From The Journals of Katherine Plumber

May 30th, 1900: Part II

(Is there instantly a very unneeded Stranger Things 4 reference? Maybe. Do I regret it? Not at all. Also - HEAR ME OUT - Nancy Wheeler is the 1980s version of Katherine.)

"Katherine! Come on, Kath! Wake up! I don't like this! Katherine, wake up!" I heard Phillip shout as Jack shook me gently.

I shot up and looked at Jack, quickly wrapping my arms around his neck and crying. After a moment of him shushing me and trying to get me to calm down, I pulled away and looked at him, "I-I'm sorry." I said softly.

Jack sighed, "Don't be, Ace. Phillip told me what was happening and-"

"Oh, no. Not for that." I said, grabbing Phillip's hand and standing.

"Huh?"

"I should not have to justify my love for you. Whether you heard me say something out of context or not. I ran away because I was scared that I was making you mad. Now I see! I'll make you mad anyways. I should not have to constantly remind you I love you, and you should not feel as if every man is competition." I said.

"Ace,-"

"Jack, we should probably focus on what she was running from, not your relationship right now." Phillip said.

"It was him." I said.

"Who?" Jack asked.

"Andrews. He was right over there!" I said, pointing towards the bridge.

"Kath, he's dead! How many times-"

"He was there, Jack!" I cried.

"Dis is da second time ya claimed he was somewhere, yet every time ya da only one who sees 'im." Jack said.

"Do you want me to call Ms. Barton? Do you want me to call everyone from that ball last month? What do I need to do to prove to you he was there! And here!" I yelled.

"Ise ain't sayin' he ain't dere. Ise just sayin' he's only dere for youse." He said.

"You think I'm crazy. He did, too. You are not better than him, Jack Kelly! Oh, but, what would I know? I'm just selfish, little princess Pulitzer." I said, coldly before walking off.

Once I found my way back to the path, the boys trailing behind me as Jack attempted to make amends, Father found us. Naturally, lunch was then very awkward and I purposely flirted with Mr. Hatcher just to annoy Jack. All of that was very boring, though. Although I do plan to flirt with Mr. Hatcher more at supper, which is what everyone is preparing for downstairs. Everyone but me. I am hiding away in my room as the men talk in the study, Mother entertains in the drawing room, and the children get ready for bed.

It's been nearly 8 hours since I last spoken to Jack... It feels so long. He said hurtful, hateful things, yet I still want him. This is what I have been thinking over and over again in my head as I laid in my bed, my face in my tear drenched pillow as my long, purple, fluffy evening gown spread across my bed. I plopped my chin down on the top of the pillow, just staring into the air, there was a knock on my door. I just assumed it was Jack, since he had tried to come in numerous times - Most likely whenever he found a way to get past my Father. "Go away, Jack!" I groaned, throwing my face back into the pillow.

"Not Jack." Joey said as he peeked in.

I jumped up, trying to not look like a complete mess, "Joey, sorry. Come in." I said with a forced smile as I patted the bed next to me.

"Edith told me everything." He said, sitting next to me as he held a box in his lap.

"Everything? Like, every little thing?" I asked.

"All the way down to each little detail, like how drunk you were on Christmas." He chuckled softly.

I rolled my eyes, "I could've used my partner in crime this past year."