She got a B
Part 4
Kathryn's father and Justin died that day. The officials had told her that they had probably died instantly and that they felt nothing. Kathryn's stomach tightened around the idea of their last moments alive. A part of her wished that she had been with them.
It was a nippy afternoon as Kathryn made her way toward her class. It had been a week since her father's death and Justin's death. She felt like she was in a daze, unable to wake up. Her hands were cold as she stuffed them into her pockets. It was then that she noticed something in her right pocket. She took her hand out and recovered a small engagement ring. Justin had given it to her the day before he died. The tears that she could not cry before came out now.
Kathryn decided to mealy turn in her paper and leave. As she slid it through the slot she decided to go for a long walk. She really didn't know where she was going; all she wanted to do was go away.
A few days later Kathryn realized that she needed to go pick up her final grade from Mr. Davis. Frankly she really didn't care what her grade was. What was important a few weeks ago for Kathryn wasn't as important right now.
Kathryn went to the folder in the hallway that housed all of the student's grades. She skimmed through the letters until she got to her grade folder. It was empty except for a small handwritten paper that had the words, PLEASE SEE ME written on it.
Kathryn noticed the light on in Mr. Davis's office and knocked.
"Come in please."
Kathryn entered. "I got your note you wanted to see me."
"Kathryn, please let me offer my condolences to you regarding your loss. The reason that I wanted to see you is this."
He handed her a folder with Justin's name written on it.
"Kathryn I think you should read this before you see your final grade. It has been an interesting and rewarding experience teaching you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors."
Kathryn thanked Mr. Davis and walked toward the lounge with the folder in her hand. She sat on one of the sofas next to the large picture and read. She didn't get far before the tears began to fall.
What I Find Important
Justin T.
Many years ago what I thought was important was me. Not that I thought that everything revolved around me, but that I was an important factor in all regards.
My grades have always been high, and there have only been a few that could keep me on my toes. In fact there is only one that I have ever met that has ever made me feel unworthy.
Her name is Kathryn. Kathryn is one of those women that you have to strive to please. She is not easily fooled by imitations. She is genuine and expects you to be the same. She works hard and expects you to feel the same about work. She is someone that challenges me to be better than who I am. She is the one that fills my life with a purpose. And that purpose is to serve her for the rest of my life.
I am planning on asking her to marry me. I want the most important thing in my life to be next to me for the rest of my life. Without her everything else is just empty.
Kathryn finished the paper and folded it in half. When she was trying to write her paper she had had such a difficult time with it. But reading Justin's thoughts about her made her feel different. He had made her feel different about everything.
She opened her folder and noticed the grade that loomed over the top. She smiled at imperfection that was stamped at the top of the page. It wasn't that important. There was a time when she would have thought it meant everything. But at this point it really didn't matter.
B
Years Later-
It had been a long journey, but Voyager was finally home. Kathryn was in her quarters trying to pack up a few of the nick knacks of her quarters. As she was putting a few books into the closet, one of the books feel from her hand to the floor. A small wrinkled piece of paper slid from inside across the floor.
Kathryn went to pick it up and then realized what it was. She didn't remember putting it there. In fact she never remembered ever bringing it with her. She thought that she had thrown it away years ago.
"Where did this come from," she asked herself.
As she read through the lines that were written a long time ago something etched in the bottom of her belly started to become uncomfortable. As she read the last line she knew that she had to do something. Something big, something important.
As she had done years earlier she folder the paper and rang the quarters next to her.
A man answered the door.
"Kathryn is everything all right?"
Kathryn shook her head yes, but then immediately changed it to no. She stayed silent.
"Kathryn would you like to come in?"
Kathryn shook her head. "I just wanted to give you something that has been important to me for a long time. I wanted you to understand how I feel." She cleared her throat, "how I feel about you and how I think of you."
Chakotay put his elbow against the doorframe visibly amused by her stuttering and her silence. This woman was someone that always spoke her mind, about everything. And the fact that she was so uncomfortable in her current set of circumstances made her looks very cute.
He folded his hands in front of him and pretended not to notice her fidgeting.
"Kathryn would you like to come in and discuss this?"
Kathryn shook her head and entered his quarters. She mumbled something under her breath.
"I'm sorry Kathryn I didn't hear what you said."
She mumbled again. This time Chakotay had heard what she had said. But this time it was his chance to be quiet. The two of them stood staring at one another in silence until Kathryn finally blurted something out, loudly.
"Well aren't you going to say anything? I mean this whole trip I have wanted to say it to you and now I finally do and you don't say anything! You have always been a man of few words Chakotay but I never expected you to be quiet after I say something like that to you!"
Chakotay smiled and walked over to her.
"You know you're beautiful when you're angry."
He smiled at her and she knew that he felt the same way.
"I love you too Kathryn."
THE END