Finally, on Sunday afternoon, when we were clearing away the dishes from a wonderful spinach lasagna, Dad suggested gelato for dessert. From Ricci’s, near Dupont Circle. Just a few short blocks from Kalorama Heights. Walking distance to Trey. My stomach sank.
Dad watched me a moment and then shook his head. “You can’t put this off forever, Kate. You said you made the boy a promise. Even if it isn’t exactly the same as the relationship you remember, it isn’t fair to Trey or to yourself not to give it a chance. And,” he said with a grin, “I’m getting tired of hearing you play that DVD. Did you two ever talk about anything remotely substantive?”
I snapped the dish towel threateningly in his direction, but I didn’t argue. He was right. I missed Trey. And there wasn’t any chance at all of getting him back if I couldn’t muster up enough courage to make the first move.
I sat on the front steps, staring at the neat border of grass that ran along the walkway between the house and sidewalk. I realized I was chewing on my knuckle about the time I heard the door open behind me and I tucked my hand underneath my jeans to hide the bite mark. The early-evening breeze picked up the faint, familiar scent of his shampoo, so I knew it was him before I even looked up to see those beautiful gray eyes with their tiny flecks of blue. His smile was as open and friendly as it had been that first day when he followed me across the soccer field. And suddenly I wasn’t nervous. This was Trey, my Trey. He just didn’t know it yet.
“It’s Kate, right?” he asked, sitting down next to me on the front step. “Estella says you’re with the Briar Hill welcoming committee? I’m Trey, but I guess you already know that.”
“Hi, Trey,” I said.
And then I kept my promise. I leaned forward and kissed him, long and slow. He was startled at first, but he didn’t pull away—and he most definitely kissed me back. It was totally unlike our first kiss, which had been shy and hesitant on both sides. This time, I knew what he liked and I threw everything I had into that kiss.
“Whoa—what was that for?” he asked when I finally drew back.
“Just keeping a promise,” I said.
“Okay.” He looked a little stunned, but he smiled at me again. “I think I like Briar Hill’s idea of a welcome.”
“Well, I am at Briar Hill, but this is more of an unofficial welcome,” I said, holding out the picture and placing it in his hand. It was very clearly Trey, with his arms wrapped around a girl, who was very clearly me. I kept my fingers on the photo long enough for him to get a really good look, long enough for the inevitable question to creep into his eyes, and then I pulled my fingers away and watched the picture vanish.
I grabbed his hand and placed it on the CHRONOS key, holding it between my own two hands. His face had the same pale, pained look as before. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I know that’s uncomfortable for a minute, but…” And then I kissed him again, a soft kiss on the side of his mouth.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m Kate. And I love you, Lawrence Alma Coleman the Third. I’m not some crazy stalker girl. There’s a DVD in this envelope, videos that you made, that will explain everything. The disappearing picture, the reason I’m holding your hand against this weird piece of jewelry—do you feel okay now?”
He nodded, but didn’t speak. I stared into his eyes for a long moment. I saw confusion, doubt, and all the other things I’d expected to see, but behind all of that there was a light that I’d seen before. It wasn’t recognition, it wasn’t love, but it also wasn’t the blank stare of a stranger. There was a connection between us and I felt a surge of hope that Trey had been right to have faith, right to believe that we could rebuild us.
“The videos will explain everything.” I placed the manila envelope in his lap and leaned forward, kissing him once more. “Bye, Trey.”
I was halfway down the sidewalk before he called after me. “Kate! Don’t go. How do I get in touch with you?”
I smiled back at him over my shoulder. “Just open the envelope.”