Katy's Homecoming Page 2

  The bus creaked to a stop, and Katy hopped out. She dashed to the car and realized Gramma Ruthie was sitting in the front passenger seat. So she climbed in behind Gramma and gave her an awkward hug over the seat’s high back. Then she acknowledged Mrs. Graber. “Hi. Thanks for picking me up.”

  Mrs. Graber turned the car around and headed down the dirt road that led to Katy’s farm. “Hi, Kathleen. Did you have a good day?”

  Mrs. Graber always asked the same question when she picked up Katy from the bus stop. Katy wondered if she was still a little uncomfortable or just unimaginative. Either way, Katy answered politely,“I did, thank you.” But she didn’t explain how good the day had been. Resting her arms on the front seat, she leaned close to Gramma Ruthie. “Are we going to your house, Gramma?”

  Gramma shook her head, the black ribbons from her cap swaying next to her wrinkly cheeks. “No, Katy-girl, I’m coming to your house. Rosemary and I are making mints for the wedding. You have that big deep freeze in the basement to keep them in, so it makes more sense to make them at your place.”

  Katy nodded. Usually the bride’s family prepared the food for a wedding celebration, but since Mrs. Graber moved to Schellberg from Meschke, Kansas, and didn’t have any family close by, Gramma Ruthie had promised to help. Katy had offered to help too, but most of the time, the women shooed her out of the kitchen. In a way, she didn’t mind — she usually had homework to do. But in a way, it bothered her. It felt strange to have another woman working in the kitchen that had been Katy’s ever since she was old enough to cook for Dad.

  “Are you making the same kind of mints Ron and Taryn Knepp had at their wedding?” Katy had enjoyed attending the wedding for Annika’s older sister in mid-January. She hoped she would end up having fun at Dad and Mrs. Graber’s wedding.

  “The very same recipe,” Gramma confirmed.

  “Awesome! Those were epic.”

  Gramma Ruthie tipped her head and gave Katy a look that was a cross between amusement and disapproval. “Really, Katy-girl, the things you say.”

  Katy slid back in the seat. She tried not to bring school words home to Schellberg, but sometimes they flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. As Annika and Katy’s cousins Lola and Lori often pointed out, Katy needed to be careful, or the deacons would worry she was picking up too many worldly habits. Then she’d have to stop attending the high school in Salina. “I just meant the mints were very good. They were creamier than ones we’ve had at other weddings.”

  Gramma smiled. “We liked them too. That’s why we’re making them for Samuel and Rosemary.”

  “I hope we bought enough candy forms,” Mrs. Graber said. “They’re reusable, of course, but I don’t know how long it takes for the candy to set up so they can be removed from the forms.” The two women began discussing mint making, leaving Katy out of the conversation.

  Katy leaned into the corner of the seat and let her mind wander to the moment when the principal announced her name as the sophomore attendant for homecoming. The other students in the room had looked at her in surprise, probably mirroring the stunned expression on her own face. No one congratulated her the way they had the boy attendant, Michael, but she didn’t care. Just being chosen was so much more than she had ever expected. Now if only Bryce would—

  She frowned, forcing herself to face the truth. Even though Dad would be happy for her, he would never let her buy a dress and put on makeup and leave her hair uncovered in public. And how could she possibly stand with all the other royalty in her Mennonite caped dress and mesh cap with its ribbons hanging alongside her cheeks? She would look ridiculous, and people would laugh. No, she wouldn’t be able to actually be the attendant, so she should stop thinking about it.

  Sadness struck so hard her eyes burned. She blinked several times to keep tears from forming. Maybe she wouldn’t tell Dad at all, just to keep from hearing him say,“No, that’s not something you can do, Katy-girl.”

  Mrs. Graber pulled her car beside the barn and turned off the engine. Katy reached for the door handle to let herself out, so she could escape to her bedroom and write all her frustration in her journal. But Mrs. Graber’s voice stopped her.

  “Oh! Kathleen, I nearly forgot. Your dad asked me to tell you we’ve decided to take a little trip — just a weekend one — after our wedding. Caleb Penner has agreed to take care of the cows for us, so you won’t be needed here at the farm. Your dad thought you might like a little vacation of sorts too.” She laughed lightly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “So he plans to ask Shelby’s father if you could spend the weekend with them. That is, if you want to stay in Salina with the Nusses. Would that be all right with you?”

  Katy’s sadness zipped away so quickly it almost made her dizzy. The wedding was the day before homecoming. If she stayed with Shelby, Katy could go to the same places Shelby went. And Katy knew where Shelby would be going. She answered quickly. “Sure. That would be fine with me if it’s okay with Shelby’s parents.”

  “Good. Your dad will go into the grocer and give them a call later this week then.”

  Katy bounced out of the car and headed for the house with Mrs. Graber and Gramma Ruthie trailing behind her. Guilt tried to pinch her conscience, but she pushed the feeling away. She wasn’t going to get into any trouble. She’d be with Shelby. And Bryce. And for one night, she would get to find out how it felt to be a normal, popular girl.

  Chapter Three

  Katy hesitated before entering the forensics room the last hour on Thursday. She smoothed her hands over the skirt of her best dress, the purple dress Mrs. Graber had sewn for her Christmas present. She’d chosen it that morning because purple was a happy color but mostly because Annika had told Katy the purple made her eyes seem violet instead of blue. When Bryce asked her to homecoming, he’d probably lean close, and she wanted him to notice her violet eyes.

  “Kathleen, out of the way.” The bossy voice came from behind Katy. Katy skittered through the door so Marlys and a couple other forensics girls could go in too. Marlys flounced past Katy with her nose in the air. The other girls did the same.

  Several of the sophomore girls had been snotty to Katy over the course of the day. Although she didn’t like being ignored by the popular girls — usually they acted as if she didn’t exist — being the target for snippy comments and condescending looks was even worse. Shelby had told her not to let it bother her—they were jealous because the seniors had chosen Katy as an attendant. “It’s not you, Katy, really. It would be anybody who got picked. They’ll get over it,” Shelby had assured her. Katy hoped they’d get over it soon. Being constantly dissed was not fun.

  Katy glanced around the room, but she didn’t spot Bryce. She knew he was at school today because she’d seen him in earlier classes, the cafeteria, and the hallway. He’d smiled at her twice, but he hadn’t tried to talk to her. Her hopes had risen and fallen so many times she felt like she’d been stuck on a roller coaster. Sighing, she slipped into a desk and opened her backpack. She removed her oration about relying on faith for strength to overcome hardship. She’d memorized the six-minute speech, but if she read it, she might be able to think about something besides Bryce. Bending over the page, she forced her eyes to focus on the first line: Into every life, a little rain must fall —

  “Bryce!”

  At Marlys’s shrill cry, Katy turned her head so fast one of her ribbons smacked her on the jaw. Bryce strode into the room. His gaze found hers, and Katy held her breath. Would he come over to her desk to talk to her? But Marlys dashed across the floor and captured his arm.

  “I thought you’d never show up. I got this great idea yesterday on staging, and I want to try it to see if it works better than what we planned before.” Marlys dragged Bryce to the far corner of the classroom. He sent Katy an apologetic look but then turned his back and started working with Marlys. Katy watched for several minutes, hoping he might look at her again, but he didn’t turn around.

  Disappointed, Katy returned to her written speech. Just work, Katy. That’s what you’re here for — not for flirting with Bryce. She needed to be ready. On Thursdays the students performed for each other in preparation for weekend meets. They never got through all of the performers because there were too many of them to fit into an hour, but everyone needed to be prepared in case Mr. Gorsky drew his or her name from the fishbowl on his desk.

  Students milled around, chatting in small groups or practicing. No one approached Katy’s desk. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Mr. Gorsky talked with Bryce and Marlys. He gestured, pointing to various spots on the floor, then Bryce and Marlys apparently tried what he suggested. He nodded, and finally he turned to face the entire class.

  “All right, everyone, find a seat and let’s quiet down. Bryce and Marlys are going to do their duet act first —”

  Marlys groaned, bending her knees as if she was going to faint, but then she bounced up, slung her arm around Bryce’s shoulders, and giggled. Katy experienced a brief stab of jealousy. Marlys was so at ease with boys. So was Jewel, and even Shelby, although Shelby wasn’t as flirty as Jewel or Marlys. Katy bit her lower lip, battling feelings of inadequacy. How did a girl learn to be comfortable around boys? Katy had always felt a bit on edge with boys her age. Of course, before the deacons had given her permission to attend Salina High North, she’d only been around one boy her age: Caleb Penner. And he could make anyone edgy with his constant teasing.

  Katy tried not to scowl when Marlys grabbed Bryce’s arm again and dragged him to the front of the classroom. As soon as everyone was seated, Marlys stepped forward. She put her hands behind her back and announced the title and author of their play. Then she and Bryce launched into their duet act about college students who visit a campsite called Gilded Pon
d, only to discover it’s in the middle of a swamp.

  The play was humorous, and both Bryce and Marlys performed well, pretending to fight off king-size mosquitoes and slog through mushy ground, but Katy didn’t join the laughter with the other students. Seeing Bryce so close to Marlys created a lump of envy in her throat that she couldn’t swallow. Years ago, she’d memorized a verse in Proverbs about envy being rottenness in a person’s bones. She didn’t want her bones to rot, but she also didn’t want Marlys hanging on Bryce’s elbow or leaping into his arms in an attempt to escape a make-believe crocodile. Not even if it was just part of a play.

  When Bryce and Marlys finished, the students applauded. Katy managed to offer a few half-hearted claps along with the others. The students called out their comments and suggestions for improving the performance, then Mr. Gorsky reached for the fishbowl. Seven other students performed, but Katy’s name wasn’t drawn. That suited her fine. Just being in the room with Bryce made her hands sweat and her heart pound. If she tried to stand in front of everyone and talk, she’d probably make a fool of herself.

  At the end of class, Mr. Gorsky shared last-minute information about the upcoming Saturday meet in Minneapolis. He read through the list of students who’d signed up to attend, and Katy’s heart gave another little leap when he read Bryce and Marlys’s names together. Her name wasn’t on the list — Dad had told her she needed to wait until after the wedding to go to another forensics meet in case Mrs. Graber needed help with the wedding preparations. She wished she were going to Minneapolis, though. She’d only competed twice so far this season, but she’d earned a third-place medal in Marquette. She wanted to try for a second- or even a first-place medal before the season ended in late March.

  The bell rang, and Mr. Gorsky said,“Brett and Taylor, hold up — I need to talk to you for a minute. Everybody else, see you tomorrow.”

  “‘Bye, Mr. G!” students called as they jostled out the door.

  Katy returned her speech to her backpack then stood to fling the bag over her shoulder. Her elbow bumped somebody, and she turned to apologize. She discovered Bryce standing next to her desk. Her stomach immediately turned a somersault.

  He rubbed his arm and grinned at her. “You’ve got a really pointy elbow.”

  “I’m so sorry!” She felt heat building in her ears. Flustered to have him so close after wanting him to be close all day, she stammered,“I — I didn’t see you.”

  “How could you with me standing behind you? It’s okay.”

  If she’d jabbed Caleb Penner with her elbow, he’d do everything he could to make her feel stupid about it. But Bryce just told her it was okay. He was so nice. She tried to think of something else to say. Jewel or Marlys would know what to say. But Katy’s tongue felt stuck to the roof of her mouth. So she stood there as quietly as if she were in church and waited for him to talk again.

  He glanced over his shoulder at Mr. Gorsky and the two remaining students. Then he bobbed his head toward the door. “Can … can I walk you to the bus?”

  Katy noticed the tops of his ears had turned pink. Somehow the sight made her feel less embarrassed. She ducked her head so he wouldn’t see her smile. “Sure. I need to go by my locker first, though.”

  “That’s fine.” They headed down the hallway side by side.

  Katy’s legs felt stiff, and she concentrated on moving gracefully. She wanted to relax and talk to Bryce as easily as Marlys did, but her breath came in little bursts and her heart thudded hard. It took all of her effort to walk and breathe. She couldn’t find the ability to talk.

  While she dug in her locker for her coat and the books she needed to take home, Bryce leaned against the next locker. “I wanted to tell you congratulations on being named the attendant for homecoming. That’s a pretty big honor.”

  The heat from Katy’s ears flooded to her cheeks. “Thanks. I was sure surprised.”

  He laughed, but not a mean laugh. “Bet so. I … I guess that means you’ll be there for the homecoming game? I mean, if you’re an attendant, you kind of have to be there, right?” He laughed again, and this time it sounded self-conscious.

  If it weren’t for her spending the night with Shelby, she wouldn’t be going. No matter if she was chosen as attendant or not, Dad probably would have told her no. He was always worried about her finding too much pleasure in activities away from Schellberg. Honor thy father and mother—the biblical admonition ran through her mind. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  A grin grew on his face. “Great. Then …” She had everything she needed, so they started walking again. “Have you thought about being around all evening? I mean, for the whole game and not just the crowning ceremony?”

  She’d thought of little else since yesterday at lunch. She shrugged, bunching her coat around her neck. “Kind of

  Bryce held the door open for her, and they stepped into the schoolyard. The bus waited by the curb. Katy needed to hurry, but she didn’t want to leave Bryce until he’d asked her to homecoming. She looked at him, holding her breath.

  “If you’re going anyway, do you want to … you know … go with me? I mean, unless Michael asked you already

  Who was Michael? Then she remembered Michael Evans was the sophomore boy attendant. “Am I supposed to go with him?”

  Bryce shook his head. The breeze picked up, and he snapped his jacket closed. “Not necessarily. Sometimes the attendants go to everything together, but …”

  Everything. Could “everything” mean the game and the dance? The bus driver blared the horn. “I have to go or …” Katy started inching sideways along the walkway.

  Bryce shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and followed. His heels scuffed on the pavement. “So … do you want to …?” He let the sentence dangle.

  She reached the bus. “Yes.” The word gasped out. She gulped and added,“I do.” She nearly giggled. In two weeks, Dad would say “I do” to Mrs. Graber and his life would change forever. Would her life also change significantly since she’d uttered those words to Bryce? Even though it was a whimsical, romantic — almost silly — thought, she savored it anyway.

  Bryce broke into a huge grin that made Katy’s heart skip a beat. “Awesome! Well then, see you tomorrow, Katy.”

  Katy stood in place, watching him trot off.

  “Kathleen, climb on,” the bus driver chided. “We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

  “Sorry.” Katy clambered on board. As she slipped past the bus driver, she said,“I’m going to homecoming. With Bryce.” It felt good to say it out loud.

  “Good for you. Sit down so we can get rolling.”

  Katy dropped her backpack on the closest seat and sat. The bus groaned away from the curb. Katy looked out the window, searching for Bryce. She spotted him in the parking lot beside his car. Her heart zinged when he looked up and waved. She waved back and then slumped down in the seat. She closed her eyes and hugged herself.

  He’d asked her! He’d really asked her to homecoming! Thinking about it made her heart flutter more. Her feet might not know how to dance, but she felt like her heart might dance its way out of her chest while the bus tires rolled down the highway toward her stop.

  Dad’s pickup waited at the corner, and Katy dashed across the gravel. She climbed in quickly and gave the door an exuberant slam. “Hi, Dad!”

  “Hi to you. You must have had a good day.”

  “Sure did.”

  He grinned. “Then maybe it’s time for another driving lesson. Do you want to drive?”

  “Yes!”

  Dad got out and ran to the other side of the truck while Katy scooted across the seat. She settled herself behind the steering wheel. Dad hopped into the passenger seat. “Let’s go.”

  With a little giggle, Katy put the truck into gear. She held tightly to the steering wheel with both hands as the truck bounced along the rutted road.