Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

5. To Shop, Perchance to Dream

Kathryn was jarred out of sleep by a ringing phone.

“Hello?” She mumbled, trying to see the clock.

“Thank God! I thought you were dead!” Corey said as Kathryn tried to collect her thoughts.

“Why would I be dead? What time is it anyway?” Kathryn rubbed her eyes and sat up, grateful for the light-blocking drapes in the bedroom.

“It’s just after two in the afternoon. And because I tried to call you until four in the morning. You weren't answering your cell or at home and you never stay out that late.”

“Oh, well that's because I didn't get home until a little after six.” Kathryn heard the blare of a horn and winced. “You're not driving are you?”

“Well yeah! I was coming over to see if you were there strangled or something. Be there in twenty minutes.”

“See you soon.” Kathryn said, deciding that she had time for a quick shower. She didn't bother to think about the idea that Lucien would have strangled her and brought her body back to the house. Corey didn't always make a great deal of sense, but her heart was in the right place. After the shower she had the courage to open the drapes.

For two years she had been a confirmed night owl. Her writing seemed to flow better at night and so sunlight had become a somewhat unwelcome novelty. Today though, she did need a dress for the opera. She flushed with pleasure, smiling at the thought of spending another evening in his company. She was running down the stairs in an old sweatshirt and jeans when the bell rang. She was surprised to see a delivery person standing there and not Corey when she opened the door.

“Kathryn Paige?” The young man read her name from a clipboard.

“Yes.” He shoved the clipboard and pen at her and she signed dutifully by the X. Without a word he went out to his van and came back with an enormous bouquet of flowers covered in plastic to protect them from the weather.

“Enjoy.” He said in a flat voice, shoving the vase at Kathryn. She was just shutting the door when she saw Corey pull into the spot the van had just left.

“Just in time for the big unveiling.” Kathryn called to her.

Corey ran up the walk and slammed the front door. Kathryn cringed a little and thought of how much it had cost to have the stained glass restored.

“He sent flowers already?” She was at Kathryn's side in a flash.

“I don't know they're from him yet.” Kathryn finally managed to break through the layers of plastic to reveal Black Forest calla lilies the color of deep, dark blood and their white cousins. The arrangement itself was large, but not disproportionately so. Corey found the card first and Kathryn practically had to wrestle it away from her.

“Might not be from him, huh?” Corey said with a wry smile.

“Would you let me read it please?” Kathryn laughed, finally getting the stubborn little envelope open.

“So you will think of me as I think of you....L~”

“Okay, so they're from him.” Kathryn and Corey both danced around a little.

“So you did it, right?” Corey said when she stuffed the yards of plastic into the trash.

“Corey!” Kathryn's blush was as deep and dark as the unusual lilies. She had seen them before, but had thought they were rather rare, that could have been a false impression though.

“Well, gone all night, more flowers than my mom's second wedding, big smiles. It all adds up to Kathryn Paige finally came out of the convent.” Corey was positively gleeful.

“I am still in the cloister, thank you very much.” She found a shallow, cut glass tray that complemented the vase and set it under the flowers like a saucer when she placed them on the console table in the living room.

“Oh come on Kat! You really expect me to believe that you just talked all night?” Corey followed her, looking incredulous.

“Well, whether you believe it or not, we DID just talk.” She was smiling as she pulled on her socks.

“About what?” Corey still sounded as if she didn't believe it, but Kathryn really couldn't help that.

“Oh, history, a bit about language, my books, you know, boring things like that.” She grabbed her sneakers.

“You hate talking about your books. Any information I get I have to practically drag out of you.” Corey sat down next to Kathryn, her brows knitted slightly.

“I know. I don't understand it either, but there's something so familiar about him sometimes. Anyway, grab your purse.” Kathryn was up and slipping into a denim jacket while Corey trailed behind.

“Why?”

“Because we're going shopping, I need a dress for the opera.” Kathryn was out the door to the garage before Corey could answer.

“Are you trying to drive the guy away?” Corey rolled her eyes as she got into the car, forgetting to comment on Kathryn's checking of mirrors and gauges before pulling out.

“He suggested it.” She said simply.

“Yeah, but you probably told him that you like it or something. Who comes up with opera on their own?” She checked her makeup in the visor mirror and touched up her lipstick.

“Well it isn't as if the concept is from Saturn or something. Besides, this will be my first evening at the opera. I may hate it.” Kathryn saw the little shop she was looking for and, miraculously, a parking place right in front of it. The two women walked in and started browsing.

“You should get something really HOT. Let him know you're available.” Corey said, looking at a midriff baring garment that looked like something out of the Arabian Nights.

“I’m not that available.” Kathryn said.

“How may I help you?” The saleswoman asked, raising an eyebrow at Corey.

“She wants to see something like this.” Corey pointed at Kathryn.

“I do not.” Kathryn felt herself blush. “I need something suitable for an opera, preferably in dark green or maybe a brown. Unfortunately this is short notice so alterations may be out of the question.”

“Right this way.” The saleswoman led Kathryn away and after seeing several options she ended up selecting a coppery-brown strapless with a full layered skirt that came about to her knees. There were darker brown bands around the hem of the skirt, one around the top of the bodice, and a thin tie around the waist that tucked it, but didn't bring it tight to her body. She selected a pair of retro pumps that suited the retro look of the dress.

“Well?” Kathryn admired herself in the mirror, liking the silhouette of the dress on her body. She turned slowly for Corey, pleased with how the dress moved around her.

“Not half bad.” Corey said, after appraising for a moment.

“That means it looks great and I should take it.” Kathryn said to the hovering saleswoman.

“Will you need a bag as well?” The older woman asked.

“Yes. I'm sure that I don't have anything to suit this at home.” Kathryn stepped out of the shoes and let the saleswoman unzip the dress.

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“So,” Corey started. “You're going to be taking the top off the cookie jar?” Kathryn nearly spit out her tortellini. She was grateful the restaurant was dimly lit; it concealed most of her deep blush.

“Honestly, is that all you ever think about?” Kathryn took a moment to compose herself before taking another bite.

“I bet that's what he's thinking about.” She answered with a little smile.

“Maybe so, but at least he isn't as obvious about it.” Kathryn sipped her wine. “Besides, maybe he'll get bored and then what? I'd rather not rush.”

“Hon, glaciers move faster than you do. You're never going to find this eternal whatever you're looking for Kat. You have right now to enjoy, if it doesn't last, it doesn't. At least you had some fun.” Corey was shredding a piece of bread like she always did before she ate it. That habit had always annoyed Kathryn but she didn't say anything.

“Eternity doesn’t exist, except in my books. I'd be happy with semi-permanent.” Kathryn was savoring the pasta. As hard as she tried she could never get the sauce quite the same when she made this dish at home. She was also trying to be nonchalant about the feelings Corey's comments gave rise to. The thought of getting involved with someone and then losing them had always played on Kathryn’s mind.

“This is me you’re talking to Kat. Every time you've even had a brush with really liking someone you back away because you're afraid they'll leave you in one way or another. You would rather be alone than face that, which leads me to think that you are looking for someone you can't lose.” Corey said. Kathryn squirmed a little in her seat and took a long swallow of wine. Sometimes Corey struck entirely too close to the truth.

“Well, thank you, Dr. James. Maybe you wouldn't mind analyzing this recurring dream I've been having at my next session.” She was taking refuge in sarcasm and she knew it. She got the impression that Corey did too.

“Trains going through tunnels?” She wore a little grin.

“From the unconscious of a nun? Certainly not.” Kathryn laughed softly and wiped her mouth. “Come over and do my hair tomorrow night. I want it all piled in curls on top of my head and you do it so well that way.”

“So, I get to meet him? When I'm not drunk I mean?” There was a little twinkle in her eye.

“Maybe. If you promise to be on your best behavior.” Kathryn pointed her fork at Corey in mock threat.

“Okay, okay, put down the weapons.” She laughed, leaving behind the seriousness of a few minutes before.

By the time Kathryn got home it was a little after ten. She hung the dress and dug around in her bag for a few minutes, looking for Lucien's card. She noticed a trace of his scent clung to it and she savored the fragrance of soft sandalwood appreciatively before she dialed.

“LaCroix.” His voice was gruff and guarded and it took Kathryn back for a moment.

“Um, this is Kathryn Paige,” She finally managed, her voice holding the uncertainty she felt. “If this is a bad time-”

“Not at all.” His voice took on the same rich, warm quality it had the night before. “I'm glad to hear from you.”

“You must be busy, but I wanted to thank you for the flowers. They're, well, spectacular is the only word that comes to mind.” Kathryn could feel a flush of color rise to her cheeks.

“I'm glad you liked them, so many associate lilies with funerals.” She could hear music in the background, but it was distant.

“They're perfect.” Kathryn's heart was pounding so loudly she almost wondered if he could hear it through the phone. “Well, I'll let you get back to what you were doing.”

“You're not interrupting, Kathryn. In fact, if you're available we could have a drink this evening.” She heard the sincerity in his voice and Kathryn relaxed.

“It's a tempting offer, but I need to have another go at getting something done on the new book. I'm sorry.”

“I understand. Tomorrow night then.”

“I look forward to it. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She remembered the feeling of his lips against her for that brief moment and she just held the phone against her chest while she took a deep breath. Kathryn knew it was going to be almost impossible to concentrate now. She changed quickly into her running clothes and went out to dispel some of her nervous energy before she tried to concentrate.