Lakehouse

Chapter 9

I eventually go back inside to find Catherine. Parker's family has reconvened in the kitchen. Parker points upstairs.

"She's in her room."

I climb the stairs two at a time. I don't bother knocking.

She rolls her eyes when I walk in. "Go away."

I slam the door behind me. "No. I need to explain what you saw."

"I don't care to know. You're going on a date with Will. I get it."

I lean against the door frame. His wife died a few years ago and I guess when Steph told him about Chase, he wanted to talk to me. I would never do that to you or to Chase." I open the door. "But it's good to know what you really think of me."

I close the door on my way out and run into Juliette. "Hey." I mutter.

"Is everything okay?"

I shrug. "I'm not sure. I'm going to go for a walk."

"Would you like some company?" She offers.

I walk down the stairs with her trailing me. "Sure."

We start on the path where Parker and I ran just a few hours ago.

"So tell me what's going on." She says as we walk side by side.

"Cath and I met this guy today. He came over a little bit ago and asked me to dinner. But it isn't a date. He lost his wife a few years ago and he thought he could help me grieve or whatever. But Catherine overheard him confirming dinner plans and now she thinks I have a thing for him or something."

"Does she like him?"

I shrug. "I guess. I don't know. She said she wanted to ask him out. But it doesn't matter! I'm not going out on a date. We're just talking."

Juliette smiles. It reminds me so much of Parker's smile. "Did you tell her that?"

I nod. "Yeah but I don't think she believes me. And it's absurd because I still love Chase and I'm not ready to date anyone."

She sighs. "She'll get over it. It's just an emotional time for you all right now."

"It has been really hard. But I don't want to fight with her. Especially over something this stupid. I just thought it might be nice for me to talk to someone who has gone through the same thing."

"I understand. Just give her a little bit of time."

"You're probably right. Thanks."

She smiles. "Of course. I would also like to apologize for my mother. She's seriously so crazy. Harrison hates her."

I chuckle. "Don't worry about it. My parents both abandoned me, so that is nice compared to my mom."

"I don't know how my dad puts up with her. P and I have never been able to stand her and she's our mother."

"How long have you and Harrison been together?"

"Well, we've been married for a few months. But we've been dated for 5 years before the engagement."

"Long time." I say absentmindedly.

"He's been my only boyfriend. The only guy I've ever loved. Seemed only fitting to marry him." She laughs.

I smile. "I always thought that's how me and Chase would end up, but I guess not."

"Sometimes things just happen. Chase dying is a horrible thing but I think you will end up pretty happy with your life in 50 years."

I nod. "I know I will. I've always been able to rebound quickly from things, but this was just a huge blow and it was so out of nowhere."

"Just so you know, Parker feels very protective over you now. He told me last night that since Chase died, he needed to protect you. Parker is your biggest supporter now."

"I know he is. He's been that way since he showed up. Finding those two was the best thing that ever happened to me."

We somehow end up back at the house. "Let me know if you need another girl talk. I need more of those." Juliette says with a wink.

"Thanks for listening."

"Sure thing." She passes Parker on her way inside.

He smiles at me. "Hey."

"Is Catherine still in her room?"

"No. She came looking for you a little bit ago."

We sit down on the swinging bench together. "Am I doing the wrong thing?"

He sets his hands on this thighs. "I don't know Kam. Do you feel like you're doing the wrong thing?"

"No. But I think Catherine thinks I am. And I don't need anyone being mad at me."

He kicks the dirt by his feet. "I don't think you are. You are just making friends. There is no harm in that. But I think you need to tread lightly. I'm sure Will is a great guy, but there could be an agenda there."

I want to change the subject. "I love the nickname your family has for you."

He groans. "I hate it."

"P is so cute!"

"Dear God, please don't start calling me that." He throws his head back and whines.

"I might just have to."

Christy walks out of the house and crosses her arms over her chest. "P, can you come inside."

Parker stops laughing immediately. "What do you need?"

"I just want to speak to you."

"I'll be there in a minute."

She glares at me. "Hurry please."

He sets his hand on my leg. "Catherine will get over it. You two are just friends and she doesn't need to be jealous. But you need to be careful, okay?"

"Thanks for looking out for me."

"Chase kind of told me I had to in the letter he left for me." He mutters. He stands up and walks away.

I grab his arm. "Chase left you a letter?"

He nods. "Yeah. His parents said it was sealed in the envelope he left for them. Do you want to read it?"

"No, it's personal. I just didn't know he left one for you."

"Oh. Yeah. He did." He walks into the house and leaves me wondering what Chase wrote to him.

I make my way inside and head upstairs, avoiding Christy at all costs.

I walk into my room to find Catherine sitting on my bed.

"Oh are we speaking now?"

She looks up at me as tears stream down her face. "I'm sorry Kam." She says through sobs.

I plop down next to her and wrap my arms around her. "Its okay."

"No, it isn't. I was such a bitch. I'm just so sensitive to everything right now. I've been pretending I'm okay and I'm not."

I can't help but cry when I see her cry. "I know you aren't. Neither am I."

We sit together for a long time. And just cry.