Chapter Forty-Three
K atherine had finally somewhat given in to her mother’s request. She might not have called her dad, but today she was parked outside of his place. In fact, she’d been parked here nearly every day for the past week, watching.
“I am officially a stalker,” she said to herself in the mirror. She glanced around the quiet street. “And his neighbors are probably getting worried about the strange girl who sits in the car every day, talking to herself.”
Not only had she taken to staking out his house, she’d also learned some of the places he frequented. The little neighborhood grocery store, a bookstore around the corner and some kind of Mexican dive. She’d come close to being seen at that one because the lure of chips and salsa was too much. When the bubbly waitress had tried to seat her at the table next to her dad, Katherine had drawn the line. “Can you put me over there?” she’d asked, pointing to a table across the restaurant. That one had been close. Not that she thought he’d recognize her. But she might not be able to hold it in. And a crowded restaurant wasn’t exactly the kind of place anyone would want their long lost daughter finally making contact.
A man jogged past her parked car, and she felt like he cut his eyes at her. Maybe he was some kind of neighborhood watchman. Right. Out with his ferocious toy poodle. She grinned. Muscular men and tiny dogs seemed like an odd combination.
The faint ring of her phone sounded from the depths of her purse. She dug it from the bag. “Hello.”
“Katherine, dear, are you nearly home?” The worry was evident in her grandmother’s strained voice.
She hadn’t told anyone she was secretly following her father. She knew they wouldn’t understand. Mom’s patience was getting thin, but so far she’d kept her promise not to contact him. “I’m on my way.” She put the car in drive and headed west.
The silence on the other end was deafening.
“Grandmother, is something wrong?”
“Don’t be alarmed.”
Her heart sank into her stomach. Ever since her mom had gotten sick, random phone calls and what they could mean were terrifying. “Is Mom okay?”
“She’s been admitted to the hospital. Your grandfather is with her. They were already on their way when I got home from the salon or I’d have gone with them. But I thought if you weren’t too far away, you might want to ride with me.”
“No. I’m going straight there.” She hung up the phone, not even bothering to say goodbye. Please, Lord. If it’s her time, please at least let her hang on until I can get there. Her standard prayer. At least her grandfather was there. When they were in California, every time Mom had taken a turn for the worse, Katherine had been consumed by how alone she felt. Maybe having family around would lessen that feeling more.
But all the family in the world couldn’t make her mom well.
Katherine willed herself not to speed. She wouldn’t do anyone any good if she had an accident. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for what lay ahead.
∞∞∞
“Surprise,” Katherine said three days later as she burst into the hospital room and flopped onto the end of the hospital bed. “Check me out skipping classes.” She grinned.
Even in sickness, her mother could still speak volumes with just a glance. “I’m none too happy about that, young lady.”
“If you feel like reprimanding me, does that mean you’re feeling better?” Katherine asked hopefully.
Her mother’s mouth broke into a smile. “Even though you should be in class, I’m happy to see you. And the doctor was in just before you got here. It looks like I can head home today.”
Katherine leaned in for a hug. “I’m glad. I was worried.” She hated to tell her mother how empty it felt at her grandparents without her there. Having those words out in the open would only cause pain. For both of them.
“You know, Thanksgiving break is right around the corner.”
Her mother nodded. “I know. I think your grandmother has a big family feast planned. Are you up for that?”
“I think the more important question is are you up for it?” Katherine met her mom’s gaze.
Mom nodded. “I’m looking forward to it. Sure, it will take a lot out of me, but it’s been a long time since my whole family has been in one place.” She peered closer at Katherine. “What’s going on?”
Katherine shook her head. “Nothing.”
“I know that look on your face. It’s the same one you wore when you were ten and you slammed your bike into Mrs. McClesky’s car. You’re hiding something.”
The woman seriously had a gift. “It’s nothing big.” Katherine scowled.
Mom’s face lit up. “I knew it.” She laughed. “Look at me. In the hospital, hooked up to an IV and I’m still not off my game.” She leveled her gaze at Katherine. “Spill it.”
“Well, I’ve sort of been following my father.”
Her mother narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“I’ve been following him. You know, seeing where he lives and works and how he acts.”
“Okay. This I wasn’t expecting. Has he noticed you?”
Katherine grinned. “No, but I’m pretty sure some of his neighbors think I’m about to stage some kind of neighborhood burglary.”
“Just out of curiosity, how does he look?”
“I don’t know. Just normal I guess. Kinda old.”
Now it was her mother’s turn to scowl. “He’s my age.”
Katherine grinned sweetly. “I was kidding.”
“So does this mean you’re getting ready to meet him?” Her mother asked hopefully.
“I’m almost there. Not quite. But soon.”
Her mother gave her another look.
“And you’ll be the first to know, I promise.”
Mom laughed her beautiful, tinkling laugh and Katherine wished she could bottle the sound up and carry it with her forever.