Katy's Homecoming (15 page)

Katy paused and chewed the click cap on her pen as she considered what she’d just written. Then she put the pen to the notebook and clarified.

Katy looked toward the closet. The doors were closed, but she envisioned the green dress on its hanger, waiting for her to wear it Friday night. Would those girls view her differently after they’d seen her in the green dress? She turned back to her journal.

Katy’s throat tightened. She swallowed and turned her focus to another topic.

She glanced at the clock. Dad would be done with the milking soon. She needed to hurry downstairs to finish supper, but she added one more line to her journal:

Slamming the journal closed, Katy pushed out of her chair and clattered down the stairs. She finished grilling Swiss cheese and mushroom sandwiches just as Dad stepped through the door.

He sniffed the air. “Smells good.”

Katy raised one shoulder in a feeble shrug. She hoped Dad wouldn’t be upset about the simple supper. She’d spent too much time on her journal and hadn’t had time to cook a full meal. Fortunately, Dad really liked the kind of sandwich she’d fixed. “I wanted to use up the last of the rye bread, so I grilled some sandwiches. We’ve got leftover salad from last night and half a blueberry pie.”

“Well, it’ll fill a stomach, and that’s what matters,” Dad said. “I guess it’s good we’re cleaning out the refrigerator since we’ll all be gone this weekend.” He waved toward the stairs. “I’ll go wash up and then we can eat.”

Katy placed the sandwiches — two for Dad, one for her — on plates, poured tall glasses of milk, then sat down and waited for Dad. He hustled in, plopped into his chair, and offered a prayer of thanks. Then he took a big bite of his sandwich. While he chewed, Katy cleared her throat.

“Dad?”

He looked at her, his eyebrows raised in silent query.

“Remember you told me I could decide about the homecoming ceremony and dance?”

Dad nodded.

Katy swallowed and made herself look straight into Dad’s face. “I decided.”

Dad put down his sandwich and fixed his gaze on her.

“I’m going to be the attendant. And I’m going to go to the homecoming game and dance. I don’t know that I’m
going with Bryce.” She didn’t explain why — she didn’t think she could explain why. “And I won’t stay at the dance for very long probably. There’s a forensics meet on Saturday, so I can’t be out too late. But I want to, you know, see what it’s like. To be at the game with everybody and then go to a dance, I mean.” She waited for Dad to frown or try to change her mind.

But his face didn’t change. He bobbed his head in one slow nod. “All right, Katy-girl. Thank you for letting me know.” He went back to eating.

Katy ate in silence, stunned by her dad’s calm response to her announcement. He’d said he’d let her decide, but a part of her hadn’t quite believed it. Now, however, she knew he intended to keep his word. The realization made her feel powerful and frightened both at once.

When they’d finished and Katy was clearing the table, someone knocked on the door. Dad opened it, and Katy heard him say,“Come on in, Annika.”

Annika hurried in, and Dad snapped the door closed. He looked at Katy. “I’ve got some paperwork to do. I’ll work at the dining room table so I won’t be in your way.” He left.

Without being asked, Annika picked up the remaining dishes on the table and carried them to the sink. She looked ready to burst with something. “Guess what?”

“Better just tell me,” Katy said with a smile.

“Caleb asked me to the singing at the Pankratz place Friday night!”

Katy dropped the plate she was holding into the water-filled sink. Sudsy droplets spattered the front of her dress. She hissed, wishing she’d put on an apron before washing the dishes.

“Isn’t it exciting? I thought he’d never ask me.” Annika smiled so broadly her eyes crinkled up.

Katy swept the foamy dots from her front then plunged her hands back into the water. “It is exciting. I know it’s what you wanted.” But she realized she didn’t sound very excited.

Annika must have recognized her lack of enthusiasm. “Is something wrong?” Annika glanced toward the dining room as if to make sure Dad wasn’t listening, then she leaned close to Katy’s ear. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

Katy shot Annika a scowl. “Of course not! You know I don’t like Caleb.” She didn’t like Caleb. She thought he was a pest. Yet the idea of him taking Annika to the singing bothered Katy. She just didn’t know why it bothered her.

“Then couldn’t you be just a little bit happy for me?” Annika’s voice took on an edge. She snatched a salad bowl from the draining tray and rubbed a towel over it. “After all, you have all kinds of neat things happening at school. You’re always going to tournaments or spending the night with your Salina friends. I’m always stuck here, cleaning my parents’ house, cooking their dinners, and watching my little brothers and sisters. They won’t even let me get a job so I can do something else. I deserve some fun.”

“I hope you’ll have fun,” Katy said, and she meant it. But a little part of her still felt funny about Annika’s announcement. Not so long ago, Caleb had told Katy he didn’t want to give Annika ideas. Had he changed his mind? Or was he asking Annika in the hopes of making Katy jealous? According to Trisha, Cora, and Jewel, boys often paid attention to one girl as a means of gaining the attention of another girl.

Tony Adkins seemed to be using Jewel to get beer for a party. Jayden O’Connor tried to use Shelby for — Katy felt heat rush to her face — his pleasure. And now it seemed Caleb could be using Annika to make Katy jealous. But Annika wouldn’t be happy if Katy shared that worry.

Katy said,“You’ll have to tell me if going to a singing is more fun when you have a date, and —” She tipped sideways and peeked through the dining room doorway. Dad wasn’t there. He must have gone upstairs for something. She finished,“I’ll tell you if a high school dance is fun.”

Annika’s eyebrows shot high. “Dance? Are you really going to one?”

Katy nodded. “Dad said I could.”

“Oh, Katy, the deacons will have a fit! You know how the fellowship feels about dancing.”

“I know the fellowship frowns on it.” Katy washed a plate and handed it to Annika. Maybe if she kept Annika’s hands busy, Annika wouldn’t be able to fuss too much. “But if Dad said I could go, the deacons can’t be upset with me. Besides, it’s only one dance. It isn’t as if I’m going every weekend or something. And it’s a school activity. All perfectly harmless.”

“Even so …” Annika clicked her tongue on her teeth, reminding Katy of Aunt Rebecca. Now that Katy had told Annika, everyone would find out. Annika would tell her mom or older sister, and they’d tell someone else, and the whole fellowship would be in an uproar. Again.

Katy grabbed Annika’s arm. Her wet fingers left a dark splotch on Annika’s dress. “Can you maybe keep this a secret?”

“Why?” Annika’s eyes narrowed. “Are you ashamed of it?”

Katy’s ears grew hot. “Of course not!”

Annika gave Katy a skeptical look. “Are you sure? Usually people don’t mind telling others about things they’re proud of.”

Katy knew Annika was right, and it compounded Katy’s irritation. “I don’t want you telling everyone, because it’ll just cause problems. As I said, I’m not going to go to dances all the time. But this one is special.”

“How so?” Annika sounded more curious than judgmental.

Katy shared,“It’s homecoming — a really special time at the school — and I get to represent the sophomore class.” She glanced again into the dining room. Dad had returned and sat hunched over a stack of papers. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If you promise to keep quiet, I’ll show you the dress I’m going to wear.”

“Okay.”

The girls quickly finished the dishes then bustled through the dining room. Dad looked up as they passed by. Katy said,“Annika and I are going up to my room for a while.”

“Don’t forget your homework,” Dad said.

Katy never forgot her homework, but she said,“I won’t.” She closed the bedroom door even though Dad preferred she leave it open when she had guests. But she didn’t want him coming up again and looking into her room while she was showing Annika the dress. She opened her closet door, and Annika crowded close behind Katy.

“Oh!” Annika let a little squeal. She reached past Katy and pulled out the orchid dress Mrs. Graber had sewn. “Is this for the wedding? My mom said Mrs. Graber chose
beautiful colors.” She scurried to the mirror and held the dress to her front. “Oh, I love this. I wish we wore the same size so I could borrow it sometime.”

Katy stifled a giggle. Annika loved to eat, and her waistline showed it. There was no way Annika would be able to wear that dress. Katy crossed to the dresser and stood looking first at Annika’s reflection and then her own in the mirror. Two Mennonite girls in white mesh caps with trailing white ribbons. Two faces clean of makeup and hair combed straight back. Two plain, unpretentious girls.

Just once, I want to be pretty. Just once.

Annika sighed and turned to push the dress into Katy’s hands. “The dress I wore when I was Taryn’s attendant wasn’t nearly so pretty. I’ve never looked good in orange — I don’t know why Taryn chose such an ugly color for her wedding. I’ll never wear that dress again. But you could wear this one to singings and worship and even those speech tournaments for school. You’re lucky to get to wear such a beautiful dress, Katy.”

It took Katy a moment to remember Annika was talking about the wedding dress rather than the green dress. She took hold of Annika’s arm and drew her back to the closet. “I want you to see the dress I’m wearing for homecoming.” She hung the orchid dress in the closet and pulled the green dress free.

Annika’s jaw dropped. She pinched the skirt between two fingers and held it out, her eyes following the line of sequins that decorated the sheer overlay. “You’re really wearing this? Your dad said you could?”

Katy ignored the second question. “Yes, it’s my homecoming dress.”

“Wow!” Annika shook her head. “You know, Katy, you’ve always been a little different — bolder than the other girls. But I’d never have imagined you wearing something so … daring.”

“But isn’t it pretty?” Katy touched one of the sections that formed the bodice. The sequins caught the light and sparkled like diamonds.

“It’s pretty all right,” Annika said, but she sounded grim.

“Want me to try it on for you?” Katy started to remove the dress from its hanger.

Annika held up both hands. “That’s okay, Katy. I think it’s better if you don’t.” She looked again at the dress, and for just a moment, Katy saw longing in Annika’s eyes. A weak smile appeared on Annika’s face. “We’re not supposed to covet, remember?”

Katy giggled. Maybe she and Annika weren’t so different after all.

Grampa Ben drove Katy to school early on Wednesday morning so she could attend the student Bible study. Even though none of the other kids in the group were Old Order Mennonite, two of them said they were Mennonite Brethren. There were also Baptist kids, Methodist kids, Presbyterian kids, Catholic kids, and three kids who attended an Assembly of God church. Katy had never heard of that denomination, but she assumed it was another Christian church, otherwise they wouldn’t want to go to the Bible study.

She and Grampa Ben chatted on the drive in. They also laughed a lot. Katy always enjoyed time with her grandparents. All of her life, Grampa and Gramma Ruthie had been like another set of parents. Now that she attended school in Salina and had homework every evening, she didn’t get to see them as often as she liked, so her time on Wednesday mornings with Grampa was special.

Katy stopped talking though while Grampa maneuvered his big black sedan through the Salina morning traffic. When they got to the city, his face always scrunched up in
concentration. Driving in Salina was different than driving in little Schellberg. Katy didn’t want to distract him. She wished she’d told Grampa about homecoming and getting to represent her class. The next time she’d see him would be at Dad and Mrs. Graber’s wedding, and everyone’s focus would be on the bride and groom. The way it should be.

Grampa pulled up to the curb and gave Katy a bright smile. “There you go, Katy-girl. Have a good day.”

“I will,” she said. She waved good-bye before dashing across the sidewalk and entering the school. Her steps slowed as she neared the classroom where the home economics teacher, Mrs. Parks, hosted the Bible study. Bryce attended the Bible study too. They’d sat together until he stopped talking to her. She didn’t like all of the changes that had been forced on her lately, and she didn’t like the anxious feeling that struck every time she might see Bryce.
Why couldn’t things just be simple?