Kat and Andrew

Part 2

Andrew and Kat exited the dingy little diner and stepped back out into the foggy morning. The air was dead still and the fog appeared to be hanging in there for the duration. Andrew looked out at where the river should have been but couldn't see anything but a gray mist. He could hear the seagulls as they called to each other from their perches atop the channel markers and boats that called the bay home. He shook off a chill and fluffed his jacket as he turned and looked down at Kat. She was smiling with her eyes closed, taking in all of the world around her. She opened her eyes and shook off a chill. "Well," she said, "shall we go?"

"That would be lovely," Andrew said with a touch of edge in his voice. They walked back up the moss covered concrete steps and onto the sidewalk above. As they strode slowly though the morning mist he watched Kat. She was simply enjoying the morning. Even though the fog was cold and thick she seemed not to notice it. There was not a care in the world in her mind. Andrew wished he could be so bold. He was always worried about something. The gum that some unknown person had spat carelessly upon the sidewalk so some innocent person could step on it and spend the next five minutes of their day scrapping it from the sole of their shoe. And who knew what disease a person could get from that. They walked past dark alleys where he was sure some interloper was lurking ready to spring out and take his wallet and watch, and possibly his little woman who walked carefree beside him. And then there was the possible stray dog, which may have contracted rabies from the rats that hung out by the dumpsters. He was a mess. He knew it. But phobias and worries were simply a way of life for him. Kat knew it too which was why she dragged him to places like The Bay. Places where she knew he would be uncomfortable the entire time. He knew she was not just being ornery for the sake of it, she was trying to help him, or at least he hoped that was the case.

Kat turned into the big book store on the corner, Franks Book nook. Who was Frank, Andrew wondered, and what had possessed this man to open a book store? It seemed an odd business to be in considering it had only been open for a couple years. With all of the digital media available, how many people still went to the bookstore to buy their books? For that matter, how many people took the time to read anymore? With all of the other stuff they all had going on who had time for it. "Good Morning Kat," said an older grey haired gentleman behind the counter. "And a wonderful morning to you Walter. Did my order come in?" Walter stooped behind the counter and pulled out a small leather bound journal, "as a matter of fact it did."

"Wonderful," she said with that ever present warm smile, "Thank you so much. My other one is nearly full."

"Anything for you Kat, your smile always brightens my day." Kat took the journal and headed for the door. When they were again outside on the street corner Andrew could not help but ask, "So, what do you write about in those? This is the third one I have seen you buy in the last month."

"I pour out my thoughts and inner most feelings into these. I have a closet full of them."

"That is a lot of thoughts. Do you write about me?"

"That's a secret silly. If I told you what I wrote down then what would I have for myself." Andrew knew the answer he would most likely get, but could not keep himself from asking anyway. They continued down the street at a slow amble. The pair never talked much. It was not that they had nothing to talk about, but simply that they preferred each other's company and chose not to sully it with idle chatter. The morning was peaceful. Few people were out and about in the cold fog. Occasionally they would pass a gentleman slumped against a wall who smelled of urine and booze and appeared not to have showered in some months. Kat would always greet them with her warm smile and wish them a wonderful morning. Occasionally she would carry her large brown shoulder bag, in it would be a stash of homemade bran muffins. She would hand them out until there were no more. It had always bothered Andrew. He knew it was for a good cause but he had always thought that these people needed to get off the sidewalk, clean up, and find a job. Kat didn't care. She had such a big heart, and it was open for the world to see. Though she didn't care if anyone saw. She didn't do any of it for the attention, but simply because she could.