Kaleidoscope

Chapter Twenty-three

The weather at UMass teased everyone in March with a hint of springtime temperatures. Students strolled outside without the bundles of winter clothing that had become the norm for that time of year. Spring Break was upon them and once again parents were flooding the campus to pick up their kids. Kim was waiting for her ride to arrive to take her to the train station.

The night before, she had a dream that she and Danny were dating. She awoke in the morning with vivid memories of him, his shyness and awkwardness around her very endearing. She never placed much stock in her dreams, but this one was so real. She shook herself awake, puzzled as to why she remembered this one so clearly. All the way to the train station she relived the day he had knocked her books over, his blue eyes connecting so passionately with her own. It was pointless to dwell on it—he was no longer in school and probably had a girlfriend back home anyway. But, the vision stuck with her as she boarded the train for home.

She received a text during the trip from her best high school friend, Laura, that she had scored two tickets to a Garth Brooks concert at the Verizon Center for that night and was hoping Kim would be able to go. It snapped Kim out of her thoughts of Danny and she immediately texted back to count her in. She closed her eyes for the remainder of the trip until she heard the call for Union Station.

Once again, her family was there to meet her. Ryan, now peering down on her, grabbed her luggage.

"No fair, little brother, you're bigger than I am now. Don't let that go to your head. You're still younger."

She eagerly told them all about the concert that night and barely made it in the door before she was turning around and waiting for Laura to pick her up.

"She wouldn't happen to have an extra ticket, would she?" Ryan asked.

"Not a chance. She's lucky she got these. But, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow." On that note, she heard Laura pull up, quickly kissed her parents good-bye, and walked out the door, their voices echoing "be careful" behind her.

The girls drove to the Metro station and took the train into the Verizon Center. It was easier than battling the traffic into D.C. and the parking was much less expensive at the station than it would be in the lots around the Verizon Center. The train stop brought them up directly next to the Center and they joined the crowds belching out of the underground like thousands of Jonahs spewing out of the whale. The girls jockeyed their way through the throngs of people lining up to enter. Their purses were searched by blue gloved attendants as they passed through the screening area and into the building. Their seats were in the nosebleed section and they were breathless by the time they climbed the long flight of concrete steps to find their seats.

The opening act took the stage and the crowd came alive, rocking and swaying to the music screaming out of the microphones.

"How did you ever manage to get these tickets?" Kim screamed to be heard over the mayhem on stage.

"Oh, I just know the right people," Laura bragged. "Seriously, though, Andy called and said she and Tom couldn't go at the last minute and would I like the tickets. Did she honestly think I'd say no?"

"Well, I don't care how you got them. I'm just excited to be here."

At the intermission, Kim was on her way out to the concession stand when she did a double take. What were the chances in a crowd this size? But that blond curly hair was unmistakable. It was Danny. She wove her way through the crowds and came up behind him.

"Danny, is that you?" she said, catching him completely off guard. Once again, blue eyes met green as they stared in disbelief.

"Wow, Kim, what a surprise."

She looked around to see if he was with anyone, but he seemed to be alone.

"How have you been since you've been home?" Kim asked.

"It's a long and complicated story, Kim, but, to answer your question—better."

"I'm glad to hear that. I've missed seeing you around, especially in our most favorite English class."

"Yeah, I remember that professor. He sure was dry."

As the conversation flowed easily, Danny screwed up his courage. "I'm really sorry that I was so rude to you when I saw you in the mall last Christmas. I wasn't in great shape that day. Would it be okay if I gave you a call while you're home? I'd like to make it up to you."

He can't have a girlfriend if he wants to see me, she thought.

"Sure, Danny," Kim said as she wrote down her number for him. I'll be home until the Monday after Easter and then I have to get back."

She gave Danny her number and he smiled. Oh, that dimple. She couldn't wait to get back to her seat and tell Laura. Feelings she thought were long buried were awakened. What now? she thought, remembering the dream she had. Was it coincidence or fate?

Remember, it's only a phone call, she reminded herself as she took her seat and started talking Laura's ear off.

Danny returned to his seat still rattled that he had run in to Kim. He never thought he would see her again. He clutched her number in his hand.

The air in the Verizon Center was electric and Kim's nerves were fired up. She wasn't sure if she was excited that she was at the concert or the fact that Danny had asked to see her. Thoughts ran rampant through her head as she tried to calm herself. Where was this all heading?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the way home on the Metro, Danny thought about the chance encounter with Kim. Had he made a mistake asking for her phone number? What was he prepared to say to her? He was a fool to think that she might be interested in him after all this time. He hadn't treated her very well. But, she had willingly given him her number. He still couldn't believe how much she looked like Theresa. What were the chances that her twin would show up in his life? Anxiety tickled his spine. He reached in his pocket and fingered his pills.