T heo didn’t recall a longer week. Each day seemed to drag on endlessly, before dropping off like a lead ball at the end. By Friday night, he thought that he might lose his mind. By Saturday morning, he believed he had already begun to.
Kat spotted him at the Pavilion, hurrying over as soon as she finished her dance. She peered at him, her usual smile fading.
“You look wazzled. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
Theo, his fingers hooked into his suspenders, shrugged. “Considering I don’t drink…I don’t see the point in going to bed either, if I’m not sleeping.”
“It might be better than trying to foxtrot in your condition!”
Theo watched the dance with deepening melancholy. “I’m not in the mood to dance.”
Kat stepped back into his line of vision. “Are you ill ? You always dance! Why did you even come?”
Theo watched the dancers over her head. “I needed out of the house. Away—far away—from Myrtle. Then, Artie said that he planned to come, so I came with.”
Kat’s jaw dropped. “Artie planned to come without you dragging him? Holy Mackerel. Is he ill?”
Theo only looked at her, too tired to bother with an answer.
Kat’s eyes sparkled now. “Oh…Is Dorothy here? Or is she supposed to be?”
Theo remained as before.
Kat waited until her sparkle turned to a glare as she waved her hands. “You’re absolutely useless!”
“I don’t feel like inventing a matchmaking service, even if I’m only the consultant.”
“Oh, come now!” Kat tugged at his arm, pulling him a bit farther from the dancers. “It will cheer you up! Has he seen her since two Saturdays ago? Did he mention if her appearance has changed?”
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “I told you that Artie wouldn’t notice if she wore a different dress. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care what you or Hazel wear either, if you’re curious.”
“I’m his cousin.” Kat crossed her arms, tapping her foot. “Hazel is his sister. Of course, he might not care what we wear!”
Theo shook his head. “Artie could be married, Kat, and his wife would have to point out her new dress. You’re wasting your time there.”
Kat sighed dramatically. “Maybe I should get them to dance instead. I mean, I didn’t give her the clothes just for Artie, but if that didn’t work, that would be the next thing, I suppose!”
“Kat.” Theo put a hand to his forehead. “You know that Artie detests dancing. What would be the point?”
“Dorothy doesn’t know how.”
“Then, why—?”
“Who would be a better teacher?” Kat grinned. “He’s an Oliver Twist!”
Theo crossed his arms. “Didn’t you desert your dance partner prematurely?”
“Pickles! No.” Kat waved her hands. “He spent the entire dance asking me if I was related to the Gilberts of Gilbert, Arizona and not believing me when I refuted him.”
“You’re favorite thing.”
Kat clenched her fists, glaring; an act that would normally send both Theo and Artie into laughter, as she looked her most comical when she claimed to be angry. “He claimed that he knew the Gilberts and could see a resemblance! He’s crackers! They are a pasty white, and I’m closer to an almond brown. There is literally no way there could be a resemblance!”
Theo chuckled, if only briefly. “I’m not sure that they’re that pale.”
“You nearly are!”
Theo didn’t quite make it to a chuckle this time.
Kat dropped her arms, growing serious. “You really aren’t looking well, Theo. Are you sleeping at all?”
Theo shrugged.
“You should talk to Pops. He’s got a good ear.”
Theo pulled at his suspenders with a shake of his head. “He’ll just start quoting Scripture at me. Then, he’ll pray for me.”
“Maybe that’s what you need.”
Theo looked down at her with a raised brow. “I’m not Artie, Kat. That helps him, but it doesn’t work for me.”
“Perhaps it should, Theo.” She pushed her black hair behind her shoulder. “Perhaps it is what you need, and you just don’t realize it.”