn’t manage, because she knew it was her own distress that was causing such a ridiculous reaction to his offer of help.

“You okay, Kate?” he asked, his face filled with concern. “Are you worried about Dad?”

She looked at him and shook her head and tried to put the meeting with Mark and Bunny out of her head. She’d didn’t have to ever see them again. “No, I’m fine. Just a little tired, is all. You know, adjusting to the time zone and all that.”

He studied her a moment and then nodded. “Yeah, I can imagine. You’ve had a lot going on since you arrived, and not really much time to just relax and get over the jet lag.”

She gave him a grateful smile. “Exactly.” She turned to the groceries and began to unpack them. “Have you been here long?”

Tom shook his head. “No, not long. Ethan was here when I arrived, but he’s gone now. Said he had a few things to do.”

“He was?”

She didn’t know why she was surprised. He’d come the last few days, usually in the morning, to chat or play music with her father. She’d started to look forward to it, really, hearing the two of them talk about everything and nothing, but mostly about music. Yesterday she’d found herself sitting there and participating, singing along the one time they’d played one of her father’s songs.

“Yeah. He and Dad really get along. I’m glad Ethan doesn’t mind spending time with him. Phil and Stokey have said they’ll come every weekend they can, but it’s nice for Dad to have someone there during the week.”

She nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. Ethan was good to visit. He’d been more than good.

“Oh, you have a package, by the way. I caught the UPS guy when I arrived as he was walking up the path to the house.”

“A package?”

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