Katey snuck into her house. She didn't feel like explaining to her parents why she left Betsy's, for a matter of fact, she couldn't explain. When her parents were asleep, Katey planned to sneak into Suzie's room, just for a conversation. Maybe Katey could muster the courage to tell her younger sister that she was pregnant, if Suzie would promise to keep it a secret. In the morning, Katey would lie to her parents, telling them that Betsy had had an early doctor's appointment, so she was dropped off early. Or something like that.
Katey made sure her bedroom door was locked before digging for her books within the paperbag that the bookstore had given her. Before she read them, Katey decided she would find a place to stash them for the time being. Katey remembered the boxes that she had yet to unpack, sitting in the back of her walk-in closet. She took them out. There were three, all different sizes.
The first cardboard box Katey opened had old figurines in them, which Katey had grown out of and wasn't as eager as she once was to display. That box wasn't big enough, and personally, Katey would like to keep the figurines in that box. Figurines were more her mother's thing. The second box had yearbooks and extra school supplies in that Katey had no place for. That box wouldn't do either.
The third was the largest cardboard box. On it, a heart had been drawn, instead of a label. Katey knew what was inside and was dreading opening it, knowing how emotional it'd make her. The box was still taped so Katey had to use the edge of her housekey to open it. Tears immediately formed in Katey's eyes when she was the contents of the box. Her thick, coral school uniform. The flyer Katey had gotten from the dance instructor, advertising the dance contest. A ribbon for making it to the semi-finals in the contest. Crisp pictures of her and Javier at La Rosa Negra, on the beach, everywhere in Havana. The movies of Katey and Javier dancing in the contest. The movie her parents had filmed on their last night in Cuba, of Katey and Javier dancing their last dance. And a letter that Javier had slipped into Katey's hand as they said her final good-bye. Katey hadn't mustered the courage to read it yet, so she tried to brace herself for what it read. She unfolded the thick paper, her eyes scanning the page. It read:
My dear Katey:
It pains me to write this letter. You see, I'm not very good at good-byes and I know we are saying good-bye and I know we won't see each other for what may seem like forever, but I know we'll meet again. I promise you we will. There aren't enough words to tell you exactly how I feel. There isn't enough ink in my pen or enough paper at hand. So all I can really say is I love you. I love your blond hair and how it shines in the sun. I love your eyes. They are like the ocean, free and beautiful, blue and green. I love every curve of your body, the way you look when your dancing. I love every moment we spent together. I loved learning with you, changing with you. You've shown me who I want to be and all of who I am and who I will be wants to be with you forever.
Oneday, we'll be together, in each other's arms. I'm not going to make you promise to wait for me, but I want you to. I want you to wait for me. I want you. If you wait for me, I'll give you everything you want and need. See you in our dreams, my Katey.
Yours forever,
Javier Suarez.
Katey put the letter down. She felt the lump grow in her throat. She felt herself lose the ability to breathe. They were just words, she told herself as she started to sob hysterically, but she knew she was kidding herself. They were so much more than that. Katey brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly, before letting them go. Her breasts were tender and sore, from her pregnancy of course. She flipped the letter over and saw Javier's address, circled and written in a deep, black, felt pen, as if written so Katey wouldn't miss it. She started sobbing again, holding the letter upto her heart. Katey collapsed on her bedroom floor, wailing outloud. Then, there was a knock at her bedroom door.
"Damn,"Katey swore to herself. She wasn't quiet enough.
She folded her pregnancy books within in coral school uniform and put everything back in the box. She walked to the door and unlocked it. Fortunately, it was her sister.
"I thought you were at Betsy's tonight?"Suzie whispered as she shut and locked the door behind her.
"We had an arguement and I just picked up my stuff and walked out,"Katey confessed, walking back into her closet and sitting down where she had originally been sitting.
"What was the arguement about?"Suzie asked, curiously walking into the oversized closet with Katey, taking a seat next to her big sister.
"Something big and you have to promise not to tell a soul,"Suzie nodded as her sister spoke,"I'm pregnant."
Suzie's eyes widened,"it's Javiers, right? I mean, I don't want to form any assumptions, but it's his, isn't it?"
"You've assumed right,"Katey cried, opening the cardboard box, pulling out the books she purchased,"I bought these today."
The sisters talked all night, Katey sharing the plan with Suzie. Suzie got excited clapping her hands. She asked to move with her, back to Havana, and Katey actually laughed. They talked about names, the ones they did and didn't like.
"It has to be Spanish,"Katey stated,"like Lola."
"That's barely Spanish,"Suzie teased, before going back to her bedroom.
The night ended alright, for Katey. She was satisfied with her sister's reaction and her support. More than satisfied. She worked up the perfect tale to tell her parents in the morning, but never got the chance to use it. Her mother stormed into her bedroom, knowing she was there.
"You're pregnant?"Jeannie screamed, throwing open the door, finding Katey on the bed, reading a book. It was pure fiction.
"What?"Katey stammered, standing to face her mother.
"Don't play innocent, Katey Miller,"Jeannie yelled,"you're pregnant and a shame to this family. It's that poor Cuban boy's baby isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's JAVIER'S baby,"Katey screamed back,"and who told you? Suzie, you promised to keep it a secret."
"No, it wasn't Suzie,"Jeannie retorted,"it was Mrs. Phelp's. She was you at the bookstore last night and called me first thing this morning. Now, everyone's going to know. You let the high society see what a horrible mother I am, to let my daughter run around with a Cuban poolboy."
"His name is JAVIER,"Katey screeched, her face getting red with pure anger,"and you had nothing to do with the choices I made."
"You're lucky, because if it wasn't for your father,"Jeannie said, her voice growing quiet and steady,"you'd be on the streets like all the other white trash."
Katey's eyes became bordered with tears as her mother called her unspeakable names. When her mother gave up, Suzie came in, two glasses of iced tea in her hands.
"Sorry about mom,"Suzie whispered, shutting the door behind her,"she's calling Dad right now she's so mad."
"I don't want to talk about it really,"Katey answered,"but, how do you think Daddy will react?"
"I think he'll be disapointed but knows it isn't the end of the world,"Suzie handed her sister the iced tea as she spoke,"he'll help you out. You are his favourite."
"Oh, shut up,"Katey said, shooting her sister a teasing smile,"your mom's."
"Mom's what?"
"Favourite, Suzie, you're her favourite."
"Well atleast now I am."
A/N- sorry for the shorter chapter. It may take me a while to get some more posts up because schools starting for me again tomorrow. but i will write them at sc hool during spares and such , and post them whenever i can! please leave LOTS OF REVIEWS. " lauren "
