03

Kathie Jane

Remember the guy with whom I shared that one awkward incident ? The one I wished would be in the furthest apartment from mine ? Apparently, I walked under a ladder some time ago because I’m getting more bad luck these days. The guy lived just across the hall.

Great.

My heels clicked against the marbled floor of my new apartment building. My nephew holds my hand, happily bouncing on his feet.

« Hi, Kenny. » I waved at the guy on the front desk whom I become friends with since I moved in days ago.

« Hi, Mr. Kenny, » Ethan parroted.

He greeted us back.

« Can we eat pizza for dinner, Aunt Kathie ? I promise I won’t tell mommy. »

« Sure. And since you’re not telling your mommy, you want ice cream ? »

« Yes, please. » He leaped forward, looking up to me with delighted blue eyes. « And cookies ? »

I laugh. « You can eat whatever you want. »

Ethan gives me a toothy grin as we waited for the elevator clambering down the lobby. He hops in, clutching the strap of his backpack. « Daddy and I drew a birdhouse yesterday. I can’t wait to show you. There are lots of rooms for more birds and they don’t have to leave to look for food. »

« That’s fascinating, buddy. » I ruffled his hair, pressing the floor to my apartment. He and his daddy has had this little project of making birdhouses.

The elevator doors opened. He races down the hall and I ran after him. The kid has a lot of energy in one small body. « If you trip and scrape your knee, your mommy is going to kill me. » I hold his hand and pushed open the door to my new apartment.

He dashed to the living room and I stared at his back, completely giving up. I wince as I hear something toppling over. I shake my head, laughing.

« Aunt Kathie, can we watch zombies ? » He calls out.

I sashayed toward the living room, pleased at the sight of my nephew cozied up on my couch. He sets aside his shoes and he’s taken out the drawing he mentioned earlier from his backpack. « I’ll get you some cookies. » Dropping my purse on the sofa, I headed to the kitchen and kept glancing backward, hoping he doesn’t break anything and end up cutting himself. « Baby, if something breaks, don’t touch it, okay ? »

I wandered inside the kitchen, a card on the counter drawing me in. My brows creased in confusion. Owen is not the type to leave handwritten notes around just to be romantic. He left his spare key with it too.

Odd.

I studied the note. Mildly intrigued when I realized it was really his handwriting. Then I realized, Owen wrote me a letter.

Very odd.

The first words of the letter had me alarmed. This is nothing like Owen – the handwritten note and leaving his key. With my hands shaking, I skimmed the entire content of the letter. My gut twisted in and out.

Dearest Kathie,

I am so sorry. I’ve been thinking about things. About us. We’ve been together for five years and I thought it was enough to make certain there is a future for us. Recently, I know we are getting pressured about marriage and stuff. Please know that I don’t want to hurt you. I need some time to think. I just need some time away.

Owen

There was a long harrowing minute before the words rained on me like splinters. I read the letter over and over, hoping I find the words ‘Just messing with you’ or ‘Kidding !’

I shake my head, my trembling hand on my forehead. The letter slipped out my fingers, landing on the counter next to the spare key. I sucked in a deep calming breath. There’s an aching slit down my throat and shooting pain in my chest.

Breathe.

My knees buckled. I lowered myself to the floor, distrusting my feet to keep me up. My eyelids dropped, hoping the insistent pricking would stop. I keep the stream of the calming breath in and out of my lungs. I groaned in frustration, realizing this is not something I could handle with a few yoga breaths.

A choked sob gashes my throat. I look up, blinking back the tears blurring my vision. A stubborn, scalding tear trailed down my cheek. Then another. And then another. Until they were a full-on flash flood dripping down my face.

« Aunt Kathie ? »

Crap. I hurriedly wiped my cheeks with my palms. It was shamefully without finesse. A futile attempt too, because all that came out of my mouth was a loud, ugly sob.

My nephew rushed over to me, his blue eyes dark with concern. « What’s wrong, Aunt Kathie ? »

I shake my head, biting on my bottom lip to bite back the sobs.

His little hands cup both my cheeks in an attempt to dry my face. His palms weren’t enough. So were mine. He throws his hands around my neck, desperate to comfort me in some way. « Aunt Kathie, please tell me what’s wrong. »

Ethan holds me in arm’s length, his eyes brimming with tears. « I don’t like it when you cry. » His chin wobbled.

« I’m sorry, baby. Aunt Kathie is just—«  A sob cuts me off.

« Please, tell me what’s wrong. » He sniffled. A tear rolled out his cheek. In a quick span of a millisecond, he was crying too.

I reach for his face, swallowing back a burgeoning sob. « I’m sorry. Aunt Kathie is just having a terrible headache. »

He sniffles. « Does it really hurt ? »

« Yes, » I choked.

Ethan leans over and plants a kiss on the center of my forehead. « Is it better ? »

I nod. « Thank you, baby. »

He wipes his cheeks with the back of his hand. « Do you need something else ? »

« Yes. » I manage a little smile.

« Please, let me help. »

« Yeah. Can I get your longest and warmest hug ? » I sniveled.

Ethan’s mouth curved. « Of course. »

I extended my arms, ushering him to my chest.

« I’m sorry I cried, » he murmurs. « I just don’t like it when you cry. »

« It’s okay, buddy. I’m sorry I made you cry. » I hiccupped.

He rested his head on the crook of my neck. « I love you, Aunt Kathie. »

My heart thawed. « I love you too. Am I your favorite Aunt ? »

« Yep. » He lifted his head and gaze up to me.

I narrowed my eyes in a good-natured skepticism. « Are you saying that because I let you eat pizza for dinner ? »

« Of course, not. You’re my favorite because you’re awesome, » he countered.

My tears stopped terrorizing my cheek. A watery laugh has taken place of my sobs. « What else ? »

« Because I like hanging out with you. »

I nodded slowly as if taking it in. « Okay. »

« We’re going to eat whatever you want this time. And it’s all because you’re my favorite. » He gives me a toothy grin.

I arched a brow. « Even broccoli ? »

He shuddered. « I don’t want to eat broccoli. »

I chuckled. « I’m gonna go get changed and then we’ll grab some cupcakes. »

His eyes sparkled. « Okay. »