Katy's Homecoming (3 page)

“Bryce!”

At Marlys’s shrill cry, Katy turned her head so fast one of her ribbons smacked her on the jaw. Bryce strode into the room. His gaze found hers, and Katy held her breath. Would he come over to her desk to talk to her? But Marlys dashed across the floor and captured his arm.

“I thought you’d never show up. I got this great idea yesterday on staging, and I want to try it to see if it works better than what we planned before.” Marlys dragged Bryce to the far corner of the classroom. He sent Katy an apologetic look but then turned his back and started working with Marlys. Katy watched for several minutes, hoping he might look at her again, but he didn’t turn around.

Disappointed, Katy returned to her written speech.
Just
work, Katy. That’s what you’re here for — not for flirting with Bryce.
She needed to be ready. On Thursdays the students performed for each other in preparation for weekend meets. They never got through all of the performers because there were too many of them to fit into an hour, but everyone needed to be prepared in case Mr. Gorsky drew his or her name from the fishbowl on his desk.

Students milled around, chatting in small groups or practicing. No one approached Katy’s desk. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Mr. Gorsky talked with Bryce and Marlys. He gestured, pointing to various spots on the floor, then Bryce and Marlys apparently tried what he suggested. He nodded, and finally he turned to face the entire class.

“All right, everyone, find a seat and let’s quiet down. Bryce and Marlys are going to do their duet act first —”

Marlys groaned, bending her knees as if she was going to faint, but then she bounced up, slung her arm around Bryce’s shoulders, and giggled. Katy experienced a brief stab of jealousy. Marlys was so at ease with boys. So was Jewel, and even Shelby, although Shelby wasn’t as flirty as Jewel or Marlys. Katy bit her lower lip, battling feelings of inadequacy. How did a girl learn to be comfortable around boys? Katy had always felt a bit on edge with boys her age. Of course, before the deacons had given her permission to attend Salina High North, she’d only been around one boy her age: Caleb Penner. And he could make anyone edgy with his constant teasing.

Katy tried not to scowl when Marlys grabbed Bryce’s arm again and dragged him to the front of the classroom. As soon as everyone was seated, Marlys stepped forward.
She put her hands behind her back and announced the title and author of their play. Then she and Bryce launched into their duet act about college students who visit a campsite called Gilded Pond, only to discover it’s in the middle of a swamp.

The play was humorous, and both Bryce and Marlys performed well, pretending to fight off king-size mosquitoes and slog through mushy ground, but Katy didn’t join the laughter with the other students. Seeing Bryce so close to Marlys created a lump of envy in her throat that she couldn’t swallow. Years ago, she’d memorized a verse in Proverbs about envy being rottenness in a person’s bones. She didn’t want her bones to rot, but she also didn’t want Marlys hanging on Bryce’s elbow or leaping into his arms in an attempt to escape a make-believe crocodile. Not even if it was just part of a play.

When Bryce and Marlys finished, the students applauded. Katy managed to offer a few half-hearted claps along with the others. The students called out their comments and suggestions for improving the performance, then Mr. Gorsky reached for the fishbowl. Seven other students performed, but Katy’s name wasn’t drawn. That suited her fine. Just being in the room with Bryce made her hands sweat and her heart pound. If she tried to stand in front of everyone and talk, she’d probably make a fool of herself.

At the end of class, Mr. Gorsky shared last-minute information about the upcoming Saturday meet in Minneapolis. He read through the list of students who’d signed up to attend, and Katy’s heart gave another little leap when he read Bryce and Marlys’s names together. Her name wasn’t on the list — Dad had told her she needed to wait until
after the wedding to go to another forensics meet in case Mrs. Graber needed help with the wedding preparations. She wished she were going to Minneapolis, though. She’d only competed twice so far this season, but she’d earned a third-place medal in Marquette. She wanted to try for a second- or even a first-place medal before the season ended in late March.

The bell rang, and Mr. Gorsky said,“Brett and Taylor, hold up — I need to talk to you for a minute. Everybody else, see you tomorrow.”

“‘Bye, Mr. G!” students called as they jostled out the door.

Katy returned her speech to her backpack then stood to fling the bag over her shoulder. Her elbow bumped somebody, and she turned to apologize. She discovered Bryce standing next to her desk. Her stomach immediately turned a somersault.

He rubbed his arm and grinned at her. “You’ve got a really pointy elbow.”

“I’m so sorry!” She felt heat building in her ears. Flustered to have him so close after wanting him to be close all day, she stammered,“I — I didn’t see you.”

“How could you with me standing behind you? It’s okay.”

If she’d jabbed Caleb Penner with her elbow, he’d do everything he could to make her feel stupid about it. But Bryce just told her it was okay. He was so nice. She tried to think of something else to say. Jewel or Marlys would know what to say. But Katy’s tongue felt stuck to the roof of her mouth. So she stood there as quietly as if she were in church and waited for him to talk again.

He glanced over his shoulder at Mr. Gorsky and the two remaining students. Then he bobbed his head toward the door. “Can … can I walk you to the bus?”

Katy noticed the tops of his ears had turned pink. Somehow the sight made her feel less embarrassed. She ducked her head so he wouldn’t see her smile. “Sure. I need to go by my locker first, though.”

“That’s fine.” They headed down the hallway side by side.

Katy’s legs felt stiff, and she concentrated on moving gracefully. She wanted to relax and talk to Bryce as easily as Marlys did, but her breath came in little bursts and her heart thudded hard. It took all of her effort to walk and breathe. She couldn’t find the ability to talk.

While she dug in her locker for her coat and the books she needed to take home, Bryce leaned against the next locker. “I wanted to tell you congratulations on being named the attendant for homecoming. That’s a pretty big honor.”

The heat from Katy’s ears flooded to her cheeks. “Thanks. I was sure surprised.”

He laughed, but not a mean laugh. “Bet so. I … I guess that means you’ll be there for the homecoming game? I mean, if you’re an attendant, you kind of have to be there, right?” He laughed again, and this time it sounded self-conscious.

If it weren’t for her spending the night with Shelby, she wouldn’t be going. No matter if she was chosen as attendant or not, Dad probably would have told her no. He was always worried about her finding too much pleasure in activities away from Schellberg.
Honor thy father and
mother
—the biblical admonition ran through her mind. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

A grin grew on his face. “Great. Then …” She had everything she needed, so they started walking again. “Have you thought about being around all evening? I mean, for the whole game and not just the crowning ceremony?”

She’d thought of little else since yesterday at lunch. She shrugged, bunching her coat around her neck. “Kind of

Bryce held the door open for her, and they stepped into the schoolyard. The bus waited by the curb. Katy needed to hurry, but she didn’t want to leave Bryce until he’d asked her to homecoming. She looked at him, holding her breath.

“If you’re going anyway, do you want to … you know … go with me? I mean, unless Michael asked you already

Who was Michael? Then she remembered Michael Evans was the sophomore boy attendant. “Am I supposed to go with him?”

Bryce shook his head. The breeze picked up, and he snapped his jacket closed. “Not necessarily. Sometimes the attendants go to everything together, but …”

Everything.
Could “everything” mean the game
and
the dance? The bus driver blared the horn. “I have to go or …” Katy started inching sideways along the walkway.

Bryce shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and followed. His heels scuffed on the pavement. “So … do you want to …?” He let the sentence dangle.

She reached the bus. “Yes.” The word gasped out. She gulped and added,“I do.” She nearly giggled. In two
weeks, Dad would say “I do” to Mrs. Graber and his life would change forever. Would her life also change significantly since she’d uttered those words to Bryce? Even though it was a whimsical, romantic — almost silly — thought, she savored it anyway.

Bryce broke into a huge grin that made Katy’s heart skip a beat. “Awesome! Well then, see you tomorrow, Katy.”

Katy stood in place, watching him trot off.

“Kathleen, climb on,” the bus driver chided. “We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

“Sorry.” Katy clambered on board. As she slipped past the bus driver, she said,“I’m going to homecoming. With Bryce.” It felt good to say it out loud.

“Good for you. Sit down so we can get rolling.”

Katy dropped her backpack on the closest seat and sat. The bus groaned away from the curb. Katy looked out the window, searching for Bryce. She spotted him in the parking lot beside his car. Her heart zinged when he looked up and waved. She waved back and then slumped down in the seat. She closed her eyes and hugged herself.

He’d asked her! He’d really asked her to homecoming! Thinking about it made her heart flutter more. Her feet might not know how to dance, but she felt like her heart might dance its way out of her chest while the bus tires rolled down the highway toward her stop.

Dad’s pickup waited at the corner, and Katy dashed across the gravel. She climbed in quickly and gave the door an exuberant slam. “Hi, Dad!”

“Hi to you. You must have had a good day.”

“Sure did.”

He grinned. “Then maybe it’s time for another driving lesson. Do you want to drive?”

“Yes!”

Dad got out and ran to the other side of the truck while Katy scooted across the seat. She settled herself behind the steering wheel. Dad hopped into the passenger seat. “Let’s go.”

With a little giggle, Katy put the truck into gear. She held tightly to the steering wheel with both hands as the truck bounced along the rutted road.

“I stopped by the grocer today and called Mr. Nuss.”

Katy’s heart skipped a beat. For the first time, it occurred to her that the Nusses might say no. Then everything would fall apart. “Is it okay if I stay with them the weekend after your wedding?”

“He said they’d be pleased to host you.”

Katy slowed the truck as she turned a corner. Dust billowed outside her window, hiding the landscape from view for a moment.

“He also said there are some special events at the school that weekend and asked if it was all right for you to go with their family.”

Katy sucked in a sharp breath, tasting dust from the road. Had Mr. Nuss told Dad about everything, including the fancy dress and the school dance? If Dad forbid her to go, she wouldn’t disobey. But it would be very hard to tell Bryce she couldn’t go after accepting his invitation.

“I said if you are staying with them, then you could do what their family did.”

Katy let her air whoosh out. Obviously, Mr. Nuss hadn’t mentioned all of the activities or Dad wouldn’t be
so agreeable. She pulled into their long driveway as Dad continued,“I trust the Nusses. And I trust you, Katy.” He smiled at her. “At first I didn’t want to go away and leave you by yourself. But I feel better now, knowing you’ll be with Shelby and her family. They’re good people.”

Katy shut off the ignition and nibbled her lower lip. She should have been relieved. Nothing was standing in the way of going to the homecoming game and dance with Bryce. But Dad’s approval didn’t give her heart a lift. Instead, the happy flutters that had filled her chest from the moment Bryce had asked her came to an abrupt stop.

I trust you, Katy.

Dad’s comment stung. She should tell him about being chosen as attendant, about needing a fancy dress, and about the dance. But when she opened her mouth, other words came out. “You and Mrs. Graber go, and don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine.”

Katy deposited her backpack in her bedroom and changed into a work dress. Since she had an hour to spare before she needed to start supper, she plopped down at her desk and pulled out her journal. She wanted to record her memories of Bryce asking her to homecoming.

Words flew across the page. The writing looked a little shaky in places, evidence of her excitement, but she didn’t let it bother her. She captured every emotion, every thought, every tiny detail. The memories filled two pages, front and back, and she paused before writing her conclusion.

She sighed and closed her journal. She glanced at the little clock on her desk and gave a jolt. She needed to get
started on supper! After closing the journal in her desk drawer, she clattered down the stairs to the kitchen.

Over the past weeks, she’d often come home and found Mrs. Graber and Gramma Ruthie at work in the kitchen, preparing casseroles and baked goods for the wedding celebration. She’d gotten a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach the first several times she saw Mrs. Graber at her stove or sink or table, but slowly Katy was getting used to the idea. Still, it was nice to have the kitchen to herself today — she could cook how she wanted to without Mrs. Graber offering to help or making suggestions for doing things differently.

Katy removed the big soup pot and a black iron skillet from the cabinet next to the stove. The stack of mismatched pots stirred an errant thought:
Mrs. Graber will probably bring her own pots, pans, and dishes when she marries Dad. She’ll probably rearrange the cupboards too.
For a moment Katy squatted in front of the open cabinet door, memorizing the pile of familiar, dented, well-used items.
They’re just pots. It’s not a big deal.
She wasn’t completely convinced, but she closed the door and placed the pot and skillet on the stove.