Fireflies

Chapter 6

A/N- I'm posting a picture of Kathryn's dress along with this chapter. I like to describe things, but guys tend not to notice exact details of dresses, and the story is from Stratton's point of view....

Chapter Six

Stratton glanced down at the piece of paper in his hand. He read the address of the apartment several times before looking up and swallowing quickly. He started up the stairs that led to the street above the subway. He hurried up the sidewalk glancing at street names and numbers. When he got to the apartment building that was the correct address, he slowed down and walked in the door.

He made his way to the elevator, and told the operator

“Floor 4 please.”

The operator nodded and Stratton stood there feeling the tension in the air. When the elevator reached the fourth floor, the doors opened and Stratton stepped off. He was feeling the nerves and wiped his hands on the leg of his pants. Stratton walked down the hall until he found the apartment he was looking for, 446. Stratton knocked on the door, took a step back and waited.

  The door opened, and there stood Kathryn. Stratton had not seen her in six years, but she was a beautiful as ever. She had long auburn hair and dark hazel eyes. She still had her small slender figure and her eyes still laughed and sparkled. She was wearing a denim shirt and leggings. Her feet were bare and she still wore the traces of stage makeup.  Kathryn gasped and stepped back. She shut the door in Stratton’s face. 

  Stratton stood there stunned for a moment. He couldn’t believe he had come all this way and now he was standing outside her apartment, having the door just slammed unceremoniously in his face. He took a deep breath, and prepared to knock on the door again, when it opened, and there she stood.

“I’m so sorry, you just surprised me. I-I, well, why don’t you come in and sit down?” Kathryn said, flustered and turning a little red on her cheeks.

Stratton smiled and followed Kathryn into her apartment. He looked around; the cozy living room was bright and colorful, with mix- and- match furniture.

“You have a nice place.” Stratton commented.

“Thanks.” She replied, for once Stratton noted that she was quiet.

“Do you want something to drink? Do you still like coffee?” Kathryn asked.

Stratton was surprised that she remembered that.

“Sure, that would be great, actually.”

Stratton followed her into the kitchen thinking to himself, Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I’m making her feel awkward.

At that moment, Kathryn turned around asking “Do you want sugar?”

“Yeah. Just a little bit though, not much.”

“Sure.” She replied, her tone light and friendly.

Definitely not the way I would have been if she had shown up at my house out of the blue.  He said to himself.  Kathryn putted around for a moment more, before handing Stratton the mug.

“Do you want to go into the living room; it’s a little less cramped.” She said, motioning to the small kitchen.

“Lead the way milady.” Stratton replied.

Kathryn giggled, the light laugh that it always had been, she swept her hair off her shoulder, and led Stratton into the living room.  Stratton sat on the couch and Kathryn sat on an armchair in by the television.