Part 10 (2/2)

Christy tried to sound encouraging. ”That's great, Katie.”

”Do you really mean that?”

Christy knew she couldn't lie. How could she get around this? She paused and found she couldn't answer.

”That's okay,” Katie said. ”You don't have to answer that. I know how you feel about Michael and don't want you to lie to me, ever. I won't lie to you, and you know that. I want you to be happy for me. I have never felt so wonderful in my whole life, Christy. I feel as if it's finally okay for me to just be me. Michael likes me. Can you believe that?”

”Of course I can. There's plenty to like. You're a treasure, Katie.”

”Do you understand what I'm saying? Michael likes me, Christy. He's the first guy who has ever been really interested in me, and it's killing me that you won't be happy for me.”

”I just wish he was a Christian,” Christy said.

”Why does that make such a big difference to you? I'm not going to marry him! We're dating, that's all. He's very open to G.o.d and to spiritual things.”

Christy paused and chose her words carefully. ”But Katie, you and Michael are getting close so fast, and I'm worried about you. He doesn't have the same standards you do.”

”Yes, he does,” Katie quickly defended. ”You don't know him, Christy. You don't know what he's like. You're too self-righteous to even get to know him because he doesn't fit your perfect little Christian standard. Let me tell you something. Michael has been more of a gentleman to me than Rick Doyle ever was, and Rick was supposed to be some hotshot Christian. Rick kissed me, and it meant nothing to him. Another conquest. A game. When Michael kisses me, I can tell he means it from the bottom of his heart. Our relations.h.i.+p means as much to him as it does to me.”

”He's kissed you?”

”Of course he's kissed me. You and Todd kiss. Why are you being so judgmental? I haven't done anything you haven't done. I'm not doing anything wrong!”

Christy could tell Katie was fully awake and on the defensive. It would be difficult for Christy to accomplish much bridge mending now. Instead she chose to redirect the conversation.

”Is there any way we can take our breaks together at one today and meet at the food court in the mall? I've really missed spending time with you, and I think if we're going to talk, we should do it in person.”

”I can't today. I already have plans.” Katie sounded like she was calming down some.

”How about after work? We could get together then. Do you still get off at six?”

”Well, actually, I don't work at the photographer's anymore.”

”You don't? Since when? What happened?”

”I kind of got fired.”

”Katie, when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?”

”You haven't exactly been available for small talk this past week,” Katie said.

”What happened?”

”My boss didn't like me taking so much time off, so he let me go. It's for the best. I wouldn't have had any time for a social life with all the hours I was scheduled to work.”

Christy knew exactly what Katie meant, but still, being fired was a horrible thing. ”Are you going to get another job?”

”I don't think so. At least not right away. It's not a big deal.”

”Not a big deal? Katie-” Christy scrambled for the right words-”you're changing. What's happening to you?”

”I'm finding myself,” Katie answered confidently. ”And the good part is, thanks to Michael, I really like what I'm finding.”

It was silent for a moment.

Katie spoke softly. ”You know, Christy, I think about all the changes you've been through since we've been friends, all the guys, all the difficult situations. During those times I tried to be there for you, and I tried to understand. It would really help if you could take a turn now and support me. If you could try to understand and be even a little bit happy for me, it would mean a lot.”

”Katie, I do want to support you. I have supported you in a lot of stuff over the years. Maybe more than you even know. The problem is that I'm watching you fall in love with a guy who isn't a Christian, and there's no way I can feel good about that.”

”Well,” Katie sighed, ”I guess I misjudged you, and I misjudged our friends.h.i.+p. I thought you cared about me more than you cared about your pious little Christian rules. It's exactly like Michael said, religion and politics are about the same things. They're all a matter of taking sides and taking shots at those who aren't on your side.”

”Katie... it's not like that.”

”Yes, I think it is. I need to go, Christy; there's a call on the other line. Think about what I've said, and let's talk again when you're ready to be a little more open-minded.”

Christy had a hard time at work acting like nothing was wrong. Everything she had ever felt about friends.h.i.+ps, dating, and Christianity had been shaken in that phone conversation. How could things have changed so much and so fast?

During the next week, Christy pursued Katie and continued trying to wedge back into their friends.h.i.+p. Somehow Michael kept interpreting the wedge as something to divide Katie and him.

After four tense lunches under their tree that week, Christy decided it would be best to leave Michael and Katie alone on Friday and pick up again on Monday. She felt she was doing the right thing sticking by Katie in this way. Todd had encouraged her to do exactly that and had warned her about getting her feelings hurt.

”Remember what happens with love when you cut it?” Todd had said. ”The fluid it sometimes bleeds is anger.”

That seemed to be exactly what was coming from Katie and flowing all over Christy-anger in the form of cruel remarks and defensive arguments.

”So is it just on Fridays and Mondays or what?” Christy heard Fred's voice behind her only minutes after she had taken a lonely seat at the picnic tables. ”Sort of a random first-of-the-week, end-of-the-week ritual?”

”Excuse me?”

”The last time you sat here was on a Monday, remember? Not this week but last week. I'm trying to figure out if there's any kind of pattern here. Do you only eat by yourself on bad hair days or what?” Fred sat down beside her and popped the top on his can of Dr. Pepper.

”No, I only eat by myself when I don't have anyone else to eat with.” As she heard her own words. Christy realized how pathetic she sounded. The awful truth was that she had spent so much time with Katie over the last few years that she didn't have any other close friends at school. At least no one who invited her to make a run to Taco Bell at lunchtime.

”Not a problem,” Fred said confidently. ”I happen to be available today, and I don't mind eating with you a bit.”

”Thanks, Fred.” Christy's sarcasm showed through. She hoped no one would see her with him. His constant attention was beginning to bug her. He seemed to always be at her side, not only in yearbook cla.s.s but also here at lunch.

Christy ate her sandwich in silence, aware of Fred's noisy slurping from his soda can.

”You know, Fred, you would be a lot more, well...attractive if you didn't make such loud noises while you're eating and drinking.”

”Good point,” Fred said without seeming offended. ”I hadn't realized I was doing that, but you're right, it is kind of uncouth.”

Christy gave him a slight smile and continued eating her lunch.

”What else?” Fred asked.

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