To Leap From Heaven [A Romantic Thriller]

18.

Matt had devised a few more exciting excursions, and Catherine fell in with it. Balancing her nocturnal adventures with class during the day was not easy which tired Catherine, and dark circles started to appear under her eyes. She tried to hide it with make-up, and by wearing sunglasses, but Kim saw through it.

"Are you ever going to tell me?" Kim burst out one day in a fit of impatience.

"Tell you what?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I know you and Matt are seeing each other, but what I want is details. Out with it," Kim demanded in an imperious tone of voice.

Catherine knew her friend suspected the existence of an affair, and so far she had postponed telling her about it. She cherished their time together, and did not want to share it with anyone. 

"Ok, I'm going to tell you everything, but you must promise to keep it a secret. I don't want anyone else to know."

"Since when do I go blabbing to strangers about our affairs? But if you insist, you have my word that whatever you tell me will remain buried within my heart, and God will strike me dead should I open my lips to anyone."

“I don't want your death on my head, so here we go."

The girls sat with their heads close together while Catherine related every detail of her time spent with Matt. Kim listened enthralled and open-mouthed to their daring adventures. She did not figure Catherine for the adventurous type, and here she trumped all her past exploits. Compared to Catherine's they faded into the ordinary and the mediocre. She was in awe of her friend, and gained a newfound respect for her. Looking at Catherine one would never guess what lies beneath that sweet innocent exterior. 

She had to congratulate Matt in bringing out this side of Catherine, and she heartily blessed their union. When Catherine was done talking, Kim said breathlessly, "My friend, I don't know what to say. Right under everybody's noses? And in the cabin no less? I envy you, and if Matt has a brother, I want him. I want what you have."

"I'll ask him, but I can't guarantee he'll be anything like Matt."

"I'm joking. But seriously, I'm glad he's in your life, and that he makes you happy. That's all that matters."

"I am happy, and I really love him."

"What's going to happen when daddy dearest comes home? The two weeks are almost over, and from what I've seen, he nailed it."

"That's my biggest concern. We've had skeleton staff while he was away, but with his return, there'll be a full compliment on duty. During the last two weeks it was easy to avoid detection, but going forward, it won't be that easy. We shall have to be extra careful, or not see each other at all. I don't think I can live without not seeing him. Maybe we should come clean. I'm a little confused. What do you think?"

"I think it's the last thing you would want to do. It's not that I want to talk you out of it. Ultimately, the decision will be yours. But I suggest you wait a while. What's the hurry? Talk it over with Matt. Maybe he has a better idea. It is going to be hard, but think with your head, not your heart. There's a lot at stake here."

"Great advice, Kim. I wish you would follow your own advice sometimes."

They giggled, and Kim launched into an elaborate and detailed discussion of the latest gossip doing the rounds on campus. Catherine hardly listened to a word she said. It was not as if she weren't interested. On the contrary, Kim's stories were always very entertaining, and although she blew things out of proportion and turned herself into a tragic heroine, it never failed to make Catherine laugh. Her mind was in another dimension, and far from her friends' ramblings. 

"That's it. I'm not telling you anymore of my stories."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"What's the name of the new guy I like?"

"What new boy?"

Kim sighed. "There is no new guy. I was telling you about the fight Melissa and Anne had about the same boy they both like. Their friendship is not going to last if they don't stop their competition. Be that as it may, you might as well be with Matt, because that is where your mind is."

"True, and I apologize. I always enjoy your stories, but you're right, my mind is with Matt. I'm worried for our safety."

"There's nothing to worry about. Talk it over, and move on. Worrying is not going to change things."

"You're right again. I'm seeing him tonight."

"Say hello to Matt from me. Relax, and enjoy every moment. Who knows what tomorrow might bring?"

"What have I done to deserve such a wise old friend?"

"Go on. Laugh. You'll miss me when I'm gone. And whose shoulder are you going to cry on?"

They separated on that high note, and Catherine, for once, appreciated her friend even more. Sometimes she wished she was a tiny bit as carefree as Kim.

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