Kate filled the two thermoses with ice cold water, and shoved the tops on them. She put them into a bag, along with two sandwiches and a bag of chips. She walked out the door and put her sunglasses. The sun loomed high above her as she jumped on her bike and headed off to the park.
It had been one month since she had heard from Michael. She had skipped their little 'date', and moved in with Brian. It was the life she had always imagined. A life away from Michael.
The ride to the park was uneventful. She pulled into the driveway and locked her bike on the bikerack. She waved a hello to the manager, Bill, and headed down to the basketball courts. She could see them from a ways away, Nick and Brian. They were always here. Right now they were playing 2 on 2 with some boys.
She stood on the sidelines for a moment, until Brian saw her, and called time. He ran over to her and hugged her.
"Hey babe...where's Case?" He asked, as she pushed his sweaty body away from her.
"She's not feeling well."
"Is she okay?" Nick asked, coming up behind him. The two other kids had left.
"Oh she's fine...just girl stuff, you know," Kate said. She reached into the bags and handed each of them a sandwich and a thermos. She handed the bag of chips to Nick before he ran to the picnic table and started eating. Brian placed a long kiss on her mouth.
"You didn't have to bring us lunch, honey."
"It's okay. I was getting bored anyway. AJ went shopping and Kevin went somewhere with this girl he met. Howie and Sara went to some water park for the day." She shrugged. "So it's only me. And Casey, but she's a bum. Lying down and watching TV, mostly. So I came down here to be with you."
"Ain't ya sweet?" Brian said, over - exagerating his Southern accent. She smiled, and kissed him. They walked over to the picnic table and sat down.
Brian dug into his sandwich while Kate played with her hair. Nick had already wolfed down his half, and he was back to shooting hoops, occasionally running back to grab more chips.
"What'cha thinking about?" Brian asked her.
Kate shrugged. "Lot's of things, I guess."
Brian took a bite out of his sandwich. "What kind of things?"
"Well...us...."
Brian put his sandwich down. "I don't like the sound of that. Are you having second thoughts about this?"
"No! Never...I was thinking about other things."
"You scared me for a second." Another bite. "What other things?"
"Like...OTHER things...."
Brian looked up at her, suddenly getting the point she was trying to make. "Oh...listen, Kate....I don't want to rush you and I certainly don't want to give you the feeling I'm not happy or something..."
"Are you happy?"
"Every day when I see your face I thank the Lord for how lucky I am. I'm so happy I'm scared to think about it."
"Good. Then I'm making the right decision."
"Are you sure?"
"100 percent."
Brian suddenly leaned across the table and kissed her. "I love you, Kate."
"I love you, too."
Brian went back to his sandwich. Looking out on the basketball hoop, Kate could see Nick signing a picture for some girls. She smiled to herself as she stood up and walked over to the swings. She sat down on one of them and kicked off her sandals. It really was a beautiful day. Brian finished his sandwich, took a sip of water and ran over to Nick.
Kate started swinging when Casey ran up behind her.
"Jeez Case, you scared me," Kate said, jumping off the swing.
"Sorry. Look, I have something to tell you." Casey grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the monkey bars, away from Nick and Brian.
"What is it? You're freaking me out."
"I just got a phone call from somebody."
"And you had to come all the way down here to tell me?"
"It was...him..."
Kate was hit with a sudden wave of nausea and she sat down on a bench. "What did he say?"
"He said not to be stupid. That you shouldn't throw your life away on this guy."
"But why now? Why a month later?"
"I don't know, Kate."
"What did the number say on the caller ID?"
"Unknown user. He was probably on a cell phone."
"Did you tell anyone?"
Casey shook her head. "I just came down here as soon as he hung up. I wouldn't have told Sar, but she's at a water park with Howie."
"Yeah, I know. Look, do me a favor and don't tell Brian or Nick....or especially Jimmy, OK?"
"K...but if we get any more calls, I'm gonna tell Brian."
"Deal. And don't tell Sara just yet...let me."
Casey nodded. "How's the friend?" Kate asked her.
"Cramps gallore. It's really bad this month. Dunno why...maybe stress"
"If it gets any worse let me know."
"Of course." Casey glanced past where Kate was sitting to watch Brian and Nick play basketball. She could hear them arguing about something.
Kate glanced where she was looking, and smiled. Her life was perfect right now, no worries of any kind.
"Wanna go shopping?" Casey said suddenly. "I'm in the mood to splurge on unnecassary accessories."
"Sounds good. Lemme go tell Brian." Kate jogged back to the court. Brian met her on the side lines while Nick practiced 3 pointers.
"Me and Case are gonna go to the mall for a while," she said.
"Sounds good. You need to get out of the house."
"Yeah well I'm not going to have time to cook dinner...so...."
Brian laughed. "No fear. I shall take you out. Get a dress or something...it'll be nice."
"I could go naked and still have a good time."
"On second thought, don't buy a dress."
Kate laughed and kissed him. When they pulled away Nick was impatiently bouncing a ball behind Brian.
"Any day, Frick," Nick said.
"OK....I'll see you when you get back, alright?"
Kate nodded and kissed him again. She brought her mouth to his ear and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too, baby," he said, and then he kissed her quickly on the cheek and went back to playing basketball.
