Dinkytown
There was another letter at the bookstore when I came in to work.
I looked at it like it was a grenade that could explode any second.
The manager pushed it over to me.
“This came for you.”
I could tell he wanted me to explain why someone was writing me at work, but I shoved it in my bag and raced to the bathroom.
I locked the door and leaned against it, heart pounding.
Finally, when my breathing seemed normal again, I reached into my bag and took the letter out.
“I’ll be there Thursday. What I have to tell you can only be said in person. DON’T TELL YOUR MOTHER ANYTHING. She will try to prevent me from seeing you. She has ruined my life and your grandfather’s life and she will pay.”
And that was it.
She was coming here? No. Instead of being excited about the chance to finally meet the grandmother I never knew I had, I was filled with fear. Who was this crazy woman? I should’ve never given her the bookstore address. She was going to make my mother pay? Good God. What would I do now?
On Thursday, after making sure my mom and dad were safe—they were going to a movie and out to dinner—I called in sick to work.
But I lied to my mom and pretended I was going. Instead, I drove to the Witch Hat Tower, a water tower shaped like a witch’s hat that overlooks the Minneapolis skyline. I sat on a bench at the base of the tower and texted Lily.
“Meet me at the Witch Hat Tower.”
“Don’t you work?”
“Long story. Meet me in ten.”
“Can’t,” she replied. “On my way home soon. Come over.”
“K.”
It wasn’t until I got in my car that I wondered where Lily had been. We used to know each other’s every move. But lately she’d been acting a little secretive. I blamed it on her irritation with me seeing Ali. Oh well. She’d get over it. I wouldn’t be able to see Ali once he returned to Somalia and I went away to college.
Thinking of him made me wonder if I should’ve called him instead of Lily.
But I felt stupid confiding my fears in him. We hadn’t known each other very long. I didn’t want to come across as needy or weak.
When I got to Lily’s her car was in the driveway, but when Dan answered the door the first thing he said was Lily wasn’t home.
“She and Gretchen went to a movie.”
“I can just wait. She said they were on their way home.”
Just then my phone dinged. It was Lily.
“God. I’m sorry. Gretchen wanted to stop to eat. Meet later?”
My face must have shown my disappointment because Dan said, “Come sit. How are you? How’s everything … with that situation you told me about.”
He worded it so carefully and nicely that tears sprung to my eyes.
He guided me to the sofa and sat beside me, rubbing my back. I leaned into his shoulder letting the tears stream down my face.
“I don’t know why I’m such a baby around you,” I said, wiping my tears away. “I’m sorry.”
He grabbed my chin and turned my face toward his. He stared at me and I was beginning to squirm when he leaned over and kissed me. I jumped back and off the couch, backing away. For a second I didn’t understand what had just happened and then the shock of it hit me. DAN JUST KISSED ME. DAN JUST KISSED ME. DAN JUST KISSED ME.
He was beside me in an instant.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. That was totally inappropriate.”
I was shaking.
“Yes.” I didn’t know what else to say. My blood was racing in my ear, a whooshing sound and my whole body was shaking.
He sighed and sat down while I stood frozen.
Then he ran a hand over his head and said, “I can’t keep it in any longer. I’m in love with you, Kate.”
“No!” I shouted the word.
He nodded sadly. “It’s true. Believe me, I wish it wasn’t.”
“You can’t …” I stared. You are my best friend’s dad. You are my mother’s good friend. You are an old man.
“I was hoping I didn’t have to tell you.” He was wiping at his eyes now. “I was hoping you’d guess how I felt and that I was the one who left that note and flowers for you on your car.”
“No.” I didn’t have anything else to say. I stood, hands hanging by my side eyeing my bag with my car keys on the couch beside him. I wasn’t exactly afraid of him, but every single bit of me wanted to grab my bag and run and run and run and erase what he had just done and said.
Dan must’ve noticed what I was looking at because he stood and handed me my bag.
“I know this is a lot to digest,” he said with a weird smile. “I’m going to give you some time to absorb it. And then we can talk again.”
I yanked my bag away from him and turned toward the door. His voice stopped me dead.
“Kate, let’s do each other a favor right now and keep this just between the two of us. Just like I’m keeping your secret about your grandmother.”
I could feel the blood drain from my face. Was that a threat?
“I’m not saying anything.” I gritted the words out.
“Good.”
I raced out before he could say more, not even bothering to shut the front door behind me.
Once I had driven far enough away from his house, I pulled over on a side street and texted Ali.
“You around?”
“Yup.”
“I’m coming over.”