Chapter 27
One year later
“Percy.” Where is that damn cat? I walk around to the back of the yard and call out for him again. I thought for sure the little shit would be out here digging up the flowerbed.
“Any luck?” Becks asks from behind me.
“No, he is a lost cause. I am sure he will return when his butt gets hungry,” I tell him with a shrug. “What time is Desi getting here?” I turn around and give him a small hug. I am going to miss him. We are finally close again.
“Should be anytime now.” He smiles. Desi is Beckett’s girlfriend. We are having them a thing tonight, well we—being Penny and I. Beckett and Desi are going to South America for four months with their church. Desi is so good for him. I knew when I met her she was going to steal him away from me.
“Katie!” Penny screams my name from the kitchen window.
Becks and I go to see what she is freaking out about.
“What?” I ask, and then I see Percy sitting on the table eating her chicken. “Percy,” I shout, and he looks at me, licks his mouth, and I swear the little devil just smiled at me.
I inherited him from Mrs. Jennings when she passed away last fall. I stayed with her until she passed from old age and natural causes. She went out with a smile on her sweet wrinkled face. We spent her final days talking and reminiscing about her younger years. She led an amazing life. When she was younger, she was a singer in a gospel group. They even had a hit song. I never knew that about her until it was close to the end, which saddened me, considering how long we lived next to each other.
Penny wasn’t too thrilled when I moved Percy in with us, but the little yellow fur ball was going to go to the shelter if I didn’t.
“I’ll order a pizza,” Becks says with a chuckle.
“I can’t believe you are ditching and leaving me alone with Katie all summer.” Penny gives Becks a hug.
“I can hear you ya know?” I shake my head at her. You would think we aren’t even friends with the way they talk about me as if I am not in the room with them.
A knock sounds at the front door to our townhouse. I ended up moving in with Penny in Georgetown over six months ago. Must be Desi. I go to let her in and see that she brought a casserole. I smile and give her a side hug.
“Hold off on the pizza, Becks, your woman came prepared,” I call toward the kitchen.
“Well, you guys did say Penny was cooking. I just thought it was better to be prepared,” Desi jokes, taking the dish and setting it on the table.
“That almost hurts my feelings,” Penny mocks.
We are settled at the table together for our last group meal minus Stewart. He couldn’t make it tonight. He normally has the weekends off, but he is on call for emergencies, and was called out for a sick horse. Stewart is a Veterinarian’s Assistant. We met when I took Percy to get declawed. It was the only way I could get Penny to agree to Percy living with us. Stewart actually got me a job as a receptionist at the clinic and we became friends fast.
Penny swears he has a thing for me, but I could swear he is gay. He loves to watch all the old 80’s Rom Coms with Percy and me. He has become a great friend, Becks actually likes him, and he never likes any guys I bring around. Not that I bring anyone around. Well, other than Stewart. However, Stewart is my coworker, and I just can’t see anyone else in that way, especially when I know there is only one person out there for me. The one person I can’t have and shouldn’t still crave.
We dig into our meal. Desi makes the best tatter tot casserole. I am going to miss her feeding us. Penny and I are not that great at cooking much, unless it involves ordering out, or using a microwave. But ask me to bake cookies and I am all over that.
“What time do you leave?” I look to Desi.
“My mom is driving us to the airport around noon or so, but our flight doesn’t depart until around five.”
“I wish you guys could come to the grand opening for the Speedway tomorrow. There is like ten different bands scheduled to play on three different stages. It is going to be epic,” Penny says animatedly. She got a job at the Raceway that is getting ready to open and they are having some huge concert to celebrate. The official races won’t start until next weekend, but I am excited for the concert.
“What bands?” Becks asks.
“No idea, that is horrible of me isn’t it, but in all fairness, you know how my mind is these days.” Penny has bride brain. The bitch went and got herself engaged on me to a Marine. Bradly is on active duty, serving a tour in Iran. He won’t be home for another six months. He popped the question on Valentine’s Day right before he left. I tease Penny she only said yes because he was leaving.
I am really happy for her. Bradly seems to make her smile.
“Something cool would happen here the moment I am leaving,” Beckett gripes.
“Um, hello. I am taking you to another country,” Desi fusses at him. He brushes her chestnut hair back from her face and kisses her cheek. They are so cute together, it is disgusting. My heart aches at how sweet they are.
“What’s for dessert?” Penny looks to me expectantly.