Chapter Six

 

Katie woke up in her own bed back in Ohio. Not as startled but still a little confused. How could she keep having the same dream? She needed to do some investigating. Maybe she saw those people on the family trip to the Grand Canyon. She sprang out of bed because a brilliant idea just came to her.

Her father always took a lot of pictures. He liked to take what he called ‘people’ pictures because it added to their memories of the vacation. He snapped pictures with the servers in the restaurants, and even the bellhops bringing in the luggage. He loved to get pictures of strangers doing interesting things, too. Of course, there were lots of Katie and her mom, too.

“Morning, Mom!” Katie glided into the kitchen.

“Mmm, you’re in a good mood today, sweetie. And look at you! You have quite a tan after being at the beach.”

“I’ve been working on this tan all summer. You just haven’t noticed.” Katie quickly changed the subject. “Mom, where are the pictures from the Grand Canyon vacation?”

Her mother’s expression changed to one of surprise. “You want to look at vacation pictures?”

“Mom...” Katie was impatient.

“They’re on the computer. You know that.”

“Yeah, I do. Didn’t you make an album, too?” Her mom had the habit of making a scrapbook of all their trips. Katie really wanted to study the pictures.

“Yep, I did. Guilty as charged. Don’t make fun of me. It’s relaxing and also a good hobby.” Her mother laughed.

“I’m not making fun of you. I really want to see your album. I’m sure it’s very well done, fun to look at and informative.” Katie hoped she gave all the right answers.

Her mother disappeared for a minute and returned with the book. “Have fun! I’m going to the grocery store. Want anything?”

“Not that I can think of but I’ll call you if I do!” Katie said as she headed outside and sat on the deck. She really wanted to concentrate on the photos.

Her mom did a nice job. The book began with their road trip. They stopped along the way to detour from their route and do extra sight-seeing. Katie flipped the pages. Come on! Get to the canyon already! She thought and then stopped.

There was a beautiful scenic picture of the canyon with her father standing on the edge of what looked like a rock, a very familiar rock—like the one Drew and Katie had stood on. So it does exist! She probably remembered that spot and placed herself there in the dream. Next she scanned the faces of the people in the pictures, but did not recognize anyone.

Suddenly she realized her mother didn’t use all the pictures, so Katie ran in the house and turned on the main computer. She sat down and waited, tapping her foot. They took over three hundred pictures on that vacation, so it would take some time to load.

The phone rang. Katie picked it up one the first ring since she was right at the computer desk in the kitchen.

“Katie? It’s Mom. I’m going to have to go to the university. Got a call from a student. I’ll grocery shop on my way home from there. Sorry to leave you home alone. I thought we could do something again today.”

“Not a problem. I have things that will keep me busy.”

She hung up the phone, then got back to studying the pictures. Ooo! There are some pictures of our servers at the Grand Canyon, she thought. One girl had blonde hair. Anna?

Katie clicked on the girl’s face and zoomed in. Not a match. She continued doing that throughout the day and came up empty.

Her phone buzzed. Katie took it out of her pocket and looked at the screen. She got a new text message. It was from Ty. Coming home tomorrow. Can’t wait 2 c u.

Wow! Is it August already? Ty had been at basketball camp for the month of July. They would start school in a few weeks and be juniors together—Ty on the basketball team and Katie as a basketball cheerleader. That’s what they always promised each other every summer since Ty moved in across the street from her. Had eight years gone that fast?

Well, Tyson would be on the basketball team but Katie would definitely not be a cheerleader because she didn’t try out. Ty kept telling her that she was good enough to make the squad but that wasn’t the point. It wasn’t a top priority anymore. She’d have one more chance in the fall and wasn’t sure if she was going to take it.

Katie’s mind wandered. She thought about the girls from the boardinghouse and hoped Lucinda had a good day as a Harvey girl. She wondered what Drew was doing at that very moment. Katie clicked on the picture of her father standing on the rock by the canyon. She stared at it until she heard someone come in the door.

“Katie, are you still looking at pictures?” her mother asked.

“No” She clicked off the picture and closed the window.

“Look who I found in the driveway,” Joanna’s voice sounded light and happy.

Katie swung around. “Ty! Your text said you were coming home tomorrow!”

He just gave her one of those goofy, crooked grins that she loved.

Katie jumped up and flew into his arms after he set the groceries down.

“Thanks, Ty, for helping me bring the bags in. I’ll let you two catch up. I’m glad Katie has one of her friends back in town.” Katie’s mom patted him on the arm.

They went into the family room to talk.

“I swear you grew another inch while you were gone!” Katie exclaimed.

“Six-foot-three now! I’m going to make the varsity team, I just know it!” Ty seemed so self-confident. The camp must have really helped him. His sandy blonde hair was tousled and his hazel eyes flashed brightly. “Our dream will finally come true!

“Oh, Ty, that’s just a kid’s dream. I probably won’t make the cheer squad. I don’t think I will even try out.”

“You have to! It will be a perfect junior year just as we planned. Remember the other part of our plan?”

Katie nodded. “When we turn sixteen we have our first beer together. How lame is that?” Katie laughed so hard she rolled onto the floor.

Ty laughed, too, and joined her on the floor. He was lying very close to her. “Gosh, Katie, you are so beautiful.”

Where did that come from? Ty was one of her closest friends. He was not supposed to be calling her beautiful. He moved his face closer to hers.

Oh, no, he wants to kiss me, Katie thought. She pulled back and then jumped up. “Come on, Ty. Let’s go for a swim before dinner.”

The two teens entered the kitchen.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Tyson?” her mother asked.

“Yes, I’d like to very much, Mrs. Roberts.” Ty nodded his head. He turned to Katie and said, “I’ll get my suit and be back.”

“Ty is such a nice boy. He’s grown so much and is more mature. By the way, have you cleaned the pool today?”

Her mom seemed to be playing matchmaker. “Yes,” Katie lied as she ran upstairs to get her suit.

She sat on her bed. She didn’t like that Ty tried to kiss her. The only person she wanted to kiss was Drew and he was just a dream. She needed to stop that. It was turning into an obsession, but she didn’t care. The dream was almost becoming her real world, and she was going through the motions in this one.

Katie found a bathing suit, and slowly began putting it on. She couldn’t wait for the day to end.