Chapter Six

I sat back in Kayla’s bed, yawning. She laughed.

“You not getting enough sleep at Mike’s? Does he stay up too late in the summer?”

I crinkled my nose. “It’s not that. Brad gets up at like five every morning to go to the library. It’s almost like he’s still in college. Do you think he’s taking extra courses during the summer because he’s behind?”

She shrugged. “He’s your brother. Why don’t you ask him?”

I fidgeted. “I’m not really all that close with him anymore, not since he went to college. We hardly talk anymore.”

“That’s what happened to me and my sisters. You get used to it,” she replied. I nodded. She had five sisters, all of them either in college or married in another state.

“So, are you staying for dinner?” she asked, popping a chocolate into her mouth.

I shook my head. “No, I’m meeting with Henry again in a couple hours, and then I’m just walking over to Mike’s.”

Kayla laughed. “You’re not done doing the song with the old man yet?”

“He’s not that old. Only eighty-three.” Kayla rolled her eyes. “Besides, everything has to be perfect. We’re recording it and sending it in to KAXE, and we might give a show or something later with it. And it’s fun.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Only to you, weirdo.”

I smiled. “Thank you! What are you even having, anyway?”

“We’re ordering the House Special from Bimbo’s.”

Crinkling my nose, I stuck out my tongue. “I don’t like the peppers, anyway.”

“You can always pick them off.”

“The taste still stays there.”

We fell into gales of laughter, like we always did after an argument. We talked a bit more after that, but then I had to walk back to my place to get my violin and my sheet music. The piece was getting so long I had had to start writing parts of it down.

When I finally got to Bennett park, Henry was already sitting on a bench and gazing at a bird, which flew away as soon as I approached.

Henry frowned, but when he saw me it changed to a smile. “Hello, Kathryn!” All old people insisted on calling me by my full name. It got annoying at times, but it would feel weird if they suddenly called me Katie.

“Hi Henry. How has your week been?” I sat down next to him, my case clacking on the pavement.

He sighed. “I’ve been better. My niece came to town, and as much as I love her, she’s such a hassle.”

I laughed. “I know what you mean. My friend’s aunt is just like that. Internally flinching, I pictured Dae.

“What about any of your aunts or uncles or cousins?”

“I’ve never met any of them,” I replied simply.

His eyes turned soft, though I don’t know why. “I’m sorry to hear about that.” Then he turned back to his old self. “Well, let’s get to work. I do want this done by the end of the summer you know.” I laughed and took out my violin from its beaten, old case, which was almost as old as the violin itself. Seventy years, almost.

We got very far that day. I had to rewrite one part entirely, but it was well worth it.

When we were done it was getting late; the sun was starting to set, so it was about 7:30 at least. I was putting away my violin when Henry’s voice stopped me.

“I have a present for you. A gift, for helping me with my project.”

I turned around and saw one of the most beautiful gifts he could have given me.

A new case!

I raced over to it. It was black, light weight, and had room for my shoulder rest and rosin and an extra bow and sheet music! Not knowing what to say, and incapable of speech anyway, I ran over to the old man and gave him a tight hug before proceeding to transfer all of my old things into the new case.

Henry chuckled. “I take it you like the case then. I thought you would, but I wasn’t sure it was the right size.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I told him when I finished snapping the buckle and zipping shut the zip. A zipper!

He looked at his watch, then sighed. “I’d best let you go. My wife said she’s sell the case on Ebay for you. I’ll give you the money when someone buys it.”

Shaking my head, I replied, “You don’t have to do it. You can just throw it away.”

He laughed. “I insist. You’ll get the money.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added, “And you call me strange? A teenager refusing money? Unthinkable! My children borrowed every cent out of my wallet, and not once did they pay me back.”

“That’s your kids, not me,” I pointed out. “I gotta go. I’m expected for dinner. I’ll see you!”

“Good-bye, Kathryn.”

I nearly ran the entire three blocks to Mike’s house. By the time I got there I was breathing heavily.

“Work over time?” Molly commented. Eying my new case she added, “I see you got paid.”

I smiled brightly. “Do you like it?”

She nodded. “It looks expensive. The point is, you like it?”

I smiled again and nodded before lugging the case up the stairs. It’s not that it was heavy, but sprinting three blocks wasn’t good for me, especially with my bad eating habits. McDonald’s whenever I could get it. Hardees when I couldn’t.

Mike was sitting on my bed when I got upstairs. He was scowling deeply, and I didn’t understand why until he started talking. “Kathryn Amanda Hyland, why were you out so late?” he demanded, standing up and folding his arms across his chest.

I had to fight a smile when I said, “Michael James Wavota, were you worried about me?”

“No,” he replied stubbornly, and I laughed at him, knowing that he was lying.

“I’m sorry, Mike. I was just having fun,” I replied.

He sighed. “Just don’t do it again. Couldn’t that guy have given you his cell phone?”

“He doesn’t have one. Apparently, they give you brain cancer.” I chuckled.

Mike scoffed, smiling. “He sounds like my grandfather. No modern electronics allowed in his house. Not even a DS.”

Giggling, I replied, “This guy uses computers, but I think that’s about it.”

Mike’s smiled disappeared. “Back to the subject, Katie.” Dang. “You don’t know what type of weirdoes there are in this town. You have to be careful. Don’t be out when it’s dark or even when it’s getting dark. Drunks and druggies can be unpredictable.”

I nodded. I knew more about drunks than he ever could.

I was preparing myself for more lectures, but Mike surprised me. Pulling me into a close hug, wrapping he arms completely around me, he whispered, “Don’t make me worry about you again.”

Nodding, I closed my eyes. Mike smelled like the shop classes we had to take in eighth grade. Saw dust and finish.

There was a sharp knock on the door. Mike jumped back, but I didn’t see why. He had just been hugging me. It was the brotherly thing to do. What was wrong with it?

Molly stuck her head in. “Dinner’s ready. I made ravioli.” We looked at her incredulously, and she sighed. “Fine, I ordered it from Sammy’s. Do you want it or not?”

We smiled. Molly was a terrible cook. Anything more advanced than man n’ cheese was past her, and she never tried to change it.